Shades of Strong
The Podcast
Real conversations for the “strong”
Black woman who’s tired of pretending.
THE PODCAST
Conversations about what support looks like in real life.
The Shades of Strong Podcast is where we talk about the expectations Black women live with, the things we don’t always say out loud, and what support can look like in our actual lives.
Some episodes go deeper into strength, relationships, family, work, boundaries, and the gap between being surrounded by people and actually feeling supported.
Monday through Friday, Support Pauses offer shorter conversations for the middle of the day, when you need a few minutes to hear something that speaks to what you’re dealing with right then.
MEET YOUR HOST
The woman behind the mic.
I’m Shirl. I’m based in Mississippi, and yes, I’m a writer, podcast host, and the creator of Support Languages™. But if we were sitting somewhere talking in real life, that’s probably not how I’d introduce myself.
I would probably tell you I’m a super curious Sagittarius born on the 5th day of December at exactly 5:00 a.m. I ask a lot of questions because I’ve always been a firm believer in above all things, get an understanding. I want to know why people think the way they think, why we do the things we do, and what’s really underneath the thing we’re talking about.
I’m also somebody who loves being with my children and grandchildren. They’re my favorite people in the world. Give me a slow morning before anybody starts talking, a really good conversation that goes way longer than we planned, or a bingeable series I should’ve turned off three episodes ago, and I’m good.
That’s pretty much how I show up behind the mic too. I’ll ask the extra question. I’ll follow the part of the conversation that made me curious. And if you say something that makes me go, “Wait a minute, say more about that,” we’re probably staying there for a while.
So when you listen to this podcast, you’re not getting somebody sitting behind a microphone pretending to have all the answers. You’re getting me. A woman who asks a lot of questions, pays attention to what people say and what they don’t, and really wants to understand what’s going on underneath the obvious answer.
LISTEN + SUBSCRIBE
Find the Show wherever You Listen.
FROM LISTENERS
What it Feels Like on the Other Side of the Mic.
Real. Needed. Healing. I don’t usually leave reviews, but this podcast is different. It feels like sitting with your favorite auntie who just gets it. Shirl talks about strength and softness in a way that makes you rethink how you’ve been carrying everything. She doesn’t just talk at you, she talks to you and you can tell it’s coming from a real place. I found this podcast during a season where I didn’t even know how much I needed support, and now I don’t feel as alone navigating that.
JAYCI MIL
“Until next time, take care of you.” Very outspoken, Shirl says the things people may be scared to say, or even won’t allow themselves to be vulnerable about. Touching on every subject and the problems of our community! This podcast is a breath of fresh air and reassures me know that even when I feel like I’m alone , I’m not alone.
Ladaishia
I’m back. I love how you discuss topics that may bring disagreement, but you explain everything so thoroughly. You make me want to put the things I’ve learned from these episodes into my life. I appreciate the work you’re doing for our community while creating a safe space for us.
MylesReese
LATEST EPISODES
Listen to the Latest Conversations.
A Quick Check-In: I’m Still Here, I’m Just Taking My Time
It’s been a minute, so I wanted to pop in with a quick update. The Shades of Strong podcast is still on hiatus, but the work definitely hasn’t stopped. A lot is happening behind the scenes, and I wanted to check in, tell y’all where things stand, and talk a little...
I Said What I Said. Ain’t Going Back and Forth With You
Sometimes support for Black women looks like finally deciding not to keep explaining yourself into emotional exhaustion. In this Support Pause, Shirl explores the emotional cost of constantly going back and forth with people who are committed to misunderstanding...
You’re Going to Make It After All
What would you say to your younger self today? In this deeply personal Support Pause, Shirl reflects on sitting crisscross applesauce on the living room floor watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show and dreaming about becoming a writer long before life got loud. This...
26 Black Women Storytelling Series: The Story the Stories Told
We just closed the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, and I’m still sitting with what it revealed. Not just the individual stories, but the thread that ran through all of them. This episode isn’t a recap. It’s a reflection on what happens when Black women are...
When You’re Doing Everything Right and Still Feel Invisible with Radiah Shabazz Harold
Radiah Shabazz Harold was doing what so many women are used to doing. Managing responsibilities.Taking care of what needed to be done.Showing up, even when it wasn’t easy. From the outside, it looked like she had everything under control. But inside, she was...
When You’re Fighting for Your Life and Still Showing Up with Didi Hairston
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...
