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

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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.

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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.

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Was the First Lady’s dress disrespectful… or simply modern fashion? In this episode of Raised By Her, we break down the viral Pastor Jamal Bryant / Karri Turner controversy and what it reveals about church culture, boundaries, and double standards.

We also revisit the long-awaited Oprah Winfrey & Iyanla Vanzant reunion—unpacking the real reason they fell out, what reconciliation requires, and the healing lesson behind: “I couldn’t hear you.”

Plus: we respond to listener feedback from our viral “Black Love” conversation, touch the RHOP/Gizelle Bryant connection, and close with a powerful conversation about MacKenzie Scott’s major giving to HBCUs like Spelman and why it might be time to audit your circle for growth.

In This Episode:

• Listener feedback: “Black Love Only” & what people really meant
• Interracial vs. intercultural relationships
• Oprah vs. Iyanla: why they feuded and how they repaired it
• Communication breakdowns + healing when someone can’t “hear” you
• Boundaries in family dynamics (and why it’s hard)
• Jamal Bryant / Karri Turner: faith, fashion, and church expectations
• RHOP ties: Gizelle Bryant & Jamal’s past
• MacKenzie Scott, HBCUs, and the power of philanthropy
• “Audit your circle” for personal growth
• Podfest plans (yes—Disney bound)

Timestamps:

00:00 Addressing the “Black Love Only” Comments
00:39 Interracial vs. Intercultural Relationships
03:53 Is She the Next Oprah? (The Comparison)
09:53 The Real Reason Oprah & Iyanla Feuded
13:57 “I Couldn't Hear You”: Healing Communication Breakdowns
19:57 “Get Out!” - My Mom Hated How I Set Boundaries
22:02 The Maya Angelou Rule: Not In My House
24:41 Too Sexy for Church? The First Lady Dress Scandal
30:25 The RHOP Connection: Gizelle Bryant & Jamal’s Past
37:31 Why MacKenzie Scott Gave Millions to HBCUs
41:34 Audit Your Circle: Why Diversity Matters
49:50 We’re Going to Podfest! (Disney World Bound)

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

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Welcome back to Raised By Her!

We’re kicking off the New Year with equal parts chaos, culture, and celebration. In this episode, we unpack a tense misunderstanding with police at a VA hospital (yes—expired insurance and Santa hats were involved), then shift into the unsettling reality of riding in a self-driving Tesla Model 3 and how EV ownership is changing what maintenance really looks like.

From there, we dive into pop culture and relationships—starting with Venus Williams’ wedding and the online criticism surrounding interracial marriage. We share our own lived experiences navigating interracial relationships, cultural differences at home, and the unexpected challenges that come with wedding planning.

From “no kids allowed” policies to accidentally hosting an illegal riverboat wedding on the Ohio River—and even discussing Indian wedding traditions involving elephants—this episode is a reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, but it can still be one you love.

What we cover

• Police encounters and lessons learned the hard way
• Self-driving cars, Tesla anxiety, and EV maintenance realities
• Interracial marriage and cultural fusion in families
• Wedding planning disasters, traditions, and boundaries
• Aging gracefully, identity, and choosing a life you can love

Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome to 2026
0:28 – Surrounded by Police: The Traffic Stop Story
2:40 – Dealing with Aggressive Officers
5:22 – The Lesson: Check Your Insurance
7:50 – Terrified by a Self-Driving Tesla
12:50 – Gas Cars vs. EVs (Maintenance Costs)
15:40 – Venus Williams & Aging Gracefully
18:47 – Interracial Marriage Controversy
23:38 – Cultural Differences at Home
28:30 – Wedding Planning Gone Wrong
35:20 – The “Illegal” Riverboat Wedding
38:53 – No-Kids Wedding Debate
41:35 – Indian Wedding Traditions
45:32 – Live a Life You Can Love

🎤 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.

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Are you exhausted from high achievement—or struggling to communicate effectively at work?

In this episode of Raised by Her, we unpack why being “direct” isn’t always effective, explore the dark side of the Enneagram Type 3, and reflect on what it really takes to move into 2026 without burning out.

Through an honest mother–daughter conversation, we reflect on the challenges of 2025 and set the stage for a more intentional, sustainable approach to ambition, leadership, and self-care. If you’ve ever felt the physical toll of stress, the guilt of slowing down, or the pressure to always perform, this episode is for you.

We dive deep into:

• High achievement, burnout, and Enneagram Type 3 tendencies
• Why “being direct” can cross into being perceived as rude at work
• How small shifts in communication (yes—even a smiley face) can change outcomes
• Mentorship, manifestation, and meeting your heroes
• Generational differences in work, style, and success
• The rise of the day party and redefining joy at every age

Whether you’re navigating leadership, corporate communication, or personal growth—or just want a thoughtful (and funny) conversation between a mother and daughter—this episode offers wisdom, reflection, and forward momentum.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

• 0:00 – Surviving the chaos of 2025
• 1:48 – What your body tells you about stress
• 3:33 – How to raise unapologetic daughters
• 5:02 – The dark side of being an Enneagram 3
• 6:36 – Are you living in the past?
• 10:44 – How I manifested my dream mentor
• 13:02 – The truth about meeting your heroes
• 18:42 – Direct vs. rude: a hard lesson in communication
• 22:04 – The “smiley face” rule in corporate emails
• 29:14 – Advice on “trying” vs. doing
• 32:36 – Why day parties are superior (at any age)
• 40:10 – Millennial comfort vs. boomer style

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

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In this special holiday episode of Raised by Her, we dive into the rising controversy surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs and unpack the culture of 90s hip-hop through Ro Nita’s firsthand experience as a radio station owner.

Ro Nita shares never-before-heard stories from inside the industry — from the era of Bad Boy Records to the difference between authentic talent and carefully manufactured celebrity. You’ll hear wild behind-the-scenes moments, including a tense standoff with K-Ci & JoJo in a limo and her encounter with a young Destiny’s Child before they became icons.

We also explore leadership through a modern lens, comparing Diddy’s ego-driven culture to Taylor Swift’s recent generosity toward her team. Plus, we reflect on our favorite memories from the Kennedy Center Honors, navigating the “dirty lyrics” era as a parent, and why giving back remains at the heart of our family Christmas traditions.

Grab your cocoa — this episode blends industry insight, cultural commentary, and heartfelt holiday reflections.

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

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We recorded an entire episode… and lost it. So we hit reset and turned a podcast disaster into one of our realest conversations yet about holiday grief, family boundaries, and surviving the chaos of the season.

In this episode of Raised By Her, we keep it 100%. Donnica shares what really happened the night she was honored at the Who’s Who in Black Dayton & Cincinnati awards—including the valet meltdown that left hundreds stranded in the cold.

We open up about navigating the holidays while grieving and how we’re learning to show up emotionally when the season feels heavy. We also dive into:

• The viral trend of Millennials going “No Contact” with parents
• How to handle difficult in-laws and family drama
• Why setting boundaries is essential for your mental health
• And… the reason Ro Nita is forcing the family to go caroling (even though she can’t sing)

If you’re moving through loss, trying to protect your peace, or dealing with complicated family dynamics this time of year, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Ohio weather is bipolar
1:05 - The "Lost Episode" disaster (We forgot to hit record!)
2:40 - Broadcasting horror stories & finding joy in failure
4:57 - Mom gets honored at "Who's Who in Black Dayton"
8:12 - The 45-minute Valet Parking nightmare
11:44 - How to handle holiday grief & setting boundaries
16:22 - Bringing back the Caroling Party tradition
19:35 - Our favorite holiday games (Charades & Trivia)
23:45 - The case of the missing Christmas decorations
26:25 - The truth about marrying into a difficult family
28:31 - "No Mother-in-Law Required": A dating horror story
30:23 - Why Millennials are going "No Contact" with parents
33:51 - Forgiving people for your own peace
36:02 - Choosing your "Word of the Year" for 2026
40:13 - Morning rituals for a better life

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

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