Black Women Amplified Podcast
Black Women Amplified is a podcast for Black women over 40 who are navigating a midlife pivot and ready to step into their next chapter with clarity and confidence.For seven seasons, the show amplified the voices and stories of Black women across industries and lived experiences. In Season 8, the focus turns inward.Hosted by Monica Wisdom, midlife pivot strategist for women over 40, this season supports women who feel the pull toward something more. If you have carried big dreams for years, feel stuck or outgrowing the life you built, or are considering starting over at 40 or 50, this podcast is your...
Season 8 Premiere: She Moves Different
Black Women Amplified
Season 8 of Black Women Amplified begins with reflection, gratitude, and a powerful theme for the conversations ahead.
In this opening episode, host Monica Wisdom thanks the community that helped grow the podcast into a global platform reaching more than 2 million views and listens, over 7,000 YouTube subscribers, and a network of more than 48,000 women connected through social media.
What began as a simple idea to create a space where the stories, wisdom, and lived experiences of Black women could be heard has grown into something much larger. Black Women Amplified has...
Author Vanessa introduces her new book, Fire, Sword & Sea
Vanessa Riley on Fire, Sword, and Sea, Women Pirates, Caribbean History, and Reinvention
In this episode, I sit down with bestselling historical fiction author Vanessa Riley while she is on tour for her powerful new novel, Fire, Sword, and Sea.
We go deep.
We talk about women pirates in the Caribbean, hidden history, the real cost of piracy, the sugar economy, and how the transatlantic slave trade shaped the world we are still living in. Vanessa shares the extensive research behind the novel, from Port Royal Jail to colonial archives, and how she...
Boundaries and Balance in a Chaotic World | Lisane Basquiat
There is a lot happening right now. Culturally. Politically. Personally. And if we are not intentional, the noise will start shaping our reactions, our boundaries, and even our identity.
In this episode of Black Women Amplified, I sit down with Legacy Healing Strategist and founder of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat, for a grounded conversation about boundaries, balance, focus, and leadership in uncertain times.
This is not a surface conversation about self-care. This is about clarity. Discipline. And protecting your energy without losing yourself.
Lisane is a board-certified NLP Master Practitioner and teacher, certified...
She Wrote Her Own Story 4 Part Series W/ Monica Wisdom
SHE WROTE HER OWN STORY
A Podcast by Monica Wisdom
There comes a moment in a woman’s life when she knows she cannot keep living by the script she inherited. Something shifts. Something breaks open. Something whispers that she is meant for more truth, more peace, more joy, and more of herself.
She Wrote Her Own Story is a four-part podcast series about that moment of awakening. It is a celebration of the women who are remembering who they are and choosing to design lives that reflect their truth instead of society’s expectations.
How I Wrote a Whole Book in 72 Hours (and What Happened Next)
In this special episode of the Black Women Amplified Podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I wrote and self-published my book Have We Lost the Plot? in less than a week. Yes, you read that right. Seventy-two hours, one laptop, and a whole lot of truth. This is not a story about going viral. It’s about completion.
It’s about trusting your voice, honoring your story, and finally saying what needs to be said without waiting for permission. I’m sharing the real deal. Why I decided to stop overthinking and just start. What hap...
Jayne Allen on The Best Man, Black Women in Fiction, and Building Her Literary Universe
In this episode of Black Women Amplified, we sit down with Jayne Allen, the bestselling author of the acclaimed Black Girls Must trilogy, a series that has captured the hearts of readers around the world. Jayne shares her journey from Harvard-trained attorney to bestselling novelist, turning her brilliance, purpose, and creativity into a powerful storytelling career.
You will hear about her collaboration with Malcolm D. Lee, the visionary filmmaker behind The Best Man franchise, and what it was like joining forces to expand one of the most beloved stories in Black culture into a new literary experience. Jayne...
How Stephanie Perry Built a Global Movement of Black Women Living Abroad
Stephanie Perry is a force of nature. What started as her personal leap of faith to move abroad has grown into a global movement of nearly 30,000 Black women redefining what freedom looks like. In this inspiring episode of Black Women Amplified, we dive into Stephanie’s story, from house-sitting across continents to co-founding the powerful ExodUS Summit, a worldwide community helping Black women create sustainable lives overseas.
This conversation is an invitation to dream bigger, live bolder, and take your place in the world. We explore what it means to live abroad with intention and how to build the...
Marisha Wallace: Broadway, London's West End, and the Journey to Live in London
Join us as we welcome the incomparable Marisha Wallace, Broadway and West End star, powerhouse vocalist, and trailblazer in theatre. From her debut in Aladdin to starring roles in Dreamgirls, Waitress, Hairspray, Oklahoma!, and Guys and Dolls, Marisha has built a career that defies limits.
We dive into her journey from North Carolina to London’s West End and Broadway, her return to Broadway in Cabaret, and her groundbreaking performances that have earned Olivier Award nominations. Discover the story behind her new live album, Live in London, recorded at the legendary Adelphi Theatre, and hear about her collaborations wi...
Bloom: The Society on Patreon.
Welcome to Bloom: The Society.Â
Black Women Amplified now has a membership community on Patreon, and I would love for you to join. You will be a founding member and will have access to all the goods once you join.Â
Imagine your favorite after-party. The conversation flows, the music is just right, and you feel seen, heard, and amplified.
That is BLOOM. Inside BLOOM, our private Patreon community, we go beyond the podcast. You will get exclusive bonus content, behind-the-scenes stories, early access to episodes, VIP invites to live monthly hangouts with me, and sp...
Episode Rewind. Jasmine Nevels: Mogul in the Making
Episode Rewind
Jasmine Nevels is a rising mogul. From executive to entrepreneur, she has made her mark in the coffee industry.
Tune in to hear her story as she embodies what it means to bet on yourself, especially during this renaissance era for Black women.
Don’t forget to check out and purchase our journals, t-shirts, and caps at www.blackwomenamplified.com.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/black-women-amplified--6590667/support.
The Power of Being Around Your People
In this episode, Monica Wisdom explores the importance of finding an aligned community as part of living a soft, purposeful life. Too often, we stay connected out of history, tradition, or guilt, but not alignment. Monica invites listeners to reflect on the people around them and consider: Are these my people, or just the ones I’ve always known? Through personal stories, cultural insights, and thoughtful critique, this conversation examines how technology, social shifts, and emotional disconnection are shaping our relationships and how we can return to the sacred act of community-building with clarity, care, and gentleness. In This Episode:
You Were Never an Imposter: The Soft Life is Life Code Series, Epi 3
🎙 Monica Wisdom Podcast
 EPISODE 3: You Were Never an Imposter – Naming What’s True
LifeCode™: I am not an imposter—I am evidence of what’s possible.
Episode Summary:
This episode is a conversation about letting go of a story that was never ours. The idea of “Imposter Syndrome” has followed many of us into spaces where we belong, even though the term wasn’t created with us in mind. Monica reflects on the original essay that coined the phrase, why it doesn’t apply to the lived experience of Black women, and offers a new lens...
Feeling Is a Superpower
Episode 2: Feeling Is a Superpower
LifeCode™: My emotions are not a weakness; they are a compass.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Monica Wisdom invites us to stop numbing and start listening. For many Black women, feelings were something to manage, not something to honor. But emotion is not the enemy. It’s information. Monica explores how we were taught to suppress our emotional world and how healing begins when we let ourselves feel, fully and freely. This conversation is a reminder that vulnerability isn’t a flaw; it’s a superpower.
Key Ta...
Jayne Allen Returns: Building a Literary Empire with Black Girl Magic
We are beyond excited to welcome back the brilliant Jayne Allen to the Black Women Amplified podcast! Jayne, the mastermind behind the bestselling Black Girl Magic trilogy, returns to share insight into her latest literary creation, The Most Wonderful Time.
In this episode, she introduces us to two captivating new characters and invites us into a fresh adventure that’s just as enchanting and powerful as her previous work. Following the success of her debut novel Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, which she self-published after being turned down by traditional publishers.
Jayne has gone on to se...
Rhonda Ross on Fame, Healing, and Finding Her True Voice
Join me for a heartfelt and powerful conversation with the one and only Rhonda Ross, Emmy-nominated actor, Grammy-nominated songwriter, motivational singer, and a radiant force in the world of art and transformation. You may know her as the daughter of legends Diana Ross and Berry Gordy, but Rhonda’s story is uniquely her own. In this deeply personal episode of Black Women Amplified, she opens up about what it’s been like to navigate fame, identity, and healing on her own terms. We talk about:
What it was really like growing up in the public eyeHer struggles with identity, depr...
Pleasure, Power, and Purpose with Annette Freeman of The Goddess Portal
Today on Black Women Amplified, we step into the radiant world of Annette Freeman, visionary, coach, and headmistress of The Goddess Portal.
Annette’s mission is to help professional women reconnect with their deepest desires, reclaim their feminine power, and manifest lives rooted in pleasure and purpose. Through coaching, movement, and transformative experiences, she guides women to step into their full power—personally and professionally.
Beyond her work with The Goddess Portal, Annette is an Emmy-award-winning producer, journalist, and educator, with an impressive career that spans NBC News, Columbia University, and the New York Film Academy. She...
Nigerian-British Author Nikki May Shares Her Writing Journey and Latest Novel
Nigerian-British Author Nikki May joins Monica Wisdom to discuss her journey from executive to author, highlighting her latest novel, "This Motherless Land." The conversation delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and the resilience of women, as reflected in Nikki's characters. She shares her personal experiences growing up in Nigeria and England, emphasizing the importance of representation in literature.
Throughout the discussion, Nikki expresses the significance of embracing one's whole self, celebrating both her Nigerian and British heritage. As they explore themes of joy, trauma, and the impact of community, listeners are encouraged to share their own stories...
Episode 1- How Trauma Colors Our Life - 6:23:25, 4.22 PM
Episode 1: How Trauma Colors Our Life
LifeCode™: What happened to me shaped me, but it does not define me.
Episode Summary:
In this opening episode of The Soft Life as LifeCode™, Monica Wisdom invites you into a tender conversation about the invisible weight many of us carry. Before we can embrace softness, we must understand what hardened us.

This episode explores how trauma—both personal and generational—shapes the way we love, work, rest, and show up in the world. Monica breaks down what trauma is, how it lives in the body, and what it take...
Life Changes When We Put Ourselves First
In this powerful episode, Monica Wisdom shares a deeply personal reflection on the ways Black women have been conditioned to give our time, our energy, and our brilliance, often without receiving anything in return. From community service to corporate projects, we have been taught to equate value with self-sacrifice. But what happens when we stop, look back, and realize we were always in the background of our own story?
Through storytelling rooted in lived experience, Monica challenges the charity mindset and invites listeners to explore a new possibility: sacred commerce. This is a conversation for every Black woman...
The Shift: Saying Yes to My Next Chapter
In this deeply personal episode, I share a major shift that’s been unfolding behind the scenes.
For nearly four decades, I’ve been the woman behind the curtain amplifying voices, building brands, and supporting others as they step into their purpose. It’s a role I love and one I’ve lived fully.Â
But recently, a university interview turned the spotlight on me, and it sparked something I couldn’t ignore. This moment made me realize it’s time to take my own advice. To stop hiding behind the work and bring my full voice to the front...
Living Softly Is a Sacred Choice
The Soft Life is Political Series
Hosted by Monica Wisdom
www.blackwomenamplified.com
Welcome to the final episode of The Soft Life is Political, sisters. I’m Monica Wisdom, and today we close this chapter together—and open the one you’ve been waiting to write. We’ve talked self‑forgiveness, narrative rewrites, and the power of our wisdom. Now it’s time to choose ourselves, unapologetically, and craft a life that reflects our deepest truth.
In this episode, you’ll discover how to release the old story that kept you serving every expectation but your own...
Rewriting the Story You Tell Yourself
The Soft Life is Political Series
Hosted by Monica Wisdom
www.blackwomenamplified.com
Welcome to Black Women Amplified, the sanctuary where we reclaim our stories, honor our healing, and amplify our power. I’m your host, Monica Wisdom, and in today’s master‑class–level episode, we’re diving deep into the narrative patterns that shape our lives—and learning how to rewrite them on our terms.
 In this episode, we explore how the voices of society, family, and past trauma have the show in our heads, keeping us small, cautious, and disconnected from our full powe...
Forgiveness is a Form of Freedom
The Soft Life is Political Series
Hosted by Monica Wisdom
www.blackwomenamplified.com
Welcome to Black Women Amplified, where we let our truth breathe, our hearts exhale, and our stories rise with power. I’m your host, Monica Wisdom, This episode is part of The Soft Life is Political series, a sacred return to ourselves, where rest, healing, and self-love aren’t luxuries, but revolutionary acts.Â
In today’s episode, we’re leaning into one of the hardest, most beautiful practices: self-forgiveness. So many of us are carrying invisible weight. Regret and shame for the choice...
Midlife Is Not a Crisis, It’s a Crown
I’m your host, Monica Wisdom, and this episode is part of our powerful series, The Soft Life Is Political. It’s a conversation about what it means to live differently, intentionally, and on your terms—especially when the world has asked so much of us.
Today, we’re honoring something that doesn’t get enough shine: your age, not as a burden, not as a clock ticking down, but as one of your greatest assets. Sis, you’ve held it all. The career. The caregiving. The community. You’ve been the glue, the guide, the quiet force behind so much...
The Midlife Glow-Up: The Soft Life is Political Series
Sis, let’s have a real conversation. This episode is a love note to your becoming. We're not just talking about self-care or skincare. We’re talking about soul food—the kind that nourishes your spirit, fuels your growth, and honors the woman you’re becoming. Because aging isn’t a loss, it’s an invitation.
We’re diving into what it means to truly evolve as a Black woman. The culture will have you chasing your youth, but this space? We’re flipping that script. It’s time to reclaim your softness, protect your peace, and honor your inner wisdom...
“Rest Is Resistance: Breaking Free from the Burden of Being Strong
Hey Sis,
In this powerful solo episode, Monica Wisdom takes us on a deeply personal and timely journey into the tension between resilience and rest. Drawing from her reflections and inspired by a quote from Charles Blow, Monica explores how Black women are consciously disengaging from systems of exhaustion and expectation, not out of weakness, but as an act of radical self-preservation. You’ll hear why resilience without rest is unsustainable, how trauma and obligation have shaped our survival, and why now is the time to reclaim our softness, our peace, and our next chapter.Â
What You...
Monica Wisdom: The Next Chapter Starts With You
Hey Sis,
In this solo episode, I’m speaking directly to the woman who knows deep down that it’s time, not for a hustle, a reinvention, or a revelation. If you've been carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs, navigating a world that doesn’t always see your softness as sacred, and feeling that quiet nudge for something more, this conversation is for you. We’re talking about the next chapter.
The one that starts the moment you say: I’m ready. This episode is a gentle but powerful reminder that you don’t need permissio...
Monica Wisdom: The Soft Life Is Political ( New Series New Season)
Send us a textHello Sisters, Welcome to the series kickoff: The Soft Life Is Political.This isn’t just a vibe. It’s a movementWe’re pulling back the curtain on what the “soft life” truly means for Black women, beyond the candles, the travel, and the spa days.It’s not aesthetics. It’s not luxury for luxury’s sake.This is about liberation.Boundaries. Rest. Self-definition. And the radical act of choosing ease in a world that too often demands our labor and silence.This episode is your reminder that softness is not weakness, it’s wisdom.In this episode:Why “s...
History Makers: Jazmin Erving and Ivy Welburn, Founders of Because I Rock
Send us a textHBCU alums Jazmine Erving and Ivy Welburn are making history as the first Black women to own a crystal mine, once held by Tiffany & Co. Their incredible journey started during the pandemic with a chance encounter that unlocked a world of possibilities.Jazmine, a philanthropist and daughter of basketball legend Dr. J, and Ivy, a legendary floral designer with an A-list clientele (think Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, and Will Smith), share how one life-changing weekend set them on a path to transform the crystal mining industry.From Black girl magic to manifestation, we’re diving into their po...
Monica Wisdom: Are we speaking from our triggers?
Send us a textHello, Fam!I’m back this week with a powerful story about how speaking from my triggers led me to deeper healing and a better understanding of how I respond to life’s circumstances. In a world filled with constant noise, it’s easy to bypass grace when we’re overwhelmed by our pain.If this episode resonates with you, or you know someone who needs to hear this, take a moment to share the link. A simple text could spark their own aha moment.Also, don’t miss the new tees and hoodies on the website! Stop by, t...
Monica Wisdom: Living in a World of Triggers
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With Love, Meghan: A Self-Love Story
Send us a textWhen Harry met Meghan, it felt like a dream come true—a royal romance that redefined the fairytale. Books were written, movies were made, and the world watched in fascination. But for the first time, a princess on the global stage looked like me. Seeing Meghan be chosen by a man who matched her energy felt surreal, powerful, and deeply affirming.Yet, fairytales don’t always end with a happily ever after. Meghan’s story turned into one of escape, resilience, and, ultimately, a journey back to herself. In this episode, I dive into her new Netflix show...
Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: Finding My Purpose in an Untamed World
Send us a textToday on Black Women Amplified, we’re diving into the extraordinary journey of Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant—wildlife ecologist, storyteller, and history-maker. She’s breaking barriers as the first Black woman to host Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, stepping into a space long dominated by white male adventurers and making it her own.Dr. Wynn-Grant’s love for the wild started young, but the road to getting here wasn’t easy. In her powerful memoir, WILD LIFE: Finding My Purpose in an Untamed World, she takes us from her city roots in San Franc...
Monica Wisdom: Reclaiming Our Narrative
Send us a textWelcome to Black Women Amplified! Today, we’re diving into the power of storytelling. Black women have used it to shape culture, preserve history, and reclaim our narratives. And, of course, we’re talking about Kendrick Lamar’s electrifying Super Bowl performance. His storytelling through music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a movement.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:💡 The rich history of storytelling in the Black community—from oral traditions to modern media
đź’ˇ Why owning your narrative is an act of power and resistance
đź’ˇ How you can start documenting and sharing your story today<...
Country Music is a different road for Black Women: Chapel Hart shares their story
Send us a textWelcome Chapel Hart, a dynamic country music trio from the heart of Mississippi that's taking the world by storm. With their unique fusion of classic country beats and contemporary lyrics, their sound speaks directly to the soul. Whether it's empowering anthems like "Grown Ass Woman" or emotional ballads like "You Can Have Him, Jolene," Chapel Hart captures the raw, real emotions that resonate with women of all walks of life.Made up of sisters Danica and Devynn, along with their cousin Trea, Chapel Hart infuses every song with their unmistakable harmonies, making their dreams a reality on...
Sing, Speak & Shine: Rhonda Ross’s Message of Hope
Send us a textHey Fam,Join me for an amazing conversation with the one and only Rhonda Ross, Emmy-nominated actor, Grammy-nominated songwriter, and motivational singer who’s been touching hearts with her music, speeches, courses, and workshops. You may know her as the daughter of legendary Diana Ross and Motown mogul Berry Gordy, but trust me, her story is so much deeper than that.Let me tell you, Rhonda is one of us. Sure, we see the fame, the glitz, and the family photos, but we don’t always get to see the struggles she’s faced behind the sc...
Jazmine & Ivy: HBCU Alums Making History
Send us a textHBCU alums Jazmine Erving and Ivy Welburn are making history as the first Black women to own a crystal mine, once held by Tiffany & Co. Their incredible journey started during the pandemic with a chance encounter that unlocked a world of possibilities.Jazmine, a philanthropist and daughter of basketball legend Dr. J, and Ivy, a legendary floral designer with an A-list clientele (think Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, and Will Smith), share how one life-changing weekend set them on a path to transform the crystal mining industry.From Black girl magic to manifestation, we’re diving into their po...
Jayne Allen: Author Extraordinare of the Black Girl Magic Book Series.
Send us a textHello Family,
Welcome Jayne Allen, the mastermind behind the incredibly successful Black Girl Magic trilogy, is here to share the magic of her latest book, The Most Wonderful Time. In this episode, we explore her creative process, her thrilling journey from bestselling author to landing a television production deal, and the two captivating new characters who will steal your heart. From selling over 800,000 copies worldwide to being translated into multiple languages, Jayne’s books have left an indelible mark on readers everywhere—and her latest adventure is just as enchanting. Whether you’re a fan of powerf...
Behind the Music: Tasha Larae's Inspiring Story with Arrested Development
Send us a textEmbracing Individuality with Tasha Larae of Arrested DevelopmentIn this soulful episode of Black Women Amplified, Monica Wisdom Tyson is joined by the phenomenal Tasha Larae, lead singer of the legendary hip-hop group Arrested Development. Tasha takes us on a journey from her humble beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska, to gracing global stages with her electrifying house and R&B vocals.🌟 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Tasha's inspiring transition from small-town roots to international acclaim.Candid insights into navigating the highs and challenges of the music industry.How she overcame self-doubt and learned to celebrate her unique voice...
From Vision to Manifestation: A Step-by-Step Guide
Send us a textJoin us as we explore the transformative power of vision boards and personal growth in this inspiring episode. Speaker A shares her journey of creating vision boards and realizing that true manifestation begins with inner work and self-discovery. Discover how she developed the MVP process to refine your vision and set attainable goals that align with your dreams. Additionally, learn about the Audacious AF Dream Bigger Blueprint journal, designed to guide you on a self-discovery journey while incorporating creative affirmations through coloring. Tune in for practical insights and motivation to help you live your best life yet...
