More Than That with Gia Peppers: Recent Episodes
Gia Peppers
A sonic journey across New America with the voices of Black Excellence. Celebrating new conversations on wellness, entertainment and wealth.
Want your content to stand out in a crowded creator world? Andrew “The Nard Dog” Bernard has the blueprint. In this episode, Gia Peppers and Andrew talk about the business behind viral cooking videos, the power of authenticity, and how to build a brand rooted in culture and community.
Being a great parent isn't about perfection. It's about showing up. Chef JJ opens up to Gia Peppers about juggling a growing restaurant empire, dad life, and money fears while staying grounded at the dinner table. If you're tired of curated parenting content and want the real, this conversation is it.
Natasha Greene opens up about reinventing her mornings, rebuilding her peace, and creating a soft life that still gets things done. Gia Peppers sits down with the creator behind Asili Glam Cooks to talk motherhood, wellness, and the secrets behind intentional living. This one will change the way you start your day.
AI is everywhere—but how we choose to engage with it is deeply personal. In this week's episode, we sit down with cultural strategist & AI studio founder Joy Fennell to explore how creatives of color are using AI to elevate their ideas with curiosity, intention, and boundaries.
Renter-friendly design. Self-care routines. Dopamine dressing. What do they all have in common? They're all ways we inject joy every day, everywhere. In this episode we're talking with Fashion and Lifestyle Content Creator, Monroe Steele, about designing a life that looks and feels good, and the different ways we create richness on our own terms.
The face of luxury has always looked one way for so long — but we're redefining luxury for our community, and finding sustainable ways to elevate our everyday lives. Tune-in to our conversation with Founder and CEO of Spiked Wellness and Nike Trainer Briana Thompson about how we can find luxury in big and little ways.
The cornerstone of our culture is Black art. What we create can define eras and fuel progress — but what happens when we're shut out from the art world? In this episode, visual artist, designer, and author Reyna Noriega speaks with us about investing in art, how we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and our world, and how we can empower Black artists to turn their creativity into capital.
Black farming is making a comeback, and it's gaining popularity with the younger generation. This week, DeAnthony Jamerson — someone who has been carrying on his family's centuries-long farming legacy — joins us to talk about how we can find greener pastures in our everyday lives.
The cookout: the hallmark summer celebration our community looks forward to every year. And as we chat with Moe Cason, we'll discover the history behind the cookout, and how we can do good with good cooked food.
Can herbs be the key to healing our community's chronic illnesses? Health Activist & Founder of The Detox Now, Coach Gessie Thompson, joins us in this episode to talk about healing the hormonal imbalances BIPOC suffer with in silence.
More Black men are expanding their vision for our communities and are leaning into their power. In our Season 4 premiere episode, the hosts of the Nice and Neat Podcast join us to speak on the joys and challenges of cultivating friendships and how taking care of yourself — mind, body, and spirit — positions you for success.
Resources:
Watch More Than That on TV
Devi Brown Well-Being
Devi Brown's Deeply Well Podcast
In this country, the history of Juneteenth is skewed, one-sided, and incomplete.
For this year's Juneteenth special, we're having an intergenerational conversation with Professor Juneteenth Sam Collins to unveil the hidden history of this newly nationally-recognized holiday.
Listen now as we find the missing pieces of the puzzle, illuminate the stories of our unsung heroes, and celebrate our resilience.
Resources:
Juneteenth Legacy Project
Nia Cultural Center
United States Color Troops
Galveston Historical Foundation
African American Civil War Museum
For our Black men that carry the weight of the world on their shoulders and don't have the space to feel vulnerable, this one is for you.
In our Season 3 finale, TV Host & Author Mike Hill, and Therapist & Content Creator, Kier Gaines, share what safe spaces can look like, the importance of therapy, and how our community can support Black men as they heal.
Resources:
Therapy for Black Men
Just Heal Bro Tour
WalkGoodLA
Verywell Mind
Our current realities inspire us to dream of a future where Black people are seen, honored, and celebrated in our humanity and for our gifts. In other words, Afrofuturism.
This week, award-winning production designer Hannah Beachler & Grammy Award-nominated artist Mumu Fresh share how our imaginations bring us closer to this dream, and how artistry open doors of possibilities.
Climate change is no joke, but that doesn't mean there's no hope.
Kimberly Dowdell, Edward Buckles & Chike Ozah share concrete disaster preparedness tips we can use to stay ready, and share their thoughts on what our institutions should do to protect those without the means to protect themselves.
Resources:
Katrina Babies Documentary
Hurricane Preparedness Resources
Social Economic Empowerment Design (SEED) Network
These days, everything costs too much. And as the cost of living goes up, more people are looking for creative ways to keep more money in their pockets.
Jewel Pearson and Carmeon Hamilton join us on this episode to talk about how DIYing and tiny homes allow us to reimagine where we live, so we can transform them into spaces we love.
Resources:
Tiny House Trailblazers
The Bohemian Brand
Work With Carmeon
Owning a business has learning curves. But when a person becomes their own brand, it's a whole new ballgame.
This week, Angela Yee and Rhonda X share business tips for Black creators, how they can stay ready for the future of social media, and the importance of giving them their flowers.
Resources:
RXVR Brands
NYC Small Business Services
Mastercard Small Business City
Black love is so much more than affection. It's rebellion, tenacity, and the seeds for joy like no other.
This week, Jannah Handy & Kiyanna Stewart from BLK MKT VINTAGE, and Brittany Packnett-Cunningham & Reggie Cunningham join us to talk about the different kinds of Black love, its thriving existence, and more.
Resources:
Couples Therapist Directory
Therapy for Black Men
Therapy for Black Girls
While juggling career and parenthood may be easy for some, for others it’s a constant push and pull.
In this episode, guests share how their personal needs shaped their choices, the different roles in parenting dynamics, and how our decisions leave lasting effects on our families.
Resources:
Her Life Sparkles Blog
Get Up Mornings with Erica Campbell
Building generational wealth and a family legacy is a need for our community.
In this week's episode, we chat with DJ Envy and Dr. DeForest Soaries about what our ancestors did to get us where we are today. And what our efforts now will accomplish for future generations to come.
Resources:
DFree Online Academy - https://academy.dfreefoundation.org/
Real Life, Real Love: Life Lessons on Joy, Pain & the Magic That Holds Us Together by DJ Envy + Gia Casey - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419752782
Other Money Podcasts:
- Earn Your Leisure
- Brown Ambition Podcast
- Black Tech, Green Money
HBCUs are a catalyst for our community's progress, and drive us toward positive change.
Tune-in as we chat with journalist and TV host Cari Champion and rapper and activist David Banner about the influence of HBCUs, and how they still empower our community.
Resources:
NNPA, Chevy's "Discovery the Unexpected" Program - https://www.nnpa.org/chevydtu/
Brown Girls Dream Foundation - https://www.browngirlsdream.org/
Our country has experienced racial reckonings multiple times over — and we're still fighting for change. We've come a long way, but we need more.
In the final episode of our 2-part Juneteenth Special, we talk with Civil Rights Activist, Dr. Ben Chavis, and Community Organizer, Nse Ufot.
Listen for an impactful discussion about protecting the progress we've made, and how Juneteenth could create dynamic change.
Resources:
We Are Each Other's Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy by Natalie Baszile
Forever Free: The Story of Emancipation and Reconstruction by Eric Foner
On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
Juneteenth: What You Need to Know | History
The Black Harvest Fund
Resources:
Stamped From the Beginning: A Definitive History of Racist Ideas by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Chevy Real Talk Drives Real Change
Parking Lot Pimpin’ Chronicles
A History of the Dogon and their Ancient Science
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
Somehow we have transcended and kept togetherness alive at home and on the road. In this episode, we talk about how tech, family and joy collide in the digital age.
Hear exciting new frontiers in everyday life, to get you up to speed on what’s next — to stay connected in your favorite places to be.
Resources:
- Keshia’s Kitchen
- NFT Now Podcast
- Women of World Art
- ArtLanta Now
- Black Code Collective
- Open Sea
- /dev/ color
Black women in sports are showing up and showing out. The energy, intensity, and the talent — in and outside of the arena — is something to witness. But a lot of us haven't seen all that.
Tune-in as we talk with Emmy Award-winning Journalist, Jemele Hill, and WNBA Legend, Angel McCoughtry.
From media representation, to the history of the WNBA, to empowering young female athletes. We're getting into it all.
Resources:
- Jemele Hill is Unbothered Podcast
- Women’s Sports Foundation
- Play it Forward Sport
- See Her Greatness by Buick
*Tune-in as we talk leftovers, second-hand clothes, and bringing Black sustainability to the global conversation.
It's more than glass jars and mainstream minimalism. It's about working with what you've got. And resourcefulness is in our roots.
The Spice Kitchen Founder Angel Gregario and Non-traditional Educator Dominique Drakeford join us this week to talk about the small, big ways to live sustainably.*
Resources:
- The Spice Suite
- Zen in a Jar
- Sustainable Brooklyn
- Melanin And Sustainable Style
- Oak and Acorn Brand
- The African Lookbook by Catherine McKinley
*Black love is passionate! It's a commitment to putting in the work.
Content Creators Kevin & Melissa Fredericks and Celebrity Chef Bren Herrera join us this week to dish on new ways to add flavor to your love lives.
Listen as they share how to make love last, how to spice up date nights, and new ways to cook with creativity.*
Resources:
Culture Kitchen on CleoTV
Black Girl Baking by Jerrelle Guy
Soul Food Love
We make do — but we deserve more than that. We deserve the best.
Yonkers Rapper, Styles P, and Urban Farmer Activist, Hannah Wilson, join us this week to talk healthy eating. Tune-in as they share nuggets of wisdom to shift our mindset and heal our bodies with healthy food.
Resources:
Farmacy For Life - Hip Hop’s First Health Food Store
Happy Cow
Black Farmers Collective
Soul Fire Farm Reparations Map
Family means different things to different people. It could be a soul tie, a community, or unconditional love. It's not always blue skies -- sometimes it's resilience and revolution, too.
In this week's episode, we're showing some reverence for family with dynamic duo Devale & Khadeen Ellis. They share fond memories, major parent energy, and family traditions that anchor them in the Black love we love to see.
Resources:
Dead Ass Podcast
The Ellises and The Time Machine: Why Do We Have to say Black Lives Matter – Children’s Book
Son of a Southern Chef Cookbook
Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen Recipes
*We all know the grind. Generational perseverance has made us stronger. There's a special kind of strength when we reclaim our rest.
Therapist & NYT Bestselling Author Nedra Tawwab, along with Writer & Comedian Chris Spencer, talk to Gia about setting boundaries and listening to our bodies.
Tune-in as we talk about delicious naps, the invigorating power of saying 'No', and more.*
Resources:
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawwab
Set Boundaries Workbook by Nedra Tawwab
*There's just something about Black women in business. Our infectious passion, our perseverance and our ideas are unmatched.
Plenty stands in our way — but that ends here. It's time to knock down barriers and lift as we climb.
In this episode, Recording Academy Co-President, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, and Founder & Career Coach, Angelina Darrisaw, talk about what it takes to cultivate success for Black women entrepreneurs.*
Resources:WEEN Academy - Women in Entertainment Empowerment NetworkC-Suite Coach
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Startout
*Running a business that succeeds is not a sprint, it's a marathon. It takes grit, tenacity, passion, audacity, and so much more.
Listen in as Business Mogul, Angela Simmons, and Investment Magnate, David Gross, share their come-up, what they've learned, and what it takes to turn your ideas into reality.*
Resources:
Angela’s Angels Foundation
Own Your Own
Vector 90
Coursera
Udemy
*Intersectional environmentalism, caring for our community, and Granny’s cookie tins.
We're kicking off Season 2 by getting real about climate change with Eco-communicator, Green Girl Leah and Rap Icon, Master P.
In this episode we talk climate justice, inclusion, and having integrity when nobody's watching.*
Resources:
The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas
Generation Green
National Wildlife Federation
Jerome Foster II's One Million of Us
Today we’re showing up for Juneteenth 2021. With Detroit griot Marsha Music, host Baratunde Thurston, and image-activist Michaela Angela Davis.
These are the voices of Black expression — told on the front porch with our future at the forefront.
Join these icons for a celebration of our legacy as a People. From our family to yours, Happy Juneteenth!
Black mothers and Black women are the heart and soul of the Black community. It’s important that we recognize disparities that are shortening our lives and inevitably taking away from our greatness. On this episode of More Than That, we are taking a microscopic look at Black Women’s health and self-advocacy — these systemic challenges must be overcome with the guidance of experts and careful awareness of Black Americans.
Resources:
The Institute for Anti-Racism in Medicine
Helpful Pregnancy Information
Creativity, problem solving, and the improvement of early technologies have all stemmed from Black history. We now see it in the networks of Black technology entrepreneurs, and in the advent of safe spaces for the development and incubation of emerging concepts.
In this cultural moment, Black folks are hyper focused on innovating and building a future that is safer by design — and evermore equitable.
Resources:
Black Girls Code
tEQuitable
Engineering Projects for Kids
Plans, policy, apology and advocacy are what we need now. In this episode, we’re calling it all out.
54 years ago, Dr. MLK Jr.’s powerful speech, The Other America, ignited a new hope for our great nation.
On this hard-hitting episode, we’re joined by three powerful voices; social advocates reshaping the political landscape. What does the future hold for Black greatness today?
Resources:
- The Other America
- Dr. MLK Jr. @ Stanford 1967
- Brittany Packnett's Harvard IOP Study Notes
- Jamira Burley’s Field Notes
- Mike Muse's Vote Quadrant
There’s a beat that permeates the culture, and almost every Black family. Our homes are filled with music, love, soul, food, laughter and faith. This episode we’ll get into the history and the joy with Judge Lynn Toler (also a mother) and Writer-Director Kenya Barris (also a father) of Black-ish— on how our family units have evolved. Resources: My Mother's Rules: by Judge Lynn Toler Black-ish and more
Black visual artists elevate the diaspora to surface much of the ingenuity we see in our daily lives.
A prismatic vision of possibility — at the intersection of art and culture, we delve into the role art plays in society and how Black people see themselves. Larry Ossei-Mensah, ARTNOIR Founder and an ArtNet 2020 Innovator, plus the Founders of Brookyln’s BLK MKT Vintage.
Former social media manager for the MET Museum, author of What I Know About Art and co-editor of the Black Futures anthology, Kimberly Drew walks us through the history and future of Black art as a tool for community building.
Resources:
Black Futures
ARTNOIR
BLK MKT Vintage
The mind • body • soul connection is our greatness. Health and healthy choices are the center of our soulful theme this week. Hear real stories from wellness experts and holistic practitioners like Samantha Foxx from Mother's Finest Urban Farms, Lauren Ash, founder of Black Girl in Om, and wellness coach Wendell Jones. Resources:
Mother's Finest Urban Farms Black Girl In Om Spotify Podcast Wendell Jones Mango Ginger Green Smoothie Recipe
How we eat is revolutionary. This week we get into food with celebrity chef and farmer, Chef Akhi, and (!) Pinky Cole from Slutty Vegan in ATL.
We’ve reclaimed our relationship to healthy food and the sustainability of fresh produce.
With more and more access to information, the movement to ‘Be More Vegan’ is front and center of the social discourse.
We look through the lens of Black Wall Street with investor Arian Simone into how we should invest, protect and grow our resources to build long-lasting legacy. In the spirit of abundance and with a heart of gratitude, this powerful co-founder of Fearless Fund shares her motivation with us.
And there are new horizons for Black generational wealth; as we hear from Kelle Rozell to jumpstart to our financial planning now and into endless possibility.
Special thanks to Gia’s Dad.
Resources:
Tiffany Aliche aka The Budgetnista - www.getgoodwithmoney.com
The Fearless Fund - www.fearless.fund
Arian Simone’s book, The Fearless Money Mindset www.ariansimone.com
Kelle Rozell’s Black Dollar Index - www.blackdollarindex.com
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker - https://amzn.to/3bbakzY
Join us for gems from The Real Housewives of New York’s first Black cast member, attorney and late-night TV host, Eboni K Williams; and talk diversity with producer-writer, Shukree Tilghman, from This Is Us. In our season premiere, we explore perspectives and discuss genre-bending narratives. These inspiring, bold creators propel the culture of Hollywood to represent the Black experience in its fully-formed greatness.
A sonic journey across New America with the voices of Black Excellence. Celebrating new conversations on wellness, entertainment and wealth. Available on Saturday, February 13th 2021.