ABOUT THE SHADES OF STRONG™ PODCAST
Shades of Strong is a conversational podcast about the everyday experiences of the Strong Black Woman.
On it you will hear conversations about the importance of tearing down the myths and stereotypes that have kept Black women in bondage for years.
We recognize that Black women are tired of the Strong Black Woman, Super Woman myth that is used to ignore our pain and frustrations while praising us for putting up with mistreatment and disrespect. It is our hope that this podcast empowers all Black women to ditch the cape so that they can be and feel whatever Shade of Strong that feels right for them.
Meet Your Hosts, Shirl & Natty
Shirley Hubbard aka Shirl
Writer, speaker, conversation facilitator and emotional wellness coach residing in the southern state of Mississippi. She holds a degree in Human Services with an emphasis in counseling. She’s spent most of her adult life working in the non-profit sector mentoring Black female youth living below the poverty line.
Natalyn Bradshaw aka Natty
Multi-disciplinary artist and writer based in Southwest Virginia. She has worked as an artistic coach and mentor, and as a music and voice teacher for two decades. Her creative interests come from her desire to express vulnerability in ways that draw people in and encourage self-reflection and awareness.
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I love you both so much. I can’t wait until God brings women like you all into my physical circle. You both speak to my heart & I’m grateful God brought you both in my virtual life. I fell in love with Shades Of Strong while listening to the episode-Behind the Mask of Angry Black Woman. I now have an IPhone, so I faithfully listen to you all on Apple Podcasts. My voice gets stronger with every episode. I have been silent for way too long.
L. Carter
This podcast is so amazing. Shirl and Natty are already my best friends in my head. They immediately make you feel like you are sitting on their couch with a glass of wine, having girl talk. I love the transparency, raw, realness and laughter. No matter what you are going thru these two amazing women will give you the courage and strength to get through it. Each episode will take you on a healing journey you’ll never forget.
J. Danielle
I usually don’t listen to podcasts, but today I said, “while you walk, you’re gonna feed your spirit.” I typed in “healing” to the podcast app & stumbled upon your episode “Dear Sis, You Don’t Have To Fake It.” I was beyond blessed by every word, so much so, I started sending the link out to others whom I thought could benefit. I am now a subscriber & I’m so glad I made the spontaneous choice to listen.
A. McKoy
Shirley Hubbard
Writer, speaker, conversation facilitator and emotional wellness coach residing in the southern state of Mississippi. Shirley holds a Master’s degree in Human Services with an emphasis in counseling. She’s spent most of her adult life working in the non-profit sector mentoring Black female youth living below the poverty line. Her love for writing, speaking, mentoring and coaching was birthed from her desire to see Black women given a fair chance in a world that often demeans them and wants to keep them from speaking up about it.
Shirley is motivated by her desire to see Black women given the same respect, courtesies, and opportunities that all cultures enjoy and she is committed to facilitating conversations around these issues and creating safe spaces where Black women feel supported and loved.
She has had numerous conversations with Black women about the unreasonable expectations constantly being thrown at them and how those expectations have and continue to cause emotional trauma. Those conversations moved her to create a podcast so that these unreasonable expectations could be tackled in a meaningful, and impactful way and so that Black women across the globe know that are not in the fight [to JUST BE] alone.
Natalyn Bradshaw
Multi-disciplinary artist and writer based in Southwest Virginia. She has worked as an artistic coach and mentor, and as a music and voice teacher for two decades. Her creative interests come from her desire to express vulnerability in ways that draw people in and encourage self-reflection and awareness.
EXPLORE LATEST EPISODES
NEW EPISODES AIR EVERY MONDAY .
BLACK FROM THE PAST™ EPISODES AIR EVERY OTHER FRIDAY.
Black from the Past Featuring Mary Eliza Mahoney
Welcome to our first Black from the Past™ highlight of the season where we're shining a light on Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first Black woman to study and work as a professionally trained nurse in the United States. Quick Facts: Born in Boston, MA to...
Identifying the Layers of the Black Superwoman Cape
Black women have been rocking the Black superwoman cape since we were little Black girls. Don't believe it? Check out Shirl's "Red Rover" story in this first episode of Season 4. Tune in as Shirl and Natty give you a behind the scenes look at what caping, masking...
Season 4 Trailer | Things We’ve Lost to the Superwoman Cape
Sis, aren't you tired of rocking that Superwoman cape? Aren't you tired of letting "them" tell you how to do life, how to do strong? If you answered yes, season four is just what you need to start the journey to uncaping. The theme for this season is "Things...
Healing the Little Black Girl Behind the Strong Black Woman
It's time to heal the little Black girl behind the strong Black woman. The life you long for, the deep connections you desire are buried inside the little Black girl behind the Strong Black woman. The little Black girl who was conditioned to never cry, ask for help...
Rest. Because Sometimes Your Strength Gets Tired
Rest is NOT just another four letter word. Your body is your temple, your temple is your strength, and sometimes your strength gets tired. When that happens, it's time to explore the temple to determine which part of this sacred space needs rest. The goal here is...
The Fine Line Between Being Independent and TOO Independent
There’s a difference between doing something because you have to or because you don’t have support and doing something because you don’t trust anyone else to do it, because you don’t want to relinquish control, or because you don’t want to owe...
