Episodes

  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 30 – Make It Make Sense (Part 2): Black Women Clash at Work

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 30 – Make It Make Sense (Part 2): Black Women Clash at Work
    Nov 26 2025
    In Part 2 of this Make It Make Sense series, we continue the honest conversation about why Black women clash and experience conflict with each other in the workplace. Dr. Kwanza Falaka-Gipson, Dr. Lydia Bullock, and Natasha Williams return to break down the root causes of tension between Black women at work, including insecurity, trauma, jealousy, leadership challenges, and the pressure to prove ourselves.We discuss how conflict shows up, how to navigate difficult Black women coworkers, how to protect your peace, and how to recognize when we may be contributing to the problem without realizing it. This conversation is about healing, accountability, and learning how to support each other in professional spaces.If you missed Part 1, listen here.You can also join our private Facebook group created exclusively for Black women. It is a safe space where we continue conversations like this. The link is below.👉 ⁠Get Our Free Courses Database ⁠👉 ⁠Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community ⁠Connect with Natasha Williams⁠LinkedIn⁠🔗 ⁠Take the Cost of Black Excellence survey ⁠Connect with Dr. Lydia Bullock on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠Connect with Dr. Kwanza Falaka⁠Girlfriend Therapy Inc⁠⁠Girlfriend Therapy Podcast⁠⁠Girlfriend Therapy IG⁠⁠Girlfriend Therapy Storefront⁠⁠Dr Dr Dr Podcast ⁠⏰ Timestamps(0:00) Intro: Continuing the Conversation(0:29) Why Are Black Women Mean to Each Other at Work?(2:49) Dr. Kwanza on Handling the Mean Coworker(5:47) When Conflict Is Not Conflict(6:26) Dr. Lydia on Growing as a Leader(8:58) Reporting to a Difficult Black Woman in Leadership(9:59) Why We Must Get to Know Each Other at Work(11:12) Choosing the Right Black Woman Mentor(13:25) Why Some Black Women Arrive Traumatized(15:12) Working With Guarded or Standoffish Black Women(17:18) Accepting People As They Are(21:07) What the Research Shows About Black Women at Work(22:37) The Drawbridge Attitude in Leadership(23:19) Competition, Scarcity, and Survival Mode(24:07) Early Work Experiences and Standing Out(27:38) Understanding Different Struggles and Motivations(28:01) Workplace Trauma Stories(32:12) When the Bully Does Not Know She Is the Bully(33:24) Finding Mentorship Outside the Workplace(36:37) The Power of Self-Awareness and Healing(37:01) A Team Story on Emotional Maturity(41:19) Should You Recommend Someone You Had Issues With?(45:55) What Do We Do With Difficult Black Women at Work?(48:08) Speaking to the Mean Girl Directly(51:37) Healing, Growth, and Internal Work(52:15) Support vs Poor Performance(53:25) Lightning Round: Scarcity Mindset(56:33) Lightning Round: Colorism(58:54) Are Lighter-Skinned Women Treated Better?(1:00:30) Older vs Younger Black Women(1:01:45) Ego vs Insecurity(1:03:40) Mindset Shift Black Women Need(1:09:01) Insecurity Stories From Each Guest(1:11:21) Closing Thoughts
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 29 – Make It Make Sense (Part 1): Black Women vs Black Women At Work

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 29 – Make It Make Sense (Part 1): Black Women vs Black Women At Work
    Nov 19 2025
    Why do Black women struggle so deeply with each other in the workplace? In this first part of my Make It Make Sense series, I am joined by three incredible women: Dr. Kwanza Falaka-Gibson, Dr. Lydia Bullock, and Natasha Williams from the UK. Together, we unpack the painful, complicated, and often unspoken truth about Black women’s relationships with each other at work.We discuss:• competition, scarcity, and insecurity• internalized oppression and generational wounds• colorism and “prove you are Black enough” dynamics• jealousy, favoritism, and tokenism• why some Black women police each other• painful Coffee No Cream moments• how childhood wounds follow us into the workplace• the real reasons some Black women clash with other Black womenThis conversation is raw, emotional, eye-opening, and necessary.Part 2 will be available next week.If this episode resonates with you, please like, share, and subscribe.You can also join our private Facebook group created exclusively for Black women. It is a safe space where we continue conversations like this. The link is in the description.👉 Get Our Free Courses Database 👉 Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community Connect with Natasha WilliamsLinkedIn🔗 Take the Cost of Black Excellence survey Connect with Dr. Lydia Bullock on Instagram or LinkedInConnect with Dr. Kwanza FalakaGirlfriend Therapy IncGirlfriend Therapy PodcastGirlfriend Therapy IGGirlfriend Therapy StorefrontDr Dr Dr Podcast ⏰ Timestamps(00:00) Mashup Open: The Complaints, The Hurt, The Truth(01:12) Welcome to Coffee No Cream and Series Introduction(03:26) Meet Dr. Kwanza Falaka-Gipson(04:11) Meet Natasha Williams from the UK(04:58) Meet Dr. Lydia Bullock(05:32) First Question: Black Women About Black Women at Work(05:57) Dr. Bullock on Excitement, Competition, and Insecurity(07:09) Natasha on Scarcity, Power, and Being the Only One(08:37) Dr. Kwanza Falaka-Gipson on When It Is Beautiful and When It Is Not(09:42) Erin on Corporate Experiences and Coffee No Cream Moments(10:21) Dr. Kwanza Falaka-Gipson’s Story: The Bullying Accusation(18:23) Processing the Accusation: Jealousy, Projection, Immaturity(20:03) Why Some Black Women Do Not Trust Kindness at Work(22:47) Dr. Bullock: “I Am Going Through That Right Now”(24:13) Senior Black Women Seen as Unapproachable(25:00) Like, Share, and Subscribe, plus Facebook Group Info(26:46) Policing Each Other: Identity, Tone, and “How Black Are You”(29:08) Competition Versus Community in Black Women’s Work Dynamics(29:47) Slavery, Conditioning, and the “Only One Gets In” Mindset(31:16) Dr. Bullock’s Story: The Award and the Public Undercutting(34:12) Mean Girl Dynamics, Internal Work, and Jealousy’s Roots(38:53) Dr. Bullock: “I Used to Be Jealous and Here Is What I Learned”(40:41) Insecurity Versus Authentic Connection Among Black Women(41:51) Erin on Breaking Up With a Friend Over Meanness(43:41) The “You Talk Like a White Girl” Trigger(44:22) Natasha on Accent, Identity, and UK Workplace Projection(46:12) Dr. Kwanza Falaka-Gipson on Family Competition Versus Support(46:34) Natasha on Colorism, Family Messages, and Workplace Impact(49:18) Natasha’s Coffee No Cream Moment with the Cleaner(50:06) Natasha’s Second Story: Hiring a Black Woman Who Turned on Her(54:47) When It Becomes Personal: Standards Versus Familiarity(56:06) Erin on Accountability and Why It Gets So Ugly(57:31) Internal Wounds and Expecting Lower Standards From Each Other(58:49) Dr. Kwanza Falaka-Gipson: Mindset Versus Reality in Workplace Conflict(59:49) Natasha: Unhealed Wounds and DEI Misconceptions(01:01:38) Erin on Generational Trauma and Why Compliments Were Withheld(01:05:51) Dr. Bullock on House Versus Field Dynamics in Modern Workplaces(01:05:51) Episode Close: Why This Became a Two-Part Episode
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 28 – They Told Me Stop Talking: Why Black Women Must Keep Talking

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 28 – They Told Me Stop Talking: Why Black Women Must Keep Talking
    Nov 12 2025

    They said these conversations should happen in private.That talking about how Black women treat each other in the workplace would “put a target on our backs.”But Erin Braxton isn’t backing down. In this powerful solo episode of Coffee No Cream, she responds to real viewer comments, from accusations of being “elite” to painful truths about how Black women sometimes harm one another at work.This episode sets the stage for next week’s highly anticipated panel with Dr. Kwanzaa Falaka, Dr. Lydia Bullock, and Natasha Williams, a new series exploring the complicated dynamics between Black women in professional spaces and in life.If you’ve ever been the only Black woman in the room, felt misunderstood by other women who look like you, or just want to understand where the hurt comes from, this conversation is for you.Videos referenced in this episodeEpisode 13Episode 15Episode 21https://youtu.be/bdHiDYngh4w✳️ Join the Conversation:Send your story or question for the panel to heygirl@coffeenocream.com🕒 Timestamps(00:00) Your reaction could be hurting another Black woman
    (01:35) Why Erin created Coffee No Cream
    (03:45) “This conversation should be private” — addressing the comment
    (07:10) Speaking up even when it costs you
    (09:25) What this platform is (and isn’t)
    (11:40) Setting boundaries for comments & community respect
    (15:00) “Regular vs. Elite” Blacks — the division we didn’t create
    (20:35) What the comments reveal about Black women at work
    (24:10) The stories that shocked Erin the most
    (29:15) Are we the problem? Self-reflection and accountability
    (33:30) Why silence won’t protect us
    (35:00) Get ready for next week’s panel: Black women vs. Black women at work👉 ⁠Get Our Free Courses Database ⁠

    👉 ⁠Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community ⁠

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    34 mins
  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 27 – How Black Women Can Protect Their Time at Work

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 27 – How Black Women Can Protect Their Time at Work
    Nov 5 2025

    In this episode of The Corporate Code Series, Erin breaks down The Access Code, how to protect your time, set real limits, and stop letting work, clients, and even “well-meaning” bosses have unlimited access to you.If you’ve ever found yourself answering emails on weekends, feeling guilty for saying no, or being treated like your free time doesn’t matter because you’re single or don’t have kids, this one’s for you.Erin shares real stories about:• The client who blurred every boundary and made her feel like “the mammy.”• The boss who treated her differently once a man’s voice was in the background.• How she finally learned to take her time and energy back.

    💬 Key Takeaway: Being available all the time trains people to believe they have constant access to you.


    ⏰ Timestamps

    (0:00) Introduction: The Access Code(1:45) Why this topic matters for Black women(4:22) Story: The client who always needed me(9:30) Being single and child-free doesn’t mean available(12:58) Setting limits and charging for access(15:45) Sexism and familiarity at work(22:10) When your Black boss crosses the line(27:18) How digital access drains you(33:05) The importance of consistency and culture(38:20) Internal access and overworking(43:40) Final thoughts and how to protect your time


    Resources & Links

    👉 Get Our Free Courses Database

    👉 Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community

    👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business
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    36 mins
  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 26 –Black Women Can't Lose Themselves: Boundaries + Cost of Black Excellence

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 26 –Black Women Can't Lose Themselves: Boundaries + Cost of Black Excellence
    Oct 29 2025

    In this powerful global edition of Coffee No Cream, Erin Braxton sits down with British researcher Natasha Williams, creator of The Cost of Black Excellence study.From racial micro-aggressions in the U.K. to the shared burnout Black women face worldwide, Natasha opens up about running her own firm, reclaiming her boundaries, and walking away from disrespect, even when it costs money.Together, Erin and Natasha unpack colorism, pricing confidence, self-hate within our communities, and why healing is the foundation of true success.

    🔗 Take the survey or learn more

    ⏰ Timestamps

    (00:00) Natasha’s breaking point: “You’ll never see me again”(00:46) Erin opens Coffee No Cream Episode 26(04:25) What is “The Cost of Black Excellence”?(06:43) The surveyor story and racism in professional spaces(12:29) Subtle racism in the U.K. vs. the U.S.(17:32) Language, class, and code-switching in Britain(25:16) Accent bias and professionalism(27:57) Setting boundaries with disrespectful clients(33:24) Building confidence to walk away(38:15) Standing in your power and scarcity mindset(42:14) “Find out what’s going on and get out” — lessons from family(46:43) Burnout and the Black Excellence tax(50:46) Mental health and generational trauma(54:11) Self-hate and intra-community competition(59:24) Professionalism and pricing within our community(1:10:19) Healing and standing in your power(1:12:20) The global research study explained(1:16:10) How to take the survey and final thoughts(1:17:38) Natasha’s links and Erin’s outro

    Connect with Natasha Williams on LinkedIn

    Resources & Links

    👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Free Courses Database⁠⁠⁠⁠

    👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠

    👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 25 – Black Women: Stop Working for Free

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 25 – Black Women: Stop Working for Free
    Oct 22 2025

    Why do so many Black women struggle to charge what we’re worth? In this powerful episode of Coffee No Cream, Erin Braxton sits down with Dr. Kimberly Douglass, a neurodivergent pricing strategist and researcher, to talk about the fear, conditioning, and data behind how we price our work.

    From “pick your brain” requests to clients who expect free labor, Dr. Douglass breaks down how Black women can stop serving from scarcity and start building sustainable businesses — using data, not doubt.

    💬 They discuss:

    • Why Black women are socialized to serve, and how to break the pattern
    • How pricing confusion keeps us underpaid
    • The five research-based questions to set your price with confidence
    • How to handle friends, family, and clients who expect discounts
    • What to do when people push back on your price
    • The link between boundaries, confidence, and sustainability


    ⏰ Timestamps

    (00:00) Dr. Kimberly Douglass talks about how Black women are conditioned to serve

    (01:15) Erin Braxton introduces Coffee No Cream and today’s topic on pricing yourself properly(03:38) Why Black women struggle with charging for their value

    (05:29) Dr. Kimberly Douglass explains her journey from academia to pricing strategist

    (07:40) What neurodivergent means and how it affects business

    (09:40) Dr. Douglass shares her Coffee No Cream moment about DMs, free work, and boundaries

    (12:53) When "pick your brain" turns into unpaid labor

    (16:00) How to recognize people who never intended to pay you

    (19:05) Why copying competitor pricing leads to confusion

    (23:22) The Founder’s Five Core Questions for setting your price

    (25:45) Why family and friends are not your target market

    (27:28) Black women and servitude and the cost of giving too much away

    (30:26) When familiarity breeds contempt in business

    (32:24) Erin shares her story about working without a signed agreement

    (38:55) The truth about contracts, power, and the illusion of scarcity

    (42:51) Projecting your client’s wallet instead of your own worth

    (44:54) How Dr. Douglass validates pricing using data

    (47:18) What to do when you don’t have research or experience yet

    (51:18) Why multi-hyphenate Black women struggle with niching and pricing

    (56:59) The fear of saying no and how clarity helps you grow

    (59:15) How niching down builds discipline and focus

    (01:02:21) Creating safe spaces designed specifically for Black women

    (01:04:21) Pricing as validation and the power of reciprocity

    (01:06:13) Building confidence through data instead of motivation

    (01:07:46) Your price is a hypothesis that needs to be tested

    (01:09:36) Salary negotiation tips and why you should always counteroffer

    (01:14:02) How to know when it’s time to leave and find your value elsewhere

    (01:16:26) Understanding job tiers, titles, and hidden pay structures

    (01:18:00) What a title change really means when there’s no raise

    (01:19:57) The Founder’s Five Core Questions recapped

    (01:21:26) Inside The Price Lab and how it helps women set prices with confidence

    (01:36:54) How to decolonize pricing and end the cycle of free labor(

    01:39:14) Where to find Dr. Kimberly Douglass and The Price Lab

    (01:41:30) Final thoughts on why Black women must stop working for free


    If you’ve ever hesitated to hit “send” on an invoice or lowered your rates out of guilt, this conversation will shift your mindset for good.


    👉 Watch, comment, and share — because Black women deserve to get paid properly.


    🎧 Guest: Dr. Kimberly Douglass — Pricing Expert & Founder of The Price Lab📍 Follow her on TikTok


    Resources & Links

    👉 ⁠⁠⁠Get Our Free Courses Database⁠⁠⁠

    👉 ⁠⁠⁠Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠

    👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 24 – Black Women: Stay Calm at Work

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 24 – Black Women: Stay Calm at Work
    Oct 15 2025

    What happens when a white coworker crosses every line, and you still keep your cool?


    In this episode of Coffee No Cream, host Erin Braxton sits down with Dr. Kwanzaa Falaka, a federal-contractor program manager and founder of Girlfriend Therapy, who shares the shocking moment an older colleague tried to physically confront her at work, and what she learned about protecting her peace, her power, and her paycheck.


    Together, Erin and Dr. Kwanza unpack how Black women can stay calm at work when chaos hits: setting boundaries, using “quiet clapbacks,” teaching people how to treat you, and knowing when it’s time to walk away.


    💬 “They want the smoke, but I don’t give it to them.”

    If you’ve ever dealt with toxic coworkers, micro-aggressions, or silent leadership, this one’s for you.⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

    (00:00) Intro

    (03:42) Meet Dr. Kwanzaa: background & role

    (05:19) The “special project” setup

    (08:13) Early red flags & “dirty cookies”

    (10:51) Coworker conflict starts to escalate

    (15:44) The confrontation in the hallway

    (17:25) Leadership looks away

    (20:15) Reporting it up the chain (HR/EEO)

    (22:59) Processing the trauma & planning an exit

    (26:22) Fighting for yourself without losing your cool

    (30:59) Boundaries that actually work

    (32:00) Prepared responses you can use

    (37:01) Quiet clapbacks: calm, professional checks

    (44:01) Dealing with older, threatened coworkers

    (49:48) Walking away to protect your peace

    (52:04) How she’d handle it today

    (54:49) Passing the lessons to her daughter

    (55:32) Be ready to pivot & move on

    (56:13) Reputation, patterns, and toxic players

    (58:34) Teach people how to treat you

    (01:04:30) Friends at work: keep it professional

    (01:09:30) Options & mentorship as lifelines

    (01:15:33) Networking, coaches, and career tactics

    (01:18:49) Real mentors vs. “internet coaches”

    (01:19:43) Final take: stay calm, keep your power


    Get in touch with Dr. Kwanza Falaka

    Girlfriend Therapy Inc

    Website

    YouTube

    Instagram

    Storefront


    Dr Dr Dr Podcast

    Dr Kay IG | Loc'd In GrayDr. Kwanza's Bookstore


    Resources & Links

    👉 ⁠⁠Get Our Free Courses Database⁠⁠

    👉 ⁠⁠Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community⁠⁠

    👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Coffee No Cream Ep. 23 – Black Women and Your Quiet Clap Back at Work

    Coffee No Cream Ep. 23 – Black Women and Your Quiet Clap Back at Work
    Oct 8 2025

    In this episode, part 2 of the Corporate Code Series, Erin Braxton gets real about how easily work, coworkers, and even friends can live rent-free in your head. Outline The Head Code.She shares how Black women can protect their peace, rebuild real confidence through motion, and master the quiet clapback, the art of staying unbothered, strategic, and focused.👉 Listen to Episode 22, The Boundary Code, for part 1 of the seriesThe Code: Protect your head. Keep them out of your head and stay in motion.

    ⏱️ Timestamps

    (00:00) When work starts living rent-free in your head(00:41) Welcome to Coffee No Cream, The Head Code begins(03:08) Why protecting your mind matters more than performing(05:27) The moment you realize your confidence got chipped away(07:44) From achiever to “what happened?”, how work rewires belief(10:12) When “getting the job” felt like the win(12:20) The reality check: doing everything right still isn’t enough(14:55) How over-preparing can become another kind of fear(17:19) Stories of people getting in your head, and how to stop it(20:05) Motion builds belief , you can’t steal what’s moving(22:30) When toxic jobs erode peace and purpose(24:41) Rebuilding your confidence outside of work(27:06) Stop outsourcing validation, protect your ideas(29:18) Faith, motion, and the small steps that rebuild you(32:00) The quiet clapback, choosing peace over reaction(34:25) Closing Code, Get out of your head and keep moving


    Resources & Links

    👉 ⁠Get Our Free Courses Database⁠

    👉 ⁠Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community⁠

    👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business
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    38 mins