Yes, Girl!

We’ve loved legendary actress Vanessa Bell Calloway since, like, forever. From Coming to America to What’s Love Got to Do With It?, Calloway has wowed us on the big screen. Now she’s on the small screen, starring in BounceTV’s Saints and Sinners — she even directed an episode. She paid us a visit to talk longevity in Hollywood, her squad of girlfriends (which includes Tina Lawson and Cookie Johnson), staying fabulous in your 60s, and secrets to her 30-year marriage. Plus, we talk Kanye’s slavery comments, Kelis dishing on Nas, and the Bill Cosby verdict. #yesgirlpodcast Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

“I’m happy to be a Black woman making art, as free as I want to right now.” That’s the space singer and actress Janelle Monáe (@janellemonae) occupies as she unveils her boldest work yet, Dirty Computer. In the episode, Monáe opens up about why the new album is near and dear to her heart, her earliest memories of Prince and the impact he left, and why the revolution will be female. Tea for The Week is short and sweet: Beychella strikes again, Waffle House shooting survivor James Shaw, Jr. is a national hero and oh, Kanye, Kanye, Kanye.  Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

In this high season of Black Excellence, we start our episode in acknowledgment and praise for Beyoncé’s salute to HBCU’s greeks and goddesses at Beychella’s first weekend. Next, a sit-down with Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc, and actress and activist Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x). Both women are leading movements: Michelle’s helming Black Girl Magic headquarters with a vision to super-serve Black women, and Tessa’s fiercely advocating for diversity representation on screen and off through her work as a founding member of Time’s Up. In the spirit of King Bey, we came to slay. #yesgirlpodcast  Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

This week’s tea is piping hot because it’s all about bonafide super star, Cardi B. (@iamcardib). She’s brought a cultural shift with the release on her first album and baby reveal. With help from special guest ESSENCE Senior News and Culture Editor Christina Coleman (@ChrissyCole), the hosts unpack Cardi’s big wins and bigger influence from her humble Instagram beginnings and her reality TV fame. Plus, Survivors Remorse’s Erica Ash (@theericaash) becomes a leading lady in BET’s new drama, In Contempt. She stopped by for loads of laughs and real talk about finding her divine lane in Hollywood. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Our obsession with Sonequa Martin-Green (@SonequaMG) began when we fell in love with her character Sasha on The Walking Dead. Now we’re cheering her on as she helms Star Trek: Discovery — she’s literally playing captain Michael Burnham on the hit prequel streaming on CBS All Access. Within minutes of our chat, we agree Sonequa is Black girl joy realized. She lets us in on what it’s like being a bomb Black woman in Hollywood, plus confesses all the feels she had saying goodbye to TWD (even though her hubby is still on the show) and relocating to La La Land. Her feel-good vibes are contagious, promise! Also in this episode’s Tea for the Week, Charli (@ManWifeDog) and Cori (@corimurray) debate what’s worth a TV reboot these days. Tell us what you think using #yesgirlpodcast. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Faith, family and forgiveness — and very Black — that’s the formula that has made Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) one of the most successful storytellers in Hollywood. But as he chatted with us about his new film Acrimony, Tyler opened up about how fatherhood has informed his work, creating generational wealth and whether or not he thinks he's funny. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Paschal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Our podcast cup runneth over this week with three special guests: Jussie Smollett (@jussiesmollett) who, hours after wrapping up a project in Memphis, drove through the night so he could spend the afternoon with us in Bentonville, Arkansas. During our live recording, Jussie gave us a preview of his new album Sum of My Music and why he celebrates Black History Month every day. Back in New York, we sit down with hip-hop legend Roxanne Shante (@ImroxanneShante) and the ingénue who plays her, Chanté Adams (@chanteaadams), in Netflix’s biopic Roxanne, Roxanne. Plus, @yolizama wants to know “What feeds your soul?” Tell us using #yesgirlpodcast Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Our Yo-Prah, ESSENCE's Yolanda Sangweni, sits down with spiritual coach and author Iyanla Vanzant to talk about the new season of Iyanla: Fix My Life, her upcoming tour and new book. Vanzant also shares her favorite memories from the show, and why this season will be transformative. Plus, “Mama Iyanla" gives us a good talking to about why she wants some Black folks to stop clinging on to struggle. A word was delivered and we received it.  Yes, Girl! host: Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio Engineer: @chiquitaPash Music: Gold Standard Creative: @gscdotnyc

This week, Black Panther hit the billion dollar mark at the box office, and we’re still in Wakanda heaven. If the movie's amazing visuals gave you life, then so will legendary film and television costume designer Ruth Carter, who created the film’s unforgettable wardrobe. Ruth paid us a visit in L.A. and gave us the tea on the vision behind the looks our new favorite characters rocked on screen, how her incredible career began on the set of Spike Lee’s School Daze and why she’s all about keeping it real...for the culture. Plus, Ruth (@iamruthecarter) and Cori (@corimurray) gush over being proud Hampton University grads, and Charli (@charlipenn) asks Ruth for tips on how to get her DIY Dora Milaje Halloween costume together. Next, Florence Kasumba (who plays Ayo, the fierce Dora Milaje) stops by to tell us all about how she prepared, both mentally and physically, to play the ultimate badass for the role of a lifetime.

Everyone’s favorite auntie Kym Whitley (@kymwhitley) drives nearly two hours in LA traffic (thank you, boo!) for an unfiltered chat about inequality amongst women in comedy (yes she hears Mo’Nique's point but…), Lena Waithe’s genius writing and balancing the life of stand-up comedy and motherhood. Speaking of hard working moms, Yolanda (@yolizama) has some BIG news. Plus Charli’s (@ManWifeDog) lashes barely survived ESSENCE’s Black Women in Hollywood awards and Cori (@corimurray) twirled at the Oscars and nearly took a picture of Jordan Peele at the Governors Ball (she explains why she didn't). Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

When ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood 2018 honoree Lena Waithe (@lenawaithe) says come over when you get to L.A., you take the fastest Uber you can find and come on through. Waithe returns to the podcast to discuss her historic Emmy win, her hit drama "The Chi," and how special it is to be Black, creative and winning in Hollywood right now. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray (@corimurray); Charli Penn( IG: @CharliPenn/ Twitter: @ManWifeDog); and Yolanda Sangweni (@yolizama) Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

(Warning: spoiler alert!) Black Panther’s finally (!!!) here and while everyone is everything in Wakanda, Princess Shuri aka Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) has a special place in our hearts. The Guyanese-born, Britain-raised actress already had our attention from Black Mirror (get into it), but seeing her fight for her brother, her King and country last weekend sealed the deal. In person, her vibe is even more infectious – she’s gracious, she’s grounded, and she’s gifted. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineers: @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

We¹re baaaaaaack for season 2! Comedy¹s new royalty 2 Dope Queens Phoebe Robinson (@dopequeenpheebs) and Jessica Williams (@msjwilly) anointed us with their Black girl shine. Their four-part HBO special has us in stitches every Friday night. Plus in Tea for the Week, we congratulate Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre on their engagement and Yolanda on foreseeing the return of Omarosa. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineers: @ChiquitaPaschal and @iamtydavis Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Surprise: When Kandi Burruss (@Kandi) said she had a few hours off from her Broadway debut as Mama Morton in 'Chicago,' we said come thru sis! Between how she’s staying snatched, sane and sexually fluid, Kandi sets the record straight on this season’s 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' drama brewing between her and Kim Zolciak. As she said in her ESSENCE cover story — written by our very own Charli Penn (@ManWifeDog) — Kandi’s reputation means everything to her. Listen in as there’s nothing alternative about these facts.    Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray (@corimurray); Charli Penn (IG: @CharliPenn/ Twitter: @ManWifeDog); and Yolanda Sangweni (@yolizama) Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio Engineers: Dave Giles (@daveeveryseason) + Aaron Amado (@theoriginalsaedi) Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

We see you 2018! There’s already lots to celebrate and we’re just three weeks in. First, we have some news: ESSENCE is now 100-percent Black-owned (again!) and Black girls everywhere are rejoicing. Plus, Black Panther’s release date is close, and we’re shopping for outfits and prepping our snack list. Yolanda’s bringing hot chicken and Cori’s tucking quarter water into her Wakanda-inspired bag. Let's heart it for celebs such as Serena Williams and Will Smith bringing nothing but authenticity in 2018. Last, we’re taking a small break but look for season 2 of Yes, Girl starting again in February.