Coffee No Cream

Erin Braxton
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast celebrating Black women's unique journeys in business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate climber, or finding your path, we share authentic "Coffee No Cream Moments" – those distinctly Black girl experiences that become catalysts for growth, bold action, and powerful career pivots. No complaints – just real stories and celebrations of resilience from those who truly understand the walk.

  1. 5D AGO

    Coffee No Cream Ep 49 - Black Women: You Know It’s Toxic When You Start Questioning Yourself

    You know it’s toxic… but somehow you keep questioning yourself instead of the situation.In this episode of Coffee No Cream, Erin sits down with Dr. Kimani Norrington-Sands unpack the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of toxic environments—especially the ones that are easy to normalize, excuse, or overlook.From being dismissed and talked over to constantly having to prove your worth, this conversation gets real about what toxicity actually looks like—and how to stop internalizing it.This isn’t about complaining.It’s about recognizing, reclaiming, and moving differently.Connect with Dr. Kimani Norrington-SandsYouTubeLinkedIn2026 Job Liberation Virtual SummitSubscribe for new episodes and conversations. ------ ⁠Join our private Facebook community⁠ ⁠Get almost 2,000 Free Educational Resources⁠ ⁠Need help with your next move? Book a motion session with me.⁠⏰ Timestamps (00:00) You know it’s toxic when…(01:12) Why we normalize toxic behavior(03:45) The subtle signs people ignore(06:30) Being talked to differently (and why it matters)(10:05) When you start questioning yourself(13:40) The emotional toll of toxic environments(17:20) Why high-achieving women stay longer than they should(21:10) The breaking point(25:00) What to do in the moment(29:15) What we would do differently now(33:40) Rebuilding your confidence after toxicity(38:05) The biggest takeaway

    56 min

  2. APR 1

    Coffee No Cream Ep 48 - 4 Patterns Keeping Black Women Stuck (And Why Nothing Changes)

    This episode is about something we don’t talk about enough.Not when something happens to you…but when nothing happens… and you still don’t move.A lot of us are not stuck because we lack ability.We’re stuck because of the stories we tell ourselves.Full stories. Detailed. Emotional. Convincing.And none of them are real.In this episode, I walk through four patterns that keep showing up:Comparing yourself without knowing the full pictureDeciding something is too hard before you even tryWatching instead of actually movingBuilding stories in your head that stop you before you startI also share a real moment where I caught myself doing this in real time… and had to check it.If you’ve been feeling stuck, discouraged, or unsure what your next move is… this is for you.Subscribe for new episodes and conversations.------Join our private Facebook communityGet almost 2,000 Free Educational ResourcesNeed help with your next move? Book a motion session with me. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro – The stories we tell ourselves(00:38) When nothing happens… but you still don’t move(01:25) How we create full narratives in our heads(03:10) Pattern 1: Comparing without context(08:45) Pattern 2: Deciding it’s too hard before starting(14:20) Pattern 3: Watching instead of moving(20:10) Pattern 4: The story you built stops you(27:30) The St. Louis story (real example)(34:15) Realizing “I made that up”(40:20) Why we stay stuck in these patterns(46:10) What needs to shift(50:30) Final thoughts

    42 min

  3. MAR 25

    Coffee No Cream Ep 47 - “Don’t Sit Next to Me” | When Your Value Gets Challenged in the Room

    What do you do when someone tries to quietly move you out of position? In this episode of Coffee No Cream, Erin Braxton sits down with attorney, consultant, and coach Tashun Bowden-Lewis to talk about a workplace moment that said far more than words ever could. Tashun shares what it felt like to be asked not to sit next to the person presiding over a meeting, even though she was the one leading the organization. From there, the conversation opens up into something deeper: value, visibility, peace, resilience, and what it means to keep evolving when life tries to reduce you. They also talk about why so many Black women struggle to fully see what they bring to the table, how to assess your real strengths, why self-worth cannot be tied to titles, and how to pivot with intention after rejection, loss, or transition. This is a conversation about being clear on who you are and refusing to let other people define your place. Connect with Tashun Bowden-Lewis Facebook Instagram LinkedIn ------ Subscribe for new episodes and conversations.------Join our private Facebook community Get almost 2,000 Free Educational Resources Need help with your next move? Book a motion session with me. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS (00:00) “Do you mind sitting on the other side?” (00:14) Why did she comply in that moment? (00:51) Intro to Coffee No Cream (01:14) Meet Tashun Bowden-Lewis (02:53) Tashun explains what she does now (04:18) Her Coffee No Cream moment begins (06:27) Why she should have been seated there (08:29) Why she chose peace over confrontation (10:38) The conversation after the meeting (11:12) Why she started documenting the behavior (13:57) Respect, worth, and commanding your space (15:31) How the relationship played out after that (19:14) From chief public defender to consulting (21:53) Why it is so hard to see your own value (22:58) How she assessed her strengths after losing her role (25:50) How clients started coming in (28:14) Self-worth is not attached to titles (29:26) “Confidence comes from the doing” (31:54) The problem with chasing a big “purpose” (32:39) Why peace matters so much (35:51) “Be Great” and why nothing should stop you (40:55) Values, alignment, and decision-making (42:43) Transparency as a business value (46:28) “The pivot is not about failure, it’s about evolution” (48:47) Where to find Tashun (49:52) How she helps clients through coaching and consulting

    53 min

  4. MAR 18

    Coffee No Cream Ep 46 - Why Some Women Avoid Direct Conflict With Black Women

    There are moments when something feels off… but nothing was said directly. In this conversation, Dr. Mel breaks down how some women avoid direct conflict with Black women and instead create experiences that slowly wear on you emotionally. If you’ve ever questioned yourself in those moments, this is that conversation. We talk about what’s actually happening, why it shows up this way, and how to recognize it without losing your confidence or your voice. This is not about calling everything out. It’s about understanding what you’re dealing with so you can move differently. On this episode of Coffee No Cream, I sit down with Dr. Mel to talk about subtle workplace dynamics, indirect behavior, and the emotional impact Black women often carry in professional environments. If you’ve ever left an interaction feeling confused, dismissed, or drained without a clear reason, this conversation will help you make sense of it. In this episode:👉🏿 Why some people avoid direct conflict with Black women 👉🏿 How indirect behavior shows up in professional settings 👉🏿 The emotional impact of subtle workplace dynamics 👉🏿 How to recognize what’s happening without overreacting 👉🏿 Moving with clarity instead of self-doubtSubscribe for new episodes and conversations.------Join our private Facebook communityGet almost 2,000 Free Educational Resources------Need help with your next move? https://coffeenocream.com/motionBook a motion session with me.⏰ TIMESTAMPS(00:00) What is relational aggression (01:27) Workplace dynamics between Black women and white women (05:28) A real workplace situation and how it plays out (10:58) What to do when leadership avoids direct communication (12:28) Why documentation and paper trails matter (14:24) What relational aggression actually looks like (16:17) How to identify it in real time (18:45) Why this behavior is often directed at Black women (22:10) The emotional and psychological impact (26:35) Being conditioned not to use your voice (30:12) Confidence, self-doubt, and second-guessing yourself (34:40) How to respond without losing control (38:55) Moving differently once you recognize it (43:20) Power, perception, and choosing your approach (48:05) Protecting your peace and your career (52:30) Final thoughts and key takeaways

    56 min

  5. MAR 11

    Coffee No Cream Ep 45- Black women, Laid Off Again? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions

    If you’ve been laid off more than once, it can start to get in your head. You begin to question your work, your decisions, and sometimes even your worth. But when something keeps happening in your career, it’s also worth stepping back and asking some honest questions about the environments we’re in, the dynamics we’re navigating, and how we respond to them. In this episode, I’m responding to comments from viewers who shared that they’ve struggled to keep jobs longer than a couple of years. Instead of offering quick fixes, we’re having a real conversation about patterns, corporate power dynamics, and the kinds of questions professionals may need to ask themselves when layoffs or short job tenures keep happening. We also talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough: surviving in corporate environments is not always just about competence. Sometimes it’s about temperament, how you handle criticism, how you navigate power dynamics, and how you choose your battles. This conversation is not about blaming individuals for systemic problems. Toxic workplaces exist, and some environments should absolutely be avoided. But if you find yourself in the same situation repeatedly, it may be worth reflecting on a few deeper questions. In this episode, we talk about:• How repeated layoffs can impact your confidence• The reality of corporate power dynamics 👉🏿How you handle criticism, feedback, and direction 👉🏿Whether your personality fits traditional corporate environments 👉🏿Rethinking career paths, including portfolio or fractional work. Sometimes the most valuable career growth comes from the questions we’re willing to ask ourselves honestly. I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever been laid off more than once? What did you learn from that experience? ------ Coffee No Cream is a space where Black women can have honest conversations about work, career navigation, and building lives that actually fit who we are. Subscribe for new episodes and conversations. ------ Join our private Facebook community Get almost 2,000 Free Educational Resources ------ Need help with your next move? Book a motion session with me. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro: Being Laid Off More Than Once (02:00) Why This Topic Resonates With Me0 (05:00) The Reality of Corporate Psychological Damage (07:38) The Bonus Question: Do You Want to Do Your Own Thing? (13:44) Question 1: Are You Emotionally Equipped for Corporate Life? (16:56) Question 2: How Do You Really Handle Power Dynamics? (26:14) Question 3: How Do You Handle Feedback and Criticism (29:09) Question 4: Can You Truly Navigate Office Politics? (31:25) Question 5: Do You Actually Need More Autonomy (34:30) Reviewing the Five Questions

    40 min

  6. MAR 4

    Coffee No Cream Ep 44 - What Black Woman Must Do Before Accepting a Corporate Job

    Before you accept that next corporate job, there are a few things you should know. In this episode of the Coffee No Cream Podcast, Erin sits down with Celeste Warren, former Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Merck, where she spent 28 years leading global diversity strategy. After four decades in corporate America, Celeste retired and launched her own consulting firm to continue helping organizations build stronger, more inclusive workplaces. This conversation is packed with practical advice for Black women navigating corporate careers, preparing for leadership, and thinking about the possibility of entrepreneurship. Celeste shares how to evaluate companies before you join them, how to network strategically while you still have a job, and how to clearly communicate the value you bring to an organization. If you're considering a corporate role, thinking about leaving one, or simply trying to understand how to move with intention in your career, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. In this episode, we discuss: How to research a company before accepting a jobWhy corporate culture and micro-cultures matterStrategic networking without announcing you're looking for another jobHow to prepare for interviews and ask better questionsUnderstanding the value you bring to an organizationWhen corporate experience can prepare you for entrepreneurshipWhy building your personal brand matters even when you have a jobCeleste also shares a powerful “Coffee No Cream” moment from her time in corporate leadership and what it takes to speak up in rooms where you may be the only one. Connect with Celeste WarrenWebsite: https://crwdiversity.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestewarrenllc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crwdiversity/Substack: https://substack.com/@celestewarrenJoin the Coffee No Cream Community on FacebookFacebook GroupFree Educational Resource Library (nearly 2,000 free courses):https://coffeenocream.com/freeIf you enjoyed this conversation, please like, comment, and subscribe. Sharing the episode helps more people discover the show.---⏰ TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Opening Clip (01:02) Welcome to Coffee No Cream (06:28) Meet Celeste Warren--------- (34:31) Bucket 1: Doing Your Due Diligence Before Joining an Organization (Celeste explains how to research companies, talk to employees, and understand culture before accepting a role)--------- (39:54) Bucket 2: Strategic Networking While You Still Have a Job (How to build relationships and visibility without signaling you’re trying to leave)---------(44:47) Bucket 3: Interviewing with Intention (Preparing questions, evaluating the company, and using interviews to gather information)----------(48:37) Bucket 4: Understanding the Value You Bring(Recognizing your expertise and communicating your value inside organizations)---------- (54:12) Preparing to Leave Corporate (59:54) Building Curriculum and Workshops (1:01:51) Using Social Media Without Signaling You're Leaving (1:04:31) Finding Clients Through Social Media (1:07:30) Monetizing Your Value (1:08:00) Where to Find Celeste

    1h 9m

  7. FEB 25

    Coffee No Cream Ep 43 - 5 Silent Shifts Black Women Should Be Making

    Black women know the assignment. We know what we’re not attending. We know what we’re not supporting. We know when to speak. And we know when to be quiet. But while we’re being unbothered and minding our own Black female business, we still have work to do. In this episode, I walk through five shifts Black women need to make to position ourselves for whatever is coming next. Not panic. Not reaction. Preparation. Inside this episode: 👉🏿 Shift from task execution to value thinking 👉🏿 Shift from silence to strategic visibility 👉🏿Shift from forgetful amnesia to documenting your wins 👉🏿 Shift from paycheck mentality to economic awareness 👉🏿 Shift from isolation into relational leverage. This is about strengthening yourself quietly. Building leverage. Seeing opportunity. And being ready. We’re not reacting. We’re preparing. If this resonated, share it with another Black woman who’s doing the work. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Black women know the assignment (02:05) Why preparation matters right now (04:10) Shift #1: From tasks to value thinking (09:55) How to use AI to define your value (13:40) Shift #2: From silence to strategic visibility (15:00) The LinkedIn comment + how to move smart (21:15) Shift #3: From amnesia to documenting wins (25:10) Using AI to articulate your brilliance (29:40) Shift #4: From paycheck mentality to economic awareness (32:30) Seizing opportunities in real conversations (35:20) The voiceover story (Blue Yeti closet build) (38:30) Shift #5: From isolation to relational leverage (41:20) Networking your way (your way, not theirs) (44:00) Recap of the 5 shifts (46:00) Preparation, not reaction Join our private Facebook community Get almost 2,000 Free Educational

    38 min

  8. FEB 18

    Coffee No Cream Ep 42 - This Is the Real America for Black Women | From Jim Crow to the C-Suite

    This Is the Real America for Black Women. Not the one in textbooks. Not the one in corporate diversity brochures. Not the one that says “we’ve come so far.” In this episode of Coffee No Cream, we connect the dots from Jim Crow to the C-Suite and examine what has actually changed… and what hasn’t. When a woman who integrated her high school under armed protection speaks about corporate leadership today, it reframes everything. This conversation isn’t about isolated incidents. It’s about systems. It’s about continuity. It’s about what Black women have always had to navigate — and the leadership strength that comes from surviving it. If you’ve ever felt like you were “overreacting,” “too much,” or “imagining it,” this episode is for you. We are not starting from scratch. We are navigating a legacy. Watch. Reflect. Share. Connect with Elaine Meryl Brown on LinkedIn Send Elaine an email: elaine@elainemerylbrown.com Connect with Rhonda Joy McLean on LinkedIn Rhonda's Website ✨ Join the Coffee No Cream Community if you’re ready to move from toxic corporate to your own thing, Level Up with Our FREE Educational Database Learn more about the dearly departed Marsha Haygood Purchase The Next Little Black Book of Success ⏰ TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (02:45) Setting the Stage: What This Episode Is About (08:10) Taking It Back to Jim Crow (15:30) What Integration Really Meant (22:05) From Survival to Strategy (30:40) Navigating White Institutions (38:15) Corporate America Then and Now (46:50) The Myth of “Progress” (55:20) Workplace Mammying & Boundaries (1:03:45) Reinvention After Loss (1:15:30) What Black Women Are Carrying (1:25:10) Leadership, Power, and Legacy (1:35:40) Final Reflections & Takeaways (1:41:30) Closing Thoughts

    1h 44m
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About

A podcast celebrating Black women's unique journeys in business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate climber, or finding your path, we share authentic "Coffee No Cream Moments" – those distinctly Black girl experiences that become catalysts for growth, bold action, and powerful career pivots. No complaints – just real stories and celebrations of resilience from those who truly understand the walk.

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Braxton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Erin Braxton
  • Show Website
    Coffee No Cream

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