Jill Scott Presents: J.ill the Podcast

Jill, Aja, and Laiya get into the evolution of how periods are presented in the media. They also dive into their own reproductive health and share tips and products they've learned along the way. For more information on yoni steaming check out https://www.carolinabirthandwellness.com/blog/when-not-to-vaginal-steam. For more information on The Honeypot Co. check out their website https://thehoneypot.co/?gclid=CjwKCAjwtcCVBhA0EiwAT1fY74zT1DEvfdcJb-vASfOjr1YPZIytNR3txvAThvGYWtXiWKwWTTCdJxoCNB4QAvD_BwE Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Estelle joins the ladies to talk about her iconic role as Garnett on Steven Universe, her music and of course what's on her heart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill asks the ladies advice for a friend. How do you tackle bad sex in an otherwise great relationship? For more resources on sex and relationships check out this article https://www.verywellmind.com/married-couples-should-discuss-sexual-problems-2300936. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill, Aja, and Laiya celebrate their friendship while playing {The And} Friends edition. This episode highlights the importance in asking the big questions and reflection on why these three have been friends for so long. You can order {The And} at https://www.theskindeep.com/. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill, Aja, and Laiya are back together, in person, a few days after Jill’s 50th birthday party. They talk about celebrating yourself, knowing yourself, and knowing your worth. Jill reflects on life as a quinquagenarian and breaks down what you need for a successful party. For more info on throwing parties visit https://www.thebalancesmb.com/. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill Scott, Laiya St.Clair, and Aja Graydon-Dantzler are back with season 2 of J.ill. This podcast is their safe space for unfiltered conversation. The three longtime friends and entertainment icons get together to talk about what’s on our hearts and minds. Like life, It gets juicy and it gets raw, but it’s always real and we’re always aiming to heal. Expect no-holds-bar talk about relationships, health, art, and everything else that comes with surviving and thriving as a Black woman in the world.Trust that Laiya, Aja, and Jill will keep it 100% on topics that you love and ones that may make you uncomfortable. Join them on J.ill as they ask big questions and celebrate small joys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After an amazing first season, it has come to an end. But don’t you worry we will be back! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s time to get to the root of things this episode! Listen as Jill, Laiya and Aja go through the process of finding their African origins. They ask all the questions, share their results and there’s even a twist! Ain’t it always! Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the episode where we hear from you! You called, tweeted and sent all kinds of bat signals so now it's time see what y'all are talking about and answer all questions because, We've Got Mail!Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode Jill, Aja and Laiya breakdown what they require in order for one to consider themselves a "good" white friend. Do you have requirements? Do you have any white friends? What does "good" or "right" even mean? Listen as the ladies make an attempt to break this down.Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Because we believe in letting the brothas say their peace, who better than the hilariously real Roy Wood Jr!?!?! Listen as he gives us insight into ALL the things that have been on his heart and mind!Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's just admit it, sometimes we just don't feel like it! Any of it! Listen as Jill, Aja and Laiya break down all the "its" and why it's ok to feel this way.....for a little while.Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode!Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The key to really live a good life is to take care of yourself inside and out! Today on J.ill the ladies get into what it take to ride the long bus. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of J.ill your resident aunties discuss this new generation, generation z! Listen up, because the ladies have some wisdom to share today. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill, Laiya, and Aja are joined by lead vocalist Tarriona "Tank" Ball of the incredibly talented group Tank and The Bangas! They waste no time in this conversation and get straight to the juiciness! Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you hold shame about? How long have you been holding on to it? As hard as it is to talk about the things we hold shame around, it can be the most powerful way to release it. On this episode of J.ill we talk about shame in its many forms. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Booked AND Blessed? One may or may not equate to the other. Let me pencil you in so you know it’s real! This week on J.ill the ladies find the time in their equally busy schedules to talk about being “booked and blessed”! Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What did they just say?! When someone spews some serious overtly racist BS in your direction, this is often the response. We all know what it feels like to experience those covert racist remarks or the microaggressions, but today we are talking about overt racism. Let’s hear what Jill, Laiya, and Aja have to say about this one! Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems that interracial relationships are now the gold standard today. From athletes to actors, your co-workers, and even the black men working for black liberation! At each turn, you’ll find a non-black woman on the arm of a black man. Why is it that even the black men who claim to know the beauty and value of black women don’t choose them as mates? In this episode of J.ill, Jill, Aja, and Laiya discuss their thoughts on this phenomenon becoming more and more commonplace. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who supported you or is currently supporting you on your journey through life? In this episode of J.ill, the ladies discuss what genuine support looks like, whether it comes from a friend, your family, or a business partner. At the base of any supportive relationship is trust. Without a deep level of trust, you fail to let the other person hold you up when you are in need and vice versa. Listen as Jill, Laiya, and Aja give their take on why support is so important in life. Stay tuned through the entire episode for a special treat for you, our lovely listeners! Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of J.ill, we dive into living holistically with the multitalented artist Maimouna Youssef also known as Mumu Fresh. Mumu discusses where she is arriving in her personal life through a journey through spiritual, physical, emotional, and metaphysical exploration. Join Jill and the ladies as they journey with Mumu through her life experience and how it has led her to the knowledge she holds today. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorism, it's one of the most sensitive and complex subjects in the black community. The narrative has been a duality of light skin and dark skin for so long, but as we continue to open up that conversation, we see how nuanced it truly is! Modern media is the biggest culprit for how these stereotypes and prejudices are furthered and mirrored in everyday life! As we begin to see more representation, particularly dark skin women as leading ladies in media, we discuss where the culture is headed in relation to colorism. Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ladies are here for a Blackety Black college experience. But the HBCU vs. PWI conversation isn't so black and white.Resources:Howard University's Decision To Cut Classics Department Prompts An OutcryThere’s No Classics ‘Catastrophe’ at Howard UniversityA Different WorldTell Them We Are RisingHistory of HBCUs Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's a "poo putt"? Hint: You might want them around for a good time, but you certainly don't want them in your life for a long time. The ladies set the criteria for poo-puttness in this episode and end the show with a What's On Your Heart? with Grammy-winning musician and mental health advocate Macy Gray.Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode!Resources:My GoodMy Good + Twins for PeaceRayStop Hustling Black Death Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some women want a husband, but every woman needs a wife.Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode!Resources:You and Me Will Never Part: A Study of Black Women's Best Friendships by Tamica ShamblyAccording to Science, Your Girl Squad Can Help You Release More OxytocinThe Communication of Solidarity in Friendships Among African American WomenPlaying With Dialectics: Black Female Friendship Groups as a HomeplaceFemale Friends Are More Important Than You Realized. Here's Why. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black children deserve better than the lies and partial truths that are often taught in U.S. schools. So what do we teach them, and how do we teach them? Dr. Joshua M. Myers, an associate professor of Africana Studies at Howard University and author of the forthcoming book "Cedric Robinson: The Time of the Black Radical Tradition," joins the ladies for What's On Your Heart? in this episode on education.Resources:Coded BiasBlack Study in a Time of Trouble"The Eloquence of the Scribes" by Ayi Kwei Armah Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ladies flip the script and ask THE Jemele Hill more than a few uncomfortable questions in this very special episode of J.ill!Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Loving, messy, joyful — our relationships with our fathers can be complicated. We take some of their advice, and we leave some of it behind. But chile do they teach us some things. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SPECIAL EPISODE ALERT! Emcee Phonte is in the building, joining the ladies for real talk on parenting and playing the hands we're dealt.Twitter & Instagram: @phontigallo Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God knows, real-life trauma is enough. Has Hollywood veered into trauma porn territory with all the Black historical horrors and thrillers? How much is too much? The ladies get into it.Resources:AntebellumGet OutThem12 Years a SlaveDjango UnchainedUsThe Falcon and the Winter SoldierMa Rainey’s Black BottomMisha GreenBarry JenkinsKatori HallBlack LightningJingle Jangle: A Christmas JourneyA Black Lady Sketch ShowIn Our Mothers’ GardensOctavia Butler’s workBisa ButlerHashtag Booked Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well chile ... you know a person's public persona may be at odds with who they are behind closed doors. In this episode, the ladies knock down some high and mighty pedestals and discuss what we do when we KNOW the real deal.Resources:The Long and Tortured History of Cancel CultureThe Second Wave of "Cancel Culture"Americans and ‘Cancel Culture’: Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raw. Raw. Raw. Raw. Raw. Raw. Raw. Raw. Raw. Raw. Resources:More on Dr. Kameelah Rashad Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S*** ain't always sweet in the music industry. Fortunately, we can count on Laiya, Aja, and Jill to give budding artists game. So you and/or your kids wanna be in the business? Pause and listen to this episode.Resources:"The Music Business Toolbox: Actionable Business Guidance for Musicians from Recording to Royalties," by Bryan Calhoun with Kristin Thomson"Everything You’d Better Know About the Record Industry for Artists, Songwriters, Producers, Musicians, and Music Entrepreneurs" by Kashif with contributions by Gary Greenberg Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Aja's mother, there's petting, and then there's heavy petting. Don't know the difference? Find out in this episode, where the ladies share what their mamas taught them about sex and relationships. Shanicia Boswell, an author and the creator of Black Moms Blog, continues the conversation in a "What's On Your Heart?" about motherhood, womanhood, and making space to accept love.Resources:"Our Bodies, Ourselves""The Joy of Sex" by Dr. Alex Comfort"Vanessa del Rio: Fifty Years of Slightly Slutty Behavior""Oh Sis, You're Pregnant!: The Ultimate Guide to Black Pregnancy & Motherhood" by Shanicia Boswell Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, boxes are comfortable and safe. But other times, boxes are suffocating. And being confined to stereotypes and assumptions is for the birds. We all contain multitudes. Today on the show, the ladies do some unboxing.Resources:Paul Laurence Dunbar's "We Wear the Mask"Paul Laurence Dunbar bio Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not everything passed down through generations should stay in the family. You can name curses, and you can break them. This week on the show, the ladies talk about knowing and growing from the problems that plague us. Resource: Bogleheads' Guides Call 866-HEY-JILL and leave us a message with your comments on this episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medicine is a practice. But be careful practicing on Black women, because "fire burn." This week on J.ill, a sensitive conversation about what Black women face when dealing with many medical professionals. In "What's on Your Heart?" actor, comedian, and author Michelle Buteau joins the ladies for a candid conversation about her experience in coloring outside the medical lines.Resources:Black Mamas Matter AllianceSister Girl FoundationThe Broken Brown EggBlack Women's Health ImperativeSister SongSurvival of the Thickest: Essays Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex is supposed to be pleasurable, but a lot of times, it's purely transactional. On J.ill this week, one of your sista friends is completely intrigued. Light on the judgment – chile, who has the time? – but heavy on the yummy curiosity.Resources:Vanessa del Rio: Fifty Years of Slightly Slutty BehaviorUrban Justice Center's Sex Worker Project Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill, Laiya, and Aja have talked about a lot on the show so far – from cultural appropriation, to the relationships between Black women and Black men, to loneliness. There's a lot to unpack, and we know we can't fit it all in the show. But we know that y'all have a lot to add to these discussions, so we want to hear what you have to say. Ever listened to an episode and ended up in a debate with your friends, had a change of heart about a subject, or had a million comments that you kept to yourself? Email us a message or voice memo at [email protected] to let us know your thoughts on a topic that the ladies have discussed so far. You just might hear your message on a future episode! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Black does not crack, but it sure does crease."Laiya, Aja, and Jill reminisce about the shows they grew up on and the wellness practices their parents and grandparents followed. They also reveal some of more embarrassing signs of aging, the lifestyle choices they've made to stay healthy as they get older, and the things they've learned from the millennials. On What’s On Your Heart, media coach, activist, and music advocate Dyana Williams joins the ladies for a heartfelt and necessary conversation about caring for aging parents, preparing for homegoings, and honoring the gift of living. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The past year of isolation and social distancing has changed the way we relate to solitude. The absence of touch, separation from loved ones, and lack of fellowship and intimacy have presented many challenges. We can be lonely when we're alone, but we can also be lonely when we're surrounded by people or in intimate relationships. On the other hand, we can crave more alone time. Aja, Jill, and Laiya consider the role that loneliness has played in their lives, how important it is to do self-work, and honoring the need for stillness.Resources:The Five Love LanguagesIn the Wake: On Blackness and Being by Christina SharpeMore on Phillis WheatleyPoems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The media often portrays the relationships between Black women as adversarial and difficult. If you believe the stereotypes and the propaganda, you might think that Black women don't like each other and don't get along. Of course, that's fallacy and harmful generalization – some Black women are incompatible, just like some people of any other race or gender may be incompatible.If you actually know Black women, you know that their friendships are multifaceted. And as Aja points out, Black women often show the most empathy and care for other Black women. Jill, Laiya, and Aja discuss the qualities that they value in their friendships, the benefits of having a diverse friend group, and the importance of maintaining boundaries. And the sisterhood continues as the ladies have a conversation about uplifting women and choosing happiness with poet, therapist, and clinical social worker Trapeta Mayson.Resource:"The Friends" by Rosa Guy Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The relationships children have with their mothers are so diverse and dynamic. But many of us expect our mothers to be our provider, our teacher, our savior, and our source of comfort. When we are naive, growing children, it's hard to recognize our mothers as whole human beings who have lives beyond those roles. But as we get older and gain more distance and perspective, we realize that our mothers were trying to navigate this challenging world, just like we are. And we can start to give our mothers – flaws and all – a little more grace. Aja, Jill, and Laiya reflect on some of the moments in which they saw their mothers' humanity, and they reckon with the joy, insight, pain, and empathy that those moments awakened. Plus, a conversation on parenting, freedom, and soul work with sociologist Dr. Janice Johnson Dias.Resources:"Parent Like It Matters: How to Raise Joyful, Change-making Girls" by Dr. Janice Johnson Dias Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's wrong with 'em? It's a simple question that's hard to answer. Jill, Laiya, and Aja try to get to the bottom of some of the questionable things people do, like being unable to have conversations with nuance or wear a mask properly. On the subject of white people with locs: Jill presents pros, and Aja comes back with some strong cons. Of course, these are all observations, not judgments. The question is also: What’s wrong with us?Resource mentioned in this episode:More on Sara Baartman Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That Louisiana drawl. The way "you straight?" can mean a dozen different things depending on the tone and situation. The Black mama classic: adding the word "the" in front of everything. And even the Head Nod. Black language is full of beauty and music. Laiya, Aja, and Jill celebrate Black speech and all its nuance, variation, and ingenuity. Resources:Twitter thread about Black units of measurementFacebook post by Ade Efunbukola on similarities between African languages and AAVE Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Compassion, empathy, respect, trust." That's a word from Aja on the qualities that are important in relationships with Black men, whether they are platonic or romantic ones. But we all know that building solid, healthy relationships takes time and looks different for everybody. There's a delicate balance between Black women loving and caring for themselves, and loving and caring for Black men. Jill, Laiya, and Aja get into how complex and difficult and beautiful relationships between Black men and Black women can be. Plus, a conversation on love and mental health with father, husband, and therapist Kier Gaines.Resource:Black Men Heal Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We need all the Black stories. The mundane ones. The extravagant ones. The heartbreaking ones. Black life is expansive, and the more we get to see ourselves on screen in new ways, the better. Uplifting the real, raw humanity of Black people on film and television is so important. Jill, Laiya, and Aja talk about the value of slavery narratives, the stories that they want to see produced, and how grateful they are for how far Black storytelling has come. And they ask the question: How do we find a sanctuary for Black art?Resources:EJI National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Legacy MuseumNational Museum of African American History and CultureReelblackBlackStar Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill, Laiya, and Aja have all been the subject of rumors -- some based in truth, some comically false, and some wildly insulting. It's human nature to speculate and gossip, but sometimes we go too far. According to rumors, Jill had a baby with D'Angelo; Kindred the Family Soul performed at a wedding in the early '90s; and Laiya has a big mouth. (OK, Laiya says that one may have been true at one point.) Some rumors are fun. But others are just "foul," as Jill puts it. Let's keep it light. And if you do hear a nasty rumor spread about you, don't let the lies steal your peace. Advice from the ladies: Don't be messy! Plus, a much-needed conversation with Dr. Nicole Verdun, the director of the FDA's Office of Blood Research and Review, about the COVID vaccine and the skepticism and hearsay that surround it.Resources:Press release: NMA Forms COVID-19 Task Force Take the Politics Out of Vaccine DevelopmentPress release: NMA COVID-19 Task Force on Vaccines and TherapeuticsBlack Doctor Dies of Covid-19 After Complaining of Racist Treatment Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being "the other woman" comes with a whole host of stigmas and assumptions. Having a relationship with a married person can be toxic, and like Jill says in this episode, "You cannot win by causing someone else harm." Relationships built on infidelity and dishonesty will deal damage in one way or another. But the desire to cheat or to be a mistress can come from a deeper place than surface-level selfishness or cruelty. Jill, Aja, and Laiya reject the moral high ground in favor of a hard but honest conversation about cheating, questioning our own mentalities and choices, and moving on to more wholesome relationships.Resources:Progressive Love Academy (and on Instagram here)Instagram post by Devale Ellis Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From music, to hair, to fashion, non-Black people prove time and again that they're willing to take from Black culture without giving credit where it's due. What's the line between appropriation and celebration? How can we make sure that we value and take pride in what we own? Laiya, Jill, and Aja explore how we check ourselves, protect ourselves, and hold others accountable when it comes to cultural theft. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.