Therapy for Black Girls University: Reclaiming Autonomy with Kiana Ledé
Podcast: Therapy for Black Girls – iHeartPodcasts
Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D.
Guest: Kiana Ledé (singer, songwriter, actress)
Date: December 16, 2025
Episode Overview
In this deeply honest and heart-to-heart episode, singer, songwriter, and actress Kiana Ledé joins Dr. Joy Harden Bradford to discuss her personal journey with bipolar disorder, her ongoing process of self-discovery, and the work of reclaiming autonomy as a young Black woman in the public eye. Through candid stories, Kiana reflects on boundaries, vulnerability, therapy, and the often messy search for self-love and closure—recurring themes in her music and life. The conversation is rich with insights on healing, the stigma of mental health, and finding strength in community and self-compassion.
Key Themes & Discussion Points
1. Navigating Uncertainty and Self-Discovery
- The Ongoing Process of "Figuring It Out":
- Kiana shares that, both personally and professionally, she’s learning as she goes. (“I'm figuring it out. I'm a human being just like everybody else.” - Kiana, 04:45)
- She emphasizes that not having all the answers is normal—even as an artist in the public eye.
- The Reality of Growing Up Publicly:
- Dr. Joy notes the challenge of coming of age with audiences watching.
- Kiana speaks to the double pressure of self-judgment and outside criticism.
2. Fears, Judgment, and Healing
- Deep Fear of Judgment:
- Kiana reveals her history with pageants and early industry experience, which ingrained a fear of judgment and imposter syndrome.
- She admits: “I have major imposter syndrome... I just have this extreme fear of judgment” (06:49).
- The Role of Support Systems:
- Kiana credits her partner and professional support for helping her feel less judged and more empowered.
- Quote: “Being able to have a community that gives me grace is everything.” (06:00)
3. Cutting Ties: The Album and Its Meanings
- Letting Go and Setting Boundaries:
- The title of her album, 'Cutting Ties', reflects her journey through the end of multiple relationships—friendships included.
- Kiana discusses the difficulty but necessity of letting go for self-protection and growth.
- Quote: “Long time friends aren’t forever friends, they don’t have to be. ...You don’t have to stay stuck in [toxic] relationships.” (08:05)
- Deluxe Album and Artistic Collaborations:
- Kiana explains the new songs and featured artists, especially "Jury" as a song of transition into new emotional territory.
- She notes the emotional trajectory within the album: from love, to mourning, to boundaries, and then resentment.
4. Resentment and Self-Forgiveness
- Navigating Aftermath of Boundaries:
- Kiana addresses the resentment that sometimes follows boundary-setting: “I feel resentment come in after I put down the boundaries because I’m like, I gave you so many chances...” (09:44)
- Shame and Self-Compassion:
- She opens up about the shame many Black and brown girls are taught to internalize.
- Healing, for Kiana, comes from recognizing she did her best with the tools she had: “Giving myself grace, speaking to my therapist, and really connecting with my inner child...” (11:41)
5. Artistry, Vulnerability, and Mental Health
- Music as Self-Soothing:
- Kiana describes music as a comfort with sadness, not a cure or escape.
- Authenticity and vulnerability about trauma, including her mental health journey and experiences of sexual abuse, ground her music.
- Quote: “Those are the things that make me feel the best. ...Being vulnerable and genuine is the thing that makes me feel like the music matters.” (12:46)
- The Challenge of Public Healing:
- Dr. Joy and Kiana discuss the unique difficulty of working through pain while audiences witness the process.
6. Living and Creating with Bipolar Disorder
- Struggles and Fears:
- Kiana shares how she takes things personally, and the unpredictability of her career amplifies triggers for her bipolar.
- Medication initially scared her; she worried it would disrupt creativity. “I was really scared to get on medication because I was like, it’s gonna take away my creativity.” (19:10)
- Diagnosis and Acceptance:
- Reluctant at first, Kiana accepted her bipolar diagnosis after conversations with Jennifer Lewis and her own Black female therapist.
- The process of finding the right medication and support system was transformational.
- Quote: “When things started to change and my brain wasn’t doing that [negative spiral], I was like, oh, my God, this is magic.” (21:33; 26:52)
7. Tools and Self-Care Practices
- Emergency Grounding Techniques:
- Kiana uses somatic tools like cold water (icing) and tapping for anxiety and panic attacks.
- She confesses she’s still learning to use her self-care tools consistently.
8. Reclaiming Autonomy and Values in the Industry
- Moral Boundaries and Professional Choices:
- Kiana refuses to collaborate with people whose politics or treatment of marginalized communities don’t align with her values.
- She prioritizes authenticity and a safe environment for her fans. “I go hard when it comes to things that are political, or things that seem political that should not be political, and refuse to compromise on that.” (28:10)
9. Fan Reactions and Community
- Unconditional Support:
- Kiana expresses appreciation for fans who support her unconditionally, feeling understood and uplifted by their loyalty.
- Quote: “I feel like I could put out a horrible song...and they love them no matter what.” (33:43)
10. Advice for Young Black Women & Artists
- On Autonomy and Saying No:
- Kiana urges young women, especially women of color, to understand that “No” is not a bad word.
- She encourages new artists to hold space for their autonomy and ideas even in intimidating, male-dominated settings.
- Quote: “Your ideas are as important, Your autonomy is as important. ...No, it’s just a word. It’s not a bad word. You can say no.” (34:41-35:19)
11. Living with Bipolar: What She Wishes More People Knew
- Sensitivity is not Drama:
- Kiana wants people to understand that those with bipolar aren’t just “too emotional or dramatic,” but extremely sensitive.
- She discusses the stigma and her experiences with shame and misunderstanding.
- Quote: “Us feeling things deeply is beautiful, but also...we’re not just being dramatic. There’s more going on.” (35:55)
12. Looking Ahead: Next Musical Era
- Exploring Darkness and Anger:
- The next phase of her music will dive into “a darker and even angrier side”—using her love of horror and boxing as inspirations.
- Quote: “I want people to really be able to see the true darkness and horror come out.” (37:32)
13. Honest Lyric Highlight
- Embracing Vulnerability in Love
- Kiana shares how an honest lyric from “Cut Ties” reflects her anxious-avoidant tendencies in relationships—learning to accept affection and vulnerability from her partner despite discomfort.
- Quote: “Excuse me while I get a little wholesome, I’m not used to this emotion.” (39:01)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I just learn as I get older. The older I get, the less I know.” – Kiana Ledé (04:45)
- “Long time friends aren't forever friends, they don’t have to be.” – Kiana Ledé (08:05)
- “My therapist says… I did the best I could with the tools I was given.” – Kiana Ledé (11:41)
- “I go hard when it comes to things that are political or things that seem political that should not be political, and refuse to compromise on that.” – Kiana Ledé (28:10)
- “No is not a bad word.” – Kiana Ledé (34:41)
- “We’re not just difficult or overly emotional or dramatic… Us feeling things deeply is beautiful, but also… we’re not just being dramatic. There’s more going on.” (35:55)
- “There’s a lot of anger I need to get out... I want people to really be able to see the true darkness and horror come out.” – Kiana Ledé (37:32)
Key Timestamps
- Self-discovery and public vulnerability: 04:45–06:43
- Fear of judgment, pageantry, and imposter syndrome: 06:49–07:29
- Letting go, setting boundaries, and album themes: 08:05–09:14
- Resentment, shame, and self-forgiveness: 09:44–11:41
- Art, sadness, authenticity: 12:46–14:04
- Living with bipolar, fears about medication: 19:10–21:33
- Diagnosis acceptance and therapy: 21:33–26:20
- Grounding practices: 26:52–27:49
- Uncompromising values in music/industry: 28:10–29:29
- Fans' reactions: 33:40–34:25
- Advice for young women of color: 34:41–35:46
- Bipolar stigma: 35:55–37:19
- New musical era and embracing anger: 37:32–38:42
- Favorite lyric and vulnerability in love: 39:01–40:27
Final Notes
This episode offers a rare, transparent look at the emotional life of an artist in real time—with candid discussion about mental health, boundaries, and identity. Kiana’s vulnerability shines as both a model for others and a testament to the lifelong journey of healing, autonomy, and artistic authenticity.