The Letters and Layers Podcast

Amaka Gratia
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

In a media landscape that prioritizes sensationalism, sound bites, and superficial conversations, Amaka, host of The Letters and Layers Podcast, brings her authentic self to each episode, and goes deep with discussing life lessons, personal experiences, books she loves, and mental health topics like depression, anxiety, and healing from trauma . Tune in for insight on personal growth and improvement that resonate with Black women today.

  1. 102. Tools for Better Sleep! Lifestyle Changes & Product-Based Tips

    5D AGO

    102. Tools for Better Sleep! Lifestyle Changes & Product-Based Tips

    Hi everyone! Coming to you half-way through the month with some helpful conversation around sleep. Many of us could use longer, better quality sleep at night and I wanted to share things that have worked for me along with recommendations I've shared with patients, family and friends (12:19). I hope you listed to the end! I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    31 min
  2. 101. Matriarch by Tina Knowles Part 1

    FEB 1

    101. Matriarch by Tina Knowles Part 1

    Happy February! We are kicking off this month with the first installment of my thoughts on the book Matriarch by Ms. Tina Knowles. I have really enjoyed this memoir so far. Ms. Tina shares so much, and does a great job with chronicling pivotal moments in her life while also sharing much of her childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, and how all phases played a role in who she was a wife, and is as a mother and whole person. I share my thoughts after my personal update (10:12) and hope you listen to the end. I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    48 min
  3. 100. Happy 100th Episode! I'm Quitting my Job & Betting on Myself in 2026

    JAN 15

    100. Happy 100th Episode! I'm Quitting my Job & Betting on Myself in 2026

    Happy New Year! I'm excited to fire up the microphone and reconnect with my listeners for the first episode of 2026. It is the 100th episode (!!!) and I can't believe the podcast has reached this point. I am immensely grateful to any and everyone who has listened and continues to do so. After sharing an update on my holiday, I talk about the decision to put in my notice and leave one of my positions as a Psych NP (13:37). I discuss my thought process with coming to this decision, and the urgency I feel in letting go what's holding me back and betting on myself this year. I hope you listen to the end. I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    32 min
  4. 099. A Short Break & A Moment of Gratitude: 2025 Recap & Hopes for 2026

    12/15/2025

    099. A Short Break & A Moment of Gratitude: 2025 Recap & Hopes for 2026

    We've made it to the final episode of the year and I feel so much gratitude for the success of this podcast this year and life personally. I used this episode to talk a little bit about my weekend and then shared what I'm thankful for this year. Lastly I talk about my hopes for 2026 - I'm looking forward to slowing all the way down and getting to know myself deeper as a woman who's transitioning into motherhood. I also talk about some career changes I'm working on and how that life will look a lot different a year from now. I hope you listen to the end. Happy New Year in advance! There will be no January 1st. episode. See you back on the 15th! I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    27 min
  5. 098. I'm Having a Baby! First Trimester Reflections & 2nd Trimester Thoughts (So Far)

    12/01/2025

    098. I'm Having a Baby! First Trimester Reflections & 2nd Trimester Thoughts (So Far)

    Happy December! As you can see from the title, I have some big news to share with my listeners, and am so happy to talk about what this pregnancy and journey to motherhood has been like for me so far. I hope you listen to the end. I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    48 min
  6. 097. Review of Hulu's All's Fair, & Dissecting the 10-Year Overnight Success

    11/15/2025

    097. Review of Hulu's All's Fair, & Dissecting the 10-Year Overnight Success

    On this episode of The Letters & Layers, Podcast, I share my review of Hulu's new show All's Fair, and talk about the concept of the 10-year overnight success. I share some examples and honorable mentions that are meant to remind us that often the people we see in the spotlight have worked years to get to where they are and if you believe in what your doing, know that time is on your side. I hope you listen to the end. I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    40 min
  7. 096. Reframing the (Necessary) Cost to Maintain Friendships & PSA: Drink Your Water!

    11/01/2025

    096. Reframing the (Necessary) Cost to Maintain Friendships & PSA: Drink Your Water!

    It's November! The holiday season is upon us, and that can mean more socializing and being out more with friends and family. I had to do some personal reframing for myself last weekend as someone who struggled with friendships when younger, but has done the work to build a community over the years. The cost of maintaining friendships is time and energy, and 9 times out of 10, it is always worth it. I also share a gentle reminder around the benefits of regular hydration. Daily adequate water intake is so important yet not encouraged enough, but is essential to so may bodily functions, and can often be the reason why we don't feel our best. I hope you listen to the end. Thank you again to the Black Podcasting Association for awarding TLLP the Best Personal Development Podcast of 2025! I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    20 min
  8. 095. 107 Days by Former Vice President Kamala Harris

    10/15/2025

    095. 107 Days by Former Vice President Kamala Harris

    It is the middle of October and I am excited to bring you an episode focused solely on my thoughts of former Vice President Kamala Harris' new book 107 Days. It was a pleasure to read while also feeling strong empathy for her navigating the insurmountable task of campaigning to be President of the United States in only three and half months, and still also dealing with challenges only unique to Black women. I feel like I know and understand her better as a person and would recommend the book if you'd like to get to know her better too. After giving my personal update, I start discussing the book at the (7:26) mark. I hope you listen to the end. Thank you again to the Black Podcasting Association for nominating the podcast for Best Personal Development Podcast! I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support! EMAIL: contact@thelettersandlayers.com New podcast Instagram! @thelettersandlayerspod. Give us a follow! I appreciate you!

    34 min
See All (103)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In a media landscape that prioritizes sensationalism, sound bites, and superficial conversations, Amaka, host of The Letters and Layers Podcast, brings her authentic self to each episode, and goes deep with discussing life lessons, personal experiences, books she loves, and mental health topics like depression, anxiety, and healing from trauma . Tune in for insight on personal growth and improvement that resonate with Black women today.

Information