Episodes Archives - Shades of Strong

Didi Hairston is doing something many people don’t fully understand. She’s showing up. Not because everything is okay.Not because she has it all figured out.But because she’s choosing to keep going, even while navigating severe depression. In this episode, Didi shares what it’s like to live with mental health challenges in real time. The kind that don’t just pass, and don’t always have clear answers. She talks about the weight of carrying that while still being expected to function. To be present. To take care of responsibilities. To move through the world as if everything is fine. But underneath that is a daily fight. A fight to stay.A fight to keep going.A fight to make it through moments that most people never see. Didi opens up about what “strong” has meant in her life and why it doesn’t always feel like a compliment. She shares the reality of living with something that requires constant effort, and what it means to keep choosing life in the middle of it. This conversation is about a different kind of strength… the kind that isn’t loud or visible, but shows up in the decision to keep going one day at a time. This conversation is about what it costs to live in survival mode for too long, and what it takes to create a different way forward. If you’re navigating your own mental health journey or recognizing the need for deeper emotional support, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you understand the kind of support that meets you where you are:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Didi Hairston Didi Hairston is someone who speaks openly about what many people are still trying to hide. Through her platform, Diva with Depression, and her podcast Breaking the Mask of Depression, she shares what it actually looks like to live with mental illness, not just the parts people are comfortable talking about, but the everyday reality of it. She’s a speaker, a writer, and a mother who understands firsthand what it means to keep going while carrying something heavy. Her work creates space for honest conversations about depression, especially within the Black community, where those conversations don’t always feel safe or welcome. Didi’s voice is unfiltered, real, and rooted in lived experience. She’s not speaking from the other side of it… she’s speaking from within it. And through that, she’s helping others feel less alone in their own journey.   Connect with Didi Hairston  Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Nikquan Lewis learned early how to handle things on her own. Figuring it out wasn’t optional. It was necessary. From a young age, she was navigating responsibilities that required her to grow up quickly. There wasn’t room to pause, and there wasn’t space to fall apart. So she did what needed to be done. And she kept doing it. In this episode, Nikquan shares what it looked like to move through life in survival mode for years. Showing up, building, achieving, and pushing through, even when her body and mind were telling her something wasn’t right. From the outside, everything looked successful. But internally, she was worn out. She opens up about the cost of always being the one people rely on. The pressure to keep going, the expectation to have the answers, and what happens when you’ve been functioning that way for so long that you don’t know how to do anything different. There’s a moment where everything begins to shift. Not a dramatic collapse, but a realization that she could no longer ignore how exhausted she felt. Not because she didn’t want to keep going, but because she couldn’t keep carrying it the same way. Nikquan talks about what it looks like to move differently now. Learning how to rest. Learning how to receive support. And unlearning the belief that she has to figure everything out on her own. This conversation is about what it costs to live in survival mode for too long, and what it takes to create a different way forward. If you’re starting to recognize what it feels like to always be the one people rely on, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you understand the kind of support that meets you where you are:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Nikquan Lewis Nikquan Lewis is someone who learned early how to figure things out even when she shouldn’t have had to. Growing up in dysfunction and becoming a mother as a teenager, she had to learn how to survive, adapt, and carry more than most people ever see. That ability to keep going followed her into adulthood, shaping the way she showed up in her work, her relationships, and her life. She went on to build a thriving career as a licensed relationship and sex therapist, stepping onto stages like TEDx and Essence Festival, and becoming a trusted voice on intimacy, trauma, and emotional safety. Her work has been featured in outlets like Essence, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and TV One, and she is the founder of Intimate Connections, where she helps people build relationships rooted in honesty, connection, and care. But behind all of that is a woman who understands what it costs to always be the one people depend on. Through her work, her voice, and her lived experience, Nikquan is helping people unlearn survival patterns, release shame, and create lives that feel intentional, connected, and fully their own. Connect with Nikquan Lewis Website | Instagram |LinkedIn About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Sadija Smiley had been holding everything together for a long time. Showing up.Taking care of what needed to be handled.Making sure nothing around her fell apart. From the outside, it looked like she had it all under control. But underneath that was a different story. In this episode, Sadija shares what it felt like to keep going while quietly falling apart. The pressure to manage everything on her own, the expectation to be okay no matter what, and the ways she learned to push through without stopping. There’s a moment she takes us into that shifts everything. Sitting in a parking lot, convinced she was having a heart attack, trying to figure out what was happening to her body in real time. But it wasn’t a heart attack. It was a panic attack. And in that moment, it became clear just how much she had been carrying without space to pause or ask for support. Not because she didn’t need it…but because she didn’t feel like she had the option to not be okay. Sadija opens up about what it looked like to finally acknowledge that something had to change. The toll of doing everything alone, the weight of expectation, and the realization that continuing the same way was no longer sustainable. She shares how she’s beginning to move differently now. Learning how to ask for help. Creating space for herself. And unlearning the idea that she has to carry everything on her own. This conversation is about what happens when you hold it together for too long… and the moment your body and mind ask you to do something different. If you’re starting to recognize the ways you’ve been holding everything together without support, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you understand the kind of support that meets you where you are:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Sadija A. Smiley Sadija A. Smiley is a woman who knows what it means to carry more than anyone should have to and still find a way to keep going. After the stillbirth of her daughter at 36 weeks, she was left navigating a kind of grief that changes everything. And like so many women, she didn’t have the kind of support she truly needed in that moment. So she created it. Sadija is the founder of Stillborn And Infant Loss Support (SAILS), where she’s built spaces for families to grieve, process, and not feel so alone in their loss. Through her work, she has supported hundreds of families, offering the kind of care and understanding she once needed herself. She’s also the author of After the Silence, where she shares her journey through grief, healing, and what it looks like to keep living after loss. With more than 20 years in the nonprofit space, Sadija brings both lived experience and deep care to everything she does. Her work is rooted in honesty, healing, and helping women release the pressure to carry everything on their own. Connect with Sadija A. Smilehy Website | Instagram |LinkedIn About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Juanita Ingram did everything she was supposed to do. She showed up prepared.She delivered.She handled what needed to be handled. From the outside, it looked like she had it all together. But being the one who gets things done came with a cost. In this episode, Juanita shares what it felt like to move through spaces where she was relied on, but not always truly seen. Where her ability to perform was expected, but her humanity wasn’t always considered. She opens up about the pressure to keep going, even in moments that required care, attention, and space. Moments where something real had happened, but the expectation was still to push through like nothing changed. There’s a point where everything begins to shift. A realization that no matter how much she gave or how well she showed up, it still didn’t protect her from being overlooked. Not because she wasn’t capable, but because she was in environments that weren’t built to fully see her. This conversation is about what it costs to keep proving yourself in spaces that don’t recognize your full humanity… and what it looks like to step away and choose something different. If you’re starting to recognize what it feels like to be unheard or overlooked in spaces where you’re giving your best, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you understand the kind of support that meets you where you are:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Juanita Ingram Juanita Ingram is a woman who has built a powerful, global life… and still knows what it feels like to be unseen in the moments that matter most. She’s an attorney, author, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work has taken her across the world, from the U.S. to London, Taiwan, and Singapore. Along the way, she’s created spaces that support and uplift women, raising millions of dollars through her work with Dress for Success and serving as a global ambassador for the organization. Juanita is also the founder of Purpose Productions, where she brings stories to life through film and media, including The Expats International Ingrams, which has streamed on platforms like Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Roku and even landed on the Emmy nomination ballot. Her work and impact have earned her recognition across multiple spaces, including an NAACP Award, an honorary doctorate in humanitarianism, and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. She’s also a TEDx speaker and made history as the first Black woman to be crowned Mrs. Universe. But beyond all of that, she’s a wife, a mother, and a woman who understands the weight of always being the one who gets it done. Through everything she creates and every space she enters, Juanita is shifting the conversation… reminding us that Black women deserve to be seen not just for what they do, but for who they are. Connect with Juanita Ingram Website | Instagram | YouTube About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Kimberly Sumpter had been doing what so many Black women are used to doing… keeping everything going. Showing up.Handling responsibilities.Making sure everyone else was taken care of. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, she stopped paying attention to herself. In this episode, Kimberly shares what it looked like to keep pushing through even when something felt off. The pace, the pressure, and the quiet ways she had been putting herself last without really stopping to question it. There’s a moment she talks about where everything shifts. A serious health scare that made it clear that what she had been ignoring for so long was no longer something she could push past. Not because she didn’t want to slow down, but because she hadn’t been giving herself permission to. She opens up about what it felt like to realize just how much she had been carrying, physically, mentally, and emotionally. And how easy it is to keep going when that’s what you’ve always done. This conversation is a reminder that doing too much doesn’t always feel like a breaking point in the moment. Sometimes it shows up slowly until your body makes you pay attention. Kimberly shares what it looks like to move differently now. Choosing rest without guilt. Listening to her body. And creating space for herself in a way she hadn’t before. If you’re starting to recognize the ways you’ve been doing too much and not giving yourself space to breathe, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you understand the kind of support that meets you where you are:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Kimberly Sumpter Kimberly Sumpter is someone who has spent years creating space for other women to be heard, even while learning how to listen to herself. Through her platform, Sistahs Connect Radio™, she blends music, storytelling, and conversation to create a space where Black women can slow down, reflect, and feel connected. What started as a love for radio grew into something deeper — a place for healing, honesty, and community. She’s also the voice behind Podcast to Inspire®, where she helps women use their own voices to share their stories and build something meaningful. Whether she’s teaching, creating, or holding space, her work is rooted in helping women show up fully and be heard in ways they may not have experienced before. At the core of everything she does is connection. Creating spaces where women don’t feel like they have to carry everything alone… and reminding them that their voice, their story, and their presence matter. Connect with Kimberly Sumpter Website | Instagram |  About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Chernika Corbett spent years being who she thought she needed to be just to get through. Being strong meant pushing through, holding everything together, and not allowing herself the space to feel what was actually happening in her life. There wasn’t room to fall apart. There wasn’t room to be unsure. There wasn’t even room to check in with herself. And over time, that kind of strength didn’t just shape how she moved… it changed who she was. In this episode, Chernika shares what it looked like to lose herself while trying to keep everything else in place. From carrying a relationship that was slowly breaking her down to navigating grief, pressure, and expectations without support, she found herself disconnected from her own identity. She talks about the version of herself she created to survive… Nikki… the one who could handle anything, keep things moving, and never let anyone see what was really going on underneath. But that version came at a cost. There’s a moment she shares where she realized she didn’t even recognize the woman in the mirror anymore. A moment where everything she had been carrying finally caught up with her, and she had to decide whether she was going to keep surviving… or choose something different. Chernika opens up about what it meant to leave a situation that was no longer safe, to rebuild her life in a new environment, and to begin reconnecting with herself again. Learning what emotional safety feels like, allowing herself to be seen without the mask, and creating a life where peace is no longer something she negotiates. This conversation is about what happens when being strong costs you yourself, and what it looks like to come back home. If you’re starting to recognize parts of yourself in this story, especially the feeling of losing yourself while trying to hold everything together, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand the kind of support that meets you where you are:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Chernika L. Corbett Chernika L. Corbett, who many people know as Nikki, is a woman who had to find her way back to herself after losing who she was trying to survive. For years, she moved through life carrying everything… a long-term relationship that was breaking her down, grief, family responsibilities, and the pressure to keep it all together no matter what. Somewhere along the way, she stopped recognizing herself and leaned into a version of herself that could handle it all, even when she was falling apart inside. After leaving a 14-year domestic violence relationship and relocating across the country, Chernika began the work of rebuilding her life. Through journaling, reflection, and intentional care, she slowly started reconnecting with herself again. Her journey deepened as she navigated the loss of her brother while also supporting her mother through cancer, all while raising her daughters and learning what it meant to choose her own peace. Through her wellness brand, Soul-Full Vibes, Chernika creates space for women to slow down, heal, and come back to themselves. Her work is rooted in helping others understand that strength doesn’t have to come at the cost of who they are. Connect with Chernika L. Corbett Website | Instagram |Facebook About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Emely Rumble learned early what it meant to keep going. After losing her grandmother at 14 and entering foster care, she had to grow up quickly. There wasn’t space to slow down or process what she had lost. Life kept moving, and she learned how to move with it. That pattern followed her into adulthood. In this episode, Emely shares what it looked like to carry grief without space, to keep showing up, and to handle everything without really stopping to ask what was missing. From school to work to motherhood, she stayed in motion. Doing what needed to be done. Managing responsibilities. Continuing to push through, even when something deeper was asking for her attention. There’s a moment she shares about being alone in the emergency room, when her body finally forced her to stop. A moment that made it clear that what she had been carrying for years could no longer be ignored. She also talks about what it feels like to tell the truth in a relationship and realize that even honesty isn’t always received. That being open doesn’t always mean being heard. This conversation reflects a reality many women know well. Carrying what needs to be carried. Adjusting to the absence of support. And continuing to move forward, even when something inside is asking for more. If you’re starting to notice how often you’ve had to keep going without being fully heard, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand what kind of support would actually meet you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Emely Rumble Emely Rumble is someone who learned early how to keep going, even when there wasn’t space to process what she was carrying. After losing her grandmother at 14 and navigating foster care, she had to grow up quickly. That experience shaped how she moved through the world for years, learning how to handle things on her own and keep pushing forward, even when she needed support. Her work today is rooted in helping people slow down and reconnect with themselves in ways they may not have had access to before. Emely is a licensed clinical social worker and bibliotherapist who uses books and storytelling as a pathway to healing. Through her practice, she helps people make sense of their experiences, process emotions, and find language for what they’ve been carrying. Her work has been featured in outlets like Essence, CNN Health, and The New York Times, and her book Bibliotherapy in the Bronx explores how literature can be used as a tool for emotional healing. At the core of what she does is helping people feel seen, understood, and heard, especially in the places where they’ve learned to carry things on their own. Connect with Emely Rumble Website | Instagram |TikTok |  Bluesky  | Substack About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: "You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?" Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah's Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah's Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Grace Rabia Wood didn’t choose to be strong. She learned it early, in an environment where survival meant staying quiet, staying aware, and getting everything right. Long before she had language for what she was carrying, she was already learning how to read a room, how to anticipate what was coming, and how to make herself smaller when needed. In this episode, Rabia shares what it looked like to grow up in a home where silence wasn’t just expected, it was required. Where keeping secrets was part of survival. Where being seen without being heard became a way of life. That way of being didn’t stay in childhood. It followed her into adulthood, shaping how she showed up in relationships, how she protected herself, and how she learned to carry things on her own. There is a moment she shares that shifts everything. A conversation that forced her to stop minimizing what she had experienced and finally tell the truth, even when the response she received was not what she needed. Rabia talks about what it meant to choose truth over silence, to stop protecting what hurt her, and to begin creating something different for herself and her children. She also shares what support looks like now. Not perfection. Not performance. But spaces where her voice is welcomed, where truth is not punished, and where she no longer has to hold her breath to feel safe. This conversation is about what strength required, what it took, and what it means to finally break the silence. If you’re starting to recognize how much you’ve had to carry quietly, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand the kind of support that meets you where you are now:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Grace Rabia Wood  Grace Rabia Wood is someone who learned how to survive long before she had the language to explain what she was going through. She grew up in an environment where silence, perfection, and obedience were expected, and where speaking up wasn’t always safe. That experience shaped how she moved through the world for years, learning how to read a room, carry what wasn’t hers, and keep going without being seen. Her work now is rooted in breaking those patterns. Grace speaks openly about healing, identity, the mother wound, and what it means to unlearn the things you were taught to endure. Her journey from Islam to Christianity is part of that story, but at the core of everything she does is helping people tell the truth about their lives and reclaim their voice. Through The Grace Experience, she creates space for real conversations about healing, generational patterns, and what it looks like to choose something different, even when it’s hard. Connect with Grace Rabia Wood Instagram |Email: [email protected] About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: "You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?" Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah's Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah's Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew spent much of her life doing what was expected of her. From an early age, she learned how to be responsible, how to show up, and how to carry what was placed on her without question. It was reinforced in the way she was raised, in what she observed, and in what was expected of her as a girl. And over time, that way of being followed her into everything. In this episode, she shares what it looked like to build a life around responsibility and expectation, and how that pattern quietly shaped her decisions, her relationships, and her sense of identity. There were signs along the way. Moments where her body was responding. Seasons where things didn’t feel aligned. But like many women, she kept going. Until the cost became too clear to ignore. Dr. Froswa talks about navigating a marriage that was no longer working, the moment her daughter reflected back what she could no longer avoid, and what it meant to walk away from what had once felt like stability. She also shares what support looked like during that season. Not advice. Not solutions. But people who were willing to sit with her, hold space, and simply be present in the moments where she didn’t have the words. This conversation is about unlearning what you were taught to carry, learning how to listen to yourself again, and choosing a life that no longer costs you your peace. If you’re beginning to notice how much of your life has been shaped by what was expected of you, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you start understanding the kind of support that meets you where you are now::  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew  Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is someone who has spent a lifetime learning how to show up, carry responsibility, and do what was expected,  and then had to learn how to question all of it. Her work centers on relationships, community, and the ways we connect with each other, but that understanding didn’t just come from research or professional experience. It came from living a life where she was often the one holding things together, navigating expectations, and learning in real time what it costs to keep doing that without pause. She is the Founder and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy and the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation, where she works with organizations and leaders on building trust, connection, and healthier ways of engaging with people and community. Dr. Froswa is also an author, including her book Front Porch Wisdom, where she shares insights shaped by both her work and her lived experience. Her voice has been featured in outlets like Forbes, Huffington Post, and Modern Luxury. At the core of everything she does is a commitment to helping people understand themselves more deeply, build meaningful relationships, and create spaces where others feel seen and valued, not just in theory, but in real life. Connect with Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew  Instagram | Website  About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: "You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?" Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah's Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah's Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Simone Gordon is used to being the one people call when they need help. She shows up for her autistic son, her community, and the families who rely on her every day. It’s what she’s known for. It’s what people expect from her. And for a long time, she kept saying yes. In this episode, Simone shares what it looked like to carry that kind of responsibility without stopping to consider what it was doing to her. From early mornings to late nights, she was constantly moving, constantly responding, constantly showing up for everyone else. Until her body made her pay attention. What she thought might be something physical turned out to be something deeper. The pressure, the pace, the constant need to be available had started to catch up with her in a way she couldn’t ignore. Simone talks about what it means to be the one everyone depends on and how easy it is to lose yourself in that role. The expectations, the responsibility, and the quiet reality of not always having the same level of support in return. This conversation reflects a pattern many women recognize. Being the one who says yes, the one who steps in, the one who makes things happen, even when it comes at a cost. If you’re starting to notice how much you’ve been carrying for everyone else, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand what kind of support would actually meet you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Simone Gordon Simone Gordon is known as the Black Fairy Godmother, showing up for women and families who need help when they don’t know where else to turn. What started as her own search for support turned into something much bigger. After struggling to find resources for herself and her autistic son, Simone went to social media and asked for help. When people showed up for her, she made the decision to do the same for others. Since then, she’s built a community that provides emergency assistance, resources, and real-time support to Black and Brown families across the country. Simone’s work has been featured on platforms like Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and The New York Times, but at the center of it all is her commitment to showing up for people in real, tangible ways. At the same time, her story reflects the weight that can come with being the one everyone depends on, and what it looks like to start making space for herself after years of putting others first. Connect with Simone Gordon: Instagram | Website  About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: "You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?" Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah's Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah's Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

Mary Sims has been called strong more times than she can count. But what people didn’t see was what it was taking for her to keep going. In this episode, Mary shares what it looked like to navigate a cancer diagnosis, a stem cell transplant, and the long road of recovery that followed. From the outside, she was surviving something that most people couldn’t imagine. But on the inside, there were moments where she felt like she was losing herself. And still… she kept showing up as strong. Mary talks about what it means to carry something that heavy and not always have a place to put it. The emotional weight, the isolation, and the reality of trying to process everything while also being seen as the one who can handle it. There’s a moment she shares where the news she received shifted everything again, and what followed wasn’t strength in the way people recognize it. It was exhaustion. It was frustration. It was trying to hold on to herself while everything around her felt uncertain. And even in that, people still saw strength. This conversation is about what it costs to survive something that changes you. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. It’s about the parts people don’t see, the silent moments, the breaking points, and what it takes to keep going when there isn’t always space to fall apart. If you’re realizing that being “the strong one” has meant carrying more than people can see, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to understand what support could look like for you now  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Mary Sims Mary Sims is someone whose faith has been shaped in real time, not just in what she believes, but in what she’s had to survive. She serves in church leadership and has spent years pouring into others through prayer, discipleship, and teaching. But her work isn’t just about what she shares, it’s rooted in what she’s lived through. Mary is a cancer survivor, and her journey has changed the way she understands strength, faith, and what it means to keep going when life doesn’t let up. What she carries now isn’t just knowledge, it’s lived experience, resilience, and a deeper compassion for people navigating their own battles. Through her YouTube channel, JustMary, she creates space for honest conversations about faith, healing, and what it looks like to hold on when things feel uncertain. Her voice resonates with people who are trying to make sense of their faith while also dealing with the realities of life. Whether she’s leading prayer, teaching, or simply sharing her story, Mary’s heart is in helping people feel less alone in what they’re carrying and reminding them that even in the hardest seasons, they are not without support. Connect with Mary Sims: Instagram | Website | Wellnes Page About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: "You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?" Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah's Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah's Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.

For a long time, Alyson Brown believed being strong meant handling everything on her own. She was showing up, holding it together, and figuring things out without needing much from anyone else. And for a while, it worked. At least it looked like it did. In this episode, Alyson shares the moment her body forced her to stop pushing through. What she thought was just a busy season filled with good things, a new job, meaningful work, and planning events, slowly turned into something she could no longer manage on her own. And when it all came to a head, she couldn’t hold it together the way she was used to. She had to be held. That moment revealed something deeper. Being strong had come at a cost. Not just physically or emotionally, but in her relationships. It had quietly shaped the way she showed up with the people around her and made it difficult to ask for support, even when she needed it. Alyson opens up about what it’s been like being the strong friend, the one people rely on, the one who always shows up. But when you’re used to being that person, it can be hard to be honest about what you need or to allow yourself to be fully seen. Even in safe relationships, there can still be a hesitation, a fear that showing too much might change how people see you. This conversation isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about what it looks like to begin unlearning that pattern and learning how to receive support in real time. Not perfectly and not all at once, but honestly. If you’re starting to recognize that being “the strong one” has shaped how you show up in your relationships, the Support Languages™ assessment can help you begin to put language to the kind of support that actually meets you:  shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Alyson Brown Alyson Brown is someone who cares deeply about helping women do the kind of healing that doesn’t always get talked about out loud. Her work sits at the intersection of faith and wellness, especially for women who are trying to make sense of their relationship with their mothers, themselves, and God… all at the same time. She creates spaces where women can be honest about what they’ve been carrying, begin to process it, and start moving toward emotional freedom in a way that feels real, not rushed. Alyson has been featured on the Woman Evolve podcast with Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts and recognized by Impact Magazine. Whether she’s hosting conversations, leading events, or gathering women in more intimate settings, her focus stays the same… creating room for people to feel safe enough to be seen, supported, and begin healing in a way that actually lasts. Connect with Alyson Brown:  YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @EverythingAlyB About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: "You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?" Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah's Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah's Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl Hubbard is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.