What do you get when you get five hilariously funny black girls who all share Hot 97 work experience in a room with five different personalities, and five different life experiences? You get the Black Girl Podcast.
The Black Girl Podcast is a new audio series available for download on iTunes and was created by Scottie Beam (Digital producer for Ebro In The Morning), Gia Peppers (entertainment journalist/on-air host), Sapphira Martin (Chief curator at SassBoxx), Bex (Video production coordinator at Hot 97), and Alysha P. (Hot 97 video producer) who all met while crossing paths in the hallways of Hot 97.
The ladies just so happened to be discussing relationships in the lobby of the station one day when, Program Director and morning show host, Ebro Darden passed by and decided to Snapchat a video that said, "This is what it looks like to be in a room full of black women. This should be a black girl podcast."
A light bulb went off and the five ambitious women stepped into the studio for their first show shortly afterwards. Each week, subscribers can expect conversation topics that include everything from the presidency and heartbreak to goal-setting and whether or not Beyonce's Lemonade was really a good album.
With only a few episodes and a new president stepping into the office, we need the black girl podcast to win for the culture for a list of reasons:
To Remind Us To Follow Our Dreams
One of the podcast's hosts proudly announced that she was quitting her job to jump into full-time entrepreneurship. Some of the ladies celebrated, while others paused because they realized that this would mean that their five person crew would no longer be a five person crew. The response was a classic black girl response, but it also reminded us that sometimes you have to follow your dreams even if that means leaving your comfort zone and friends behind.
"It's about having balance...It's about knowing who to call and what friend to go to for certain advice. You have to realize it's about the journey, and (in) five years you are going to look back and say, 'I'm so happy it went like that.'"
- Alysha P.
To Encourage Us
In episode two, our new favorite podcast hosts delved into the question of if it is okay to share your dreams with others. While the opinion was split half and half, Gia Peppers response empowered us all by reminding us that if we don't share our dreams with others how will we ever be able to find people who can help us?
Church!!
To Remind Us of Why We're Magical
Listening to one episode of the Black Girl Podcast will probably have you laughing hysterically and also have you wondering which hosts closely align with you and your friends. While each woman represents a very distinct personality, the way the girls mesh together so effortlessly reminds us why black girls are so magical.
"We are here to dispel the stereotypes of what a black girl or black woman is. There are a lot of stereotypes but then there are also these great moments when people come together and we support each other. Black women need to support each other, be uplifting, and have intelligent conversations, so HERE WE ARE!"
- Gia Peppers
To Uplift Us
We have all gone through that moment in life where we have reflected on our life experiences and realized we are nowhere close to the place we had envisioned we would be by now. While coming to this realization can be depressing, the black girl podcast crew reminded us in episode one that we are exactly where we need to be and that we need to stop comparing our lives with someone else's highlight reel.
To Show Us The REAL Journey to Success
The thing that I loved most about the Black Girl Podcast is that prior to listening, I, like many others, felt each woman on the podcast had “arrived" in their careers when based on their discussion, they are just touching the tip of iceberg. Which reminds us all that everyone has a journey and success is never handed to you, it is earned.
Wishing much success to these five young ladies!
Never miss an episode by subscribing to the Black Girl Podcast on iTunes, Soundcloud or follow the girls on Instagram: Black Girl Pod
Have you had the chance to listen to the black girl podcast? Leave your comments below.
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Mercury enters Sagittarius on November 2, will be retrograde from Nov. 25 until Dec. 15, and will be in this sign until Jan. 8, 2025. Mercury in Sagittarius is bold and outspoken but, in retrograde, can come across as impulsive and brash. Thinking before speaking is important right now, and so is considering your values and interests before committing to something new. Since Sagittarius rules long-distance travel, this isn’t the best time to plan a new trip or to rush the ones already in place.
Consider where you want to be, and take your time getting there.
What to Expect from Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius
A little more than a week after Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, Mars goes retrograde in Leo. With these important transits happening in fire signs, energy can be misdirected right now. It’s about looking at the full picture and not overwhelming yourself with too many options or interests. Take your passions and align them with your heart and willpower, without confusing inspiration with ego. Emotions are running high, yet this activation is creating a breakthrough in personal development before the year ends.
Read below to see how this Mercury retrograde transit will be for you. Read for your sun sign and rising sign.
ARIES
Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, and you are focused on the bigger picture right now, Aries. With Mercury retrograde in your 9th house of adventure over the next few weeks, this is the time to expect the unexpected and to go at your own pace. Don’t rush the clarity that is meant to bloom for you right now, and take things one day at a time.
Even if you don’t have all the answers you need right now, there are still some important truths and insights to gain. You are in the process of reinventing yourself and your life, and the universe is helping you get the space in order to do so. If you are traveling over the next few weeks, remember to be flexible and to go over plans thoroughly.
TAURUS
Mercury goes retrograde, and you enter a time of change and rebirth, Taurus. This transit, for you, is an opportunity to gain balance, perspective, and empowerment. Your commitments and close partnerships are being addressed right now, and you are seeing where your needs are being met and where they aren’t. You are on a journey of letting go and allowing more, and this is the time to focus on being more flexible rather than controlling outcomes.
This retrograde could also be affecting your shared finances and earnings, and this is a good time to take another look at the money coming in and the money going out and make sure things are in order here. Trust your intuition right now, Taurus.
GEMINI
Mercury goes retrograde in your sister sign, Sagittarius, and you are ready for a fresh perspective in love. This retrograde will highlight your 7th house of partnership, connection, romance, and inner harmony, and your heart is figuring things out right now. Confusion or disagreements are more likely within your relationship dynamics, and this is the time to address what your partnerships need.
If you have been feeling out of balance when it comes to love, then this is the time to get things back on track.
This Mercury retrograde is helping you gain a new perspective and reminds you that you deserve the love you are looking for. Use this time to forgive, grow, and use better judgment regarding matters of the heart and the relationships you are building in your life right now.
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CANCER
This Mercury retrograde transit for you is a chance to gain some renewed clarity regarding your health, well-being, and work life. You could be feeling more pressure to perform and have it all together on the job, and there is a need to delegate, let go, and take care of your health more right now, Cancer.
This transit will highlight where some cracks are seeping, where you may need to build stronger foundations and healthier daily routines, and also how you can manage a better work/life balance. Your daily lifestyle may feel a little more difficult to find consistency in right now, and this is because new avenues and perspectives are waiting for you to grab ahold of. Overall, use this time to listen to your inner voice and do more of what feels right for you and your body.
LEO
Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, and this transit highlights your 5th house of romance, creativity, passion, and happiness, Leo. This retrograde is an opportunity for you to address what and who makes you happy and how you can show up more for these fortunate experiences in your life. You are looking at if you’ve been making your happiness as much of a priority as it should be this year and also taking a look at what sources help you align with that energy altogether.
This time is about being a little bit more flexible, doing things differently, and being open to a new perspective. Relationship developments are also providing your heart more clarity right now, and you are balancing your needs with the needs of your partnerships and creative ventures.
VIRGO
Your ruling planet Mercury goes retrograde before the year ends, and this is helping you rebuild your foundations, Virgo. Mercury will be retrograde in an area of your life that has to do with your home, history, family, and emotional stability- and you are getting a new grasp on things here.
Where you have been planting your seeds and building for your future are coming up for review during this time, and you are gaining clarity on which of these foundations is stable enough to continue to build upon. You could be feeling less secure than you would like to right now, and this change of pace is helping you reassess your goals and figure out what is worth it for you and the legacy you want to live.
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LIBRA
Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, and the focus turns towards your communication channels, Libra. Mercury retro is already a more chaotic time when it comes to communication, and with this retrograde also happening in your 3rd house of insight and communication, you may feel this heaviness a little more right now.
This transit, for you, is about taking your time getting your message across, being patient while traveling and running errands, and giving yourself space to gain some new clarity.
Meditation, journaling, and talking to someone who can support you are therapeutic, and know that your voice deserves to be heard. You are looking at ways you can take up more space and show up in the world without letting your insecurities keep you away from true connection, vulnerability, and understanding.
SCORPIO
This Mercury retrograde is happening in your 2nd house of income, values, assets, and self-confidence, and you are taking a step back to assess your current reality, especially financially, Scorpio. This is a good time to go over your spending habits and earnings, to find greater balance here, and to think about some of your financial goals moving forward.
Look at your resources, skills, and talents, and make sure what you are receiving is equal to or greater than what you have been giving. Less is more right now, and this isn’t the best time to overspend or overindulge, as you need more time to grasp your current stance on things, and how to increase your overall wealth and abundance.
SAGITTARIUS
With this Mercury retrograde happening in your sign, it’s hitting a little closer to home for you, Sagittarius. This is a good time to refine your goals and direction in life and how you want to show up right now. You deserve to be able to change your mind when you need to, and you are thinking about some of the things you have done and what you want to do moving forward.
Miscommunications are more likely while Mercury is in retrograde, but you can use this as a source of empowerment, knowing that you are living in your truth and allowing yourself room to grow in the process. Remember to be a little kinder to yourself during this transit and to give yourself the grace you need right now.
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CAPRICORN
This Mercury retrograde for you, Capricorn, is about rest and taking care of your emotional world. You are being given the opportunity to spend more time alone, to gather your strength, and to heal before you enter the new year. A lot has happened, and there have been many changes in your world this year. This Mercury retrograde is here to help you find acceptance and closure.
You are in a preparation stage right now, and things can feel a little more lonesome in this energy, but with a different perspective, you can see just how much of this space your heart truly needs right now. The past is coming up for you to see things in a new light, and you are ready to gain some renewed insight, closure, and healing.
AQUARIUS
This Mercury retrograde highlights your friendships, community, and your hopes and dreams, Aquarius. You are being reminded of the importance of connection, but more significantly, of good connections. You are looking at who and what surrounds you right now and gaining clarity on whether this energy matches who you are and the things that you stand for.
Your social circle and the people around you are shifting as the power dynamics do, and you are finding your place and purpose amidst this change. It’s about identifying who and what makes you feel good and aligning things in your life to bring in more of that energy. Don’t be discouraged right now; find your people and ask for support.
PISCES
Your career and ambitions are the focus during this Mercury retrograde, Pisces. You have a lot to address here, and you are gathering your skills and talents and reminding yourself that you are worthy of your dreams. Miscommunications and setbacks are more likely within your professional world, but they are here to ask you if what you are striving for, is really what you need right now.
You are thinking a lot about how you show up in the world, what you want to be known for, and what successes you still want to obtain. This isn’t the time to let anyone’s idea or vision of you define who you are; rather, define that for yourself. Show up as you want to be seen, and don’t count yourself out right now, Pisces.
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Since this is the time of the year when the cooler weather probably has you spending a lot more time indoors than usual, I wanted to share with you 10 scents that are signature ones for fall — ones that, by just breathing them in (whether it’s via a room in your house or applying it in essential oil form on your body), they can do wonderful things for your mind, body and spirit too (by the way, although all of these have proven health benefits, we’re just gonna simply focus on the power and purpose of their scent today).
1. Cranberry
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Something that I like about the smell of cranberries is that they are fruity while also being really crisp — if that makes sense. It’s the kind of scent that is clean and invigorating while also being festive at the same time since cranberries are a fruit that is pretty much in abundance during the holiday season. What makes it a great smell to incorporate into your home is the fact that cranberry can be invigorating and yet, if you are looking for something that will reduce your stress levels, cranberry can do that for you too.
2. Vanilla
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Vanilla smells very sweet and even…warm — warm in the sense of being very comforting and yet intimate at the same time. And when you look at it from this perspective, it probably makes sense that vanilla has a reputation for providing an aphrodisiac effect. Even if you’re not looking to “set the mood,” though, vanilla is still a perfect fall scent because it helps to reduce stress, and induce calm and it can help you to have a more positive attitude as well. Also, if you’re looking to get a good night’s rest, vanilla can help you in that department too.
3. Cedarwood
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If you want your living room to smell like a marriage between being out in the woods and citrus fruit, believe it or not, cedarwood can make that happen for you. And, fascinatingly enough, that combination will not only help to deodorize the rooms of your house but reduce tension and even help to bring you clarity.
Something else that’s pretty awesome about the smell of cedarwood is if you’re working on a project and you need to focus a bit better, taking the smell in is highly beneficial. Or if you’ve had a really long day and want nothing more than to sleep soundly throughout the night, cedarwood also works perfectly in that way.
4. Cinnamon
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To me, cinnamon smells spicy, sweet, and also pretty warm — kind of like vanilla with a strong “kick” to it. And when it comes to its aromatherapy benefits, baby, it’s definitely one that you should try. Studies have proven that the scent of cinnamon not only helps to boost your creativity levels, cinnamon is good for your brain, aids in decreasing depression-related symptoms, can decrease feelings of fatigue and irritability — and, since it also falls into the aphrodisiac demographic, make sure that you at least light one cinnamon soy candle before the fall (or winter) season ends.
5. Pine
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What is it that the old Pine-Sol commercials used to say? Something along the lines that pine creates a fresh and clean scent? Their marketing team is actually right about that because there are studies to support that pine helps to purify the air and is a great ingredient (in essential oil form) to clean your house. Not only that but the scent of pine can help to decrease anxiety levels, relax your system and, if you need something that will quickly put you in a better mood, pine will make that happen also.
Plus, since Christmas trees are oftentimes pine ones, the smell of pine can put you in the holiday spirit, if that happens to be your favorite time of the year.
6. Apple
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Is it just me or is it hard to explain what apples smell like? I mean, don’t they basically smell like…apples? LOL. Anyway, if you like the sweetness that comes from sniffing one or if nothing makes you feel cozier than the aroma of homemade apple crisp, this is the fall scent for you. That said, if all of the hustle and bustle of the fall season has you feeling a bit tense or anxious, apples can help you to feel more relaxed.
Another thing that’s worth noting is since apples (and pears) are technically a part of the rose family, that may also explain why they are so fragrant. Finally, something that is really cool about this particular scent is if you follow recipes like this one here, you can make your own apple essential oil with the help of it and a carrier oil like grapeseed or plum.
7. Cloves
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The scent of cloves is something else that’s a mixture of spicy and sweetness. I like it a lot because, any time I use the fragrance in my own house, it immediately makes me think of things like cool weather, falling leaves, and apple cider. Believe it or not, a lot of people like to use the smell of cloves in their bathroom while soaking in a warm bath because it creates a calming effect.
Then, once you get out of the tub, if you and your bae would like to do something like…maybe some orgasmic meditation (check out “What Exactly Is 'Orgasmic Meditation'?”), the sensual undertones of cloves can help you both to concentrate on each other better. Perfect.
8. Sandalwood
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I like sandalwood a lot because it’s got an earthy-meets-sensual-meets-almost milky smell to it. Because of this, in essential oil form, it tends to smell pretty amazing on both men and women. Aside from the fact that this is another scent that can de-stress you, sandalwood is very seductive which also makes it an effective aphrodisiac. Some other perks of sandalwood are it can help to improve your level of focus, sharpen your memory, and get you to sleep soundly at the end of every night.
9. Plum
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Oh, the sugar plum fairy. It’s a topic that comes up a lot around now because, for one reason, it’s the words that are used in the title of a song that is featured in The Nutcracker. And so, that alone makes the smell of fresh plums a befitting fall scent. If you like something that is very sweet and fruity with a hint of floral, that is what plum will bring into your life. It’s actually so pleasant that it’s a “base ingredient” in many perfumes. That’s because it has a way of being alluring and relaxing at the same time.
10. Peppermint
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And finally, there’s peppermint. Minty smells are super exhilarating which is one of the best things about having peppermint in your space because, if you want a traditional holiday scent that is able to energize you, increase productivity, and even control your appetite, you definitely need to put some peppermint oil into one of your diffusers.
Since it’s also able to boost your workout performances, clear out your sinuses, and give you energy all from just taking a whiff of it, please don’t let this fall season come to an end without having a peppermint candle somewhere in your house. No holiday season should go by without it!
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Hopefully, this was a quick reminder that your sense of smell is as relevant as the other four (sight, touch, taste, and hearing). So, why not pamper that part of your being with at least one of these scents over the next few weeks? They don’t just smell amazing — as you just saw, they can do wonders for you in a myriad of different ways too. Enjoy!
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