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

In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, we dive deep into a topic that resonates with so many—sleep struggles after trauma. For many Black women healing from sexual trauma, restful sleep can feel impossible. Whether it's the racing thoughts, lingering anxiety, or a body that just won’t relax, reclaiming your sleep can be a crucial step toward healing.

Join me, Cori Dunn, as I share my personal journey from my book Note to S...

In this powerful episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, we’re diving deep into healing, advocacy, and breaking the silence around sexual trauma. Join host Cori as she sits down with Leah M. Forney, a fierce advocate for survivors, to discuss the complexities of healing from sexual trauma, rebuilding intimacy, and creating systemic change for Black women.

Leah shares her journey of survival and how she turned her pain into purpose ...

How do you rebuild trust, reclaim intimacy, and truly thrive after experiencing sexual trauma? In this powerful episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, I sit down with Karimah Cornelius-Stith, an expert in trauma recovery, to dive deep into the healing process. We explore the emotional, physical, and mental barriers that survivors face and offer actionable steps for restoring confidence, self-love, and connection.

If you've ever wo...

Celebrate National Women’s History Month with The Melanin Wellness Podcast! In this episode, we honor pioneering Black women in medicine who broke barriers and transformed healthcare. From Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman doctor in the U.S., to Jane Cook Wright, a trailblazer in cancer treatment, we explore their lasting impact. Learn about Mary Eliza Mahoney’s contributions to nursing, Alexa Canady’s groundbreaking neur...

Feeling drained? Your diet might be the culprit! In this episode of the Wellness and Vitality Series, we break down the best foods to fuel your body and the sneaky culprits zapping your energy. Learn how to eat for sustained vitality, avoid energy crashes, and make simple, powerful changes to your diet. Tune in for practical tips to keep you feeling your best all day long!

You'll learn:

• 4 energy boosting foods to help fu...

Are you tired of conventional pain relief methods that don’t address the root cause of your stress and discomfort? In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, my guest Nijedka Olautunde brings her expertise and explores with us  the power of reflexology and the connection between stress and pain in Black wellness.

Learn how stress, anxiety, and past trauma can manifest as physical pain—and how reflexology aids in pain and stre...

Season 5 Episode 30 -Our Hair, Our Crowns The Hidden Dangers in Synthetic Braiding Hair – What You Need to Know

In this episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, host Cori is diving into shocking recent reports about the hidden dangers of synthetic braiding hair.  

Here is what you will learn about the use of synthetic braiding hair, the risks and how to protect your health when using synthetic braiding hair:

• What chemicals we...

Join me for the Medicine in Black: Wrap-Up Episode as we reflect on this powerful 28-day journey exploring ancestral healing, Black wellness, and holistic empowerment. This series has uncovered the deep roots of Black health traditions—herbal medicine, rootwork, spiritual wellness, movement, and the power of food as medicine. We’ve honored the resilience of our ancestors and reclaimed practices essential to our physical, mental, an...

The history of modern reproductive medicine is deeply rooted in the exploitation of Black women during slavery. In this powerful episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, host Cori uncovers the dark history of how enslaved Black women were subjected to medical experiments that shaped gynecology, birth control, and reproductive healthcare as we know it today.

We dive into the legacy of J. Marion Sims, the so-called “father of modern g...

Chamomile is a simple yet powerful herb that’s been a staple in ancestral healing for centuries. From Black Southern folk medicine to modern herbalism, it has stood the test of time as a remedy for pain, anxiety, digestion, and skin health.

So, if you haven’t already, go grab yourself some chamomile tea, oil, or dried flowers and start exploring its many benefits. Your ancestors knew the power of this plant, and now it’s time to rec...

Rhubarb—just hearing the word brings back memories for some and questions for others. Is it a powerful healing herb or just an old-school ingredient that traumatized generations of kids? In this episode, we dive deep into rhubarb’s medicinal history in Black herbalism and traditional remedies used in the Black community. While modern science confirms rhubarb’s laxative, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties, our ancestors al...

Pokeweed—Southern delicacy or hidden danger? In this episode of [Your Podcast Name], we’re diving deep into the power and poison of pokeweed, a plant with deep roots in Black herbalism, Southern folk medicine, and Indigenous healing traditions. For generations, this plant has been used to treat ailments like rheumatism, skin diseases, and even immune disorders, yet it also carries a toxic reputation that can be deadly if not prepar...

Did you know that the legacy of slavery, sickle cell disease, and malaria are deeply connected in Black health history? In this eye-opening episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, we uncover how historical trauma, genetics, and ancestral healing practices have shaped the health of Black communities worldwide.

We’ll explore how sickle cell disease—a condition that predominantly affects people of African descent—developed as a geneti...

Podcast Episode Description: "7 Must-Read Books on Black Health History: Essential Library for Black Wellness & Empowerment"

Did you know that much of Black health history has been overlooked, erased, or ignored? If you’re ready to reclaim knowledge and empower yourself with ancestral healing, Black wellness, and the fight for health equity, this episode is for you! 📚✨

Today, I’m sharing 7 must-read books that uncover the hidden...

In this powerful episode of The Melanin Wellness Podcast, we dive into the rich history of Salem Chapel BME Church in St. Catharines, Ontario—a sacred space that served as a refuge for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. But this church was more than just a stop on the path to freedom—it was a hub for Black wellness, spiritual healing, and community resilience.

Join me as we uncover the ways faith, herbal medicine, and coll...

Discover the hidden legacy of ancestral healing in our latest episode, "Nutmeg: The Unexpected Medicine of Our Ancestors." In this powerful installment of the Melanin Wellness Podcast, we explore how enslaved Africans and Southern folk practitioners transformed nutmeg—an everyday kitchen spice—into a potent herbal remedy. Learn how our ancestors used nutmeg not only to flavor sweet potato pie but also as a natural medicine to stimu...

Discover the transformative power of ancestral healing in our latest podcast episode,"Echinacea: The Legacy of Sampson Root in Our Ancestral Healing." In this engaging installment of our Black Health and Wellness Podcast, we delve into the rich history and potent benefits of Echinacea—also known as Sampson root—in Black herbal medicine. Learn how our ancestors used this revered herb to boost immunity, alleviate pain, and promote ov...

Discover the rich legacy of ancestral healing in our latest episode, "Mullein: The Ancient Remedy of Our Ancestors." In this empowering installment of our podcast dedicated to Black history and empowerment, we explore how mullein—also known as candlewick, Aaron’s rod, or Jacob’s staff—has been used for centuries as a natural herbal remedy in the Black community. Learn how Native Americans and enslaved Africans harnessed the potent ...