Coffee No Cream

Erin Braxton
  • 5.0 (10)
  • 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. 16H AGO

    Coffee No Cream Ep 55 - Yes, Claude... That Part. | Using AI to Find Your Value as a Black Woman

    Black women are some of the most brilliant, capable professionals in any room...and we are chronically underselling ourselves. Not because we don't work hard. Because we've been conditioned to describe our tasks instead of our value. And those are two very different things. In this episode, I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm sitting down with Claude live, on screen, and walking you through exactly how I use AI to extract my value from the work I've already done. No fancy prompts. No special training. Just talking. You're going to see me describe two of my projects and watch Claude reflect back something I wasn't fully seeing about myself. And yes... that part hit. Whether you're trying to move up, move out, or move into your own thing...you cannot get to the bag until you know what you're actually worth. This is that exercise. 🔗 Listen to Episode 43 📌 Join the Coffee No Cream Community 📚 Free Educational Resources TIMESTAMPS (00:00) What Claude Said About Me (01:28) Why Black Women Undersell Themselves (02:53) What We're Doing Today (04:33) Welcome to Coffee No Cream (06:00) You Don't Need Perfect Prompts (06:58) How I Set Up Claude to Challenge Me (08:31) Let's Get Into the Exercise (09:31) Project 1: The Grant Application That Wasn't a Form (14:00) Claude's Response — That's Not a Developer Skill (18:20) Project 2: 11 Years of Business Transformation (22:25) Claude's Response — You Kept a Company Alive (23:49) The Undercharging Moment (25:00) What Claude Saw Across Both Projects (28:00) You Are an Operational Architect (33:00) What This Means For You

    36 min

  2. MAY 13

    Coffee No Cream Ep 54 - Black Women: Your Algorithm is NOT Reality

    One year ago this week, I launched the Coffee No Cream podcast to create community, conversation, and support for Black women navigating life, business, work, relationships, and the unique experiences we carry every day. But one year later, I think we need a reset. In this anniversary episode, I’m talking about mental hygiene, overstimulation, algorithms, emotional exhaustion, online discourse, discernment, and how social media may be shaping the way we think more than we realize. This conversation is not anti-awareness, anti-community, or anti-social media. It’s about protecting our peace, thinking from within self, and making sure we don’t lose ourselves inside the noise. 👉🏿 Algorithms and emotional overload 👉🏿 Internet “experts” and chosen voices of influence 👉🏿 Why your feed is not reality 👉🏿 Overconsumption of discourse and outrage 👉🏿 Mental clutter and overstimulation 👉🏿 Why your mind needs quiet 👉🏿 Black women, discernment, and emotional boundaries 👉🏿 The difference between feeling seen and becoming psychologically trapped If you’ve been feeling mentally noisy, emotionally overwhelmed, overstimulated, or exhausted lately… this episode is for you. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠ (00:00) One year later… why Black women need a reset (03:15) Mental hygiene and emotional overstimulation (08:42) Checking our response to what we consume online (15:27) Feeling seen vs absorbing everyone else’s pain (21:06) Your chosen voices of influence matter (28:41) Charisma, internet experts & discernment (35:02) “Your algorithm is not reality” (42:18) Relationship discourse, race discourse & online narratives (50:34) Are you thinking for yourself or repeating the internet? (58:40) Checking what deserves your mental energy (1:06:12) Comments, outrage culture & emotional investment (1:13:47) The Goldman Sachs reset realization (1:19:55) Your mind needs quiet (1:25:21) Walking in silence & turning the noise off (1:31:06) Protecting your peace without disconnecting from reality (1:36:22) Final reflections on discernment, clarity & mental hygiene

    32 min

  3. MAY 6

    Coffee No Cream Ep 53 - Your Trauma Made You Powerful | A Conversation Black Women Need

    Some Black women don’t just survive trauma. They develop what Courageous calls “trauma upgrades.” In this episode of Coffee No Cream, Erin Braxton sits down with Courageous for a powerful conversation about survival, self-protection, emotional conditioning, healing, and the ways Black women learn to adapt in environments that were never designed to protect us. Together, they unpack the hidden cost of constantly being strong, the pressure to overperform, and how trauma can shape everything from relationships to business to identity. But they also explore how some of those same survival skills can become tools for transformation when we finally recognize what’s happening. This conversation is honest, emotional, reflective, and deeply familiar for many Black women. If you know, you know. ☕ Topics discussed: • Trauma upgrades • Survival patterns in Black women • Emotional conditioning • Overgiving and self-sacrifice • Healing and self-awareness • Identity and protection • Black women and resilience • The cost of always being “strong” Coffee No Cream is a podcast unapologetically dedicated to Black women navigating life, work, identity, and the unique experiences that come with being a Black woman in the world. Connect with Courageous Fire Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube ⏰ TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Trauma upgrades + generational wealth(00:57) Introduction to Courageous Fire(03:46) Surviving domestic violence(05:58) Why Black women develop “x-ray vision”(09:20) Trauma upgrades explained(14:22) Learning survival skills through trauma(18:41) Why Black women overperform(24:48) The danger of constantly serving others(30:54) Black women, protection, and emotional labor(36:40) Mammy, Jezebel, Sapphire, and stereotypes(42:58) “They study Black women and then steal”(48:11) Why healing changes everything(54:30) Building safe spaces for Black women(58:55) The Homecoming event for Black women(1:04:48) Final thoughts + encouragement

    1h 15m

  4. APR 29

    Coffee No Cream Ep 52 - Why Black Women Keep Getting Caught Off Guard at Work (Find Your Power)

    ✊🏾A lot of people say they don’t play games. At work. In relationships. In life. But the truth is… you’re in the game whether you like it or not. And if you don’t understand how it works, you’re the one getting caught off guard. This episode is about something deeper than quick comebacks or handling awkward moments. It’s about what you’ve built (or haven’t built) that determines whether something takes you out… or you keep moving. Because getting caught off guard isn’t the problem. ✊🏾 Being unprepared is. In this episode, I break down: ✊🏾 Why Black women get caught off guard in professional spaces ✊🏾 How people take credit for your work and how to protect it ✊🏾 Why promotions don’t happen the way you think they will ✊🏾 How layoffs and reorgs actually impact you if you’re not ready ✊🏾 What it really means to have power in your career This isn’t about playing games in a petty way. This is about strategy, positioning, and protecting yourself so nothing knocks you off your path. You don’t stop things from happening. You make sure they don’t take you out. 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 (0:00) You don’t “play games”? Think again (1:45) Why Black women are always in the game (4:10) What “caught off guard” really means (7:20) Financial hits and being prepared (11:05) When people steal your work and ideas (17:30) Why self-promotion protects you (22:15) Not getting the promotion (and why you shouldn’t be shocked) (28:40) Stop limiting yourself to one opportunity (33:10) Layoffs, reorgs, and being ready (38:20) Building power so nothing takes you out (43:15) Playing the game on your terms

    35 min

  5. APR 22

    Coffee No Cream Ep 51 - Most Black Women Are Playing Corporate Wrong

    There are rules in corporate that nobody ever explains…and if you don’t know them, you can end up working hard and still getting nowhere. In this episode, we break down what’s really happening behind the scenes, especially for Black women navigating corporate environments. This is about more than just working hard. It’s about understanding how the game is actually played. Because a lot of us were never taught the rules.We talk about: 👉🏿 Why hard work alone doesn’t move you forward 👉🏿 The difference between being reactive vs strategic 👉🏿 Why so many people can’t clearly define what they want 👉🏿 What it really takes to move with intention in your career This isn’t about blaming. It’s about clarity. Once you see it, you can move differently. If this resonated with you, drop a comment and let me know what stood out. And if you know someone who needs to hear this, send it to them. Join our private Facebook community⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Get almost 2,000 Free Educational Resources⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Need help with your next move? Book a motion session with me.⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Bernie Frazier Website: https://careercompassllc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berniefrazier/ (0:00) Why corporate isn’t for everyone(1:04) Intro + meet Bernie Fraser(4:28) The unwritten rules of corporate(6:05) The “tax” Black professionals pay(9:39) “What do you want?” (most people can’t answer)(13:35) Erin’s career vision + identity(15:14) Why people stay stuck (money + lifestyle)(18:24) The real rules of advancement(22:10) From employee → manager → executive(26:47) What it actually takes to become an executive(30:16) How Black women can start moving up(33:50) Why your personal brand matters(35:35) What to do when you keep getting passed up(40:19) Visibility, networking, and the real game(45:14) Being seen + proximity to opportunity(48:10) Turning bias into leverage(51:01) Why most people don’t use their jobs strategically(54:02) You can do everything right and still get laid off(56:37) Knowing your value(60:48) Getting back in control of your career(61:50) Where to find Bernie(64:04) Outro

    1h 4m

  6. APR 15

    Coffee No Cream Ep 50 - The Hidden Cost of Black Excellence (No One Talks About This)

    What does “Black Excellence” really cost us? We celebrate it. We expect it. We demand it. But rarely do we talk about what it takes to sustain it, and who pays the price. In this episode, we sit down with Natasha to unpack her research on the real, often unseen cost of Black excellence. From pressure and performance to emotional and financial tolls, this conversation goes beyond the highlight reel and into the reality. If you’ve ever felt the weight of having to be “twice as good,” this one is for you. In this episode, we discuss: ✊🏾 The hidden pressures behind Black excellence ✊🏾 What it actually takes to maintain high performance ✊🏾 The personal cost many don’t talk about ✊🏾 Why this conversation matters now more than ever Connect with Natasha Williams on LinkedIn Find out your Black Tax Score Join The Cost of Black Excellence.com Community 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.⁠⁠ 00:00) Introduction(03:21) What Black Excellence Really Means(06:05) The Pressure to Perform(09:19) Where the Expectations Start(12:07) Internal vs External Pressure(16:30) The Emotional Cost(20:08) Navigating High Standards(23:23) When Excellence Becomes a Burden(28:00) The Workplace Reality(31:51) Performing vs Being Authentic(35:16) The Mental Toll(38:37) Why We Don’t Talk About It(42:30) The Hidden Tradeoffs(46:36) Personal Experiences(49:52) Redefining Success(52:44) Letting Go of Perfection(56:04) What Needs to Change(59:29) Advice for High Achievers(1:03:21) Moving Forward Differently(1:07:11) Final Thoughts

    1h 43m

  7. APR 8

    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

  8. 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
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Trailer

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

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
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Erin Braxton
  • Show Website
    Coffee No Cream

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