The Do Tell Relationship Podcast

What if love isn't something you fall into—but something you practice?

In this episode, Nina Westbrook sits down with Codie Elaine Oliver, founder of Black Love, to unpack the real work behind relationships. From dating struggles and societal narratives to building a marriage, business, and family simultaneously, Codie shares what it truly takes to love well.

They explore vulnerability, communication, and the evolving nature of relationships—especially in seasons of growth, stress, and transition.

This conversation is honest, layered, and necessary.

This is not a surface-level conversation. It's about the truth of love:

• The hard seasons
• The uncomfortable questions
• The growth required to sustain it

If you've ever questioned relationships, marriage, or what "love" actually requires… this one is for you.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why love is a skill, not just a feeling
• The truth about modern relationships and unrealistic expectations
• How to navigate marriage, business, and family simultaneously
• Why vulnerability and communication are essential
• What "survival mode" looks like in relationships—and how to move through it

📩 Connect with us:

Email: thedotellpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @ninawestbrook & @dotellpodcast

Download Nebbi: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nebbi-app/id6745851765

What does it actually cost to be fully known?

In this powerful episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, host Nina Westbrook sits down with bestselling author, activist, and Emmy-nominated producer George M. Johnson to explore identity, vulnerability, and the healing power of storytelling.

From being labeled "different" as a child to becoming one of the most banned authors in America, George shares what it means to live authentically in a world that often tries to silence certain voices.

This conversation dives deep into:

• The parts of ourselves we learn to hide early in life
• How storytelling becomes a tool for healing (for you and others)
• The emotional toll of censorship and banned books
• Why representation creates safety and empathy
• What it takes to move from shame → voice → freedom

If you've ever felt like you had to shrink parts of who you are… this episode is for you.

📩 Connect with us: Email: thedotellpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @ninawestbrook

This live-recorded episode flips the script—Nina Westbrook steps out of the host seat and into the conversation.

Joined by Megan Bartlett, this episode explores how sports impact mental health, identity, and emotional development. From youth athletes to professionals, the conversation reveals how movement, community, and discipline shape our well-being—and where the system is falling short.

If you've ever struggled with pressure, identity, or performance… this conversation connects the dots.

What does it really take to build a career in music today?

In this episode, Nina sits down with rising R&B artist Jordyn Simone to unpack the reality behind chasing big dreams—self-trust, authenticity, and navigating an industry that's constantly changing.

From The Voice to building her own path, Jordyn shares how she's learning to balance artistry, identity, and ambition without losing herself in the process.

This is a conversation about growth, resilience, and becoming who you're meant to be—before the world catches up.

In this episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, Nina sits down with her longtime friend Jada Paul for an honest and thoughtful conversation about identity, motherhood, ambition, and what it really feels like to build something of your own.

On paper, Jada's life is filled with impact—entrepreneurship, philanthropy, board leadership, and raising a family alongside a high-profile NBA career. But behind the achievements is a much more nuanced story about invisible labor, self-doubt, sacrifice, and the ongoing process of building a life that feels authentic.

Jada shares how she spent years creating stability for her family, what it felt like when her kids got older and she realized it was time to pursue something for herself, and how she's navigating the challenge of building a business while staying true to who she is. The conversation also dives into parenting teenagers, teaching sacrifice, philanthropy, and why success doesn't always quiet the voice inside asking if you're doing enough.

This episode is a thoughtful reminder that even the most accomplished women are still figuring it out in real time.

In this episode we discuss:

• The invisible work of motherhood • Supporting a partner while building your own identity • Raising kids to understand sacrifice and responsibility • Philanthropy and creating impact beyond yourself • The pressure to constantly do more • Building a business without losing your authenticity

If you've ever felt like you were supposed to have love figured out by now… this episode is for you.

In this powerful, honest, and often hilarious conversation, Nina sits down with national dating expert, TV host, and author Monique Kelley (creator of Confessions of a Serial Dater in LA) to unpack what nobody tells you about modern dating.

From dating apps and "chat fishing" to inconsistency, financial expectations, situationships, and rebuilding after divorce — this episode dives into the emotional realities of love in 2026.

Monique brings real insight from her work hosting Married at First Sight: Cast Tell All, her Cocktails & Confessions coaching events, and her novel Reality and Chaos (currently being optioned for television).This isn't surface-level dating advice.

This is about healing, discernment, green flags, and having the courage to reflect on your own patterns.

If you're dating in the wild, rebuilding after heartbreak, or questioning what you truly want in a partner — press play.🔥

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why inconsistency is the real red flag

How social media is sabotaging modern dating

Why "stop looking and love will find you" is terrible advice

The importance of self-reflection in your dating patterns

How to identify green flags early

The difference between chemistry and compatibility

How friendships carry you through heartbreak

Why your dating journey is customized — not copy/paste💌

WORK WITH MONIQUE

Follow Monique: @CocktailsAndConfessions

Book: Reality and Chaos (Amazon & Barnes & Noble)

Coaching: DM her on Instagram for Cocktails & Confessions coaching

In this powerful and deeply grounding episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, host Nina Westbrook sits down with Dr. Jenelle Kim—a 9th-generation doctor of Traditional Oriental Medicine, master herbalist, and founder of JBK Wellness Labs—for a wide-ranging conversation on aging, emotional health, and true longevity.

Together, Nina and Dr. Kim unpack what's really happening in our bodies as we age, why wellness trends like GLP-1 medications and quick fixes often miss the bigger picture, and how Eastern medicine views vitality as a whole-life practice, not a single product or protocol.

This episode dives into:

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Menopause, perimenopause, and hormonal balance

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Emotional clarity and how stress shows up physically

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The difference between connection and unhealthy attachment

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Why breathwork and movement are powerful medicine

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How small, daily habits create long-term vitality

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Eastern vs. Western perspectives on aging and wellness

Dr. Kim also shares her deeply personal philosophy around detachment, energy, and emotional freedom, along with a simple breathwork practice you can use anywhere—before a meeting, during family gatherings, or in moments of stress.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by wellness advice, unsure where to start, or curious how ancient wisdom can support modern life, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, informed, and empowered.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and walk through it.

Welcome back to a brand-new year of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast.

To kick off 2026, Nina Westbrook opens the year with a powerful, honest, and deeply needed conversation about perimenopause, menopause, self-advocacy, relationships, and redefining what it means to thrive in midlife.

Joining Nina is Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OB-GYN, women's health advocate, and Chief Medical Officer at Hers. With both an MD and an MBA, Dr. Shepherd brings a rare perspective that bridges clinical care, systems-level healthcare change, and real-life lived experience.

In this episode, we unpack:

📍 Why menopause is not an ending — but a powerful new beginning

📍 The neurological, hormonal, emotional, and relational shifts women experience in perimenopause

📍 How stigma, silence, and outdated narratives still shape women's healthcare

📍 What women can do right now to advocate for themselves with doctors and partners

📍 How menopause impacts intimacy, libido, and relationships — and what actually helps

📍 Why communication, curiosity, and clarity are essential tools for this season of life

📍 Dr. Shepherd also shares insights from her book Generation M, and explains how women can stop dismissing their symptoms, stop blaming themselves, and start getting the support they deserve.

If you've ever felt confused, dismissed, overwhelmed, or alone navigating changes in your body — this conversation is for you.

Take a deep breath, unclench your jaw, drop your shoulders… and let's get into it.

📚 Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause - https://amzn.to/3LRQPCE

📩 Stay connectedEmail: dotellpodcast@gmail.com

🎙 Connect with Nina & Do TellFollow Nina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninawestbrook/Follow Do Tell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotellpodcast/

Healing gets talked about a lot… but doing the work is where things get real.In this episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, Nina Westbrook sits down with Devi Brown—master well-being educator, multidisciplinary healer, author, and founder of Devi Brown Well-Being. Devi shares what it actually means to live in wisdom, why healing is rarely neat, and how small daily choices (like breathwork, nervous system support, and non-performative time with your body) can radically shift how you show up in your relationships, parenting, and everyday life.You'll hear a powerful "Walk Away or Walk Through It" icebreaker on boundaries, emotional maturity in friendships, and protecting your values—plus a real conversation about the modern "always-on" mindset, comparison, and why inner work is the foundation for real peace.In this episode, we cover:📍 How to reinforce boundaries with grace (without over-explaining)📍 When to walk away from emotionally draining dynamics📍 Why comparison is a waste of your gifts (and your timing)📍 How the "always producing" lifestyle impacts mind + body📍 The importance of slowing down, boredom, and reclaiming an analog life📍 Parenting with intuition: seeing your children for who they are📍 Practical wellness starting points: labs, vitamin deficiencies, breathwork, and body connection📍 A tangible tool you can start today: box breathing + deep belly breathing (nasal breathing)Guest: Devi Brown @DeviBrownWell-Being Author of Living in Wisdom + Host of the Deeply Well Podcast

It's been an incredible season on Do Tell with Nina Westbrook!

In this special end-of-year recap, Nina looks back at some of the most powerful, funny, and heartfelt moments from Season 3 — featuring inspiring guests like A'ja Wilson, Russell Westbrook, Tamron Hall, Ron Robinson, Sinead Bovell, Melody Ehsani, Dr. Raquel Martin, Neha Ruch, Latham Thomas, Etienne Maurice, Kennedy Ryan, Amber Lyon, and more.

From conversations about self-worth, identity, motherhood, mental health, and love — to laughter, tears, and unforgettable "Do Tell" card moments — this episode celebrates the wisdom, vulnerability, and growth that defined Season 3.

You'll hear:

💬 Russell's hilarious list of "Nina-isms"

💬 Dr. Raquel Martin's boundary masterclass

💬 A'ja Wilson on pressure, peace, and pink sneakers

💬 Kennedy Ryan inspiring women to stop settling

💬 Melody Ehsani redefining creativity and motherhood

💬 Sinead Bovell on AI, connection, and the future of humanity

💬 Amber Lyon's journey to self-worth and healing

💬 So many more moments of truth, humor, and heart.

If you've been with us all season, thank you for being part of the Do Tell family.

And if you're new — welcome to a space where honesty meets growth, and where every conversation reminds us we're all a work in progress.

👉 Watch the full recap to relive the best moments from Season 3.

👉 Catch every full episode linked below.

👉 Subscribe, like, and share so you never miss what's coming next.

What if the thing that's really running your life isn't your to-do list or your goals… but your nervous system and your sense of worth?In this episode of Do Tell with Nina Westbrook, Nina sits down with writer, coach, and author Amber Lyon (You Are a Magnet) for a deep, honest conversation about self-worth, nervous system regulation, and what it actually means to become "magnetic" to the life you want.

They talk about:

✳️ Growing up around addiction and low self-worth — and how those patterns quietly shape our own beliefs

✳️ Dating as a "battlefield" and the moment you stop waiting to be picked and start choosing yourself

✳️ Why your nervous system tells the truth long before your mind does

✳️ How to build presence in the middle of a busy, ambitious life (especially as a parent)

✳️ The hidden cost of staying the same and why life eventually "comes knocking"

✳️ What it truly means to be a magnet — beyond perfection, aesthetics, or "reinventing" yourself

Amber shares simple, grounding micro-practices you can use today — no extra time required — to regulate your nervous system, reconnect with your body, and show up more fully for yourself and the people you love.

If you've ever felt stuck in old patterns, exhausted from living in survival mode, or torn between your ambition and being present, this one will hit home.

👤 Connect with Amber Lyon

Follow Amber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmind___/?hl=en

Grab her book You Are a Magnet: https://a.co/d/8vdYO5T

🎙 Connect with Nina & Do Tell

Follow Nina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninawestbrook/

Follow Do Tell on Instagram/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/dotellpodcast/

▶️ Watch Next from Do Tell

📽️ Latham Thomas on Worthiness, Rest & Listening to Your Body – https://youtu.be/vdVkJkg4c-8

📽️ Trinity Mitchell: "Walk Away or Walk Through It" & Owning Your Story – https://youtu.be/pplfyighQQs

📽️ A'ja Wilson on Mental Health, Pressure & Protecting Your Peace – https://youtu.be/0cOLUl8unfs

Watch more Do Tell episodes on YouTube

A'ja Wilson — WNBA champion & MVP, author of Dear Black Girls, founder of the A'ja Wilson Foundation, and entrepreneur (Burnt Wax Candle). We cover: mental health post-bubble, therapy, boundaries vs public expectations, NIL's upside and pressure, building authentic brand deals, designing a sell-out signature shoe, dyslexia advocacy, and what a "good life" actually looks like.

Highlights

• Walk Away/Walk Through: burnout, toxic group chats, and Beyoncé-level opportunities
• "My peace is my spirit": separating work from joy without losing either
• NIL & the college experience: grace while your brand is still forming
• Authentic partnerships: why the right brands let her be fully herself
• Dear Black Girls: embracing complexity — powerful and gentle
• Dyslexia: getting certified support into classrooms; tech that helps
• Coaching: how Staley & Hammon built trust, fun, and excellence • Burnt Wax Candle: a scent line named after A'ja's accolades
• "Wealthy in more ways than money": stability across every cylinder

Links

• Watch on YouTube:

• A'ja's book — Dear Black Girls - https://a.co/d/bw2eQj4

• A'ja Wilson Foundation (dyslexia awareness) - https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/

• Burnt Wax Candle Co. - https://www.burntwaxcandle.com/

Related Do Tell episodes

• Sinead Bovell — AI & digital boundaries: https://youtu.be/wnN7Yw2-Q34

• Etienne Maurice — activism & community: https://youtu.be/0F4O8bkWm_g

• Latham Thomas — motherhood & intuition: https://youtu.be/vdVkJkg4c-8

Real talk on modern friendship. 👯‍♀️ Nina sits down with Trinity Mitchell (Friend Fusion) to unpack the "low-maintenance friend" myth and reframe it as self-sufficient friendships—connections rooted in honesty, effort, and healthy boundaries. From group-chat drama and ghosting to unspoken rules (don't share your friend's business!), they cover how to address conflict without chaos, offer grace without giving unlimited access, and let go with acceptance—not resentment.📚 You'll learn:· "Walk away or walk through it?"—a simple framework for sticky moments· Why self-sufficiency beats "low-maintenance" (and how to build it)· The difference between being cautious vs. being cold· How to invite clarity when a new friendship feels weird· Navigating values differences (religion, politics) without losing the friendship· Practical language for setting quiet boundaries and supporting friends well🎯 Who this helps: high-capacity women, moms building community, recovering people-pleasers, and anyone ready to upgrade their friendship toolkit.—Related Episodes (watch next)Neha Ruch on Motherhood & Identity — Mother Untitled: https://youtu.be/OFRfbhFoSmMSinead Bovell on Digital Boundaries & Tech + Human Connection: https://youtu.be/wnN7Yw2-Q34Latham Thomas on Community, Care, and the Village We Need: https://youtu.be/vdVkJkg4c-8

What if our obsession with "boundaries" is actually making us lonelier? In this episode of Do Tell, Nina sits down with psychotherapist Helen Marie to unpack modern boundary culture, co-regulation, attachment, PTSD showing up around the holidays, and the healing power of rupture and repair. They explore the difference between capacity vs. desire in love, why love languages can mislead us, and a simple nervous system reset you can use anywhere (hand-on-chest ventral vagal cue).

Whether you're a parent navigating the 0–7 window, a partner hoping to be seen, or someone heading into tricky family dynamics, this conversation is a gentle, practical roadmap back to connection.

What you'll learn

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How therapists think through "walk away vs. walk through it" moments

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Why boundaries ≠ rigid rules (and what to do instead)

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A simple somatic regulation technique to exit fight/flight or shutdown

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How to spot capacity limits (even when desire is high)

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Why repair matters more than perfection in parenting & partnership

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Co-regulation and community as antidotes to isolation

Key topics & keywords psychotherapy, marriage & family therapy, boundaries, co-regulation, polyvagal ladder, ventral vagal, PTSD triggers, holidays & family, attachment styles, rupture and repair, capacity vs desire, love languages critique, parenting 0–7, nervous system regulation, relationship communication

Nina sits down with Molly Shaheen and Huw Collins to unpack how they scaled Maison Wheat from a single boutique into a lifestyle brand—while staying married and mostly sane. They dig into the "walk away vs. walk through it" decision filter, the realities of brick-and-mortar in 2025 (location, terms, team, and story), why saying yes accelerates growth, and how to set boundaries when you live, travel, and build together.

Topics: partner dynamics, pivots, creative control, hospitality retail, date nights, and leading a team when you disagree.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro + LA launch high 01:15 Meet Molly & Huw (Maison Wheat origin) 03:15 Icebreaker: Walk Away or Walk Through It 04:04 Prime retail opportunity—take it or pass? 05:34 Collabs vs. creative control 06:45 Vacation vs. "dream" opportunity 07:51 When your work misses—iterate or quit? 09:30 Working with your spouse (complementary strengths) 12:08 Biggest surprise after opening store #1 19:27 Keys to rapid growth in hospitality retail 23:22 Boundaries & intention in marriage + business 28:10 Making time: date nights, stop times, travel 31:13 Seasons of hustle (family support & presence) 32:05 Goal-setting, discipline, and different gears 36:25 Knowing when to pivot (instinct vs. forcing) 40:39 Disagreeing in front of the team (and fixing it) 42:18 Brick-and-mortar advice (location, terms, story, team) 45:02 Should you go into business with your partner? 50:19 Do Tell: Couples Edition game 53:06 Wrap

Links: Maison Wheat - https://maisonwheat.com/

Watch the full video on YouTube - https://youtu.be/NV8E6Vm815M

On this episode of Do Tell, Nina sits down with Dr. Raquel Martin to unpack the difference between boundaries vs. rules, why "ignoring my 'no' is aggression", and how to rebuild community without cutting everyone off.

They also talk parenting (respect > control), friendship "bat signals," and Dr. Raquel's Burn the Cape movement creating mental-health spaces for Black women. If you're navigating conflict, consent, or capacity in relationships, this one's for you.

👤 Guest: Dr. Raquel Martin — Licensed psychologist & founder of Burn the Cape, building practical tools and community for Black mental health.

🎯 You'll learn:

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A simple test for boundaries vs. rules (and why most people confuse them).

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Why "no" doesn't mean "convince me" (consent at home, work, and online).

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How to downgrade a one-sided friendship without burning bridges.

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Practical ways to build community as a mental-health resource.

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Parenting reframe: respect builds relationships; obedience builds resentment.

Entrepreneur + investor Sharndre Kushor (Crimson Education co‑founder; NZ unicorn) joins Nina Westbrook on the Do Tell Relationship Podcast to talk about building purpose‑driven tech, co‑creating the Nebbi emotional wellness app, and leading with clarity, courage, and compassion.

We get into founder decision-making, values‑aligned investing, designing simple tools that actually help, and why privacy and safety matter in mental health tech.

You'll hear:

⚪️ How Sharndre's upbringing during post‑apartheid South Africa shaped her lens on equity, access, and impact

⚪️ The whirlwind story behind partnering with Nina to build Nebbi

⚪️ Simple, daily practices for emotional self‑efficacy (checking in, naming feelings, and taking small actions)

⚪️ Why Nebbi is not built to keep you on your phone—and what real success looks like for wellness apps

⚪️ A pragmatic approach to copycats, misaligned investors, and holding your vision through scale

⚪️ Concrete steps Nebbi takes to protect user data and earn trustIf you're launching something new, navigating fast growth, or trying to stay grounded while you build—this one's for you.

Download Nebbi on iOS & Android: open your app store and search "Nebbi – Emotional Wellness"

Subscribe: @DoTellRelationshipPodcast

Follow Nina: @DoTellPodcast @ninawestbrook & @benexnina

Ever wondered how an NBA superstar and a licensed marriage & family therapist keep their relationship thriving amidst crazy schedules, three kids, and constant travel? In this candid sit-down, Russell Westbrook and Nina Westbrook peel back the curtain on:

Why open communication and vulnerability are the real MVPs in dating and marriage

The difference between providing for your family and actually connecting with them

Setting boundaries with flaky friends, toddler meltdowns, and spoiler-happy partnersHow childhood examples shape our adult relationships—and what to do if you didn't have one

Practical "reset" rituals that keep you sane

Whether you're single and swiping, newly engaged, or ten years deep like the Westbrooks, you'll leave with actionable tips for nurturing a partnership that wins on and off the court.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more real-talk on relationships, mental health, and personal growth.

🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode!Social & Resources

Follow Nina: @ninawestbrook

Follow Russell: @russwest44

Podcast IG: @dotellpodcast

Discover how bestselling author Kennedy Ryan is transforming lives through the power of romance fiction. In this raw and inspiring interview, Kennedy opens up about how her newest book Can't Get Enough has inspired real-life breakups, radical self-love, and relationship revelations.

Women everywhere are re-evaluating their standards and walking away from emotionally unavailable partners. Why? Because Kennedy's novels go beyond fantasy, they reflect what women truly deserve in love and life.

✨ In this conversation, we dive into:

• How Kennedy's books sparked a wave of breakups

• The truth about emotional evolution in men (and why it matters)

• Why "dating yourself" is essential before dating anyone else

• Her thoughts on boundaries, reconnection, and friendship dynamics

• The non-negotiable standards women should stop apologizing for

Drop a comment:

What's a moment - book, movie, or convo; that made you realize you were settling?

🔗 Kennedy Ryan's latest novel, Can't Get Enough — Available now wherever books and audiobooks are sold! 🎧 Available on Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.

Actor, activist, and WalkGood LA founder Etienne Maurice joins Nina Westbrook for a raw conversation on trauma, purpose, and building a wellness movement for communities of color.

From surviving gun violence to launching LA's biggest Black-led yoga collective, Etienne shares how breathwork, therapy, and community turned pain into purpose. Nina opens up about couples therapy, app entrepreneurship, and the realities of public versus private love.

What you'll learn

✅ How WalkGood LA was born out of the 2020 protests and grew to 500+ person yoga gatherings.

✅ Practical tips for Black men's mental health, sobriety, and setting boundaries.

✅ Why couples therapy before marriage can save relationships.

✅ Managing burnout when your work is mission-driven.

✅ Etienne's "You Good?" healing circles and advice to his younger self.

#YogaInThePark #CommunityWellness #BlackYoga #WalkGoodLA #HealingTogether#OutdoorYoga #BreatheGood #LAEvents #MindfulMovement #YogaCommunity #SocialImpact#EtienneMaurice