When Magic Happens

There are not enough words to describe the journey of bringing to life When Magic Happens. In our series finale of When Magic Happens, we reflect on the moments, the people, and the magic of the show. Week after week, we have brought stories that made us think, laugh, and cry, and we are so grateful for our When Magic Happens family for rocking with us. To our magical guests, we thank you. To our producers and contributors, we appreciate you, and to the “Destiny's Child” of podcasts, Cheryle, Jennifer, and Taylor, we did that, and we won a Regional Murrow Award! See you all somewhere on the internet, and don't forget to stay magical.

These dating streets are not for the faint of heart, y'all. As Black women, dating can be, well, complicated. There are moments of abundance and moments of scarcity, moments of maturity and moments with a man-child, moments of pretentiousness and potential. To guide us with some insight and helpful tips, we invite the woman who's seen it all and coached women through it all, Cheryl Grace, CEO of Powerful Penny LLC. She specializes in holistic transformation in career and love for women of all ages. As we explore our approaches to dating, Cheryl (without an e) shares some tips that could land us a Russell Wilson.

Mothers are like superheroes, they don't always wear capes, but they seem like they always know how to save the day. When they take off their proverbial capes, who are they as people? What is their secret to being our mothers, why did they instill certain values and while they've helped our dreams come true, what are theirs? This week, in honor of Mother's Day, Taylor, Jennifer, and Cheryle sit down with their moms to ask questions they've never asked before, and the answers might have you shed a tear. Grab your tissues and let's celebrate the mamas!

It's been said that in modern relationships, something's got to give, or rather, someone's got to give and someone's got to take. This week, we talk about transactional relationships between men and women in romantic relationships and situationships. Does it take a Birkin or a night cap to win the affections of another?

Since the invention of plastic surgery, many people have undergone cosmetic procedures for a plethora of reasons. This week, we dive into cosmetic procedures, pros and cons, and we talk about our own personal experiences with cosmetic, surgical procedures.

Friendships are beautiful and complex, and sometimes we treat them like automated subscriptions. We keep friendships in our lives when they've reached their expiration date. This week, we discuss the art of hiring and firing friends, how to do a friendship audit, how to recognize shifts in friends, and how to make and maintain friendships with people that are aligned with your growth.

When it comes to our goals, we've always heard that the journey is more important than the destination, and the process is important, but how many of us actually want to meet those end goals, too? Ain't no shame in your game! This week, we invited Dr. Grace Johnson, principal of SwellCrest Solutions. Design thinking and community and business curation is her area of expertise. She's also cousin to Jennifer and creator of their weekly exercise that helps put actionable steps in the goal setting process, the Growth Hour. Now, they've invited us all along for the ride. What are our goals and how are we going to expand them exponentially? We've got t-minus one hour to start making moves. Are you ready for the challenge?

What's your sign? Pisces? Gemini? Capricorn? We're talking all things zodiac signs. What's your sign and what does it say about you? Do we believe zodiac signs are helpful or just hype?

Sweet dreams are made of this–from recurring dreams, to nightmares, to the prophetic and the risqué, dreams can tell us a lot about ourselves and our subconscious. This week, we share some of the dreams that our brains conjure up for us and share our interpretations of our dreams. Does dreaming of fish mean we're having a baby? Does dreaming of a well-built man mean our handsome hunk is coming? And what could a dinosaur chasing us through the yard mean? Let's find out.

Welcome to our first documentary club! We at WMH love a good documentary, and this week, we watched Netflix's The Greatest Night in Pop. It's a documentary about the making of the hit song “We Are the World,” where legendary musical artists came together to raise money for U.S.A. for Africa. The song was an immediate hit and the night that it took to rally together the biggest stars of the 80s for one song, was nothing short of monumental. We get into all the details of the film in this first iteration of our documentary club, so join us, and watch along.

Black women have been pioneers and trailblazers in so many work environments, enduring, surviving, and thriving despite adversity. But surviving the workplace has been no crystal stair. We've fought against every “-ism” under the sun, put in thrice the effort to stay on top, all while trying to do it with a smile. This week, we dive into the stories of our first big girl jobs, the challenges thereof, and share some helpful tips for any Black woman trying to thrive and be treated with respect in the workplace. Donna Summer once said, “She works hard for the money.” So what, y'all? You better treat her right! Happy Women's History Month.

Ring, ring, ring! It's us, When Magic Happens. Do y'all remember rotary phones, calling your voicemail, or what about the invention of caller ID? When cell phones became a thing, what was in your pocket, and could the phone even fit? This week, we talk about phones and the revolution they've brought to life as we know it, the things we used to do on them back in the day (*66, or was it *69?) We're giving the 411 on all our cell phone memories, and we're reviving the phrase “411.”

It's Women's History Month, and this month is all about us! As we transition out of Black History Month and into Women's History Month, it's giving “this is an us season.” As Black women, we experience a lot, joy and triumph, pain and perseverance, and this week, we get into the ups and downs and how we can champion ourselves and each other.

Happy anniversary to the whole When Magic Happens family! It's our first anniversary, and we are reflecting on the joy, the laughter and the magic that has blossomed from this podcast over the last year and from our greater When Magic Happens community. Raise a glass, y'all!

It's the season of love, and we've got 525,600 reasons why we not only love our friends, families, and partners, but ourselves. This week, from the bottom of our hearts, we pour out how and why we love ourselves and we share our ultimate me-dates.

Happy Black History Month, again! This week, we pass the mic to our friends over at the Rundown Podcast. Erin Allen sits down with Arionne Nettles, who is a lecturer and the Director of Audio Journalism Programming at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Together, they reflect on our living legends, interrogate the term “Black excellence,” and they bring some nerdy flavor to the topic of Black futures in Chicago.

Happy Black History Month! We observe this time by looking back on the trailblazers, the peacemakers, and the folks that got in some “good trouble” as well as the Black folks who are making history now and carrying on traditions. Black history is expansive. It is relevant. Black history is now.

It's Cheryle's birthday, she's 50-fine, and she's ready to talk about aging with us and the WMH family. What's the big deal about getting older, and why are we so obsessed with youth? Plus, we have two guest hosts in the building, a crowd favorite, Erin Allen of WBEZ's The Rundown, and our magical producer Briana Garrett.

Tell us something, where your boss at? Calling all divas to the stage! We need to know what are the makings of a diva? Is it about the opulence and execution, is it about the talent and/or the ‘tude? And is the “diva” dying, or has the word taken on a whole new meaning?

It's the Battle of the TV Shows, choose your fighter! What type of TV-watcher are you? True crime? Documentary? Reality TV? The hosts have their own picks and they're convinced they can get you to join them in watching their favorite series.'

New year, who this? 2023? We've never heard of her. We're making room for all that 2024 will bring, and that means new adventures, new discoveries, new hobbies, new peace, love, and positivity. Turn to your neighbor and tell them, “the dreamers are back, new boldness is on the way!” Get ready, WMH family, because we're only going up from here!

When the dog barks, when the bee stings, when we're feeling bad, we simply remember our favorite things of 2023! 2023 has been full of ups and downs, and we're here to talk about the good, the bad, and the many cute moments of our year. We're wrapping this year strong, y'all!

We're ending the year with one of our favorite episodes from the show! Calling all nerds to the front of the line! We're talking about nerd and geek culture in this week's episode. Taylor, Cheryle and Jennifer share their nerdy hobbies and interests, and we discuss why some alternative hobbies challenge traditional notions of Blackness. Then, we are joined by author and entrepreneur Jacque Aye, who is unapologetically black, nerdy and neurodivergent.

A head nod, a pat on the back, an encouraging smile–these are some of the many ways we can communicate the phrase “I see you.” What does it mean to be seen or to see someone for who they are? It can make a world of a difference, and this week, Cheryle, Jennifer, and Taylor recount moments that made them feel seen in this world and the joy of truly seeing others as they are.

It's the holiday season, and we are in high spirits and hoping to pour some too! It's a season to get cozy with loved ones, to share in merriment, reflect, and spread good energy. What makes your holiday season special? Is it the music, the food, the gifts, the people? It's a When Magic Happens holiday, so let's pop some champagne, bump some Nat King Cole, and queue up some holiday fun, WMH-style.

Remember mud pies and catching fireflies? Coming home before the lights came on? Remember a time before bills? Oh, to be a kid again. This week, Cheryle, Jennifer and Taylor look back at their childhoods, bringing all the nostalgic feels, the memories, and the lessons that we can apply to our adult selves.

From vintage sitcom marathons to guilty pleasure trash TV, we're spilling everything we've been watching. Plus, we are joined by guest host, journalist and host of WBEZ's Reset Sasha-Ann Simons, and she's got the breakdown of #bachelornation!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we need to know what's on the table and what's on your plate. Is it low or high vibrational? This week, we're talking about our Thanksgiving traditions, the people we love, and the food that makes the holiday chef's kiss. Plus we've got some hilarious food debate that'll have you wondering which way the collard crinkles.

It's no secret that we at When Magic Happens love love. This week, we talk about engaging in interracial relationships as Black women, our experiences dating within and outside our communities, new dating frameworks, and why love will always be love.

Let's talk about sex. Remember those cringey sex education courses we had back in the day? The banana and the condom? Well, this isn't that type of conversation. Welcome to When Magic Happens sex education, and we're keeping everything raw and honest. We're talking sex, pleasure, and intimacy with a WMH fave guest, gynecologist, and author of This is How You Vagina, Dr. Nicole. E. Williams.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as we observe this important time, our hosts share what Breast Cancer Awareness means to them. We talk mammograms, the importance of knowing our bodies, and our When Magic Happens warrior, Cheryle, shares her intimate journey as a breast cancer survivor.

It's fall and while some might say our summer bodies are in hibernation, WMH is here to remind y'all that a body is a body. In this throwback episode, cozy up with us as we learn to get cozy in our skin. Slim-thick, bean pole, pear, apple – how has your body been categorized? Cheryle, Jennifer and Taylor discuss body image and their relationships to their bodies over time. Then, we hear from Michaela Duerson, a plus-size model, talent agent, photographer and former gymnast, who explains the importance of appreciating our bodies at their many stages and why everyone is wrong.

One thing about When Magic Happens? We love our mothers down. That's why we're talking about the special bond between mothers and daughters, the havoc we sometimes raise for our mamas, and the invaluable lessons we've learned from our mothers that make us want to be better humans.

Autumn is upon us, y'all, and for some of us that means sugar cookies, pumpkin spice, and everything nice. We are gushing about our fall plans, our favorite fall activities, and Taylor and Jennifer are on a mission to make Cheryle a believer of the fall fever.

When it comes to chatbots and AI, are we curious or cautious? We dive code-deep into ChatGPT, what it is, how it can be used, and how it can be a major game changer. Plus, we're joined by UK-based founder of Coders of Colour Tolúlọpẹ́ Ògúnrẹ̀mí, who breaks down the basics so we the merits and the precautions for this type of tech. We are also joined by founder of Black Women in AI, Professor Angle Bush, and she further teaches us about this new revolution in tech. If you've been wondering about Chat GPT and AI, then listen up, because we're here to make it make sense together.

In a friendship, what type of friend are you, what does your circle look like, and what does that say about you? This week, we are chatting about the many seasons of friendship, how we show up for our people, and the lessons we are learning about friendship every day.

In a relationship, who loves more? And is there such a thing as loving equally, and if so, show us the tutorial! Plus, we're joined by guest host, award-winning journalist and WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore.

There comes a time when we all say “forget about it” and we let go, stepping into our soul selves. What's your moment? This week, we are talking about the defining moments that helped us realize who we were and give less of a [redacted].

Hey y'all!! We're back and picking up where we left off, catching up with each other and sharing what we've been up to and what we're doing next. Cheryle, Jennifer, and Taylor share their summer highlights, Renaissance tour experience, thoughts on The Barbie movie and their plans for the fall. Come catch up with us!

Listen to this enthralling conversation between Black People Love Paramore Host Sequoia B Holmes and WMH host Taylor Coward. Put your paws up, because we're talking all about Lady Gaga.

This week we're talking about aliens, paranormal activity and the plain old strange. Are we alone in the universe? Is Bigfoot real? Do leprechauns exist? Taylor, Cheryle and Jennifer answer these fun questions and more!

Get out those grills, bust out that butane and get ready to BBQ! This week we're gushing about barbecue and barbecue traditions. Taylor, Cheryle and Jennifer share their essentials for the best family barbecue. Then we're joined by pitmaster, TV personality, chef and owner of Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Dominique Leach. Leach sets the record straight on what qualifies as Chicago-style BBQ, breaks down the flavor profiles between wood and charcoal, and shares her top three tips for cooking ribs.