In this special holiday episode of Raised by Her, we dive into the rising controversy surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs and unpack the culture of 90s hip-hop through Ro Nita’s firsthand experience as a radio station owner. Ro Nita shares never-before-heard stories from inside the industry — from the era of Bad Boy Records to the difference between authentic talent and carefully manufactured celebrity. You’ll hear wild behind-the-scenes moments, including a tense standoff with K-Ci & JoJo in ...

We recorded an entire episode… and lost it. So we hit reset and turned a podcast disaster into one of our realest conversations yet about holiday grief, family boundaries, and surviving the chaos of the season. In this episode of Raised By Her, we keep it 100%. Donnica shares what really happened the night she was honored at the Who’s Who in Black Dayton & Cincinnati awards—including the valet meltdown that left hundreds stranded in the cold. We open up about navigating the holidays while...

Burnout, anxiety, low libido, “mystery symptoms,” and feeling stuck in midlife? You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. In this episode of Raised By Her, holistic health strategist and international best-selling author Victoria LeFebre shares how to move from Chaos to Confidence—especially if you’re navigating perimenopause, chronic stress, or hormone-related shifts. Victoria breaks down her signature Chaos to Confidence Method, including a practical Time Audit to reclaim your days and ...

Is 70 the new 50—or are we just ignoring the fine print of aging? In this episode of Raised By Her, we break down healthy aging, building a 10-year aging plan, and why the “I’ll be happy when…” mindset keeps people stuck. Ro Nita and Donnica recap the “Paws in Paris” gala with a surprise third co-host—Truffle the Dog—and share hilarious pet stories (including the $10,000 puppy we almost bought). Then we shift into the real talk: how your body changes, why you can’t dodge hard conversati...

Thanksgiving stories, Wicked Part Two, and why The Wizard of Oz still hits in 2025 — we’re covering it all on this episode of Raised By Her. 💚🦃✨ This week, Ro Nita and Donnica open with a cozy (and hilarious) look at Black family Thanksgiving traditions: fried vs. smoked turkey, mac & cheese rules (Velveeta is banned 😅), how grandmothers cooked everyone’s favorite dish, and the emotional weight of hosting. They also talk honestly about navigating holidays after loss and preparing for “tha...

A winter snowstorm, a scary car accident, a trip to New Orleans, and a debate about modern womanhood — this episode covers it all. This week on Raised By Her, we talk through the chaos of the first Midwest snowstorm and the frightening car accident that kicked off the morning. We reflect on childhood memories, what it means to feel safe, and how moments like these stay with you. From there, we shift to warmth, culture, and sisterhood as we recap a powerful African-American women’s conference ...

In this wide-ranging mother-daughter chat, we cover everything from childhood nostalgia to beauty standards and self-confidence. Ro Nita shares what it was like growing up when there were no Black Barbies — and how representation in dolls like Addie from American Girl made a lasting impact. We dive into the complex history of Black dolls in America and how those toys shaped identity and imagination. Then we switch gears to review the Barbie Movie — giving our honest thoughts on what it got ri...

From Halloween chaos to healthy habits — this week’s Raised By Her dives into everything from trick-or-treat surprises to the sleep routines that keep us sane. Ro Nita and Donnica unpack a week filled with sugar highs, sports overload, and late-night reflections on rest, reading, and why real self-care isn’t just bubble baths. In this episode, the mother-daughter duo share funny stories about Halloween candy theft, intergenerational lessons about balance, and the family habits that shape how ...

In this episode of Raised By Her, we catch up after a whirlwind week — from a breathtaking family wedding in Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain to receiving a Social Justice award at the NAACP Freedom Awards. They share what made the wedding truly special (hint: thoughtful details, live music, and fireworks), reflect on Ed Gordon’s powerful keynote about activism and accountability, and dig into the question: What happens after the march? From there, the conversation flows into classic Raised By ...

A surprise call from mom's college boyfriend sparks a deep, personal, and hilarious mother-daughter conversation about love, dating, and marriage. This week on "Raised by Her," we're sharing it all—from high school dating to 10-year wedding anniversaries. We explore the massive generational differences in parenting, like mom's strict "no dating until 16" rule, and her honest opinion on her daughter's high school friends (and rap music posters). Join us for a candid chat as we discuss: The gen...

#raisedbyher How do you build something from nothing - and find the courage to keep going? In this episode, Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders (broadcasting/arts executive) and Donnica Hawes-Saunders (public affairs CEO) unpack creativity, courage, risk-taking, and intergenerational wisdom - from throwing legendary theme parties and producing campus theater during the civil rights era to building a radio station from the ground up and navigating corporate change with conviction. You’ll hear pract...

You’ll learn: the difference between boredom vs. burnout, boundary-setting that actually sticks, creative leadership tactics (retreats, team ideation, fresh projects), why rest is non-negotiable, and how to read your body’s early warning signs. 👉 Question for you: What’s one boundary you’ll set this month to protect your energy? Tell us in the comments. Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Why burnout happens (and “quiet quitting”) 01:14 Meet the mother–daughter hosts 01:51 Ro Nita’s early caree...

#raisedbyher In this episode of Raised By Her, we sit down for an essential mother-daughter conversation about women's health. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we share our family's experiences, the importance of early detection, and the realities of getting a mammogram. The conversation then unfolds into an honest discussion about fibroids- a condition that affects up to 80% of Black women. We share our individual journeys with fibroid diagnosis, the immense impact of stres...

#raisedbyher In this bonus episode of Raised By Her, Donnica and Ro Nita join the Podcast Business News Network to share a candid mother–daughter conversation on resilience, leadership, and the lessons passed down across generations. From navigating fear as a compass rather than a roadblock, to carrying forward the wisdom of family legacies, this episode explores how generational storytelling helps us heal, grow, and lead with purpose. Together, they reflect on resilience through grief, the p...

#RaisedByHer In this episode of Raised by Her, Ro Nita and Donnica dive deep into the real-life experiences that shape us. Why do women often wait for 100% of qualifications to apply for a job, while men apply with only 60%? We tackle this shocking statistic and explore the roots of confidence, from parental belief to the tough lessons learned in sports. Ro Nita and Donnica get candid about their own parenting disagreements, revealing how they navigated differences in opinion - from a...

#RaisedByHer From puppy-sitting a fluffy “teddy bear” pup to leaping off an 11,000-foot mountain, this episode of Raised by Her is packed with laughter, adventure, and life lessons. 🐶⛰️ Ro Nita and Donnica start with heartfelt memories of family pets — from poodles to a rescued miniature greyhound — and dive into how to choose the right dog for your lifestyle. Then, the mother-daughter duo takes you to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they experience breathtaking landscapes, spot moose and bald e...

#RaisedByHer In this episode, Ro Nita and Donnica kick off the conversation with a poignant reflection on the 24th anniversary of September 11th, sharing their personal memories of that day. The conversation then shifts to a deep dive into emotional intelligence, guided by a recent presentation Donnica gave on the topic. Using psychologist Daniel Goleman's five-component framework, they explore how self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills are not just business...

Welcome to the very first episode of "Raised By Her," the podcast where generations connect, reflect, and get real about life. Join mother-daughter duo Ro Nita (74) and Donnica (39) as they dive into the big decision that brought them back to the same city after years apart. In this episode, Donnica shares the hilarious and strategic story behind convincing her big-city husband to move from Washington D.C. back to her hometown of Dayton, Ohio. They explore the unexpected pros and challenging...