Ladies First

Danielle Ponder’s upcoming project, Everything Has Changed, is an introspective exploration of truth, growth, raw honesty and storytelling. Arriving Oct. 9, the album captures Ponder embracing the uncomfortable truths that accompany the process of becoming. It’s not simply a project about change, but also about accepting who you’ve become and telling that story without apology.In this conversation, Ponder reflects on the meaning behind “Power,” “Sun and Moon,” and “God of You” — three songs that explore strength, longing, relationships and the ways we sometimes give others power over how we see ourselves.

Blessing Jolie is the kind of artist who makes growing up sound like something worth documenting — not because she has all the answers, but because she is unafraid to sit with the questions. The Nigerian-American singer-songwriter and guitarist raised in Katy, Texas, has built her music around the messy, funny, painful and often confusing process of figuring out who you are in your 20s. Her songs are deeply personal without feeling distant and turn experiences with love, disappointment, confidence, identity and growing pains into stories listeners can recognize as their own.

This episode features a wonderful conversation with Alemeda, who talked about growing up between cultures, navigating life as the daughter of an African immigrant and finding her identity along the way. From the viral “Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows” to the visual and sonic world she created around it, she revealed what happens when you stop performing who you’re expected to be and start standing fully in your truth.This conversation also happened at a time when Alemeda was touring with Isaiah Rashad and stepping into a new level of confidence — not becoming someone else, but becoming more of herself. The tour is a reflection of her voice, style, story and success on her own terms. No pretending. No shrinking. Just Alemeda.

On this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse trio carrying on one of the most celebrated lineages in music: the Womack Sisters.As the daughters of Linda and Cecil Womack, and granddaughters of legendary King of Soul Sam Cooke, musical genius is in their DNA. But the Womack Sisters aren’t here to ride on a famous last name; they’re solidifying their own place in the industry on their own terms.In this raw and inspiring conversation, they share what it was like growing up watching classics being created in real time  and why they chose to build an authentic sound from the ground up. They also open up about the hustle behind the music, revealing how real-world struggles inspired their cinematic single "Chauffeur." Plus, discover why they chose to record their latest project entirely live to tape with zero digital interference to preserve the true, unfiltered vibration of their artistry.Fierce, resilient and unapologetic, the Womack Sisters are here to remind us all to block out the noise, bet on ourselves and protect our peace.

Lachi is a disability advocate, recording artist and founder of RAMP’D — and despite having all of that on her calendar, she still found time to sit down with us for this episode. We covered a lot of ground as she opened up about her work transforming the narrative around disability in the music industry, from the inside out. We explored her mission to create greater accessibility and representation for disabled creatives, including her work with Glam Canes, which challenges the idea that disability aids need to be clinical or invisible. We also dove into the many dimensions of Lachi’s career, including her book, I Identify as Blind; her GRAMMY-nominated work; and her latest album, Magnificent.

We sat down with Tarriona 'Tank' Ball of Tank & The Bangas for an exclusive conversation about the group’s latest project, The Last Balloon, and the journey that brought them this far. We explored the pivotal moments behind each chapter of the balloon series, reflected on the NPR Tiny Desk performance that propelled the band to global recognition and went beyond the stage to discover the woman behind the artist.We also discussed the group’s upcoming performance at À La Carte at the Zoo on Aug. 22, what fans can expect from the show, and how their New Orleans roots continue to influence their music, storytelling and unmistakable creative spirit.

Los Angeles singer-songwriter Imani Archer is an emerging alternative pop and R&B artist whose music is rooted in vulnerability, healing and deeply personal storytelling. During our conversation, she shared how she didn’t initially set out to become a singer-songwriter. What began as a private habit of pouring her emotions onto the page gradually evolved into songwriting, revealing a gift that had been within her all along. It was like “a fish in water, as she put it — a natural calling that allowed her to transform honest emotions into music that resonates with listeners.We also talked about the legacy she carries with her every day. From the striking beauty and unwavering support of her mother to the extraordinary musical lineage she inherited from her father, soul legend D’Angelo, Archer is carving out a path that’s uniquely her own. Rather than relying on her family name, she’s embracing authenticity, emotional honesty and thoughtful songwriting to establish her own voice in today’s music landscape.

On this episode, we sit down with Amanda Reifer, a fearless creative force representing Barbados and one of the Caribbean’s most compelling artistic voices. Blending alternative R&B, soul, Caribbean influences and striking visual storytelling, she creates music that’s both deeply personal and impossible to categorize. Many listeners around the world first heard Reifer's unmistakable voice on Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where her collaboration helped shape one of the decade’s most celebrated albums. Today, she continues to carve a path that has led to her latest album: The Reifer Files, an intimate look at an artist embracing vulnerability, experimentation and complete creative freedom on her own termsWe talk about that project, the power of collaboration, discovering your creative voice and what it means to build a career that’s authentic, intentional and uniquely your own.

Few people embody the spirit of independent artistry quite like Jordan Patterson. Born in North Carolina and raised in Los Angeles, she's built a reputation for blending soul, folk and indie influences into music that’s both intimate and fearless. Patterson's songwriting is poetic, her voice is unmistakable, and every song feels like an invitation into a deeply personal story. Whether she’s exploring love, identity, healing or self-discovery, she creates music that lingers long after the final note. In this episode, Patterson explores the journey that shaped her artistry, from her Southern roots to finding her creative voice in Los Angeles, as well as the inspiration behind her latest music and what it means to build a career rooted in authenticity rather than expectation. She discusses the stories behind her songs, navigating the music industry as a Black woman and how she continues to define success on her own terms — one beautifully crafted song at a time.

Allison Russell joins us to explore the journey that shaped the artist she is today, tracing her career from its earliest chapters to the elevated space she now occupies. What unfolded was a conversation that added an entirely new layer to what many think they know about her.Russell is perfectly comfortable with her career being defined by constant change because, for her, evolution isn’t something to resist; it’s something to embrace. Every song, every collaboration and every new chapter is another invitation into the community she’s intentionally building. She has a remarkable ability to create tribes wherever she goes, welcoming people with the stroke of her pen and reminding us that music has the power to connect us long before we realize we belong.Our conversation went beyond the music. She talked about where daily inspiration comes from, what it means to continue creating with purpose and the responsibility of building a path that someone else will one day have the courage to walk.Russell understands that legacy isn’t measured only by awards or albums, but by the doors you leave open for those who follow. It’s a conversation about artistry, humanity and the quiet work of making sure the next generation has somewhere to begin.

Acclaimed cellist, singer, composer and self-proclaimed “orchestral nerd” Kelsey Lu, one of today’s most captivating musical storytellers, sits down with us to discuss how their classical training laid the foundation for her artistry, why storytelling has always been at the heart of their work and how collaborations across genres helped them discover their own artistic voice.It’s an honest conversation about curiosity, creativity and the courage to evolve. 

Some artists write songs. Mereba writes memories.In this conversation, the singer-songwriter reflected on the moment she first fell in love with writing, the profound influence of her father and brother on the artist she has become, and the deep connection she still feels to her mother’s Milwaukee roots. She also opened up about one of the most personal songs in her catalog, a record many listeners overlook but one she admits is still difficult to hear. The result is an intimate conversation about family, identity and the stories that continue to shape one of music’s most thoughtful voices.

Tiana Major9 joins to discuss her latest project, November Scorpio, a collection of songs that showcases the British singer-songwriter’s signature blend of soul, vulnerability and masterful storytelling. Best known for her breakout single “Collide” from the Queen & Slim soundtrack, Tiana shared the stories behind standout tracks like “Shook Ones” featuring Yebba and “Energy” with Keyon Harrold. We also talked about a missed flight that cost her the chance to meet Beyoncé and Rihanna, and how an unexpected vacation sparked one of her favorite creative collaborations. It’s an honest conversation about artistry, timing and trusting the journey.

As we celebrated Black Music Month earlier this year, we honored the joy, impact and legacy of Black female artists (per usual) by celebrating the music of women who continue to shape culture around the world. To kick things off, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the legendary Gail Ann Dorsey to talk about her journey from West Philadelphia, performing alongside icons like David Bowie and Lenny Kravitz, and her powerful single, “It Takes All Kinds (To Make a World)."