Rest as Resistance: Why Radical Self-Care for Black Women Matters – Inclusive AF Podcast #150

Hello Inclusive AF Fam,

We just dropped a powerful milestone episode—#150!—of The Inclusive AF Podcast, and trust us, this one is a MUST-LISTEN.

This Week’s Topic:
Black women’s exhaustion and why radical self-care is no longer just a luxury, but a necessity.

Hosts Katee Van Horn and Jackye Clayton dive deep into the very real, very personal discussion of the burdens Black women continue to carry—especially as 2025 looms. Drawing from thought-provoking articles (shoutout to The Root, Ebony, Hood Communist, and The Nap Ministry—you’ll find them in our show notes!), we break down:

• How exhaustion has been so deeply normalized in Black women’s lives that it often goes unrecognized, both by themselves and by those around them.

• The generational “strong Black woman” trope—and the pressure it puts on women to lead, nurture, and advocate without support.

• The true meaning of radical self-care: It’s so much more than poolside margaritas (though, let’s admit, those are great too!). It’s about rest as resistance, saying “no,” leaning on others, and unapologetically prioritizing your own needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Rest is not a reward—it’s a right.

• As Jackye shares, “putting myself first in a world that demands I come last” is truly radical.

• Allies and leaders: STOP asking Black women to do the extra labor of teaching you how to help. Do your homework, make changes, and create the space for real rest and recovery.

• Let’s prioritize reducing friction, supporting true work-life balance, and making it crystal clear: Black women do NOT have to hold the world together—nor should that ever be the expectation.

A Note for Black Women:
You don’t owe anyone your burnout. Permission granted to rest, to say no without guilt, and to put yourself first. As Jackye so perfectly says: “Take the rest you need so you can show up as your best self.”

A Note for Allies:
Read up. Step up. Show up. Don’t wait to be told what to do—start dismantling the systems that keep the burden on Black women, and set the expectation that rest and self-care are non-negotiable for everyone.

Be sure to catch the full episode for candid conversation, a few laughs (wait till you hear about the pizza mishaps!), and actionable ideas for making our workplaces and communities truly more inclusive.

Listen here [insert link]
Show notes & resources: [insert link to articles]

Let’s keep the conversation (and the rest) going.
With care,
The Inclusive AF Podcast Team

P.S. Try collecting your comfort items this week—be it a cozy blanket, a walk outdoors, or a favorite song. And if you’re an ally, check in with your own readiness to support. Rest is revolutionary, and it starts with all of us.