Mamas, sometimes we lose track of what it’s like to be children. We forget that we only get a little more than a decade to really be kids before the bills and the responsibilities start rolling in. It’s important to take a little time and remember to slow things down and appreciate the specialness of every day. Today, I’m getting real with my friend Tabitha Brown. Tabitha is a mama, an actress, an entrepreneur, and a wife—and if you’ve been in a Target lately, you’ve definitely walked past her beautiful designs displayed with a picture of her gorgeous face.Tune in and listen to episode 77 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Tabitha and I are covering everything from the way veganism changed her life to how she keeps things positive and effervescent in the face of darkness.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Tabitha got started on her career glow-up journey (03:46)Tabitha dealt with chronic pain until she had her come to Jesus moment (07:22)Tabitha doesn’t describe herself as an “influencer”—she’s a woman who has influence (16:21)How Tabitha parents her black son in the current state of the world (19:13)The difference between Southeast racism and West Coast racism (22:00)Tabitha still feels challenged even though she’s found her purpose (29:24)Connect with Tabitha:InstagramWebsiteLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the reasons I created this platform is because mothering is hard. Being a daughter of a mother is hard and so vitally complicated… It might be the most complicated relationship on the planet. She’s the person from which you came from, she sacrifices everything to make sure that you can enter the world healthy, loved, and nurtured—And then around eight or nine, you're rolling your eyes at her and telling her she’s lame!Tune in and listen to episode seventy six of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Today, I’m all about connecting with my sassy, brilliant, beautiful, self loving, self empowered daughter.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Our kids give us honest, gut wrenching, savage truths—right to our faces! (01:22)As mothers, we need to remember to share our jewels with our whole mama network (05:09)Right now, I'm in a strange, beautiful, nostalgic phase of looking at where I came from in order to figure out where I'm going (07:27)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As mamas, we give everyone else everything we have before we give ourselves grace. We try to make our kids’ lives full with every possible thing they could love. We pack their schedule because we don’t want their time wasted on screens, but we also often forget to allow them their own sanctuary to figure out how to pass time by themselves. When all that backfires, it can be hard to let everyone breathe and give everyone—including ourselves— space.Today, I’m welcoming my dear friend from my red carpet days, Michelle Ryan Bathé. Michelle is an actress and an extraordinary mama of two boys.Tune in and listen to episode 75 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Michelle and I are talking all about shifting and adapting, raising small kids during the pandemic, and some of the positives that came out of all that time at home.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What it was like for Michelle to film during the COVID-19 pandemic started (04:00)Why neither of us miss homeschooling our kids during the pandemic (08:37)Our kids often don’t have the skills to occupy themselves because we keep them so busy (15:51)How Michelle parents around screens and devices (22:39)What it’s like parenting children so that they’re aware of their privilege (28:25)Connect with Amerie:InstagramAlliance of MomsLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot of us are suffering from all different kinds of triggers on Mother's Day… it's a  heavy, emotionally charged day at its core. It’s such a beautiful gesture in theory: “Today’s the day that everyone stops and honors the person that keeps all of our shit together.” But in practice, is that even possible?Tune in and listen to episode seventy four of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Today gets really real mamas. I had the perfect Mother’s Day planned for myself and let’s just say things went pretty much the opposite of the intentions I had set.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Growing up, I didn’t have the greatest example for Mother’s Day (02:27)Last weekend, my daughter learned about her limits—the hard way (04:35)I love my daughter to the moon and back, but mothering is not my favorite job (13:35)Sometimes you gotta keep your business to yourself, even when it comes to your kid (17:08)When you’re having a difficult Mother’s Day, sometimes the best thing you can do is release (19:48)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m wishing all you mamas out there a happy belated Mother's Day—And that includes everyone out there who’s in this dang game of raising people, taking care of humans, and staying sane and loving all at the same time. I hope that whatever you did on Mother's Day, it was exactly what you wanted and exactly what you needed… and that you were able to take a break from taking care of anybody that's been in you or that's come out of you! Today, I’m welcoming superstar Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Amerie. Along with her breakout success as an R&B artist, Amerie is also a fiction author and one incredible mama to her little boy. Tune in and listen to episode 73 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Amerie is telling me how she got started writing children’s books, the importance of being gentle when we educate our black and brown children, and why she’s come to believe that human beings are tribal at their core.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Amerie started out in the music industry after a very typical military brat childhood (09:40)Amerie is using her books as a way to impart knowledge on her son (13:25)Why it was so important to Amerie to accurately represent her and her sons multiracial background in her book (16:09)How Amerie relates to and owns both her Korean and her Black identities (21:04)About Amerie’s belief in free speech and freedom of information (26:34)Connect with Amerie:InstagramWebsiteYou Will Do Great ThingsLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mama, May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we are all up in it! I love this month because it’s all about awareness—no one’s asking us to fix it or even take action. But if you are a person that hasn't sought help for any issues, any trauma, any ill that you may have, then this isn't judgment. This month is all about taking another look at where your trauma lies and how you can possibly make it disappear by doing the work of wellness and healing.Today, I’m talking to Kaywanda Lamb, an author, a speaker, a blogger, and an incredible single mama. Kaywanda started her professional journey when her boys were babes and has spent the last 16 years showing other women that they can parent, thrive, and win.Tune in and listen to episode 72 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Kaywanda is telling me about why dating shouldn’t be transactional, learning to be a single mom, and what we’re missing out on by not learning a second language.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Trauma doesn’t always have to begin with a capital T—sometimes it’s the quiet stuff (05:11)A little about Kaywanda and her love affair with the Spanish language (14:34)You can be proud to be American and still scared about the direction the country is headed in (26:07)How Kaywanda tackled the George Floyd conversation with her sons (29:58)You can do it on your own and kill it—you shouldn’t have to settle for someone who’s not committed to you (36:50)Connect with Kaywanda:InstagramKaywandaLamb.comLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mamas, I know I don’t have to tell you: if you're a black woman in America, you know your needs are ignored. That’s why we typically don't trust the medical industry; there's this idea that we're superhuman, that our pain means nothing. Especially for those of us who have experienced pregnancy, we’ve had to make sure that we have a plan in place, that we have friends in the space where we're giving birth, and have people there to truly advocate for us. Here on Mamaste, we're never going to adhere to some fake timeline—Juneteenth is all year round, every month is Black History Month and we’re always in tune to Black Maternal Health. Today, I’m welcoming an actress, an artist, and my new friend, Megalyn Echikunwoke. Megalyn is a deeply introspective and powerful artist who recently wrote and directed Weathering, a short film that explores the intense and often traumatic experience of Black motherhood, loss, and grief.Tune in and listen to episode 71 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Megalyn is telling me about her very famous friend that helped her with her artistic process and why the topic of Black maternal health resonates so strongly with her.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Megalyn and the process that brought her film to fruition (07:11)How taking a leap of faith opened up the door for her (13:20)The racism in the US healthcare system serves as a microcosm of racism in this country as a whole (16:19)About Megalyn’s writing process and the place she had to go to create her narrative(19:23)Megalyn wrote Weathering for Black women (20:58)Connect with Megalyn:InstagramWeathering on NetflixLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Y’all, we are living through a wild, wild time. There are some times I want to go to the beach just to scream out into the atmosphere! The truth is, the only thing we have the ability to do is to take care of ourselves and the only thing we can control are our own actions.Tune in and listen to episode seventy of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Today, you’ll hear me flying solo and exploring the idea of trauma. I’m breaking down a lesson from Cory Muscara, an author and former Buddhist monk, on what he learned during his search for enlightenment.In This Episode, You Will Learn:I’ve never felt the need to apologize for who I am (10:43)There is no understanding or unity or any empathy that can be gained by not being comfortable with the uncomfortable (16:16)There are people who are so afraid of discomfort that they’re stuck in prisons of comfort that they’ve create for themselves (21:51)Real confidence looks like humility, you no longer need to advertise your value because it comes from a place that doesn't require the validation of others (32:52)Demeaning ourselves will get us nowhere, the whole world is already trying to tell us we’re unworthy (36:52)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Black women, and especially mothers, one of the things we have to come to terms with is how, historically, we’ve often been treated as vessels—completely lacking our own agency. Whether it was our enslaved ancestors made to give birth with no compassion or downtime or the current discrepancies that exist in Black maternal health, there’s no shortage of examples of mistreatment in Black motherhood. Amazingly, though, there are a number of women who are using their time and resources to change that dynamic for others and for our future generations.Today in honor of Black Maternal Health Week, you’ll hear one of my favorite episodes of Mamaste to date. I brought together five amazing mothers who are pushing the culture forward and taking agency over our own health when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum experience.Join me as I welcome Ericka Dorsey and Tamesha Valverde, co-founders of Flourishing Families, Karesha Boyd, Flourishing Families doula/advocate, Alia McCants, Founder of Spelmoms Facebook group, and Vanessa Simmons, Founder & CEO of Normalize Breastfeeding. We’re talking about their experiences with motherhood, what their time breastfeeding meant to them, and the incredible importance of giving ourselves grace and space as mothers.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A little about everyone and their passions and superpowers (08:18)Tamesha’s incredible experience helping out a friend with twins (15:00)How Ericka became an advocate for breastfeeding (18:16)The group’s thoughts on formula feeding and its usefulness (22:44)The issues surrounding selling breast milk for profit, especially in the Black community (24:50)The group’s advice to soon-to-be mamas and how they can advocate for themselves (31:17)How the dismissal of Black women’s choice is ingrained in our DNA, but we can reclaim that agency (35:44)Connect with My Guests:Flourishing FamiliesFlourishing Families on InstagramEricka Dorsey on LinkedInEricka Dorsey on InstagramTamesha Valverde on LinkedInTamesha Valverde on InstagramNew Beginnings Birth ConsultingAlia McCants on FacebookAlia McCants on InstagramKaresha Boyd on LinkedInKaresha Boyd on InstagramVanessa Simmons on Normalize BreastfeedingVanessa Simmons on InstagramLet’s Connect!Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to spring, mama! It’s Aries season and it’s time to take advantage of all those idea sparks that have been culminating all winter. Get to the things that ignite life into you, put a little fire under your ass, and do the things that you love that you're passionate about. Now is the time.Today, I’m welcoming Ashley Wright, a mommy who burns with pure fire, creativity, and luminescence. She’s an incredible mama who is working toward empowering others on their parenting and authentic living journey.Tune in and listen to episode 68 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Ashley is dishing all about building confidence and a sense of empowerment, boundaries, and the expectations around gentle parenting.In This Episode, You Will Learn:When I first discovered Ashley, she was on a pole breastfeeding her daughter! (05:12)I entered mommyhood totally clueless (07:15)How something as simple as putting up a hammock was a game changer for Ashley and her family (13:44)The way Ashley was raised and how it informs her parenting (17:12)Our kids don’t intentionally try to make us miserable (25:44)Connect with Ashley:InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boundaries aren’t just a trending topic. When you step back and tell someone, “I’ve got boundaries,” it’s not a cute saying. If we are intentional about our boundaries, they're very, very effective. It's not only about a man you don't want to be in a relationship with or someone standing too close at the grocery store— they’re a way to create a safe bubble around yourself and those you love.Tune in and listen to episode sixty seven of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Today, you’ll hear me solo as I talk about all things boundaries. The world may seem unbelievably ugly right now, but if we remember to focus on the light, we’ll only beget more light.In This Episode, You Will Learn:My conversation in episode 66 with Sheree Zampino inspired some of today’s boundary talk (03:23)In December, I went through something that made me extremely introspective. (07:22)Humans are like sponges—we have to make sure we’re not soaking in negative energy even when we don’t mean to (09:25)Mother’s Day is incredibly complicated for a lot of people and setting boundaries can make or break you (13:24)Find a home with people that are doing empowering things, spreading love, and raising vibrations (18:15)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you think of “middle age,” where does your mind go? Do you picture Dorothy, Blanche, and the other Golden Girls eating cheesecake down in Miami? Or do you see a gorgeous, fit Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, or Mariah Carey in her mid 50s? It’s 2023 and we’re aging more beautifully and gracefully than ever—the truth is that “middle age” is really just the beginning! Today, I welcome actress, producer, mama, and inspirational co-parent Sheree Zampino. Sheree has been through all the ups and downs of single motherhood and co-parenting with her famous ex, Will Smith, but she credits much of her success as a mama to the fact that she had a village around her to help her raise her son.Tune in and listen to episode 66 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Sheree is telling me all about what it means to her to be in alignment, how the noise of social media can be so overwhelming, and why you can’t tell everybody your business. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Sheree feels at the age of 55 (07:41)About Sheree’s daily affirmation rituals (11:53)Sheree is a Christian woman AND practices spirituality and meditation (16:06)Sheree raised her son as a single mom—but she definitely didn’t do it alone (21:56)How Sheree kept her son grounded even with a super-famous dad (24:31)Sheree doesn’t just co-parent with her ex husband, she also includes his stepmom (29:51) Connect with Sheree:Sheree on InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most important things that we learn after we spend a while on this earth is that growth must be continual. We have to continue to grow because stagnancy forms and creates mold and stank... The only way forward is to keep moving. Today, I welcome best selling author, wellness queen, and incredible single mama Shanicia Boswell. She’s the author of Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant! a guide to Black pregnancy and motherhood for mamas-to-be as well as the founder of Black Moms Blog, an online community with over 500,000 members.Tune in and listen to episode 65 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Shanicia and I are talking all about red flags—and why we have less tolerance for them the older we get. We’re also covering the beautiful expat community she’s a part of and what it’s like having ZERO time to get into the dating world.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Shanicia left the US and is currently living with her daughter in Colombia (07:15)What it’s like for Shanicia to raise her daughter in Medellín (14:16)There are so many different kinds of femininity—you don’t need to fit into anyone else’s narrow definition (18:38)The reaction Shanicia got when she shaved her head (24:03)What it’s like teaching our daughters to love their hair (28:33)Connect with Shanicia:Shanicia on InstagramOh Sis, You're Pregnant! by Shanicia BoswellBlack Moms BlogLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?!”These words from the iconic RuPaul have never been truer because the most important thing is love—love of self, love of family, love of friends. We have to cultivate and nurture that love for ourselves as mamas, because try as we might, we can’t mommy from an empty cup. Today, I’m welcoming Alimi and Dahn Ballard. Alimi and Dahn are actors, light warriors, social activists, and amazing parents to two beautiful children, Cairo and Zion.Tune in and listen to episode 64 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Alimi and Dahn are joining me to talk about their 20 year(!) marriage, toxic clickbait, and what it was like for Dahn to raise her own siblings.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Where Alimi and Dahn get their relationship inspiration from (12:20)A bit about Dahn’s childhood and her brilliant mother (16:56)How Alimi and Dahn entered into parenthood with intentionality (23:02)How Alimi and Dahn supported their son when he came out to them (33:04)Connect with Alimi and Dahn:Alimi on IGDahn on IGLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is it that when dad takes the kids for the day it’s “babysitting,” but when mom has the kids it’s just… well… parenting? As modern mamas, it’s our job to reject that dusty, antiquated way of thinking and make sure our identities aren’t lost once we have babies.Today, I welcome Simone Shepherd, an Instagram and TikTok superstar, actress, comedian, and mama to a beautiful little boy.Tune in and listen to episode 63 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Simone and I are talking about  Black girl magic, her teammate relationship with her husband, and how her step-daughter taught her how to be a mother.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Simone’s husband and their incredible bond (05:22)Why Simone chose her son’s name, Prince Keraun (09:52)Simone’s crazy, traumatic, beautiful birth story (13:42)Simone’s struggle to find medical care to properly treat her reproductive issues (20:29)Why self-empowerment is so important for us as Black women (28:27)Connect with Simone:InstagramTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The kids, the house, the bills, the partner… let’s face it Mama, between all that, there’s hardly any time left for YOU. When do you get to recharge, relax, and refill your cup?Today, I’m talking once again to my sister friend Tangie Ambrose, an actress, artist, entrepreneur, and an amazing mommy inspiration. She is the person who introduced me to the concept of conscious parenting and she is the person I can always turn to when mommying tries my energy.Tune in and listen to episode 62 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. On January 22, 2023, I organized an event for mamas called Made of Magic. For months, I had been dreaming about creating an indulgent experience of self-empowerment for those who deserve it most. In this episode, you’ll hear Tangie and I doing a debrief and meditation on the event.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Wellness is not only for the privileged! Wellness can be found in nature, at the beach, by spending time with yourself in silence… (04:46)As mamas, we go from being number one when we’re on our own to taking a spot in line behind everyone else that we nurture (11:03)In order to rejuvenate, you have to make yourself priority number one (13:08)You cannot pour from an empty cup (19:35)If you ask for little things and get the answers, you’ll then have the strength to ask when it's a big thing (24:35)Connect with Tangie:InstagramTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know it’s all about mommying here at Mamaste, but using 2023 as a fresh start, I decided it might just be time to shake things up a little bit with a new perspective…Today, I’m welcoming our very first dad guest. Shaka Senghor is an author, a lecturer, an incredibly dope thought leader, and a father. Shaka’s story begins in a dark place, but through unbelievable resilience and perseverance, he’s created an amazing source of light.Tune in and listen to episode 61 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Shaka and I are talking about why he hates labels, the profoundly complicated narrative around Black fatherhood, and how toxicity in the home involves both parents. We’re having a crazy-deep conversation and we don’t always agree—but you’re definitely going to want to tune in for this one!In This Episode, You Will Learn:I’m hosting an event to celebrate my beautiful mommy tribe, and I couldn’t be more excited (01:54)How Shaka sees himself in his career and his sphere of influence (11:19)Why the “absent Black father” stereotype isn’t necessarily true (16:03)My experience dating men without a strong father role model (26:11)Shaka’s story about running away from home when he was just a child (38:55)Connect with Shaka:WebsiteInstagramTwitterLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Therapist, receptionist, chauffeur, culinary artist, butt wiper… Some days, it really feels like we work for our kids and that mommying should require a graduate degree!Today I have with me mommy gangster Dr. Raquel Martin, a psychologist, fellow podcaster, and TikTok queen. Raquel’s passion is spreading empowerment and education about mental health, anti-racism, Black identity development, and health disparities & inequalities.Tune in and listen to episode 60 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Raquel and I are talking  about how differently we were treated while pregnant, single mommyhood, and why being married isn’t necessarily an advantage in the parenting game.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Everyone believes they’re a bad mom at one point or another—even licensed mental health professionals! (02:20)Not every moment of motherhood is a beautiful, magical journey… and that’s totally okay (05:32)Raquel’s mom’s story of having twins(!) at just 18 (08:50)How unhealthy nutrition choices have been ingrained in our culture—and how its a cycle that needs to be stopped (18:28)We’re allowed to be annoyed by our kids (24:51)Connect with Raquel:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains discussion of self-harm and suicide that some listeners may find disturbing. Sometimes, after the unexpected passing of someone who looks and seems happy in their life, it can send those of us left behind into introspection mode. The truth is that life will always have highs and lows—and that’s okay. It’s what we do in the moments between that matters most. Today, I’m back and flying solo after a bit of a December hibernation.Tune in and listen to episode fifty nine of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I’m talking about life’s gray areas, embracing the human experience, and my experience working a job that seemed glamorous on the outside but was really anything but. In This Episode, You Will Learn:We lost so many beautiful people in December, it made for a very unusual holiday season (05:39)We’re not supposed to be joyful all the time (07:37)It’s a waste of energy to think your life won’t have bumpy moments (09:27)Just because we’re parents doesn't mean we have to throw out everything else (13:13)I’m sharing the oath of manifestation (15:18)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many of us have the job today that we dreamt of when we were kids? If life happened that way, there would be an awful lot of ballerinas and firefighters! Of course, we evolve as humans and learn to take on new roles, even ones we never imagined ourselves in. But oftentimes, the key to success is simply to shift—and to not be afraid of doing it!Today I have Tamala Lewis with me, my sister-from-another-mister and mama of two. Tamala serves as Senior Director of Community Affairs for AEG's Dignity Health Sports Park. She also has her hands in the music business, fashion design, and is a former professional backup dancer.Tune in and listen to episode 58 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Tamala is telling me all about having a massive new project come to fruition 2 days before lockdown started, her crazy career path, and how she integrates her family into the work that she does for the community.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A little about Tamala’s background—and about being roommates with Rosie Perez (04:54)How Tamala makes time for her family with her busy schedule (10:43)It’s all a learning experience! (13:41)About Tamala’s relationship with her husband (14:41)The biggest challenge to raising kids in 2022 (18:16)Connect with Tamala:InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last few years, we’ve all started to get in touch with our truth. We’ve been faced with some incredibly difficult revelations about the world—and one of the heaviest ones is the true story behind  Thanksgiving.Today, I’m on my own and offering a reset for the last month of 2022—because Lord knows we all need it. Tune in and listen to episode fifty seven of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Every day we’re assaulted with the facts of this ugly world but we have power to wield that can change it all. The most important thing we can remember, especially at this time of year, is to give ourselves and others all the grace that we need to get through it.In This Episode, You Will Learn:If we support the term “Thanksgiving,” which is rooted in genocide and hate, then we are complicit (07:59)2022 is my half-century year (11:45)Our greatest power—and our obligation—is our right to vote (15:03)Everyone should try therapy, even if you had a beautiful childhood (16:43)We all strive to be perfect moms, wives, entrepreneurs… but it’s all a trap (19:42)If you want to scream this holiday, go ahead and scream! (22:36)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re living in such a complicated, ugly time. So many of us are feeling maligned and  marginalized, but what we really need is to come together. The thing is, we humans are complicated, but we all speak a common language. We all love music. We all love to dance. And we all love to party… So for this week, let’s put our differences aside and celebrate those commonalities.Today, I’m welcoming bona fide rockstar, brand new mama, and my friend, Nik West. Nik is a bassist who has worked with musical royalty like Prince and Quincy Jones and has served as a composer for Disney. She’s also the CEO of Bass Domination, an online bass course.Tune in and listen to episode 56 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Nik and I talk about her unexpected journey to motherhood, international travel with an infant (!), and the benefits of moving abroad.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The things that set Nik and her family apart and make them unique (08:10)Nik’s trick for battling jet lag (11:48)How Nik and her husband combine their private lives with their work lives (14:57)Nik’s meet-cute with her husband (19:23)Nik’s mom is the Leo to her Aquarius (23:47)Connect with Nik:InstagramOn SpotifyLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Career burnout, financial hardship, a rough breakup… sometimes we just need a major shift in the energy around us.  But what does that mean to you? Is it a new hairstyle, a new job, a new partner? What about picking up and moving across the world?Today, I’m chatting with Imani Bashir, a journalist, expat, entrepreneur, and boy mama. She works toward empowering marginalized people and creating content that shifts culture.Tune in and listen to episode 55 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Imani and I talk about the history of enslaved African Muslims in the US, her amazing experience living in Wuhan, China, and raising our children to be in love with their beautiful brown skin.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Where Imani was in her life when she decided to move abroad (01:37)A little about Imani’s background as a Black Muslim (06:24)The transcontinental journey that brought Imani to Mexico (14:39)Sandra Bland’s murder was one of Imani’s biggest reasons for leaving the states (21:36)How Imani’s son’s confidence has shaped his relationship with his peers and his environment (28:54)Connect with Imani:InstagramWebsiteLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mamas, we are smack dab in the middle of election season. There are a lot of narratives, a lot of opinions, and a lot of conflicting ideologies that are all hitting a fever pitch right now. The anxiety is just tap dancing on our nervous systems. But here’s the thing: It’s up to us to be responsible citizens. We no longer live in a time where we have the privilege to check out. Today, I welcome my friend Mara S. Campo , a four time Emmy winning journalist and mama of two. Mara frequently appears on CNN, MSNBC, and Peacock commentating on race, culture, and social justice. She has previously worked as a correspondent for Good Morning America and the Today Show.Tune in and listen to episode 54 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Mara and I are talking about the importance of our natural hair journeys (and those of our daughters), why it’s so important to protect our energy, and how she shifted her career focus to avoid burnout.In This Episode, You Will Learn:One of Mara’s favorite work stories—featuring Tracee Ellis Ross (05:02)The ways Mara has seen the news industry evolve since she started (11:56)How Mara makes sure she keeps her energy up in a volatile industry (14:39)What Mara does to protect her daughter from negativity (23:16)How it feels as a Black woman to come up in predominantly white spaces (29:52)Connect with Mara:InstagramTwitterLinkedInLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing up, there were very few examples of authentic-feeling Black love in the media. Sure, we had the Huxtables and the Winslows, but their stories were always centered around the kids—very rarely did we see a kiss or even a hug between Cliff and Clair or Carl and Harriette. But real life isn’t all pecks on the cheek and wholesome family time… We deserve to see the hardships and the joys, the love and the struggles of Black love.Today, I’m talking to Codie Elaine Oliver, a mommy, wife, and CEO of Black Love Inc. Codie founded Black Love Inc with her husband, Tommy, and it is the premier Black-owned platform for celebrating authentic Black love across television, digital, and social media.Tune in and listen to episode 53 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Codie talks to me about growing a business with three kids at home, her thoughts going into the final season of her show, Black Love on OWN, and why they live in a “no news” household.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How running Black Love Inc affects Codie’s relationship with her husband (06:19)What it was like for Codie to go from one child to three when her twins were born (12:24)About Codie’s relationship with her old school mama (18:44)How Codie works to keep her kids spiritually and emotionally safe in these wild times (21:32)Black Love struggles with the algorithm just like everyone else (28:46)How Codie and Tommy split their childcare duties (36:16)Connect with Codie:InstagramBlackLove.comWatch Black Love on OWNMy New BFF with Codie Elaine OliverLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains a frank discussion of mental illness that some listeners may find potentially disturbing. Welcome to the one year anniversary of Mamaste with Tanika Ray! There have been times in my life where I felt like I couldn’t commit (and times when I definitely didn’t…) but I’m proud to say that I’ve once again proven to myself that I am capable. To put out 52 podcast episodes in a row is not easy, y’all! But I am so glad that I’ve done it.Today, I’m talking to comedian, mama, and my girlfriend, Angelina Spicer. In addition to being a TikTok sensation, Angelina is also an accidental activist dedicated to normalizing postpartum depression and proving that it can be something to laugh about.Tune in and listen to episode 52 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Angelina and I are covering all things mental health, how she describes herself as a mama, and what it’s like to be a mama raising a young daughter in the year 2022.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Angelina’s daughter navigates having a Black mother and a white father (14:52)The support Angelina offers when she notices her daughter questioning herself (19:32)Why monitoring the media our kids consume is so important (26:37)What Angelina’s PPD looked like and how she was able to come out of it (36:39)A little more about postpartum depression and the ways it can affect women (43:24)Connect with Angelina:InstagramTikTokPostpartum resourcesLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m what you might call a commitment-phobe. I have a little bit of an issue committing to things, whether it’s a class, a workout, a relationship… or even hosting a podcast! I try not to put anything on myself because it's expected or because it's the right thing to do, even when it is. That’s why I’m so grateful that today, I have nearly an entire year of episodes under my belt. Today, I’m flying solo and allowing myself a little bit of reflection as I come up on the year anniversary of hosting Mamaste. Tune in and listen to episode fifty one of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I’m talking about why it’s so important for me to save me from myself, the crazy amount of work I cover in just one day as a single mom, and why I’m happy being single… but I’m willing to find out how a man would fit into my life. In This Episode, You Will Learn:I have fear surrounding me, but I’m dedicated to helping myself through my mental health challenges (07:49)World Mental Health Day is the same day as National Kick Butt Day (12:15)A breakdown of a day-in-the-life of Tanika (15:11)I like being in relationships… but I’ve also learned a lot of lessons about romance over the years (22:40)If it serves you, keep it, if it doesn't, throw it away (32:06)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So many of us want a new life, to change the course we’re on, to make a shift... You can look at the times we’re in as dark and scary, or you can see them as an opportunity to stretch yourself and allow yourself the room to grow.Today, you’ll hear part two of my conversation with my sis and your friend Malinda Williams. Malinda has been on our TV screens and in our hearts for decades, starring in everything from Soul Food to Daddy’s Little Girls. She has had an incredible roller coaster of a life that’s been textured with successes and loves and divorces and children and she has so much to teach us.Tune in and listen to episode 50 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Malinda and I talk about the power of the word “no,” the complications that arise when mommying and being a working actress, and the very careful ways we have to move through the world as the mamas of Black children.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Malinda dealt with being a brand new mommy and shooting Soul Food at the same time (07:24)The way the events of the last few years have affected Malinda and her son (14:32)How Malinda had to learn to talk to her son about his complicated station as a Black man in America—without creating a self-fulfilling prophecy (17:44)How Malinda has navigated microaggressions and discrimination in Hollywood (24:04)Some of Malinda’s secrets to achieve her signature sunkissed beauty (26:05)What Malinda has to say about her previous relationships with famous men (33:16)Connect with Malinda:InstagramShe's Got a HabitThe Game of Life and How to Slay It by Melinda WilliamsLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of my greatest hopes for this podcast is that I can create a space of elevated thought and peace. I have worked toward intentionally creating this space so that we can see ourselves, we can feel a kindred spirit, and we can feel a sisterhood with women all over the world. That’s why I feature women who have achieved incredible things all while nurturing, raising, and taking care of a whole other human being besides themselves.Today, I welcome my sis and your friend Malinda Williams. Malinda has been on our TV screens and in our hearts for decades, starring in everything from Soul Food to Daddy’s Little Girls. She has had an incredible roller coaster of a life that’s been textured with successes and loves and divorces and children and she has so much to teach us.Tune in and listen to episode 49 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Malinda and I talk about what it was like to work on a new show and go through a divorce with a brand new baby, learning how and when to surrender, and how I credit my ex for my spirituality.In This Episode, You Will Learn:It’s so rare in Hollywood to have women supporting women (10:14)Everything happens in divine timing (11:27)The season of Malinda’s life that she was in when she started on Soul Food (13:44)How Malinda was given a second family with the Soul Food cast (21:08)Connect with Malinda:InstagramShe's Got a HabitThe Game of Life and How to Slay It by Melinda WilliamsLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wake up at dawn, get home after dark, no breaks in between… sound familiar? So many of us are burning the candle at both ends in both our careers and our home lives, but at what price? By not allowing ourselves space to rest and  recover, we’re only hurting ourselves and our loved ones—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Today, I welcome my amazing mommy friend Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks. Ashunta is an Emmy-nominated makeup artist who has worked on everything from Academy Award-winning movies to Emmy-winning TV shows and with some of the most iconic divas in the music industry.Tune in and listen to episode 48 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Ashunta is telling me what it’s like to work on set with the amazing cast of The Best Man: The Final Chapters, why it’s good to be scared, and the soul connection she has with her husband that’s unlike any relationship she’s ever had.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About some of the incredible divas Ashunta has had a chance to work with (04:40)Why you have to create your own bliss instead of always searching for the next best thing (10:34)Don’t ever fall for someone just because they look good on paper (16:35)How Ashunta balances her crazy successful career with being a mommy (18:41)The key to avoiding job burnout? Loving what you do (28:22)Connect with Ashunta:InstagramTwitterAshunta Sheriff BeautyResources mentioned:Because of Them We Can subscription boxMocha MomsBlack Moms ConnectionBlack Queens of DurhamUnlearnLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever given birth, how much did you really know about the process beforehand? Were you prepared for the pain? How long the whole thing might last? The mommy-sized diapers?! So much of mommyhood is shrouded in mystery until we actually get there, but there’s no reason for that to be the case. By opening up about our experiences, we can demystify it for those who come after us. Today, I welcome Chen and Lei, the hosts of the While They Nap podcast. Chen and Lei are two mamas navigating their way through this crazy thing we call mommyhood—and podcasting about it!Tune in and listen to episode 47 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Chen, Lei, and I are talking about the tumultuous time for women that we’re living in, what it’s like for them as women in Canada, and why it's so important for us mamas to have a support group.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why it’s so important to work toward a sense of peace, especially if it means tuning out all the other distractions (04:42)Healthy boundaries are integral in maintaining your sanity (05:43)How the tone change in the US has become palpable over the last few years (08:01)Why we have to look beyond formal education to teach our children about their culture and their power (09:33)How Chen and Lei met and started While They Nap (13:49)Connect with Chen & Lei:While They Nap on IGListen to WTNResources mentioned:Because of Them We Can subscription boxMocha MomsBlack Moms ConnectionBlack Queens of DurhamUnlearnLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mamas, we are in a global reality check. It’s been proven—even though we thought we were for so long, we are not fine. The good news? There are people out there who have made it their mission to help clean up this giant mess we’ve found ourselves in. Today, I’m sitting down with Dr. Jessica Shepherd. Jessica is a mama and OB/GYN dedicated to helping women broach taboo health topics. She is also the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women's health forum, Chief Medical Officer of Verywell Health, and CEO and founder of Sanctum Med & Wellness, a social wellness club in Dallas.Tune in and listen to episode 46 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Jessica is telling me all about her background in wellness, why it’s so hard to discipline ourselves, and why so many Americans are plagued by chronic illness. We’re also talking about how we have to acknowledge the ugly side of ourselves before we can get well and how we do (and don’t) approach the subject of gun violence in schools with our kids. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Jessica encourages her clients to be proactive about their health (03:32)Why 80% of Black women in America suffer from uterine fibroids (09:22)The boundaries around work that Jessica sets with her family (12:57)Why Jessica believes that gun violence is a public health crisis (16:58)What it was like for Jessica growing up in a first generation Canadian household (21:55)How Jessica keeps herself centered and authentic while she’s in the public eye (25:34)Connect with Dr. Jessica Shepherd:WebsiteInstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer may not be officially over here in the western hemisphere, but it is officially back to school season for kids and mamas alike. It means back to work, back to goals, and back to intentions for all of us. This year, I’d like you to view the new school year as not just a return to the grind, but also a chance for both you and your babies to level up.Today, I have a guest joining me that I’ve spoken of many times, but have never officially welcomed to the show. I’m joined by my one and only Munch, AKA my daughter Nyla, for a candid conversation.Tune in and listen to episode forty-five of Mamaste with Tanika Ray.  I’m sharing with you a real life mamaste moment and a conversation that I think is incredibly important as we head into fall. You’ll hear Nyla and I talk boundaries, especially those around our bodies, and why they’re so important for us to have. I also talk about learning to honor an emotional child’s emotions and I’m celebrating many of the amazing mamas I’ve featured on Mamaste so far.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Gentle parenting can be tense! (06:08)It’s important that I throw my daughter a love bomb in order to counterbalance moments of discipline (10:30)Nyla’s dad and I have very different methods of parenting—and that complicates things (15:30)About some of the incredible moms who I’ve talked to on Mamaste over the last 45 episodes (18:58)When the kids go back to school, it’s time for us to get back in touch with ourselves (35:44)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, it seems like most of our time is spent “doom scrolling” Instagram and TikTok… but what is that actually doing to our minds? What you’re consuming through your phone is just as important as what you’re putting into your body, especially for children. The next time you’ve spent the afternoon scrolling, take a step back and evaluate how it’s really made you feel—it might just be time to step back, reassess, and take a good long break.Today, you’ll hear part two of my interview with Mumu Fresh. Mumu, AKA Maimouna Youssef, is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and MC who’s also a mama making her way in the wild world of the music industry.Tune in and listen to episode forty four of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Mumu and I do a little bit of rapid fire Q&A and talk about how she is determined to raise her child devoid of generational trauma, toxicity, and outside influences.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The greatest thing Mumu’s son has taught her (04:04)Mumu’s best mommy hack (08:33)What Mumu wishes she’d known about giving birth before it happened (09:16)Why Mumu is grateful for some of the things her mother didn’t introduce her to (16:19)Mumu’s three favorite books that inspire her as a mommy (21:34)What Mumu tells her son about navigating the world so that fear isn't at the forefront (25:43)Resources mentioned:books by Wayne DyerThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoSet Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab Connect with Mumu Fresh:InstagramWebsiteiTunesLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every motherhood journey is different. Whether you’re doing it on your own, with a partner, or you have a whole damn village on your side, this mommying thing is hard work. But the one thing we all need, regardless of our relationship status? LOVE. Whether it’s a lover, a friend, a parent, a sibling… We all need a shoulder to cry on, to commiserate with, and to support us— because the mama journey shouldn’t have to be a lonely one. Today, you’ll hear part two of my conversation with Ananda Lewis. Ananda is my incredible sista friend who came to fame on BET’s teen summit and reigned as a VJ and host in MTV’s heyday. Ananda is an amazing mother who is focused on breaking generational curses and unapologetically teaching her child about race and his role in this world.Tune in and listen to episode 43 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Ananda is telling me all about her healing journey and where she stands now with her cancer diagnosis. We’re also talking about the importance of love and support for moms, taking time for ourselves, and Black Girl Magic. Ananda and I are truly aligned; we both live life outside the box, and I hope you get a chance to hear that in our conversation.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The specific diet Ananda follows in order to keep herself in cancer-fighting shape (04:30)The three things Ananda must have in order to be her best mommy self (07:33)Ananda’s greatest mommy hack (14:30)Ananda’s 7-year-old son’s incredible reaction when she told him about her illness (16:34)How Ananda is raising her son to honor and respect girls (27:53)Ananda on her own personal theme song (31:10)Check out part one of my conversation with Ananda right here.Connect with Ananda Lewis InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Your big feelings are acceptable, too, mama. Your rage, your anger, your fear, your guilt, your irritation—you're not always going to like being a mom. That shit is normal.” There are only two ways of parenting. Yes, you read that right! Of course, there are a million different techniques and philosophies we can follow to raise our children… But when it comes down to it, you either parent how you were parented OR you make a conscious decision to break whatever cycle you emerged from.Today, you’ll hear part two of my interview with Manifest Destini AKA Destini Ann. Destini is a mama of two who uses her profound, Maya-Angelou-like wisdom to promote intentional parenting. Destini takes the psychology of parenting and turns it into fun, digestible content for her community.Tune in and listen to episode forty two of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Destini and I talk about what her village looks like, her thoughts on anxiety, depression, and ADHD, and why it’s so incredibly important to make sure that we’re the models our kids deserve.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Sometimes even your child’s most unpleasant phases are totally developmentally normal (05:50)As parents, we need to take a pause and make sure we’re honoring our children as fully formed human beings (11:26)Some of the frustrations that come with parenting an extremely resilient child (19:45)What co-parenting looks like for Destini and her family (22:48)Kids often don't remember what you do. They remember how you make them feel (26:21)That black women often have trouble putting themselves first(32:56)Listen to part 1 of my interview with Destini Ann here!Connect with Destini Ann:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Conscious parenting.” If you’re a regular listener, you’ve heard me use the phrase countless times. During my pregnancy, I was in total denial about parenting before I stumbled upon the concept of conscious parenting. It was the only thing that made me feel confident about raising a child when I was completely lost and totally petrified. Today, I’m welcoming back Dr. Shefali Tsabary for part two of our conversation. She is an acclaimed author, international speaker, New York Times best seller, and fellow mama. Her blend of clinical psychology and eastern mindfulness has set her apart as a leader in the field of mindfulness psychology. She also speaks at events around the globe, spreading her message of conscious parenting and mindful living.Tune in and listen to episode forty one of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Dr. Shefali is giving real, authentic, and unapologetic answers to all of my questions. We’re talking about how our children inspire us and what we’ve learned from them and Dr. Shefali is telling me how her daughter’s incredible spirit was the catalyst for conscious parenting.Some questions you’ll hear answered:If you had to bring three non-negotiable things to your mommy journey, what would they be? (09:32)What are the five must-have parenting rules? (11:20)What is your favorite guilty pleasure? (20:11)How do you see humanity? What is the greatest thing that we can do to help shift collectively? (27:25)Is there an amount of detachment that gets you through the day? (30:09)Connect with Dr. Shefali:WebsiteInstagramA Radical Awakening by Dr. Shefali TsabaryThe Conscious Parent by Dr. Shefali TsabaryPeople mentioned:Kita Rose on IGLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Out of all of the many spaces I’ve belonged to, none have felt quite as fitting as “mom.” My mommy transformation has been an incredible, life altering ride, but in the end, I wouldn’t trade this gig for the world. Today, I’m welcoming a new mama friend, Nubia Henderson. Nubia is the founder of kids jamm and Legacy of Love, two programs designed and dedicated to helping the African American community heal intergenerational trauma and create a legacy of love by incorporating the tools of breathwork, movement and meditation into daily life.Tune in and listen to episode forty of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Nubia and I talk about how we are blessed with our children, the power of the mama collective on social media, and breaking the cycle of generational trauma with your own babies.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Nubia and I share a lot of similarities with our roads to mommyhood (03:56)How Nubia used her pregnancy to prepare herself for motherhood (05:57)Nubia’s mission: to make yoga and the mind-body connection accessible (12:08)Presence is key (15:25)Some of Nubia’s favorite yogis to follow on social media (20:00)Why women should prioritize the mind-body connection (23:25)Connect with Nubia:InstagramWebsiteYogis referenced:Chelsea Loves Yoga (Chelsea Jackson)Yirser Ra HotepOctavia RaheemKrishna Kaur KhalsaLana Reed (formerly Shakta Khalsa)Previous episodes mentioned:Dr. Shefali, Radically & Consciously REAL AFManifest Mommying AF with Destiny AnnYoung Love Journey to Mama Influencer with Destiny BennetLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doesn’t it feel about time for a little midsummer pick-me-up and palate cleanser? I know I could certainly use one. It’s so important, even when times are dark, to make sure that we’re prioritizing love, light, and positivity. Today, I’m welcoming Brely Evans, my mama friend and one of the brightest lights there is. Not only is she a gorgeous, illuminating presence, she’s also an actress, a producer, and a queen of Instagram and TikTok.Tune in and listen to episode thirty nine of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Brely tells me how she’s never given up on her dream of giving birth, the power of practicing daily “I Ams”, and never letting your fears get in the way. We also talk about the relationship that inspired her song “Don’t Date Down” and why everything she touches turns to gold.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Brely’s journey to mommyhood and her message to mommies in waiting (02:47)How Brely is raising her son as a black man with love for himself (08:18)The unique spirituality outside of religion that Brely lives by (12:58)Why Brely trusts her gut above all else (15:56)Brely’s favorite saying: “I don't network, I let God work.” (20:08)Why you should find a mate who’s life you find attractive (28:44)Where you can watch Brely (33:26)Connect with Brely:InstagramWebsiteTikTokDownload "Don't Date Down"Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s be real: there are a lot of things going on in our atmosphere right now. We’re going through a paradigm shift and the way we make money is quickly changing—the way it worked before won’t be the way it works in the future. As women, we have to realize that it’s time to stop being an employee and become an employer… And nobody is doing that more successfully than we are! Today, I’m chatting with Rochelle Graham Campbell, CEO, natural hair guru, and mama bird. Rochelle founded Alikay Naturals, a beauty & lifestyle brand that prioritizes high quality ingredients, from her kitchen as a college student and has since taken the company world wide.Tune in and listen to episode thirty eight of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Rochelle is telling me about getting her start on YouTube, her inspiration, and falling in love with her hair. We also talk about her big switch from pre-law to creating a hair care line and how growing up in Jamaica influenced Alikay and the ingredients she uses.In This Episode, You Will Learn:All about Rochelle’s Big Chop (07:37)How Rochelle’s early mistakes informed her journey to natural hair sage (12:16)About the creation of Rochelle’s first product and how it sold out—instantly! (15:07) My own decision to wear my hair natural and what it means to me (21:03)Different textures aren’t good or bad—they’re just different (22:31)About Rochelle’s mommying journey (25:50)Connect with Rochelle & Alikay:Rochelle on InstagramAlikay Naturals on Instagram Alikay Naturals websiteLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all have so many emotions running through us these days—especially those of us in the supposed “Land of the Free”—that we need to push ourselves out of the survival mode slump. As much as it feels like the world is on fire, it’s incredibly important to focus on calming our nervous systems and seeing that light at the end of the tunnel.Today, I’m sitting down with Allah-mi Basheer, a mama and intuitive self-mastery coach focused on banishing limiting beliefs and facilitating self-discovery. Allah-mi has the incredible gift of being able to help people reclaim their power, calm their nervous system, and rediscover their confidence.Tune in and listen to episode thirty-seven of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Allah-mi and I are talking about raising twins, the challenges of co-parenting, and her divine mission. We also cover being great every day and the power of language as a difference-maker. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Allah-mi and I share a grounding, mindful moment to kick things off (11:50)Allah-mi’s journey with mommyhood (14:50)Allah-mi’s five mental hygiene strategies that make up her Be Great Everyday philosophy (24:53)Whether you think you can or you think you can’t—you’re right (32:58)The only thing that’s constant is change (40:49)Connect with Allah-mi:InstagramWebsiteFacebookLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the state of the world today—and especially after the events of the last few weeks—it can feel impossible to achieve any levity. Over and over again we’re knocked under by waves of grief and anger, but the most important thing we can do is develop a coping strategy. If we embrace these positive rituals and welcome love and light into our lives, it can make even these most trying times a little easier. Today, I’m welcoming Gwen Osborne, a friend and mama who is a beacon of bright light. In addition to being a mommy, Gwen is an actor, speaker, wellness coach, and hosts her own podcast, Tea with Gwen.Tune in and listen to episode thirty six of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Gwen and I are talking love, divorce, and we even get a little personal. We also discuss what it was like for Gwen to come into mommyhood at a young age and her complicated relationship with her own mother.In This Episode, You Will Learn:All about Gwen’s kids (08:29)Why I refuse to fill my space with anything but light these days (12:07)How Gwen made her way to LA from England (17:53)How mommyhood and the path to get there is evolving--and what that means for us (25:37) The dire straits of dating in LA (31:37)Connect with Gwen:InstagramWebsiteTea with Gwen podcastTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s no great revelation that we as mothers wear many, many hats. We may be career women, but we’re also often the CEO of the household, the executive chef, the resident therapist, the director of family activities… It can be a lot! Striking work-life balance is something that many of us spend decades searching for, but we spend so much time looking that it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. The truth is, as mamas, we deserve to be nurtured, too. Today, I welcome entrepreneur, executive, producer, media personality, and fabulous mama of two Nicole Friday. Nicole is also an accomplished culinary influencer and the president and general manager of ABFF Ventures, LLC, the entertainment company behind the American Black Film Festival.Tune in and listen to episode thirty five of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Nicole and I talk about our experiences mommying through the pandy and how it strengthened our familial connections. We also cover why it’s so important that mamas take care of themselves, prioritizing “me” time, and why home should be a mama’s favorite place.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Nicole balances her mommy life with her professional boss life (07:22)What the pandemic taught Nicole about herself (14:43)Nicole’s pre-pandy self-care ritual (16:18)How Nicole and her husband have navigated having two Black teenage sons (25:04)All about the ABFF and Nicole’s role in the organization (30:00)Connect with Nicole:Nicole's InstagramAmerican Black Film Festival on IGLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains sexually explicit content. Who in your circle always has your back, no matter what? It’s so important that the people we surround ourselves with during our pregnancy are people that make us feel good about ourselves, help us through the challenging moments, and make the transition into motherhood smooth and full of love. Today, I am joined by the dynamic duo, Monique Jackson and Kita Williams. They are PR partners that met at Def Jam in their early 20s and then went into business together and ran things in LA. When they were representing Terrell Owens they successfully sold a reality show about him called The T.O. Show and also were asked to star alongside him about navigating the life of a football star and his fabulous PR queens.Tune in and listen to episode thirty-four of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Monique, Kita, and I have a great conversation about our journeys to mommy-hood. We talk about why it’s important to let your tribe help you throughout your pregnancy, how our priorities will shift in our life, IVF experiences, and how our sexuality does not die when we become mothers! In This Episode, You Will Learn:That it’s normal for priorities in our life to fluctuate over time (6:30)Why it’s important to remember to rest when you’re pregnant (23:49)How Monique and Kita supported each other during their pregnancies (27:30)About her IVF experience (33:33)That our sexuality doesn’t die once we become mothers  (43:26)Connect with Monique and Kita Monique’s InstagramKita’s InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are countless things that motherhood throws our way, much of which we can’t prepare for. Whether it’s the way our body changes, how our schedule gets flipped upside down, or the new dynamic of co-parenting with a partner, motherhood can feel like our whole identity. But it IS possible to be a mother, a great partner, and pursue your passions, you just have to give yourself grace along the way. Today, I am joined by Crystal Wall, business owner, dance and fitness guru, mother, and wife to popular rapper Paul Wall. While being an amazing mother and maintaining the success of her and Paul’s 15 year marriage, Crystal also leads dance fitness classes weekly to help get other mom’s get out of the house, move their body, and build their confidence Tune in and listen to episode thirty-three of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Crystal and I have a great conversation about the story of her and Paul’s relationship, what her experience has been raising a family in Texas, why nothing can prepare you for motherhood, and how she began running her dance fitness classes. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Our thoughts on spoiling our children  (5:16)How Crystal and her husband Paul Wall met and got together (8:11)Crystal’s perspective on soul connection (15:19)About Crystal’s family experience living in Texas (16:14)Why nothing can prepare you for motherhood (20:30)Crystal’s dancing and fitness journey (24:12)Resources MentionedRed Table Talk with Tanika RayIyanla: Fix My Life with LisaRaye McCoyConnect with CrystalInstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The relationship between a mother and her daughter is one of the most complicated dynamics to understand. When we have these difficult relationships with our own mother, parenting our daughter can trigger our inner child that still has healing to do.  Being the mother you never had for your daughter while setting boundaries with your own mother is a challenging, but healing experience. Today, I am joined by LisaRaye McCoy, a widely successful actress, humanitarian, entrepreneur, director, and mother. Since her movie debut in 1996, Lisa has appeared many times in a variety of television series, music videos, and movies. She is most known for her role in The Players Club, The Wood, and Civil Brand. In 2021, LisaRaye appeared on the show, Iyanla: Fix My Life, in which she shares the difficult relationship she has with her mom,  what she is doing to try to mend the relationship, and how she is working to be a different mother for her daughter.Tune in and listen to episode thirty-two of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. First, I share my reflection on my appearance on the Red Table Talk and why it was such an emotional conversation for me. Then I am joined by LisaRaye to talk about her experience healing her relationship with her mother, the impact that therapy has had on her journey, the importance of setting boundaries, and more.  In This Episode, You Will Learn:Reflecting on my appearance on the Red Table Talk (3:10)That there is no one way to be a great mother (12:17)About LisaRaye’s experience working through her relationship with her mother (15:15)The tools LisaRaye has turned to in her healing (19:39)How LisaRaye and I have learned to set boundaries with our mothers (24:20)Resources MentionedRed Table Talk with Tanika RayIyanla: Fix My Life with LisaRaye McCoyConnect with LisaRaye McCoyInstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigating motherhood and marriage is full of trials and tribulations that require  unlearning, re-learning, and being in a constant pursuit of personal growth. There will always be hard times, but intentionally responding to the challenges will keep you grounded to your values so you can show up as the best version of yourself as both a mother and a partner. Today, I am joined for a second time by Destiny Bennet. Destiny is a parent coach, blogger, content creator, speaker, and author of Revised Not Repeated: A Brown Mom's Guide to Breaking Generational Curses In Parenting. As the mother of three boys, Destiny wrote her book as a motherhood guide for changing toxic generational patterns in parenting and creating a healthier, happier bond between moms and their children.Tune in and listen to episode thirty-one of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Destiny and I talk about her experience being a young mother in a young marriage, how she is teaching her children healthy habits, why her family has decided to move into a tiny home, and so much more. Destiny’s advice on intentional parenting and building a healthy marriage is fantastic for mothers and wives of all ages and backgrounds. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Destiny met her husband and her reflection on marrying at a young age (10:20)About Destiny’s background prior to becoming a Mama influencer (15:16)Destiny’s passion for teaching her children healthy living (23:54)Why Destiny’s family is living in a tiny home (30:28)Destiny’s advice for listeners (38:07)Connect with Destiny Bennett InstagramBook - Revised Not RepeatedLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you reconnect to your truest self? As a mom, staying connected to your authentic self is not only important for your sense of identity but also for your confidence in parenting. It can be easy to forget that the way our parents raised us is not the only way for us to parent our own children. Staying aligned with your values will help you to make the necessary changes to stop the generational patterns of parenting. Today, I am joined by Satrah Anuket, the author of From Fear to Freedom: Utilizing the 7 Universal Laws to shift one’s mindset, habits, and behaviors. Satrah has always felt deeply connected to nature, the Universe, and her inner spiritual light. She has recently left her corporate marketing career to pursue her lifelong goals of entrepreneurship and writing.  Satrah is passionate about living her life by the 7 Universal Laws and applies them as the foundation for parenting her two boys.Tune in and listen to episode thirty of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Satrah and I talk about her spiritual awakening, the generational differences in how we were raised versus how we are parenting, how the 7 Universal Laws influence her parenting, and so much more. I hope this episode with Satrah inspires you to reconnect with yourself and your values! In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Satrah’s spiritual awakening (5:53)What to expect from a spiritual awakening (8:37)How Satrah has applied the 7 Universal Laws to her parenting (9:50)Who inspired and impacted Satrah’s parenting (13:55)Satrah’s 5 non negotiables for parenting (22:04)Connect with Satrah AnuketBook - From Fear to FreedomWebsiteInstagramResources MentionedBook - Mother HungerBook - Happy DaysLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“You can learn to become your own best parent” As a mom, there is mourning for what you are providing your children that you didn’t get from your own parents, but we can learn to become our own best parent when we take action towards healing our inner child.Today, I’m doing a solo episode about how it’s important for us moms to mother ourselves. Do you tend to keep yourself busy and distracted so you don’t have to address the trauma from your own childhood? Ignoring the pain doesn’t make it go away, it just allows it to continue to grow bigger and bigger. Addressing and uncovering childhood trauma is incredibly difficult and can bring up confusing emotions, but it will ultimately lead you to becoming a better mother for your own children. Tune in and listen to episode twenty-nine of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I talk about the deep and emotional inner work that I have been focusing on and what I have learned about mothering myself. I share the realizations I have had about my complex relationship with my own mother, books that have changed my perspective on motherhood, what I do when I am triggered, and so much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How I spent Mother’s Day (4:31)To connect with your inner child as a mother (07:19)About the book Mother Hunger and how it has completely shifted my perspective on motherhood (13:23)Why I turn to self-isolation when I am triggered (18:51)The two different ways we mother our children (24:25)Resources MentionedBook - Mother HungerBook - Happy DaysLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy belated Mother’s Day! The mission of this podcast is to celebrate mothers for all the things that we do, manage, navigate, overcome, and so much more. Being a mother is the hardest job there is but it is the most rewarding.Today, I’m talking to Ananda Lewis, an incredible woman who became famous as a DJ and TV host on MTV. Ananda has been publicly battling cancer, sharing her strength, diving into her personal healing, and staying connected to  her inner truth. Ananda is an amazing mother who has focused on breaking generational curses, teaching her children about race, and making decisions that have her family’s best interest.Tune in and listen to episode twenty-eight of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Ananda and I talk about her cancer diagnosis, the difficult moments she has overcome as a mother, how the Will Smith incident at the Oscars impacted her personally, and so much more. Ananda and I are in true alignment with our parenting and way of life and I am so excited to share this conversation with you!In This Episode, You Will Learn:What Ananda believes led to her cancer diagnosis (6:15)How Ananda is breaking generational curses with her parenting (10:50)The difficult moment Ananda had after becoming a mom (18:45)How Will Smith slapping Chris Rock impacted Ananda’s parenting (24:23)How leaving her relationship and the pandemic impacted Ananda’s life (29:56)Connect with Ananda Lewis InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As mothers of black, brown, or immigrant children, we have a big responsibility to recognize the ways that the education and social systems do not serve them and take the initiative to fill in those gaps ourselves. We are our children’s first educators by  teaching them to stand up for themselves and others and live an authentic life.   Today, I’m talking to Keri Shahidi - mother, actress, and executive producer of 7th Sun Productions. Keri is the mother of two beautiful children named Sayeed and Yara who have followed in her acting footsteps. Keri’s son, Sayeed has appeared in Alex Cross, Unthinkable, and Intelligence and her daughter Yara has acted in Black-ish, Grown-ish, and more. She has raised her children to be conscious activists in social issues, follow their purpose, and hold onto their narrative.Tune in and listen to episode twenty-seven of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Keri and I have a wonderful conversation about her diverse bubble growing up, why she is passionate about educating her children, her mindset about their acting careers, and what she dreams of for their future.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Keri’s experience growing up (11:38)Keri’s thoughts about advocating for our children’s education (17:42)How Keri has raised her children to be conscious activists (21:58)Keri’s mindset about her children’s dating life (32:35)What Keri’s dream is for her children’s future (38:50)Resources Mentioned: Book - The 5 AM ClubConnect with Keri ShahidiInstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a tale as old as time, women often end up quitting their career or putting it on pause after they become a full-time mommy. While being a mother is the best job of them all, it’s incredibly important that all moms take time for themselves and fill their own cup with self-care, creative pursuits, or whatever their passion may be. When you take care of yourself and celebrate your interests, you are then able to show up as the best version of yourself for your children.  Today, I’m talking to Eishia Brightwell, a former supermodel turned supermom. Eishia is a single mom of a beautiful girl named Legend, who is paving her own path in the modeling industry. Along with being a full-time mom, Eishia feeds her artistic and creative side by designing jewelry, accessories, and sneakers for her brand, EBJ Gallery, which has become popular among celebrities and influencers.Tune in and listen to episode twenty-six of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Eishia and I have a great conversation about what her life was as a supermodel pre-baby, her experience growing up mixed race, the non-negotiables she has set with her daughter, how she and Legend’s father co-parent, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What Eishia’s life was like pre-baby (05:25)Eishia’s experience growing up with a white mother and black father (10:00)What Eishia’s current emotions are around dating as a single mother (17:27)The creative process behind Eishia’s business, EBJ Gallery  (21:08)About Eishia’s experience co-parenting with the father of her child (26:52)Connect with Eishia BrightwellEishia’s Instagram EBJ Gallery Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Black women, and especially mothers, one of the things we have to come to terms with is how, historically, we’ve often been treated as vessels—completely lacking our own agency. Whether it was our enslaved ancestors made to give birth with no compassion or downtime or the current discrepancies that exist in Black maternal health, there’s no shortage of examples of mistreatment in Black motherhood. Amazingly, though, there are a number of women who are using their time and resources to change that dynamic for others and for our future generations.  Today, I'm bringing together five amazing mothers who are pushing the culture forward and taking agency over our own health when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum experience.EDIT- Please note...@ 3:32 I introduced Tamesha Valverde as the only lactation consultant in the country, but she is in fact, the only African American lactation consultant in the county where she lives. Sorry for the mix up. Tune in and listen to episode twenty five of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Join me as I welcome Ericka Dorsey and Tamesha Valverde, co-founders of Flourishing Families, Karesha Boyd, Flourishing Families doula/advocate, Alia McCants, Founder of Spelmoms Facebook group, and Vanessa Simmons, Founder & CEO of Normalize Breastfeeding. We’re talking about their experiences with motherhood, what their time breastfeeding meant to them, and the incredible importance of giving ourselves grace and space as mothers.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A little about everyone and their passions and superpowers (05:21)Tamesha’s incredible experience helping out a friend with twins (12:15)How Ericka became an advocate for breastfeeding (15:15)The group’s thoughts on formula feeding and its usefulness (19:42)The issues surrounding selling breast milk for profit, especially in the Black community (22:14)The group’s advice to soon-to-be mamas and how they can advocate for themselves (28:16)How the dismissal of Black women’s choice is ingrained in our DNA, but we can reclaim that agency (32:50)Connect with My Guests:Flourishing FamiliesFlourishing Families on InstagramEricka Dorsey on InstagramTamesha Valverde on InstagramAlia McCants on InstagramKaresha Boyd on InstagramVanessa Simmons on Normalize BreastfeedingVanessa Simmons on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every mommy knows what it’s like to start off their day in that not-so-pleasant way—in friction with their child. Maybe someone doesn’t want to get up for school, maybe homework was left undone the night before… hell, maybe you both just got up on the wrong side of the bed! In the end, there is no way to fully avoid conflict with our kids, but we can start by putting in the work and remaining consistent with our parenting. Today, I’m talking to Kimberly Harris, an educator, and the mama, coach, and handler of the incredibly talented young actress Mykal-Michelle Harris. Mykal-Michelle has starred in shows like Mixed-ish, Raven’s Home, and Disney’s new Cheaper by the Dozen reboot and Kimberly has been with her every step of the way.Tune in and listen to episode twenty four of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Kimberly and I get real about how raising great kids isn’t about luck—it’s about hard work! We also talk about our frustrations in parenting and how Kimberly’s experience off Broadway helped prepare her for Mykal-Michelle’s viral fame.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Kimberly says there is no magic potion to mommying. The trick is constant and consistent work (02:51)Kimberly’s educator’s perspective on the power of repetition and consistency with our kids (05:08)A bit about Kimberly’s blended family (10:31)Kimberly never envisioned this career path for her daughter, but as a family they’re extremely grateful for their blessings and express their gratitude by giving back (17:52)How Kimberly identifies when Mykal-Michelle is stressed and what she does to help alleviate that strain (25:01)We’ll never fully avoid conflict with our children, it’s the way we handle it that really matters (31:41)The three things Kimberly uses to keep her centered (36:26)Connect with Kimberly and Mykal-Michelle:Kimberly's Instagram Mykal-Michelle's InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We can put in all the effort, all the work, all the intense struggle that we have inside of us to try and overcome trauma, but sometimes it still sticks around. Trauma, especially that which we suffered as children, has a tendency to rear its head at the most surprising moments and all of the self love and self care in the world won’t ever fully heal us. But the amazing thing we can gain from it is wisdom, courage, and a sense of enduring peace and empowerment.Today, I’m putting it all out there and sharing with you some thoughts I had after a discussion about the book Mother Hunger by Kelly McDaniel. If you’re a regular listener, you’ve probably heard me speak about my mother and the complicated relationship I share with her—this is a further peak into that.Tune in and listen to episode twenty three of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I’m diving deep and getting real about the way my upbringing and my relationship with my mother affected everything from the way I learned to love others, to picking men, to parenting my own daughter.In This Episode, You Will Learn:I parent my daughter in a way that I wasn’t when I was a little girl (04:35)I’ve put in so much work to overcome my childhood trauma, but it still surfaces and surprises even me (07:00)I automatically respond when I'm triggered the way I, unbeknownst to me, triggered my mother. It's all connected (09:23)Being a mother myself made me realize that I have the ability in my hands to fuck her life up royally or to make her life manageable (14:44)It's so easy to break your child’s heart, to burn out their spirit (18:17)Continue to discover yourself, continue to remind yourself what love is, continue to ask yourself and question, “Does this work?” (26:22)Mothering yourself can be an amazing experience in healing (32:25)Resources mentioned:Mother Hunger by Kelly McDanielLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Note: This episode contains medical opinions, but it does not replace the advice of medical professionals. It simply puts forth options for those seeking alternative treatment. If you’re listening to this podcast, chances are you’re already awake to the laundry list of issues and disparities with the healthcare system in the United States. You’ve probably seen the articles and may have even heard or experienced first person how men, women, and especially POC all receive disparate treatment. But what you probably don’t know—what you may even be too frustrated or burnt out to think about—is how we have the power to change these things for ourselves. Today, I sit down with Ginger DeClue, a healing expert and iridologist and both a mama and expectant mama. Ginger’s mission is to help heal others like she was able to heal herself, outside of the confines of traditional Western medicine and pharmaceuticals.Tune in and listen to episode twenty two of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Ginger and I talk about both of our massive frustrations with the US healthcare system as it currently stands and how poor the care is in general, particularly for Black women. We also touch on the myths and misconceptions the average person has around food and why it’s so important to treat the source vs the symptoms.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How the early deaths of both Ginger’s mother and grandmother inspired her to look at health and wellness from a different perspective (03:44)Ginger’s belief that we don't need any more fighting, it’s time to build (07:30)About Ginger’s mission to wake people up from what she calls the new form of slavery that centers on lack of awareness and choice regarding personal health (09:52)Eating produce isn’t more expensive than processed food—you just have to look a little closer to find it in the affordable places (15:20)If you want to fully transform your life, it's going to take time. There are no quick, permanent solutions (18:52)A bit about Ginger’s high level 12-week course (23:21)The one thing Ginger does every day to keep herself in maximum health (29:15)Resources mentioned:Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim BarnouinConnect with Ginger:Detox MasterclassInstagramYouTubeLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“...Culture doesn't train parents to take accountability. Parents are given the full permission and leeway to be traditional, hierarchical, tyrannical, and abusive to their kids. In ways like this, we begin to see how our desire to control our children is disguised as care and love, but it's really control.” -Dr. Shefali TsabaryThe easiest way to parent—and the way many of us were raised ourselves—is to robotically, unconsciously repeat the way we were parented. And here’s the thing: changing that pattern is hard work! Not only does it take a massive level of consciousness, it also requires you to take ownership for your mistakes and to possess the wherewithal to know how to correct them.Today, I’m talking to Dr. Shefali Tsabary, an acclaimed author, international speaker, New York Times best seller, and fellow mama. Her blend of clinical psychology and eastern mindfulness has set her apart as a leader in the field of mindfulness psychology. She also speaks at events around the globe, spreading her message of conscious parenting and mindful living.Tune in and listen to episode twenty one of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Dr. Shefali and I are talking about conscious parenthood and how important it is to evaluate the way we were parented instead of simply repeating the same patterns. We also discuss the separation we create when we label ourselves, how Dr. Shefali parents her daughter in order to instill these values, and how proud she was when, at the age of 12, her daughter told Dr. Shefali and her husband that they were “irrelevant.”In This Episode, You Will Learn:The reason why Dr. Shefali started to lean out of private practice and into spreading her message worldwide (02:25)Dr. Shefali’s first epiphany that made her begin questioning many of the beliefs she had been raised with (10:12)You have to be willing to look at the nothingness in order to receive the everythingness (14:48)The stage Dr. Shefali and her daughter have reached in their relationship now (29:43)Dr. Shefali’s tips for parents of only-children—in and out of the pandemic (36:10)Dr. Shefali’s must-haves for motherhood (39:34)About the village of support that Dr. Shefali keeps around her (48:37)Connect with Dr. Shefali:WebsiteInstagramA Radical Awakening by Dr. Shefali TsabaryThe Conscious Parent by Dr. Shefali TsabaryLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone who has experienced mommyhood can tell you it’s often as difficult as it is beautiful. But navigating through childbirth and parenting as a woman of color? That’s a whole different level of strength! There are so many extra layers and obstacles put in our way, we learn very quickly that it’s sink or swim in the waters of motherhood—and the biggest difference is how and when we learn that we have to be our own advocates.Today, I’m welcoming the original mommy AF, Christine Michel Carter. Christine is a best-selling author, advocate, and mama of two.  She is also the creator of Mompreneur and Me, a professional development networking event, and has worked with the Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on maternal and child care-related issues.Tune in and listen to episode twenty of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Christine and I talk all about our birthing experiences and the lessons we had to learn fast about advocating for ourselves as women of color. We also talk about the inspiration behind Christine’s book MOM AF, the struggle and the journey she experienced with her ex as a result of his substance abuse issues, and the difference between marriage and love.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What Christine’s life was like pre-baby and how she came into her MOM AF power zone (04:24)How Christine struggled with her mental health after her daughter was born preterm and transferred to the NICU (08:06)The way the birth of Christine’s first child completely subverted her expectations (16:38)About the treacherous waters of dating as a single mom (21:25)The more natural way Christine has found to relax and unwind (41:36)Connect with Christine:WebsiteInstagramMOM AF by Christine Michel CarterLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most magical things that can happen for us as mamas is when our babies start teaching us lessons of their own. They can teach us to be fearless, to walk taller and to be more confident, even to recognize our own gifts that we’ve never connected with before.Today, I’m welcoming Lauren Lake, an attorney, author, TV personality, Emmy winner, and mama. Lauren is also the host of the cult-classic daytime legal show ​Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court.​Tune in and listen to episode nineteen of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Lauren and I talk about what it’s like for her to have a child at boarding school and how they stay close while he’s away. We also cover the importance of teaching conflict resolution, how sometimes you can’t just follow your gut when parenting—and the amazing advice that Lauren’s mother gave her that I’m adding to my own personal notes!In This Episode, You Will Learn:What it’s like to be labeled as a “different” kind of black girl by people who don’t even know you or the community (05:15)Lauren’s experience winning her Emmy with her son by her side (06:43)Why parenting is all about being a leader (12:32)How Lauren’s upbringing and relationship with her own mother influenced her approach to parenting (22:36)The special spiritual relationship Lauren’s son has with his grandmother who has passed on (29:59)The greatest lesson Lauren’s son has taught her about herself (30:53)Connect with Lauren:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTube channelLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I was a little girl, I didn’t have a voice telling me to believe in my beauty and my own Black girl magic. Raising my own daughter, I not only instill those beliefs in her, I also surround her with examples of beautiful, powerful black women so that she never questions her own power.Today, I’m welcoming my girlfriend Keisha AKA Princess Keisha, a mama, a model, a hair influencer, and a public speaker… who just so happened to have fallen in love and married a Nigerian prince.Tune in and listen to episode eighteen of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Keisha tells me about how it is to raise kids with royal titles and the early lessons they had to learn because of them. We’re also talking about how we can’t fight our kids’ battles—no matter how much we wish we could, and whether or not that famous line from Coming to America is really accurate.In This Episode, You Will Learn:We’re raising our little girls to never have to search for their power (02:01)That Keisha was a little bit of a fangirl when we first met! (06:43)How Keisha went from dreaming of being a model in Inglewood to marrying a prince and living in London (10:11)Keisha had no idea that her future husband had a royal title until they had been dating for two years (12:34)The importance of teaching our babies from birth to really observe the people around them and assess their authenticity (21:07)How Keisha and her husband address the difficult, racist topics in the news with their kids (29:06)Keisha and I both make it a priority to instill in our daughters a belief in their magic so that they never have to question it (33:05)Connect with Keisha:FacebookInstagramA Crown of Curls on IGKeisha in EssenceLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For me, raising an infant was complicated enough on its own and I was a full grown woman! You can read all the books you want, but all of that nitty-gritty, not-so-pretty stuff is something no one prepares you for (Mamas, you all know what I’m talking about!). Now, imagine doing all of that at 16—and not only creating a surviving relationship out of it, but one that’s still loving and thriving, almost two decades later.Today, I’m welcoming Shaleea Varney, a woman who truly wears many, many hats. Shaleea is a best selling author, a podcast host, an internationally known speaker, a licenced nurse, a master certified life and relationship coach… AND a mama and wife!Tune in and listen to episode seventeen of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Shaleea and I talk about what it was like for her when she had her first child at 16, the expectations of men and women’s roles in relationships, and how our parents’ relationships can be models of what we want and what we absolutely don’t.Some Questions I ask:How did you end up writing a book? How did you know your voice was important? (05:10)When you first went viral, what were people really connecting with? (11:36)What do men bring to the table? (15:35)What was it like as a kid raising a kid? And what jewels did you discover along the way? (24:00)Why do we, as Black people, continue to worship a white Jesus when every indication is that he was brown? (37:15)In This Episode, You Will Learn:My frustration and disillusionment with the utopian narrative I got from my pregnancy books (10:01)How Shaleea and her husband are best friends and that’s what keeps them successful in the long (long!) term (17:54)The way Shaleea and her husband created a thriving relationship at such a young age (20:40)When Shaleea found out she was pregnant, everyone immediately wrote her off, despite her being an incredibly high achiever (24:09)The difficulties of practicing self love as a Black woman (27:29)Connect with Shaleea:WebsiteBooks by Shaleea VenneyInstagramPodcastTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motherhood is the hardest job many of us will ever have. It’s also the most challenging, the most aggravating and… the most rewarding. One of the most difficult things about mommying is the constant self doubt, the coulda, shoulda, wouldas, the sense that, however much you’re doing, it’s never enough. But here’s the thing… No matter what that little voice inside your head is telling you, here’s a mantra you can replace it with: bitch, you doin’ a good job!Today, I’m welcoming Manifest Destini AKA Destini Ann, a mama of two who uses her profound, Maya-Angelou-like wisdom to promote intentional parenting. Destini takes the psychology of parenting and turns it into fun, digestible content for her community.Tune in and listen to episode sixteen of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Destini and I talk about how important it can be to step away and take a breath while mommying, why we have to be good models for our kids, and how she’s taught me how to say, “F that laundry!”Some Questions I ask:Where did “bitch, you doin’ a good job” come from? (04:45)Did you have a good relationship with your mom? (07:26)What’s the most controversial thing you've said that mommies have questioned you on? (09:20)Do you believe that our children are sent here to teach us? (13:30)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Where Destini’s parenting philosophy and ideology comes from (06:03)How Destini models her parenting style after her mother’s (07:50)Why Destini believes that so many of us are parenting from a place of “survival mode” (11:40)Why communication with your kids is extremely important (18:25)How Destini was raised in a way that let her come to her mom with mistakes (32:11)Connect with Destini Ann:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content warning: this episode of Mamaste with Tanika Ray contains discussion of self-harm and death.“The grass is greener on the other side.” It’s a phrase we’ve heard countless times, and most of us probably ignore it or roll our eyes when it’s said. But have you ever stopped yourself to think about how true it is? How many times have you coveted the fame and fortune of that gorgeous actress or the beauty and self-confidence of that incredible supermodel? The truth is, you’re probably doing it without even knowing it—maybe even the majority of people are. But what most of us fail to remember is that those people are all human beings and just the very condition of being human means that everyone has struggles.Today, I’m having a real chat about mental health and the toll our focus on success and wealth takes on us. The truth is, no matter how much they try to convince us that things and titles and homes and cars are the greatest goal, we keep seeing people who seemingly have it all destroy everything that is supposed to be success.Tune in and listen to episode fifteen of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I’m breaking down misconceptions around the glamor of television reporting and getting honest about my battles with depression, alcohol, and being taken for granted by my superiors while I worked on TV. I also talk about how I was brought up not to value labels and brand names, but to put emphasis on culture and experience and why I’m so lucky to have been conditioned not to value things. In This Episode, You Will Learn:So often in motherhood, your response to a negative trigger is completely autopilot (02:18)CW As outsiders looking in, it’s often so confusing how people who seemingly ‘have it all’ can harm themselves (04:48)Working as a reporter at a TV entertainment magazine was an incredibly difficult, trying job (06:24)I believe what saved me from working a job that exhausted me and pushed me into hysterics was my natural sense of rebellion (13:53)The fact that people of color are in the projects and have less opportunity is not by accident (20:14)This is a call to action to figure out what your tools are in order to navigate your way out of the darkness (22:47)Mental Health Resources:Shanti Das on InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When raising our kids, who's to say conventional is the best way to go? So many of the current institutions in the US, whether it’s politics, the education system, or the way our law enforcement functions, don’t favor Black and brown people—and especially not our children. If we’re going to raise our kids to think outside of the box, to value emotional maturity, and to grow to become the strongest, proudest, and most empathetic people they’re capable of being, then why stick to a blueprint that’s served us so poorly in the past?Today, I’m welcoming Maimouna Youssef AKA Mumu Fresh, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and MC who’s also a mama making her way in the wild world of the music industry.Tune in and listen to episode fourteen of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Mumu and I talk about how her son is her best friend, business partner, and tourmate, how not to conflate Black culture and parenting with post-slavery trauma, and breaking the pattern of resentment that so many men hold toward their mothers.Some Questions I ask:What is it like being in the crazy music industry as a mother? (03:07)What do you call yourself? How would you describe yourself? (20:32)What do you wish kids knew about themselves? (27:57)What do you tell your son about navigating this world that keeps him confident and keeps him feeling strong so that fear isn't at the forefront? (30:52)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The origin story of the name Mumu Fresh (01:28)Why it’s so important to raise children with emotional intelligence and maturity (08:44)Why we teach our kids to have a voice and speak clearly (15:20)The disillusion Mumu felt in Hollywood and how she finally accepted her role as a healer (20:40)Mumu’s advice for her son living as a Black teen in 2022 (32:19)Connect with Mumu Fresh:InstagramWebsiteiTunesLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So often we’re told to cut the toxic people out of our lives, that those relationships serve only as a detriment to us and our psyche… but what happens when those relationships are intricately entwined with other loved ones? What happens when we actually still love that person that’s putting that negativity into the universe—and we love them a lot? Forgiveness is a long, hard, difficult road, but it’s a choice that so many of us face when we grow up with a parent who might not have loved us in the way we really needed to be loved.Join me as I welcome my friend LisaRaye, an actress, humanitarian, entrepreneur, and an incredible mama who has been killin’ it in Hollywood for over 20 years. Today, we’re talking about all varieties of mama drama.Tune in and listen to episode thirteen of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. LisaRaye and I talk about how her fearlessness early in her career got her to where she is now, how she figured out the balance between helping with homework and slaying auditions, and what it’s like to shift your perspectiven in order to make peace in a rocky mother-daughter relationship.Some Questions I ask:Did you manifest your career in Hollywood for yourself? (02:20)Where was your sister Da Brat in her career when you first came out to the West Coast? (08:39)How did you manage mommy life with your newfound Hollywood career? (12:44)How did you learn to be openly physically affectionate with your daughter? (31:26)In This Episode, You Will Learn:When LisaRaye made the big move from Chicago to LA, she decided not to take ‘no’ for an answer (04:38)How having her daughter made LisaRaye a no-nonsense person (14:47)About LisaRaye’s eye opening experience on Iyanla: Fix My Life and the shift it created in her family dynamic (17:27)About LisaRaye’s relationship with her daughter and how she’s worked to fix it (36:52)Both people have to be willing to do the work to help mend the rift in a relationship (41:31)Resources Mentioned:Forgiveness: 21 Days to Forgive Everyone for Everything by Iyanla VanzantConnect with LisaRaye:InstagramLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most difficult things to accept as a parent is how quickly we go from being our kids’ heroes to being decidedly uncool in their minds. It’s pretty hard to come to terms with at first, but once you realize the fact that you’re often dealing with your own mini-me, you can start to give them the tools and examples to make better decisions for themselves—even if they don’t realize exactly what you’re up to.Today is part two of my chat with Claudine Cooper, my sister-friend, wellness expert, fellow mama, and co-founder of the Grace Space Wellness Studio. Through Grace Space, Claudine has built a community of wellness enthusiasts while staying dedicated to her mission for accessible wellness.Tune in and listen to episode twelve of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Claudine and I talk about the negativity and manipulation we’re fed by mass media, why it’s so important to reserve judgment on what others do with their bodies, and how the best thing you can do for your maturing kids is to give them the tools to make informed decisions.Some Questions I ask:Who are three people you follow as a mood booster? (07:35)How do you protect your kids from losing track of their self and their self love when we as parents become uncool to them? (10:17)What kind of conversations are you having with your kids to make sure they’re making the good choices? (15:21)In This Episode, You Will Learn:We all have a valuable testimony to share (06:07)What a slippery slope parenting can be when you start restricting your kids decisions (14:44)Setting a great example as people is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our littles (23:35)None of us are exempt from being played by our children—who literally think they're just a better version of us! (24:39)People mentioned: Willie Moore Jr.Sarah Jakes RobertsJerry Flowers Jr.Gary VaynerchukDr. Shefali TsabaryConnect with Claudine:InstagramLinkedInGrace Space Wellness StudioLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past two years, we’ve all been through so much stress, upheaval, and trauma. But what a lot of us probably don’t fully realize is how all of this ongoing pressure and anxiety has forced us to live out a world-wide post-traumatic experience. Whether we know it or not—whether we’ve accepted it or not—none of us is the same person on January 1, 2022 as we were on January 1, 2020. This affects not only us, but our children and our parenting, too. Today, I’m talking to Claudine Cooper, my sister-friend, wellness expert, fellow mama, and co-founder of the Grace Space Wellness Studio. Through Grace Space, Claudine has built a community of wellness enthusiasts while staying dedicated to her mission for accessible wellness.Tune in and listen to episode eleven of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Claudine and I talk about our collective pandemic trauma and how it’s affected all of us, how important it can be to learn to choose our battles with our kids, and why we need to be intentional and conscious about the class struggles happening in our country.Some Questions I ask:How did you start your journey to creating your own world, your own thought processes, in order to survive and thrive? (04:00)Did your mom allow you to be free as a child? (06:53)Why do you think our kids feel so free to push back and press our buttons? (12:37)What has your therapist taught you about bridging the gap between pragmatism and emotion? (17:02)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The real trauma occurs when you try to force your kids into a particular box (05:13)Bringing your own trauma into your parenting can have a lasting impact on your children (08:32)How our reactions to our own kids behavior can be a response to our own trauma (17:23)The way class informs so much of our attitude toward child rearing and discipline (19:56)Connect with Claudine:InstagramLinkedInGrace Space Wellness StudioLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a year like the one we’ve just had (or maybe the last two or three…) it can be easy to forget that along with all the trials and tribulations came important lessons and amazing experiences. For me, the new year is also a time to focus on rebirth and fresh starts. Vision boards offer a great time to think about all that I've been throughout the year. It’s also a great time to make peace with yourself. Make a list about the things you're no longer going to do and the things you want to incorporate into your every day. No, not a New Year’s resolution! But just simple ideas that allow you to make some some deals with yourself in order to be happier, healthier, and more vibrant in 2022. Today, I’m ready to close the door on 2021 because I am willing 2022 to be a better year! Join me as I do a 2021 Instagram Best Of countdown for my account, @tanikaray.Tune in and listen to episode ten of Mamaste with Tanika Ray.  Y’all know that I curate my Instagram with the finest detail and that I only want to follow people that inspire. I only want to follow people that illuminate space, that make me feel good, that I can learn from, and that remind me what I’m made of and I think you’ll be able to take a little inspiration from my IG, too. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Twitter's a little snarky,  Facebook's a little long-winded, but Instagram is right in my social media sweet spot (01:59)Clubhouse shifted me, forced me to get out of my ego, and allowed me to figure out how humans move and shape each other, just by their mere presence (04:47)In April, I really started to understand how important my energy field was, why certain people deplete my energy, and that it’s okay to leave those people (09:32)I never mourn the end of a relationship or friendship, because I truly believe everything happens in its own time (14:04)Women need to wake up and understand where our power is and that we’ve got to educate ourselves (18:56)When people  want to lie to me or cheat me, that’is all about their issues… so I pray for them (23:37)It's great that things are social norms, but that doesn't mean they're always right (25:31)People to follow on IG:@Anitakopacz@Mcspirations @kaycola@jameelajamilofficialLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a child, were you encouraged to embrace your uniqueness? Or were you told that it was important to learn to be more like everyone else? So many of us had those special, quirky, beautifully weird parts of ourselves put down or even extinguished by authority figures… do you ever wonder what might have happened had we been allowed to let that part of us blossom?Today, I’m welcoming back Instagram star and my girlfriend-in-my-head Anita Kopacz for part two of our chat. Anita is an amazing, light-filled author, spiritual psychologist, and mommy who just published her debut novel, Shallow Waters.Tune in and listen to episode nine of Mamaste with Tanika Ray.  Anita and I discuss how letting your child be who they are, who they were born to be, is one of the greatest gifts we can give them as parents and mothers—and we’re getting to the nitty gritty in this episode. We’re talking about the perils of organized religion, remembering and respecting our ancestors, and, of course, how she approaches the challenges of mommyhood.Some Questions I ask:Do you think we as a people are better off once we get through the delusion of religion? (01:14)As one of seven, you saw a lot of your mother mothering, how did you approach mommying yourself? (08:49)Is it hard for us to raise our kids? (13:58)On your journey of mommying, what are your three non negotiables that you have in your arsenal? (16:32)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The mutual experience that Anita and I had when discovering Agape and the work of Michael Beckwith (03:27)Why mentorship is so important for black women (07:35)How watching her mother love and admire herself when Anita was a child informed her world view as a mother (09:19)Why we should encourage our kids to be proud of their “weirdness” (14:04)Connect with Anita:InstagramFacebookShallow Waters: A Novel by Anita KopaczLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of my favorite things is knowing moms that I see as a reflection of myself. Moms who mommy by their own rules, show empathy, and embrace their spirituality. These are moms who have done the work, read the books, and learned how to grow and expand as humans so that they don't pass on their traumas to their kids. The fact is, we all have trauma, but it takes dedication to heal and seek help.Today, I’m talking to Instagram star and my girlfriend-in-my-head, Anita Kopacz. Anita is an amazing, light-filled author, spiritual psychologist, and mommy who just published her debut novel, Shallow Waters.Tune in and listen to episode eight of Mamaste with Tanika Ray.  If you’ve been triggered by the word ‘trauma,’ I feel you. Once I did the work, I realized that it’s a hurdle our emotional intelligence has to jump over in order to navigate this world. Anita and I talk about what it’s like to write a book with kids at home, she tells me about the spiritual beliefs behind Shallow Waters, and we discuss why she wrote her book with healing generational trauma in mind.Some Questions I ask:What was the journey like that brought you to writing your book? (14:12)How old were your kids when you started writing Shallow Waters? (16:36)Can you tell me about the Yemaya circle that you recently held? (18:56)Is this book the first of a series? Or do you see this as a closed circle? (28:48)In This Episode, You Will Learn:We're all desperately in need of healing, and doing the work isn’t always easy (4:15)There's no better time than now to strengthen our foundation so that we can truly raise our kids through better circumstances (10:53)A little background on the Orïsha and the beliefs that surround them (20:08)The incredibly emotional experience Anita has when rereading her work (24:38)Connect with Anita:InstagramFacebookShallow Waters: A Novel by Anita KopaczLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some women, from the time they’re little girls, were born to be nurturing, loving, natural mothers. That… was never me. Before I got pregnant, I had no intentions of being a mother. I did not want to be a mother. I was scared I was gonna suck at it, I was afraid of repeating mistakes, I was scared of perpetuating cycles. Why? Because I had a very complicated relationship with my mother, and one of the hardest things in the world is to have a complicated, toxic, acidic relationship with the woman who gave you life.Today, I’m getting real with you about the struggles and fears I have when it comes to raising my daughter. I’m laying it all out and talking about my own deeply complicated mother-daughter relationship and what it feels like to see your amazing messages of mommying encouragement—even when I feel like they couldn’t be further from the truth.Tune in and listen to episode seven of Mamaste with Tanika Ray.  I’m breaking down why it’s so important for me to not repeat history when parenting my daughter, how I’m avoiding the “copy & paste” style of parenting, and the beauty and the irony in how alike we both are.In This Episode, You Will Learn:In my 20s, I was completely selfish, completely self focused, and completely tunnel visioned on what it was that I wanted to accomplish in the world (03:35)The very vivid memory I have of the start of my rebellion against my mother—and why I’m so dead set against reliving that cycle (04:31)My relationship with my daughter is better when she's in school and when she's stimulated elsewhere (09:45)It totally sucks having to raise yourself! (15:00)We are flexible, movable, malleable, evolving people, and unexpected times, without notice, are going to always happen. (19:57)Remember, when you don’t think you’re going to make it through the day: Inhale through the nose, hold for four seconds. And exhale. Inhale for four seconds and hold. And exhale. As we try to elongate those breaths, inhale for four and hold… And exhale. (28:07)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time of year, we’re in such a beautiful state of gratitude. We’re counting our blessings and thanking the universe and thanking God and thanking Buddha and thanking Allah… We’re thanking all of our higher beings for our lives, no matter what they look like.  In order to get more in life, in order to activate more blessings, we have to be grateful for exactly where we are—thankful for right now. We may not have everything we want, but that doesn’t matter… because that's not the way blessings work. Today, I’m coming to you right after the last Thursday in November, and we’re talking gratitude. Although many of us have rightfully developed a complicated relationship with Thanksgiving as a concept, I still believe in the importance of celebrating the abundance and grace we’ve been given throughout the year. Most importantly, though? That belief in gratitude is one of the greatest gifts that I can give my daughter. Tune in and listen to episode six of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I’m talking Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and how we decide what traditions to pass down to our kids. I’m also asking you to take the next month to practice gratitude, live in the present, and think about exactly how we can celebrate ourselves and where we are at this moment. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Celebrating Thanksgiving is great—but I’d rather call it Gracegiving to celebrate the gratitude and abundance in our lives (03:38)For me, holidays are all about giving my daughter more of a perspective on how others are living and teaching her to give back (06:29)If we can't be grateful for where we are right now, then we’re not able to open the door to more blessings and more manifestations (09:39)This month, I’d like us all to support mom-preneurs (11:37)Some of my thoughts on being a woman, a mother, and a business owner (14:06)A little hint toward something I’m working on for the future (25:09)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget but before we were mommys, we were actually women first. Women with wants, feelings, and needs, totally separate from our babies! Although it can be hard for us to accept, even mamas deserve to be their fun, sexy selves that they were—and still are!—before they had kids. When we celebrate our sexuality, our independence, and our womanhood, we’re not only honoring ourselves but also setting an example for our children to emulate.Today, I’m welcoming back my amazing friend, mommy, artist, and entrepreneur Tangie Ambrose. Tangie joins me for part two of our chat and continues to spread her Mamaste theories and wisdom while we talk about what that single mommy life is really like and how important it is to prioritize ourselves at the center of it all.Tune in and listen to episode five of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I talk to Tangie about how our kids know just the way to push our buttons, the complications around starting a new romance as a single mom, and why it’s so important to stay in the moment and constantly evolve your parenting.Some Questions I ask:What has that been like for you, looking for a new man? (06:05)How do you use coconut oil in your self care routine? (08:23)How do you keep your private items private from your kids? (14:18)Do you think there are mommies out there who are really locking their toys up in a safe? (17:53)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How the way I was raised affects the way I raise my daughter (03:19)We learn to explore and take pleasure in our bodies in innocent ways to start—and that shouldn’t be stifled (18:49) Why Tangie believes in picking her battles with her kids (26:23)Why I pracrice conflict resolution with my daughter now, before she’s a hormonal teenager (32:36)Connect with Tangie:InstagramTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you first welcomed your little bundle of joy into the world—or maybe even when they were just a twinkle in your eye—did you have an idea of what kind of parent you’d be? Maybe you had amazing parents who laid down a beautiful blueprint for you to follow. Or maybe all you knew is that you DIDN’T want to make the same mistakes mom and dad had made with you. Whatever the case, once your little magic munchkin makes her way into the world, even the best laid plans can go out the window!Of course, there’s no one right way to parent a child, but one thing’s for sure: however you do it should involve love, patience, and empathy.Today, I am saying Heaven Hi to my sister friend Tangie Ambrose, an actress, artist, entrepreneur, and an amazing mommy inspiration. She is the person who introduced me to the concept of conscious parenting and she is the person I can always turn to when mommying tries my energy. Tangie always has a different perspective for me to appreciate and a new method for me to put into practice.Tune in and listen to episode four of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Tangie and I talk about living intentionally, how her gifts as a healer help her better understand children, and about our changing bodies and the shame women are made to feel around aging. Some Questions I ask:Can you break down your preferred greeting, ‘Heaven Hi,’ for us? (02:10)Where do you think your gift of being an amazing kid translator comes from? (06:41)What has been your key to sustaining life balance so that you aren't losing it? (12:21)What is the most amazing thing your daughter Stone taught you? And what's the most incredible thing your son Rock has taught you? (19:02)How can moms talk to their kids about sex in a loving, free, non-judgmental way? (29:53)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How ‘Heaven Hi’ has impacted how Tangie mommys her kids (03:56)About how Tangie credits her raw diet for helping her feel healthier and more energetic (13:42)A little about Tangie’s co-parenting philosophy (18:01)How Tangie decided who would be her children’s father (25:26)Connect with Tangie:InstagramTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Way before I was working red carpets, and even longer before I was a mommy, I found my first love: dance. From the time I was a little girl, I begged my mother to put me in dance classes, and it was through dance that I learned how to connect with and be in my body. Nowadays, I love that my daughter is just as into dance as I’ve always been and that I can share that passion with her. Today, the show is all about dance as I welcome my dancing soulmate, V. Marie “Marie Bustin’ Moves” Moring. She’s a  TikTok superstar, fun-loving mama and grandmother, and a dance and lifestyle social media influencer. Marie tells me about how dancing together has brought her family closer, the way she keeps her heart open and believes in love, and how she’s keeping the energy alive and positive with her kids in these difficult times. Tune in and listen to episode three of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I talk to Marie about raising her blended family, her staunch belief that opposites attract, and why we both believe that it absolutely takes a village to raise a child. Some Questions I ask:Tell me about when you made your first TikTok video. Did you think it would take off like this? (06:50)What was the first music video that you learned every move from? (09:40)What was the greatest mommying lesson you learned from your family? (13:16)How would you describe your mommying? (36:52)How did you teach your children to love themselves? (40:04)In This Episode, You Will Learn:My own love affair with dance and why I love it so much still (01:27)Marie’s personal dance evolution (08:22)How Marie knew she was born to be a wife (21:50)About the complications that arise around co-parenting (38:29)About dealing with that special way your kids know just how to push your buttons (42:40)Connect with Marie:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was in complete shock. It was just not part of my plan—truth be told, I had never been one of those women that felt her purpose was to be a mother. But that’s the thing: God always has a plan, y'all. And even if I felt lost at first, I was able to make connections with some incredible women who helped me grow into the mommy that I’ve become.Today, I welcome one of those incredible women: my first guest and my friend Anne Judson-Yager. She’s an actress, a reiki master, a massage therapist, a doula, and an amazing member of my mommy tribe. She tells me about growing up shoeless, her philosophy on co-parenting, and what it’s like raising mixed children in 2021. Tune in and listen to episode two of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Anne and I talk about broaching the toughest subjects with our kids, how her doula work allows her to be an advocate for black mothers, and the incredibly difficult history of black women giving birth in this country—and how we can work toward changing that. Some Questions I ask:Can you share with us a bit about your background? (10:07)How did you explain all of the protests going on last summer to your girls? (19:44)How did you see it affect them? Were they able to process your explanation? (20:38)Can you tell me about what went into the process of becoming a doula? (24:38)What are you keeping out of your life so that you can be the best mom that you can be? (29:45)In This Episode, You Will Learn:My entrance into mommyhood wasn’t planned—and I realized I needed some serious advice! (01:43)How finding different mommy tribes gave me some of my best friends and biggest supporters (04:47)The tough conversations that Anne has had to have with her kids around race (16:03)The ways Anne has committed herself to allyship and abolitionism (23:46)The profound change Anne felt in herself after the events and upheaval of last summer (30:46)Connect with Anne:InstagramFacebookWebsiteLet’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I went from carefree, globe-trotting Boss Babe to mommy, I was suddenly in search of a whole new tribe to help me navigate the inevitable fumbles and failures of raising a kid. Shifting gears from red carpets to a gig called ‘mom’ required a whole new game plan. I made my mark as a TV and red carpet host, and you might even recognize me from some of your favorite Tv shows, ‘90s hip-hop videos or hair blogs. Today, I introduce you to my own personal journey as a mother, a professional, and a woman making divine decisions that are rooted in who I am. The most important thing I've learned in this life is that when things are hard, we cannot— as much as we think we can— go around it, we cannot go over it, we cannot go under it… We have to go right through the center.Tune in and listen to the first episode of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I’m creating a unique sanctuary for the mommy collective where we can amplify self-love and self-care, tips on raising conscious kids, and help each other fine-tune our boundaries. We’ll celebrate the highs while forgiving ourselves for the lows. Because being a mom is the most thankless, exhausting, fulfilling, unpaid job on the face of the planet—and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. In This Episode, You Will Learn:My mission statement and the purpose behind this podcast (04:21)Whether single, married, or in a partnership, a mom is a mom is a mom (12:12)I consider myself a tough, strong black woman—but I was terrified of starting this podcast (14:40)Shout out to the Podcast Accelerator, the group that helped me finally realize my podcasting dreams (15:18)Mommying is a full-on circus act (19:33)If this pandemic has taught me anything, it’s to let go of previous attachments and to live in my greatest truth (21:01)I plan to use this podcast to shine my light on incredible guests and give them a platform to come through to you (25:10)Let’s Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.