Whether it’s an essay on last night’s viral moment, a deep dive into a favorite celebrity’s career, or a hot take that sets social media on fire, cultural critique is something that helps us analyze, question, and understand the world around us. But what makes a good piece of criticism? And why do we sometimes embrace it—or resist it—so strongly?

Joining us this week to talk intimately about the state of cultural criticism is journalist, writer, and care worker, J Wortham. You may know J as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, where they co-hosted the podcast ‘Still Processing — a weekly show about pop culture, television, films, books, music, and the internet. J is also a sound healer, reiki practitioner, and herbalist oriented towards healing justice and liberation. During our conversation, we discuss the role of the critic in our society, how to distinguish between a care-centered vs. a bad-faith critique, and the ways in which platforms like Twitter and TikTok have made criticism so accessible in both good and bad ways.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find J

Substack

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media has the ability to make running a business look glamorous, but the reality of being an entrepreneur is often a lot more complex. And as Black women, the pressure is always on to be excellent, magical, and do everything ourselves, often leading to an imbalance between our businesses and our mental health. This week we're diving into a discussion of entrepreneurship and mental health with returning podcast guest, Melissa Ifill. Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients in New York, Georgia, and Florida.

During our conversation, we explored the ways in which our identities and traumas have the potential to show up in our businesses, how ideas of “Black excellence” can leave us stuck in a cycle of burnout, and learning how to ask and receive help from your community.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Melissa

Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready, because class is almost in session. Welcome to the Therapy For Black Girls University podcast tailored for the 20-something who’s packing for a new year on campus, thinking through their gap year, enrolling in a community college, grabbing their stoles for graduation, and everything in between.

Black girls have always been the queens of having one or two side hustles at once, especially in college, when you can count on your dorm-mate to be a lash tech, braider, and even a tailor. But what happens when you decide it’s time to upgrade your side hustle into a full-on business? Well, our guest knows a lot about that. Today, we're joined by the founder of the lifestyle wear brand STRIPT, Arianna Davis. Ari is an attorney-turned-entrepreneur and a double graduate of Howard University. In our conversation today, we discuss Ari’s journey from Howard Law student to full-time entrepreneur, how to shoot your shot with big names in order to grow your business, and strategies for balancing textbooks with checkbooks.

Where to Find Our Guests

Ari’s Instagram

Ari’s TikTok

Stript’s Instagram

Stript’s TikTok

AFFIRMATIONS

• I am capable of turning my existing passions into a successful business.

• My unique perspective and experiences are valuable assets in the entrepreneurial world.

• I embrace the challenges that lie ahead of me as opportunities for growth and innovation.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram

TikTok

Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE.

Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE.

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Producer: Ellice Ellis

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

TBG University Host: Jayna Ellis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.