What Podcasts Taught Me About Myself

Girl, let me tell you something real. When I was your age, I thought I had to figure everything out alone. The career stuff, the money stress, the messy situationships, the “why do I feel like everyone else has their life together except me” spiral. And honestly? I was drowning in silence.

But here is the thing I wish someone had told me earlier: you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. And one of the easiest ways to get the advice you actually need without paying for a therapist or a life coach? Podcasts. Specifically, podcasts hosted by Black women who have already been through the trenches and are willing to tell you exactly how they got out.

I am not talking about those polished, corporate podcasts that sound like they were recorded in a boardroom. I am talking about the ones where the host says “listen, sis, here is what nobody told me” and then actually drops the blueprint. The ones that feel like you are on FaceTime with your cool older cousin who already made the mistakes so you don’t have to.

So grab your AirPods, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and get ready to add some serious value to your playlist. Because these podcasts are about to change the way you think about your money, your relationships, your career, and honestly, your whole life.

Why Black Women Host the Best Podcasts Right Now

Let’s be real for a second. The podcast industry is saturated. Everyone and their mama has a mic and a hot take. But there is something different about podcasts hosted by Black women. We are not doing the “toxic positivity” thing. We are not pretending everything is fine when it is not. We are not giving you advice that sounds good in theory but falls apart in real life.

When a Black woman sits behind a microphone, she is bringing generations of survival, resilience, and straight-up wisdom with her. She knows what it is like to be the only one in the room. She knows what it is like to be underestimated. She knows what it is like to have to work twice as hard for half the recognition. And instead of gatekeeping that knowledge, she is putting it in your ears for free.

That is why these podcasts hit different. They are not just entertainment — they are education. They are the conversations Black women have been having in living rooms and hair salons for decades, finally recorded so you can listen on your commute to your 9-to-5 or while you are avoiding your homework.

Yeah, that is wild, right? Let that sink in. Almost 8 out of 10 young women are using podcasts as a lifeline for their mental health and personal growth. And honestly? I get it. When you are lying in bed at 2 AM wondering if you are the only one who feels like a failure, hearing someone say “I have been there too” can literally save your sanity.

The Podcasts You Need to Download Right Now

Alright, enough talking around it. Let me give you the list you actually came here for. These are the podcasts that I personally listen to, that my friends listen to, and that the women in TechMae are constantly recommending to each other. I am not including anything I would not send to my own little sister.

1. “The Black Girl Bravado” by Journee and Brittney

If you have ever felt like you have to shrink yourself to make other people comfortable, this podcast is your wake-up call. Journee and Brittney talk about career pivots, setting boundaries with family, and why you should never apologize for wanting more. They are both in their late 20s, so they are close enough to your age to remember what it was like to be broke and confused, but far enough ahead to give you real advice.

One episode that literally changed my life was called “Stop Being the ‘Easy’ Friend.” They broke down why women, especially Black women, are socialized to be agreeable and how that costs us promotions, relationships, and our peace. I literally listened to it three times in a row.

2. “The Bag is the Bag” by Nia and Simone

Listen, if you are not thinking about your money, your money is not thinking about you. And these two? They are the financial big sisters you never had. This podcast is specifically for young women who are just starting to build wealth — and by “wealth” I mean being able to pay your bills without crying.

They break down credit scores, investing, side hustles, and salary negotiation in a way that actually makes sense. No finance bro jargon. No “just stop buying avocado toast” nonsense. They understand that sometimes you are choosing between paying for gas and buying groceries, and they give you actionable steps anyway.

💡 Quick Tip

Start with Episode 47: “The Credit Score Hack Nobody Taught You.” Nia explains how to add yourself as an authorized user on a trusted family member’s card to boost your score by 50+ points in 90 days. I did this and my score went from 620 to 710. No cap.

3. “Sis, Let’s Talk” by Maya

This one is for the deep talks. Maya is a licensed therapist who decided to take her sessions to the microphone. She covers everything from attachment styles to dealing with childhood trauma to why you keep dating the same toxic person in a different font.

What I love about this podcast is that Maya does not just tell you what is wrong with you — she gives you actual exercises to fix it. She has episodes where she walks you through breathing techniques, journaling prompts, and even scripts for difficult conversations. It is like therapy, but free and you can listen in your pajamas.

4. “The Hustle Her Way” by Jasmine and Keisha

If you are in college or just starting your career, this podcast is required listening. Jasmine and Keisha are both in their early 30s and have built successful careers in tech and marketing respectively. They talk about imposter syndrome, asking for raises, networking without being fake, and how to pivot when you realize your current path is not it.

One of my favorite episodes was “How to Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges.” They literally gave a step-by-step script for resigning professionally, including what to say in the exit interview and how to negotiate your next offer before you even leave. I have shared that episode with at least five friends.

5. “Unbothered & Unfiltered” by Chloe

This podcast is for the days when you are tired of being polite. Chloe is unapologetically herself, and she gives you permission to be the same. She talks about body image, social media pressure, dating in the digital age, and why you need to stop caring about what people think.

Her episode “Why I Stopped Posting for Validation” went viral for a reason. She broke down the psychology behind why we scroll and compare, and gave a 30-day social media detox challenge that actually worked. I did it, and I am not gonna lie — the first week was hard. But by day 20, I felt like a completely different person.

The Truth Nobody Tells You About Podcasts

Here is the thing nobody talks about. Listening to podcasts is not enough. You can listen to a hundred episodes about financial literacy and still be broke if you do not actually implement what you learn. You can binge every relationship podcast on Spotify and still end up in the same toxic cycle if you do not do the inner work.

These podcasts are tools, not magic wands. They give you the information, but you have to be the one to take action. And I know that sounds harsh, but I need you to hear it. Because I have been the girl who listens to a million self-improvement podcasts and then wonders why nothing changes. It is because I was consuming without applying.

So here is my challenge to you. Pick ONE podcast from this list. Listen to ONE episode. And then pick ONE action item from that episode and actually do it. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today. Even if it is something small, like sending that text you have been avoiding or opening a savings account with $5.

That is how change happens. Not by consuming more information, but by taking one step at a time.

How to Make Podcasts Work for Your Life

Let me give you a practical system that actually works. Because I know you are busy. You have classes, work, friends, family drama, and that never-ending to-do list. Finding time to listen to podcasts can feel like just another thing you are supposed to do.

Here is what I do. I have three specific times when I listen:

First, during my morning routine. While I am washing my face, making coffee, and getting dressed, I put on a 20-minute episode. It sets the tone for my whole day. Instead of scrolling social media and comparing myself to everyone, I am feeding my brain something useful.

Second, during my commute. Whether you drive, take the bus, or walk to class, that is prime listening time. You are already going somewhere, so you might as well learn something while you are at it.

Third, while doing chores. Laundry, dishes, cleaning your room — these are tasks that do not require your full brain power. So instead of dreading them, use that time to listen to a podcast. You will be surprised how much you can get through.

What Nobody Tells You About Finding the Right Podcast

Here is the thing. Not every podcast is going to be for you. And that is okay. If you start an episode and it does not click, move on. You do not have to finish it. You do not have to like it just because it is popular. The whole point is to find podcasts that actually speak to YOUR life.

I remember when I first started listening to personal development podcasts, I forced myself to finish episodes that I hated because I thought that is what you were supposed to do. I was listening to a finance podcast hosted by a man who kept saying “just invest in real estate” as if I had $50,000 sitting around. And I was sitting there like, “bro, I am trying to figure out how to afford groceries.”

That is why I specifically seek out podcasts hosted by Black women. Because we understand the reality of starting from a different place. We understand what it is like to not have generational wealth. We understand what it is like to be the first person in your family to go to college or to have a corporate job. And we are not going to give you advice that assumes you already have a safety net.

So if a podcast feels out of touch, delete it and find another one. There are thousands out there. You will find your people.

The Podcast Episode You Need to Hear This Week

If you only listen to one thing from this entire post, make it Episode 23 of “The Black Girl Bravado” called “How to Stop Being a People Pleaser Without Becoming a Jerk.” I am not joking when I say this episode changed my life.

I had been struggling with setting boundaries for years. I would say yes to things I did not want to do. I would let people walk all over me because I was afraid of conflict. I would apologize for things that were not my fault. And I thought that was just who I was.

But Journee and Brittney broke down exactly why we become people pleasers — especially as Black women — and gave a step-by-step process for unlearning it. They talked about the “pause technique” where you literally count to five before responding to a request. They talked about how to say no without giving a long excuse. They talked about how to handle the guilt that comes with setting boundaries.

I listened to that episode on a Tuesday morning. By Friday, I had said no to three things I normally would have said yes to. And guess what? The world did not end. People did not hate me. I actually felt lighter.

That is the power of the right podcast at the right time.

Start Here

Alright sis, here is your action plan. I want you to do three things this week.

First, pick one podcast from the list above and subscribe to it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Do not try to subscribe to all of them at once. Start with one.

Second, listen to one episode while you are doing something you already do — getting ready in the morning, commuting, or doing chores. Do not try to find extra time. Just replace the time you would normally spend scrolling.

Third, take ONE action from that episode. Write it down. Put it in your phone notes. And do it within 24 hours. That is the key. Do not let the information sit in your brain without being used.

You might also love this article — one of our most shared. It is about building a morning routine that actually works for your energy levels, without relying on caffeine to get through the day.

This is the kind of stuff women talk about inside TechMae every single day. No judgment, just real ones keeping it real. We talk about the podcasts that changed our lives, the financial hacks nobody taught us, the relationship red flags we ignored, and the career moves that actually worked.

Related: This post is a must-read for women on their journey. It is about how journaling helped me figure out what I actually wanted in life — and how it can do the same for you.

You are not behind. You are not alone. And you are not supposed to have it all figured out. The only thing you need to do is keep showing up for yourself. And if a podcast helps you do that, then that is one more tool in your toolbox.

Now go download those episodes. Your future self is waiting.