HER With Amena Brown

She Funny (featuring Sabrina Jalees)

That Time I...Quit My Job

Behind the Poetry: Here Breathing

This is one of my most vulnerable episodes to date. I’m giving you a Behind the Poetry look at my poem “Here Breathing” as I tell you the really difficult time in my life that inspired me to write the poem. I talk about what it means to survive hard things, how therapy helped me heal, why it’s important to remember we are still here and why I’m glad you are here too.  To get transcripts, links, and details from each episode, check out the show notes. To continue your support of the podcast a...

Curvy, Cut, Cool (featuring Anowa Adjah)

Normally this time of year there’s a lot of talk about fitness, exercise, and dieting and a lot of this talk can get unhealthy pretty fast by encouraging us to have unhealthy relationships with food and our bodies. Someone who has been a good model for me on how to engage fitness while loving the body I’m in is nationally recognized 200-pound curvy fitness professional and pioneer and founder of the Curvy and Cut app, Anowa Adjah. In this HER archives episode Anowa shares how to make your hea...

Music, Rebirth and Black Love (featuring Tanya Trotter)

If you watched Sister Act 2 and you remember the scene where Lauryn Hill and another student were singing a duet of His Eye is On the Sparrow, you may remember the other singer in that duet as Tanya Blount. She is now Tanya Trotter and half of rock and roll, country soul duo The War and Treaty and I had so much fun talking all things music with her for this week’s episode! Listen in to hear how Tanya found her voice and to hear her share some of her musical favs!  For more information about ...

Best TV of 2020 (featuring Kelundra Smith)

This week on #HERwithAmena, I’m discussing some of the best TV of 2020 with writer, theater critic, arts journalist and playwright, Kelundra Smith @anotherpieceofkay. In this clip, Kelundra talks about a TV show she can’t believe she watched this year. Check out the episode wherever you get our podcasts to her about the TV we loved and the TV we loved to hate? 

All Things Christmas (featuring Melinda Doolittle)

 I have never wanted a Christmas onesie as much as I did while talking to singer, author, actress, American Idol finalist, and Christmas enthusiast, Melinda Doolittle! Melinda tells me why there is no judgment for leaving Christmas decorations up all year round and dishes on her favorite Christmas songs and traditions. Grab some hot cocoa, get dressed in your favorite holiday pjs, and join me in our HER living room!  For more information about Melinda Doolittle, visit http://melindadoolittle...

The Gospel Music Truth (featuring Peggy Britt)

I love gospel music and I’m so happy to talk with gospel great and vocal coach on Netflix show, Voices of Fire, Peggy Britt. Executive produced by Pharrell Williams, Voices of Fire is an inspirational show following the journey of singers and vocal coaches as they form a diverse, gospel choir in Hampton Roads, VA. Listen in as Peggy and I talk about her journey in gospel music and why it’s important to preserve gospel music tradition.  For more information on Voices of Fire, visit www.netfli...

Behind the Poetry: Roots & Wings

Every poem has a story. In each Behind the Poetry episode I share one of my poems, the real life story behind one of my poems, what it was like performing it for the first time and how I feel about the poem today. This week, I’m sharing my poem Roots & Wings and the very first time I ever performed my own poetry. Listen in to hear how the movie Love Jones and the legacy of my ancestors helped me to write this poem.  For the show notes and transcript, visit http://amenabrown.com/herwithamena.

Recovery, Creativity and Disability Visibility (featuring Alice Wong)

Is it just me or are y’all TIRED?! This week I get real about how exhausting 2020 has been and how we can take some time this month to rest and recover. I’m also talking with disabled activist, podcaster, and founder/director of the Disability Visibility Project, Alice Wong. Listen in as Alice talks about how her creative work informs her activism and why it’s important to preserve disabled history and follow the lead of the disabled community. For more information about Alice Wong, the Disab...

That Time I...Got Sick on Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving week, which for me is usually a cookapalooza, but for this week’s episode I’m telling you about my first time cooking for Thanksgiving and the shenanigans that ensued quickly from there. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Choosing You, Date Night Fumbles, and Holding Space for Story (featuring Morgan Harper Nichols)

This episode, I’m telling y’all my business. Wait don’t I tell you my episode on every episode?! I’m sharing a personal story about a recent moment that reminded me to say yes to myself AND I’m telling y’all about what deveining shrimp on date night and trussing chicken have taught me about relationships. In an interview from the HER archives, I’m also talking with writer, artist, musician and author, Morgan Harper Nichols about her creative process and why it’s important to hold space for ot...

Bralessness, Beyoncé, and the Power of Homecoming (featuring Candice Benbow)

This week, I’m talking about how working from home has caused me to leave wearing bras in the past and how I intend to live my best sweatsuit life this fall and winter! In celebration of HBCU Homecoming season and Beyoncé’s album and Netflix special Homecoming, I’m talking with Candice Benbow in an interview from the HER archives. Candice is the creator of The Lemonade Syllabus, Red Lip Theology and founder of Zion Hill Media Group. Listen in as Candice and I talk about the inspiration we fin...

Election Day Self-care and the Legacy of Our Ancestors (featuring Juliana Brown Eyes)

Yep we made it. It’s Election Day. Whether you are headed to cast your vote or have already cast your vote, this week’s episode is designed to give you some self care tips to carry you through today and the days ahead. This week my guest is Juliana Brown Eyes, an indigenous multihyphenate and founder of Rezaissance, whose life work is telling the story of her people through film, music, and photography. Listen in as Juliana shares why indigenous stories should be told by indigenous people and...

#AskAmena, Black Girl Books, and Things You Should Never Say to a Woman

This week I’m answering YOUR questions about my favorite dance movie, my love for donuts and how to overcome imposter syndrome. I asked on social media and you answered by sharing your thoughts on things you should never say to a woman. I’m also sharing my top 5 quintessential Black girl books.  For the show notes and transcript, visit http://amenabrown.com/herwithamena.

Body Positivity, Hot Girl Poetry and Song Essentials (featuring Jennifer Chung)

This week, I’m sharing how measuring my body for a recent video/photo shoot had me all in my feelings! Plus, I’m sharing a poetic reading inspired by Megan Thee Stallion. In an interview from the HER archives, I’m talking with my friend and singer/songwriter Jennifer Chung about her music and her own journey of loving the skin she’s in.  For more of Jennifer’s music: http://www.jenniferchung.com/. For more info on Jennifer’s and her husband’s media company WATS.Media: https://www.wats.media/ ...

Cocktails vs Wine and Effecting Political Change (featuring Ifeoma Ike)

The pandemic has brought me time to discover if I’m a cocktail lady or a wine lady. Let’s discuss. I’m also sharing the food and drink lessons I have learned from being broke. This week, as we are in the middle of an election season, I thought it would be fitting to return to an episode from the archives with attorney, founder, and social impact strategist, Ifeoma Ike. This episode was recorded in the Before Times (prior to the pandemic). Ifeoma shares her journey in government and law, how t...

The Power of Happily Ever After with Adriana Herrera

This week I’m talking with romance fiction author, Adriana Herrera. Author of American Dreamer and American Fairytale, a part of the Dreamer Series, Adriana talks about how her experiences in the field of social work inform her fiction and why she believes in writing unapologetic happy endings for characters of color. In this episode recorded in the Before Times (prior to the pandemic), Adriana and I discuss how reading romance can be a form of self-care and how all of us can revel in our own...

Unapologetically Black with Austin Channing Brown

I’m kicking off the relaunch of HER with one of my favorite interviews, a conversation with New York Times’ Bestselling author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness and creator of web series, The Next Question, Austin Channing Brown. The interview was recorded in the Before Times, pre-pandemic, but the conversation is still so relevant. Listen in as Austin talks about the beauty of being unapologetically Black and how we can use our anger creatively.  To connect with...

Kissing Advice from Grandma

In this recording from one of Amena’s live shows, Amena talks about her grandmother giving her kissing advice. Yep, you read that right. Listen in as Amena talks about what her grandmother has to say about how to kiss her then-fiance now husband and follow along as she recounts one of her favorite scenes from The Color Purple.  Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio app, or wherever you get your podcasts.  For show notes, visit http://amenabrown.com/herwithamena. 

Introducing: HER with Amena Brown

Women of color deserve to be celebrated! Weekly podcast, HER with Amena Brown, will do just that! Hosted by spoken word poet, author and performer, Amena Brown, each episode will feature comedic commentary and fascinating conversations with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian women such as Austin Channing Brown, Juliana Brown Eyes, Morgan Harper Nichols, Adriana Herrera, Jennifer Chung and many more!  Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio app, or wherever you get your podcast...

Episode 44: The Lens of Black Joy with Melissa Alexander

For this bonus episode recorded prior to the pandemic, Amena talks with photographer, filmmaker, and founder of Phyllis Iller, Melissa Alexander. Melissa shares how her work is connected to her neighborhood and rooted in Black joy. Amena and Melissa discuss the lessons they’ve learned being full-time entrepreneurs in the creative industry. To check out and support Melissa’s work visit https://www.phyllisiller.com.  This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you are in need of emotional suppo...

The Lens of Black Joy with Melissa Alexander

For this bonus episode recorded prior to the pandemic, Amena talks with photographer, filmmaker, and founder of Phyllis Iller, Melissa Alexander. Melissa shares how her work is connected to her neighborhood and rooted in Black joy. Amena and Melissa discuss the lessons they’ve learned being full-time entrepreneurs in the creative industry. To check out and support Melissa’s work visit https://www.phyllisiller.com.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Episode 43: Bonus Episode – Native Virtual Book Tour with Kaitlin Curtice

Amena talks with Potawatomi author and speaker Kaitlin Curtice on Instagram Live about her new book Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God. Kaitlin shares her journey of decolonization and reconnecting with her identity as an Indigenous woman. To find out more about Kaitlin Curtice, visit https://kaitlincurtice.com/. To support the podcast and Amena’s creative work, visit http://patreon.com/amenabrown. Try BetterHelp Online Counseling #sponsor https://trybetterhelp.com/herwithamena

Episode 42: End of the Year Affirmation with Makeda Lewis

Visual artist and Amena’s sister, Makeda Lewis, shared an affirmation on Episode 27 as her answer to whom she would give a She Did That Award and it was so epic that it deserved an episode all its own. Listen in and maybe you’ll give yourself a She Did That Award too. 

Episode 41: Bonus Episode: Self-care and Living Single with Latasha Morrison

In this bonus episode, founder of Be the Bridge and author of the book of the same name, Latasha Morrison, answers questions from social media as she and Amena discuss singleness in church spaces and what Latasha does for self-care and for fun. Check out Latasha’s new book, Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation at https://latashamorrison.com/book/. For more information on Latasha’s organization, Be the Bridge, visit https://bethebridge.com/. 

Episode 40: Bonus Episode – Creating Empowerment with Aggie Netunze

Amena talks with Agnes “Aggie” Netunze, General Manager for Sseko Designs in Uganda. Aggie shares her story of how she went against cultural expectations for Ugandan girls and became a businesswoman. Amena and Aggie discuss the successes and the challenges of being in leadership and why it’s important to empower women and girls. Find out more about Sseko Designs at https://ssekodesigns.com/.

Episode 39: Creativity and Business of Photography with Michelle Norris

Amena talks with photographer and creative director at Tropico Photo, Michelle Norris. Amena and Michelle discuss navigating the tensions between creative work and business. Michelle shares why creating an aesthetic is important for anyone building a brand and why it’s important to know and understand the worth of your work. Find out more about Tropico Photo at https://www.tropicophoto.com/. 

Episode 38: Partnership in Community with Jeannine Umutoniwase

Amena talks with Jeannine Umutoniwase, CEO of faith-based, Rwandan social enterprise Azizi Life which connects Rwandan artisans to the global market. Jeannine shares how her upbringing and her work as a guest house manager prepared her for leading an organization. In discussing her work with Azizi Life, Jeannine talks about the importance of empowering women and the lessons she’s learned as a CEO. For more information about Azizi Life, visit https://azizilife.com. For 20% off all nonsale item...

Episode 37: Narrative as Resistance with Juliana Brown Eyes

Amena talks with filmmaker, musician, photographer, and makeup artist, Juliana Brown Eyes. Juliana shares how her upbringing on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the creativity and resistance of the women in her ancestry informs her work as a creative. She also shares why it’s important for indigenous people to tell their own narrative and history. For more information about Juliana Brown Eyes, visit https://www.jbrowneyes.com/.

Narrative as Resistance with Juliana Brown Eyes

Amena talks with filmmaker, musician, photographer, and makeup artist, Juliana Brown Eyes. Juliana shares how her upbringing on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the creativity and resistance of the women in her ancestry informs her work as a creative. She also shares why it’s important for indigenous people to tell their own narrative and history. For more information about Juliana Brown Eyes, visit https://www.jbrowneyes.com/. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.co...

Episode 36: Creative Strategy and Entrepreneurship with Pamela Barba

Amena talks with creative strategist and entrepreneur Pamela Barba why entrepreneurship creates equity and justice. Pamela is the founder of Vamos Ladies, a confidence and branding studio for Latinx women and shares the lessons a family legacy of entrepreneurship taught her for owning her own business. For more info about Pamela Barba visit http://www.mspamelabarba.com/. For more info about Vamos Ladies, visit http://www.vamosladies.com/.

Episode 35: Founding a Fashion Movement with Tasha LaRae

Amena talks with singer/songwriter, lead female vocalist for Arrested Development, voice coach, and founder of the Racism Sucks fashion movement. Tasha shares her process of inspiration to creation. She also shares why the word STOP is an important word for creatives. For more information about Tasha LaRae, visit https://shopthehighnote.com/. For more information about Racism Sucks, visit https://yepracismsucks.com/.

Episode 34: Holding Space and Telling Stories with Morgan Harper Nichols

Amena talks with writer, artist, and musician Morgan Harper Nichols. Morgan shares her creative process of combining inspirational writing and visual art and the power of holding space for other people’s stories. Amena and Morgan talk about Morgan’s subscription app Storyteller and the power of “maybe” and “perhaps.” For more info on Morgan’s art and her app Storyteller, visit: https://morganharpernichols.com/.

Holding Space and Telling Stories with Morgan Harper Nichols

Amena talks with writer, artist, and musician Morgan Harper Nichols. Morgan shares her creative process of combining inspirational writing and visual art and the power of holding space for other people’s stories. Amena and Morgan talk about Morgan’s subscription app Storyteller and the power of “maybe” and “perhaps.” For more info on Morgan’s art and her app Storyteller, visit: https://morganharpernichols.com/. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Episode 33: Creating History with Dr. Meredith Evans

Amena talks with Dr. Meredith Evans, a historian, archivist, 74th President of the Society of American Archivists, director of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, and the first black woman to helm a presidential library. Dr. Meredith shares why it’s important to preserve and document history and how she navigates being “First, Only, Different.” For more information about Dr. Meredith’s work visit https://www2.archivists.org/news/2018/meet-the-saa-president-dr-meredith-evans.

Episode 32: Creating Accessibility and Online Community with Alice Wong

Amena talks with disabled activist, podcaster, and founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project®, Alice Wong. Alice shares how an early love for reading informed her journey as a creative and as an activist. Amena and Alice discuss why it’s important to preserve disabled history and why it’s necessary for the disabled community to lead and be a part of civic engagement. For more information about Alice Wong and the Disability Visibility Project® visit https://disabilityvisibility...

Creating Accessibility and Online Community with Alice Wong

Amena talks with disabled activist, podcaster, and founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project®, Alice Wong. Alice shares how an early love for reading informed her journey as a creative and as an activist. Amena and Alice discuss why it’s important to preserve disabled history and why it’s necessary for the disabled community to lead and be a part of civic engagement. For more information about Alice Wong and the Disability Visibility Project® visit https://disabilityvisibility...

Episode 31: A Discussion of Beyoncé’s Homecoming with Candice Benbow

Amena talks with speaker, essayist, creative, and creator of the Lemonade Syllabus, Candice Benbow, about Beyoncé’s recently released film and album: Homecoming. Amena and Candice use their own experiences with homecoming as graduates of historically black colleges and universities to discuss the cultural significance of Beyoncé’s art and creative process. Candice discusses the lessons of healing, home, and wholeness that we can learn from Homecoming. For more information on Candice Benbow, v...

Episode 30: Creating Your Voice with Ametria Dock

Amena talks with vocalist, musical consultant, professional voice coach, and founder of Fruition Organized Music, Ametria Dock. Ametria shares the tough lessons she learned as a solo artist in the music industry and how those lessons propelled the trajectory of her career. Ametria also shares what she’s learned as a business founder and gives a mini master class on how to maintain vocal health. For more information about Ametria and Fruition Organized Music, visit http://www.fruitionorganized...

Writing Unapologetic Happy Endings with Adriana Herrera

Amena talks with romance fiction author Adriana Herrera. Author of American Dreamer and American Fairytale, a part of the Dreamer Series, Adriana talks about how her experiences in the field of social work inform her fiction and why she believes in writing unapologetic happy endings for characters of color. Amena and Adriana discuss how reading romance can be a form of self-care and how all of us can revel in our own happy endings/beginnings. To learn more about Adriana and to purchase her bo...

Episode 29: Writing Unapologetic Happy Endings with Adriana Herrera

Amena talks with romance fiction author Adriana Herrera. Author of American Dreamer and American Fairytale, a part of the Dreamer Series, Adriana talks about how her experiences in the field of social work inform her fiction and why she believes in writing unapologetic happy endings for characters of color. Amena and Adriana discuss how reading romance can be a form of self-care and how all of us can revel in our own happy endings/beginnings. To learn more about Adriana and to purchase her bo...

Episode 28: Online Community and Bridge Building with Latasha Morrison

Amena talks with speaker, reconciler, and founder of non-profit Be the Bridge, Latasha Morrison. Latasha shares the lessons she’s learned from founding an online community which led to the founding of a non-profit. Amena and Latasha talk about how the practice of self-care is important in bridge building work and how Latasha stays grounded as her organization is growing so quickly. For more information about Latasha, visit https://latashamorrison.com/ and for more information about Be the Bri...

Episode 27: The Integrity of Making Art with Makeda Lewis

Amena talks with her sister, visual artist and author of Afro-feminist coloring book Avie’s Dreams, Makeda Lewis. Makeda shares her creative process and what grounds the art she makes. Amena and Makeda also discuss the tensions between business and making art and Makeda shares why it’s important for community engagement to be a part of art making. Stay tuned until the end to hear Makeda’s unique twist on her nominee for a She Did That Award. To learn more about Makeda’s art visit her social m...

Episode 26: Becoming an Author with Alia Joy

Season 3: Create. Amena talks with blogger, author, and writer Alia Joy about her new book Glorious Weakness: Discovering God in All We Lack. Alia talks about her transition from blog writing to book writing and why it’s important to write about the narrative and experience of poverty. Alia shares advice on how to walk alongside a loved one who lives with mental illness and how to practice creativity recovery when we write about vulnerable things. To learn more about Alia and order her book v...

Episode 25: Crafting a song with Jennifer Chung

Season 3: Create. Amena talks with singer/songwriter Jennifer Chung about the craft and process of songwriting. Jennifer shares how she maintains her vocal health and what she learned from a photoshop incident on a recent magazine cover where she was featured. Amena and Jennifer take a listen to snippets of a couple of songs from Jennifer’s latest mini album After All and talk about Jennifer’s process in writing them. Amena ceremoniously yells “THAT’S MY SONG.” For more of Jennifer’s music: ...

Crafting a song with Jennifer Chung

Amena talks with singer/songwriter Jennifer Chung about the craft and process of songwriting. Jennifer shares how she maintains her vocal health and what she learned from a photoshop incident on a recent magazine cover where she was featured. Amena and Jennifer take a listen to snippets of a couple of songs from Jennifer’s latest mini album After All and talk about Jennifer’s process in writing them. Amena ceremoniously yells “THAT’S MY SONG.” For more of Jennifer’s music: http://www.jennif...

Episode 24: Season 3 Intro – The Mystery of Creativity

The theme of season 3 is “Create.” This season is full of inspiring conversations with women of color who are creators, creatives, founders, visual artists, performing artists, and businesswomen. If you are looking for practical tips on how to kickstart your creativity and action steps that will lead you toward your dreams and passions, then these episodes are for you. To kick off this season’s theme, check out Amena’s mini-talk “The Mystery of Creativity” from Creative Mornings Atlanta and w...

Amena talks about The Mystery of Creativity

Check out Amena’s mini-talk “The Mystery of Creativity” from Creative Mornings Atlanta and what making a cake with her grandma taught her about creativity. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Episode 23: Life After Divorce with Micky ScottBeyJones

Amena talks with Micky ScottBey Jones also known as The Justice Doula about life after divorce. Micky shares how her work as a birth doula informs her current work in justice and activism. Micky also shares her personal experience of divorce and gives practical tips for those walking through divorce or walking alongside someone else going through a divorce. For more information about Micky and her work with Faith Matters Network and The People’s Supper, visit https://www.faithmattersnetwork.o...