Is Melania Trump’s reported $25 million documentary a cinematic statement—or reality TV with a prestige budget? In this episode of Raised by Her, we compare Melania’s new film buzz to Michelle Obama’s Becoming and unpack why audiences are responding so differently.

We zoom out into the “business” of being a First Lady—storytelling, legacy, branding, budgets, and impact—then pivot into leadership, media training, and pop culture moments that reveal a lot about power and perception.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between legacy storytelling and image control
• Budget vs. audience impact: what really moves people
• Leadership lessons from America's Next Top Model and Tyra Banks’s mentorship style
• A candid political moment from Donnica’s Washington, D.C. lobbying days
• Why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—new love, new careers, new chapters
• A media-training breakdown of Serena Williams’ viral interview moment on Today with Savannah Guthrie

Pop culture pivots we couldn’t ignore: Cher, Vanna White, and the real truth about “retirement” and reinvention.

Timestamps
0:00 – The $25M Melania Trump Documentary: Hit or Miss?
2:10 – Why People are Re-watching Michelle Obama’s Becoming
4:25 – The "Business" of First Ladies: Budgets vs. Impact
6:30 – Passing the Mantle: Why the Next Generation Needs to Lead
10:45 – The Fight for Justice: What’s Happening in Minneapolis?
13:30 – Why This Congressman Told Me He Doesn't Want Educated Voters
18:50 – Tyra Banks Exposed: Was She a Diva or a Mentor?
22:40 – The Excellence Standard: How to Give Criticism That Works
25:50 – It’s Never Too Late: Modeling in Your 70s & New Beginnings
28:15 – Serena Williams vs. Savannah Guthrie: What Went Wrong?
32:45 – Media Training 101: How to Control Your Narrative
35:20 – Defining Your "Next Phase": The Truth About Retirement

🎤 New episodes every week. Honest conversations between mother and daughter on family, womanhood, and navigating life across generations.

Speaking, partnerships, and press: raisedbyherpodcast@gmail.com.

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe to be part of the conversation.

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Did a world-famous motivational speaker build her brand on ideas rooted in Black women’s intellectual labor—without giving credit? This week on Raised By Her, we dive deep into the growing controversy surrounding Brené Brown and the broader conversation about ownership, influence, and attribution.

We also respond to listener feedback from our last episode—including a wild accusation that the podcast is “funded by Rush Limbaugh”—and break down why criticism, humor, and transparency all matter when you’re creating in public.

The celebration continues as we highlight Black excellence in film: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s Sinners makes history with 16 Oscar nominations, and Mom drops an unexpected story about her time as an extra in the 1970s classic Superfly.

From there, the conversation shifts to sports and culture—from the changing dynamics of college football and NIL deals to the ongoing disrespect Black women athletes face, including Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff. We close the episode by unpacking our Words of the Year for 2026 and reflecting on why real growth requires stepping outside your comfort zone.

This episode blends culture, critique, humor, and honesty—exactly what Raised By Her is about.

Topics Covered

• Responding to viral listener backlash
• Black excellence at the Oscars (Sinners breaks records)
• College football, NIL deals, and athlete power
• Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, and respect in women’s sports
• Brené Brown plagiarism allegations and intellectual credit
• Choosing your Word of the Year for transformation

Timestamps

00:00 – Surviving the “Snowstorm of the Century”
02:02 – The Lynn Jones Journalism Controversy
03:28 – Hate Comment of the Week: “Funded by Rush Limbaugh?!”
05:58 – Sinners Makes History: 16 Oscar Nominations
07:43 – Why Sinners Is Bigger Than a Horror Film
17:10 – Storytime: Mom Was an Extra in Superfly
20:30 – Is the Transfer Portal Ruining College Football?
23:55 – NIL Deals, Player Rights & Power Shifts
33:30 – The Disrespect of Naomi Osaka & Coco Gauff
39:50 – The Brené Brown Controversy Explained
44:40 – Our Words of the Year for 2026
51:30 – Final Reflections: What Raised By Her Really Means

🎤 New episodes every week. Honest conversations between mother and daughter on family, womanhood, and navigating life across generations.

Speaking, partnerships, and press: raisedbyherpodcast@gmail.com.

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe to be part of the conversation.

📱 Instagram: / raisedbyherpodcast
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Did you know our grandmothers were best friends with Dave Chappelle’s family? We open up about our real-life connection to the comedy legend and the truth about Yellow Springs.

In this episode, we bridge the gap between generations to tackle the biggest cultural conversations of the week. We start by sharing our "freezing" experience at Podfest in Orlando and the realities of the podcasting business versus traditional broadcasting. Then, we dive deep into Martin Luther King Jr. Day, debating the sanitized version of MLK versus the radical reality of the Civil Rights movement.

Later, we discuss the recent controversy surrounding journalist Lynn Jones and her compassionate interview with the Jaguars coach—was it unprofessional, or is the media too cold? Finally, we challenge you to look at your own life: Are you evolving, or are you just repeating the same year over and over? Join us for wisdom, class, and a little bit of tea.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Freezing in Florida (The Podfest Experience)
01:48 - Broadcasting vs. Podcasting: The Business Shift
04:20 - MLK Day: Why We Can’t Just "Hold Hands"
08:25 - Was MLK Becoming Malcolm X?
11:30 - Reviewing Dave Chappelle’s New Special
15:30 - Our Personal Family Ties to Dave Chappelle
19:20 - The Truth About Yellow Springs & Gentrification
20:30 - The Lynn Jones Controversy: Compassion vs. Professionalism
24:12 - Why Black Media Is Still Fighting for Credentials
27:20 - 2016 vs. Today: Are You Better Off?
32:00 - The 10-Year Plan: Stop Stagnating
35:45 - The Power of Intergenerational Conversations

🎤 New episodes every week. Honest conversations between mother and daughter on family, womanhood, and navigating life across generations.

Speaking, partnerships, and press: raisedbyherpodcast@gmail.com.

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe to be part of the conversation.

📱 Instagram: / raisedbyherpodcast
📘 Facebook: / raisedbyherpodcast
𝕏 X/Twitter: https://x.com/RaisedByHerPod
📲 Follow us on TikTok: @RaisedByHerPodcast

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