When Magic Happens

Remember mud pies and catching fireflies? Coming home before the lights came on? Remember a time before bills? Oh, to be a kid again. This week, Cheryle, Jennifer and Taylor look back at their childhoods, bringing all the nostalgic feels, the memories, and the lessons that we can apply to our adult selves.

From vintage sitcom marathons to guilty pleasure trash TV, we’re spilling everything we’ve been watching. Plus, we are joined by guest host, journalist and host of WBEZ’s Reset Sasha-Ann Simons, and she’s got the breakdown of #bachelornation!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we need to know what’s on the table and what’s on your plate. Is it low or high vibrational? This week, we’re talking about our Thanksgiving traditions, the people we love, and the food that makes the holiday chef’s kiss. Plus we’ve got some hilarious food debate that’ll have you wondering which way the collard crinkles.

It’s no secret that we at When Magic Happens love love. This week, we talk about engaging in interracial relationships as Black women, our experiences dating within and outside our communities, new dating frameworks, and why love will always be love.

Let’s talk about sex. Remember those cringey sex education courses we had back in the day? The banana and the condom? Well, this isn’t that type of conversation. Welcome to When Magic Happens sex education, and we’re keeping everything raw and honest. We’re talking sex, pleasure, and intimacy with a WMH fave guest, gynecologist, and author of This is How You Vagina, Dr. Nicole. E. Williams.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as we observe this important time, our hosts share what Breast Cancer Awareness means to them. We talk mammograms, the importance of knowing our bodies, and our When Magic Happens warrior, Cheryle, shares her intimate journey as a breast cancer survivor.

It’s fall and while some might say our summer bodies are in hibernation, WMH is here to remind y’all that a body is a body. In this throwback episode, cozy up with us as we learn to get cozy in our skin. Slim-thick, bean pole, pear, apple – how has your body been categorized? Cheryle, Jennifer and Taylor discuss body image and their relationships to their bodies over time. Then, we hear from Micha...

One thing about When Magic Happens? We love our mothers down. That’s why we’re talking about the special bond between mothers and daughters, the havoc we sometimes raise for our mamas, and the invaluable lessons we’ve learned from our mothers that make us want to be better humans.

Autumn is upon us, y’all, and for some of us that means sugar cookies, pumpkin spice, and everything nice. We are gushing about our fall plans, our favorite fall activities, and Taylor and Jennifer are on a mission to make Cheryle a believer of the fall fever.

When it comes to chatbots and AI, are we curious or cautious? We dive code-deep into ChatGPT, what it is, how it can be used, and how it can be a major game changer. Plus, we’re joined by UK-based founder of Coders of Colour Tolúlọpẹ́ Ògúnrẹ̀mí, who breaks down the basics so we the merits and the precautions for this type of tech. We are also joined by founder of Black Women in AI, Professor Angle...

In a friendship, what type of friend are you, what does your circle look like, and what does that say about you? This week, we are chatting about the many seasons of friendship, how we show up for our people, and the lessons we are learning about friendship every day.

In a relationship, who loves more? And is there such a thing as loving equally, and if so, show us the tutorial! Plus, we’re joined by guest host, award-winning journalist and WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore.

There comes a time when we all say “forget about it” and we let go, stepping into our soul selves. What’s your moment? This week, we are talking about the defining moments that helped us realize who we were and give less of a [redacted].

Hey y’all!! We’re back and picking up where we left off, catching up with each other and sharing what we’ve been up to and what we’re doing next. Cheryle, Jennifer, and Taylor share their summer highlights, Renaissance tour experience, thoughts on The Barbie movie and their plans for the fall. Come catch up with us!

Listen to this enthralling conversation between Black People Love Paramore Host Sequoia B Holmes and WMH host Taylor Coward. Put your paws up, because we’re talking all about Lady Gaga.

This week we’re talking about aliens, paranormal activity and the plain old strange. Are we alone in the universe? Is Bigfoot real? Do leprechauns exist? Taylor, Cheryle and Jennifer answer these fun questions and more!

Get out those grills, bust out that butane and get ready to BBQ! This week we’re gushing about barbecue and barbecue traditions. Taylor, Cheryle and Jennifer share their essentials for the best family barbecue. Then we’re joined by pitmaster, TV personality, chef and owner of Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Dominique Leach. Leach sets the record straight on what qualifies as Chicago-style BBQ, breaks...

This week we’re sharing an episode of Living for We , a podcast focused on the experiences of Black Women in Cleveland. Host Marlene Harris-Taylor uncovers how Cleveland was labeled the “Least Livable” city for Black women in a 2020 Bloomberg CityLab article. Bloomberg CityLab reporter Brentin Mock shares the story behind the livability index and how he worked with a Pittsburgh researcher who gath...

This week, we’re talking about mental wellness and healing. We’re learning about the symptoms of hyper independence, and how to cope with loneliness and anxiety. Taylor, Cheryle and Jennifer share their mental health journeys, and later, we are joined by clinical psychologist, author, and host of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, who shares mental wellness tips, groundin...

Calling all logophiles! Grab a pen and dust off that dictionary, we’re talking about language and vocabulary this week! Jennifer, Cheryle and Taylor share their thoughts on the power of words. Then we’re joined by vocabulary queen, author and TikTok star Beverly Mahone, popularly known as Auntie Bev . Auntie Bev talks about where her love of words began and the importance of building a strong voca...

Pack your bags, baby, and take a trip with us as we explore the terrain of solo travel. We examine the fun, the luxury, and power, and the privilege of traveling internationally as Black women. Taylor, Cheryle and guest-host and host of the WBEZ podcast The Rundown Erin Allen share their travel experiences, and later we are joined by Travel vlogger, educator, and coach Karina Henry, better known a...

The Black card, do you have one? Has your card ever been revoked? Have you ever revoked someone else’s? We’re answering these questions and more in this week’s episode all about “Blackness.” We’re examining ideas around performative blackness and society’s influence on our identities. Taylor, Cheryle and guest host, WBEZ reporter Adora Namigadde, share the current state of their Black cards. Plus,...

We’re picking up where we left off, highlighting the Black women who are currently fighting to save democracy. This week we had the opportunity to chat with political leader, voting rights activist and New York Times best-selling author Stacey Abrams. Abrams explains why Black women are often on the front lines of political activism, she breaks down the Supreme Court’s recent voting rights ruling...

In the battle to save democracy, who is fighting for us? This week, we’re highlighting the Black women who have and are currently fighting for equality and justice, pushing against the status quo and dismantling systems of power. Taylor, Cheryle and Jennifer name the political leaders that inspire them, the historical pitfalls of democracy and how they choose to engage politically. Then we are joi...

It’s Black Music Month and we're exploring the history, sound and legacy of Black music. Taylor, Jennifer, and Cheryle share the soundtracks of their lives and reminisce over songs that sparked memories of joy, strength and intimacy. Plus, we are joined by one of the founding members of The Miracles and The First Lady of Motown Claudette Robinson, legendary Percussionist and singer Sheila E. and C...