Pod Insights Therapy for Black Girls I Have Some Thoughts Minisode | Nara Smith, Kennedy Ryan, & Young Miami About this episode Welcome back to our minisode series, "I Have Some Thoughts." These short episodes are designed to contextualize the pop culture moments we're currently paying attention to through a mental health lens. Pop culture isn't just fun to chat about, it can reveal important information about how we relate, cope, and understand ourselves. Join us each Friday to hear Dr. Joy share her thoughts about the happenings of the week.
This week, we're chatting about Nara Smith sharing about her daughter's cancer diagnosis, Kennedy Ryan's pen name, and controversy about Young Miami's Spend Dat.
Stay Connectedhttps://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/58hvh8ug08p6wzc6/dGhlcmFweWZvcmJsYWNrZ2lybHMuY29tb3JibGFja2dpcmxzLmNvbS9wYXRyZW9u
Wanna chat more about the pop culture hot topics of the week? Join us inside our Patreon https://community.therapyforblackgirls.com/ community.
Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.
If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.
Make sure to follow us on social media:
Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls https://www.instagram.com/therapyforblackgirls
Threads: @therapyforblackgirls https://www.threads.com/therapyforblackgirls
Our Production Team
Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins
Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis
Producer: Ndeye Thioubou
Production Assistant: Bria Mosley
See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript 0:00 Speaker 00 This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.
0:04 Speaker 01 A rare disease diagnosis can change your life, but it doesn't have to define your future. In season seven of Untold Stories, Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition, host Martine Hackett continues the conversation with people living with MG, CIDP, and the broader rare disease community, exploring what comes after diagnosis through stories of hope, progress, and connection. Produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Argenx. Listen on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:34 Speaker 02 I'm Martha Stewart from the Martha Stewart Podcast. When you want to make your best, it's got to be McCormick. From everyday meals to hosting dinner parties, turn to McCormick. Their convenient, versatile flavors elevate every dish. McCormick has been and is an essential in the kitchen. Now they have a new line of signature seasonings crafted by flavor experts. With everyday favorites like garlic and olive oil, globally inspired ones like chimichurri, and more. McCormick's signature seasonings make it easier to add bold flavors that make each bite of your meal more delicious. Try the chimichurri blend that elevates grilled meats. Explore the full array of blends and find your favorite at McCormick.com.
1:14 Speaker 03 Granger knows if you're a procurement manager at an industrial manufacturing facility, you're balancing inventory and budget while sourcing critical supplies across the operation. Too much inventory? Costs climb. Too little? Production slows. Granger's $2 billion in on-hand inventory helps you get what you need when you need it, so you can help keep budgets balanced and lines moving. Call 1-800-GRanger, click Granger.com, or just stop by. Granger, for the ones who get it done.
1:54 Speaker 01 Hey y'all, welcome back to I Have Some Thoughts, our weekly mini-soad series here at Therapy for Black Girls, where we are talking about all things pop culture, but of course through a mental health lens. And I am back with Bria this week. Hey, Bria.
2:08 Speaker 04 Hey, guys.
2:09 Speaker 01 So what do we have?
2:10 Speaker 05 Have one on this today, Bri.
2:11 Speaker 04 Let's start with Nara Smith. So are you familiar with Nara Smith?
2:14 Speaker 05 Yes.
2:15 Speaker 04 Yeah. So for those of you who may not know, she's an influencer. She is best known for her viral cooking videos where she'll make very elaborate from scratch snacks. Like for example, she'll be like, my kid wanted some Skittles, so I made some from the garden or something like that. But she recently revealed actually that her two-year-old daughter, Wimsey, was diagnosed with cancer last year. Now, she released a statement via Instagram and announced that it was not an easy decision, whether she wanted to share the news publicly, but also sent thoughts to every family and parent that's walking through a heavy moment right now. And I think there's like a broader conversation of like, as a parent, I feel like you want to protect your child from everything and some things
2:59 Speaker 04 you may not have even imagined would happen to your child, but parents often feel like they need to stay strong for their children in these hard times where their child is going through something. So how can caregivers really balance being emotionally present for like a sick child or a child that's dealing with a tough situation, while also tending to their own mental health?
3:19 Speaker 05 Yeah, this is such a tough situation, right? And a tough line to walk. First of all, sending their family so much love, I'm sure that this has not been an easy process. And you know, we've had so many conversations here around like the thing that people struggle with personally and privately, but then they have a public platform and then there's this pressure to maybe share, right? I'm sure that that was difficult as she shared. And I think that this is really hard as a parent, the idea that you want to kind of show your kids that you're human and that you also have fears and anxieties, but also not wanting to adultify them and bring them into an adult's experience. So it is a really tough line. So I think it is okay to have age-appropriate conversations with your kids about the things that you're afraid of.
4:01 Speaker 05 And like, oh, mommy has things that make her worry too, to outline or to underscore like the things that kids worry about also. But it is also really important to have an adult support system that you can talk to about these things, right? So your partner, your friends, a therapist, a religious leader, whoever is in your circle of support, I think is really important because it can't be that you are sharing too much with your kids, right? Because then that does maybe increase their anxiety. So I think sharing some things is okay, but also making sure that you have adults that you can process these things with as well.
4:37 Speaker 04 No, for sure. I really like the point about making sure that you have that support system of people like you kind of have to level what it is that you're saying to each of the people that you're communicating with within that process. But like, what are some of the practices or mindsets that parents can use to stay grounded as they're navigating these situations, especially when it's prolonged uncertainty? Obviously, we're praying for so much healing for Narwhal Smith's baby, but it's an uncertain period of we don't know how long it will last or that kind of thing, too.
5:09 Speaker 05 Yeah, and I think that this is the reality for families struggling with a chronic illness situation like this. And so I'm sure there are support groups that exist, both in person and virtually, that would be helpful. So finding other parents who have struggled in similar ways and even asking your physician and your care team for community resources to get connected to other people, because so much of this is about the isolation and feeling like, oh, my gosh, I don't know what to do. And so talking to other families, other parents and caregivers who have walked a similar path can be really, really helpful. I already mentioned therapy. I think that that is something that is going to be really, really important for anybody who is in a situation like this, because there are so many what ifs, so many
5:52 Speaker 05 ideas and fantasies about the life that you thought that you would be living, and now that is not the case, right? And so how do you process the grief, like we've talked about, with the reality not matching up with the ideas of what you thought your life would be? And so I think therapy is something that can also be really helpful and be really grounding for people. And also, as much as possible, and not in a frivolous way at all, but like, making sure that there are other things that you can lean on, right? So still looking for moments of joy, still looking for moments of levity, even when there are situations that are really difficult, also really helps to keep you grounded in a situation like this.
6:29 Speaker 04 Yeah, no, I love that. And I think even with her saying in her statement that it was like a hard decision to even share it with the internet, like, taking a break from the internet is also fine, too. Like, obviously, it's a huge thing to be dealing with. So sending all the love and care to her way as well. So for our next topic, we have Kennedy Ryan. This was actually a suggestion from Patreon member AJ. So if you want to suggest any pop culture topics that we discuss on the show, feel free to comment them in the Patreon as well. But for this story, Kennedy Ryan recently went on a podcast and shared that the name Kennedy Ryan is actually a pseudonym. Now, she said when she first got her book deal,
7:14 Speaker 04 the HR department at her day job said that she needed to use a pseudonym so that none of her work was associated with them. This is very common practice within the world of being an author, especially when you're writing romance novels. Kennedy said that she always wanted a daughter, but she never got one. And she said that she knew that she would name this daughter Kennedy Ryan, so she used that for her pseudonym name. But since the interview, Kennedy's been getting a lot of backlash on the internet for what is a very normal practice in the industry. A lot of the criticism is around, a lot of people feel duped that this is not her real name. And they feel like they like kind of knew this version of Kennedy Ryan, and it's not her.
7:57 Speaker 04 And they almost feel this level of betrayal. So in this age of social media, I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Why do audiences feel like they need to know every detail about someone they admire? And why do they almost feel betrayed when they realize they don't know everything?
8:11 Speaker 05 I'm not always super familiar with the list of things that we talk about here. And I had heard inklings of this story, but I didn't. First of all, I didn't know Kennedy Ryan wasn't her actual name, so.
8:20 Speaker 04 I didn't either. This was my first time hearing this.
8:22 Speaker 05 But it really makes me think about the podcast episode we had recently with Dr. Maya Hoskin around parasocial relationships. And I really feel like the internet has brought us some amazing things, but it has also really rotted our brains, I think, in lots of ways that people don't even realize. And I think especially for people who didn't necessarily have the pre-internet life and an after-internet life, like people who have really grown up with like the internet being their primary means of communication, really don't have a balance of, oh, this is how things were done when like we weren't all. Connected to millions of people across the world. I think the internet just really flattens our humanity. Right? Like, we exist almost in these little boxes where we are almost avatars to one another
9:07 Speaker 05 as opposed to actual living, breathing humans. And so I think it it really important to take a step back and think about, would I say this thing or do this thing that I'm doing online if this person were actually in front of my face? And I think for a lot of people who act out online in this way, they would not necessarily act this way in person. And so I think we really need to take a step back and realize that these are actual humans that we are dealing with. And to the point of feeling betrayed by this not being her name, I'm really curious as to what has changed since, like, the name changed. Right? Like, you still enjoy the stories, you know, you still loved her work. Like, why is her name being different? Something that is like such a hill to die on.
9:52 Speaker 05 It is a very odd thing to me. And I think whenever you see a reaction that feels outsized to what the actual event is, it is usually something deeper. And so I'd encourage people to like dig deeper into, why are you reacting so strongly to someone? Like you said, a completely normal practice when people write romance. Like, why are you reacting so strongly to this? And what is it really about?
10:15 Speaker 04 Yeah, I was thinking more on this last night because I was really just so confused as to like what all of the hoopla was about. And I think it's so interesting because it's like, there's certain fandoms that like you could tell them anything about a person. It doesn't matter if it's like good or bad. And they're still standing like ten toes for this person, this celebrity, like this author, whoever it is. And then there's just like this other layer of it where it's one little thing and everyone's turned on them. It's really like such an interesting dichotomy, honestly.
10:44 Speaker 05 But you know, I also want to add, Bria, I think we cannot exclude or look over the fact that Kennedy is a black woman, right? And so I do think that there is this sense of entitlement, of course, to black women's privacy. And like, if you exist online, then I have to know everything about you. And because I'm a supporter, I am entitled to these things. And so I am sure that that heightened the situation with Kennedy as well.
11:10 Speaker 04 Yeah, and this is something that I feel like a lot of, whether it's authors, celebrities, musicians, go through, but even everyday people, like people having so much access to each other's lives via social media, Instagram stories, you really just press a button and any moment of your life is on the internet. So how can everyday people set healthier boundaries around what they share online without feeling like they're being inauthentic?
11:36 Speaker 05 Hmm. I would also encourage us to like investigate this idea of authenticity on the internet, because who does that really serve, right? Like, I think, you know, of course, in like the marketing and sales world, people talk about like people buy from people they know, like and trust, right? And so some of it, I think, comes from that. But if you aren't actually like selling anything and you're just a person existing on the internet, what are you really leaning into when you lean into this idea of authenticity, right? Because really, it does open you up in some ways to this. Not, again, that any of this behavior is okay, but why are you wanting to be so authentic online with a bunch of strangers as opposed to cultivating smaller groups of people that you know, whether it's
12:18 Speaker 05 virtually or in person, places where you actually trust these people and kind of get to know them as opposed to just sharing random thoughts online? Because authenticity, while it is good for virality, is often really bad for your mental health when we're talking about online spaces. And so really thinking about why do I want to even be so authentic? And what am I getting out of this situation?
12:42 Speaker 04 I totally agree. Yeah, and I feel like not all the roads lead back to COVID, but I feel like it really does feel like a lot of it changed with the 2020 pandemic, and how people were like engaging on social media. I feel like it just went up a few notches after that, too.
12:58 Speaker 05 I agree. I agree with you.
12:59 Speaker 04 Love that.
13:01 Speaker 01 More from our conversation after the break. A rare disease diagnosis can change your life, but it doesn't have to define your future. Tune in for season seven of Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition, a Ruby Studio production in partnership with Argenx. Hosted by public health and policy expert Dr. Martine Hackett, Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition pushes the conversation within the rare disease community forward. Featuring guests living with MG, CIDP, myositis, SMA, and other rare autoimmune conditions, each episode explores hope, progress, and connection. How does research create new opportunities? How do shared experiences help light the way forward? How do we best show up for each other? Tune in to find out.
13:46 Speaker 01 Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
13:53 Speaker 01 Keeping your money safe from fraud deserves to be a priority, and Cash App treats it that way. With security lock, Cash App requires a successful Face ID or biometric authentication to access your account. It's like your money is protected by your own personal bodyguard, even if your phone is lost or stolen. Plus, if you're about to send money to someone new and Cash App notices something looks a little bit off or that you might be falling for a scam, it'll send you a warning before the money is sent to confirm that everything looks right. Download Cash App and spend with peace of mind today. Download Cash App today and make your money work for you. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partners. Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC.
14:39 Speaker 01 Cash App Visa Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and the Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa USA, Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton Prepaid Card, Sutton Debit Flex Card, and Bancorp Debit Flex Card. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cashapp/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
15:06 Speaker 04 And for our last story, we have R and B singer India Iri. She took to threads to share her opinion on Young Miami's song Spin That. Now, have you heard this song?
15:18 Speaker 05 I have.
15:19 Speaker 04 First things, okay, cool.
15:20 Speaker 05 Yeah.
15:21 Speaker 04 A lot of people are calling it song of the summer. It reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 list this past week. A user on threads a couple of days ago called for a boycott of the song, saying it's degrading to the culture. If you haven't heard the song, it references scamming, boosting, stealing things, reselling them, that kind of thing. This user on threads called for a boycott of the song, saying that it's degrading to the culture. And India Iri responded to that thread, saying basically that she agreed and that everything that you listen to or eat will influence you and that, quote, "not everyone wants to be free." Now, this has led to a lot of discussion online because many just feel like it's a fun summer song, like to enjoy. It's something that's catchy, that people are just really liking.
16:06 Speaker 04 But many are considering if songs like this are actually able to influence our thoughts, beliefs and behaviors. So what does psychology tell us about how repeated messages and music and media, how can those shape our attitudes, our relationships and the way we express ourselves too?
16:25 Speaker 05 Yeah, so I mean, I don't think any of this is necessarily a bad idea, right? Like, we do know that the messages we get through media, TV, online spaces, that does influence us to a certain extent, right? And so if we're using the analogy of everything that you eat also impacts your health and those kinds of things, we know that all things in moderation are okay, right? Now, do you want to have a diet that consists completely of Doritos? Probably not, but it is okay to have some Doritos every now and then, right? And so the same with our media diet, right? I think it is okay for some songs to just be frivolous, fun beats to groove to and like have fun to. And then other things that actually like we hold up
17:09 Speaker 05 as like a symbol of representation for us and those kinds of things. But it is okay to kind of have a variety of. Things and I think these kinds of conversations often come back to the lack of visibility that black artists have, right? Like, would there be so much concern about Spin That if we had a lot of other representation? But because it only feels like the industry will kind of hold up one black girl at a time, then there is outsized attention on songs like this, right? And so I think it's totally fine to have fun songs, but also make sure that you are getting your ideas about who you are and what black people are in the world from more places than just music videos.
17:51 Speaker 04 No, definitely. And so how can people just remind themselves to be intentional about the media that they're consuming without particularly believing that it's going to influence or determine who they become in the long run?
18:05 Speaker 05 Yeah, I do think it could influence you in some ways, right? And again, that goes back to my point of like, if you're only listening to messaging like this, then it may not be the best for you. But if you have a well-rounded, so to speak, media diet of things that are a little more silly and kind of just fun to dance to versus, okay, this is the kind of music I listen to when I'm wanting to feel grounded or when I'm wanting to feel powerful, right? Like, we know that we listen to different things for different kinds of reasons. And so I think it really is about being intentional about cultivating your playlist and like going to different songs for different reasons. And also, again, making sure that you are grounded in community in real life, right?
18:46 Speaker 05 So if your only representation and your only connection to black women is through music, then I think that there is also something going on, right? Like that you need to dig deeper into what does it look like to kind of have mentors and role models of people in your community, teachers in your school, faith leaders, right? Like, it needs to move beyond just the music and also into what's happening in your actual real life.
19:11 Speaker 04 I totally agree. One last question for you, this is kind of a curveball, but you have a vote for Song of the Summer.
19:20 Speaker 05 Ooh, I don't feel like I'm hearing any other songs besides Spin That. Now, I also don't listen to a bunch of music, right? It's so much more like a podcast kind of person. So I'm not listening to a lot of music, so that is like the song that I probably hear the most. But what other songs are even out there like in the same range in your mind?
19:43 Speaker 04 I feel like the only other song, and I'm kind of like you, I'll only listen to like, once I hear a song on TikTok, I'll like listen to it. But it's either Don Tolliver, E85, or Octane. I can't remember which one it is.
19:58 Speaker 05 I know who that is or what that is.
20:00 Speaker 04 It's another song that's just everywhere on TikTok too. And I feel like it's, my vote would be one of those, but I feel like Spin That is everywhere right now.
20:08 Speaker 05 Yes, for sure. I also think it's so funny that like so much of our music is impacted by like what we hear on TikTok now, which of course is like a thing, right? So I think that that could be an interesting conversation for another day.
20:22 Speaker 04 No, for sure. Well, that wraps up our topics for the week.
20:26 Speaker 05 Perfect. Thank you for those topics, Bria. Always fun to chat with you. And as Bria mentioned, if there are things that you would like to share with us, you can always send us suggestions at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. And you can also join our Patreon to submit your topics as well. Until next time, take good care of yourself.
20:49 Speaker 01 A rare disease diagnosis can change your life, but it doesn't have to define your future. In season seven of Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition, host Martine Hackett continues the conversation with people living with MG, CIDP, and the broader rare disease community, exploring what comes after diagnosis through stories of hope, progress, and connection.
21:12 Speaker 01 Produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Argenx. Listen on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
21:20 Speaker 06 Snoring, gasping for air during sleep, daytime sleepiness? I'm Shaquille O'Neal and this shouldn't be anybody's experience. Ask your doctor about Zepbound Trisepotide, the first and only FDA-approved prescription medicine for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
21:36 Speaker 07 Zepbound is a prescription medicine used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to help adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, and obesity to improve their OSA. Zepbound is approved as a 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15-milligram injection. Zepbound contains trisepotide and should not be used with other trisepotide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children. Don't share needles or pens, or reuse needles. Don't take if allergic to it, or if you or someone in your family had medullary thyroid cancer, or if you've had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck. Stop Zepbound and call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or a serious allergic reaction.
22:21 Speaker 07 Severe side effects may include inflamed pancreas or gallbladder problems. Tell your doctor if you experience vision changes before scheduled procedures with anesthesia, if you're nursing, pregnant, plant-to-be, or taking birth control pills. Taking Zepbound with a sulphonal urea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can cause dehydration and worsen kidney problems.
22:43 Speaker 06 Talk to your doctor. Call 1-800-545-5979, or visit zepbound.lily.com.
22:50 Speaker 00 This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.
Previous Session 471: America, Post-DEI Next Session 472: Mid-Year Astrology Check-In Page updated October 29, 2026 · transcript and summary are machine-generated