Is Melania Trump’s reported $25 million documentary a cinematic statement—or reality TV with a prestige budget? In this episode of Raised by Her, we compare Melania’s new film buzz to Michelle Obama’s Becoming and unpack why audiences are responding so differently.

We zoom out into the “business” of being a First Lady—storytelling, legacy, branding, budgets, and impact—then pivot into leadership, media training, and pop culture moments that reveal a lot about power and perception.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between legacy storytelling and image control
• Budget vs. audience impact: what really moves people
• Leadership lessons from America's Next Top Model and Tyra Banks’s mentorship style
• A candid political moment from Donnica’s Washington, D.C. lobbying days
• Why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—new love, new careers, new chapters
• A media-training breakdown of Serena Williams’ viral interview moment on Today with Savannah Guthrie

Pop culture pivots we couldn’t ignore: Cher, Vanna White, and the real truth about “retirement” and reinvention.

Timestamps
0:00 – The $25M Melania Trump Documentary: Hit or Miss?
2:10 – Why People are Re-watching Michelle Obama’s Becoming
4:25 – The "Business" of First Ladies: Budgets vs. Impact
6:30 – Passing the Mantle: Why the Next Generation Needs to Lead
10:45 – The Fight for Justice: What’s Happening in Minneapolis?
13:30 – Why This Congressman Told Me He Doesn't Want Educated Voters
18:50 – Tyra Banks Exposed: Was She a Diva or a Mentor?
22:40 – The Excellence Standard: How to Give Criticism That Works
25:50 – It’s Never Too Late: Modeling in Your 70s & New Beginnings
28:15 – Serena Williams vs. Savannah Guthrie: What Went Wrong?
32:45 – Media Training 101: How to Control Your Narrative
35:20 – Defining Your "Next Phase": The Truth About Retirement

🎤 New episodes every week. Honest conversations between mother and daughter on family, womanhood, and navigating life across generations.

Speaking, partnerships, and press: raisedbyherpodcast@gmail.com.

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe to be part of the conversation.

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Did a popular motivational speaker lift her work from Black women without credit? We dive deep into the Brené Brown controversy. Plus, we react to a listener accusing us of being "funded by Rush Limbaugh" and celebrate the record-breaking Oscar nominations for Sinners.

In this episode of Raised By Her, we are breaking down the biggest cultural moments of the week. First, we address the feedback from our last episode, including a hilarious comment accusing the podcast of being sponsored by the far right. Then, we celebrate Black Excellence in film as Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s Sinners secures a historic 16 Oscar nominations. Mom also drops a bombshell revelation about being an extra in the 1970s classic Superfly!

The conversation shifts to the changing landscape of sports, from the "deterioration" of College Football due to NIL deals to the continued disrespect of Black women in tennis like Naomi Osaka. Finally, we discuss the allegations surrounding Cassandra "Brené" Brown and the importance of crediting Black women for their intellectual property. We wrap up by sharing our "Words of the Year" for 2026 and how stepping out of your comfort zone leads to true transformation.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Surviving the "Snowstorm of the Century"
02:02 - The Lynn Jones Journalism Controversy
03:28 - Hate Comment: Are We Funded by Rush Limbaugh?!
05:58 - Sinners Breaks Records: 16 Oscar Nominations
07:43 - Why Sinners Isn't Just a Horror Movie
17:10 - Storytime: Mom Was in the Movie Superfly!
20:30 - Is the Transfer Portal Ruining College Football?
23:55 - The Debate Over NIL Deals & Player Rights
33:30 - The Disrespect of Naomi Osaka & Coco Gauff
39:50 - The Brené Brown Plagiarism Controversy
44:40 - Revealing Our "Word of the Year" for 2026
51:30 - Final Thoughts: What Does "Raised By Her" Mean to You?

#RaisedByHer #SinnersMovie #BreneBrown #MichaelBJordan #BlackExcellence

🎤 New episodes every week. Honest conversations between mother and daughter on family, womanhood, and navigating life across generations.

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe to be part of the conversation.
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Did you know our grandmothers were best friends with Dave Chappelle’s family? We open up about our real-life connection to the comedy legend and the truth about Yellow Springs.

In this episode, we bridge the gap between generations to tackle the biggest cultural conversations of the week. We start by sharing our "freezing" experience at Podfest in Orlando and the realities of the podcasting business versus traditional broadcasting. Then, we dive deep into Martin Luther King Jr. Day, debating the sanitized version of MLK versus the radical reality of the Civil Rights movement.

Later, we discuss the recent controversy surrounding journalist Lynn Jones and her compassionate interview with the Jaguars coach—was it unprofessional, or is the media too cold? Finally, we challenge you to look at your own life: Are you evolving, or are you just repeating the same year over and over? Join us for wisdom, class, and a little bit of tea.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Freezing in Florida (The Podfest Experience)
01:48 - Broadcasting vs. Podcasting: The Business Shift
04:20 - MLK Day: Why We Can’t Just "Hold Hands"
08:25 - Was MLK Becoming Malcolm X?
11:30 - Reviewing Dave Chappelle’s New Special
15:30 - Our Personal Family Ties to Dave Chappelle
19:20 - The Truth About Yellow Springs & Gentrification
20:30 - The Lynn Jones Controversy: Compassion vs. Professionalism
24:12 - Why Black Media Is Still Fighting for Credentials
27:20 - 2016 vs. Today: Are You Better Off?
32:00 - The 10-Year Plan: Stop Stagnating
35:45 - The Power of Intergenerational Conversations

🎤 New episodes every week. Honest conversations between mother and daughter on family, womanhood, and navigating life across generations.

Speaking, partnerships, and press: raisedbyherpodcast@gmail.com.

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe to be part of the conversation.

📱 Instagram: / raisedbyherpodcast
📘 Facebook: / raisedbyherpodcast
𝕏 X/Twitter: https://x.com/RaisedByHerPod
📲 Follow us on TikTok: @RaisedByHerPodcast

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