Mamaste with Tanika Ray

Latest Episodes:

67. Boundaries, Baby!! Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

Boundaries aren’t just a trending topic. When you step back and tell someone, “I’ve got boundaries,” it’s not a cute saying. If we are intentional about our boundaries, they're very, very effective. It's not only about a man you don't want to be in a relationship with or someone standing too close at the grocery store— they’re a way to create a safe bubble around yourself and those you love.

Tune in and listen to episode sixty sevenof Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Today, you’ll hear me solo as I talk about all things boundaries. The world may seem unbelievably ugly right now, but if we remember to focus on the light, we’ll only beget more light.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

My conversation in episode 66 with Sheree Zampino inspired some of today’s boundary talk (03:23)
In December, I went through something that made me extremely introspective. (07:22)
Humans are like sponges—we have to make sure we’re not soaking in negative energy even when we don’t mean to (09:25)
Mother’s Day is incredibly complicated for a lot of people and setting boundaries can make or break you (13:24)
Find a home with people that are doing empowering things, spreading love, and raising vibrations (18:15)

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

66. Co-Parent Like a Rockstar with Sheree Zampino Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

When you think of “middle age,” where does your mind go? Do you picture Dorothy, Blanche, and the other Golden Girls eating cheesecake down in Miami? Or do you see a gorgeous, fit Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, or Mariah Carey in her mid 50s? It’s 2023 and we’re aging more beautifully and gracefully than ever—the truth is that “middle age” is really just the beginning!

Today, I welcome actress, producer, mama, and inspirational co-parent Sheree Zampino. Sheree has been through all the ups and downs of single motherhood and co-parenting with her famous ex, Will Smith, but she credits much of her success as a mama to the fact that she had a village around her to help her raise her son.

Tune in and listen to episode 66 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Sheree is telling me all about what it means to her to be in alignment, how the noise of social media can be so overwhelming, and why you can’t tell everybody your business.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How Sheree feels at the age of 55 (07:41)
About Sheree’s daily affirmation rituals (11:53)
Sheree is a Christian woman AND practices spirituality and meditation (16:06)
Sheree raised her son as a single mom—but she definitely didn’t do it alone (21:56)
How Sheree kept her son grounded even with a super-famous dad (24:31)
Sheree doesn’t just co-parent with her ex husband, she also includes his stepmom (29:51)

Connect with Sheree:

Sheree on Instagram

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

65. Soft Seasoning with Shanicia Boswell Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

One of the most important things that we learn after we spend a while on this earth is that growth must be continual. We have to continue to grow because stagnancy forms and creates mold and stank... The only way forward is to keep moving.

Today, I welcome best selling author, wellness queen, and incredible single mama Shanicia Boswell. She’s the author of Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant! a guide to Black pregnancy and motherhood for mamas-to-be as well as the founder of Black Moms Blog, an online community with over 500,000 members.

Tune in and listen to episode 65 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Shanicia and I are talking all about red flags—and why we have less tolerance for them the older we get. We’re also covering the beautiful expat community she’s a part of and what it’s like having ZERO time to get into the dating world.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Shanicia left the US and is currently living with her daughter in Colombia (07:15)
What it’s like for Shanicia to raise her daughter in Medellín (14:16)
There are so many different kinds of femininity—you don’t need to fit into anyone else’s narrow definition (18:38)
The reaction Shanicia got when she shaved her head (24:03)
What it’s like teaching our daughters to love their hair (28:33)

Connect with Shanicia:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

64. Radical Dope AZZ Black Love with Alimi & Dahn Ballard Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

“If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?!”

These words from the iconic RuPaul have never been truer because the most important thing is love—love of self, love of family, love of friends. We have to cultivate and nurture that love for ourselves as mamas, because try as we might, we can’t mommy from an empty cup.

Today, I’m welcoming Alimi and Dahn Ballard. Alimi and Dahn are actors, light warriors, social activists, and amazing parents to two beautiful children, Cairo and Zion.

Tune in and listen to episode 64 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Alimi and Dahn are joining me to talk about their 20 year(!) marriage, toxic clickbait, and what it was like for Dahn to raise her own siblings.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Where Alimi and Dahn get their relationship inspiration from (12:20)
A bit about Dahn’s childhood and her brilliant mother (16:56)
How Alimi and Dahn entered into parenthood with intentionality (23:02)
How Alimi and Dahn supported their son when he came out to them (33:04)

Connect with Alimi and Dahn:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

63. Self-Empowered Mama with Simone Shepherd Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Why is it that when dad takes the kids for the day it’s “babysitting,” but when mom has the kids it’s just… well… parenting? As modern mamas, it’s our job to reject that dusty, antiquated way of thinking and make sure our identities aren’t lost once we have babies.

Today, I welcome Simone Shepherd, an Instagram and TikTok superstar, actress, comedian, and mama to a beautiful little boy.

Tune in and listen to episode 63 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Simone and I are talking about Black girl magic, her teammate relationship with her husband, and how her step-daughter taught her how to be a mother.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About Simone’s husband and their incredible bond (05:22)
Why Simone chose her son’s name, Prince Keraun (09:52)
Simone’s crazy, traumatic, beautiful birth story (13:42)
Simone’s struggle to find medical care to properly treat her reproductive issues (20:29)
Why self-empowerment is so important for us as Black women (28:27)

Connect with Simone:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

62. M.O.M. Party Post Show with Tangie Ambrose Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

The kids, the house, the bills, the partner… let’s face it Mama, between all that, there’s hardly any time left for YOU. When do you get to recharge, relax, and refill your cup?

Today, I’m talking once again to my sister friend Tangie Ambrose, an actress, artist, entrepreneur, and an amazing mommy inspiration. She is the person who introduced me to the concept of conscious parenting and she is the person I can always turn to when mommying tries my energy.

Tune in and listen to episode 62 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. On January 22, 2023, I organized an event for mamas called Made of Magic. For months, I had been dreaming about creating an indulgent experience of self-empowerment for those who deserve it most. In this episode, you’ll hear Tangie and I doing a debrief and meditation on the event.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Wellness is not only for the privileged! Wellness can be found in nature, at the beach, by spending time with yourself in silence… (04:46)
As mamas, we go from being number one when we’re on our own to taking a spot in line behind everyone else that we nurture (11:03)
In order to rejuvenate, you have to make yourself priority number one (13:08)
You cannot pour from an empty cup (19:35)
If you ask for little things and get the answers, you’ll then have the strength to ask when it's a big thing (24:35)

Connect with Tangie:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

61. Papaste with Shaka Senghor Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

We know it’s all about mommying here at Mamaste, but using 2023 as a fresh start, I decided it might just be time to shake things up a little bit with a new perspective…

Today, I’m welcoming our very first dad guest. Shaka Senghor is an author, a lecturer, an incredibly dope thought leader, and a father. Shaka’s story begins in a dark place, but through unbelievable resilience and perseverance, he’s created an amazing source of light.

Tune in and listen to episode 61 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Shaka and I are talking about why he hates labels, the profoundly complicated narrative around Black fatherhood, and how toxicity in the home involves both parents. We’re having a crazy-deep conversation and we don’t always agree—but you’re definitely going to want to tune in for this one!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

I’m hosting an event to celebrate my beautiful mommy tribe, and I couldn’t be more excited (01:54)
How Shaka sees himself in his career and his sphere of influence (11:19)
Why the “absent Black father” stereotype isn’t necessarily true (16:03)
My experience dating men without a strong father role model (26:11)
Shaka’s story about running away from home when he was just a child (38:55)

Connect with Shaka:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

60. When Kids Tap on That Last Nerve with Dr. Raquel Martin Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

Therapist, receptionist, chauffeur, culinary artist, butt wiper… Some days, it really feels like we work for our kids and that mommying should require a graduate degree!

Today I have with me mommy gangster Dr. Raquel Martin, a psychologist, fellow podcaster, and TikTok queen. Raquel’s passion is spreading empowerment and education about mental health, anti-racism, Black identity development, and health disparities & inequalities.

Tune in and listen to episode 60 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Raquel and I are talking about how differently we were treated while pregnant, single mommyhood, and why being married isn’t necessarily an advantage in the parenting game.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Everyone believes they’re a bad mom at one point or another—even licensed mental health professionals! (02:20)
Not every moment of motherhood is a beautiful, magical journey… and that’s totally okay (05:32)
Raquel’s mom’s story of having twins(!) at just 18 (08:50)
How unhealthy nutrition choices have been ingrained in our culture—and how its a cycle that needs to be stopped (18:28)
We’re allowed to be annoyed by our kids (24:51)

Connect with Raquel:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

59. Happy New F Yeah Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

This episode contains discussion of self-harm and suicide that some listeners may find disturbing.

Sometimes, after the unexpected passing of someone who looks and seems happy in their life, it can send those of us left behind into introspection mode. The truth is that life will always have highs and lows—and that’s okay. It’s what we do in the moments between that matters most.

Today, I’m back and flying solo after a bit of a December hibernation.

Tune in and listen to episode fifty nineof Mamaste with Tanika Ray. I’m talking about life’s gray areas, embracing the human experience, and my experience working a job that seemed glamorous on the outside but was really anything but.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

We lost so many beautiful people in December, it made for a very unusual holiday season (05:39)
We’re not supposed to be joyful all the time (07:37)
It’s a waste of energy to think your life won’t have bumpy moments (09:27)
Just because we’re parents doesn't mean we have to throw out everything else (13:13)
I’m sharing the oath of manifestation (15:18)

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

58. Mommying Up a Sweat with Tamala Lewis Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

How many of us have the job today that we dreamt of when we were kids? If life happened that way, there would be an awful lot of ballerinas and firefighters! Of course, we evolve as humans and learn to take on new roles, even ones we never imagined ourselves in. But oftentimes, the key to success is simply to shift—and to not be afraid of doing it!

Today I have Tamala Lewis with me, my sister-from-another-mister and mama of two.Tamala serves as Senior Director of Community Affairs for AEG's Dignity Health Sports Park. She also has her hands in the music business, fashion design, and is a former professional backup dancer.

Tune in and listen to episode 58 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray.Tamala is telling me all about having a massive new project come to fruition 2 days before lockdown started, her crazy career path, and how she integrates her family into the work that she does for the community.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A little about Tamala’s background—and about being roommates with Rosie Perez (04:54)
How Tamala makes time for her family with her busy schedule (10:43)
It’s all a learning experience! (13:41)
About Tamala’s relationship with her husband (14:41)
The biggest challenge to raising kids in 2022 (18:16)

Connect with Tamala:

Instagram

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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