The Breakfast Club BEST OF – Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Chaka Khan, Phylicia Rashad, Mara Brock Akil
Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: DJ Envy, Angela Yee, Charlamagne tha God, Jess Hilarious
Release Date: January 1, 2026
Episode Overview
This "Best Of" episode celebrates iconic Black women in entertainment, bringing together trailblazers Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Chaka Khan, Phylicia Rashad, and showrunner Mara Brock Akil. The hosts reflect on these women’s influence, their intergenerational impact, and the significance of their latest projects. In addition to the interviews, listeners call in for the "Get It Off Your Chest" segment, bringing humor and real talk about personal frustrations, gratitude, and social issues.
Key Segments and Discussion Points
1. Tribute to Legendary Black Women [03:27–04:23]
- Theme: Recognizing living legends whose influence transcends entertainment.
- Charlamagne expresses awe at the impact and spiritual presence of guests like Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Chaka Khan, Phylicia Rashad, and Mara Brock Akil.
2. Listener Call-Ins: “Get It Off Your Chest” [04:23–13:15]
- Comedic Relief & Real Talk: Callers vent about relatable topics; e.g., stolen coffee creamer, workplace discrimination, gratitude amid personal struggles.
- Memorable moment: Charlamagne bluntly responds to a caller’s work drama—“Your mom's a hoe.” [04:48]
- Political friction: Story from a Detroit Uber driver about facing Trump supporters (and their complaints over photos of the Obamas in her car), sparking debate about neutrality and racism in ridesharing.
3. Mara Brock Akil Interview: Black Storytelling & “Forever” [13:15–35:34]
- Career Reflection: Mara talks about her journey from creating classics like “Girlfriends” to helming her global Netflix show, “Forever.”
- Storytelling Permission & Impact:
- Mara credits Judy Blume as her “first permission slip” as a storyteller.
“I used to get lost in the pages of Judy Blume... for me to be just the divinity of it, like the divineness of it, that I would come full circle 50 years later...” – Mara [16:43]
- Discusses bringing Black family experiences to the adaptation, especially between the Trayvon Martin and George Floyd eras.
- Mara credits Judy Blume as her “first permission slip” as a storyteller.
- Exploration of Technology & Youth:
- Deliberate shift to focus on how modern tech impacts young people’s emotional lives.
- “We are more technologically advanced... [but] we are using them in very disconnecting ways.” – Mara [18:30]
- Representation of Black Male Vulnerability:
- Intentional depiction of complex, sensitive Black boys, countering restrictive stereotypes.
- “Black male vulnerability... there’s no images for it... I wanted to make room for the real reflection.” – Mara [27:00]
- On Positive vs Negative Images in Media:
- Mara cautions against forcing only “positive” images:
“I don’t really believe in positive images. I think they can be just as damaging as negative images… I want the spectrum of my humanity.” [30:09]
- Mara cautions against forcing only “positive” images:
- The Meaning of Love in “Forever”:
- Explores how love can endure through change or separation, and the value of young love memories.
“Even if you don’t last... the couple doesn’t last. The love can last.” – Mara [33:28]
- Explores how love can endure through change or separation, and the value of young love memories.
4. Phylicia Rashad Interview: Family, Legacy, Purpose [35:34–65:25]
- Broadway Directorial Debut – “Purpose”: Phylicia describes the ensemble spirit and collective intention behind her first Broadway production. [36:03]
- Upbringing & Parental Influence:
- Candid stories about her poet mother and dentist father.
“Be true, be beautiful, be free... We grew up to be fearless, but not to be stupid.” – Phylicia [37:17–38:16]
- On resilience after loss and the importance of classical education in Black communities.
- Candid stories about her poet mother and dentist father.
- Personal Philosophy:
- “Light is not heavy. Carry light, share light.” – On responding to the pressure of being a role model. [45:13]
- Iconic “Cosby Show” Moments:
- Recitation and breakdown of memorable scenes, especially the “coffee with Elvin” sequence.
“You see, I am not serving Dr. Huxtable.... It is give and take. 50-50.” [46:01]
- Recitation and breakdown of memorable scenes, especially the “coffee with Elvin” sequence.
- Acting Choices: On picking characters motivated by their actions and pain (“Fall from Grace,” “Detroit”). [53:23]
- On Howard University & Chadwick Boseman:
- The birth of hip-hop theater and Boseman’s depth as a creative and scholar.
“There was nobody else to play Black Panther but Chadwick.” [62:24]
- The birth of hip-hop theater and Boseman’s depth as a creative and scholar.
- Wisdom & Insecurity:
- Reflection on self-worth and teaching young girls to look inside for validation.
“I wish I learned sooner that I'm enough.” [63:09]
- Reflection on self-worth and teaching young girls to look inside for validation.
- Advice for Fathers:
- “When you love them, that's all... Never let anybody run over you. Always know the balance of your bank account and keep your own money.” [42:52]
5. Roundtable: Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills & Chaka Khan [70:11–86:48]
- “Queens” Tour:
- First time the three share the stage in a tour, joined by Gladys Knight sometimes.
“It wasn’t the right time [before]... but this is definitely the right time.” – Stephanie Mills [70:59]
- First time the three share the stage in a tour, joined by Gladys Knight sometimes.
- Egos, Competition, and Camaraderie:
- No egos, only mutual respect and love; focus on celebrating each other’s individuality.
“God is the only ego.” – Patti LaBelle [72:17]
- No egos, only mutual respect and love; focus on celebrating each other’s individuality.
- Live Performance vs Industry Trends:
- Commitment to real vocals and instrumentation.
“Our microphones are on. We are singing. Actually singing.” – Patti LaBelle [76:05]
- Commitment to real vocals and instrumentation.
- On Legacy and Current Artists:
- Influence on younger generations, praise for current singers like HER, Coco Jones, Jasmine Sullivan, Selena Johnson, Layla Hathaway.
- Chaka: “I really like HER. She’s the closest thing to Prince that’s so far.” [81:07]
- Openness to collaborations, e.g., Patti with Cardi B and Chaka with Sia or Dua Lipa. [81:53–82:59]
- Influence on younger generations, praise for current singers like HER, Coco Jones, Jasmine Sullivan, Selena Johnson, Layla Hathaway.
- Business Wisdom in the Industry:
- Importance of independence, knowing your worth, and working with trustworthy partners.
“I’m more verbal about what I want. I know exactly what I want... Absolutely [making more money now].” – Stephanie Mills [83:38] “If they can sing, that’s it. Come on now...” – Chaka Khan, on working with new artists [83:15]
- Importance of independence, knowing your worth, and working with trustworthy partners.
- Constructive Critique: Mills discussed calling out Essence Festival organizers for lack of respect; artists insist on professionalism and mutual support. [78:03]
- Purpose of the Tour:
- Unity and representing Black women with honesty, vulnerability, and strength.
“Unity. And that we respect each other. Love, peace. We’ve been talking about this for years.” – Patti LaBelle [85:50]
- Unity and representing Black women with honesty, vulnerability, and strength.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Black Legends:
“You are around actual spiritual beings, just living human existences.”
– Charlamagne [03:27] -
On Storytelling Permission:
“Judy Blume was my first permission slip as a storyteller.”
– Mara Brock Akil [16:04] -
On Technology & Youth:
“We are more technologically advanced, but we are using them in very disconnecting ways.”
– Mara Brock Akil [18:30] -
On Positive Representation:
“I don’t really believe in positive images. I think they can be just as damaging as negative images.”
– Mara Brock Akil [30:09] -
On Parental Wisdom:
“Be true, be beautiful, be free... We grew up to be fearless, but not to be stupid.”
– Phylicia Rashad [37:17–38:16] -
On Self-Love:
“I wish I learned sooner that I'm enough.”
– Phylicia Rashad [63:09] -
On Artistic Legacy:
“We as black women represent ourselves the right way... We just give shows like we did back in the day, just pure, raw, flat-foot stand there and sing.”
– Patti LaBelle [77:09]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Opening Reflection on Legends: [03:27]
- Get It Off Your Chest (Caller Segments): [04:23–13:15]
- Mara Brock Akil Interview: [13:15–35:34]
- Phylicia Rashad Interview: [35:34–65:25]
- Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills & Chaka Khan Roundtable: [70:11–86:48]
Episode Tone & Style
The episode is reverential, humorous, and candid, true to The Breakfast Club’s trademark style—mixing real talk and laughter while offering a platform for honest, powerful stories about legacy, artistry, and self-worth. Each guest brings vulnerability, wit, and seasoned wisdom.
Summary
This “Best Of” episode is a masterclass in Black excellence and creative resilience, featuring living legends who paved the way in music, television, and theater. The hosts and guests grapple with the complexities of representation, societal change, legacy, and the business of art, while consistently centering love, mutual respect, and self-affirmation. A must-listen for anyone invested in culture, history, and the enduring influence of Black women in the arts.