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.
Subscribe and Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
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 TUESDAY.
Supporting Others Through Emotional Pain [A Summer of Encores]
My strong is healing in a way that feels right for me. We gotta stop telling people that they can choose to be happy when they're in the thick of a traumatic event because sometimes CHOOSING happiness is not possible in that moment. Though well intentioned, our...
Black Girls Socialized to Be Strong [A Summer of Encores]
My strong is NOT sociaiizing Black girls to be strong. We're on summer break, but we didn't want to leave you with no SOS, so for the next several weeks we'll be dropping some of our most listened to episodes. Unlike Beyonce most Black women didn't wake up like...
Tšhegofatšo Ndabane on Her Approach to Overcoming Burnout
"My strong is honoring my full body yeses, and trusting even the quietest whispers of my no's" In today's episode Tšhegofatšo Ndabane shares how she spent so much time caring for others til she didn't know how to care for herself. She goes on to share how a bout...
Signs Your Strong Friend Needs Support
"I don't know who needs to hear this, but check on your strong friends." How many times have you seen this statement floating around social media? How many times did you actually check on your strong friend? How many times did she say, "I'm good." ... and how many...
Paballo Rampa on Celebrating Herself and Healing from Ancestral Trauma
"What if you're having a tough day and you manage to get out of bed? That's worth celebrating." In today's episode Paballo Rampa gives us a peek inside her journey to healing from the Strong Black Woman Syndrome. She paints us a picture of how she spent years...
When You Have to Let Your Mother Go
Mothers, they're human, they're flawed, and they have their own stories. But their stories don't have to dictate how we live our lives. Mother's Day is peeking over the horizon which means we'll soon be flooded with commercials, social media posts and Hallmark...
