Cocoa Butter and Communion

Chioko Grevious

Addressing generational trauma is essential to healing but accessing the wounds that need to be healed can be emotionally draining work. Psychotherapist Chioko Grevious communes with her village as they delve into the beauty, love and complexities of Black families, generational joy and trauma and their Black experiences. Each episode contains powerful and thought provoking conversations that can bring tears but will be a source of humor, love, connection and understanding. You will gain insight into, not only yourself but your own village, your family and the community surrounding you.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Power of Our Roots with Lakiba Pittman

    In this engaging conversation, I chat with my elder, Lakiba Pittman, to explore themes of identity, ancestry, and personal growth. We discuss our family ties and the importance of maintaining connections with family and ancestors. Luckily for us, Lakiba shares her journey of self-discovery through spirituality and the Black consciousness movement. Lakiba and I explore the intersections of spirituality, creativity, and the role of elders in the community, and define what unique qualities a true elder should have.   Lakiba Pittman is a professor, poet, energy healer, and community artist whose work bridges creativity, mindfulness, and social impact. She is a Senior Instructor with Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research & Education (CCARE) and facilitates healing-centered programs with Healing Together. She also leads workshops for Stanford Healthy Living, Rick Hanson’s Weekly Meditation Series, the Compassion Institute, and LifeMoves. Lakiba is a trained facilitator in Mindful Self-Compassion, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and trauma-informed healing practices. Her path was shaped during the Bay Area’s Black Consciousness era, when she became part of the vibrant Nairobi community of East Palo Alto. She began her professional career at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Technologies in senior roles focused on diversity strategy, leadership development, and global talent management, later founding a consulting practice that helps organizations cultivate inclusive cultures and compassionate leadership. Lakiba now teaches Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in the Workplace, Cultural Expressions in Media, and Race & Racism at Menlo College, Golden Gate University, and Notre Dame de Namur University. She is completing a doctorate in Transformative Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where her research examines music and spirituality as catalysts for healing and transformation. Her work is grounded in mindfulness, trauma-informed pedagogy, and embodied social justice. Her book Breadcrumbs from the Soul and her installations in the Black Woman Is God art series celebrate resilience, imagination, and the power of art to transform. Stepping into her role as an elder, Lakiba’s greatest purpose is to share the wisdom of her journey so that the healing she cultivates nourishes those she teaches and supports—and ripples outward to bless her ancestors and future generations. Connect with her on all social platforms or at www.lakibapittman.com.  Follow Cocoa Butter and Communion on IG @groundedrootscollective

    1h 27m
  2. MAY 16

    The Complexities of Healing with Regina Lawless

    In this episode of Cocoa Butter and Communion Village, we are exploring community and connection (two of my favorite topics). Regina Lawless is back, and we explore processing and navigating grief after the sudden loss of her husband, and the societal discomfort around death and mourning. She also reflects on her experience of opening up to new love while honoring her late husband, and how her relationship with herself has transformed through this journey. She shares all of this and so much more with warmth, grace, and beauty. We laugh throughout this episode as we ponder the complexities of life.  Regina Lawless, MSOD, is a bestselling author, speaker, spiritual teacher, and former head of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Instagram. In addition, Regina is the founder and CEO of Bossy & Blissful, a restorative community for Black women leaders. Regina has 18+ years of HR experience working for Fortune 500 companies across various industries, including Target, Virgin America Airlines, and Intel. Her first book, “Do You,” was published by Greenleaf Book Group, in partnership with Fast Company, in February 2024. In 2021, Regina was appointed to the Board of the World Women Foundation and serves as an Advisory Council Member for the University of San Francisco’s Engineering Program. She is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, in Communication Studies and holds a Master of Science degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. Regina is a Bay Area native and currently resides there with her partner, teenage son, and their dog, Rocket. She is an avid reader, loves listening to music and podcasts, and practicing yoga.   Check out her beautiful podcast, The BlissFULL Life, anywhere you can find podcasts! Download it, share it, and like it!  Follow her on IG @regina.lawless Check out her website www.reginalawless.com Send her an email at hello@reginalawless.com    Grab her book! It's amazing, like her.

    1h 16m
  3. FEB 14

    Basking in the Black Girl Glow: A Conversation with Regina Lawless and Jasmine Nutt

    Hey Village! Happy Black History Month, all month long. In this episode, I chat with Regina Lawless, founder of Bossy and Blissful and Jasmine Nutt, President of A Seat at the Table Community Initiative about their event, Black Girl Glow, which is a space for healing and restoration, showcasing various activities that cater to the holistic well-being of Black women. In this conversation, we talk about the importance of community support for Black women, the complexities of cultural identity, the challenges of burnout, and so much more.  Regina Lawless, MSOD, is a bestselling author, speaker, spiritual teacher, and former head of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Instagram. In addition, Regina is the founder and CEO of Bossy & Blissful, a restorative community for Black women leaders. Regina has 18+ years of HR experience working for Fortune 500 companies across various industries, including Target, Virgin America Airlines, and Intel. Her first book, “Do You,” was published by Greenleaf Book Group, in partnership with Fast Company, in February 2024. In 2021, Regina was appointed to the Board of the World Women Foundation and serves as an Advisory Council Member for the University of San Francisco’s Engineering Program. She is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, in Communication Studies and holds a Master of Science degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. Regina is a Bay Area native and currently resides there with her partner, teenage son and their dog, Rocket. She is an avid reader, loves listening to music and podcasts, and practicing yoga.   Jasmine Nutt, MSW, Sociologist and Humanitarian is the ASSATTCI President and a multi-passionate leader with over 15 years experience bringing the marginalized into alignment with reality. Having a challenging, yet protected, lived experience allowed Jasmine the unique ability and opportunities to cultivate dynamic shifts in systems designed to maintain the status quo. Jasmine currently resides in Sacramento, CA creating community and healing generational cycles with her two neurodiverse children.   The event, Black Girl Glow is Saturday, February 22, 2025 at A Seat at the Table Bookstore, 9257 Laguna Springs Dr., Suite 130, Elk Grove, CA 92578.    Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-girl-glow-a-day-of-healing-self-love-and-restoration-tickets-1217237442959?aff=oddtdtcreator    If you cannot make the event, but want to support, donate here  https://donate.stripe.com/fZe9CbeJW42Scww4gj    For information regarding sponsorships, please direct your inquiries to hello@reginalawless.com or text (925) 325-0439    Visit Regina Lawless' website www.reginalawless.com  Follow her on IG @Regina.Lawless   Follow Jasmine @luvjazzy

    1h 39m
5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Addressing generational trauma is essential to healing but accessing the wounds that need to be healed can be emotionally draining work. Psychotherapist Chioko Grevious communes with her village as they delve into the beauty, love and complexities of Black families, generational joy and trauma and their Black experiences. Each episode contains powerful and thought provoking conversations that can bring tears but will be a source of humor, love, connection and understanding. You will gain insight into, not only yourself but your own village, your family and the community surrounding you.