Advertise on podcast: Harmonize Your Life: Conversation on Self-Care for Women of Color

Grab your sisters or girlfriends and gather with me and the women who attended the Tending to Your Garden Book Conversation and Brunch. Listen, as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Grief & Trauma Specialist, Dr. Sarah Williams, and founder of Raven’s Project and Everybody At The Table Podcast, Yolonda Griffin Johnson, and I reflect upon who we have become as a result of our grief journeys. Be inspired by our transparency and discover the power of crying, laughing, healing, moving forward, blooming and flourishing like a well watered garden. 

Join me in a soulful conversation with Dr. Sarah Williams, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Grief & Trauma Specialist and Yolonda Griffin Johnson, founder of Raven’s Project and Everybody At The Table Podcast. Each of these women has contributed greatly by sharing their stories, insights and wisdom in the foreword and epilogue of my new book, Tending to Your Garden: Moving Through Grief with Intentional Self-Care and Soul-Care. Sit, cry and laugh with us in this inspirational conversation around loss, grief, healing, community and the joy that comes as we move through grief with intentional self-care and soul-care.

Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson is a trailblazing global media executive, transformational speaker, and multi-best-selling author. Renowned for her visionary leadership, Dr. Cheryl has made a profound impact across industries. As an award-winning filmmaker, she earned an Executive Producer credit and an HBO Max award for the acclaimed documentary, "Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority," and contributed to the powerful film "The Invitation," chronicling the history of The Links, Incorporated. A seasoned speaker and workshop presenter, Dr. Cheryl has captivated audiences at prestigious events like the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, Hallmark Mahogany Summit, The Potters House, and the National Action Network, to name a few. A prolific writer, Dr. Cheryl has authored 19 best-selling books, such as "The Art of Influence" and "Affirmed: 365 Positive Thoughts & Actions to Start Your Day." As Editor-In-Chief of Cheryl Magazine, she curates a 120-page publication that serves as a love letter to Black women, inspiring them to embrace their power and purpose, for which I and the Harmonize Your Life Women’s Self-Care Retreat was a feature story in the 2025 Spring Issue. Episode Credits: Dr. Toni G. Alvarado, Podcast Host Paula Burch Jackson, PBJ Premier Realty  Ricky Howell, Video Production & Editing John Alvarado Music & Production Assistance Enjoli Bland-Reed, Momentum Events Brand & Social Media Content Specialist Ashaki Stinson, Executive Administrative Assistant Michele Johnson, Get Dressed for Life & Social Media Content CreationMUA: Yolanda Stewart

Kellie James is Professional Facilitator & Cycle Enthusiast. With a background and professional career in Project Management, Kellie is now the owner of Drenched Cycle Studio located in the center of Old Fourth Ward and Midtown Atlanta. A cycle studio that features cutting-edge equipment and a dynamic atmosphere. With dimmed infrared lights and pulsating music, Drenched creates an energetic ambiance, perfect for high-intensity spin workouts with expert instructors who guide you through an immersive experience that combines rhythm-based choreography with performance-tracking technology, ensuring you get the most out of every ride.

We're back with Season 16 of the Harmonize Your Life Podcast!

Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes is a research psychologist, focusing on ethnic minority families, African American adolescent development and health disparities, professor of practical theology and pastoral counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary, author of Too Heavy a Yoke, I Bring the Voices of My People and Sacred Self-Care. Dr. Chanequa is a 2-time breast cancer survivor who empowers women through her life stories, research, writing, healing journey, lifestyle of harmony and sacred self-care.

Chandra Jarrett is an executive leadership coach and consultant with a broad base of experience in automotive engineering, leadership, training, business and non-profit development, president of Joy Consulting Group, and author of How Cancer Saved My Life: (Re) Discovering Life in a Deadly Place. Chandra is a breast cancer survivor and a dynamic speaker who empowers women through her healing journey, life stories and Christian witness in the church and marketplace. 

Dr. Nicole Robertson is an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Christian Theological Seminary, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Join me with Dr. Robertson as she offers our listeners creative coping strategies that can be employed when psychological distress, grief and seasonal depression is encountered. Dr. Robertson also leads listeners in a deep breathing exercise and shares how deep breathing can be used as a coping strategy for distress, grief and depression, especially during the holidays.

Dr. Jamie Eaddy Chism is a thanatologist, theologian, educator, activist, founder of Thoughtful Transitions. Join me and Dr. Jaime as we discuss how race, class and gender, particularly for black women, impact our expressions and experiences of grief. Dr. Jaime offers us healthy and creative ways to honor the memory of our loved ones during the holidays and throughout the year. Finally, Dr. Jaime shares how she guides her clients through grief by illuminating the paths of possibilities that emerge through loss and the grief services provided at Thoughtful Transitions.

Dr. Felicia Brackett-Owens is a psychologist, therapist, and motivational speaker. After years of building a successful mental health practice, serving in her local church, caring for her husband, children, and extended family, Dr. Owens discovered that her "cup was empty." Listen as we discuss the mindset that supported her behavior and how a journey through the Harmonize Your Life Intentional Self-Care Program gave her strategies for implementing replenishing self-care practices into her daily life and work.

Dr. Felicia Brackett-Owens is a psychologist, therapist, and motivational speaker. After years of building a successful mental health practice, serving in her local church, caring for her husband, children, and extended family, Dr. Owens discovered that her "cup was empty." Listen as we discuss the mindset that supported her behavior and how a journey through the Harmonize Your Life Intentional Self-Care Program gave her strategies for implementing replenishing self-care practices into her daily life and work.

Desireé Young is an ordained minister, life coach, author and speaker. Join me in conversation with Desiree as she shares how she improved her health, lost 20 lbs., and gained the courage to set healthy boundaries through a process of intentional self-care. Listen as Desireé talks about her experience in the Harmonize Your Life Intentional Self-Care Program and the power in choosing yourself.

Rev. Raushanah N. Butler is an ordained itinerate elder, serving at the Cathedral of Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, GA, where she has been heavily involved in various ministries for the last 24 years. She is presently serving as Minister of Online Engagement, leader of Domestic Violence Awareness Ministry, & the Prison Ministry. Professionally, she is the Director of Alumni Engagement for the Candler School of Theology, where she engages some of the most brilliant & creative minds of theology education & is presently a Doctor of Ministry student focusing on the clergy response to domestic violence. Rev. Butler is also no stranger to community service as she taps into her personal experiences. She spends her spare time as a domestic violence & sexual assault advocate while sitting on the board of directors for several nonprofits in the Metro-Atlanta area, including Tapestry Inc. & Interfaith Children's Movement. Above all, Rev. Butler states that her greatest accomplishment to date is being the proud mother of her daughter, Joy.

Dr. Ryland Gore is a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in breast surgical oncology and founder of Dream Breast Care Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Join me in conversation with Dr. Gore about her passion for women’s health, breast care, and her devotion the patients in her care. In this podcast episode, Dr. Gore offers a wealth of knowledge regarding breast health, breast cancer, breast cancer disparities, surgical disparities, and the importance of self-exams, mammograms, breast care before and after a breast cancer diagnosis. Let’s share this vital conversation far and wide.

Dr. Kimberly Nash Alexander is a speech language pathologist, minister, professor, pastor’s wife, mother, and spiritual director. Shawna Francis Watley is a senior policy professional and strategist, pastor’s wife and mother. Together they seek to empower women through The Women Investing in Leadership Development Group.  Join me in conversation with Dr. Kim and Lady Shawna as we continue the conversation about how to practice self-care while managing multiple passions, political elections, stressful careers, and life events.