Session 459: The Postpartum Conversation You Need to Hear
Therapy for Black Girls
iHeartPodcasts and Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D.
4.8 • 5.8K Ratings
🗓️ 15 April 2026
⏱️ 64 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week, I’m joined once again by Dr. Sharon Malone for an important conversation in honor of Black Maternal Health Week. We’re digging into the realities of Black maternal health—from the historical roots of medical bias to the ways those patterns still shape our experiences today. Dr. Malone and I talk about why Black women are so often left out of the center of maternal health conversations, what we need to know about preeclampsia and other cardiovascular risks, and why half of maternal deaths happen after delivery. She also shares practical guidance for advocating for yourself when something doesn’t feel right, and what to consider even years before pregnancy.
If you’re planning for a family, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand the landscape of Black women’s health, this episode offers clarity, validation, and tools to help you feel more informed and empowered.
About the Podcast
The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, a weekly conversation about mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. |
| 0:23.8 | I'm your host, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia. |
| 0:30.1 | For more information or to find a therapist in your area, visit our website at Therapy for Blackgirls.com. While I hope you love listening to |
| 0:40.4 | and learning from the podcast, it is not meant to be a substitute for a relationship with a licensed |
| 0:47.1 | mental health professional. Hey, y'all. |
| 0:56.6 | Thanks so much for joining me for session 459 of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast. |
| 1:01.7 | We'll get right into our conversation after word from our sponsors. |
| 1:10.8 | This is an I-Heart podcast. |
| 1:13.6 | Guaranteed human. |
| 1:18.5 | This week, I'm once again joined by Dr. Sharon Malone for an important conversation in honor of Black Maternal Health Week. |
| 1:25.7 | We're digging into the realities of Black Maternal Health from the We're digging into the realities of black maternal health |
| 1:28.1 | from the historical roots of medical bias |
| 1:30.3 | to the ways those patterns still shape our experiences today. |
| 1:34.6 | Dr. Malone and I talk about why black women |
| 1:36.6 | are so often left out of the center of maternal health conversations, |
| 1:40.4 | what we need to know about preeclampsia |
| 1:42.3 | and other cardiovascular risks, |
| 1:45.9 | and why half of maternal deaths happen after delivery. She also shares practical guidance for advocating for yourself when |
| 1:51.5 | something doesn't feel right and what to consider even years before pregnancy. If you're planning |
| 1:56.8 | for a family, supporting someone who is, or simply wants to better understand the landscape of black women's health. |
| 2:02.7 | This episode offers clarity, validation, and tools to help you feel more informed and empowered. |
| 2:08.5 | If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, please share with us on social media using the hashtag TBG in session. |
... |
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