Black Girls Bonding

Kianti Brown Whitney

This is a place where Black women can come and feel safe to share their experiences and challenge the status quo.  From managing relationships and career, to navigating day-to-day life, this is a space for community and connection.

  1. APR 24

    The Visibility Tax

    Black women have been visible for a long time. In culture. In labor. In struggle. In the room. And yet visibility alone has never been enough to guarantee protection, resources, or rest. In this episode, Kianti gets into it. A recent headline sparked a bigger conversation about what it actually costs Black women to choose themselves, and whether that choice is even equally available to all of us. Spoiler: Kianti had feelings. A lot of them. We're talking about the difference between taking up space and having the infrastructure to do it, the impossible standard Black women are held to no matter what they choose, and why being seen has never automatically meant being supported. This one is personal, a little spicy, and very much a kitchen table conversation. In this episode: The headline that started it all — and what it really stirred upVisibility without protection: a pattern as old as usThe double standard that never seems to go awayWhat "choosing yourself" actually requires  and who gets to do it freelyA real talk about rest, permission, and the price we pay either wayKianti also shared how much she LOVED Kristen Berry's novel, "We Don't Talk About Carol."  Check out the link to purchase here. Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    21 min

  2. APR 10

    Pleasure Is Power: Reclaiming Your Body, Joy, and Yourself with Dr. Nikki

    In this deeply affirming and honest conversation, Kianti sits down with Dr. Nikki,  licensed psychologist, published scholar, and unapologetic advocate for Black women's well-being, to talk about what it really costs high-achieving Black women to keep showing up for everyone but themselves. Dr. Nikki opens up about her own winding path: from university professor to getting tenure at the University of Houston, hitting burnout, navigating an integrity clash at MD Anderson over anti-racism training, and ultimately going full private practice in 2021 at 51. Her story is a masterclass in betting on yourself — even when it's scary. In this episode, we get into: Why high-achieving Black women are often the most disconnected from their own pleasure and how it all starts in childhoodThe link between proximity to white supremacist culture and delayed emotional developmentWhy pleasure (yes, all kinds) is a source of power and reclamation, not indulgenceWhat it actually looks like to advocate for yourself sexually and why most partners want to know but need a roadmapPractical ways to reconnect with your body when masturbation or sex feels off the tablePerimenopause: what nobody told us, what our mamas went through unmedicated, and why we're doing it differentlyWhat "choosing yourself" looks like as a Black woman — and how watching little Black girls be free reminded Dr. Nikki of who she was before the world got to herDr. Nikki is a licensed psychologist currently accepting individual and group therapy clients (high-achieving Black women) virtually in 46 states. 📌 Find Dr. Nikki: @DrNikkiKnows on Instagram, Threads, YouTube | DrNikkiKnows.com 📖 What Dr. Nikki is reading: Criminal Intentions by Cole McCabe — a queer, diverse crime thriller she describes as an absolute chokehold. Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    53 min

  3. MAR 27

    Finding Joy in the Chaos

    This week’s episode was inspired by a podcast episode I heard with poet Ross Gay, who shared how he intentionally looks for small daily delights and writes them down. That idea stuck and sparked a bigger reflection about how easy it is to train our minds to find what’s wrong instead of what’s good. In this solo episode of Black Girls Bonding, we talk about:  How our brains can become wired to scan for problems  Why finding joy can feel uncomfortable during chaotic times  The idea that delight might be an antidote to isolation  How community shows up in the simplest, most everyday moments Kianti shares real examples of what has been bringing her joy lately, including:  Slow mornings with coffee and quiet thoughts  Reading in an oversized chair with jazz in the background  Cozy reality TV nights with friends  Long catch-up calls that cover everything from life updates to pop culture chaos A surprising realization emerges: most moments of delight are free and rooted in connection. The episode ends with a question for listeners:  What delights are you intentionally making space for right now? Next week, a guest joins the show for a conversation you won’t want to miss. Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    23 min

  4. MAR 13

    The Meantime

    Atlanta is having one of those “fake spring” weeks. Warm sunshine one day, cold temperatures the next. It feels like the weather is faking us out. That idea ended up becoming the perfect metaphor for this season of life. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what it means to sit in the meantime. That period where things are moving, but maybe not as quickly or as smoothly as you hoped. Over the past few months, I’ve had a lot of honest conversations with fellow entrepreneurs, many of them Black women, and we’ve all been saying the same thing. The year isn’t quite popping the way we expected. That realization pushed me to look inward and ask some hard questions. Was I really doing everything I could be doing? Was fear holding me back from taking bigger, bolder steps? What would it look like to trust my track record and move forward anyway? In this episode, I talk about: • The fear that shows up when we try to build something new  • Why remembering your “receipts” matters  • How Black women are often taught to shrink instead of celebrate ourselves  • What it looks like to use slow seasons intentionally  • Finding joy, rest, and growth in the meantime Because the truth is, life rarely lines up perfectly. There is almost always something unfinished, uncertain, or still unfolding. So the question becomes: what do we do with the time in between? Pop Culture Corner This week I’m talking about the HBO series Industry and while I loved the show, I hated each one of the characters. It has all of the makings of your fave new show: the ambition, the cutthroat culture, and the characters you love to hate. Let’s just say… I couldn’t root for any of them. Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    21 min

  5. FEB 13

    Soft Life. Hard Truths.

    Most of us have been told that growth requires discomfort. Intellectually, we get that. We nod along. We agree. Emotionally? It hits different. In this episode, I share a moment that stopped me in my tracks while I was on my treadmill, huffing through an incline workout. When my instructor said, “If you’re comfortable, increase your speed,” it felt like she was talking about more than fitness. I’ve been clear about wanting a soft and lucrative life. Slow mornings. Coffee. Journaling. Movement. Rest. But what I had to confront is this: softness does not eliminate discomfort. It simply means you choose where and how you stretch yourself. In this episode, I talk about: Why comfort won’t produce the results we say we wantHow softness and ambition can coexistThe areas in my life where I am choosing to turn up the heatWhat it really takes to build the business, body, and life you envisionThere is no point of arrival. There is only evolution. If you’re feeling stuck, craving growth, or wondering how to balance ease with effort, this one is for you. And yes, I give my quick take on Selling Sunset because I am late and obsessed. DM me or email me and tell me: where are you willing to get uncomfortable? Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    22 min

  6. JAN 30

    The Real Deal Holyfield: A Refreshing and Honest Look at Marriage with Carline Hooker

    In this episode, host Kianti sits down with her homegirl, Carline Hooker, the "saleswoman extraordinaire" and founder of NetworkIt. Carline brings 14 years of marriage experience (and 17 years of partnership) to the table for a conversation that moves past the "Instagrammable" version of relationships and into the "real deal Holyfield" truth. Whether you are single, dating, or decades into a marriage, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what it actually takes to build a life with someone else. Inside This Episode: Moving Beyond "Communication": Carline explains why she "hates" the standard advice that communication is the key to marriage and offers actionable alternatives.The Power of Service: A deep dive into the definition of love as "taking actions to help another person win".Different by Design: Understanding the fundamental biological and psychological differences between partners to remove barriers of tension.Prioritizing Values: How to recognize when your personal priorities, like efficiency, might be inadvertently "poo-pooing" on your partner's strengths.Safe Spaces for Honesty: Identifying safe spaces to discuss challenges and obstacles as they arise in marriage.About the Guest: Carline Hooker is the founder and owner of NetworkIt, a community focused on connecting people for the sake of genuine connection rather than just business revenue. You can find her at networkitcoach.com or on Instagram at @NetworkItCoach or @carline_hkr. Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    58 min

  7. JAN 16

    Gentle Beginnings

    It’s been a minute, but I’m back and easing into the year with intention. In this episode, I’m talking about why I’m rejecting “strong starts” and choosing a softer beginning to the year instead. I reflect on last year as my first full year in business, what it meant to simply be profitable, cared for, and steady, and why that deserves celebration. We talk about seasonal energy, rest, and why winter is not the time to force growth. I share how I’m aligning more intentionally with natural cycles, including the 13 moon calendar, and why I’m giving myself permission to nurture what already exists instead of rushing into what’s next. I also reflect on different life paths, motherhood, and a powerful reminder that there are many peak human moments worth celebrating. Becoming a mother is one of them. It is not the only one. And, of course, I wrap with quick takes on what I watched over the break. If you’re craving ease, rest, and affirmation that you’re not behind, this one’s for you. Mentioned in this episode:  Link to source on the 13 moon calendarWatch list quick takes: Knives OutOne Battle After AnotherPluribusReal Housewives of Salt Lake City If this episode resonated, share it with a friend, rate the show, and be sure to subscribe wherever you listen. Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    22 min

  8. 12/05/2025

    Soft Endings

    In this the last episode of 2025 and as we roll into the end of the year, I want to offer something different. No “end the year strong.” No “grind ‘til the last minute.” I’m over it, and I know a lot of y’all are too. In this freestyle episode, I’m talking about what it looks like to close the year softly with intention, gentleness, and care. I share the three things I’m doing to wrap 2025 in a way that actually nourishes me instead of draining me: 1. Ending my workday early. I’m committed to shutting things down by 3 p.m. when I can, giving myself back time, space, and ease. 2. Reconnecting with my people. Spending time with the community I’ve built in Atlanta, meeting up more in person, and supplementing those meet-ups with FaceTimes and phone calls to the folks who aren’t close by. 3. Resting + reconnecting with myself. Doing what makes my spirit light. Dancing until I sweat. Hitting a dance floor and losing myself in joy. Choosing softness as a practice. If you’re tired, stretched thin, or over the pressure to “push through,” this one’s for you. Let’s end the year in softness, not stress. Instagram @BlackGirlsBonding

    14 min
See All (64)

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

This is a place where Black women can come and feel safe to share their experiences and challenge the status quo.  From managing relationships and career, to navigating day-to-day life, this is a space for community and connection.

Information

  • Creator
    Kianti Brown Whitney
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Black Girls Bonding
  • Show Website
    Black Girls Bonding