Stella Podcast

1:53: Who is Bola Sokunbi right now? (Including some very fun fun facts) 3:53: Navigating book launches and social environments as an introvert & the importance of setting boundaries 6:53: Why her seventh book doubles down on being an accessible financial book for women and, in particular, Black women — rooted in Bola’s origin story. 9:13: Redefining the wealth creation conversation; Nobody comes...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in December 2025 00:45: Chai’s definition of busy — and not to be confused with burned out 2:09: Who is Chai right now? 3:51: What is HERspire — and what gap is it filling in media? 8:31: Running HERspire whilst having a full-time job 12:06: Why financial gain isn’t part of HERspire’s mission right now 15:02: On how Chai builds a team and grows HERspire (via even...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in November 2025 1:06:  How do you define yourself in this very moment? 2:56: A budding plan to relocate to Paris, the active manifestation practices that are making that happen, and the desired impact to be made on the ground. 5:55: The journey to thinking beyond the journalist title, navigating layoffs, and eventually creating a multihyphenate path. 7:36: On he...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in December 2025 00:18: How Ashley is feeling off the heels of her debut book launch 00:54: Why, at the start of the book, Ashley prefaced Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by clarifying that it isn’t a rom-com 2:57: How the idea for this debut book was conceived and picked up by a publishing house — from starting off as fan fiction to becoming a vessel for real-life...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in September 2025 2:10: Who is Leila in this very moment? 4:55: How her Virgo tendencies show up with work 6:10: The impetus for launching Blackstage in 2020 10:02: Breaking down the origins of pole, how the industry has “sanitized” this history, and the process of reclaiming 16:02: Where does pole dancing currently fit in the world of the arts, fitness and beyon...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in September 2025 00:26: Who is Adriana in this very moment? 1:10: Settling and building a company based in Boston 3:14: How a background in journalism paved the way for emerging digital media roles (audience engagement, social media, and beyond) that weren’t taught in the classroom 5:06: The full-circle journey that now has her back in the classroom, this time t...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in August 2025 00:55: Who is Gabby in this very moment? 1:29: Getting transparent about a “neurospicy” identity (an ongoing journey after being initially misdiagnosed) 3:29: Transitioning/navigating life and career after a later diagnosis 6:40: How writing serves as a cathartic process 8:54: Merging a variety of beats from spirits to fashion to music, which all b...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in June 2025 00:22: Who is Remi right now? 2:12: Prioritizing relatability and accessibility as she grows a community of more than 1 million and growing 4:02: The origin of her brand, which started at 19, plus humbling lessons and major brand pivots early on. 12:20: The evolution of her content (she’s does everything herself), why she doesn’t shy away from showin...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in July 2025 00:27: The journey to launching “Passion on the Cutting Board” — Renee’s first cookbook that helped her find much-needed clarity 4:41: Why this isn’t a “marry-me chicken” kind of cookbook 6:53: The major role her grandmother played in shaping a love for cooking 8:48: Getting comfortable with being in the spotlight after years of being a private chef...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in July 2025 00:55: Who is Tobi in this very moment? 1:27: On the decision to hold Black Ballad Weekender for a second year 2:54: The “from failure” origin story that started Black Ballad back in 2014 and the process of getting it off the ground — including a free-access model to start 8:10: Pivoting to a subscription model in 2017 10:39: The evolution of securin...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in June 2025 1:16: Who is Gabby in this very moment? 2:28: The impetus for pivoting from a full-time engineering role to the travel/content creation space 5:16: How having ADHD has shaped her process and and professional journey — and why Gabby embraces it 9:07: A growing platform that caters to all kinds of topics — from the creator economy to corporate PTO-take...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in January 2025 0:00: Quick musings on London living (more on this later) 1:51: Who is Kira West right now? 2:46: Building a career in marketing with impact in mind 4:42: Thriving as an “intrapreneur” — and recognizing full-time entrepreneurship wasn’t feasible 6:40: Major lifestyle and professional changes ahead of the big relocation to London & what manifestati...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in April 2025 00:22: Setting an immediate tone/standard by giving people audio of correct name pronunciation 1:49: Jasely answers: who is she right now (emphasis on the right now), why and how she realized she could never box herself in, and how LinkedIn proved to be a powerful platform for her organic narrative. 4:38: Despite the pressure early-stage professiona...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in May 2025 1:11: Transitioning from being a US diplomat to a full-time content creator 3:51: What Feed The Malik has become and what is took to build the brand to this level 7:24: Reaching a point of discernment in determining rates and who to work with + getting creative about value beyond money 11:08: The value of building a community-oriented brand + why it c...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in February 2025 00:40: Moving to LA at 35 to pursue a career in filmmaking — and the professional endeavors that led up to it (including starting a newsletter in 2003) 3:32: On why and how Honey Chile, Felicia’s production company, centers Black women 40+ in front of the camera and behind the scenes 5:25: The challenges in aspiring to tell stories about older Bl...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in December 2024 This episode contains content related to depression and suicide attempt. 00:31: Who is Juice in this moment? 2:07: On a life and journey rooted in deep faith 5:05: Diving into Juice’s thriving platform as a multihyphenate entertainer—a growing brand that is teaching people to be the juiciest versions of themselves 6:45: Faith-based lessons—includ...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in February 2025 00:10: Reflections around the recent release of   Meditations for Black Women 1:01: When it comes to the wellness rituals promoted in your books—do you practice what you preach? 2:39: On why she doesn’t believe in imposter syndrome 4:56: Diving into an early career in media—the experiences (including major challenges) that shaped a new mindset an...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in February 2025 00:18: On getting an NAACP Image Award nomination for  Outstanding Directing on “James Brown: Say It Loud” 2:02: Breaking down what being a filmmaker entails, and the work being done at Deborah’s production company, Coffee Bluff Pictures 4:05: Doing the research and getting necessary buy-in to make a movie happen (including funding) 14:13 On bein...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in January 2025 00:39: Who is Imani both professionally and personally? 1:31: Work at the intersection of travel and social justice 4:41: The move that started it all: Booking a one-way ticket to Cairo in 2015. 9:04: How travel writing and influencing came into play in 2017 12:45: The value of self-publishing to kickstart your career and experience 14:50: Launchi...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in December 2024 00:37: Who is Bree Flemings right now? 1:09: The value of being Jem’s chief product officer, in addition to CEO and co-founder 3:31: The impetus for building Jem and why it’s a much-needed community and job platform for creatives 9:04: Temperature check: Where are we at right now in the media/creative industry? 12:26: Relinquishing some control t...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in November 2024 00:19: Early life in LA + moving across the country to New York to propel media career 4:39: The journey to making history as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Barnard College of Columbia University—and why higher education is so important 7:05: How does and should DEI fit into the broader media landscape? 9:52: Diving into Gabrielle’...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in November 2024 00:13: Who is Remel London? 1:13: Diving into a vast background before achieving broadcast journalism success (including a past life as a semi-pro athlete and a hunger for on-stage performing) and recognizing the need for media representation early on. 5:06: Overcoming the challenges of breaking into broadcast journalism 10:46: Breaking down “the...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in October 2024 00:37: Lessons learned from building a writing career from a very young age, including the importance of nurturing an identity separate from this professional success.  8:49: Establishing a niche as a freelance writing, and how a past career in social work came into play 13:08: The path to securing two book deals, starting with identifying gaps wi...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in September 2024. 00:37: On forming genuine connections in the industry—and bringing out the best in people 3:53: Who is Tai and what is her role in the media industry? (Including finding purpose with Morning Mindset with Tai) 6:48: Taking an unexpected career path that deviated from the plan to rise the corporate media ranks 8:32: Identifying feelings of work-r...

NOTE: This interview was conducted in September 2024. 00:10: Who is Amber the Conduit?  5:08: The evolution that paved the way for her current work as a Spiritual Consultant + Psychic Trend Forecaster, including a re-brand and ancestral influence. 11:37: On ignoring the naysayers, the buzz of spirituality, and leaning into other leaders in the space.  17:21: Navigating working and collaborating wi...