In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori dives into the connection between mental health and the power of consistency—and why it looks different for Black women navigating multiple roles, responsibilities, and seasons of life.
Building wellness habits that stick isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating routines that fit your lifestyle, your energy, and your realities. Cori shares practical strategies to help you:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Start small and sustainable wellness habits</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Stay consistent even during life’s chaos</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Overcome self-sabotage and guilt</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Celebrate progress without comparison</li>
</ul>
Whether it’s fitness, nutrition, mental health, or self-care, this episode is your guide to building habits that actually last—and that honor your unique journey.
Resources &amp; Links:
🔗Links: <a href='https://bio.site/themelaninwellnesspodcast'>https://bio.site/themelaninwellnesspodcast</a>
Support the show:<a href='https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'>https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast</a>
Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori dives into the connection between mental health and the power of consistency—and why it looks different for Black women navigating multiple roles, responsibilities, and seasons of life.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Building wellness habits that stick isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating routines that fit your lifestyle, your energy, and your realities. Cori shares practical strategies to help you:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Start small and sustainable wellness habits&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Stay consistent even during life’s chaos&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Overcome self-sabotage and guilt&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Celebrate progress without comparison&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Whether it’s fitness, nutrition, mental health, or self-care, this episode is your guide to building habits that actually last—and that honor your unique journey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🔗Links: &lt;a href='https://bio.site/themelaninwellnesspodcast'&gt;https://bio.site/themelaninwellnesspodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Support the show:&lt;a href='https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'&gt;https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori dives into the power of consistency—and why it looks different for Black women navigating multiple roles, responsibilities, and seasons of life.

Mental Health & Consistency: How Black Women Can Build Wellness Habits That Actually Stick

Reinvention doesn’t always come with clarity—and for many Black women, it often follows years of pushing through exhaustion, obligation, and survival mode.
In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori is joined by Natasha, a mental health educator, trauma-informed speaker, and author, for a grounded conversation about pivot energy—how to recognize when something no longer fits and how to shift without collapsing.
Together, they explore nervous system cues, the difference between strength and survival, midlife reinvention, and why self-doubt can be valuable information rather than a flaw. This episode offers permission to pivot with intention, boundaries, and self-trust—at a pace your body can sustain.
In this episode, we discuss:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight:400;">How to recognize when it’s time to pivot—before burnout hits</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">The body’s role in signaling misalignment</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Strength vs. survival mode for Black women</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Midlife reinvention without panic or pressure</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Using self-doubt as data instead of self-criticism</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Boundaries that support sustainable change</li>
</ul>
About the Guest: 
Natasha is a mental health educator, trauma-informed speaker, and author whose work centers holistic wellness, nervous system regulation, and midlife reinvention for Black women. Her approach integrates mental health, identity, and spiritual grounding to support sustainable healing and self-trust.
Resources &amp; Links:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Natasha’s book: Imposter Syndrome Is the Green Light <a href='https://natashapierre.com/'>https://natashapierre.com/</a></li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Follow and connect with Natasha: Instagram: <a href='https://www.Instagram/natashapierreofficial'>https://www.Instagram/natashapierreofficial</a></li>
</ul>
Listener Reminder: 
Take what serves you, leave what doesn’t, and move at the pace your nervous system can handle.
Support the show: <a href='https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'>https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast</a>
Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts

<description>&lt;p&gt;Reinvention doesn’t always come with clarity—and for many Black women, it often follows years of pushing through exhaustion, obligation, and survival mode.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori is joined by Natasha, a mental health educator, trauma-informed speaker, and author, for a grounded conversation about pivot energy—how to recognize when something no longer fits and how to shift without collapsing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Together, they explore nervous system cues, the difference between strength and survival, midlife reinvention, and why self-doubt can be valuable information rather than a flaw. This episode offers permission to pivot with intention, boundaries, and self-trust—at a pace your body can sustain.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we discuss:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;How to recognize when it’s time to pivot—before burnout hits&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;The body’s role in signaling misalignment&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Strength vs. survival mode for Black women&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Midlife reinvention without panic or pressure&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Using self-doubt as data instead of self-criticism&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Boundaries that support sustainable change&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;About the Guest:
Natasha is a mental health educator, trauma-informed speaker, and author whose work centers holistic wellness, nervous system regulation, and midlife reinvention for Black women. Her approach integrates mental health, identity, and spiritual grounding to support sustainable healing and self-trust.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Natasha’s book: Imposter Syndrome Is the Green Light &lt;a href='https://natashapierre.com/'&gt;https://natashapierre.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight:400;"&gt;Follow and connect with Natasha: Instagram: &lt;a href='https://www.Instagram/natashapierreofficial'&gt;https://www.Instagram/natashapierreofficial&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Listener Reminder:
Take what serves you, leave what doesn’t, and move at the pace your nervous system can handle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Support the show: &lt;a href='https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'&gt;https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Reinvention doesn’t always come with clarity—and for many Black women, it often follows years of pushing through exhaustion, obligation, and survival mode.

Pivot Energy: How to Know When It’s Time to Reinvent Yourself (Again)

In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori gets real about the relationship between fitness, healing, and self-worth.
While movement can be a powerful tool for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm, it’s not a cure-all—and it’s definitely not a substitute for doing the deeper work.
Cori breaks down the truth about using fitness as therapy, including the highs, the setbacks, and the moments where progress has nothing to do with physical results.
If you’ve ever:
<ul>
<li>Used the gym to cope with stress or emotional pain</li>
<li>Felt frustrated when fitness didn’t “fix” everything</li>
<li>Struggled with motivation, consistency, or burnout</li>
<li>Tied your self-worth to your body or performance</li>
</ul>
This episode is for you.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>Fitness and mental health: what it can and cannot do</li>
<li>Emotional reliance on workouts</li>
<li>Navigating setbacks and plateaus</li>
<li>Rebuilding self-worth outside of physical results</li>
<li>Creating a healthier relationship with movement</li>
</ul>

Resources:
 
Speakpipe for voice message: <a href='https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'>https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast</a>
Fit Fab Cori: <a href='https://www.youtube.com/@fitfabcori'>https://www.youtube.com/@fitfabcori</a>
Support the show: <a href='https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'>https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast</a>
Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori gets real about the relationship between fitness, healing, and self-worth.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While movement can be a powerful tool for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm, it’s not a cure-all—and it’s definitely not a substitute for doing the deeper work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cori breaks down the truth about using fitness as therapy, including the highs, the setbacks, and the moments where progress has nothing to do with physical results.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Used the gym to cope with stress or emotional pain&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Felt frustrated when fitness didn’t “fix” everything&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Struggled with motivation, consistency, or burnout&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Tied your self-worth to your body or performance&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Topics include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Fitness and mental health: what it can and cannot do&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Emotional reliance on workouts&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Navigating setbacks and plateaus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Rebuilding self-worth outside of physical results&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Creating a healthier relationship with movement&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

Resources:
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Speakpipe for voice message: &lt;a href='https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'&gt;https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Fit Fab Cori: &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/@fitfabcori'&gt;https://www.youtube.com/@fitfabcori&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Support the show: &lt;a href='https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'&gt;https://buymeacoffee.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, Cori gets real about the relationship between fitness, healing, and self-worth.

Sweat, Setbacks & Self-Worth: The Truth About Fitness as Therapy

Welcome back to The Melanin Wellness Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into how beauty rituals are good for your mental health—perfect for busy Black women who want to learn how what they are already doing organically could be having an effect beyond the asthetics. 
 
If you’ve ever wondered how beauty rituals are good for your health, why beauty and wellness are important, or what a beauty ritual is, this episode is packed with actionable tips you can start using today! 
 
We’ll cover: 
✅ Reframing Beauty as Care, Not Performance
✅ Beauty as Nervous System Support
✅ And the 3 steps I take during all my beauty rituals
 
This podcast is created with Black women in mind, offering real conversations about health, wellness, and thriving through every stage of life. Whether you’re looking for holistic health created for women or searching for a healing and wellness space created especially for Black women but loved by wellness seekers everywhere, you’re in the right place!  
 
✨ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE this podcast with someone who needs it.
 
Resources:
Speakpipe for voice message: <a href='https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'>https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast</a>
Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts

<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome back to The Melanin Wellness Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into how beauty rituals are good for your mental health—perfect for busy Black women who want to learn how what they are already doing organically could be having an effect beyond the asthetics. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wondered how beauty rituals are good for your health, why beauty and wellness are important, or what a beauty ritual is, this episode is packed with actionable tips you can start using today! &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’ll cover: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;✅ Reframing Beauty as Care, Not Performance&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;✅ Beauty as Nervous System Support&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;✅ And the 3 steps I take during all my beauty rituals&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This podcast is created with Black women in mind, offering real conversations about health, wellness, and thriving through every stage of life. Whether you’re looking for holistic health created for women or searching for a healing and wellness space created especially for Black women but loved by wellness seekers everywhere, you’re in the right place!  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;✨ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE this podcast with someone who needs it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Resources:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Speakpipe for voice message: &lt;a href='https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast'&gt;https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Welcome back to The Melanin Wellness Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into how beauty rituals are good for your mental health—perfect for busy Black women who want to learn how what they are already doing organically could be having an effect beyond the asthetics. 
 
If you’ve ever wondered how beauty rituals are good for your health, why beauty and wellness are important, or what a beauty ritual is, this episode is packed with actionable tips you can start using today! 
 
We’ll cover: 
✅ Reframing Beauty as Care, Not Performance
✅ Beauty as Nervous System Support
✅ And the 3 steps I take during all my beauty rituals
 
This podcast is created with Black women in mind, offering real conversations about health, wellness, and thriving through every stage of life. Whether you’re looking for holistic health created for women or searching for a healing and wellness space created especially for Black women but loved by wellness seekers everywhere, you’re in the right place!  
 
✨ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE this podcast with someone who needs it.
 
Resources:
Speakpipe for voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast
Featured in Voyage Raleigh | Ranked Top 25% Globally on Apple Podcasts

Healing Isn’t Ugly: The Beauty Rituals That Support My Mental Health

Host: Cori 
Guest: Leseliey Welch, MPH, MBA — Public Health Strategist, Social Entrepreneur, Poet, Founder of Birth Detroit &amp; Birth Center Equity, Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow
Welcome back to The Melanin Wellness Podcast, where we explore holistic wellness, healing, and empowerment for Black women. In this episode, I sit down with Leseliey Welch, a public health strategist, writer, and professional dreamer whose work centers on love, care, and community. Leseliey shares her journey into birth equity, the founding of Birth Detroit and Birth Center Equity, and why creating safe spaces for Black women is essential for healing, self-expression, and wellness.
We also discuss how creativity, poetry, and personal reflection intersect with professional advocacy, and why softening, slowing down, and prioritizing rest are revolutionary acts for Black women in today's fast-paced world.
If you’re interested in holistic health, wellness for Black women, maternal care equity, self-care, and community advocacy, this episode is for you.
 
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
<ul>
<li>
Leseliey’s journey into public health and how her early experiences shaped her understanding of love, care, and community
</li>
<li>
The impact of opening Birth Detroit, Detroit’s first freestanding community birth center
</li>
<li>
How Birth Center Equity is transforming birth care access for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color across the U.S.
</li>
<li>
Defining safe spaces for Black women in both wellness and healthcare settings
</li>
<li>
How poetry, creativity, and public health intersect to inspire social change
</li>
<li>
The importance of softening, slowing down, and self-care in maintaining balance and wellness
</li>
<li>
Advice for Black women claiming their voice, space, and wellness without guilt
</li>
</ul>
Connect with Leseliey Welch:
<ul>
<li>
Birth Detroit: <a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer">https://www.birthdetroit.org</a>
</li>
<li>
Birth Center Equity: <a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer">https://www.birthcenterequity.org</a>
</li>
<li>
Poetry / Chapbook: Awaken LOVE (available Valentine’s Day)
</li>
</ul>
Subscribe &amp; Stay Connected: 
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to The Melanin Wellness Podcast on your favorite streaming platform. Follow along for more on holistic wellness, self-care, maternal health equity, and Black women’s empowerment.
If this episode inspired you, leave a review, share your favorite takeaways, or send a voice message via SpeakPipe. Your engagement helps us reach more Black women seeking healing, wellness, and empowerment.
Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast

<description>&lt;p&gt;Host: Cori
Guest: Leseliey Welch, MPH, MBA — Public Health Strategist, Social Entrepreneur, Poet, Founder of Birth Detroit &amp;amp; Birth Center Equity, Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Welcome back to The Melanin Wellness Podcast, where we explore holistic wellness, healing, and empowerment for Black women. In this episode, I sit down with Leseliey Welch, a public health strategist, writer, and professional dreamer whose work centers on love, care, and community. Leseliey shares her journey into birth equity, the founding of Birth Detroit and Birth Center Equity, and why creating safe spaces for Black women is essential for healing, self-expression, and wellness.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We also discuss how creativity, poetry, and personal reflection intersect with professional advocacy, and why softening, slowing down, and prioritizing rest are revolutionary acts for Black women in today's fast-paced world.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you’re interested in holistic health, wellness for Black women, maternal care equity, self-care, and community advocacy, this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What You’ll Learn in This Episode:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Leseliey’s journey into public health and how her early experiences shaped her understanding of love, care, and community&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The impact of opening Birth Detroit, Detroit’s first freestanding community birth center&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How Birth Center Equity is transforming birth care access for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color across the U.S.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Defining safe spaces for Black women in both wellness and healthcare settings&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How poetry, creativity, and public health intersect to inspire social change&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The importance of softening, slowing down, and self-care in maintaining balance and wellness&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Advice for Black women claiming their voice, space, and wellness without guilt&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Connect with Leseliey Welch:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Birth Detroit: &lt;a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer"&gt;https://www.birthdetroit.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Birth Center Equity: &lt;a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer"&gt;https://www.birthcenterequity.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Poetry / Chapbook: Awaken LOVE (available Valentine’s Day)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Subscribe &amp;amp; Stay Connected:
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to The Melanin Wellness Podcast on your favorite streaming platform. Follow along for more on holistic wellness, self-care, maternal health equity, and Black women’s empowerment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If this episode inspired you, leave a review, share your favorite takeaways, or send a voice message via SpeakPipe. Your engagement helps us reach more Black women seeking healing, wellness, and empowerment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/themelaninwellnesspodcast&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

If you’re interested in holistic health, wellness for Black women, maternal care equity, self-care, and community advocacy, this episode is for you.

Silence Isn’t Strength: Why Black Women Deserve Safe Spaces to Speak and Soften

The Melanin Wellness Podcast is a holistic wellness and mental health space for Black women navigating life, body changes, and emotional healing in real time.
Hosted by Cori, this podcast explores mental health, nervous system care, fitness without burnout, hormone health, and generational healing — all through a compassionate, culturally grounded lens.
Through honest solo episodes and meaningful conversations, you’ll find support for anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and your healing era — prioritizing self-trust, emotional well-being, and sustainable wellness over hustle and perfection.
Because wellness isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what actually supports your life.
🎧 Episodes cover mental health, mindset, movement, nourishment, and rest — helping you feel more regulated, more grounded, and more like yourself again.
✨ A safe space for Black women ready to heal, grow, and feel at home in their bodies and minds.
Guest and business inquires only: <a href="mailto:hello@themelaninwellnesspodcast.com">hello@themelaninwellnesspodcast.com</a>

The Melanin Wellness Podcast: Holistic Health and Healing for Black Women’s Wellness

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