Gettin’ Grown – “A Quick Check In”
Podcast: Gettin’ Grown
Host: Loud Speakers Network – Keia & Jade
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode is a heartfelt check-in between Keia and Jade, two friends and Black women navigating the joys and complexities of "adulting" as 30-somethings. With both hosts fresh off a season of live shows, travel, celebration, and significant personal and collective loss, the conversation centers on updates, gratitude for their community, reflections on Black womanhood, and the power of connection in hard times. It’s an emotionally rich, humorous, and affirming kitchen table talk that’s equal parts celebration and vulnerability.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Reality and Weight of Caretaking and Loss
[04:03–10:45]
- Recent Losses: The hosts open up about the recent passing of their dear friend Toya’s father after a prolonged illness, as well as the loss of Tenille Pritchett, a friend and former podcast guest who was a colon cancer survivor. Both losses deeply impact the hosts’ circles.
- Unspoken Caregiver Exhaustion: Jade and Keia discuss the emotional toll caregiving takes—a role often surrounded by unspoken guilt and exhaustion.
- "Oftentimes there is a guilt associated… nobody wants to look at a loved one as a burden. It's not necessarily they're a burden. The situation is taxing on anybody." – Jade [05:30]
- "You're dealing with the exhaustion, there is some sense of relief, like… grateful that your loved one is no longer in pain, but also… the burden that you have been carrying…" – Keia [07:40]
- Navigating Grief and Administration: Beyond emotional loss, there are “mechanics” after someone’s passing—the paperwork and celebrations that require resilience on empty reserves.
- Desire for More Conversation: Both express a desire to explore caregiving further in future episodes, noting how prevalent it is for their age group (“adulting” in real time).
2. Community, Chosen Family, and the Importance of Intentional Connection
[09:45–12:28]
- Reconnection in Grief: Even in mourning, there’s value in coming together: “Although it was unfortunate circumstances, it’s a reminder that carving out intentional time for community… is critical. Life is lifing and loss is a part of life.” – Keia [09:45]
- Listeners’ Shared Grief: They acknowledge many listeners are also experiencing loss, and remind everyone: "It's ghetto out here, but we are in the ghetto together." – Jade [10:42]
3. Podcast Updates, Community, and Upcoming Content
[10:46–12:28]
- Both hosts have been traveling, so the episode is less structured (“no formulated kitchen table this week”) and more about casual, authentic catching up.
- Reminders and appreciation for Patreon supporters, YouTube subscribers, and the broader community.
- "If you want to support artists who are true artists… Spree is an artist, okay?" – Jade [14:05]
- Special shout-outs to artist Spree Wilson and new music releases (link in show notes).
4. Shoutouts and Gratitude for Supporters & Collaborators
[12:29–23:28]
- Production & Tour Crew: Extensive gratitude for photographers, videographers, and venue staff who supported their tour. Every collaborator is mentioned by name and praised for generosity and excellence (see timestamped list below).
- Producer Mary: Highlighting the often unseen work of “Mary” who makes the podcast and live shows run seamlessly, and who is also an accomplished musician.
- “It’s beautiful having a Black woman as part of the team who cares about what you’re doing… makes the lift easier.” – Jade [22:00]
- Listeners’ Energy: “For just bringing the energy, meeting us where we at, so that the room is full. And every room was full.” – Jade [23:02]
5. Touring, Black Community, and Cultural Moments
[30:39–38:21]
- Chicago Live Show Love: The warmth and community of Black Chicago, their experience at Lim’s Barbecue, and the spontaneous creation of community around everyday experiences.
- Story of the “auntie” at Lim’s who entrusts the hosts with faxing official documents—an example of the remarkable, everyday trust Black women receive.
- “Think about it…I saw a meme that said… Black women are the only women you’re gonna go to their house (for braids), don’t know them, but you trust them.” – Jade [33:47]
- Black Women’s Inherent Trust and Care: Extended riff on why Black women are trusted by everyone, and how their care is unmatched (in healthcare and beyond).
- “It’s a superpower…people take for granted, but it is…it’s just a function of who we are.” – Keia [34:52]
- Media Narratives vs. Lived Reality: Challenging mainstream fearmongering about Black communities (“the narrative…wants to suggest our communities are unsafe…that’s literally the opposite of everything I’ve experienced in my life.” – Keia [36:11])
- Live Show Recap: The sense of safety and vulnerability created in their live events—the room shapes its own conversation, evolving as needed.
6. Joy, Celebrating Milestones, and Black Joy
[39:27–47:51]
- Jade’s Birthday Recap: An extended joyful reflection on Jade’s 40th birthday festivities. From the salted honey pie (“revolutionized my taste buds” – Keia [41:34]) to a love-filled party full of her chosen family, music, and memories.
- Food as Love Language: The joy both hosts find in feeding and seeing others enjoy food.
- “When it is food that I have introduced them to, and it hits… there’s a certain type of…Eat that. Yes, exactly.” – Jade [43:22]
7. Adulting, Friendship, and Planning for More Joy
[48:28–49:46]
- Aspirational Goals: Intent to dress up and go to a Jeezy concert (“Put on a gown and go to a Jeezy concert – that’s what I would like to do.” – Keia [48:38])
- Rituals of Black Joy: Attending concerts, dressing up, and reclaiming luxury (“That is my love language...getting dressed up, luxuriating, having wonderful food—that’s really what I love to do.” – Keia [49:36])
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On Caretaking:
- “Nobody wants to look at a loved one as a burden...the situation is taxing on anybody.” – Jade [05:30]
- “You deal with the exhaustion...some sense of relief, you're grateful your loved one is no longer in pain, but also, the burden you have been carrying is tough.” – Keia [07:40]
-
On Black Women’s Trust & Care:
- “Black women are probably the only demographic that everybody inherently trusts.” – Keia [34:04]
- “If you would just lean into the magic of Black women…we are just magic across the board.” – Jade [35:40]
-
On Community:
- “Carving out intentional time for community and coming together is critical because life is lifing and loss is a part of life.” – Keia [09:45]
- “If what we receive is any indication of what we put out, it makes me feel like we’re doing what we set out to do.” – Keia [20:14]
-
On Black Joy:
- “It’s a superpower…people take for granted, but it is…it’s just a function of who we are.” – Keia [34:52]
- “When you aggregate the right Blacks in the room at the right time, you know, the music just happens.” – Keia [50:34]
-
On the Show’s Purpose:
- "Again, this is a show of community, and we want it to be that, not just the words." – Jade [55:07]
Notable Shoutouts & Gratitude
[15:28–23:28]
- Spree Wilson – artist and musician; recent loss of his grandmother and artistry reflecting real life.
- Photographers: Sean Bartley (LA), Gabrielle (Memphis), Morgan Bell (Memphis videographer), Tenille Simmons (Chicago), Mackenzie Webster (Crosstown Arts Memphis).
- Mary – producer and musician; described as “seven people in one.”
- Jasmine Imani – friend and supporter, helped with merch in Chicago.
- Live Show Venues: City Winery NY, Crosstown Arts Memphis, and others.
- Full contact info for collaborators to be listed in show notes.
Closing Affirmations & Self-Care
[55:26–56:22]
- Moisturize your mind (“attend to the business that is yours and yours alone.”)
- Moisturize your insides (“drink water every single day.”)
- Moisturize your skin (“your Black will crack if it’s dry!”)
- Calls for liberation and solidarity: “Libre Palestina, libre Sudan, libre Congo, libre Puerto Rico, Blacks in the U.S., libre…”
Timestamps for Essential Segments
- Caretaking, loss, and grief: [04:03–10:45]
- Community, chosen family, and support: [09:45–12:28]
- Shoutouts to supporters and artists: [12:29–23:28]
- Live Show/tour gratitude: [15:28–23:28]
- Discussion of Black women’s magic/trust: [33:13–36:01]
- Jade’s birthday reflections and Black joy: [39:27–47:51]
- Future plans and goals: [48:28–49:46]
- Closing affirmations and encouragement: [55:26–56:22]
Final Note
This episode embodies the heart of Gettin’ Grown: honest, nuanced reflections on life’s hardest moments, the beauty of Black community, the magic of everyday Black womanhood, and the everyday work of self- and collective care. Jade and Keia's warmth and wit offer listeners both comfort and motivation, affirming that in the “ghetto” of adulting, we are in it together.