Cocoa Butter and Communion

Grounded in Culture: A Conversation with Aneriz Barbosa Medina

Hey Village! First things first, this spring I am welcoming the FIRST EVER Soul Story Journal Practice Co-Hort, and I want YOU to be a part of it. For more information, please visit:  https://www.groundedrootscollective.com/soulstorycollective 
In this episode, I am chatting with Aneriz Barbosa Medina about being a first-generation student, navigating the intersections as a Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean woman in academic spaces, identity, community, and the importance of getting herself all the way together with her grounding practices. We discuss her role as a Santera and the importance of respecting spiritual practices in mental health fields. 
In addition to being a Santera, Aneriz is a clinician and Ph.D. student in Humanistic Clinical Psychology, specializing in complex trauma and the healing process. As a first-generation doctoral scholar, her work is deeply rooted in her Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean heritage, which inspires both her research and her clinical approach. She is currently completing her dissertation exploring Afro-Caribbean spirituality and its role in healing, identity, and resilience, while also navigating the field of psychology. She is passionate about culture, spirituality, trauma recovery, and community empowerment. Aneriz is committed to creating spaces where ancestral wisdom and modern psychology meet. Her mission is to honor her roots, uplift her community, and serve as a meaningful representation of Caribbean strength, healing, and possibility. 
Follow the show on IG @groundedrootscollective
 

A Journey in Storytelling through Representation: A Conversation with JaNay Brown-Wood

Heeyyy Village! In this episode, I am talking to the award-winning, best-selling children's book author, Dr. JaNay Brown-Wood. In this episode, we talk about her journey as an author; her insights on storytelling, navigating the publishing world as a Black author, and the importance of representation in literature. Y'all, her book has been placed upon a banned list. JaNay and I also chat about the importance of being grown individuals and about finding joy in play and silliness (she sings a little something from School House Rock, while I sing the Tootsie Roll jingle). JaNay is hosting the all-day Black Family Collective event this Saturday, February 28, 2026, at A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, CA.
Dr. JaNay Brown-Wood is an award-winning and New York Times Best-Selling children’s author, speaker, poet, educator, scholar, and a former professor of Early Childhood Education and Child Development. Her first children’s book Imani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award and was featured on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, and her second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award. JaNay has over thirty books published, including the popular Where in the Garden picture book series, the Harriet Tubman and Simone Biles Little Golden Book Biographies, the Scholastic Love Puppies chapter book series, and the highly praised picture books Jam, Too (an NCTE Notable Poetry Book for 2025) and This Hair Belongs (A Kids’ Indie Next Pick). JaNay is also featured in several educational web videos, including Cooking with JaNay and Jammies with JaNay.
Learn more about JaNay on her website www.janaybrownwood.com.
Check out her IG @janaybrownwood 
Reserve your spot for the event at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-family-collective-morning-activities-tickets-1982320194063?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
 

The Soul Story Experience

Hey Village, in my Varnell Hill voice, "Did ya miss me?" I missed y'all.
In this episode, I share the heart behind The Soul Story Journal: A Guide to Unbinding the Spirit, why it was created, what it holds, and how it invites reflection without urgency or self-fixing. I share about the beauty of remembering rather than performing, storytelling that honors the body, ancestry, and lived experience, and creating space for healing that does not demand resolution.
If you’ve been carrying stories shaped by survival, strength, or silence, this episode offers a lovely space to return to yourself with curiosity, tenderness, and permission. This is not about writing the “right” story; it’s about listening for the one that’s been waiting to be witnessed.
If you are near, come to the book signing on February 7, 2026, at Celebration Arts Theatre in Sacramento at 2:00 pm. 
You can still order the book on my website https://www.groundedrootscollective.com/store-2  and while you're there, leave your email address so we can stay in touch. 
Follow me on IG @groundedrootscollective or FB Grounded Roots Therapy Collective, Inc. 
 

Rooted in Heritage: A Conversation with Chi-Chi Anyanwu and Kenyon Hill

Hey Village! Don't forget to preorder "The Soul Story Journal: A Guide to Unbinding the Spirit." With your preorder, you will receive a digital Soul Story Starter Pack that encourages you to begin your soul work before your journal arrives. Visit www.groundedrootscollective.com/store-2 to secure your copy today. 
In the episode, I am continuing to explore liberation, and to do so, I share the mic with my friends, Chi-Chi Anyanwu and Kenyon Hill, as we explore themes of our roots, heritage, storytelling, music, and the importance of land ownership (it all goes together, I promise). These themes converge due to the impact of reading "Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership" by Brea Baker, a beautifully written work. We are fan girls and a boy over here about thee Brea Baker. As you listen, I invite you to reflect on your own stories of connection, groundedness, and family of origin or family of choice. 
Get the book: "Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership" by Brea Baker. 
Follow the show on IG @groundedrootscollective 
 
 

The Costa Rica Reunion Tour with Carrie DuBose, Royal Williams & Aaliyah Jones

Village! I wrote a guided journal, The Soul Story Journal: A Guide to Unbinding the Spirit. For more information, please add your email to my subscription list https://www.groundedrootscollective.com/subscribe . On a future episode, I will share more about the book's journey and how you can have one in YOUR hands!
In this episode, I am reuniting with my favorite humid homies from my transformative trip to Costa Rica. We share fun facts, travel experiences, the healing power of being surrounded by elders, and the profound connections formed among one another, highlighting the importance of community and healing. And, of course, we explore themes of liberation, but also the challenges of transitioning back to reality after a profound experience. 
Here are today's guests: 
Carrie DuBose, MA, is a therapist in St. Paul, Minnesota. She works primarily with individuals and couples from the global majority, with a special emphasis on those identifying as Black and/or multiracial. Her lens is person-centered, decolonizing, systemic, and often includes a somatic and internal family systems approach.
Royal Williams started her company, Yup! She Travels, a company that curates cultural experiences for Black women. Driven by her enriching experiences abroad and her educational background, Royal founded Yup! We Travel has the mission to provide meaningful, culturally immersive experiences and internships in Colombia for university students. Royal's own experiences studying and interning abroad during college profoundly shaped her worldview, and she is passionate about offering similar opportunities to help others grow and thrive.
After seven years as an English and Spanish teacher between Colombia and the US, Royal decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a Psychologist and received a Master's degree from Pepperdine University. She currently works in Dr. Shelly Harrell's research lab. In this lab, she discovered Liberation Psychology. Royal is interested in the well-being of Black women after they leave the US and would like to conduct research on this topic. She plans on pursuing a doctoral degree in Psychology. Follow Royal on IG @yupshetravels
Aaliyah Jones is a second-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, passionate about the intersections of mental health, physical activity, and holistic wellness. Her work emphasizes integrating mindfulness, movement-based therapies, and somatic experiencing into traditional psychotherapy to help individuals develop self-awareness, enhance emotional regulation, and foster overall well-being.
 
Follow the show and my private practice, @groundedrootstherapycollective, on Instagram, and I'm also on Facebook. Like, subscribe, and comment wherever you get your podcasts! 
 

Navigating Uncertainty: A Personal Reflection

In 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 

The Power of Our Roots with Lakiba Pittman

In this engaging conversation, I chat with my elder, Lakiba Pittman, to explore themes of identity, ancestry, and personal growth. We discuss our family ties and the importance of maintaining connections with family and ancestors. Luckily for us, Lakiba shares her journey of self-discovery through spirituality and the Black consciousness movement. Lakiba and I explore the intersections of spirituality, creativity, and the role of elders in the community, and define what unique qualities a true elder should have.
 
Lakiba Pittman is a professor, poet, energy healer, and community artist whose work bridges creativity, mindfulness, and social impact. She is a Senior Instructor with Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research & Education (CCARE) and facilitates healing-centered programs with Healing Together. She also leads workshops for Stanford Healthy Living, Rick Hanson’s Weekly Meditation Series, the Compassion Institute, and LifeMoves. Lakiba is a trained facilitator in Mindful Self-Compassion, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and trauma-informed healing practices.
Her path was shaped during the Bay Area’s Black Consciousness era, when she became part of the vibrant Nairobi community of East Palo Alto. She began her professional career at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Technologies in senior roles focused on diversity strategy, leadership development, and global talent management, later founding a consulting practice that helps organizations cultivate inclusive cultures and compassionate leadership.Lakiba now teaches Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in the Workplace, Cultural Expressions in Media, and Race & Racism at Menlo College, Golden Gate University, and Notre Dame de Namur University. She is completing a doctorate in Transformative Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where her research examines music and spirituality as catalysts for healing and transformation.Her work is grounded in mindfulness, trauma-informed pedagogy, and embodied social justice. Her book Breadcrumbs from the Soul and her installations in the Black Woman Is God art series celebrate resilience, imagination, and the power of art to transform. Stepping into her role as an elder, Lakiba’s greatest purpose is to share the wisdom of her journey so that the healing she cultivates nourishes those she teaches and supports—and ripples outward to bless her ancestors and future generations.Connect with her on all social platforms or at www.lakibapittman.com. 
Follow Cocoa Butter and Communion on IG @groundedrootscollective 
 

The Complexities of Healing with Regina Lawless

In this episode of Cocoa Butter and Communion Village, we are exploring community and connection (two of my favorite topics). Regina Lawless is back, and we explore processing and navigating grief after the sudden loss of her husband, and the societal discomfort around death and mourning. She also reflects on her experience of opening up to new love while honoring her late husband, and how her relationship with herself has transformed through this journey. She shares all of this and so much more with warmth, grace, and beauty. We laugh throughout this episode as we ponder the complexities of life. 
Regina Lawless, MSOD, is a bestselling author, speaker, spiritual teacher, and former head of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Instagram. In addition, Regina is the founder and CEO of Bossy & Blissful, a restorative community for Black women leaders. Regina has 18+ years of HR experience working for Fortune 500 companies across various industries, including Target, Virgin America Airlines, and Intel. Her first book, “Do You,” was published by Greenleaf Book Group, in partnership with Fast Company, in February 2024.
In 2021, Regina was appointed to the Board of the World Women Foundation and serves as an Advisory Council Member for the University of San Francisco’s Engineering Program. She is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, in Communication Studies and holds a Master of Science degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. Regina is a Bay Area native and currently resides there with her partner, teenage son, and their dog, Rocket. She is an avid reader, loves listening to music and podcasts, and practicing yoga.
 
Check out her beautiful podcast, The BlissFULL Life, anywhere you can find podcasts! Download it, share it, and like it! 
Follow her on IG @regina.lawless
Check out her website www.reginalawless.com
Send her an email at hello@reginalawless.com 
 
Grab her book! It's amazing, like her. 
 

The Unpack: Catching up with Jessica

Hey 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 @groundedrootscollective
Find us on Facebook at Grounded Roots Therapy Collective, Inc. 
The show is now on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@CocoaButterAndCommunion (Make sure to subscribe) 
Rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Your support is amazing! 
 
 

Confidence Unleashed: The Journey of Self-Discovery- A Conversation with Sylmia Britt

Hey Village! I missed y'all, but I come bringing gifts. This episode, I am chatting with the beautiful Sylmia Britt, and we discuss the art of growth, all while maintaining joy. We share about liberating experiences like eating deviled eggs while watching Raheem DeVaughn sing his face off and self-acceptance, all while owning your essence and reinvesting in each other.  
Sylmia has a background rooted in military values and enriched by experiences in the California State government. Sylmia is an accomplished author, speaker, and advocate committed to fostering growth and positive impact. Her passion for continuous learning and advocacy led to the creation of GBU Consulting CA, which presents WeThriveAbove – a consulting firm focused on building individual and business capacity. Sylmia’s expertise spans social science principles and Business Administration, reflecting her dedication to career and business development. Her unwavering commitment to empowerment, inclusivity, and positive impact guides her and the services of WeThriveAbove. Through her innovative, human-centered approach, Sylmia strives to empower individuals and businesses alike to achieve their fullest potential and make a lasting difference in their communities. 
You can find Sylmia online at www.wethriveabove.com or on Instagram @ we_thriveabove.
Follow the show on IG @groundedrootscollective