The BLK + GRN Show
Dr. Kristian Edwards
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Top 10 The BLK + GRN Show Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The BLK + GRN Show episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The BLK + GRN Show for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The BLK + GRN Show episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Episode 36: Her Poppy - Lauren Gregory
The BLK + GRN Show
03/27/23 • 37 min
Lauren Gregory, the founder of Her Poppy, ignites a meaningful conversation and shares her inspiring journey towards prioritizing her health and wellness after her father passed from pancreatic cancer, which had also affected previous generations in her family. Despite her long-standing battle with severe period pain and being prescribed birth control and Ibuprofen for years, she embraced a natural approach, developing a formula that alleviated the pain, bloating, and mood swings during menstrual cycles. Her product has been a resounding success, and it has helped many improve their menstrual cycle experiences.
Lauren encourages a different way of thinking and challenges societal norms and expectations surrounding menstrual health. She encourages women to unpack these outdated beliefs and celebrate the biology that created the unique bodies women live in and breathe out of. Through Her Poppy, Lauren implores women to understand their menstrual cycles, working concertedly with healthcare providers to maximize the benefits and optimize their health. With passion and ambition, Lauren inspires women everywhere to ask questions about their health and take control of their bodies.
Quote from interviewee for callout box:
“As I started to understand my period health, my fertility health, my menstrual cycle health, I noticed a huge gap in access to information.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- It’s important for women to listen to their bodies and avoid masking or curing period pain with medication without understanding the root cause.
- A women's menstrual cycles is a physical representation of their ability to create life and give birth to ideas and visions
- It may not be easy to make time during your menstrual cycle, but being aware and finding ways to take care of yourself can have positive impacts on your mental, emotional, and physical health.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Lauren shares what inspired her to create products that were healthier alternatives (5:37)
- Lauren talks about the normalization of suffering for black women and how it affects their menstrual health (25:28)
- Lauren goes into detail on the benefits of the menstrual cycle (12:36)
Quotes:
- “Just like we measure heart rate and breathing for women, our menstrual cycle is kind of like a fifth vital sign, if you will.”
- “We give birth to humans. We give birth to ideas. We give birth to visions. And I think our fertility, our menstrual cycles are a physical representation of that.”
- “Let's love ourselves and our bodies. And I mean that in the deepest intentional way possible.”
Episode 35: Cecile's Bath & Body - Jackie Granchamps
The BLK + GRN Show
03/27/23 • 25 min
Jackie Granchamps is the founder of Cecile's Bath and Body. Jackie's journey began in 2011 when she started making soap as a hobby while unemployed. However, as she began experimenting with different formulas and ingredients, she quickly realized the profit potential of luxury handmade skincare and decided to turn her passion into a business.
Despite starting with only old pots and pans and a small investment of $250, Jackie's dedication and drive helped her business snowball. She spent two years developing her formula, refining her techniques, and creating her brand. She shares her insights and experiences in building a successful business from scratch, including the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned along the way, and the importance of resilience, determination, and staying true to her vision.
Quote from interviewee for callout box:
“I hope at least this gives people a sense of hope that you can start with nothing. $250 is nothing to start a business. But you have to have the passion and the drive and the follow through.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- People's passion may not match yours, and it is crucial to have enough skills and confidence to move and make the first step in the business, even if you are scared or doubting yourself.
- Nature has everything that we need and that chemicals are imitations of the real thing.
- Red beans have a natural enzyme that helps to balance melanin production in the skin and also helps with skin damage and aging.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Jackie explains how as women, we are often taught to ask for permission and get community buy-in, but it's important to break that stigma and trust in our skills and abilities. (5:39)
- Jackie shares what was the biggest fear that she had overcome to create her brand (15:12)
- Jackie emphasizes the importance of following your passion and being guided by an ancestral voice and intuition (23:09)
Quotes:
- “I started my business with old pots and pans, stainless steel pots and pans and maybe $250, but it snowballed quickly. But it was good. It's been a good experience.”
- “So as women, we're always taught to ask for permission we're put into this box and being a nice Caribbean girl from a strict family, it's almost like you got to get community buy in, right. And you shouldn't do things alone. It doesn't look right for a woman to do things by herself.”
- “Make the move even if you're scared, even if you're doubting, because three months down the line, guaranteed you're going to be kicking yourself.”
Episode 46 - Malkia - Linda Johnson
The BLK + GRN Show
11/22/23 • 32 min
Linda embarks on a deeply resonant journey, one that mirrors the intricate tapestry of our own lives. Linda, the visionary founder of Malkia, exudes an unwavering commitment to natural skincare, bringing forth a remarkable vision where every individual, especially Black people, can experience the beauty of healthy, glowing skin naturally.
Her mission extends beyond products; it's about fostering a genuine connection to the community, leading to the powerful potential of giving back. Linda's story is a beacon of authenticity, reminding us that we can instigate profound change when we choose to invest in our well-being and the betterment of our world. It's a testament to the transformative magic that personal choices and intentional endeavors can wield, proving that each step we take can be a profound stride toward lasting and impactful transformation.
Quote from interviewee for callout box: "This is your life, this is your health, this is your wellness. Take that extra time to understand what natural means and what these companies are putting in their products."
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- "Malkia" means queen in Swahili, and the brand's logo features a stylized double M, originally named Malkia Mweusi, meaning the Black Queen.
- Linda's commitment to authenticity and intentionality in her brand's growth demonstrates the value of staying true to one's vision and being purposeful in business decisions.
- It’s important to be diligent in reading labels, researching product ingredients, and understanding what goes into your skincare items for the sake of your overall health and wellness.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Linda sparks an impactful conversation on the importance of traveling and share valuable insights on embracing the diversity and richness of other cultures (14:11)
- Linda discusses the misrepresentation of Africa and the need to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about the continent (17:20)
- Linda shares her vision for her brand and emphasizes the importance of helping people see that they can have healthy, natural, and beautiful skin without resorting to expensive and chemically loaded products (25:10)
Quotes:
- “You become such a well-rounded open person but so receptive to other cultures and other types of people and other types of circumstances when you travel.”
- “I do feel like over the last 10 years or maybe like 5 to 8 years, there's been a paradigm shift and especially the African American community in wanting to understand more about their roots.”
- “Really take your time and read the labels and understand what natural means. It's not a regulated term, so really anyone can claim their natural and what they're using is not natural or naturally derived.”
Episode 45 - Vitavate- Lori and Loryn
The BLK + GRN Show
11/15/23 • 22 min
Step into the realm of inspiration with Lori and Lauren, the unstoppable mother-daughter team driving the vision of Vitavate dietary supplements. Their journey is a testament to the extraordinary, where backgrounds in food science and procurement merge to craft a product that transcends the ordinary - a vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free marvel that bestows sustained energy without the dreaded crash.
Their passion for empowering women to "fill their cup first" and their affiliation with the game-changing platform, Black and Green, beckons listeners to a community of thriving black artisans and visionary entrepreneurs. It's a narrative of unwavering support, tenacity, and the transformative force of Black entrepreneurship that promises to leave you both captivated and inspired.
Quote from interviewee for callout box: We're looking to create a Fill Your Cup First universe. We want to be the go-to supplement for women as they try to fill their cup first. It's central to our brand." – Lauren
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- Prioritizing self-care and filling your own cup first is the vital foundation for offering genuine and sustainable support to others, ensuring you can give from a place of abundance, rather than depletion.
- The dynamic mother-daughter duo showcases the strength of working together, emphasizing that collaboration can lead to remarkable achievements.
- The natural energy boost in the Vitavate energy supplements are achieved through ingredients like green tea extract, ginger root, and magnesium.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Lauren reveals the driving force behind diversifying their product range with custom powdered formulas to meet the ever-changing needs of women (7:40)
- Lori and Lauren discuss the challenges of getting people to try their product and the importance of attending events and getting their product in people's hands. (13:30)
- Lori discusses her background in food science and her experience in the food quality and food safety industry (17:35)
Quotes:
- "The biggest challenge, as an entrepreneur, is just getting people to try the product. Once they try it, they love it. But getting the product into people's hands." – Lori
- "The vision is to continue to expand our product line with specific powdered formulas to address the needs of women as they go throughout the various stages of their lives." - Lori
- "The physical aspect, whether that be exercise, the spiritual aspect, meditation, prayer, and then the mental aspect, you know, making sure we're mentally sound and making sure we're taking care of our mental health as well." - Lauren
Episode 17-Christina Arenas
The BLK + GRN Show
06/22/20 • 33 min
Some things should be sacred, like our home spaces, our rituals, and the things we feed our bodies. Christina Arenas, one of our artisans and creator of Blue Sage, works to cultivate body-friendly, hand-poured, soy wax candles that are affordable and easily accessible to everyone who desires to live a healthier, more intentional lifestyle.
Christina believes everyone should celebrate themselves, and candles can play an important role in necessary self care rituals. She strives to continue on her journey to spread awareness, positivity, and educating others about being mindful of protecting their bodies.
Quote from interviewee for call out box:“A natural lifestyle is definitely a journey. It’s not a sprint.” —Christina Arenas
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:- Self love is learning to accept yourself just the way you are.
- The products we use in our homes is just as important to our health as the products we use on our bodies.
- Everything has energy. Everything has vibration.
- Christina talks about the process of preparing your body to shift to natural products. (7:59)
- Tips on how to practically celebrate yourself with the time you have. (14:49)
- Christina shares her insights on the uses and benefits of crystals. (19:00)
- “A lot of us need to realize we’ve been putting so many chemicals in our bodies for so long, it’s going to take some time for our bodies to produce those things it needs to cleanse itself.”
- “So many of us think self care has to be about going into a spa and getting a massage. But we all don’t have the resources to do that. So, why not create that space at home?”
- “Create sacred moments for yourself.”
- “Everything created by the Creator has its purpose.”
You can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Sticher or Spotify. Also, follow us @blkgrn on all social platforms and let us know what you think!
(1 hour, 15 minutes)
Episode 44 - Luv & Co. - Dr. Melodie Davis Bundrage
The BLK + GRN Show
11/08/23 • 30 min
Dr. Melodie Davis Bundrage, the visionary founder of LUV + CO, delves into the transformative world of clean beauty and entrepreneurship. Driven by a profound mission to inspire confidence and unity among Black women, Dr. Melodie identified a glaring need for accessible, high-quality organic products in underrepresented communities.
Dr. Melodies’ unwavering commitment to empowering Black women ignited a journey that led her to establish her flagship store in the heart of a thriving, melanated suburbia. Furthermore, her personal story as a SCAD heart attack survivor underscores the significance of self-care in entrepreneurial success. It's a powerful reminder that in the pursuit of purpose-driven business, nurturing our own well-being is the cornerstone of creating lasting, meaningful change.
Quote from interviewee for callout box: "We don't have the neighborhood clean beauty store that services Black women. I wanted to create that, and so that's what we did."
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- Recognizing the importance of accessibility in the beauty industry, particularly in underserved communities, and the need for more high-quality cosmetic options for Black women
- There is power in embracing contentment and finding peace in various life situations, whether it's a high-profit day or a low-profit day.
- The significance of being aware of health disparities and conditions like SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) and taking care of one's overall well-being
Check Out These Highlights:
- Dr. Melodie passionately articulates her vision of promoting greater circulation of financial resources within the Black community, recognizing that Black women wield significant purchasing power, particularly within the beauty industry (7:19)
- Dr. Melodie talks about her plans for the future, which include expanding partnerships and spreading clean beauty awareness (16:27)
- Dr. Melodie shares her self-care journey, emphasizing the need to slow down, delegate, and take care of her health (21:15)
Quotes:
- “I did it based on my research and my dissertation, and to make sure that we eliminated all of the toxic ingredients that were linked to health disparities in black women in particular in the medical journals.”
- "There comes a time where you just have to delegate and let go. You can't control everything in your business."
- "In all things, just be content."
Balancing life as a mom : Self-care and business tips.
The BLK + GRN Show
11/15/24 • 61 min
BLK + GRN show is a show for Black women entrepreneurs for starting a life of self-improvement, self-love. This show is hosted by the founder of BLK + GRN, Dr. Kristian Edwards. Kristian is focused on bringing the best guests to educate, entertain and Empower Black women.
Every week, the refreshing line up of guests bring in more tips on: how to start your self-improvement journey, their careers, how to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Tune in to know more, get educated while being entertained.
Episode 31: Yawoni - Diara Chukuigwe
The BLK + GRN Show
02/15/23 • 37 min
For Diara Chukuigwe, starting her own brand, Yawoni, has been a deeply personal endeavor. She infuses the brand with her passion for natural remedies and oils, which she learned about from her mother and grandmother, who imported them from Mali. The brand name, Yawoni, is a combination of her mother's nickname, "Ya," and the word "woni," which means "beloved" in her grandmother's Moorish language.
Diara is driven by her desire to honor the West African traditions of her heritage and share her connection to nature with others. As an expectant mother, she wants to create a legacy she can pass down to her children. Despite the challenges of starting a business, Diara finds balance by incorporating self-care rituals and valuing family.
Quote from interviewee for call-out box:
“My dream and my vision is to also have this two way communication with Mali where I empower the people back home because I sourced some of my ingredients from back there.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- Yawoni's products include Shea butter, mango butter, and cocoa butter, which are staples in traditional beauty products from Mali.
- Personal care and beauty products contain several ingredients that often include a wide range of endocrine-disrupting (hormonal system) chemicals like phthalates, parabens, phenols and toxic metals.
- Body butters can be used in your self-care rituals not only to provide moisture but also a spa-like and healing experience.
Check Out These Highlights:
- How Daria is balancing self-care (18:55)
- The motivation that drives Daria to keep pursuing her vision and brand (25:13)
- Daria expresses gratitude for transparent all natural products and BLK+GRN (34:14)
Quotes:
- “You have to give yourself these times where you allow yourself to take breath, because it's not a race, it's a marathon.”
- “Growing up, my mom, my grandmother were very into natural remedies and oils and shea butters and all kinds of natural ingredients that we would import from my home country, from Mali.”
- "So [my brand] was very personal it was definitely more than just business. It was something that I could put my soul into and share with the world and not focus on loss, but just creating.”
- “I just want to create a path for women back home to become more independent and have something of their own.”
Episode 47 - Naked Chemistry - Rachel Zeigler
The BLK + GRN Show
11/29/23 • 32 min
Rachel Zeigler’s journey is a testament to walking in one's purpose, where the resounding echoes of her heart's desires drown out doubt and settling becomes a distant notion. As the visionary founder of Naked Chemistry, Rachel transforms challenges, from navigating microaggressions in the corporate world as a Black woman to pivoting her career as a licensed cosmetologist during the pandemic.
Beyond its initial focus, her vegan skincare brand, born out of a keen concern for ingrown hairs, has blossomed into a testament to Rachel's dedication to quality, sustainability, and multifunctionality. The core message is clear: prioritize quality over quantity, view self-care as non-negotiable, and embrace the transformative power of turning personal challenges into purpose-driven ventures.
Quote from interviewee for callout box: “I realized at the end of the day, you have to make success your own and put your own determination on what is success to you.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- In the realm of skepticism and discouragement, let unwavering self-belief in both your personal worth and the potential of your business be the guiding light that propels you forward.
- It’s important to give yourself grace and recognize that self-compassion is essential for personal well-being and for positively interacting with others.
- Seeking investments and aligning with platforms that champion and support Black businesses can be crucial for growth in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Rachel shares her dissatisfaction with the corporate environment, pursuit of beauty school, and skepticism from her traditional Black parents and societal expectations (3:40)
- Rachel emphasizes the significance of using vegan skincare and talks about the ingredients in her products (19:49)
- Rachel passionately delves into the art of weaving self-care seamlessly into the fabric of her life. (26:00)
Quotes:
- “Vegan skin care helps, and you know everything that we put in our body and on our body matters.”
- “I'm happy that I'm living a life that's authentic to me and I'm living a life that's true to me and I think that that's more important than having what you're supposed to have or having accolades that people want you to have”
- “Taking care of yourself is in vanity. Beauty is in vanity. Because when you look good, you feel good. When your hair is done, or when your skin looks good you feel good and when you feel good, you project that onto other people.”
Episode 33: Gently Soap - Kristen Dunning
The BLK + GRN Show
03/27/23 • 33 min
Kristen Dunning, the founder of Gently Soap, shares her journey of creating a natural soap product that is both science-backed and clean. Growing up in a family with direct roots in sustainable farming and aquaculture, Kristen witnessed firsthand the connection between black farmers and nature. As someone with sensitive skin, Kristen struggled to find a product that was both natural and effective. She realized that there were limited products that combined both natural ingredients and science-backed research, so she decided to create her own.
After studying agricultural communication and horticulture at the University of Georgia, Kristen pioneered her own research project utilizing her horticulture work and herbal knowledge to create a solid foundation for building an influential brand that ensures customers feel good about the products they use on their skin. She highlights the importance of minorities returning to agriculture, transparency, natural remedies, and what is next for her brand.
Quote from interviewee for callout box:
"It was interesting how things can be marketed and portrayed to not be natural. But when you dig down to it, it actually isn’t."
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- Returning to heritage and agriculture is crucial for minority communities to reclaim what was taken away from them and restore a sense of cultural identity and empowerment, building resilience and strength in the face of ongoing oppression and discrimination resulting from the lasting impact of white people's exploitation and harm towards other communities.
- Avoid greenwashing, where products are marketed as natural or sustainable but contain harmful ingredients and are not ethically sourced.
- Calendula is a versatile and natural ingredient that can provide various health benefits with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and soothing properties; It can also be used in tea to improve digestive health.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Kristen talks about her background and familial history in black farming, sharecropping, and sustainable farming (1:28)
- Kristen's shares how her grandmother's entrepreneurial spirit inspired her, and she became an accidental entrepreneur after realizing the need for a product that didn't exist in the market (7:00)
- Kristen discusses the importance of good sourcing, which includes knowing where the product originated from and whether it is sourced ethically and sustainably (24:14)
Quotes:
- "People are starting to really understand that what we put on our skin is just as important as what we put in our bodies."
- " I am very driven by making sure people have options within sensitive skincare, especially within something that's so ingrained into our daily lives.”
- "I became an entrepreneur by accident. I always say that I didn't decide to be there. It kind of chose me."
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FAQ
How many episodes does The BLK + GRN Show have?
The BLK + GRN Show currently has 57 episodes available.
What topics does The BLK + GRN Show cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Healing, Black, Women, Wellness, Podcasts, Health and Natural.
What is the most popular episode on The BLK + GRN Show?
The episode title 'Episode 13-Black Girl Sunscreen' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The BLK + GRN Show?
The average episode length on The BLK + GRN Show is 34 minutes.
How often are episodes of The BLK + GRN Show released?
Episodes of The BLK + GRN Show are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The BLK + GRN Show?
The first episode of The BLK + GRN Show was released on Jan 19, 2019.
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