S8E7: Practicing Whole Self-Care with Dr. La-Toya Gaines
Release Date: 12/04/2025
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_outlineIn 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 this trope shapes our labor, our silence, and our expectations of ourselves; and how whole self-care disrupts it. Together, they examine the emotional, psychological, physical, and communal layers of care that Black women need and deserve.
For those who feel they’ve been neglecting themselves, La-Toya offers compassionate first steps to reconnect, rebuild, and recommit to their wellbeing.
This heartfelt conversation offers both grounding insight and practical guidance for anyone ready to reconnect with themselves, disrupt harmful tropes, and reclaim self-care as a path to healing and liberation.
About Dr. La-Toya
Dr. La-Toya S. Gaines is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and best-selling author dedicated to empowering Black women to prioritize their mental health and well-being. As the founder of Family Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, Inc., she offers therapy, intensives, and group programs designed to help Black women break free from the “Strong Black Woman” narrative. Dr. Gaines is a sought-after speaker, presenting at national conferences and corporate trainings on mental wellness, workplace mental health, and burnout prevention. She authored the Amazon best-selling “Nourishing the Strong Black Woman” Self-Care Journal and is working to expand its reach through licensing. Her work has been featured at the Strong Black Woman Redefined Conference, the Black Girls Picnic, and numerous other events. Passionate about transforming mental health spaces, Dr. Gaines equips individuals and organizations with the tools to foster emotional wellness, prevent burnout, and create sustainable self-care practices.
Connect with Dr. La-Toya
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LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-la-toya-s-gaines-psyd-5b72b02a7/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgainesspeaks/
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Website: https://fmcounselingmichigan.com/
BWL Resources:
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Now enrolling for both the January 2026 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
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Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
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Check out the BWL theme song here
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Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
- Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
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