Melanated Ministry

In this episode we hear from a Black woman living in Spain who was unexpectedly laid off from her remote job — and we walk through the consequences few people talk about: losing employer-based health coverage, navigating unemployment while on a residence visa, and the practical steps she took to protect her livelihood and legal status. Whether you're researching digital nomad visa countries, learning about living abroad as a black woman, or planning to move abroad for work or lifestyle reasons, this conversation offers concrete options, real-world documents, and the emotional truth behind the headlines.Subscribe to the newsletter or follow at:LinkedInTikTokPinterest

Subscribe to the newsletter or follow at:LinkedInTikTokPinterestA group chat tells you everything about power, privilege, and people's politics. And if you've ever been kicked out of a WhatsApp thread or private Facebook group, the politics of race, class, and gender were probably the reason for that exclusion.I walk through how real-world hierarchies get recreated in small digital spaces: who gets listened to, who gets sidelined, and how so-called "safe spaces" meant to protect Black women can still reproduce misogynoir and patriarchy. We talk about what digital sisterhood can feel like when it holds and when it fractures, why safe spaces online can be both empowering and exhausting, and how surveillance and social policing affect group interactions.Of course, this sociology lesson is brought to you by our dear ancestor, bell hooks!

I said it before (here: https://youtu.be/v4Z0kTEoKKg?si=irp-Y3BuPuOuhUMa) and I'll say it again: Hollywood is not ready to show Black revolutionary women on film. And I wish we would stop praising the filmmakers who sacrifice Black women to make empty points about white supremacy...SPOILER ALERT for the movie "One Battle After Another"Subscribe to the newsletter or follow at:LinkedInTikTokPinterest

This episode discusses the lack of official documentaries or biopics on Assata Shakur, a member of the Black Panther Party who passed away in September 2025 while living in exile in Cuba. Why is her story so controversial for mainstream media to cover, given the success of other Hollywood projects like "Judas and the Black Messiah"? Only two documentaries exist about Shakur, and neither are easily accessible or produced with high quality. What would it take to get her story to a wider audience?Read the first chapter on my book about Black revolutionary women: https://www.wattpad.com/1547432877-friendly-competition-the-legacies-of-two-blackSubscribe to the blog or follow at:LinkedInTikTokPinterest

What do we owe our oppressors—mourning, accountability, or something else entirely? Let's dissect the ethics of grieving those who have harmed others in this episode. After the shooting death of Charlie Kirk (Founder of Turning Point USA), Americans are examining whether public sorrow for perpetrators of harm advances justice, normalizes harm, or opens space for truth-telling and reconciliation.Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions about sexual assault, murder, and police brutality.Subscribe to the blog or follow at:LinkedInTikTokPinterest

This episode offers solutions to the issue of long-term unemployment, especially among Black women, and how to navigate the current job market. It's important to understand the economy when starting a job search, so you can get back to financial security faster.Subscribe to the blog or follow at:LinkedInTikTokPinterest

I had the special opportunity to speak with a doctor and activist based in Gaza, who is assisting women and girls who have limited access to period products (sanitary pads, pain relief medicine, etc.). Please listen to and share this episode to spread awareness about this gap in humanitarian need in the region.Also, don't leave without sharing and signing this petition to ensure women and girls in Gaza get access to quality reproductive health services: https://chng.it/y5YSQTjX2p

Here's a candid conversation where I share my struggles as an independent journalist under the pressure to become a social media “newsnfluencer”. As a Black woman in journalism dealing with bias in journalism and the tension between job security and creative authenticity, this is a heavy subject to tackle. So many of us feel pushed to double as news influencers to keep paying our bills.I also explore:Is it possible to use social media to build a news brand without compromising your values?What happens when you try building a brand without social media?How should content creators balance personal brand growth and job security in today's media landscape?Subscribe to the blog or follow at:LinkedInTikTokPinterest

It's time to rethink how you manage money. Time to use a hands-off approach tapped into tech and professional help. Listen for steps to combine AI, automation, and self-care to set up systems for long-term financial growth. Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest

Can the International Criminal Court become more powerful? Or are the days of it holding leaders accountable for war crimes and genocide over? Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Was this a beneficial and necessary movie to make? That's a complicated question. And it's based on the viewer and the emotional context they bring into the film. Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

With Ozempic scattered across Hollywood, and celebrities revealing drastic weight loss, it's questionable whether body positivity is still the goal. Could we ever see plus-sized or obese celebrities as role models? Or is body positivity officially dead? Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Hint: America has one of the worst food quality scores. But why is that, and what are the international standards for food production anyway? Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

An attempted explanation of why many social media posts about Black women giving up on political fights in the wake of Kamala Harris' failed presidential campaign. Includes a discussion about Allan Lichtman and the dangers of hubris in political punditry. Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

This episode we explore Dr Afrikana Chihombori-Quao, someone I believe all Black/African women should know and follow. I'll examine the work she's done to speak out against post-colonial oppression across the African diaspora, and what lessons aspiring leaders could learn from her. Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

What exactly is the reason (Black) women hate South African singer Tyla? Is this simply a case of the #DiasporaWars, or are there legitimate reasons to question her meteoric success in the music industry? Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Diddy - arguably top 3 icons in contemporary Black music and Black culture. But how did people hold him in high regard for so long, given all we know now? Is #blackexcellence creating monsters instead of positive role models? Subscribe to the blog or follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Full episode will be behind an "e-wall" on Substack. Sign up for the newsletter at any tier to listen. Subscribe to the blog Follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Subscribe to the blog Follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads We're discussing: 2024 Olympics recap (live from Paris) and Black support for Palestinians in Gaza. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Here's the link to my story on dealing with America's mental health services. And here are statistics I shared re: the obstacles Kamala Harris will face as a Black woman running for president. Subscribe to the blog⁠ Follow at: ⁠LinkedIn ⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Pinterest ⁠⁠Goodreads⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Subscribe to the blog Follow at: LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Goodreads Resources for moving abroad --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

The most consistent advice content creators give is to be consistent with putting out content. I think that's a luxury for White content creators, and I explain why. Subscribe to the blog: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/sub... Follow at: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead... TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Pinterest - https://pin.it/5ak7hFo Goodreads - https://buff.ly/3HDksBQ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Why would starting a nonprofit or a charity be considered a trauma response? This conversation, sparked by a viral video made by Christy Rutherford (author and leadership coach), explores why this question is only posed when discussing Black women. Subscribe to the blog: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe Follow me at: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadinglikealady/ TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Pinterest - https://pin.it/5ak7hFo Goodreads - https://buff.ly/3HDksBQ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Enroll in my class: https://buff.ly/3MR1FFr Subscribe to the blog: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe Follow me at: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadinglikealady/ TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Pinterest - https://pin.it/5ak7hFo Goodreads - https://buff.ly/3HDksBQ June is African American Music Appreciation Month, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than by highlighting this social entrepreneur and co-inventor of hip hop. Let's talk about why Cindy Campbell (sister of DJ Kool Herc) deserves her flowers for creating a musical and cultural revolution going 50 years strong. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Since Juneteenth is coming up, I'm going to celebrate by supporting more independent Black women writers or inspiring more of you to become one. So we're discussing how to publish your own book, why you need a fundraising strategy to self-publish, and why recent blockbusters like The Little Mermaid with Halle Bailey prove we need more Black women in Hollywood writers' rooms and in the book publishing industry. Free one-month trial of Skillshare: https://buff.ly/3WOsY7X Subscribe to the blog: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe Follow me at: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadinglikealady/ TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Pinterest - https://pin.it/5ak7hFo Goodreads - https://buff.ly/3HDksBQ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

As Black women, we face many systemic challenges. But we can't allow the shadow that casts to hold us back. Working together as a community to overcome these challenges is gonna require deeper, honest shadow work (not the kind that sounds trendy). We need the kind of shadow work that affirms our self-worth AND creates solidarity. Subscribe to the blog: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe Follow me at: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadinglikealady/ TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Pinterest - https://pin.it/5ak7hFo Goodreads - https://buff.ly/3HDksBQ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

As part of this series on the best countries for black women to live in, I'm hosting interviews with Black women expats. In this episode, Sarah tells me what living abroad as a Black woman feels like, first in China and then Spain (two of the top choices for expats). Questions answered: are there safe, thriving communities for Black women in Spain? What advice would we give to women taking risks like moving to a new country in their 20s? Can Black women dating abroad expect to find love? How do racism, social democracy, and politics make life better or worse for Black women in Spain? Subscribe to the blog: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe Rate us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Follow me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/leading-like-a-lady-6927638391375183873/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Pinterest: https://pin.it/5ak7hFo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Happy new year! I discovered three tricks to get your life as close to where you want it to be in the next five years, despite what the devil throws your way. Read the full blog post here. YouTube (Leading Like a Lady) Leading LinkedIn page TikTok profile Pinterest profile --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

If you Google “top countries for black women” the top first-page results would make you believe EVERY Black woman in America is trying to get out. But exactly how safer is it for women moving abroad, especially when they're choosing countries the total opposite of America politically and economically - socialist countries? Full series available on YouTube. If this is a topic you want to learn more about, I need you to do three things: 1) Subscribe to my Substack newsletter (link below); 2) Respond to the poll below this video with suggestions for the next episode! Newsletter: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/leading-like-a-lady-6927638391375183873/ Pinterest: https://pin.it/5ak7hFo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Black women from America and African diasporic countries are moving abroad. But exactly how safer is it for women moving abroad, especially when they're choosing countries the total opposite of America politically and economically - socialist countries? If this is a topic you want to learn more about, I need you to do three things: 1) Subscribe to my Substack newsletter (link below); 2) Complete the poll below this episode asking for a full series. Newsletter link: https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe Follow the full series on YouTube. TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Setting goals and developing plans - how can we do this effectively? That's what this episode's about. Watch the full video on YouTube. Follow My Journey: TikTok - tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Newsletter - https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/subscribe Pinterest - https://pin.it/5ak7hFo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Watch this episode on YouTube. Is there a scientific approach to avoiding self-sabotage? Beyond just "manifesting" it away? That's what we explore in this episode. Follow My Journey: TikTok - tiktok.com/@leadinglikealady Newsletter - https://seunshokunbi.substack.com/sub...Pinterest - https://pin.it/5ak7hFo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leadinglady/support

Risks are only bad when you don't learn how to make moves in silence. And when you're not taking risks, you’re in a self-fulfilling prophecy where you already failed before you got started. So how do you manage the fear behind risk-taking, and the need to find people you can trust with your dreams/aspirations? The Leading Like a Lady Podcast was created to remind black women, young and old, that acting like a lady is EXACTLY what the world needs in leadership. Learn more about the creator at http://itsseunshokunbi.com/podcasts/. Sign up for a free 30-day Audible subscription here: http://itsseunshokunbi.com/audible. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/leadinglady/support

Are women responsible for finding the inspiration they need to make a positive influence in the world? The Leading Like a Lady Podcast was created to remind black women, young and old, that acting like a lady is EXACTLY what the world needs in leadership. Learn more about the creator at http://itsseunshokunbi.com/podcasts/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/leadinglady/support

Fatima Brown shares her story of beating cancer, and what it taught her about building her self-confidence. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/leadinglady/support