SHE WELL READ

Hey well-read baddies! This week, we’re back with another #Black365 minisode and we sit down with bestselling author Dolen Perkins-Valdez to talk about her new novel Happy Land, inspired by the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land—a self-sufficient Black community founded by formerly enslaved people in 1873. With little recorded history on this lost American kingdom, Dolen’s research brings this un...

Hey well-read baddies! This week, we’re back with another #Black365 minisode and are joined by Tembe Denton Hurst (@tembae)—writer, author, and biscuit connoisseur. She’s the brilliant mind behind Homebodies, a novel that perfectly captures the burnout, disillusionment, and existential mess that comes with being a young Black woman just trying to make it. We dive into the realities of losing yours...

Hey well-read baddies! This week we're back with another #Black365 minisode and are joined by Cecily (@CecilyAlexa)—singer, songwriter, and one of the 13,000 members of the recording academy. The Washington, DC native has a rich, soothing sound rooted in mid-century Soul and Jazz. Often drawing comparisons to Minnie Riperton and Amel Larrieux, her music is imbued with a unique sensuality that info...

Hey well read baddies! Welcome to another #Black365 minisode. Today, we sit down with Kristina Forest, the bestselling author of The Neighbor Favor, The Partner Plot, and her newest release, The Love Lyric—the final book in the Greene Sisters series. Kristina shares insights into writing heartfelt romance, balancing escapism with realistic storytelling, and how BookTok has transformed the publishi...

Hey, Well Read Baddies! In this final episode of the year, we reflect on the ups, downs, and lessons learned in 2024. From creative burnout and mood reading struggles to finding inspiration in unexpected places, we talking about it all! We also dive into the joy of embracing reading at your own pace (hello, big fans of DNFing!) and why life’s transitions are all about moving forward—even if it mea...

Hey well read baddies! Welcome to another bi-weekly minisode. Today we are joined by Chidinma (Chid) Azubuike, the incredible host of the But What Do I Know? podcast, for a lively conversation about wellness, authenticity, and the challenges of creating meaningful spaces as Black women in podcasting. Together, we explore the evolution of celebrity culture, how influencers have blurred the line bet...

Hey well read baddies! Welcome to another bi-weekly minisode. Today we are joined by the amazing author of Venus in Pisces and content creator Kiara Blanchette. Together, we explore the raw journey of love, self-discovery, and the courage to be vulnerable in a world that often asks us to hide our feelings. 00:38 Introduction and Shout Out Corner 05:14 Coffee Break 21:01 Get into the Guest Follow K...

Hey well read baddies! This week we're switching it up with an episode swap with our friends over at Behind the Silk Podcast! We are spilling the hot tea today! In today's episode, we are talking about sexual intimacy, communication, and expectations. More importantly we are talking about situationships. We have on my good friend Shakia Artson who is having her own storytime with a recent situatio...

Hey well read baddies! In this special spooky season episode, we’re joined by author Celestine Martin, the creator of the cozy paranormal romance Deja Brew. Together, we dive into the magical world of BIPOC witches, slow-burn romance, and all the witchy vibes perfect for fall. Celestine shares her journey as an author, the inspiration behind her Elemental Love series, and how she infuses themes of...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we wrap season 5 with the author of Black Girl IRL, Gail Hamilton Azodo! Gail shares her journey of writing the book and we ask her all of our burning questions. We dive into topics like navigating motherhood, writing with authenticity, and the upcoming Nightbitch movie adaptation. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow She Well Read on soc...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss the last truth #12 of Black Girl IRL, Your Authentic Self is in a Silk Cap. Our conversation dives into the importance of showing up authentically and being vulnerable, especially as Black women navigating our truths. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow She Well Read on social media for more updates! 01:57 Introduction and Sho...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #11 of Black Girl IRL, It's Gon Be Alright. We explore the realities of navigating negativity and overcoming obstacles while highlighting the importance of taking time for rest and reflection amidst the hustle and grind culture. We discuss how Black women often carry the weight of expectations, yet still manage to thrive, and emphasize th...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #10 of Black Girl IRL, Our Relationship with Money is Petty. We dive deep into the often-taboo topic of money, exploring the importance of financial transparency in friendships and the Black community. We share personal stories about navigating freelance life, setting realistic financial goals, and the challenges of sticking to a budget—e...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #9 of Black Girl IRL, Maybe Our Parents Need Reparenting and Maybe We Do Too. We share our personal experiences, exploring the complex emotions that come with healing childhood wounds and learning to parent differently. From the power of a scream to the importance of setting boundaries, this conversation is packed with insights that will...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #8 of Black Girl IRL, Black People Own Pelotons Too, and Other Assumed White Lifestyle Items. We explore the concept of Black people participating in activities and owning items traditionally associated with white culture. Through personal stories and insightful discussions, we highlight the importance of breaking these stereotypes and em...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #7 of Black Girl IRL, Social Media (and the Internet) is the real MVP. In this episode, we get personal as we discuss birthday reflections, emotional waves, and the concept of being functionally depressed while navigating through recent events. Our conversation extends to club culture, TikTok trends, and the cyber-bullying debate surround...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #6 of Black Girl IRL, Therapy is a Journey. Lana and Sam dive deep into the world of therapy, sharing personal experiences, tips, and the journey of finding the right therapist. We chat about why therapy isn't just for tough times, how it's transformed our lives, and debunk some common myths. Plus, we’ve got all the juicy updates: from sh...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #5 of Black Girl IRL, Sometimes You'll Lose Your Ride or Die. In this episode, we're diving into the highs and lows of friendship breakups. We've got some exciting news about our online book club community on Bookum, and we're inviting all of you to our season 5 anniversary party at basic. in Birmingham on July 26th. Plus, don't forget ab...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #4 of Black Girl IRL, You may be the Side Chick, Rebound, or other Non-Priority Role. In this episode, we spill the tea about being halfway through the book and how time flies when you’re having fun (or maybe just getting too deep into the chapters). But it’s not all fun and games; we get real about relationships and the signs that you mi...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #3 of Black Girl IRL, (Successful) Dating is Just Simple Math. We get real about our own dating experiences and share some hilarious behind-the-scenes moments. We also take a trip down memory lane with our favorite library memories and introduce the Black Girl IRL Partner Rating System. From evaluating a partner based on appearance, money...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #2 of Black Girl IRL, Self-Care Isn't Selfish. We're diving deep into the essence of self-care—what it means, why it’s essential, and how to integrate it into our busy lives. From discussing the guilt and challenges of prioritizing self-care to sharing practical tips on sleep quality and alone time, we cover it all. Whether you're struggl...

Hey well read baddies, welcome to another #Pride365 minisode! Today we are joined by author and writer, Haley Jakobson to discuss her book 'Old Enough,' which follows the journey of a bisexual college sophomore navigating friendships, self-discovery, and trauma. Our discussion covers the importance of fem friendships, representation in media, and the nuances of queer identity. Don't miss this enri...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we are silenced! Lol jk but we tackle truth #1 of Black Girl IRL, Silence is Your Superpower. From dealing with unrealistic expectations to learning the strength in saying 'no,' we dive into the power of silence and how it serves as a superpower. We discuss the importance of recharging, setting boundaries, and the pressures faced by black women in society...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we're diving into the introduction of of Black Girl IRL. Join us as we discuss the importance of celebrating our everyday, non-glamorous lives as Black women. We also dish on social media authenticity, some juicy celebrity drama, and Lana even shares her experience at the Megan Thee Stallion concert. It's all about real talk, good vibes, and celebrating u...

Hey well read baddies!!!! We are thrilled to be back with a new season of the podcast! We're excited to introduce our book for Season 5, 'Black Girl IRL: Life Between the Mess and the Magic,' selected by you all in our book vote. In this episode, we talk about our amazing partners for the season, share personal life updates, and discuss our recent reads. We are so pumped to be back and reading wit...