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 FRIDAY.
DAY 10 Uncaping, Unmasking, Unhiding | The Fight Trauma Response & Cookie Lyon
Listen! Cookie Lyon DID NOT come out the gate swinging. The way we see it (considering all the hell she went through) she had two options -- FIGHT or FLIGHT, and if you know anything about Cookie Lyon, you KNOW she is NOT about that FLIGHT life. In today's episode...
DAY 9 Uncaping, Unmasking, Unhiding |The Ride or Die That is Cookie Lyon
Alright guys!! Today we're continuing our conversation on Cookie Lyons -- the RIDE or DIE chick none of us wanted to be. As much as we LOVE Cookie Lyon, we are SO NOT here for how (on so many occasions) she was willing to RIDE or DIE for Luscious. So, I think...
DAY 8 Uncaping, Unmasking, Unhiding | Is Cookie Lyon an Angry Black Woman
This week we're peeling back the layers of another "Black Superwoman" in our 30 Days to Uncaping, Unmasking, and Unhiding series. To some, Cookie Lyon of the hit show Empire, may be the epitome of the angry Black woman because she's loud, rude, and obnoxious......
DAY 7 Uncaping, Unmasking, Unhiding | Kick People Pleasing to the Curb
In today's episode we're wrapping up our conversation on Olivia Pope. Over the past week we've take a deep dive into her people pleasing characteristics and behaviors to get a bird's eye view of why she does life the way she does. It is hope that you were able to...
DAY 6 Uncaping, Unmasking, Unhiding | Ten Whole Years of People Pleasing
We are continuing our conversation on the dangers of living a life of people pleasing and how Black women easily fall prey to it because of the unreasonable expectations we place on ourselves and how we succumb to the outrageous expectations of others. There are...
DAY 5 Uncaping, Unmasking, Unhiding | People Pleasing A Harmless Act of Love or a Mental Health Risk?
People pleasing may seem like a harmless act of love", but the truth is it can lead to serious health risks, including stress, anxiety, and depression. It is virtually impossible to be all the things to all the people AND prioritize your own self care. People...
