Cultivating H.E.R. Space: Uplifting Conversations for the Black Woman

Hey lady! If you believe that the children are the future then this week’s episode is for you. Drs. Ann Ishimaru and Decoteau J. Irby are two dynamic scholars who join Dr. Dom and Terri to lay out a purposeful perspective that can help you gain clarity in your plans for creating equitable outcomes for all children. This episode isn’t just for parents. This episode is for anyone who knows that the strength of the community includes all of its citizens, especially children.
Drs. Ishimaru and Irby are educators and scholars who are passionate about creating a path forward despite the clear signs of society regressing. The two offer views into what themes they are seeing across schools, districts, and communities, and why this moment is both new and completely different.
In their book Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change the scholars offer clear foundational elements to building a more equitable future for our young people. They also lay out small but powerful actions parents can take to be in a healthy and engaged relationship with the educators of their community. Tune in for the specific questions that they provide parents and community members to use in their daily lives.
Lady, by now it’s clear. We’re all in this together. Let’s get excited about our work to build the world we wish to leave our children. Tap in and holla at us in our Patreon community about how you plan to build a table where our children are welcome.

Quote of the Day:
"Equality is the goal, equity is the mechanism or process we will use to get there.”
– Dr. Tyrone Howard

Today’s sponsor is VB Health, known for science-backed, third-party tested supplements made in the USA.
Try Drive Boost for libido support. Many people report noticing benefits within 1–2 weeks of daily use. Visit this link and use code HerSpace for 10% off: https://bit.ly/VBhealthherspace.

Goal Mapping Starter Guide
Cultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary

Where to find Dr. Ann Ishimaru:
Website: Dr. Ann Ishimaru
Book: Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change
IG: @annishmaru
LinkedIn: Dr. Ann Ishimaru

Where to find Dr. Decoteau J. Irby:
Website: Dr. Decoteau J. Irby
Book: Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change
Bandcamp: Decoteau Black
IG: @decoteaublack
Twitter (X): @DecoteauIrby
LinkedIn: Dr. Decoteau J. Irby
YouTube: Decoteau Black
Spotify: Decoteau Black
Facebook: Decoteau Irby

Resources:
Dr. Dom’s Therapy Practice
Get That Pitch Workshop: Turn your story and expertise into speaking gigs, media features, and collaborations, without a publicist. Visit GetThatPitch.com and Use code HERSPACE for a special listener discount.
Branding with Terri
Melanin and Mental Health
Therapy for Black Girls
Psychology Today
Therapy for QPOC
Therapy Fund Foundation

Where to find us:
Twitter: @HERspacepodcast
Instagram: @herspacepodcast
Facebook: @herspacepodcast
Website: cultivatingherspace.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey lady! This week, Terri and Dr. Dom welcome the dynamic Maya Elious, businesswoman and founder of Built to Impact, stops by Cultivating H.E.R. Space to motivate women to step away from the sidelines and get in the field so they can achieve their dreams.
Maya shares her testimony of growing her business from generating $180,000 to $2 million annually by betting on herself and turning setbacks into lessons that fueled the growth in her business.
Lady, if you are determined to stay encouraged during this period of uncertainty then this is the episode for you. Maya drops gems and you won’t want to miss them! Head to the Cultivating H.E.R. Space shop for a journal to capture all of the insights and a space to map out a plan for action.
See you at the top, lady!

Quote of the Day:
“Not knowing how to get somewhere should never stop you from going.”
– Maya Elious
This episode is sponsored by VB Health, a woman-owned, physician-led supplement company creating doctor-formulated supplements that work.

We’re featuring Soaking Wet (probiotics + vitamins for vaginal health and natural wetness). Visit this link and use code HerSpace for 10% off: https://bit.ly/VBhealthherspace

Goal Mapping Starter Guide
Cultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary

Where to find Maya Elious:
Website: Maya Elious
Podcast: Work Hard Live Soft
Blog: Maya Elious
IG: @mayaelious
LinkedIn: Maya Elious
Facebook: Maya Elious

Resources:
Dr. Dom’s Therapy Practice
Get That Pitch Workshop: Turn your story and expertise into speaking gigs, media features, and collaborations, without a publicist. Visit GetThatPitch.com and Use code HERSPACE for a special listener discount.
Branding with Terri
Melanin and Mental Health
Therapy for Black Girls
Psychology Today
Therapy for QPOC
Therapy Fund Foundation

Where to find us:
Twitter: @HERspacepodcast
Instagram: @herspacepodcast
Facebook: @herspacepodcast
Website: cultivatingherspace.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey lady! We know that right now the onslaught of news is hard to escape. Everyday there is a new anxiety-inducing development, a new manufactured fear to distract us from our mission’s work. We’re here to tell you that if you are having a hard time keeping your head up, you are not alone. What we’re experiencing is not normal, which is why Terri and Dr. Dom invited friend of the show and American Psychological Association President Dr. Wendi Williams to have a heart-to-heart about the psychological toll that’s being levied onto the American populace, particularly Black women.
Not only are we witnessing horrendous injustices, confusing schemes, and a barrage of misinformation from the administration but we are witnessing a targeted attack on the Black woman worker in the economy. Dr. Wendi breaks down the historical implications of the reported 300,000 Black women who have suffered job loss or prolonged absence from the workforce. She states that the number is actually higher. You’ll have to tune in to hear why. Dr. Wendi also talks about why her role as the president of the American Psychological Association is critical as we begin to imagine the solutions that will help us fight our way out of this mess.
Dr. Wendi keeps it real about the moment we’re in, but she offers perspective that will inspire hope in your heart.
Lady, by now you know we all we got. Hold tight to your sister friends and send them this episode so we can keep each other uplifted and informed. Dr. Wendi offers a powerful antidote to the evil we’re seeing with a vision of life where we finally create a world that is sustainable for us to thrive!
Keep your head to the sky lady and check out the resources below for additional support, should you need it. If you’re searching for your tribe join us on Patreon where other Black women are walking boldly on their path to empowerment. You’ll fit right in!

Quote of the Day:
"Recovery is not about fixing yourself. It's about reclaiming yourself.”
– Dr. Wendi Williams

Today’s sponsor is VB Health, known for science-backed, third-party tested supplements made in the USA.
Try Drive Boost for libido support. Many people report noticing benefits within 1–2 weeks of daily use. Visit this link and use code HerSpace for 10% off: https://bit.ly/VBhealthherspace

Goal Mapping Starter Guide
Cultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary

Where to find Dr. Wendi S. Williams:
Website: Dr. Wendi S. Williams
Podcast: She Been Ready! The Podcast
Book: Black Women at Work: On Refusal and Recovery
IG: @drwendiwilliams
LinkedIn: Dr. Wendi S. Williams

Resources:
Dr. Dom’s Therapy Practice
Get That Pitch Workshop: Turn your story and expertise into speaking gigs, media features, and collaborations, without a publicist. Visit GetThatPitch.com and Use code HERSPACE for a special listener discount.
Branding with Terri
Melanin and Mental Health
Therapy for Black Girls
Psychology Today
Therapy for QPOC
Therapy Fund Foundation

Where to find us:
Twitter: @HERspacepodcast
Instagram: @herspacepodcast
Facebook: @herspacepodcast
Website: cultivatingherspace.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lady! This week Terri and Dr. Dom welcome powerhouse visionary Ashley McGirt-Adair to Cultivating H.E.R. Space to broaden your awareness to additional tools and resources available to you as you travel along your healing path. Ashley is a dynamic trailblazer who listened to her inner wisdom and allowed that internal voice to guide her as she built a thriving clinical practice and foundation geared towards helping Black women afford the mental health care we so often need.
Ashley is the founder of the Therapy Fund Foundation, a nonprofit focused on eliminating barriers to mental health care in Black and historically excluded communities. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Cost of Healing in Silence: Navigating Racial Trauma and the Call for Culturally Responsive Care. Ashley keeps it real about the barriers that keep Black women from tending to themselves and how she found the courage to step out on faith and build the phenomenal service she’s offering to the world.
Since slavery Black Americans have experienced a litany of traumatic events and have somehow managed to survive to this present day. The issue is that until we, collectively, address those numerous traumas and all of their manifestations we will continue to just do that – survive. Ashley and her team want us to thrive and they are committed to connecting Black women with culturally attuned and responsive providers who are equipped to navigate the complex and layered issues that we face.
Lady, there are many forces in this world that are designed to weigh you down and discourage you from reaching your full potential. But, like the sea turtles making their pilgrimage to the water you, too, can make the arduous trek from being broken and in pieces to being in your power. Tune in to today’s episode for actionable steps and resources you can access right now!
Don’t forget you can also book a consultation with Dr. Dom so that you can establish your team of providers ready to help you breakthrough to your next level.
We love you for real, lady!

Quote of the Day:
"We need access, equity, and action that ensures healing isn’t a privilege, it’s a right."
– Ashley McGirt-Adair

Goal Mapping Starter Guide
Cultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary

Where to find Ashley McGirt-Adair:
Website: Therapy Fund Foundation
Instagram: @therpayfundfoundation
Facebook: Therapy Fund Foundation
Website: Ashley McGirt
Book: The Cost of Healing in Silence: Navigating Racial Trauma and the Call for Culturally Responsive Care
LinkedIn: Ashley McGirt
Instagram: @therapywithash
Facebook: Ashley McGirt Counseling Services LLC
Twitter (X): @TherapywithAsh
YouTube: Ashley McGirt

Resources:
Dr. Dom’s Therapy Practice
Get That Pitch Workshop: Turn your story and expertise into speaking gigs, media features, and collaborations, without a publicist. Visit GetThatPitch.com and Use code HERSPACE for a special listener discount.
Branding with Terri
Melanin and Mental Health
Therapy for Black Girls
Psychology Today
Therapy for QPOC
Therapy Fund Foundation
Where to find us:
Twitter: @HERspacepodcast
Instagram: @herspacepodcast
Facebook: @herspacepodcast
Website: cultivatingherspace.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lady! Welcome to 2026. We hope this new year is greeting you with restoration, renewal and an excitement for what’s possible in 2026. This week, Terri and Dr. Dom set the tone for what we hope will be an abundant, juicy year. One way we can do that is by being intentional with our time, our attention and our resources.
The ladies dive into a timely conversation about considerations to keep in mind while you are setting your intentions, goal setting and mapping out how you’re going to move through the year with ease and flow.
The end of the year is usually considered the triage period for burnout. It is often a time where we are working to recuperate and restore after jam packed year full of obligations, commitments, and responsibilities. The demands of the year can leave one feeling depleted. By assessing your capacity early in the year you get to define what taking good care of yourself looks like so that you can put the systems and boundaries in place to make sure that the number one person in your life is well.
Lady, we’re excited about what 2026 will bring and we hope you are too! Head to the Cultivating H.E.R. Space shop and pick up a journal or three so that you have a place to put all of your brilliant plans. We have all of the tools you need including latte mugs for your nourishing tea or bone broth, pillows for your comfort, and fly apparel to let the world know exactly who you are in our shop. And, if you are ready for a true fresh start for the New Year book a consultation with Dr. Dom to establish goals and set up systems so that you move with intention or attend Terri’s Get That Pitch Workshop so you can take your business to the next level.
See you at the top, lady!

Quote of the Day:
“Just because you have the capacity doesn’t mean it deserves your energy.”
– Unknown

Goal Mapping Starter Guide
Cultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary

Resources:
Dr. Dom’s Therapy Practice
Get That Pitch Workshop: Turn your story and expertise into speaking gigs, media features, and collaborations, without a publicist. Visit GetThatPitch.com and Use code HERSPACE for a special listener discount.
Branding with Terri
Melanin and Mental Health
Therapy for Black Girls
Psychology Today
Therapy for QPOC

Where to find us:
Twitter: @HERspacepodcast
Instagram: @herspacepodcast
Facebook: @herspacepodcast
Website: cultivatingherspace.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.