Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 34: Behind the Poetry: Letter to My Hair

ep 34.png

This week we are gathering in the living room to talk about natural hair. I began my natural hair journey 12 years ago and I wrote “Letter to My Hair” as a result. Tune in to this episode to hear about what made me do the Big Chop, how I learned to rock my TWA, and how this poem became a part of the story of how I became a poetic partner with PATTERN beauty.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 33: That Time I...Went to Therapy

ep 33.png

Have you ever been to therapy? Have you thought about going but your nerves got the best of you? In this week’s episode I’m telling y’all about the first time I went to therapy, what prompted me to seek therapy and what I learned from the process. I’m also sharing tips for where to start if you’ve never been to therapy but would like to begin.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

2 Comments

HER With Amena Brown Episode 32: My #40AF Story

It’s my birthday week so in celebration of that I’m telling y’all the story of my journey to 40 and what this new decade is teaching me. WHICH BASICALLY MEANS I AM TELLING Y’ALL MY BUSINESS. If you wanna hear about how dating mishaps in my 20s, health challenges in my mid 30s, and a big career shift in my late 30s, all prepared me for the new journey of my 40s, check out this episode!

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

2 Comments

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 31: Poetry, Sharing Your Story, and Walking Through Grief (featuring Theresa Davis)

ep 31.png

Theresa Davis is an educator, poetry slam champion, @artsxchangeatl literary events director AND one of my favorite poets so I’m excited to share our conversation from the Before Times about her creative process in writing and performing poetry as well as how she believes poetry can be a powerful tool in processing grief. Check out the episode to hear Theresa’s tips on writing and helpful ways to walk alongside someone who is grieving. 

You can follow Theresa on Instagram at @shepiratepoet. To learn more about the Arts Xchange you can visit artsxchange.org.

Show Notes:

After This We Go Dark by Theresa Davis 

Drowned: A Mermaid's Manifesto by Theresa Davis 

Alice Lovelace

Breathing Lessons by Theresa Davis 

Copse by Theresa Davis

Apocalypse by Theresa Davis

Java Speaks

Rutherford Falls

Women of Size podcast

Give Her A Crown: comedian Jana Schmieding

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 30: South Got Something to Say (featuring Dr. Regina Bradley)

ep 30.png

I have lived in the South most of my life. The food, the soil, the music, the accents, the air here is home to me. Southern hip hop gave me language for so much of what I experienced so I am excited to chat with Dr. Regina Bradley, a southern hip hop scholar and author of Chronicling Stankonia: The Rise of the Hip Hop South. Listen in as Dr. Regina and I talk about Outkast, quintessential Southern hip hop songs, and why southern hip hop must be studied through an academic lens. 

You can learn more about Dr. Regina’s work and her new book at her website www.redclayscholar.com. Her book Chronicling Stankonia: The Rise of the Hip Hop South is available everywhere books are sold. You can also follow Regina on Twitter at @redclayscholar.

Show Notes:

Outkast

Martin: “All The Players Came”

Black Ice by Goodie Mob

Busta Rhymes 

Wu-Tang Clan

UGK 

8Ball & MJG

Three 6 Mafia

Wyclef Jean

DJ Screw

Aquemini by Outkast

Kilo Ali

Organized Noize

Raheem The Dream

Gangsta Boo

Brick House by Commodores

Meghan The Stallion

Knuck If You Buck by Crime Mob

Scrub The Ground by Chocolate Puma and Tommie Sunshine

T.I.

Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America by Tricia Rose

Richard Wright

Alice Walker

Eve by Rapsody

Dr. Regina’s Important Southern Hip Hop Songs:

Pocket Full of Stones by UGK

Tear da Club Up by Three 6 Mafia 

Elevators (Me & You) by Outkast 

Back That Azz Up by Juvenile

Watch For The Hook by Cool Breeze

Late Nite Tip by Three 6 Mafia

Give Her A Crown: artist Rapsody

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 29: A Seat at the Arabesque Table (featuring Reem Kassis)

ep 29.png

I love gathering with y’all each week in our HER Living Room and this week we are gathering around the table for a conversation on food and Arab culture with award-winning Palestinian author and writer Reem Kassis. I only wish we could have eaten the food Reem features in her latest book, The Arabesque Table! Listen in as Reem talks with me about the finding home and the power of preserving and discovering culture through food. Make sure you get The Arabesque Table at your favorite bookseller and follow Reem on Instagram @reem.kassis.

Show Notes:

The Palestinian Table by Reem Kassis

The Arabesque Table by Reem Kassis

Lyric Lewin

The Taste of Country Cooking by Edna Lewis

Give Her A Crown: chef Edna Lewis

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 28: HER Favorite Things (featuring Bunmi Laditan)

HER ep 28 (1).png

This week’s episode is full of some much needed Black girl joy as I talk with author and award winning, Webby nominated writer Bunmi Laditan. We talked about Black girl hair, her favorite Beyoncé songs, how she keeps it REAL with her kids, and more of her favorite things.

You can follow Bunmi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @honesttoddler and you can check out her website Bunmiladitan.com. Make sure you grab a copy of her latest book Dear God: Honest Prayers to a God Who Listens from your favorite bookseller!

Show Notes:

Confessions of a Domestic Failure by Bunmi Laditan 

Dear God: Honest Prayers to a God Who Listens by Bunmi Laditan 

Poetic Justice

Formation by Beyonce

Listen by Beyonce

Dreamgirls

Bless Roll (Korean cafe owner prepares drinks on YouTube)

Listening For God: A Ministers Journey Through Silence And Doubt by Dr. Renita Weems

Give Her A Crown: Dr. Renita Weems

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 27: That Time I…Met a Celebrity

ep 27.jpg

There are a few times in my life where I don’t know how to act. In this episode, I’m taking you through a couple of these stories. If you want to know about the time I commandeered a limo to get India.Arie vegan food, why I yelled “YOU’RE MY COUSIN” at Brené Brown and why I considered becoming a groupie after meeting Common, then check out this episode for all of the celebri-tea.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 26: Behind the Poetry: Margaret

ep 26.jpg

Yes I wrote a poem inspired by Judy Blume’s book Are You There God It’s Me, Margaret? Yes I auditioned for America’s Next Top Model and that also inspired this poem. And yes I actually met Judy Blume and got to perform my poem “Margaret” for her in the Before Times. AND YES I AM STILL FREAKED OUT ABOUT IT. Listen in to this episode to hear me tell y’all all the things!

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 25: Snacks, Music and Traveling Heat (featuring MILCK)

ep 25.jpg

This week I am in our HER living room with singer/songwriter MILCK and we are talking about everything from snacks to the proper way to eat a Subway sandwich to how to get in tune to your own inner voice. MILCK and I both wrote essays in the Hungry Hearts anthology edited by Jennifer Rudolph Walsh. Listen in as we talk about the writing process and why traveling heat can be a really good thing. 

To learn more about MILCK follow her at @milckmusic on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and stream her music on your favorite streaming platform. 

Get your copy of Hungry Hearts featuring MILCK’s essay “Traveling Heat” and my essay “Period Playlist” here or at your favorite bookseller.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 24: HER Favorite Things featuring Rea Ann Silva

ep 24.jpg

Rea Ann Silva went from entertainment industry makeup artist to creating a makeup and skin product that revolutionized the beauty industry. As CEO, creator and founder of BeautyBlender, Rea Ann Silva is sharing a few of her favorite things with us this week. Rea Ann is dropping gems on the resources that helped her business journey as well as the music that keeps her motivated and the food that reminds her most of home. 

To learn more about BeautyBlender visit BeautyBlender.com and follow BeautyBlender on instagram @beautyblender. To learn more about Rea Ann, follow her on instagram @reaannsilva.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 23: She Funny featuring Jenny Yang

ep 23.jpg

This week I am talking and laughing with standup comedian, writer, actor and one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2020, Jenny Yang! Jenny shares how she discovered comedy and how she uses her funny to fight for justice through social media and video games. 

You can find more info on Jenny at her website JennyYang.tv or on Twitter and Instagram @jennyyangtv!

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 22: Behind the Poetry: Key of G

ep 22.jpg

If you want to know how Sam Cooke, my dad, The Fugees and the Red Hot Chili Peppers helped me write a poem, then you are gonna dig this episode. I’m taking you behind the poetry of my poem Key of G and in the process I’m talking you through a lot of music I LOVE. 

In this episode I share some information about the Hungry Hearts anthology featuring my essay “Period Playlist.” The book is OUT NOW. Get your copy here: http://penguinrandomhouse.com/hungryhearts.

Show Notes:

Key of G by Amena Brown

Southern Fried Poetry Slam

A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cookie

One Night in Miami

Hungry Hearts anthology, edited by Jennifer Rudolph Walsh

James Brown

Shining Star by Earth, Wind, and Fire

Do You Want More by The Roots

The Fugees

John Coltrane

My Favorite Things by John Coltrane

Under The Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Breaking Old Rhythms by Amena Brown

Jodeci

Live at Java Monkey by Amena Brown

Amena Brown Live by Amena Brown

Give Her A Crown: Grandma Bertha Lee

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 21: HER Favorite Things featuring Meeee

ep 21.jpg

This week we are in the HER living room talking about a few of my favorite things...which was mostly me talking about food. LOL I share with you my favorite food cities, my mojo city, necessary pizza toppings and who wins the Pizza Battle between NYC and Chicago.

Show Notes:

Famous Fat Dave tours in NYC

Gourdough’s in Austin

The Busy Bee in Atlanta

Gino’s East in Chicago

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in Chicago

Give Her A Crown: poet, playwright and novelist Ntozake Shange

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 20: #40AF featuring Kristy Gomez

ep 20.png

When I turned 40 last year I was dreaming up a way that I could interview other women of color about their journey into their 40s and the lessons they are learning. This year I decided to bring this dream of an idea to our HER living room. This week I’m talking to artist, creative director, illustrator, and strategist Kristy Gomez and y’all Kristy is dropping gems this whole episode! Listen in as Kristy shares why it’s important to return to what we want not just what’s expected of us and how we can shift the narratives we have about ourselves. 

To get connected to Kristy and her work, follow her at https://www.instagram.com/bkmagnolia/. 

To learn more about the creative work Kristy, her husband and son are doing at That Gomez Life, visit https://thatgomezshop.square.site.

Show Notes:

CreativeMornings Atlanta

Regina Hall birthday video

Fran Lebowitz Netflix show: Pretend It’s A City

Olay campaign

Instagram @thatgomez.life

Give Her A Crown: actress Tasha Smith

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 19: She Funny featuring Sabrina Jalees

ep 19.png

This week I’m talking with stand up comedian and comedy writer Sabrina Jalees about all things funny! Sabrina shares what inspired her to become a comedian, her comedic writing process and what is good for the funny. 

To get more info on Sabrina and her work, check out her website https://www.sabrinajalees.com.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

2 Comments

HER With Amena Brown Episode 18: That Time I...Quit My Job

ep 18.png

In 2007 I quit my corporate job to pursue writing and performing full time...and promptly went broke. Over the years I learned some hard lessons on what it means to be an artist and an entrepreneur. Listen in to the episode to hear my rough and tumble journey to where my career is today and my tips for how to pursue your dreams whether you are working your dream job or not.

Show Notes:

Spelman College

Alice Walker

Toni Morrison

Stephen King

Graduation by Kanye West

Give Her A Crown: my mom Jeanne Brown

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

2 Comments

1 Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 17: Behind the Poetry: Here Breathing

ep 17.png

This is one of my most vulnerable episodes to date. I’m giving you a Behind the Poetry look at my poem “Here Breathing” as I tell you the really difficult time in my life that inspired me to write the poem. I talk about what it means to survive hard things, how therapy helped me heal, why it’s important to remember we are still here and why I’m happy you are here too.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

1 Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 16: Curvy, Cut, Cool (featuring Anowa Adjah)

ep 16.png

Normally this time of year there’s a lot of talk about fitness, exercise, and dieting and a lot of this talk can get unhealthy pretty fast by encouraging us to have unhealthy relationships with food and our bodies. Someone who has been a good model for me on how to engage fitness while loving the body I’m in is nationally recognized 200-pound curvy fitness professional and pioneer and founder of the Curvy and Cut app, Anowa Adjah. In this HER archives episode Anowa shares how to make your health and wellness a priority and how to access your power and gratitude. 

For more information about Anowa Adjah, visit https://anowaadjah.com/.

To check out Anowa’s app, Curvy and cut, visit https://curvyandcut.plankk.com.

Show Notes:

GooGoo on Instagram

Anowa’s YouTube channel

Anowa’s workout DVDs

How To Fix A Broken Record Podcast episode 2 featuring hairstylist Giselle Grant

Follow Anowa on Instagram and Twitter

Give Her A Crown: Candace Reels, founder of Female Collective

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment

Comment

HER With Amena Brown Episode 15: Music, Rebirth and Black Love (featuring Tanya Trotter)

ep 15.png

If you watched Sister Act 2 and you remember the scene where Lauryn Hill and another student were singing a duet of His Eye is On the Sparrow, you may remember the other singer in that duet as Tanya Blount. She is now Tanya Trotter and half of rock and roll, country soul duo The War and Treaty and I had so much fun talking all things music with her for this week’s episode! Listen in to hear how Tanya found her voice and to hear her share some of her musical favs! 

For more information about The War and Treaty, visit https://www.thewarandtreaty.com.

To check out Tanya’s line of vintage apparel, visit https://www.shelovesvintage.com.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

Follow

Follow Amena on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Comment