Shows
Up From HereColorism, Being "Chosen," & Healing Tension Between Women | Episode 16In this episode, we unpack the uncomfortable tension that can sometimes exist between women — especially when it feels unprovoked or unnecessary. We reflect on experiences where women have been mean or hostile toward us "for no reason," and what we discovered when we looked deeper. As light-skinned, conventionally attractive women who grew up with access to education and opportunity, we acknowledge that we move through the world with advantages rooted in colorism, proximity to beauty standards, and the experience of often being "chosen." We didn't create those systems — but we do benefit from them. We...
2026-02-251h 30
Up From HereWomen's Cycles, Workplace Expectations, & The Productivity Lie | Episode 15In this episode, we unpack something that quietly shapes the way women move through the world — our cycles. We talk about how being on a monthly hormonal cycle impacts the way women show up in their careers, creatively, emotionally, and physically — and how that differs from men, who operate on a 24-hour hormonal rhythm. What does it mean to live in a world built around daily consistency when your body naturally moves in phases? We explore the pressure women feel to perform at the same level every single day, even when their energy, focus, and emot...
2026-02-1853 min
Up From HereAddressing The Rumors ft David Omari | Episode 14In this special Valentine's Day episode, David joins us for an honest, layered conversation about love, friendship, and the realities of being in a healthy relationship — especially when your relationship exists in the public eye. We address the rumors head-on (no, we are not a throuple 🙄) and talk about why people are so quick to project narratives onto close friendships and romantic partnerships. From there, the conversation opens up into what David has learned about love through our relationship — the work it requires, the emotional accountability, and the intention it takes to build something real. David s...
2026-02-112h 11
Up From HereLove We Learned, Patterns We Repeated, & Who We're Becoming | Episode 13In this episode, we look at the very first examples of love we ever witnessed — our parents — and unpack how those relationships quietly shaped our dating preferences, expectations, and blind spots. Janai shares what it was like growing up with parents who had a fun, wild relationship — a rough-around-the-edges provider father and a working, playful mother — and how watching that dynamic, along with the softness and affection in her mom's later marriage, influenced what she thought love was supposed to look like. Kelsi opens up about growing up in the aftermath of a volatile, messy divorce...
2026-02-041h 11
Up From HereMasculinity, Femininity, & Unlearning the Internet | Episode 12In this episode, we talk about deconstructing what we've been taught masculinity and femininity are supposed to look like — and reconstructing them in ways that feel healthier, more honest, and more personal. We explore how these energies don't look the same for everyone, and how rigid definitions can do more harm than good. Kelsi opens up about realizing her social media algorithm sometimes needs a reset — how being constantly fed certain ideologies can take ideas that originated within her and distort them through overexposure, misinformation, and extremity. What starts as self-reflection can quickly turn into confusion when too...
2026-01-2859 min
Up From HereStaying Connected, Fear of Relationships, & Creating Community | Episode 11In this episode, we talk about what it really means to stay connected — to your partner, to your friends, and to yourself — especially when life gets busy, overwhelming, or isolating. We unpack how some people struggle with being part of a community and disguise that discomfort as "not wanting community" at all. The fear of closeness, accountability, and emotional presence — and how disconnection can quietly become a defense mechanism. Kelsi reflects on realizing she can sometimes come off mean or distant, not because she doesn't care, but because she's deeply in her own world. Janai opens...
2026-01-211h 14
Up From HereAre We The Problem, Emotional Safety, Lover Or Teacher | Episode 10In part two of this conversation, we go deeper into emotional intelligence — what it actually looks like, how it's developed, and the conversations that need to be happening but rarely are. We talk through the kind of honest, patient conversation you'd have with a man if you were truly trying to teach emotional intelligence — not to shame, emasculate, or "fix" him, but to help him understand himself, his emotions, and the way they show up in relationships. We unpack how important it is to cultivate safe spaces for Black men to explore vulnerability, emotional language, and...
2026-01-1447 min
Up From HerePretty Privilege, Weaponized Incompetence, & Emotional Intelligence | Episode 9 (Part 1)In part one of this two-part episode, we kick things off by talking about the vision boards Janai and Kelsi made — what we're calling in, what we're intentionally building, and how our desires are shifting as we grow. We break the ice with a new segment we're officially coining Whiteboard Confessions, playing games that lead us straight into honesty, laughs, and unexpected takes. From there, the conversation takes a turn into dating, standards, and self-awareness. Janai shares about a recent date and the long list of things she didn't like — and Kelsi challenges whether that list...
2026-01-071h 05
Up From HereLeaving Old Sh*t Behind, What We're Calling In, & Speaking Life | Episode 8In this New Year's Eve episode, we reflect on the habits, mindsets, and patterns we're leaving in 2025 — and the versions of ourselves we're intentionally bringing into 2026. We play games, laugh a lot, and get real about what it actually takes to break cycles instead of just talking about change every January. From nipping old behaviors in the bud to remembering who we are at our core, this episode is about moving into the new year with clarity, softness, and self-trust. Kelsi opens up about how gentle her inner monologue has become, and how learning to sp...
2025-12-311h 17
Up From HereHO HO HO'S AND MISTLETOES | Episode 7In this episode, we're getting into all things Christmas — the cozy moments, the chaos, the unexpected emotions, and the very unholy holiday drama our listeners shared with us. Janai talks about hosting her first Christmas with her family, the pressure, the excitement, and the "am I really the adult now?" feeling that comes with stepping into that role. Kelsi gets real about navigating a bit of the holiday blues — the quiet sadness the holidays can bring, even when everything looks picture perfect on the outside. And then… things get JUICY. We read wild Christ...
2025-12-241h 17
Up From HereLearning When to Shut Up, Soulmate Friendships, & Love That Doesn't Cage You | Episode 6In this episode, we get honest about the lessons that come with maturity — knowing when to speak, when to shut up, and when your ego is the only thing standing in the way of connection. Janai opens up about watching Kelsi's relationship from the outside and sometimes feeling like it looks limiting — questioning whether long-term relationships can quietly shrink you, soften your edges, or pull you away from who you're becoming. Kelsi shares the other side: how being with the right partner can actually make certain things feel less important, and how being fully seen can...
2025-12-171h 12
Up From HerePurpose, Alignment, Becoming Who We Really Are | Episode 5In this episode, we dive into the kind of inner growth that doesn't look glamorous on the outside — the quiet shifts, the identity deaths, the chapters closing before we even know what the next one is. The parts of ourselves we outgrow, and the versions of us we're finally brave enough to walk away from. Kelsi opens up about no longer feeling beholden to "auditioning" for anything — rooms, roles, or identities that never truly fit. She talks about releasing the need to be chosen, stepping out of the box of "actor," and finally embracing the fullness of bein...
2025-12-1049 min
Up From HereTrauma, Triggers, Tough Conversations | Episode 4In this episode, we open up about the kind of childhood trauma that stays in your body long after you've grown up - the patterns you inherit, the wounds you didn't ask for, and the mothers who were doing their best... even when their best wasn't enough. Kelsi gets vulnerable about growing up with a mother whose love was often overshadowed by meanness, emotional neglect, and expectations no child could meet. She talks about understanding the why behind it — her mom's own painful upbringing, her lack of support, and the unresolved trauma she carried. But she also si...
2025-12-021h 10
Up From HereJail, Mommy Issues, and Growing : Up... Kinda (This One Got REAL)Welcome back to the group chat, babes — and buckle up because this episode went from comedy to chaos REAL quick. This week, we unpack the full story of how one of us ended up in JAIL (yes… actual jail), why the first phone call was straight to Mommy, and the reality check that followed. From mugshots to mommy-dependency to "girl, you need to grow up," this episode has everything. We dive into: ✨ The unexpected jail story no one saw coming ✨ Why Mommy still has us in a chokehold at 30 ✨ Spoiled vs...
2025-11-251h 04
Up From HereThe Paths We Wanted vs. The Paths Our Parents ChoseIn this episode, we get real about how the childhoods we didn't choose ended up shaping the women we are today. Kelsi opens up about growing up in Georgia with no real family support system — just her mom and sisters — and how that isolation showed up in adulthood. Meanwhile, Janai shares what it was like being surrounded by cousins, a full village, and how that shaped her confidence and identity. We also dive into the dreams we had as kids, the dreams our parents shut down, and the dreams we're finally coming back to now. From...
2025-11-181h 24
Up From HereWelcome To The Group ChatHey babes — it's Kelsi Lee and Janai Iman, and welcome to Up From Here 💋 We're kicking things off by introducing us — who we are, how we met, and how dating has evolved from our wild 20s to our grown 30s.🥂 We're also sharing our hot take on why couples might actually need separate bedrooms (yeah, we said it). Think of this as your new favorite group chat — unfiltered, funny, and way too real. Grab your wine, get comfy, and let's talk. Follow along with us: 🍒@thekelsilee (https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee) 🍒@janaiiman (https...
2025-11-111h 02
Black Girl Bible - Janai ImaniS1E15 - God Is The Source Of Your JoySeason 1 Episode 15Topic: God Is The Source Of Your JoyScripture: Psalm 16:11Song: “Smile” by Kirk FranklinBlack girl Bible is a podcast that speaks on the black experience as a woman and uses the Bible to provide Godly advice on how to navigate through this world as a young black woman. New podcasts every Monday. Each week will feature a different topic, coupled with some of my experiences as a young black woman. I utilize songs, prayer, and scriptures to provide Godly advice relating to each topic.
2022-03-2900 min
The Podcast BrothersSt. Valentines Day Massacre W/ Everyday Melanin MagazineFlaw 700 and Fresco are two real life brothers with a Podcast who touch on topics such as mental health, relationships, love and lifeJoin Flaw and Fresco as they host the 1st round table discussion on this platform. They are joined by Ebony, Danny, Brittney, Iman Renee, and Kristin all of Everyday Melanin Magazine and together we discuss what Valentines day mean to us. Fresco blesses us with a Fuck is You Doin as well. Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepodcastbrothers/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastBrothersGuestsinstagram.com...
2019-02-111h 31