Besties Angella and Leslie bring you another episode in The Year of the Menopause series with the return of Dr Toni Otway, a Board Certified OB/GYN physician. She discusses that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet the connection between menopause and heart health remains dangerously under-discussed. Dr. Otway explains how dropping estrogen levels during menopause dramatically increase women's heart disease risk.

• Estrogen protects cardiovascular health by keeping blood vessels flexible, reducing inflammation, and helping manage cholesterol

• Women's heart attack symptoms often differ from men's classic chest pain, presenting instead as fatigue, shortness of breath, or indigestion

• CDC reports 6% of women over 20 already show signs of cardiovascular disease

• Pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are significant risk factors for future heart disease

• Hormone replacement therapy offers cardiovascular benefits when started early in menopause transition

• Women must advocate for themselves against medical gaslighting and ensure doctors follow appropriate screening guidelines

• Prevention through lifestyle changes remains essential alongside appropriate medication when necessary

Don't forget to schedule your regular health screenings and pay attention to changes in your body – your heart health depends on it.

Resources referenced:

https://www.njbwpa.com/

https://njnma.org/

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We’re Too Old for This Shit! The Inquisitive Older Woman’s Guide to Joy http://joystrategy.co/ebook

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The Besties share their most surprising discoveries from their recent first trip to Panama. They reveal unexpected aspects of Panamanian life that weren't evident from their research before visiting, some are:

• Panama's modern, clean subway 

• Spanish language proficiency is more essential than expected, especially outside tourist areas

• The extent of Panama City's skyline 

• The Albrook Mall is massive and bustling, unlike many declining American shopping centers

• Strong Caribbean cultural influence evident in food, accents, and customs

• Diverse population with Spanish, indigenous, and Afro-Caribbean representation

• Extensive road and transportation infrastructure development underway

• Safe tap water in Panama City, unlike many other Latin American destinations

Stay tuned: they’re definitely going back to Panama soon to continue their exploration. 

References in this episode:

Afro-Antillean Museum of Panama (Museo Afro-Antillano de Panama)

Get Angie’s eBook: 

We’re Too Old for This Shit! The Inquisitive Older Woman’s Guide to Joy http://joystrategy.co/ebook

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Inspired by Rachel Martin's "Wild Card" podcast, this week, The Besties tackle questions they've never publicly addressed before, creating moments of both profound insight and lighthearted humor.

The episode unfolds with vulnerability as they explore, out loud, deeply personal remembrances like when they first realized their parents weren't infallible beings, when they first felt deep pride in themselves, and  what beliefs they no longer hold. 

What makes this exchange special is how they navigate these vulnerable territories—pushing each other toward growth while honoring boundaries, demonstrating the beautiful complexity of deep friendship between two sixty-something Black women who've witnessed each other's evolution through decades of life's challenges. 

Their willingness to question long-held beliefs and share these journeys invites listeners to examine their own life perspectives and the relationships that have shaped them

References mentioned:

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510379/wild-card-with-rachel-martin

Here’s a wonderful conversation with Wanda Sykes:

Wanda Sykes on why fear isn't a big deal, coming out when she was ready and her new stand-up special

Get Angie’s eBook: 

We’re Too Old for This Shit! The Inquisitive Older Woman’s Guide to Joy http://joystrategy.co/ebook

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Two longtime friends, Lenora Norman & Tiffany Knotts share how they built an unexpected sisterhood through motorcycle riding and the creation of Smok’n Jewl’z Motorcycle Club. Their journey reveals how finding your passion can lead to deep connections, freedom, and joy at any age.

The Besties encourage you to find your thing, find your people, and live your joy. Life's too short not to embrace adventures that speak to your soul.

Connect with Lenora & Tiffany here:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/smoknjewlzmc

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/smoknjewlzmc/

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We’re Too Old for This Shit! The Inquisitive Older Woman’s Guide to Joy http://joystrategy.co/ebook

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Angella and Leslie explore how negative influences from their past unexpectedly became catalysts for success and personal growth. They reflect on how criticism and doubt from authority figures and partners shaped their determination rather than diminishing their spirit.

References mentioned in this episode:

Someone’s Thunder Podcast

Angela Pierce and Stephanie Klapper

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/angella-fraser-leslie-osei-tutu-of-black-boomer/id1551193017?i=1000614949405

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The Besties are still on their vacay so here’s another blast from the past.  Originally aired in October 2023, our guest

Dr. Maria Sophocles, a Board-Certified OB-GYN and Medical Director of Women's Healthcare of Princeton, unveils shocking truths about female sexual health and pleasure that have been systematically ignored by medical education for centuries. 

Angie was aghast by the fact that there is so much her generation was never taught about this unique part of our bodies:

• full anatomy of the clitoris wasn't correctly included in medical textbooks until 2005, reflecting how patriarchal values have influenced medical science
• It’s not a “tip” but an eight-centimeter organ with 15,000 nerve endings
• It is an organ solely designed by The Creator for pleasure

Tune in for even more “who knew!” revelations with Ang & Les, your favorite Besties!

More from Maria:

TED: What Happens to Sex in Midlife? A Look at the “Bedroom Gap” | Maria Sophocles | TED

https://youtu.be/alYBnyxMuPk?si=LxqY1IuXm71BSNbk

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Did you know that the Besties have another Bestie?  It’s actor, comedian, author and coach Kim Coles. As the dear friend she is, she came onto Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn podcast when we were wee podcasters. So in celebration of her new  podcast with her Living Single costar Erika Alexander, we thought we would replay our conversation with her when she closed out our first season.

Then enjoy Kim's new podacst:

Judging by the Pilot | S1 E1 | ReLiving Single Podcasthttps://youtu.be/QLJYkF3b7QY?si=S4utV8iYcmkvN9rc

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Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kimani Norrington-Sands returns with co-host Social Worker Marissa Price to discuss their annual Job Liberation Summit, a virtual event designed to help Black women escape toxic workplaces on their own timeline with support and resources.

• Toxic jobs trigger our brain's fear response, preventing access to the areas of the brain needed for planning

• Chronic workplace stress causes physiologic harm which can lead to  accelerated aging of organs

• Black women often stay in harmful jobs due to financial concerns or fear starting over

• The Job Liberation Summit provides comprehensive resources including financial exit planning, health insurance considerations, and retirement options

• Community support from other Black women provides validation and healing from workplace trauma

• Skills learned at the summit can be applied to other toxic situations beyond the workplace

Register for the Job Liberation Summit happening May 16-18, 2023, with bonus sessions through May 21st. Register here:

https://2025jobliberationsummit.heysummit.com/?ac=KmQBDvM5

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Leslie and Angella take you through their emotional journey at the Brooklyn Technical High School 45th reunion. This isn't just any school gathering – it's a celebration of one of America's premier STEM education institutions and the diverse bonds that have endured nearly half a century.

The most remarkable aspect? Watching a room filled with people from different racial, cultural, and political backgrounds leave their differences at the door and simply celebrate their shared history. 

 This heartwarming episode reminds us all that while time marches forward and our numbers gradually diminish, the connections formed in our youth can provide lifelong strength, joy, and perspective. 

Join us for this celebration of friendship, diversity, and the enduring spirit of the Brooklyn Technites!

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We're together in person for this impromptu episode during our busy "Gala Week." Despite exhaustion, we're sharing updates as we prepare for our upcoming 45th Reunion from Brooklyn Technical High School.

• Brooklyn Tech is the largest high school in the United States
• Brooklyn Tech has produced six Nobel laureates and numerous distinguished graduates
• Our high school friendships have endured for nearly five decades
• We’re grateful for listener support that keeps us motivated to show up weekly

Stay tuned for next week's episode where we'll bring you the joy and memories from our Class of 1980 reunion celebrations!

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Angella and Leslie explore how our relationship with money evolves over time and how true wealth extends beyond financial success to include joy, freedom, and meaningful connections.

• Money as just one form of currency in our lives

• How entrepreneurship offers freedom beyond financial gain

• The shift in perspective that comes when basic financial needs are met

• Cultural expectations around money, especially for Black women

• Redefining generosity and learning to receive as well as give

• The tension between consumerism and finding contentment with less

• Finding value in emotional support, time, and care that money can't buy

We hope this conversation will cause you to think a little more deeply about what you're giving preeminence in your life, what you're expecting from others, and how to recognize the many forms of wealth that exist beyond one's bank account.

References mentioned in this episode:

Dr Kimani Norrington-Sands’ Job Liberation Summit

https://2025jobliberationsummit.heysummit.com/?ac=KmQBDvM5

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Leslie shares a recent experience of being the only Black person at two separate events—a Staten Island sports bar and a New Jersey fundraiser with over 300 attendees. This prompts a revealing conversation about racial segregation in America and the imbalance of cultural immersion between white and Black Americans.

• Black Americans constantly "swim in white waters" while white Americans rarely need to navigate Black spaces

• The myth of equivalence in self-segregation ignores power dynamics and demographic realities

• White people with only one Black friend often make that person the spokesperson for all Black people

• Discomfort in conversations about race should be embraced rather than avoided as it's where growth happens

• Black professionals often face different expectations and must "over-perform" to receive equal respect

• Discomfort in conversations about race should be embraced rather than avoided as it's where growth happens

https://onbeing.org/programs/robin-diangelo-and-resmaa-menakem-towards-a-framework-for-repair/

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In this episode, The Besties share their strategies for managing political anxiety through intentional actions rather than constant news consumption, discussing how they've transformed feelings of helplessness into empowerment through deliberate consumer choices and lifestyle decisions.  They are:

• Stepping back from news consumption and financial monitoring to protect mental health

• Boycotting certain retailers, despite inconvenience, to support businesses that align with their values

• Promoting the Job Liberation Summit for Black Women (May 16-18, 2025), a comprehensive program designed to help escape toxic workplaces. The sessions feature experts Dr.Kimani Norrington-Sands, Stephanie Perry and Roshida Dowe among others

2025 Job Liberation Virtual Summit for Black Women

Early Bird tickets as low as $99

Dr. Rebecca Eldridge's Black Boomer Besties episode on stress management tools:

Self-Care Tools for Troubled Times w/ Dr Rebecca Eldredge

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The Year of Menopause returns with Dr. Toni Otway as she joins the Besties to explore different cultural ideologies of menopause. 

• Western societies often frame menopause as women being "put out to pasture" after serving their reproductive purpose

• Many cultures including the Japanese, African, and Mayan societies celebrate menopause as a time for gaining wisdom and elevated social status

• Medical training historically provided minimal education about menopause, focusing only on biological aspects

• Western medicalization often creates anxiety that may worsen menopausal symptoms compared to cultures that embrace the transition

• The Year of Menopause series will continue breaking down menopause topics throughout 2025

Black Girl's Guide to Surviving Menopause

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Being a physician is Leslie’s calling; a gifting.

In this episode, she recounts a whirlwind weekend trip where she visited a recovering friend, and was reminded of a time years ago when she saved a friend’s life through medical intervention and advocacy.

Angella and Leslie emphasize the importance of knowing your gifts and using them to help others.

The conversation highlights the critical need for medical self-advocacy, especially for Black patients

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Leslie and Angella dismantle the myth that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" by sharing powerful personal revelations about self-imposed limitations they've overcome in their decades-long friendship.

• Leslie shares how she loved convertible cars for years but never thought she could own one until a lightbulb moment changed everything

• The hosts discuss how we restrict ourselves from joy by assuming certain things aren't "for us"

• Angella reveals her journey to setting boundaries in friendships that don't align with her values

• Leslie opens up about her recent divorce and realized she was deserving of personal fulfillment in her marriage

• The liberation of taking time off work without apology and discovering nobody is indispensable

• The difference between fleeting happiness and deeper, more meaningful joy

• The most significant limitations on what we can do often come from our own minds

What are you restricting yourself from experiencing? What would bring joy to your life that you've convinced yourself isn't for you?

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Besties Leslie and Angella share exciting news about their upcoming live event in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they'll host a community conversation after a performance of "The Old Settler," a play originally performed by Felicia Rashad and Debbie Allen.

• Angella is the wig designer for the production directed by actor and author Moses T Alexander Greene.

• The play explores themes of love, survival and family dynamics in 1943 Harlem

• Leslie and Angella have different opinions about a key part of the play involving a May-December romance

The play runs March 14-16, with Leslie and Angella appearing live for the Actor Talkback on March 15 after the 2:00 PM performance

Come see the play and join our conversation at the Kennedy Theater in the Martin Marietta Performing Arts Center in Raleigh!

• Angella shares about her spontaneous trip to Maui and her philosophy of "yielding to the river" of life

• The women are planning their 45th Brooklyn Tech High School reunion, overcoming venue challenges

The Old Settler (2001)-Directed by Debbie Allen, starring Phylicia Rashad, Bumper Robinson & Debbie

https://youtu.be/2l6K2O-Ly9U?si=zLufX0Z_FAT47Wsw

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The episode discusses the complexities and beauty of being "a lot" in our lives and relationships. Angella and Leslie share personal experiences and insights into how this trait can be perceived both positively and negatively.

• Introduction to the theme of being “a lot”

• Exploration of personal definitions and meanings of being “a lot”

• Sharing experiences with friends and family regarding being “a lot”

• Conversations on the impact of being a lot in romantic relationships

• Reflections on societal views of “a lotness”

• Closing thoughts on embracing one’s identity and inviting feedback

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Love and compassion guide the conversation as Besties Leslie and Angella explore mental well-being with Dr. Rebecca Eldridge. Dr. Eldridge emphasizes that joy is not just a luxury but a critical component of well-being, especially in a time when many feel the emotional weight of societal issues.

This week’s discussion focuses on how to maintain emotional health amid political and social chaos, while emphasizing practical tools and mindfulness techniques.

• Importance of intentional news consumption

• Effects of societal pressures on mental health

• Privilege and its role in personal responsibility

• Navigating emotional turmoil through understanding

• Workshops designed for resilience and community support

• The central role of joy in achieving overall well-being

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From the intriguing show "Pop The Balloon and Find Love" to the traditional practices of arranged marriages, Besties Angella and Leslie discuss romantic relationships. They interject their own stories, and skepticisms, and challenge the notion that longevity equals happiness while examining the impact of true love versus societal obligations.  The conversation takes a deep dive into the heart of compatibility and how profound questions can sometimes be answered in the most unexpected moments. 

• Discussing the new dating show and its intriguing premise

• Comparing arranged and love marriages' longevity and happiness

• Exploring the difficulty in defining love and expectations

• Reflecting on compatibility questions that matter in relationships

• Sharing personal insights on online dating and its challenges

Ep 36: Pop The Balloon Or Find Love | With Arlette Amuli
https://youtu.be/ir-HnZSAnIE?si=BDaAIzrH0Bkt2ZQz

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This episode of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn features two guests who offer insights into the often-misunderstood topic of menopause.  Besties Angella and Leslie introduce Dr. Toni Otway and Dr. Damali Campbell, two physicians who recognized the need to dispel myths and challenge societal misperceptions around menopause.  

They conceived The Year of the Menopause- a series of lectures and webinars designed to provide education, awareness and a safe space for discussion of this often misunderstood life cycle. The Year of The Menopause will address the influences of patriarchal societies and historical neglect of the topic in medical education with an emphasis on community support and self-advocacy in healthcare.

New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association: https://www.njbwpa.com/

New Jersey Medical Association: https://njnma.org/

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Could a 15 minute sermon provide a balm for our politically divided times? Besties Angella and Leslie believe it just might.  The Besties explore Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's courageous message delivered during this year’s presidential inaugural prayer service. Her sermon was a rallying call for unity and her deep reflections on the teachings of Jesus Christ struck a powerful chord with Angie and Lez, even as they sparked criticism from the incoming president and many of his followers. 

They believe Bishop Budde's sermon, dismissed and mischaracterized by some, stands as a testament to the enduring principles of love, mercy and unity they hold dear. Budde’s words of hope and guidance deserve to be heard in their entirety to appreciate the profound impact they can have.

"Have Mercy": Watch Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's Sermon Challenging Trump at Inaugural Service

https://youtu.be/gNfrbAztlcs?si=iyUWaprfPGP8fhZA

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In this week’s episode, The Besties discovered that a new, yet unused,  yellow Schwinn bike harbored a lesson about life's unexpected attachments and the difficulty of letting things go.  It was Leslie’s turn to attempt the difficult task of decluttering and emptying her storage unit so she solicited Ange’s help. Afterall, Angie had  just cleared out her unit so who would be better to show Les how it was done.  And it wasn’t easy.  

With Angella's stern but pragmatic approach,  and unwavering support, the ladies  balance fond memories with the practical need to simplify their lives.

Their humorous stories underline the importance of small steps and the value of seeking help to get unstuck. Through laughter and shared experiences, they hope to inspire you to not only  break free from clutter—both physical and financial—but to embrace the changes that promise a brighter, more organized future.

This episode and all previous episodes are available on YouTube. Please join our Besties Quad Squad as a Patreon subscriber at the $5 or $10 monthly level. You'll receive exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

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Starting a YouTube channel in your 60s might sound daunting, but what if it could lead to newfound freedom and self-discovery? 

The Besties encourage older folks to start a podcast or YouTube like this 62 year old did

Take My Journey

Starting a YouTube Channel at 62. Am I Crazy!

https://youtu.be/-ROSryh65XE?si=QHGuKjilCB9nu55N

Here are 5 positive things The Besties’ learned: 

1. Things are gonna be scary until you try them
2. Being bold in one area of your life will impact other areas
3. It takes time and money
4. It’s an opportunity to leave a legacy
5. It’s a labor of love

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Leslie woke up one morning, went in to work and said to her boss, “I need a break, I’m going to take several months off”.  As a full time anesthesiologist she put aside concerns of what her absence would do to the busy OR schedule or the pinch her colleagues would experience being on call.  What she knew (for sure) was that she was fatigued, her mind was distracted, her body was rebelling and she had never taken an extended break from work in her over twenty year career.

In this episode of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn Leslie describes to her Bestie Angella what it felt like to direct her caring spirit inward- to wake up late without her usual to-do list, spend time with friends and loved ones, travel and contemplate what retirement might actually feel like.On her first day back to the operating room Leslie immediately felt back at home and recalled why medicine is truly  her calling.  Her time away from the demands of doctoring showed her that she really missed being away and that balancing a busy career with personal well-being is not only possible but essential.  She could certainly see herself moving toward retirement- just no time soon.

This episode and all previous episodes are available on YouTube. Please join our Besties Quad Squad as a Patreon subscriber at the $5 or $10 monthly level. You'll receive exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Get Angie’s eBook: We’re Too Old for This Shit! The Inquisitive Older Woman’s Guide to Joy

Support the show

Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-the-scenes extras.