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Podcast Host
This is an Iheart podcast.
Charlamagne Tha God
Guaranteed human peace of the planet.
Charlamagne Tha God here and the end of the year is the time to set the foundation for next year. New ideas, new product drops, new goals. And when I'm building anything meaningful, I need the right tools. That's why I always tell folks, especially black entrepreneurs and small black owned businesses, Shopify is the move. We use it at the Black Effect Podcast Network. And I've seen firsthand how it helps creators and business owners grow with confidence. Okay, Shopify is like having a whole team behind you. Your chief of staff, your personal assistant, your co founder, all in one platform. Wherever your people are, Shopify makes sure your business can meet them where they're at. So if you're ready to take the next step in your life, whether it's merch products or anything in between, get on shopify.com ben and make it happen. It is time to stop putting off your future and start your new role as your own boss.
Podcast Host
Today, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. A season filled with family dinners, laughter and holiday shopping. But even in the middle of all of that joy, everyone needs a moment to slow down. The little pause between the music, the memories and the madness. And nothing makes that break better than an ice cold Coca Cola. It's that quick refresh that turns the holiday rush into calm, making the moment feel just right. It's the breath between the laughter and the late night rapping sessions. Because the best part of the holidays isn't having it all together, it's enjoying it while it's happening. Enjoy your Coca Cola. Refresh your holidays.
DJ Envy
Hey, what up y'?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
All?
DJ Envy
It's DJ Envy and the holidays are here. The time of year that's all about connecting with loved ones in person or over the phone. In fact, hearing someone's voice can emote a similar emotional response as a hug. And while most of us can hop on a video chat to really bring that connection to life, using tech isn't easy for everyone. Especially some of the older folk in our lives. Eight AT&T has been doing something special here. To help, they offer digital literacy workshops that help older adults learn how to use technology to do things most of us take for granted, like video conferencing and sharing photos. Take Nancy Shand. She joined one of AT&T's workshops to learn how to video chat. For the first time this holiday season, Nancy won't just be hearing about family gatherings. She'll be a part of them, sharing stories, opening presents, and making memories. All through a screen. Nobody should have to go through the holiday season alone. So be sure to connect and stay connected to your loved ones this holiday season.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Connecting changes everything.
State Farm Narrator
AT&T, you've been working in the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running. Today, after all the hard work, y' all finally finished it. Even better. Your dad says, all yours, son. Yep. Same car that belongs to your grandpa that your dad helped him fix is yours. To really keep the tradition going, you need to get State Farm insurance. Just like them, generation to generation. Remember to choose the agents that your family counted on. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
Carolyn (Patient)
I'm Carolyn.
Pharmaceutical Narrator
I have metastatic breast cancer.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I was concerned after my diagnosis. Cascali gives me more life for living. Since I've been prescribed, I've seen a daughter get married. I now have a grandchild and another one on the way.
Pharmaceutical Narrator
Gascali ribociclib, 200 milligram tablets with hormone therapy is for adults with HR positive, HER2 negative. Metastatic breast cancer. Do not take with tamoxifen. In a clinical study at 80 months, women taking Cascali plus letrozole lived over a year longer versus letrozole alone. Individual results may vary. Cascali may cause serious skin reactions, liver problems and low white blood cell counts that may result in serious infections. Life threatening lung problems and abnormal heartbeats can occur. Your doctor should test your heart and blood before and during treatment. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening cough, chest pain or dizziness before taking Cascali. Tell your doctor all your medical conditions, medicines you take and if you're breastfeeding, pregnant or planning to be as it can harm an unborn baby. Common side effects include nausea, headache and tiredness. Real patient compensated for her time. Learn more@cascali.com.
Charlamagne Tha God
Every day I wake up.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Wake your ass up.
Charlamagne Tha God
The Breakfast Club.
DJ Envy
Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne the guy we are the Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building. Her album is out right now. Tasha. We have Tasha Cobbs. Leonard.
Charlamagne Tha God
Welcome.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
What's up?
Charlamagne Tha God
How you feeling?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Good morning.
Charlamagne Tha God
You look beautiful.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Thank you.
Charlamagne Tha God
How you feeling?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Cold. Yes. It's freezing outside, but it's all right.
DJ Envy
It's freezing in here.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah. Y' all all right?
Charlamagne Tha God
Blessed Black and Holly Favorite.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yes.
Charlamagne Tha God
New album, Tasha. Out right now. When people name their albums, like their name, usually it's very personal. So I know that that's what this is.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yes, I remember Karen Clark. Sheer a few Years ago, she did an album called Finally Karen. And I always wonder, why did she name this album Finally Karen? And when I got to this album, I completely understood that she was in a place where she was just settled with herself. Like, this is who I am. This is what I have to offer. And that's what this album is about for me. It is a testimony so many testimon bottled up in a bunch of songs from, you know, from miscarriages to grief to celebrations and blended families. I mean, everything is in there.
Charlamagne Tha God
How does the gospel. I'm sorry, how does the gospel community feel when you put. When you put yourself as the focus in your music?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
You know what? It's more so about the testimony that God has been faithful through those seasons. And I feel like it has been accepted much better. Because a lot of times we can hide behind like this F of everything is holy, holy, holy, holy. You never go through anything. And I think people can relate more when you tell the truth about your story, that there are some seasons where I was sitting down, like, God, what are you doing? You know, and. And people can relate to that. But at the end of the day, even when we went into the writing sessions, my. My main thing was we're going to always offer hope that we tell our truth. At the end of the day, God is still faithful and he's been good. And it has been received so well by so many people.
DJ Envy
When you talk about all these things that you've been going through, you're never scared to put that much personal information out, especially. Cause people always say church folks are the most judgy.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah.
DJ Envy
You've never had any, like, ah, maybe.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Not, you know, what?
Charlamagne Tha God
Thou shall not judge, but boy.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, my goodness. Yes, ma'. Am. You know what? Last year I released a book called Do It Anyway. And that was probably one of the most transparent things I've ever had to do is like memoirs.
Podcast Host
So.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
So I went back into my life and my story, and I realized that sometimes we can put these songs out and people think you just singing pretty melodies, like your story is disconnected from it. And I saw through that book and the response of it that people wanted to hear more about the story. And so I'm willing to be transparent. If it's gonna be somebody's healing, if somebody's healing is connected to it, I'm willing to be transparent and tell my story. And I think that's what the gospel is. Just being honest about what you've gone through and how God is. Has been faithful in delivering you from.
Charlamagne Tha God
That, well, you know, people always say, they say your music has always felt like a bridge between traditional worship and the emotional realities of everyday people. So what you're saying makes sense. But how has your understanding of calling evolved as your platform has grown?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, my goodness. It is with every presentation or every entity. So with every album. I listen back to like some of the older albums like Smile and Grace and I hear this innocence that sometimes I honestly miss because being exposed in industry and being exposed to different platforms, it introduces you to things that you can't forget. You know, it's almost like I want to get back to that. But then too, you know, I've experienced so much life and so many testimonies of how God has been so good in every season. You know, you have this interesting dichotomy, like, hey, you know, the innocence was great, but then the experience is really good too because now I have testimonies that I can share that teach other people. Yeah.
DJ Envy
With all the awards you won. Grammy Awards, Stella Awards, Dove Awards, Billboard Music Awards.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
That's right.
DJ Envy
What is success to you now? Cause you didn't achieved everything as far as award wise. So what is success to you? What are you? What are you. If you're chasing, what are you chasing now, if anything?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Wow. I love the season that I'm in. I'm married now. I have children, you know, family. That's my thing. I love to be home. I'm just coming off a 60 day sabbatical, which is just amazing. I love being at home with my kids and with my family. My husband and I, we pastor a church, you know, so building family in the local, like a local church has always been my heart. So I pursue that. And you know what? I believe that God honors my commitment there and it still gives him this trust. Like I can trust you with greater things because you are still committed to my local community, the people, you know, the mothers in the church. You know, I still love that. I still love to be able to touch people and relate to them and have community with them. So if I'm pursuing anything, it would be that to be the best me that I could be to the people that I see every day.
DJ Envy
And how do you give those church people hope? Because right now I feel like this is where people need it the most. Right. Groceries are high, bills are high, people are not making money. They feel like it's a crazy world with everything that's going on. How do you give those people hope now, man?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I mean, the first answer that comes to mind is, I Keep giving them Jesus. But number two, one of the things that we focus on is what I'm talking about now. Community. A lot of people in our church, they are business owners, you know, they're entrepreneurs. And so within that community, if I can encourage everybody, okay, we're gonna rally around each other. If you got a lawn service, we gonna use you. If you. You know, those. I think we have to now, in this season, use strategy. Even in the Kingdom, like, you gotta use strategy. Even though, you know, we. We trust God and he's gonna be faithful and he's gonna take care of us, but I still think we have to be wise with how we manage what God has entrusted us with. And so that's one of the things that we wanna do. Just continue to build community, support one another, support each other's businesses. And I.
Charlamagne Tha God
In the Bible, they call it impartation, which is the sharing of. What is it? The sharing of something valuable. Yeah, like giving. Giving of yourself.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yes. You find it like when you read about acts, there was this moment where people were, like, selling their goods, and they would bring all of the. Everything that they earned from the goods, and that's how the community survived, is that they would come to the church because people would bring all of their alms and their goods to the church. And the community survived in that way.
Podcast Host
Oh, go ahead, you can go.
Carolyn (Patient)
Okay.
Charlamagne Tha God
When you were just talking. I love y', all, you was just talking about community.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I saw that. Thank you, Satan.
Podcast Host
Don't. Justice.
Carolyn (Patient)
I know.
Charlamagne Tha God
That's when I started dealing with all this turmoil.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, my God.
Podcast Host
Crazy for her.
Charlamagne Tha God
What you were saying about community, right? I. I always, like, find it. I don't know what it is like. The youth will not willingly come to the church. Back when I was younger, we were more like. We did want to go. The only complaint that I had was church was too long, but I still wanted to go. I still received the word. You know, my uncle. I went to my uncle's church. He's a pastor, and he. He was able to break it down in a way where everybody got it right. I'm just trying to figure out what the disconnect is between the church and the young people. I go to church and I don't see young people.
DJ Envy
Nah, I was forced. I ain't gonna front. I was forced.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah, we had to go.
DJ Envy
Yeah, I was forced.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
You had to go.
Charlamagne Tha God
But why, though? Because it was too long and it was boring.
DJ Envy
Grandma made me go. Yeah, you go into church, you gonna sit in that back and you gonna Shut the F up. You know what?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Now I think not Dominican church.
Charlamagne Tha God
It's Baptist church, you ass.
DJ Envy
I'm black, I'm not Dominican.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
But I do think that's missing though. I don't think I like we were made to go. I don't think a lot of, I think a lot of kids now are having. They get to choose. And I think sometimes as parents we have to like gauge it, like manage our kids and what they're exposed to. So I do think some of the responsibility may be on the parent, parental figure in their lives. But I think church has changed a little bit too because you have different options for teenagers. Like for. At our church. So our teens, they participate in worship and then we release them to their own thing. So they get taught they have different games, stuff that they play when they go out. Like we had Sunday school and all that kind of stuff. Now they actually have children's church. So a lot of times what I'm finding, even in our churches now, kids are being drawn to just different styles of worship. Now. Let me tell you this. Kids these days don't want fluff. They don't want all the religious fluffy. They want a real God, you know, And a lot of times we have to bring that to them. Like, okay, all of that other religious stuff that we were taught we got to take. Give them just the meat. They want the meat of who God is. And I think they'll really pursue it much better. Like I have two teenage. Well, she's not a teenager anymore. We have a 23 year old and I have a 19 year old. And some of the questions that they ask us just about God, it's totally, it's much more mature than some of the questions I would have asked at 19. Right. Because they're exposed to so much more. And I feel like we have to take the fluff off and just give them like the meat of who God is. And that's what they really want.
Charlamagne Tha God
And I think being it, having it rooted in real life experiences, like, like how your album is, like when I listen to Pastor Torre or Sarah Jake's Roberts or Bishop T.D. jakes when they're preaching, it's rooted in something real that's actually going on that we're dealing with. And here are the scriptures that can help you get.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yep. Something they can relate to.
Podcast Host
And I also think too, like when you get the kids back into church and you take away all the fluff, you give them kind of like a foundation to like go through everyday life with. Yeah, you got the song Church with John Legend, you talk about, teach me how to church on a Monday. Yeah, break that down for us.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
So I. I feel like there are people. When I went into this album, one of the things that I wanted to do. I remember Kirk Franklin, Mary, Mary, back in the day, they used to have these songs where I was like, I don't want the person who just got saved Sunday to miss out. I want to give them something they can relate to. And the truth is, they may come to church, and they may not understand everything. Like, they may not understand the church lingo and what we're doing, but they can understand lyrics that says, okay, God, I love what I felt Sunday, but teach me how to get that in my house today. Teach me how to feel you, teach me how to pray. Teach me how to love on you and build a personal relationship with you today. So that's where that. That song came from. Because the preacher ain't gonna be in your house. You ain't gonna have a keyboard player there. Like, how do I build relationship with God on my day to day? And that's what that song is about.
Podcast Host
And your day to day, because on your first song on the album, I needed God. You or I need God, you talk about dealing with, like, social media comments and, like, the Internet. And I've never thought about gospel people dealing with comments. Cause y' all are so like, I know Kirk Franklin gets a lot of pushback, but he's never talked about comments. And being in the comments, I was. When I heard that, I'm like, I wonder what she deals with on a day to day. Just like, all right, I see y'.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
All.
Podcast Host
Leave me alone.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Like, how.
Podcast Host
What is your experience like with that?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Everybody has an opinion about everything. And sometimes.
DJ Envy
What's the thing they say in the comments, though?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, they do you pray every day? Oh, no. Did they talk about your clothes? They talk about your hair? They talk about, you know, just everything. It's the same. And I guess it's the platforms that have been given through social media. You have to manage it. You have to. You know, it could be good, it could be bad, depending on how people use it. And sometimes we're human. You know, you get in the comments and you're like, wait a minute. You know, because it's like you're focusing on. Okay, so one of the last things that happened with me, I wore a red outfit to the Stellar Awards. It was amazing. I loved that outfit. And I mean, the people was like, oh, she sold her soul to the devil. You Know the color red. I'm like, what in the world?
Charlamagne Tha God
The blood of Jesus?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I mean, I could. Not exactly. I could not believe it. And so I literally had to just take a moment away from social media because I'm like, y' all missed the whole moment. It was like, this is on television. Millions of people are gonna be watching. I had an opportunity just to spread the word of J. And y' all talking about my clothes, you know, it's. It's so I. You're right. I have to just kind of pull away sometimes and refocus on what my calling is and who I'm called to. Yeah.
Charlamagne Tha God
Well, speaking of calling, when did you first realize that the ministry God gave you wasn't just about singing, but about impartation?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
That's a good question. I love this. So my dad was a pastor, so they call him me a PK. All right. And he started pastor when I was 10 years old, and I came from a family of singers. So everybody sing. All of my aunts, all my cousins, everybody. And I wasn't, like, the singer in the family. My dad actually was cultivating me to be a speaker, like a communicator. So my first sermon, I preached it when I was 10 years old. And I wasn't really singing on a stage like that, but I grew up in a small town called Jessup, Georgia, and we were bored. So we started, like, this teenage choir, everybody. It was like 50 of us. We had band singers, all that kind of stuff. And we were singing Kirk Franklin's song now Behold by Tamela Mann, and the lead singer could not make it. He got on a minor fender bender, couldn't make it to the concert. So everybody was like, tasha, Tasha, you gotta sing. I was like, guys, I don't sing in front of people. What's wrong with y'? All? So needless to say, I ended up singing the song that night, and just like people do now, when I open my eyes, people were crying. They were in the floor in worship. I'm looking at my dad like, okay, this ain't what we've been doing. This is different. They're looking back at me. And I think we realized at that moment that the singing and the song songs would be an avenue that would be used for me to also get the gospel to people. So it wasn't like a dream either. I just loved. Like I just said, I love singing in church. I love building a choir. That was my thing. So it was never a dream to be on, like, major platforms. I just loved being in church. Like, I got disciplined by not being able to go to church. Like, what you talking about? I was one of the kids who was on the front row. I'm there early. I loved church, so. So for me to have the platforms that I have now, it's just something new. It's not something that I dreamed about, I thought about. I just love to sing, I love to worship, and I love God's word.
Podcast Host
You talk about your dad, and I know you have your song, do it anyway on a project. And I can't imagine how emotional that was for you recording that song, because I know it's based off of a lot of life lessons he gave you in your book. So talk about deciding to put that on this album and the process of writing it and recording it, what that was like for you emotionally.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
When I wrote the book, I wrote it off of my dad's. The last thing that he taught me, the last lesson that he left with me. We were on the way to the Stellars. I had just released a song, Break Every Chain, and I was nominated for several awards. And my dad was an old school pastor, so for him to leave on a Sunday, it meant the world to me. So my dad and my mom came to Nashville, and he was. They had, like, this catwalk that year, and my son was positioned in the middle of the room, and he was literally probably three seats away from me. And I could see him just beaming from ear to ear. But leading up to going to the Stellars, the Grammys were seven days later. And he kept saying, daddy's gonna be with you in Nashville. I'm not going to L. A, but I want you to go anyway. Like, we're thinking, okay, nobody ever thought you was going to la, you know, And I thought that's why he was saying that. So he showed up in Nashville, and on the way. I won three awards that night. And the last picture I have of him is him holding my awards up, getting on the elevator. He was getting on the elevator and said, dad, oh, wait a minute. Let me stop you and take a picture. Let the backstory is, my daddy paid for my independent project with his full savings. He spent his whole savings. And so for years, he kept saying, when does the executive producer get his money back? That was his ongoing joke. So I promised him that if I ever won awards, I would give them to him. So that night, he took those three Stellar Awards home, and he was so, so, so proud. The next morning, he had a heart attack in the car, and he died with my mom in the car. But he saved her life. Like, even in that, it was just. The story is just absolutely amazing, like, telling it or. Oh, for sure. Yeah. So my mom and my dad, they dated since she was 13 years old. They were the only two they ever been with and in the car. So, you know, my father had a heart attack immediately. They're basically saying that he passed away, but even in death, he lifted his foot up off of the gas and, you know, gravity is going to make you press the gas harder. He was driving. He was driving. He lifted his foot up off the gas while he was having a heart attack, and the car just kind of floated into a ditch so that my mom wasn't harmed at all. And she was able to get out and just run across the street and say, hey, I think my husband's having a heart attack. I think he's having a heart attack. And in that moment, my dad used to always say, if I ever get a glimpse of God's glory, I'm not coming back. So that's our own, I think, like, he's. We. Like, he ain't coming back. He's not coming back. But I remember him saying, baby, Daddy's not gonna be with you in la, but I want you to go anyway. And I. And in that, I believe that he was teaching me that life is gonna get hard, your heart is gonna be broken. You're not gonna understand the seasons that you're in, but Daddy wants you, and do it anyway, whatever you feel like God has called you to do. And so that was the last lesson that he left with me.
Charlamagne Tha God
How old were you?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
My father was 54.
Charlamagne Tha God
Oh, he was young, man.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
He was young. Yep. He was a great man. Yeah, he got paid back.
Charlamagne Tha God
He said, I'm gonna take this.
DJ Envy
I got my paperwork.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I'm good. He said, where does the executive producer get his money back? Why you didn't pay your daddy?
Charlamagne Tha God
Why you didn't pay your daddy?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
You know what? I didn't have it to pay him. I was trying, and I have taken it. Yeah, I was trying, y'. All.
Charlamagne Tha God
Now, you've always been transparent about, like, therapy and healing and doing the inner work. What do you feel the faith community still misunderstands about mental health?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, my goodness. You know, I think there's a greater focus on it than there has been in the past. And I feel like many people who are. Who have platforms are talking about it more like you were just mentioning Sarah.
Carolyn (Patient)
Sarah, end of the year is when we finally stop breathe and say, okay, what's the next big move. And with everything we juggle, families, businesses, filming, life in general, if it's not making things easier, we're not using it. That's exactly why we love Shopify. Shopify is like having your own chief of staff, personal assistant, and business partner wrapped into one. I can personally say that Shopify made it possible for me to start my business of satin line baseball hats embellished, which to this day has multi million dollars in sales. Thank you Shopify for all things to keep my businesses in check. Shopify keeps everything organized. No juggling, 10 logins, no chaos. My whole storefront in one place. Website, social, selling, merchandise, analytics. Boom, right there. And Shopify Sidekick, that AI assistant is real. Content, ideas, image, edits, reports, you name it. It's like someone whispering, hey sis, here's your next step right in your ear. So whether you're launching something new in 2026 or cleaning up the business you already have, starting now puts you ahead of the game. And so does Shopify. So it's time to stop thinking and start doing. And there's no better way to start than with Shopify by your side. Use our link shopify.com ben to start getting serious about building your future.
Charlamagne Tha God
Hey, what up, y'?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
All?
DJ Envy
It's DJ Envy. And the holidays are here. The time of year that's all about connecting with loved ones in person or over the phone. In fact, hearing someone's voice can evoke a similar emotional response as a hug. And while most of us can hop on a video chat to really bring that connection to life, using tech isn't easy for everyone, especially some of the older folk in our lives. AT&T has been doing something special here to help. They offer digital literacy workshops that help older adults learn how to use technology to do things most of us take for granted, like video conferencing and sharing photos. Take Nancy Shand. She joined one of AT&T's workshops to learn how to video chat for the first time this holiday season. Nancy won't just be hearing about family gatherings. She'll be a part of them, sharing stories, opening presents, and making memories all through a screen. Nobody should have to go through the holiday season alone. So be sure to connect and stay connected to your loved ones this holiday season.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Connecting changes everything.
Podcast Host
AT&T the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, filled with joy and laughter, a little bit of the festive chaos we all secretly love. From long shopping lists to travel plans to family dinners, it's a lot happening all at once. But this season Coca Cola wants to remind everyone that the magic isn't in the hustle and bustle. It's finding joy in the little moments. Like laughing over old memories, playing holiday games, or taking that first sip of an ice cold Coca Cola that cuts through all the holiday friends in and brings the cool comfort to your soul. Because that's the good stuff. The joy hiding in plain sight. The sound of laughter mixing with the clink of glasses. The calm between the songs and the stories. And when things start to feel like they're doing the most, that crisp, delicious taste of Coca Cola can be the reset everyone needs. Just a little reminder that the season isn't about rushing, it's about refreshing. So wherever the holidays take you, slow down, take a breath and savor the moment. Enjoy a Coca Cola refresh your holidays.
State Farm Narrator
The wait was worth it. Positive affirmations and all the hard work, the keys to your dream home from the vision board have been secured. I see you. A whole new future awaits your planning. From top notch decor but on a budget to late night backyard summer cookouts, life feels good. Now comes the time to fill it with memories. What will you host first? Maybe movie night, Game night stories that make us laugh. And spades tournaments that make us cry. First you need to get movers and new furniture. And what about party favors? Will there be a theme? Of course it's theme. Because you're always doing the most. Oh yeah, the food to cook or order out. Don't forget to put it in the group chat so everybody can always see who gonna be there. All that planning can be stressful, but insuring your home shouldn't be. And that's where State Farm comes in. Because State Farm agents can help you choose the coverage you need. Just call, go online or check out the app. An agent is ready to help so you can focus on showing off your new home. If you know, you know like a good neighbor. State Farm is there.
Carolyn (Patient)
I'm Carolyn.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I have metastatic breast cancer. I was concerned after my diagnosis. Cascala gives me more lives for living. Since I've been prescribed, I've seen a daughter get married. I now have a grandchild and another one on the way.
Pharmaceutical Narrator
Gascali ribociclib 200mg tablets with hormone therapy is for adults with HR positive HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer do not take with tamoxifen. In a clinical study at 80 months, women taking Cascali plus letrozole lived over a year longer versus letrozole alone. Individual results may vary. Cascali may cause serious skin reactions, liver problems and lower white blood cell counts that may result in serious infections. Life threatening lung problems and abnormal heartbeats can occur. Your doctor should test your heart and blood before and during treatment. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening cough, chest pain or dizziness before taking Cascali. Tell your doctor all your medical conditions, medicines you take and if you're breastfeeding, pregnant or planning to be as it can harm an unborn baby. Common side effects include nausea, headache and tiredness. Real patient compensated for her. Learn more cascali.com is very adamant about.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Pushing like with her woman evolved. They talk about it all the time. We always have therapists there. She's a good friend of mine and I feel like more people are being open about was something that was just kind of taboo, you know, because we got the Holy Ghost. You know, God's gonna help with everything and I think now we can just kind of teach it a little different that God uses people to help us. You know, most of the time what you will find when God is gonna do something in the earth, he's gonna use a man to do. And so I feel like there's a greater emphasis on it. We could do better. You know, you have therapists like Kobe Campbell. She's absolutely amazing. If you never heard of her, y' all gotta go just kind of read some of some of the stuff that she does. You know, she's absolutely amazing. So you have a lot of God centered kingdom therapists who are being exposed now and I think that's yes. Oh my goodness. Yeah. And so you have a lot more of that that can be trusted and they're relevant. Like we were saying, you know, it's, it's like they, they know the language but they also have the education to help you manage like your mental health. And I think it's great. I think it's a lot more exposure. We can do better. But I think we're, we're, we're, we're getting good at it.
Charlamagne Tha God
When did you know you needed it? Like, you know. Cause you know if you're a faith person, you believe God is enough. But when you know, I needed. I need some therapy too.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yep. I, I remember man, it was about 2010 and I was actually a worship leader at my church and I would go to church and I would like sing these songs just like I was just talking about and watch people be healed, watch them have moments in the. And I would go home for like three and four days in the dark under the covers, crying, didn't understand why. Just, you know, just heavy. And I remember one night, it just got so heavy. My cousin was my roommate and she was like, tasha, I gotta go. Like, it's, it's. You could feel it in my house, you know? And I remember probably after she left, maybe two nights later, I just woke up in the middle of the night, like, I gotta do something about this. Like, I can't, I can't continue to offer hope and inspire people. And I'm in this dark place every day. There has to be more. You know, for me, going to therapy, mine was self rejection. I dealt with rejection very bad. I was, you know, we celebrate. Oh, Tasha got in trouble because she didn't want to go to church. This, this. But along with that was the, the Persona of perfection. Like, I adopted this perfection. I remember being 10 years old and one of the deacons from my church would come to me and say, hey, my son is in your class. Make sure he doing his. Can you imagine the weight of responsibility a 10 year old has to take on? And so I adopted this thing, like, I can't have any flaws. I can't have any issues. I gotta be perfect. And so I hid my flaws for years and that went into adulthood and it just turned into this darkness. Like, I can't accept who I am because I don't think people will accept it. I don't think they'll love me, you know, I don't think they want me. And so mine was really birthed from self rejection.
DJ Envy
Do you ever question your faith? Like all the things that you've been talking about that you went through, and I see all the things that you wrote on your, your album cover, the.
Charlamagne Tha God
Words which I love you ate that down fire.
DJ Envy
Did you have a question in your face?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I did. You know what? And it wasn't during those times that I was just talking about, it was actually more recent. My husband and I went through a miscarriage. And in that time, you know, I was like, man, God, I spend my life worshiping you. I spend my life inspiring and teaching the gospel of Jesus. And the one thing that I really wanted was the one thing that I did not get. And I remember walking through that season, I questioned, you know, my faith was shattered. I remember calling my mentor William Murphy, and I said, man, my faith is shattered right now. And he was like, good, that's a perfect place for God to put you back together. And I was like, of course you don't want to hear that right now. I'm like, okay, we don't want this lesson right now. But it was the truth that during that season, I realized just how weak my faith was, that, hey, it's the one thing that you wanted, but God wants to do it differently. I have a friend who. Her name, Jackie Green. And she says this. She was like, we often want God's will. You know, we want the promises, we want the prophecies, and we want the blessings, but we don't stick around to hear his way. And God's way for us was adoption. You know, we have a beautiful baby boy. His name is Asher. He's four years old, and he looks like us, acts like us. He's a perfect fit to our family. And it was God's way, not our way. And when I. You know, when I relinquished that, like. Like thinking it has to be done this way, and I allow God to do it his way, you know, my faith was. Is so much stronger, you know, so much stronger in.
Podcast Host
In your faith, being stronger in something like what you just talked about with your fertility journey when you. When you're opening up and kind of being honest about that, because I know you also talked about this in your book as well, too. What do you tell others who. They're not at that silver line yet? Because I'm sure it took you some time. How do you. Because you. You say you want to bring hope all the time. How do you coach someone through a challenge of faith like what you went through?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Wow. You take it day by day, you know, and you feel what you feel every day. There were some days where I, you know, people would try to call, and I'm like, I don't want to hear it. I. I don't want to hear scripture. I don't want to hear prayer, you know, because y' all were the same people that's telling me, you. You don't have a kid. You don't have a kid, you know, And I. I feel like, you know, God is God. He is not moved off of his throne by our humanity, you know, And I think we've made it seem like we can say things or do things that offend him and make him less God. That's. You know, he wants our truth. The Bible talks about worshiping in spirit and in truth. And the truth is, is that in that moment, you don't feel like it. You know, you don't. You don't feel the strength of your faith, and you don't feel encouraged. And God wants that truth, too, just as much as he wants us. When we're on a mountain. He wants us when we're in the valley too.
Charlamagne Tha God
When you think about your father, God bless the dead, you think about, like, miscarriages. How has grief shifted the way you minister to people?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, my gosh. I love this question because a lot of times we minister from a place like we just want to. You know, I just want to my songs to be rooted in scripture. Rooted in scripture. But sometimes we. We also have to have cultural intelligence about the people that we're ministering to. Like, there are people who are dealing with grief for real, and they don't want the fluff like we were just talking. They want the honesty. And so for me, it kind of shifted my approach in ministry that I'm thinking there are people, though there may be thousands of people out here in this arena or wherever I am, but they are dealing with real grief, real heartbreak. And they don't want a false tasha, you know, they don't want the fake. This is just a pretty song. They want somebody who's going to reach their heart, you know, and what comes from my heart, I believe will reach their heart. And so, yeah, those experiences really change the way that I minister. I remember after my dad died, about two weeks later, I had a concert because I canceled everything for about two weeks. And I was in LA standing on a stage, and I remember just being heartbroken. And people are still worshiping. They still with their hands lifted, but I'm on the stage destroyed. Like, my heart is broken. And a song from my childhood came back to me. And the song, it says, I'll say yes, Lord, yes to your will and to your way. I'll say, yes, Lord, yes, I will trust you and obey. And then it says, when your spirit speaks to me and I change the lyric right there on the stage with my broken heart, I'll still agree. And my answer will be, yes, Lord, yes. And in that moment, I realized that my gift wasn't just for the crowd, that it was also for me. Like, in those broken moments, God gave me a gift that would help usher me through different things.
Podcast Host
You got on the album God in the Valley, the hand that keeps on holding Me. Those songs are very much like the song you just sang.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah. And I really feel like so many people are relating to those songs because it speaks directly to their season, especially right now. In the world that we're in, people don't. You know, like you were saying, people don't know sometimes where their next meal is gonna come from. You know, there are mothers and fathers who are really challenged about how they're gonna take care of their family. And I feel like, you know, we have to offer some hope with. With the gifts that we have. And my gift is music. My gift is. Is. Is teaching. And. And if I can offer one person hope, you know, through my gifts, that's my desire.
Charlamagne Tha God
And this is. This is a live album, right?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
So this is my first studio album.
Carolyn (Patient)
Okay.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah. This is the first time I did a studio. All of the rest of them, they were live. How.
Charlamagne Tha God
All right, so how do you prepare.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
For a live album? For a live album?
Charlamagne Tha God
Yeah, because that's. No. Like, you don't go back.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
You don't. Ain't no stopping, right?
DJ Envy
No punching in. No punching in.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
You know, And I love the live albums because I'm a worship leader, so, you know, it gives me a moment with the crowd. We're vibing off of each other. The studio was actually harder for me. This was. That was a new space with no crowd. You know, I enjoyed it. Eventually, my. My husband is my producer, so he's, like, kind of coaching me through. But I realized that we had an opportunity to bring other elements in with the studio this time. Like, when you're doing live, you get what you get. You know, you got the background singers, the band is there, you got the crowd, and you capture it that night. But this. We had an opportunity to just walk it out day by day. Like, we sat in writing sessions. I had a chance to kind of share my heart with all of the writers. And then one of the things that I love, the song with John Legend on church. People don't know this. Both of our families sing, and so we surprised them. They came to our church for, like, a church anniversary, and we set up one of the rooms as a studio. So you hear our uncles and aunts, our parents are on there, our cousins, so the background singers. So we had a chance to bring in other elements that meant something to us on this project, and I love that.
DJ Envy
Did you pay them? Tasha? Did you pay them?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Listen, no, they. They don't get paid around here.
Charlamagne Tha God
This might be. That'd be a stupid question, but how do you feel the spirit in the studio? I feel like when you're live, you probably feel that spirit.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
You know what I mean?
Charlamagne Tha God
But in the studio, it's a little manufactured.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
That was one of the. It's not manufactured. That was one of the challenges, just kind of with me transitioning from the live crowd, feeding off of the people to now. And the truth is, is that I just envision the People that I would be ministering to. Like, I was just talking about the mother who may have dropped her kid off, and she's having a moment, and she. She's listening to church on a Monday. You know, I'm seeing her in my spirit. Like, I really want this song to minister to her. So it was still a crowd. It was just different. It was a different approach on how, you know, I addressed that crowd. Yeah, I enjoyed that, though.
Charlamagne Tha God
I know you can't wait to sing it live.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yes. Cause then you'll get that feel. Then you'll get, you know, the reaction.
Podcast Host
The reaction on your last album. Well, I don't know. This was your last album before this one. Heart, Passion and Pursuit.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Correct. We did. I did another one called Him. That was like a gospel record. But the Heart, Passion, Pursuit. Yes, that was a strong record.
Podcast Host
So on that project, I know that you had gotten some pushback for putting Nicki Minaj on the album. Right. And you've never talked about why you chose to put Nicki on the album, but you've always stood by. She was meant to be on that album. On this project, you open it with Lecrae, and I instantly understand why he's on that song. Can you talk a bit about why you chose Nicki Minaj to be on that album and putting Lecrae on this album? Like, how do you go about finding your features? And what is it that leads you spiritually to stand by those moments? Cause you stood by the Nicki Minaj moment fiercely.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Lots of prayer with a Nicki moment. With the song I'm Getting Ready, I took a different approach. It was 2017, so this was before the pandemic, when people were just putting everything out. And I really felt like during the rehearsals, preparing for that record, we were in the studio for, like, seven days. And so we would sing the song, singing the song, and I would just put, like, little clips out. Like, okay, this is one of the songs we about to record. And Nikki saw one of the clips of I'm Getting Ready, and she sent me a comment, was like, hey, Tasha, when you finish this song, send it to me. I'm gonna put 16 bars on it. And she didn't DM me. She put that out there in front of the entire world so everybody could see it. Yeah, it was a comment. And so I was like, okay, first of all, is she serious? This is crazy. And number two, I started to just listen to that song, like you said, even with the Lecrae win. And I was like, you know, this song Is so. It's a church vibe, but I really feel like this will work, especially with what the content of the song was. And so I did it. You know, after praying about it, I was like, you know what? I feel like the platform that she has, this is gonna expose some people who may not come to our churches, may not ever get a gospel record. But now if a Nicki Minaj follower will listen to a song, that said, I'm getting ready to see something I've never seen, the blessings of the Lord, like, that was just different. I was like, man, okay, this is an opportunity to spread the gospel. And so we did it. I sent her the song. I mean, she sent it right back. I was like, wow, this is amazing. And so that's really. It's really how that happened. And we. One of the things that people don't know is that we also had relationship. So, like, Nikki would text me, you know, I would text her, check on her. That kind of stuff. That's what's being. And so do y' all still speak? Say it again.
DJ Envy
Do y' all still speak?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. Not as often now. But, you know, I just love Nikki. I love her. I love her. And, you know, just like anybody else that we love, family members, there are some things that we don't agree with, you know, but at the end of the day, I love her. I want the best for her, you know, and that's what that was about, even the last song. So I did a song on her record called Blessings, and it came about kind of the same way. She texted me and was like, tasha, listen to this song. I think you would be great on this song. And most of it is birthed from that relationship. I really like those.
Charlamagne Tha God
I like those type of crossover collaborations, like, you know, you and Nicki. And then Kirk Franklin did it with Lil Baby, because you know what? It does it.
And Glorilla.
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah.
Charlamagne Tha God
And Glorilla.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah.
Charlamagne Tha God
Big records, you know, and it's a crossover, and it's also a spreading of the word, is leading people back to him, you know, because he wants that. He wants that leadership. And if two other genres can do it, you know, hip hop meets, you know, pop, or rap meets pop. Why can't. You know? Because it always people. It's always people who has negative things to say about it, like how you.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
That's always gonna come. Yeah, yeah.
Charlamagne Tha God
But that's leading people that's spreading the word, isn't it?
Nikki. Nikki. Nikki talks about believing in God when she Raps. Sometime it sounds like she's speaking in tongue. Like, it makes sense to me.
Podcast Host
When I saw you say, you know, her off the stage, her relationship with God, I was just like, what is it that the churchy people are blocking us from understanding about your walk?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Because that's where a lot of the.
Podcast Host
Backl was coming from. From people who felt like she shouldn't have been doing a music with Nicki Minaj. And I'm like, man, I wonder how many other times we're blocked from things spiritually because people don't accept it. And, like, what we missed, like, in.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
That, you know what, from that collaboration, I've had people, you know, a lot of things. A lot of people came back and were. They were apologizing maybe years later, like two years later, you know, I didn't understand why you did the collaboration, but now I understand and I apologize. Like, I respect people who can do stuff like that, and I'm never gonna back at them back and forth. I'm like, hey, you know, I understand sometimes it's hard to accept change or accept something different or receive something new. So I get it. But I've had people who was like, hey, that was my first time ever buying a gospel record. You know, that was my first. I didn't believe in God until I heard that song. I've heard people. People have said that to me. And so to hear those testimonies, that's what it's about, you know what I'm saying? So I'm here to spread the gospel. And if he has to use a platform like a Nicki Minaj in order to do do it, then I say yes.
Charlamagne Tha God
And like you said, God will use people.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah.
Charlamagne Tha God
Like, yep, yep.
Are you more of a artist or worship leader nowadays?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Ooh.
Podcast Host
Ah.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
That's a good question. I'm a good mixture of both. I'm. I'm forever a worship leader. One of the things that I did not know until entering into the industry is that being an artist is something totally different. Like you. It doesn't. It's a job, you know, you have to have. You have to have information and knowledge and wisdom on how to manage you as an artist. And everybody doesn't have that. Like, you can be a great singer and not an artist. You can be. I mean, a great rapper and not an artist. I think the artistry is the part that makes you stand out. You know, knowing how to do an interview, you know, knowing how to. To speak well, how to carry yourself, how to manage your business, your business affairs. And those are things that I learned along the way. But all of that comes with art. So I would say that I am. I am both.
Charlamagne Tha God
Yes, you are.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yeah.
DJ Envy
Well, Tasha Cobbs, we appreciate you. Let's get into it.
Charlamagne Tha God
Tasha Cobbs. Leonard.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
I was about to leaving it off, sir.
Charlamagne Tha God
Okay.
DJ Envy
Let's get into the record. What you want to hear.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Ooh, let's play church.
DJ Envy
Church.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
All right.
DJ Envy
Well, let's get into it now. We appreciate you for joining us. We got to close out with the prayer, though.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Okay. Am I praying? Okay, what you said these the women of God right here?
Charlamagne Tha God
I do, but Jesus going, I pray.
Podcast Host
We'Re a little tainted.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Oh, my God.
Charlamagne Tha God
This is crazy.
And that ring, baby.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Aw. Thank you.
DJ Envy
Hello.
Pharmaceutical Narrator
Thank you.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
All right, Delore. Thank you. Thank you for being good. Thank you for being faithful in every season. I thank you even for this platform, for all four of these amazing people who spread inspiration, who use their gifts and their talents just to help other people and to. And to just be God in the earth. God, I thank you for the opportunity to talk about you to millions and millions of people, to anyone who may be listening, to anyone who may have heard, who may be in a space of grief, you know, a space of depression. God, I ask now that you would show yourself to them in a special way today. In Jesus name you be glorified. Amen.
State Farm Narrator
Amen.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Yes.
DJ Envy
Tasha K. Leonard, Mr. Breakfast Club, good morning.
State Farm Narrator
Thank you.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Thank y'. All. Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up.
Charlamagne Tha God
Hey, what up, y'?
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
All?
DJ Envy
It's DJ Envy. And the holidays are here. The time of year that's all about connecting with loved ones in person or over the phone. In fact, hearing someone's voice can emo a similar emotional response as a hug. And while most of us can hop on a video chat to really bring that connection to the life, using tech isn't easy for everyone, especially some of the older folk in our lives. AT&T has been doing something special here to help. They offer digital literacy workshops that help older adults learn how to use technology to do things most of us take for granted, like video conferencing and sharing photos. Take Nancy Shand. She joined one of AT&T's workshops to learn how to video chat. For the first time this holiday season, Nancy won't just be hearing about family gatherings. She'll be a part of part of them. Sharing stories, opening presents, and making memories all through a screen. Nobody should have to go through the holiday season alone. So be sure to connect and stay connected to your loved ones.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
This holiday season, connecting changes everything. At and t Whoo.
State Farm Narrator
What a vibe we've got, y'.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
All.
State Farm Narrator
As always, it's classic HBCU energy. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance X echoing drums beating everybody showing that school pride. Moments like this, yeah, they call for an ice cold Coca Cola. Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hit the right note. Just like the band at halftime. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the place, no matter the moment, everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride. You've been working in the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running. Today, after all the hard work, y' all finally finished it. Even better. Your dad says all your son. Yep. Same car that belongs to your grandpa that your dad helped him fix. It's yours. To really keep the tradition going, you need to get State Farm insurance just like them. Generation to generation. Generation. Remember to choose the agents that your family counted on. Like a good neighbor. State Farm is there.
Podcast Host
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Tasha Cobbs Leonard
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Tasha Cobbs Leonard
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Tasha Cobbs Leonard
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Podcast Host
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In this rich and heartfelt interview, Tasha Cobbs Leonard joins DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God on The Breakfast Club to discuss her new album ‘TASHA.’ The conversation dives deep into Tasha’s personal journey, including her approach to gospel music, the impact of her father's legacy, her openness about grief and mental health, the importance of authentic community, bridging generational gaps in church, and her collaborative work, notably with Nicki Minaj and Lecrae.
Tasha’s transparency about her life’s ups and downs, her commitment to hope and healing, and her views on faith and artistry provide insights for anyone navigating difficult seasons or interested in gospel music today.
On Authenticity in Faith:
“If somebody’s healing is connected to it, I’m willing to be transparent and tell my story. I think that’s what the gospel is.” — Tasha (06:29)
On Church and the Next Generation:
“They don’t want fluff. They want a real God.” — Tasha (12:18)
On Grief and Ministry:
“Those experiences really change the way that I minister … what comes from my heart, I believe will reach their heart.” — Tasha (33:49)
On Social Media Criticism:
“I wore a red outfit to the Stellar Awards ... people were like, ‘Oh, she sold her soul to the devil.’ I’m like, what in the world? … Y’all missed the whole moment.” — Tasha (15:18–16:03)
On Her Father's Final Lesson:
“He was teaching me that life is gonna get hard, your heart is gonna be broken … but Daddy wants you—to do it anyway.” — Tasha (21:17)
On Faith and Fertility:
“We often want God's will ... but we don't stick around to hear his way. And God's way for us was adoption.” — Tasha (31:56)
Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s interview is an inspiring testament to the power of authenticity in both music and ministry. Her willingness to discuss pain, joy, doubt, and faith offers a compelling blueprint for leading, healing, and creating in any community—faith-based or beyond.
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