
Grown and Growing Podcast
Welcome to Grown and Growing — your favorite podcast for women who know that life in your 40s (and beyond) is just getting started! This is your safe, relatable space where we talk about it all: relationships, kids, health, career, sex, travel, and everything in between.Join two vibrant, unapologetic Black women as we share fun, candid conversations about navigating life’s ups and downs while owning every stage of our growth. Think of us as your girlfriends who keep it real, laugh hard, and remind you that you’re never too grown to keep growing.
Latest episodes

Nov 15, 2022 • 1h 12min
25. Girl Chat: Married Life
In my last Girl Chat, it was all about the single ladies. This time I'm talking to a few of my girlfriends about marriage. 👰🏾🤵🏾♂️The internet is always good for a “hot take” on marriage and relationships, so I’m talking to actual married women about their very real experiences.Thanks to Sharon (@shaydplace), Erica (@ericageneen) and Nyree (@nywilk) for a great convo. Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Nov 1, 2022 • 1h 6min
24. Breaking Down the Adolescent Mental Crisis with Dr. Jari Santana-Wynn
After learning about the child and adolescent mental health crisis in the US, I wanted to talk to a clinical expert to learn more and better equip myself with tools for my own children. The conversation is enlightening and helpful. This conversation with Dr. Jari @doctor.jari gave me hope.About My Guest:Dr. Jari Santana-Wynn is a child and family therapist, parent coach, international speaker, and certified LGBTQI+ trainer with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Miami University (OH) and has worked in community mental health clinics, hospitals, and schools. Her clinical expertise is focused on child and adolescent mental health, trauma informed care, immigrant mental health, and acculturation stress. Dr. Jari's own experiences as an Afro-Latina immigrant child drive her commitment to culturally competent mental health services for minority communities and make her a tenacious advocate for their social, economic, health care, and educational needs.Special Offer for Listeners:For listeners of Grown and Growing, Dr. Jari is offering 50% off of her video series Decolonizing Parenting, a series where Dr. Jari and her sister discuss non-coercive and non-violent parenting strategies that are consistent with the Afro-indigenous child rearing practices of our ancestors.Visit: https://doctorjari.com/Use the code: grown&growingLike. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Oct 18, 2022 • 1h 10min
23. Refreshing Your Professional Brand with Dionne Watts-Williams
This week I’m talking with Dionne Watts-Williams @workwithdionne branding messaging consultant and personal branding coach. She helps women figure out how to shine professionally to help them climb the corporate ladder or stand out as an entrepreneur. The conversation is enlightening and real.Meet My Guest:As a shy, nervous child, Dionne Watts-Williams hated public speaking - but writing came naturally. Being laid off from her six-figure job when she was five months pregnant and at the height of her corporate career, left her feeling lost and devastated. But that “rock bottom” experience made her rededicate herself to her God-given abilities, and vow to never let anyone take her for granted or cause her to second-guess her worth. Today, as a brand messaging consultant and personal branding coach, Dionne has helped hundreds of brilliant, ambitious Black women CEOs and corporate climbers shed fear and anxiety, confidently share their stories, come out of obscurity, and shine professionally - and in life. She’s discovered that by embracing her inherent gifts, she doesn't have to struggle - and neither do her clients. Learn more about Dionne at www.workwithdionne.com. Attend Brunching and Branding EventIn every area of life, there are a select few who are designed, called and destined to reach the top faster than anyone else. Dionne Watts-Williams’ one-day experience, Brunching & Branding, is for that group of people. If you KNOW you were created for more professionally, meet her in Philadelphia, PA for this exclusive VIP training!You’ll walk away with:A deeper understanding of personal branding…An irresistible #LinkedIn profile that showcases your dopeness...Connecting with other bright CEOs & corporate climbers...The five-star treatment with catered brunch, mimosas, door prizes, and TWO free professional headshots... ... and leveling up in your industryIt's going down Saturday, November 12, 2022. More at www.brunchingandbranding.com. Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Oct 4, 2022 • 50min
22. Taking Care of Your Future Self: Talking Retirement with Dr. Jennifer Edwards
I'm happy to talk with Dr. Jennifer Edwards (@drjennewards) about planning for retirement. I recently learned that women, on average, have 30% less income in retirement than men. So it's an important conversation. Dr. Edwards offers great perspective and tools to help women prepare to have the retirement they want. FREE TOOLS:Dr. Edwards wants you to prioritize retirement and that starts with looking at your finances today. Go to her website JenniferJEdwards.com to get your free budget and vacation planner.About My GuestDr. Jennifer Edwards helps high-performing women leaders protect and secure their finances. As a fourth-generation business owner and third-generation financial professional, she is an advocate for economic equity and safer savings strategies for marginalized women. An expert in strategy and training, she is happy to sit down or virtually review your financial plans with personalized care. Jennifer has managed a multi-million dollar portfolio serving communities throughout her career. She earned a PhD from Howard University, an MBA as a working mom from Walden University, and BS from Florida A&M. You are welcome to join her for a hike or yoga session anytime you're in Dallas where she lives with her husband and two children.Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Sep 20, 2022 • 1h 10min
21. All Things Skin Care and Beauty with Esthetician Joy Johnson
This was a fun episode. I learned so much…and revealed a couple of my craziest beauty faux pas. We often tout the natural beauty and longevity of melanated skin, but there are things we can do to ensure that the magic is maintained as we grow older. Joy @Joyofbeautybrand is so informative and breaks down the ways we can properly care for our skin. All the resources she mentioned are in the show notes.Listen and I promise you’ll learn something new. About My GuestJoy Johnson is a renowned beauty expert in the Washington, DC area. Joy is a multi-licensed beauty professional and sole proprietor of Nails & Faces of Joy, LLC, the parent company of Joy of Beauty™, a diabetic-friendly body care line.Joy has been in the beauty business since 2007 and is a licensed esthetician, global educator and licensed nail technician, specializing in diabetic pedicures. For the last 11 years, she has lectured, spoken, and managed conferences domestically and internationally for clients like Sally’s Beauty Group and Salon Centric as well as Ardell Lashes, Gigi Wax, China Glaze Nail Polish, Refectocil, and many others. Resources from EpisodeMarket Place: BlkGrn (natural beauty products)Sunscreen: Black Girl Sunscreen DMV Esthetician: ICFacesBeauty.comDMV Dermatologist: drcherifrey.com/FREE SHIPPING from Sept 20- Sept 30 at Joy of Beauty™ Joyofbeautybrand.com Use Code: GROWNANDGROWING Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Sep 6, 2022 • 42min
20. Turn This House into a Home with Jenna Lockett
This week, I’m excited to have Jenna Lockett as a guest. She is an incredible interior designer and is the founder of Heaven Sent Design & Decor. She literally transformed my last house from drab to fab.About Jenna LockettJenna Lockett is an interior designer and founder of Heaven Sent Design & Décor. She takes pride in her ability to transform spaces by bringing ideas, concepts, and inspiration to life. Jenna has a keen eye for creating awe-inspiring surroundings while finding creative ways to help budget-conscious clients design their dream spaces. Her detail-oriented, client-focused approach makes her flexible and fun to work with. Jenna’s personal design style is a balance of modern contemporary, with a flair of the eclectic, natural materials, and bold colors. When not working, you can find her spending quality time with her husband, working out, or enjoying her friends and the San Diego sunshine. Connect with Jenna:Website: www.heavensentdecor.comIG: @heavensentdesignFB: @heavensentdesigndecorYT: Heaven Sent Design & DecorLinkedIn: Jenna LockettLike. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Aug 23, 2022 • 32min
19. Getting to Comfy and Cozy
This week, I'm talking about being 'comfy and cozy' in my own skin. It's a journey that many women reach in their 40s. I talk about what that looks like for me, and how I arrived at this space. Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Aug 9, 2022 • 1h 10min
18. Girl Chat: Dating After 40
In this episode, I’m talking to three single women in their 40s about dating. There are a lot of (ahem) *opinions* about how women over a certain age should date, but I wanted to hear directly from women about their experiences. I'm glad they were open to share. It's a great discussion.About My Guests: Roberta Hatchett is a marketing veteran who decided to pivot to celebrate her love for wine and interior design. She started VinBoheme (@vinboheme), a wine and home goods retailer that honors women and minority-owned wine makers and designers.Joy Sutton is a former TV journalist and current talk show host, with over 20 years of media experience. She hosts “Addiction Talk,” a Facebook Live show, and serves as the director of corporate communications for a national company. Joy is also a certified life and media coach, and has her own media consultancy, Sutton Impact, LLC (@joysuttonmedia)Myranda Stephens (@myrandastephens) is a former reporter turned REALTOR® with a passion for people! For more than 12 years, she’s helped others tell their stories in the world of television news. Since 2016, she has successfully helped buyers and sellers write the next chapter of their lives in their new home.Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Jul 26, 2022 • 51min
17. The Making of a Movement with Maya Guy
This week, I'm in conversation with Maya Guy -- stay-at-home mom of five, wife, and founder of the 200,000+ member Facebook group, Suburban Women for the People -- a Black-women led space where ALL women are celebrated and uplifted. The group was started for women who support (then Senator and VP nominee) Kamala Harris, but it has evolved. Maya uses her voice and platform to educate and shine a light on racial inequity, gender inequality and the plight of marginalized people in this county. Basically, she’s helping people become better humans, and doing her part to save our democracy. Lastly, she is an elected member of her County's School Board.Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com

Jul 12, 2022 • 1h 4min
16. Hungry + Horny + Sleepy: Surviving and Thriving During Your Child’s Teenage Years with Amanda Morgan-Henry, LCSW-C
For parents, it’s a rite of passage: raising teenagers! For the parents who are past this stage, you deserve your flowers. To the rest of us, may the odds forever be in our favor.This week, I am asking all of the questions to help understand teens. My goal is not to just “get through” this stage, but to forge meaningful, lasting connections with my son and daughter. If you have teens in your life, you don’t want to skip this episode.About My Guest:Amanda Morgan-Henry, LCSW-C (@daughtersofwinnie) is a licensed clinical social worker and creative visionary with a passion for growing competent liberation-focused social workers.With 20 years of experience in various areas of social work practice, her expertise with parents and teens primarily come through working with foster youth and in her former therapy practice. Currently, she is a PhD student in social work, and her research interests include African-centered approaches to parenting in Black families and the elevation of Black motherhood. A 40-something B-more girl, Amanda loves herbal tea and swanky office supplies, and adores being an auntie.Like. Follow. Share. Website: grownandgrowingpodcast.comFacebook: @GrownandgrowingpodcastInstagram: @GrownandgrowingpodcastYouTube: Grown and Growing PodcastEmail: grown.growingpodcast@gmail.com