Episodes

  • Taking Up Space: Community and Confidence with Ber-Henda Williams

    Taking Up Space: Community and Confidence with Ber-Henda Williams
    Dec 25 2025

    In this episode, hosts Makayla, Ameena, and Kyla sit down with mentor Ber-Henda Williams, an empathetic leadership coach, cultural strategist, and storyteller, for a powerful conversation about Black girlhood, leadership, and the importance of community. Together, they explore what it means to take up space, trust yourself, and navigate growth while honoring where you come from.

    The girls ask honest questions about identity, fear, and the future, opening up about transitions from middle school to high school and into college, learning how to advocate for themselves, and discovering the courage to be unapologetically authentic. Through humor, wisdom, and heartfelt stories, this episode reinforces that no one is meant to carry life alone—and that community is essential to survival and success.

    This episode is a reminder that becoming yourself is a journey rooted in self-trust, support, and truth—and that every Black girl deserves to be celebrated, protected, and reminded of her power along the way.

    You'll Discover:

    Community & Support

    Why having a village, mentors, and "real ones" is essential for mental health, growth, and leadership.

    Owning Your Voice

    Why speaking up, taking risks, and trusting yourself are acts of courage and self-respect.

    Becoming Yourself

    What it really looks like to grow, evolve, and find your way—even when life doesn't go as planned.

    This episode celebrates the honesty, strength, humor, and brilliance of young Black women learning to trust themselves and lead from who they are.

    Listener Poll

    • What resonated most with you after this episode?
    • How do you build community when you're carrying something heavy?
    • What's one thing your younger self wouldn't believe about you now?
    • When do you need the most encouragement to take up space?

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    This podcast is created by Carina Jackson. Ms. Jackson is a certified wellness coach & activist. She is also the Chief Operations Officer for Mariners Inn - a human services organization that provides services to men and their families in Detroit, Michigan. You can learn more about Carina Jackson here.

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    If you would love to connect with Carina or learn more about The S.H.E. Experience podcast, follow these spaces:

    Carina's Instagram

    Mariner's Inn LinkedIn

    Carina's LinkedIn

    S.H.E. Instagram

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    The S.H.E. Experience is proudly produced by Culture Shift(Hers) Unite — Empathic Feminine Leadership for an Emerging World. Learn more at www.ber-hendawilliams.com.

    The intro and outro music, Real Ones by King Sis, was found on Epidemic sound.

    This is a Crackers In Soup production.
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    23 mins
  • Growing Through the Transition: Mental Health, School Pressure & Finding Your Voice

    Growing Through the Transition: Mental Health, School Pressure & Finding Your Voice
    Dec 11 2025
    The SHE Experience is a space where young Black women share their voices, challenge stereotypes, and explore what it means to grow into womanhood with confidence, grace, and authenticity. Through candid conversations, the hosts use storytelling to unpack real issues that shape their generation—from self-image and identity to culture, confidence, and healing. In this episode, hosts Makayla, Ameena, and Kyla take listeners on an honest journey through one of the most defining phases of life: transitioning from middle school to high school and from high school to college. They open up about the pressure to fit in, the struggle to stay motivated, and the emotional ups and downs that come with growing up in environments filled with change, expectations, and uncertainty. The girls talk openly about academic burnout, shifting friendships, people-pleasing, COVID learning, and the challenge of figuring out who you really are when everything around you is evolving. They share stories about fighting for respect, navigating loneliness, questioning their next steps, and trying to balance school, work, mental health, and identity all at once. They also explore what it means to advocate for yourself—whether it's asking for help, setting boundaries, or choosing friendships that support and uplift you. Through reflection and real-life experiences, they remind listeners that growth isn't linear. It's messy, confusing, empowering, and deeply personal. This episode is a reminder that becoming yourself takes courage—and that every Black girl deserves the space, support, and community to find her voice along the way. You'll Discover Transitions & Identity: How changing schools and environments impacts confidence and self-perception. Mental Health in School: Real talk about stress, burnout, and navigating academic expectations. Friendships & Boundaries: How to spot real friends, stop people-pleasing, and build relationships that feel safe. Owning Your Voice: Why speaking up and asking for help is a powerful act of self-respect. Becoming Yourself: What it looks like to evolve emotionally, socially, and academically as you grow up. This episode celebrates the strength, honesty, and brilliance of young women becoming who they are—on their own terms. Listener Poll What resonates most with you after this episode? What's one way you reclaim your confidence during hard transitions? What's something people never guess about you? When do you catch yourself people-pleasing the most? 🧘🏾‍♀️👩🏾‍🎨🦸🏾‍♀️👩🏾👩🏾‍🦳👩🏾‍🦱 This podcast is created by Carina Jackson. Ms. Jackson is a certified wellness coach & activist. She is also the Chief Operations Officer for Mariners Inn - a human services organization that provides services to men and their families in Detroit, Michigan. You can learn more about Carina Jackson here. 🧘🏾‍♀️👩🏾‍🎨🦸🏾‍♀️👩🏾👩🏾‍🦳👩🏾‍🦱 If you would love to connect with Carina or learn more about The S.H.E. Experience podcast, follow these spaces: Carina's Instagram Mariner's Inn LinkedIn Carina's LinkedIn S.H.E. Instagram 🧘🏾‍♀️👩🏾‍🎨🦸🏾‍♀️👩🏾👩🏾‍🦳👩🏾‍🦱 The S.H.E. Experience is proudly produced by Culture Shift(Hers) Unite — Empathic Feminine Leadership for an Emerging World. Learn more at www.ber-hendawilliams.com. The intro and outro music, Real Ones by King Sis, was found on Epidemic sound. This is a Crackers In Soup production.
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    18 mins