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Black Writer Therapy Podcast

Black Writer Therapy Podcast

By: Ella Shawn
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 Welcome to the Black Writer Therapy Podcast, a vibrant space for Black women writers to gather, sip tea, and explore the healing power of writing. Join us for candid conversations about the unique experiences and challenges Black authors face in an industry often centered on whiteness. This podcast celebrates the voices and stories of Black women through authentic discussions that foster healing, joy, and sisterhood. Whether you're an established author, an aspiring writer, or a reader who loves books by and about Black women, you'll find inspiration and support here. Our community thrives on the wisdom and experiences of Black women writers, making it a rich resource for book bloggers, bookstagrammers, and booktokers. Tune in to connect with a dynamic literary community and discover how writing can be a powerful tool for personal growth and social change. Join the Black Writer Therapy Podcast and be part of a movement that amplifies the audacious voices of Black women in literature. For inquiries, email us at blackwritertherapy@gmail.com. Copyright © 2023 by Ella Shawn. All rights reserved. This podcast or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the owner except for the use of brief quotations in a podcast review. Produced in the United States of America.Ella Shawn Art Hygiene & Healthy Living Literary History & Criticism Psychology Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Perfect Mother... Or Something Like That with Desiree Moodie

    The Perfect Mother... Or Something Like That with Desiree Moodie
    May 15 2025
    Summary
    In this enlightening conversation, Desiree Moodie shares her journey as a writer and mother, exploring the complexities of parenting, the impact of social media, and the importance of self-care. The discussion delves into Desiree's upcoming book, which tackles themes of motherhood and identity, as well as her personal experiences with healing and vulnerability. The conversation also touches on the significance of rituals, the power of tarot, and the audacity of black women writers in today's literary landscape.
    Takeaways
    • Desiree Moodie shares her journey of navigating motherhood and writing.
    • The importance of self-care and healing in a busy life.
    • Exploring the complexities of parenting and its impact on children.
    • The role of social media in building connections and community.
    • Desiree's upcoming book explores themes of motherhood and identity.
    • The significance of rituals in maintaining balance and grounding oneself.
    • Using tarot as a tool for intuition and self-discovery.
    • The challenges of being a black woman writer in today's literary landscape.
    • The importance of vulnerability and authenticity in storytelling.
    • Desiree's insights on breaking generational cycles in parenting.

    Sound Bites
    "Brave vulnerability is what we need to connect.""I have been called a beast, and I accepted it.""I want to reclaim my traditions and my magic."
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Connection03:23 Navigating Social Media and Personal Growth05:14 Motherhood and Its Complexities07:37 Healing and Self-Care Practices10:00 The Journey of Writing a Cathartic Book12:04 Exploring the Themes of Motherhood in Literature25:47 The Journey of Creativity27:40 Motherhood: The Complexities and Realities28:22 Exploring the Thrills of Motherhood in Literature30:48 Bravery in Writing: Unpacking Personal Experiences32:22 Codependency and Boundaries in Relationships35:19 The Guilt of Motherhood and Self-Acceptance36:08 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Reflections48:00 Rituals for Grounding in Chaos50:53 Rituals and Rhythms of Black Womanhood52:23 The Power of Tarot and Intuition57:23 The Audacity of Game Changers01:03:38 Storytelling and Self-Discovery01:08:13 BWT OUTRO.mp3

    Connect w/Desiree Moodie


    What's Going on In My Chaotic Erotic Writer Life?Check out my Linktr.ee to stay up to date with the shenanigans that is my life. All of my socials, writing workshop offerings, books, and Substack are available in one place.

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • The Curating of a Poetic Life with Rian N. Jenkins

    The Curating of a Poetic Life with Rian N. Jenkins
    May 2 2025

    summaryIn this engaging conversation, Ryan Jenkins shares her unique journey as a writer, poet, and educator. From the story behind her name to her experiences in the classroom, Ryan discusses the challenges and triumphs of navigating the literary world as a black woman. She emphasizes the importance of self-affirmation, the weight educators carry, and the power of storytelling, particularly in children's literature. Ryan also reflects on her transition from teaching to writing full-time, her upcoming projects, and her desire to help others in their writing journeys.
    takeaways
    • Rian's name has a unique story tied to a soap opera star.
    • She transitioned from poetry to fiction at a young age.
    • Rian's felt a calling to be a writer after a significant moment in her life.
    • She has published multiple poetry anthologies and a children's book.
    • Educators, especially black women, carry the weight of their students' stories.
    • Writing serves as a form of healing and self-affirmation for Rian.
    • Rian's pen name, 'Anointed Misfit,' reflects her unique perspective.
    • She aims to help others navigate the self-publishing process.
    • Rian's upcoming novel is based on her middle school experiences.
    • She believes in the importance of affirming young black boys and girls through literature.
    Sound Bites"I hated my name growing up.""I called you to be a writer.""I love being black."Chapters00:00The Story Behind the Name05:44Journey into Writing and Poetry10:30The Call to Write: A Spiritual Journey12:27Exploring Poetry Anthologies and Themes16:59The Weight of Educators: Vicarious Trauma and Healing22:22Writing for Children: Affirming Black Youth28:24The Southern Experience: Family and Heritage31:08Healing Practices and Self-Affirmation37:20The Anointed Misfit: Embracing Uniqueness42:40Transitioning from Teaching to Writing and Consulting49:24The Journey of a Southern Woman Writer52:46Empowering Young Girls Through Nonprofits54:22The Impact of Poetry on Family and Community55:25Exploring the Matrix of Reality and Fiction58:49Celebrating the Audacity of Black Women Writers01:04:05Impromptu Storytelling: Introspection and Expression01:10:52
    Rian's Upcoming Works and Events in the Literary World Stay In Touch with Ella Shawn
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Writing to Heal: A Candid Conversation with Jenny Aabamu

    Writing to Heal: A Candid Conversation with Jenny Aabamu
    Apr 17 2025
    SummaryIn this episode of the Black Writer Therapy podcast, host Ella Shawn engages in a deep conversation with debut author Jenny Abamu. They explore themes of healing through writing, the cathartic nature of fiction, and the complexities of identity and career transitions. Jenny shares her journey from journalism to speculative fiction, the importance of trust in society, and the influence of her Nigerian heritage on her writing. The discussion highlights the power of narrative and the need for more diverse voices in literature, particularly those of Black women.TakeawaysHealing is a journey of rediscovery.Trauma and change are often intertwined.Writing can serve as a cathartic process.Identity crises can lead to personal growth.Trust is a crucial element in relationships and society.Creating complex characters is essential in fiction.Nigerian heritage enriches storytelling.Narratives shape our understanding of the world.Diverse voices in literature are vital for representation.The act of writing is a form of co-creation with the universe.Chapters00:00 New Chapter03:12 Navigating Identity and Career Transitions08:07 The Cathartic Nature of Writing13:02 Creating Multi-Dimensional Characters18:01 Exploring Cultural Identity and Representation36:38 The Legacy of Writing in Nigerian Culture40:33 Exploring Identity and Cultural Layers44:22 The Importance of Narratives and Self-Discovery47:28 Rapid Fire: Embracing the Writer's Journey54:18 The Call of Creativity and Character Connection01:00:34 The Reality of Fiction and Its Impact01:06:35 Honoring the Influence of Octavia Butler01:11:38 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Legacy01:11:54 The Scary Questions We Avoid01:13:17 The Audacity of Game Changers01:15:18 Impromptu Storytelling Challenge01:21:24 Decolonizing the Erotic01:24:27 Connecting Through Community01:31:30 Future Projects and Aspirations01:35:20 BWT OUTRO.mp3About Jenny AbamuThe Herd is definitely the most cathartic book Ive written. I started writing it in 2018 while working at a local NPR station in Washington, D.C. At that time, I was already feeling disillusioned with the state of information. It was the first Trump administration, a period when facts seemed to lose their power and public understanding of the truth became increasingly muddled. Now, years later, the situation has only worsened. As a journalist, I entered the field with a missionto democratize information. I wanted to make complex systems more accessible, especially for communities like my ownfirst-generation immigrants trying to navigate America. I believed that understanding the system meant having the tools to succeed and hold the powerful accountable. But over time, I found myself questioning whether my work truly mattered. Did people still care? I was doing investigative journalism and could see the real-world impact of my reporting. Yet, within the industry, I witnessed an increasing focus on chasing clicks, sacrificing quality for quantity. This wasnt exclusive to one newsroomit was a broader shift happening across journalism. The integrity of our work was being compromised in the relentless pursuit of views, engagement, and advertising dollars. The breakneck pace of content production left little room for depth, care, and the kind of storytelling that truly informs and empowers the public. At the same time, the broken state of information continued to erode trust between the public and the institutions meant to inform them. That disillusionment was what ultimately led me to write this book. I needed a different way to express what I was experiencing and witnessingbeyond the traditional mediums I had worked in.Stay In Touch with JennyWhat's Up with Ella?Ella Shawn is a 7X published author of Southern Erotic Fiction. She has presented and international writing conferences, worked with top writers and editors throughout her career and is the proud founder of the start-up hybrid publishing house, Southern Momentum Publishing House, LLC. She has dedicated her every facets of her professional life to amplifying Black and Brown women writers around the globe.Ella created this space so that Black women writers could sit on the proverbial couch and be their unapologetic, Black woman selves.If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact us at blackwritertherapy@gmail.comLinktree
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    1 hr and 28 mins

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