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Emely Rumble learned early what it meant to keep going. After losing her grandmother at 14 and entering foster care, she had to grow up quickly. There wasn’t space to slow down or process what she had lost. Life kept moving, and she learned how to move with it. That pattern followed her into adulthood. In this episode, Emely shares what it looked like to carry grief without space, to keep showing up, and to handle everything without really stopping to ask what was missing. From school to work to motherhood, she stayed in motion. Doing what needed to be done. Managing responsibilities. Continuing to push through, even when something deeper was asking for her attention. There’s a moment she shares about being alone in the emergency room, when her body finally forced her to stop. A moment that made it clear that what she had been carrying for years could no longer be ignored. She also talks about what it feels like to tell the truth in a relationship and realize that even honesty isn’t always received. That being open doesn’t always mean being heard. This conversation reflects a reality many women know well. Carrying what needs to be carried. Adjusting to the absence of support. And continuing to move forward, even when something inside is asking for more. If you’re starting to notice how often you’ve had to keep going without being fully heard, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand what kind of support would actually meet you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Emely Rumble Emely Rumble is someone who learned early how to keep going, even when there wasn’t space to process what she was carrying. After losing her grandmother at 14 and navigating foster care, she had to grow up quickly. That experience shaped how she moved through the world for years, learning how to handle things on her own and keep pushing forward, even when she needed support. Her work today is rooted in helping people slow down and reconnect with themselves in ways they may not have had access to before. Emely is a licensed clinical social worker and bibliotherapist who uses books and storytelling as a pathway to healing. Through her practice, she helps people make sense of their experiences, process emotions, and find language for what they’ve been carrying. Her work has been featured in outlets like Essence, CNN Health, and The New York Times, and her book Bibliotherapy in the Bronx explores how literature can be used as a tool for emotional healing. At the core of what she does is helping people feel seen, understood, and heard, especially in the places where they’ve learned to carry things on their own. Connect with Emely Rumble Website | Instagram |TikTok |  Bluesky  | Substack About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Grace Rabia Wood didn’t choose to be strong. She learned it early, in an environment where survival meant staying quiet, staying aware, and getting everything right. Long before she had language for what she was carrying, she was already learning how to read a room, how to anticipate what was coming, and how to make herself smaller when needed. In this episode, Rabia shares what it looked like to grow up in a home where silence wasn’t just expected, it was required. Where keeping secrets was part of survival. Where being seen without being heard became a way of life. That way of being didn’t stay in childhood. It followed her into adulthood, shaping how she showed up in relationships, how she protected herself, and how she learned to carry things on her own. There is a moment she shares that shifts everything. A conversation that forced her to stop minimizing what she had experienced and finally tell the truth, even when the response she received was not what she needed. Rabia talks about what it meant to choose truth over silence, to stop protecting what hurt her, and to begin creating something different for herself and her children. She also shares what support looks like now. Not perfection. Not performance. But spaces where her voice is welcomed, where truth is not punished, and where she no longer has to hold her breath to feel safe. This conversation is about what strength required, what it took, and what it means to finally break the silence. If you’re starting to recognize how much you’ve had to carry quietly, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand the kind of support that meets you where you are now:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Grace Rabia Wood  Grace Rabia Wood is someone who learned how to survive long before she had the language to explain what she was going through. She grew up in an environment where silence, perfection, and obedience were expected, and where speaking up wasn’t always safe. That experience shaped how she moved through the world for years, learning how to read a room, carry what wasn’t hers, and keep going without being seen. Her work now is rooted in breaking those patterns. Grace speaks openly about healing, identity, the mother wound, and what it means to unlearn the things you were taught to endure. Her journey from Islam to Christianity is part of that story, but at the core of everything she does is helping people tell the truth about their lives and reclaim their voice. Through The Grace Experience, she creates space for real conversations about healing, generational patterns, and what it looks like to choose something different, even when it’s hard. Connect with Grace Rabia Wood Instagram |Email: [email protected] About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew spent much of her life doing what was expected of her. From an early age, she learned how to be responsible, how to show up, and how to carry what was placed on her without question. It was reinforced in the way she was raised, in what she observed, and in what was expected of her as a girl. And over time, that way of being followed her into everything. In this episode, she shares what it looked like to build a life around responsibility and expectation, and how that pattern quietly shaped her decisions, her relationships, and her sense of identity. There were signs along the way. Moments where her body was responding. Seasons where things didn’t feel aligned. But like many women, she kept going. Until the cost became too clear to ignore. Dr. Froswa talks about navigating a marriage that was no longer working, the moment her daughter reflected back what she could no longer avoid, and what it meant to walk away from what had once felt like stability. She also shares what support looked like during that season. Not advice. Not solutions. But people who were willing to sit with her, hold space, and simply be present in the moments where she didn’t have the words. This conversation is about unlearning what you were taught to carry, learning how to listen to yourself again, and choosing a life that no longer costs you your peace. If you’re beginning to notice how much of your life has been shaped by what was expected of you, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you start understanding the kind of support that meets you where you are now::  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew  Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is someone who has spent a lifetime learning how to show up, carry responsibility, and do what was expected,  and then had to learn how to question all of it. Her work centers on relationships, community, and the ways we connect with each other, but that understanding didn’t just come from research or professional experience. It came from living a life where she was often the one holding things together, navigating expectations, and learning in real time what it costs to keep doing that without pause. She is the Founder and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy and the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation, where she works with organizations and leaders on building trust, connection, and healthier ways of engaging with people and community. Dr. Froswa is also an author, including her book Front Porch Wisdom, where she shares insights shaped by both her work and her lived experience. Her voice has been featured in outlets like Forbes, Huffington Post, and Modern Luxury. At the core of everything she does is a commitment to helping people understand themselves more deeply, build meaningful relationships, and create spaces where others feel seen and valued, not just in theory, but in real life. Connect with Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew  Instagram | Website  About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Simone Gordon is used to being the one people call when they need help. She shows up for her autistic son, her community, and the families who rely on her every day. It’s what she’s known for. It’s what people expect from her. And for a long time, she kept saying yes. In this episode, Simone shares what it looked like to carry that kind of responsibility without stopping to consider what it was doing to her. From early mornings to late nights, she was constantly moving, constantly responding, constantly showing up for everyone else. Until her body made her pay attention. What she thought might be something physical turned out to be something deeper. The pressure, the pace, the constant need to be available had started to catch up with her in a way she couldn’t ignore. Simone talks about what it means to be the one everyone depends on and how easy it is to lose yourself in that role. The expectations, the responsibility, and the quiet reality of not always having the same level of support in return. This conversation reflects a pattern many women recognize. Being the one who says yes, the one who steps in, the one who makes things happen, even when it comes at a cost. If you’re starting to notice how much you’ve been carrying for everyone else, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand what kind of support would actually meet you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Simone Gordon Simone Gordon is known as the Black Fairy Godmother, showing up for women and families who need help when they don’t know where else to turn. What started as her own search for support turned into something much bigger. After struggling to find resources for herself and her autistic son, Simone went to social media and asked for help. When people showed up for her, she made the decision to do the same for others. Since then, she’s built a community that provides emergency assistance, resources, and real-time support to Black and Brown families across the country. Simone’s work has been featured on platforms like Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and The New York Times, but at the center of it all is her commitment to showing up for people in real, tangible ways. At the same time, her story reflects the weight that can come with being the one everyone depends on, and what it looks like to start making space for herself after years of putting others first. Connect with Simone Gordon: Instagram | Website  About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Mary Sims has been called strong more times than she can count. But what people didn’t see was what it was taking for her to keep going. In this episode, Mary shares what it looked like to navigate a cancer diagnosis, a stem cell transplant, and the long road of recovery that followed. From the outside, she was surviving something that most people couldn’t imagine. But on the inside, there were moments where she felt like she was losing herself. And still… she kept showing up as strong. Mary talks about what it means to carry something that heavy and not always have a place to put it. The emotional weight, the isolation, and the reality of trying to process everything while also being seen as the one who can handle it. There’s a moment she shares where the news she received shifted everything again, and what followed wasn’t strength in the way people recognize it. It was exhaustion. It was frustration. It was trying to hold on to herself while everything around her felt uncertain. And even in that, people still saw strength. This conversation is about what it costs to survive something that changes you. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. It’s about the parts people don’t see, the silent moments, the breaking points, and what it takes to keep going when there isn’t always space to fall apart. If you’re realizing that being “the strong one” has meant carrying more than people can see, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand what support could look like for you now  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Mary Sims Mary Sims is someone whose faith has been shaped in real time, not just in what she believes, but in what she’s had to survive. She serves in church leadership and has spent years pouring into others through prayer, discipleship, and teaching. But her work isn’t just about what she shares, it’s rooted in what she’s lived through. Mary is a cancer survivor, and her journey has changed the way she understands strength, faith, and what it means to keep going when life doesn’t let up. What she carries now isn’t just knowledge, it’s lived experience, resilience, and a deeper compassion for people navigating their own battles. Through her YouTube channel, JustMary, she creates space for honest conversations about faith, healing, and what it looks like to hold on when things feel uncertain. Her voice resonates with people who are trying to make sense of their faith while also dealing with the realities of life. Whether she’s leading prayer, teaching, or simply sharing her story, Mary’s heart is in helping people feel less alone in what they’re carrying and reminding them that even in the hardest seasons, they are not without support. Connect with Mary Sims: Instagram | Website | Wellnes Page About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

For a long time, Alyson Brown believed being strong meant handling everything on her own. She was showing up, holding it together, and figuring things out without needing much from anyone else. And for a while, it worked. At least it looked like it did. In this episode, Alyson shares the moment her body forced her to stop pushing through. What she thought was just a busy season filled with good things, a new job, meaningful work, and planning events, slowly turned into something she could no longer manage on her own. And when it all came to a head, she couldn’t hold it together the way she was used to. She had to be held. That moment revealed something deeper. Being strong had come at a cost. Not just physically or emotionally, but in her relationships. It had quietly shaped the way she showed up with the people around her and made it difficult to ask for support, even when she needed it. Alyson opens up about what it’s been like being the strong friend, the one people rely on, the one who always shows up. But when you’re used to being that person, it can be hard to be honest about what you need or to allow yourself to be fully seen. Even in safe relationships, there can still be a hesitation, a fear that showing too much might change how people see you. This conversation isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about what it looks like to begin unlearning that pattern and learning how to receive support in real time. Not perfectly and not all at once, but honestly. If you’re starting to recognize that being “the strong one” has shaped how you show up in your relationships, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to put language to the kind of support that actually meets you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Alyson Brown Alyson Brown is someone who cares deeply about helping women do the kind of healing that doesn’t always get talked about out loud. Her work sits at the intersection of faith and wellness, especially for women who are trying to make sense of their relationship with their mothers, themselves, and God… all at the same time. She creates spaces where women can be honest about what they’ve been carrying, begin to process it, and start moving toward emotional freedom in a way that feels real, not rushed. Alyson has been featured on the Woman Evolve podcast with Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts and recognized by Impact Magazine. Whether she’s hosting conversations, leading events, or gathering women in more intimate settings, her focus stays the same… creating room for people to feel safe enough to be seen, supported, and begin healing in a way that actually lasts. Connect with Alyson Brown:  YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @EverythingAlyB About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

  When work becomes your identity, it can be hard to recognize where your job ends and you begin. This episode is story seven of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them, and the kind of support that could have made a difference. In this conversation, Joyel Crawford shares what it looked like to build a career around meeting expectations, showing up, and constantly delivering, even at the expense of her own well-being. For years, she kept going. Working long hours. Pushing through exhaustion. Ignoring the signals her body was sending. Until those signals became impossible to ignore. From insomnia and stress-related health issues, to being told by doctors that the environment she was in was taking a serious toll on her health, this conversation explores what happens when overworking becomes more than just a habit. It becomes who you are. We talk about burnout, avoidance, and the realization that leaving a job doesn’t automatically break the pattern. Because even after walking away, Joyel found herself recreating the same cycle in her own business. This episode also explores the moment she began to see that work was never meant to carry the weight of her identity. And what it looked like to start separating who she is from what she does. Joyel shares how she began the process of “divorcing” herself from constant productivity, and how that shift opened the door to rest, self-awareness, and a different way of living. Her story reflects a deep need for Mindful Care, the kind of support that helps you slow down, check in with yourself, and respond to what you actually need in the moment. If you’ve ever felt like your value was tied to how much you produce, this conversation will feel familiar. And if you’re starting to realize that something about the way you’ve been working is no longer sustainable, this may be the moment to begin thinking about it differently. If you’re starting to realize that work has taken up more space in your life than you ever intended, you don’t have to sort that out on your own. The Support Languages™ assessment can help you understand the kind of support that actually fits you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Joyel Crawford Joyel Crawford is a career coach, speaker, and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, where she helps people rethink how they show up at work and advocate for themselves in ways that actually feel sustainable. After spending years in corporate leadership, Joyel now works with organizations and individuals who are trying to lead, communicate, and build careers without losing themselves in the process. She’s also the author of Show Your Ask and host of the Career View Mirror podcast, where she talks openly about work, identity, and what it really takes to find your voice. Joyel’s work is shaped by her own experience with burnout and overworking, and her commitment to helping others break those same cycles in real life. Connect with Joyel Crawford  Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Being the strong one can feel like something you don’t question, especially when it’s been a part of your life for as long as you can remember. This episode is story six of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them, and the kind of support that could have made a difference. In this conversation, Shelley Washington shares what it meant to carry the role of being the strong one across generations, and what it cost her over time. Strength was something she inherited. Something she was known for. Something she was expected to be. But when her mother’s health began to decline, that role took on a different weight. Shelley found herself holding everything together for her family, showing up, managing what needed to be managed, and continuing to move forward even as grief was building underneath the surface. Until she reached a moment where she couldn’t do it anymore. From leaving the hospital and breaking down in a way she never had before, to walking into her childhood home after her mother passed, to realizing that the version of strength she had been carrying no longer fit her life, this conversation explores what happens when there’s nothing left to pull from. We talk about grief, emotional exhaustion, generational expectations, and what it means to finally say that you don’t want to carry it the same way anymore. Shelley also shares what it looked like to ask for help and not receive it, and how that moment shifted the way she understands support. This episode holds space for the truth that being the strong one is not something you owe anyone. And that there comes a point where continuing to carry it the same way is no longer possible. Shelley’s story reflects a deep need for Mindful Care, the kind of support that shows up without being asked and reminds you that you matter, even when you’re not holding everything together. If you’ve ever felt like being the strong one became your identity, this conversation will stay with you. If you’re starting to realize that you don’t have anything left to give in the way you used to, this may be the moment where something begins to shift. If you’re realizing you don’t have anything left to give the way you used to, you don’t have to figure out what comes next on your own. The Support Languages™ assessment can help you get clearer on the kind of support that actually meets you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Shelley Washingtyon Shelley Washington is a faith leader, community advocate, and someone who cares deeply about creating spaces where people can show up as their full selves. She serves as a pastor in Houston and works closely with Black LGBTQ+ communities through her role with The Normal Anomaly Initiative, supporting people in ways that center care, connection, and real-life needs. Shelley also created Be OWT Ministries, a space where faith, identity, and authenticity can exist together without apology. Her work is grounded in making sure people feel seen, supported, and like they belong, not just in theory, but in real, everyday ways. At the heart of everything she does is a desire to build community, tell the truth, and remind people that they don’t have to carry everything on their own. Connect with Shelley Washington  Instagram | TikTok | Mrs and Mrs The Podcast About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Being the one everyone depends on can feel like second nature, especially when you’ve spent years showing up, figuring things out, and holding everything together without question. This episode is story five of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them, and the kind of support that could have made a difference. In this conversation, Dr. Candice Dawson shares what it looks like to carry the responsibility of caring for her parents while also raising her children and managing the day-to-day demands of her own life. Dr. Dawson has always been the one who handles it. The one people call. The one who figures it out. But over time, that level of responsibility began to take a toll in ways she could no longer ignore. From constantly being on the move, to feeling like she was being pulled in multiple directions, to realizing that even when she asked for help it didn’t always show up the way she needed, this conversation explores what it means to live under the weight of being the one everyone depends on. We talk about caregiving, family expectations, and the reality of trying to balance everything without losing yourself in the process. This episode also holds space for the moment when you realize that just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should have to do it alone. And that setting boundaries isn’t about doing less for others, it’s about finally including yourself in the care you give so freely. Dr. Dawson’s story reflects a deep need for Being Heard, the kind of support that allows you to say what’s real without it being questioned, redirected, or turned into something else. If you’ve ever felt like everything rests on you, this conversation will feel familiar. If you’re beginning to question how much you’ve been carrying and whether it’s sustainable, there is space to start thinking about support differently. The Support Languages™ assessment can help you name the kind of support that would actually meet you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Dr. Candice Dawson Dr. Candice Dawson, also known as Dr. D., is an educator, speaker, and author who helps women rethink what it means to live freely. She often describes herself as a “freedom enthusiast,” someone who believes that freedom isn’t something you arrive at once, but something you choose every day. Through her work, Dr. D supports women as they navigate life, responsibility, and the pressure to hold everything together, while learning how to care for themselves in the process. She also works with parents and families, helping them approach learning in ways that feel empowering and connected to everyday life. Dr. D brings over a decade of experience in education and nonprofit work, along with a deep commitment to growth, faith, and living in alignment with what she believes is possible. Connect with Dr. Candice Dawson  Instagram |Threads |YouTube | Website About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Being an emotional caretaker as a Black woman often starts early, long before you realize just how much you’ve been carrying. This episode is story four of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them, and the kind of support that could have made a difference. In this conversation, Achea Redd shares what it looked like to become the one everyone leaned on, not just in adulthood, but from childhood. Achea learned early how to manage other people’s emotions, how to step in, smooth things over, and carry what didn’t belong to her. But over time, that role came with a cost. From living in a constant state of alertness, to losing connection with herself, to realizing that much of what she had been holding was never hers to carry in the first place, this conversation explores the weight of being the emotional caretaker. We talk about what it means to be relied on without being supported, how self-worth can become tied to being needed, and the moment everything began to shift. This episode also holds space for the realization that you don’t have to keep carrying what was handed to you. And that putting it down doesn’t make you less… it makes you honest about what you can no longer hold. Achea’s story reflects a deep need for Being Heard, the kind of support that allows you to speak freely without being corrected, dismissed, or made to feel like your experience needs to be explained. If you’ve ever found yourself holding everything together for everyone else while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself, this conversation will stay with you. If you’re realizing you’ve been carrying things that were never yours to hold alone, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you name the kind of support that would actually meet you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Achea Redd Achea Redd is a mental health advocate, author, and coach who helps women make sense of who they are when life starts shifting underneath them. Her work is rooted in real conversations about identity, emotional burnout, and what it looks like to come back to yourself after carrying too much for too long. Through her coaching practice, Rooted with Redd, Achea works with women one-on-one and in group spaces, creating room for honest reflection, healing, and growth. She’s also the author of three books, with a fourth on the way, and continues to show up in community through workshops and experiences that center mental health and emotional well-being. Achea’s work is deeply personal, shaped by her own journey with anxiety and the decision to stop carrying what was never hers to hold. Connect with Achea Redd  Instagram |Substack | Website About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Being the strong one as a new mother can look like holding everything together on the outside, even when you’re quietly running on empty. This episode is story three of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them, and the kind of support that could have made a difference. In this conversation, Tasha Randle shares what it looked like to return to work after having her second child while trying to manage breastfeeding, a demanding role, and the day-to-day responsibilities of home. Tasha has always been the one who figures things out. But in this season, that strength started to cost her in ways she didn’t immediately recognize. From the physical signs showing up in her body, to the pressure of always being “on” at work, to the moment her husband said, “you always figure it out,” this conversation explores what it means to carry so much that even the people closest to you don’t realize how heavy it’s become. We talk about invisible exhaustion, the difference between what feels urgent and what actually matters, and the quiet ways many Black women learn to keep going even when something inside is asking them to stop. This episode is also a reminder that just because you can carry it doesn’t mean you were ever meant to carry it alone. And sometimes the truth doesn’t come out until you can no longer hold it in. Tasha’s story reflects a deep need for Being Heard – the kind of support that listens fully, without minimizing, dismissing, or rushing to fix what’s being shared. If you’ve ever found yourself holding everything together while feeling like you were coming undone inside, this conversation will stay with you. If you’re starting to recognize that you’ve been carrying more than you should,e, the Support Languages assessment can help you begin to put language to the kind of support you need.:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Tasha Randle Before the work she does now, Tasha Randle spent 15 years in corporate marketing, leading major brands and helping drive billions in revenue for companies like Procter & Gamble and Hallmark. Today, she works with entrepreneurs who are doing all the right things, putting in long hours, and still not seeing the results they know are possible. Tasha brings a grounded, practical approach to helping people understand what’s actually holding their business back, without adding more pressure or telling them to do more than they already are. Her work is rooted in helping people slow down, look at what’s really going on, and make the kind of changes that create sustainable growth. Discover Your Revenue Lock: Are you doing all the “right” things, but your revenue isn’t growing? Find out exactly which of your business mechanics is jammed by taking Tasha’s free, 5-minute diagnostic: https://828leadershipgroup.com/revenue-lock Connect with Tasha Randle  Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Tiktok About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Being the strong one in rooms that were never built for you often comes at a cost, especially when you’ve learned to keep going no matter what it takes. This episode is story two of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them, and the kind of support that could have made a difference. In this conversation, Cynthia “Cyn” Strickland shares what it cost to be the one holding it all together in spaces where she was often the only one who looked like her. For Cynthia, being the strong one in rooms not built for her wasn’t just about work, it shaped how she showed up in every part of her life. Cynthia has spent decades building a career across technology, consulting, and leadership, showing up, delivering, and proving herself in rooms that were not designed with her in mind. But behind the success was a pattern of pushing through, compartmentalizing, and moving on without ever stopping to process what she had been through. From navigating serious health moments alone, to having her work taken and handed to someone else, to realizing she was being valued for what she could produce but not seen as a full person, this conversation explores what it means to lose your voice while appearing successful. We talk about workplace pressure, identity, and the emotional cost of always being the one who can handle it. This is what being the strong one in rooms not built for you can look like when it goes unspoken for too long. This episode is also a reminder that just because you’ve learned how to navigate hard spaces doesn’t mean you were ever meant to carry them alone. And sometimes the real shift begins when you allow yourself to be seen beyond what you do. Cynthia’s story reflects a deep need for Mindful Care – the kind of support that checks in, follows up, and creates space for you to be honest about what’s really going on. If you’ve ever felt like you had to prove yourself in every room, or like your value was tied to what you could produce, this conversation will stay with you. If you found yourself listening and thinking, “this is me,” but you’re not sure what support would even look like, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you start to put language to that:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Cynthia Strickland Cynthia “Cyn” Strickland is a writer, strategist, and entrepreneur who works with high-achieving professionals, especially Black women and LGBTQ+ leaders, who are starting to question the lives and careers they’ve built. Before this chapter of her life, Cynthia spent years navigating spaces where she was often the only one who looked like her, building a career across technology, consulting, and leadership. Over time, she began to notice what constantly holding everything together was asking of her. In 2024, after years of monitoring, biopsies, and a lumpectomy, Cynthia underwent a double mastectomy followed by radiation treatment. That experience shifted how she thinks about time, work, and what it really means to take care of herself. Now, through her writing and the work she does with others, Cynthia creates space for people to rethink success, tell the truth about what they’ve been carrying, and choose a different way forward. Connect with Cynthia Strickland  Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

This episode is part of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them (including how chronic pain in Black women is often ignored or misunderstood), and the kind of support that could have made a difference.  In this conversation, Fawn Walker Montgomery shares what it cost to keep pushing through pain and what happened when her body finally said no. Fawn has spent most of her life showing up for others as a community organizer, advocate, and leader in the fight for justice. But behind the work was a body that was breaking down. From being dismissed in medical spaces, to living with undiagnosed endometriosis, to becoming what she describes as “indispensable and invisible at the same time”, this conversation explores the real impact of chronic pain in Black women and what it means to not be believed. We talk about burnout, self-advocacy, and the moment she realized that the relationships around her were often tied to what she could give, not how she was being supported. This episode is also a reminder that your body is always communicating even when you’ve been taught to ignore it. And sometimes listening is the first step toward healing. Fawn’s story also reflects a deep need for Emotional Safety – the kind of support that allows you to be believed, held, and heard without having to fight for it. If you’ve ever felt like your body was trying to tell you something,  or like you’ve had to push through pain just to keep going, this conversation will stay with you. And if you’ve ever felt like you needed support but couldn’t quite name what that looks like for you, you can take the Support Languages™ assessment at shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Fawn Walker Montgomery Fawn Walker Montgomery is a community leader, organizer, and advocate who has spent years showing up for her people – fighting for justice, building, leading, and carrying a lot along the way. She’s served as a councilwoman in McKeesport, made history as the first Black woman to run for a State seat in the Mon Valley without a major party endorsement, and continues her work through Fawn Walker Montgomery Consulting and as the CEO and Co-Founder of Take Action Advocacy Group (TAAG). But behind all of that work is a woman who has had to learn how to listen to her own body. After years of pushing through, Fawn now speaks openly about her experience with endometriosis… sharing what it looks like to care for yourself while still being committed to your community. She is the author of Healing In The Fight: A Black Woman’s Journey With Endometriosis and Radical Self-Care – a reflection of both the work she’s done in the world and the work she’s had to do within herself. Healing In The Fight is available wherever books are sold. Connect with Fawn Walker Montgomery: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack Come back every weekday for a new Support Pause — short, soul-soothing reflections made just for you. About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl  is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

April marks Black Women’s History Month, and this series was created to honor the full, lived experiences of Black women in a way that often gets overlooked. This series centers Black women support stories told in their own words. The 26 Black Women: What Strength Took. What Support Could Have Given storytelling series centers real conversations with Black women about the realities behind being “strong” and the kind of support that was missing. Each episode creates space for Black women to speak in their own words, not just about what they’ve been through, but about who they are beyond it. This trailer introduces the intention behind the series and what listeners can expect over the next 26 days. If you’ve ever questioned what support for Black women really looks like in everyday life, this series was created with you in mind. About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Understanding How to Answer You Okay When You’re Not When someone asks you “You okay?”, it’s rarely simple, and figuring out how to answer you okay when you’re not can feel like its own emotional maze. This pause sits inside that moment for Black women, because the truth behind that question is often heavier than the world realizes. In this episode, Shirl slows the moment down and gives you space to notice what happens inside you before you answer out of habit. She talks about why “I’m fine” shows up so quickly, how our history shapes the way we respond, and why honesty doesn’t have to mean spilling everything you’re holding. You’ll hear real language you can use when you’re not okay but don’t want to explain, how to protect your emotional space, and what it looks like to check in with yourself once the world gets quiet again. This pause is a grounding reminder that you get to choose answers that care for you too. Got a story about what it’s cost you to be the strong one? We’re collecting real, lived stories for the Black Women Storytelling Series, and we want to hear yours. Submit your story here → https://forms.gle/VsfFMjNjMt6eVLJp7 Come back every weekday for a new Support Pause — short, soul-soothing reflections made just for you. About Shades of Strong® Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl  is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.