S8E14: Cultivating a Growth Mindset with Dr. Sam March
Black Woman Leading
In this episode of the Black Woman Leading podcast, Laura welcomes Dr. Sam March. They discuss the importance of cultivating a growth mindset and how it intertwines with emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the journey towards harmony in life. Dr. Sam emphasizes the significance of recognizing triggers, the difference between balance and harmony, and the unique challenges faced by Black women in leadership with regard to the topic. The discussion also highlights practical strategies for flipping negative thinking patterns and the power of gratitude and joy in personal and...
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S8E13: Embracing Your Gifts with Alanna Thomas
Black Woman Leading
In this episode of Black Woman Leading, Laura Knights welcomes Alanna Thomas to discuss the importance of embracing your gifts and what it truly means to lead from the fullness of who you are. Together, they explore how Black women leaders can reconnect with their God-given gifts and talents, especially in environments that may have misunderstood, minimized, or even shamed those very qualities. Alanna shares insights on how gifts often extend far beyond what’s listed on a résumé, showing up instead in patterns of curiosity, intuition, discernment, creativity, and care. The conversation...
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S8E12: Resetting with a Digital Detox with Dr. Nina Joy Mena
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation,Laura welcomes Dr. Nina Joy Mena to discuss digital detoxing and self-care, particularly for busy professionals and Black women leaders. The discussion covers the impacts of digital overload on mental health, the necessity of establishing boundaries with technology, and practical strategies for maintaining wellness. Dr. Mena emphasizes the significance of self-care routines and the role of community in fostering joy and resilience. The episode concludes with actionable steps for listeners to prioritize their mental health and well-being. About Dr. Nina...
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S8E11: Rethinking Resilience with Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards
Black Woman Leading
In this powerful episode, Laura is joined by Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards, Associate Professor at Duke University’s School of Medicine and Co-Director of Duke CTSI Center for Research, Community Engagement, Social Impact and Trust (CREST Center), for a timely conversation on rethinking resilience. Inspired by Dr. Bentley-Edwards’ article “I Am Not (Your) Superwoman, Black Girl Magic, or Beautiful Struggle: Rethinking the Resilience of Black Women and Girls,” this episode explores the cultural narratives that celebrate Black women’s strength while often ignoring the profound physical,...
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S8E10: Leading from Within
Black Woman Leading
As we step into a new year, this solo episode invites you to pause, reflect, and intentionally define how you want to lead starting from the inside. Laura explores what it means to trust yourself as a leader and to draw from your internal vision, values, capabilities, and ways of knowing to guide how you want to lead in this new year. Rather than focusing on resolutions or external expectations, this episode centers alignment, self-compassion, and joy as powerful leadership strategies. You’ll be guided through reflection and forward-looking practices designed to help you flex your leadership...
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S8E9: Turn up Your Self-Celebration with Dr. Lakila Bowden
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Lakila Bowden to explore the transformative practice of self-celebration and the role it plays in helping Black women reclaim agency, joy, and permission to lead from a place of fullness. Drawing from key concepts in her book, The Sho’Nuff Principle, Lakila lays out a liberatory framework for centering ourselves without guilt, raising our expectations, and giving ourselves the recognition we often withhold. Laura and Lakila unpack the guilt, shame, and cultural conditioning that often arise when Black women center themselves, and what it looks like to...
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S8E8: Strengthening Your Leader Identity with BWL Alums
Black Woman Leading
In this episode, Laura hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums from the Early Career and Mid-Career Programs (LaKeisha Williams, Jabina Coleman, and Valerie Black) for an honest, reflective, and deeply affirming conversation about what it means to strengthen your leader identity as a Black woman. Each guest shares her personal journey, from the early narratives that shaped her understanding of leadership to the mindset shifts, breakthroughs, and heart work that helped her step into a more aligned, confident, and purpose-driven version of herself. The alums discuss how their...
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S8E7: Practicing Whole Self-Care with Dr. La-Toya Gaines
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. La-Toya Gaines, Founder & CEO of Family Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, to explore what it truly means to practice whole self-care—beyond the trends, beyond the myths, and beyond the surface. La-Toya expands the definition of self-care beyond activities and indulgence to include rest, boundaries, community support, emotional tending, identity work, and the practices that allow us to be fully human. Additionally, Laura and La-Toya examine the deep connection between the Strong Black Woman archetype and self-neglect. They unpack how...
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S8E6: Cultivating a Positive Team Culture
Black Woman Leading
In this solo episode, Laura shares tips and insights for creating a positive team culture based on her work with teams around the world. She highlights both the “hardware” and “software” elements needed for a team to thrive and for people to feel a meaningful connection to their work. She covers three key areas that must be addressed including foundational elements, enablers that optimize team culture, and then the role of leaders to help the team sustain a healthy environment. We spend so much of our valuable time at work, so intentional efforts to strengthen our...
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S8E5: Creating Pathways Through Consulting with Kamilah Martin
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Kamilah Martin, Founder & CEO of Katalyst. Given the recent stats about Black women exiting the workplace in staggering numbers, Laura & Kamilah explore consulting as an option for Black women in transition. The discussion also touches on the importance of community and support in navigating these transitions. Kamilah Martin shares her journey from a traditional career path to becoming a leader in consulting and entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges and rewards of stepping into one's full power, the importance of self-discovery, and...
info_outline“Wellness perks don’t get rid of wellness problems.”
Welcome back to another episode of Black Woman Leading! In today’s episode, we are joined by psychotherapist and Workplace Wellness Champion, Farah Harris. We will be discussing how women can take better care of themselves at their workplace and what workplace trauma looks like.
Farah talks about work-life alignment, a term that differs from “work-life balance” because alignment is possible by setting your values straight and by working to reach your goals throughout these values. Farah explains that a workplace alignment has 4 key points: authenticity, intentional living, relationships, and overall satisfaction.
Other topics discussed in this episode are:
- Recurrent wellness themes in the workplace.
- How 2020 and COVID have made us see how much we’ve neglected workplace wellness.
- Signs of a toxic workplace
- Steps to heal from workplace trauma
- What organizations and leaders can do to create healthier workplaces
Guest Bio:
Farah Harris
Farah Harris is a psychotherapist and a Workplace Wellness Champion dedicated to disrupting toxic work environments. She is the owner of WorkingWell Daily, a company committed to addressing work-life alignment, equity and mental wellness.
Her personal mission is to help individuals and organizations decrease symptoms of stress and burnout, elevate their emotional intelligence, and improve morale by implementing strategies to create healthier work culture. As a mental health practitioner and consultant, Farah is aware of the intersectionality between wellness, equity, and inclusion. She is a sought-after expert on topics related to mental wellness, workplace culture, emotional intelligence and self-care.
Her clients consist of CIBC Bank US, CISCO, Bloomberg GOV, LiveNation, Ferrara Candy Company, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Practicing Law Institute. Her work has been featured in media and podcast platforms such as: Forbes, Fast Company, Huffington Post, Essence, Bustle, Inside Edition, Martha Stewart, Thrive Global, and Therapy for Black Girls.
Resources:
- Learn more about Farah Harris at www.workingwelldaily.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and LinkedIn @farahharrislcpc, on Instagram @workingwelldaily, and on Twitter @workingwelldai1
- (Book referenced) - The State of Black Girls: A Go-To Guide for Creating Safe Spaces for Black Girls by Marline Francois-Madden, LCSW https://www.amazon.com/State-Black-Girls-Go-Creating/dp/0578495155
- (Book referenced) - The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Derk Kolk, MD
Credits:
Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading
Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music
Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions
Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Stitcher