Shows
Cocoa Butter and CommunionNavigating Uncertainty: A Personal ReflectionIn this episode of Cocoa Butter and Communion, I reflect on the challenges of the current times, particularly in light of the pandemic and its impact on personal and collective healing. I share a brief account of my own self-discovery and ancestral connection during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of incorporating spiritual practices into daily life. In this episode, I introduce the concept of micro pilgrimages and offer five accessible practices to foster connection with oneself, nature, and the universe.
Follow the show on IG @groundedrootscollective
Email me at cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com
2025-10-3119 minCocoa Butter and CommunionThe Unpack: Catching up with JessicaHey Village! Jessica is back for more conversation, laughter, and love. In this episode, we explore the evolution of club culture (I am not an expert, but Jessica might be). As always, you get a firsthand look into our friendship through our conversation about relationships, cultural critiques, raising children, true love, and growth.
Jessica is my platonic wife, my bestie, and my friendship soulmate. She is a professional boss baddie, an amazing mom, a beautiful friend, and she is absolutely hilarious (she needs to start writing sitcoms or do standup).
Follow the show on IG @gro...
2025-05-022h 02Cocoa Butter and CommunionIn a 90s Kind of World, I'm Glad I Got My Girl: Chatting with Jessica BrownHey Village! THEE Jessica Brown is back and as always, we spend a lot of time key-keying. Jess just celebrated a birthday and y'all, it was a time to be had... not what she expected, not what anyone expected. Good news for y'all, we provide a synopsis. Jessica talks about online dating (some of y'all need coaches) and how to be the love you seek.
Jessica is an all around amazing human being, mom of two BEAUTIFUL babies, a director of behavioral health, she is in school full time getting her SECOND master's degree, she raps, tells j...
2024-04-192h 06Cocoa Butter and CommunionWe Are Hip Hop: A Conversation with Ashley AutumnHey Village! Today, we are talking about hip hop with someone who knows it well. I was incredibly fortunate to speak with Ashley Autumn, Founder and CEO of Talented Tenth Entertainment. She is not only the CEO but she produces, consults, and so much more. I'll let her tell it :). We talk about the state of hip hop, women in hip hop, and the evolution of hip hop.
Ashley is reading "Worthy" by Jada Pinkett Smith
Songs that empower her is Rhianna's "Better Have My Money" and Beyonce's "Flawless"
A woman MC's verse tha...
2024-03-1351 minCocoa Butter and CommunionBlack and Political: A Conversation with Mellonie RichardsonHey Village! This week, I am chatting with Mellonie Richardson about Black women in politics, her role in the Black Women for Political Action (BWOPA) (she is the president, y'all), getting involved, our right to vote, her legacy, and so much more.
A little about Mellonie, she is the Human Resources Director of Talent Acquisition for California State University, Sacramento, as well as the Principal Consultant of a private Human Resources and Organization Development consulting firm, Bene Consulting Group, supporting the work and efforts of Sacramento Area non-profit organizations. Mellonie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Co...
2024-02-281h 34Cocoa Butter and CommunionThe Military and the Black Woman: A Conversation with Regina McGuireHey Village! Happy Black History Month! Happy month of love! This episode, I am chatting with my newest sister girl/colleague/classmate, Regina McGuire. Regina is a retired Navy woman who was running a ship like the bad ass she is. We discuss her life in the military, as a Black woman, the strong Black woman trope, motherhood, and this idea of humbleness.
In addition to be a retired Navy Veteran, she is a mental health professional that is committed to breaking down the barriers of mental health care in Black and Brown communities. Regina brings a u...
2024-02-211h 20Cocoa Butter and CommunionBlack Women Sh***: Chi Chi Anyanwu Stops ByHey Village! We are kicking off Black History Month and what better way to kick off Black History Month with a woman who celebrates her Blackness everyday? I can answer that! There isn't anything better than Chi Chi stopping by the village to drop gems about getting your life together all while parenting amazing children and finding herself throughout. We talk about who she is, at her core, awareness, and parenting our own mothers (it is hard work, y'all).
Chi Chi is reading "Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin" by John D'Emilo
I...
2024-02-011h 45Cocoa Butter and CommunionFinding Spirituality: A Conversation with Daniel GreviousHey Village! I am so lucky to have access to such a brilliant mind, day in and day out. Daniel is back! On this episode, him and I discuss spirituality and religion, the differences, his growth in both and what he wishes he knew. You get to know him a little more, which is always a beautiful thing.
Dan is reading "Making it So: A Memoir" by Patrick Stewart
I am reading articles for my classes.
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
If you have any questions, contact the show cocoabutterandcommunion@gmai...
2024-01-241h 11Cocoa Butter and CommunionA Conversation about Everything with Malikka RogersHey Village! I am joined today by my dearest, Malikka Rogers. We discuss A LOT on this episode from Bruce Willis dating rumors to ridiculousness in music to spirituality. As always, I love my conversations with her and I hope you do too. Spend some time with us on this cold November day, it should get you through your workday, your clean up day, your shopping day... its a long one :).
Follow Malikka on Facebook (Tackling Tomfoolery), IG (@tacklingtomfool) and the Twitter (@MalikkaRodgers)
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
2023-11-283h 05Cocoa Butter and CommunionBand of Brothers: A Conversation with RayI was curious and when I am curious, a podcast episode usually happens :). I talk about building sisterhood a lot on this podcast but this episode, I wanted to chat about building brotherhood and the expression of vulnerability. I chatted with Ray, who provided me with some insight into the work he does.
Ray is of Afro-Caribbean ancestry hailing from the little country with the big reggae sound, Jamaica. He was raised between Kingston, Jamaica and the greater New York Metropolitan area.
He is a Silicon Valley business leader within the financial technology sector. He serves as a wel...
2023-11-161h 23Cocoa Butter and CommunionUnderstanding Mom: A Conversation with my Own Mother, Venetia BrownHeeeyyy Village! Today's episode is a conversation with my mom, Venetia Brown. On this episode, she shares the history behind her own name and she clears up how she came up with mine. We talk about the things that connect us and the things that have kept us at a distance. She shares about her journey into motherhood and being a grandmother and the influence of her parents and grandparents.
Mom is reading "Truly Blessed" by Teddy Pendergrass, again. That is because, like most Black women in their 60s, she loves her some Teddy P. I am r...
2023-11-012h 04Cocoa Butter and CommunionGrowth and Insight with Lamarr JacksonHey Village! My guest today is my dear friend, Lamarr D. Jackson! Lamarr and I go way back like Shasta soda and I am so glad that he stopped by to share about being a big thinker, the encouragement to do so, owning land that is rightfully yours, lessons learned, raising daughters, and a rap career.
Lamarr is a husband, a father, a Sacramento State graduate (go Hornets), a future school counselor (he is going to be a fantastic one), a farmer, a Sacramento native, and he aspires to be a rapper at 45 (as a true friend, I...
2023-09-272h 24Cocoa Butter and CommunionThe Best Friend Files: Jessica is HereWe are celebrating one year of Cocoa Butter and Communion! That flew by, right? To help celebrate as a community, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts about the show and I will share them on a future episode of the podcast. Has Cocoa Butter and Communion impacted your life in any way? What has been your favorite episode? Has anything provided inspiration for you to have a conversation with your own village? What have you taken away? Please share it with me! I would love to share it with everyone! Email me at cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com or slide...
2023-09-212h 08Cocoa Butter and CommunionOur Narratives with Rose-Stella Pierre-LouisEpisode 45 is here and it is with my girl, Rose-Stella! She is back y'all! Just as delightful as she wants to be. On this episode her and I chat about her family's origin story, the power of our narratives, lessons from mom, and of course hip hop.
Rose-Stella Pierre-Louis is a Haitian-American mother, occupational therapist, speaker, author, and transformation coach for first-generation women entrepreneurs of Caribbean and African descent. She is the founder of Stellar Transformation, LLC. Her exclusive signature coaching program, Six Figure Soft
Life - Stellar Transformation®️ Entrepreneur Experience offers a unique neuro-biology approach that...
2023-09-141h 39Cocoa Butter and CommunionThe Kids are Alright: A Conversation with Yuriah HughesHey Village! This week, I am chatting with my little cousin, 13 year old Yuriah Hughes. We chat about what it is like being a teenager these days, why she believes they get a bad rap, and what she wants adults to know. She also weighs in on who is the cooler adult, me or her mom and who makes the best fried chicken, me or her mom :).
Yuriah is 13 years old and she just started the 8th grade. She is the middle child and only girl with two brothers. She was adopted at 1 month old and has a...
2023-08-251h 01Cocoa Butter and CommunionBeing You- A Conversation with Olivia and Dallas BrownWe are almost to episode 40 and what is a better way to celebrate than to bring in more of my family? My grandparents had 5 children and 10 grandchildren (I am #5, Olivia is #8 and Dallas is #9). On this episode we discuss us getting to know each other as adults, race and their own identities and how that continues to show up for them; we talk family, the possibilities of establishing connection and what they know to be true about their parents. As a family, we have always connected these two together but they give a glimpse into who they are as...
2023-07-072h 31Cocoa Butter and CommunionStrength Like a Mother: A Conversation with Courtney JohnsonMy husband tells me that I make friends wherever I go. I think he may be on to something because on one of our latest trips to Atlanta, at a family gathering (not even my biological family), I met one of the sweetest people and she is on the podcast today to talk about parenting children with special needs and homeschooling them; advocating for her babies during COVID, and how she cares for herself. Her and I have so much in common and it is fascinating.
Future Jeopardy Champion (you'll here about this on the episode), Courtney J...
2023-06-281h 56Cocoa Butter and CommunionConversations about Intimate Partner Violence, Consent, and Culture with Timiza WashHey Village! Today is the first day of summer and what better way than to kick it off with my dear friend, Timiza Wash. Timiza's works passionately to communicate to the community about domestic violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and teaching our boys about consent. Timiza is a boss and I would expect nothing more but it is an honor to be in the presence of her and others who are diligently making change in the community and willing to have difficult conversations.
Timiza Wash, M.Ed. has been providing direct services in various capacities for m...
2023-06-211h 41Cocoa Butter and CommunionTalking More Tomfoolery with Malikka RogersSheeee's back... Our friend of the village, Malikka Rogers is back on the show! On the last show she visited, we left on a cliffhanger and I promised she would come back. Luckily, she did! Malikka shared her insight and provided her wisdom on topics like spirituality, her crush on Stanley Tucci and his love of food, and trauma related to attending PWIs. I also publicly shared who my odd celebrity crush is (Don't judge me y'all).
Malikka is reading "Unfollow Me" By Jill Bugsy
Trust me, I am reading hella books and articles.
F...
2023-06-142h 32Cocoa Butter and CommunionThe Star of Your Own ShowHey y'all. I am back! Back from vacation, back from my birthday celebration...I am just back. I have missed y'all.
I love the questions, comments, or curiosities that you send to me through email, website, and some of y'all slide in my DMs (cute, cute). So...this episode, I wanted to respond to the messages, publicly. I decided to allow Dan to ask me some questions of yours and he added some questions of his own. This episode, you learn a little bit about me; what brings me joy, what I am proud of, my passions...
2023-06-042h 14Cocoa Butter and CommunionFor the Culture: A Conversation with Malikka RogersMy lovely guest, Malikka is back and we are talking about some things that give us joy but also makes us ponder, blackness (of course), my son's choice for an influential Black American, and Jonathan Majors' ridiculousness.
Of course, we talk music but more specifically, Malikka lists her favorite music videos of all time and I do too.
Follow Malikka on Facebook (Tackling Tomfoolery), IG (@tacklingtomfool) and the Twitter (@MalikkaRodgers)
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
Check out the blog, The Moisturizer on www.cocoabutterandcommunion.com
2023-05-172h 04Cocoa Butter and CommunionMothers and Daughters: The Journey to Healing For SelfHey Village! This week, my cousin, Yolanda Hughes, is up. I am glad she is here to talk about a conversation that has been slowly unfolding for years, the relationship with her mother. This conversation was healing for me and I hope that it was for her too. I am reminded of the stories that are in our spirit to release and how some of us never do. These stories can be painful but the sharing may be incredibly important.
In this episode, her and I talk about losing the relationship with her mother at an early a...
2023-05-092h 18Cocoa Butter and CommunionTaking A Seat at the Table: A Conversation with Emily AutenriethHappy May! Or as N Sync says, "It's gonna be Maaaayyy". This week, I am conversing with Emily Autenrieth, the owner of A Seat at the Table Books. Her and I talk about the importance of indie bookstores, more than ever, decentering whiteness and how she got into the work she is in. Y'all know I love a good bookstore and this is one of the best in the area.
Emily Autenrieth was born and raised in Alaska and earned BA in Theology from Seattle Pacific and her MA in English from University of Alaska. After working a...
2023-05-041h 11Cocoa Butter and CommunionDecentering Whiteness: Conversation with Melissa McMurreyHey y'all! I am glad you have stopped by! Today's episode I am joined by my dear friend, Melissa McMurrey and we talk about the dynamics between Black women and White women, who is responsible for dismantling racism, her work in decentering her own whiteness (because she knows it is not all about her) and what being an ally vs. being an abolitionist vs. being an accomplice is, to her.
Her and I discuss what we are currently reading and I mention reading "They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South" by S...
2023-04-181h 48Cocoa Butter and CommunionMy Man, the Myth, The Legend: Dan G is BackY'all... Dan G is back. This episode, I focus on who he is an an individual and not just "Chioko's Husband" (folks call him that in the streets). He is so much more than my husband and we talk about that, we talk about his journey as an individual, lessons learned, and what can be passed on. We are just coming back to our reality from our vacation and we are all tired (that is why this episode is late) so so very tired.
Here is the link to the show: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-uhbxm-13...
2023-04-141h 44Cocoa Butter and CommunionEmpowerment, Imposter Syndrome and Soul Care with Rose-Stella Pierre-LouisCharge it to my head and not my heart, y'all. Today's episode is a little late due to...life but we are back and we are back with another great episode! This week, I welcome my spirit twin, Rose-Stella Pierre-Louis to the show so we can talk about how we met, empowerment, imposter syndrome (do you have it?) and joy and we had a joyful time.
Rose-Stella Pierre-Louis is a Haitian-American mother, occupational therapist, speaker, author, and transformation coach for first-generation women entrepreneurs of Caribbean and African descent. She is the founder of Stellar Transformation, LLC. Her...
2023-03-311h 27Cocoa Butter and CommunionSisterhood, Business, and Knowing You are that One with Sabrina BerhaneY'all we have made it to episode 25!! What a ride it has been! This week, I chat with my dear friend Sabrina Berhane, the ultimate badass. Sabrina is an entrepreneur, a mother, a sister, a friend, a community member, and the voice of reason. We talk about her beginnings, business, success, and her family. I am glad to know her and I am so in awe of her.
Sabrina is reading Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey
I am still reading for school
Sabrina does not listen to music except for when sh...
2023-03-151h 24Cocoa Butter and CommunionImproving Birth Outcomes: A Conversation with Troy RobertsThis week I talk with Troy Roberts, a new friend of the village. Him and I sit back and chop it up about his work as a doula. Yes, you read that right. This is a man, a man that is a doula...a Black man that is a doula. We talk about his journey into the work, his joy in the work, the passion for his work, and the stigma that he has faced. Troy wants to make sure we establish community with one another and I am here for it.
Troy is currently reading Black a...
2023-03-082h 12Cocoa Butter and CommunionLife Transitions with Black Joy and PeaceWe have marched into March with another episode and another phenomenal guest. This week, I chat with Brandy Jones-Thomas! She is the professor that we all should of had.
Brandy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that has been a practicing Clinician for 15 years, primarily working in Community based Non-Profits, and County mental health programs in South Sacramento. Brandy has also worked as a Foster Care Social Worker. Brandy completed her Bachelor's degree in criminal justice while on active duty in the US Air force as a military police officer. Brandy is a disabled Veteran of th...
2023-03-011h 35Cocoa Butter and CommunionLessons in Life with Makeda BerhaneI am back y'all! On this week's episode, I talk with the beautiful and fly Makeda Berhane. Makeda is the co-owner of the greatest coffee shop, Tiferet. She is also a beautiful human being with so much to share about her upbringing in central California, her origin, love, life, and family. She also discusses how her beautiful daughter changed her perspective.
Makeda is currently listening to Leon Bridges and India Arie.
Makeda is reading "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams and "More than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Sa...
2023-02-211h 32Cocoa Butter and CommunionPoetic Justice with J. RoweThis week I catch up with J. Rowe (y'all will learn that I cannot call her by her government name). She is an educator and a poet and I am so glad that she stopped by the village to share about what she has been up to! This episode we talk about what happens when things fall apart, taking chances, and of course, boundaries.
J. Rowe is currently reading Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation by Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Dr. Jasmine Syedullah
I am reading things about personality development for...
2023-02-081h 23Cocoa Butter and CommunionIntentions and Relationships: Jessica is BackAs Shawn Carter said, "Guess who's bizaack?" My bestie, Jessica has returned to the village with a headset y'all! This episode we talk about becoming intentional in our relationships, lessons learned in love and moving forward after heartbreak.
The song that reminds Jessica of falling in love for the first time is Maxwell's "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" and my picks were Donny Hathaway's music "Love, Love, Love" "A Song for You" and "You Were Meant For Me".
The book that changed Jessica's perspective this past year was: "Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide for Reclaiming Yourself" by...
2023-01-242h 00Cocoa Butter and CommunionTalking Colorism with ErickaThis week's guest is a friend of the village, Dr. Ericka Burns is back y'all and this time we are talking colorism within our community. This is a topic of conversation that comes up indirectly and directly ALL the damn time so let's address it.
Ericka is not doing a lot of reading these days (chile, she is busy and has too many books to choose from) but she is watching good television. She talks about her love for a Netflix show, Pressure Cooker. In addition to watching good, binge worthy television, she is listening to Megan T...
2023-01-181h 57Cocoa Butter and CommunionChecking In With My Son, AlexMy son, Alex drops by the podcast this week to talk about parenting, my style of parenting, having a village and music, of course. We share a lot of laughs, especially about his relationship with his dad.
Alex is currently reading, "Stamped From the Beginning" by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Chioko is reading "Ausomely Aaron" a children's illustrated book by Alexander Grevious (Yes!! This Alex!!). The book is about being on the spectrum and realizing that all of the things that made Aaron different were actually his superpowers.
Alex's album of the year is...
2023-01-101h 29Cocoa Butter and CommunionAccessing a Cry SpaceHappy all the things y'all. This week's guest is Erin Walker, she is the founder of The C.R.Y. Space. In June of last year, Erin lost her younger sister Jessica to a fentanyl overdose. Erin and I talk about how her grieving has found purpose.
For more information about her organization, the C.R.Y. Space, contact her at couragereallyisyours@gmail.com
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
I have a website!! www.cocoabutterandcommunion.com or drop me a line at cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com
2022-12-271h 44Cocoa Butter and CommunionLove and LossThis week I talk with my lovely and entrepreneurial sister-in-law, Rosalind Grevious. Over 13 years ago, Rosalind and her siblings lost their mother from a battle with breast cancer and over 20 years ago, they lost their father. We talk about the loss of parents, stories of love and Luther Vandross, and self discoveries. Oh and she shares a little about her new business.
Rosalind is reading books on business management. I am still sifting through Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey and we are both still stuck in the 90s music wise.
Support her and follow Ro...
2022-12-011h 59Cocoa Butter and CommunionThe Complexities of ForgivenessHey Village! Guess who's bizaack? Jessica is! Nothing gives me greater joy than laughing but to laugh with my bestie is one of the best feelings. This episode, Jessica and I are talking about the complexity of forgiveness and what that truly means to us. We also share songs that we were singing, at a young age, that we had NO business singing (where were our mamas?)
Make sure to follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
Email for comments or questions cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com
Visit the NEW website (thanks THERESA!!!!) www.cocoabutterandcommunion.com
2022-11-161h 44Cocoa Butter and CommunionHealing and RedemptionThis week, I am chatting with my cousin, Dion (with the good hair) about incarceration, the fighter spirit, healing and joy. Our conversation was enlightening and needed. I hope you all enjoy.
Dion is reading text for a promotion and I am reading articles on betrayal trauma for class. Dion is listening to Bay Area (Yayyyy Arrreeeaaaa) rap and I am listening to Tevin Campbell's "I'm Ready" album (Tevin was my 10 year old dream husband).
Let me know your thoughts! Send me an email at cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com and follow me on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
...
2022-10-251h 25Cocoa Butter and CommunionHeeeeyyy Village, One time for the First EpisodeY'all! It is the first episode of Cocoa Butter and Communion, the podcast that discusses relationships within families, friends and celebrates the complexities and beauty of Black folks. We are going to be addressing real shit and I am excited to do it with all of you, The Village. Wanna stay in touch? Contact me via email at cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com , check me out on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion and follow me on Twitter @CBandCommunion
2022-09-2311 min