About the Wise Black Nanas Podcast
Helping to find direction and solutions with coaching support that is built on a foundation of lived experience, professional education and expertise, and two lifetimes of managing and mothering using everyday language and situations that we all encounter, get stuck in, and often stay stuck in.
Part coaching, part HR, part suggestions, you are encouraged to learn from their shared perspectives, acquired wisdom, cross-generational insight, and their take on life’s very tough topics while they provide thoughtful, caring and sometimes humorous lessons.
Life Coaching “Between the Dash”
Meet the Nanas
Sharla M. Walker PhD, CPC, CPRC
Wise Black Nana
A Certified Professional Coach (CPC), Certified Professional Recovery Coach (CPRC), and Human Resources Professional, has had the opportunity to work in several industries at all levels within organizations of diverse interests and personnel. Describes herself as a person who craves change and evolution. Believes and practices that desires and goals can change in life. Just because you achieve one goal does not mean that more are not allowed to follow. Further believes that when we achieve a goal, we will always, consciously, or subconsciously, start working on the next one. Founder of SMWalkerCoaching. A native of California, retired and now living in Fort Worth, Texas, holds a doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership. Believes that the human experience is a mixture of calculation and randomness. She quotes “all my experiences are what make me human and whole. I have learned from my life lessons, and I continue to grow”.
Learn more about Dr. Sharla at her Life Coaching website, SMWalkerCoaching.com.
Joanne Early MS, CPC, CPRC, SHRM-CPC
Wise Black Nana
A Certified Life Coach, Recovery Coach, Addiction Awareness Facilitator, Certified Human Resources Professional with over 45 years of Business and Professional experience in multiple industries. Known to friends and colleagues as the “Queen of Second Acts”, who cannot remain retired, embraces change, opportunity, relocations, and relationships with a generous douse of “Yeah, I can do that.” Founded Jo Early Coaching LLC. Believes in continuous learning, diversity and equity, power of maturity. A native Floridian, she has lived and worked most of adult life in California, consulted in the Tampa and Orlando areas, Oakland and East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area), and is a proud graduate of the University of San Francisco, avid volunteer in community efforts and programs. She lists reading, chocolate and travel with friends as her most favorite things. Responds to all Nana questions from children, their children, friends and friends of their children.
Learn more about Coach Joanne at her Life Coaching website, JoEarlyCoaching.com.
Rave Reviews
The Nanas love the listeners and it goes both ways!
…Just finished listening to your latest podcast, you guys are great….!!! Such a blessing to hear our sister’s thoughts!!
I listen during my commute, I love the stories, your voices are so soothing, helps me concentrate and focus on the drive.
Listen
Hear the Wise Black Nanas on your favorite podcast channel or listen below!
Latest Episodes
Celebrations
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:08 — 13.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
It’s our 20th episode! Join us as we celebrate this milestone and reflect on the journey so far. As we enter the holiday season—a time filled with celebrations, cherished memories, and joyful gatherings—the Wise Black Nanas remind us that this season can also bring stress, grief, and mixed emotions. For many, the holidays bring up memories of loss, challenges from COVID, political tensions, and past experiences that linger.
In this special episode, the Nanas share their fondest holiday memories, their favorite traditions, and the deeper significance these moments hold. Whether this season brings joy or struggle, come celebrate, reflect, and embrace all it brings, with us.
Make Your Mark
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:49 — 11.4MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
“Make Your Mark” can mean a host of things. It’s an old saying and even older practice. What does it really mean in today’s world? Hear Wise Black Nanas talk about Making Your Mark while taking a closer look and relating the phrase to current times. Joanne opens up more about growing up in the segregated South when “Making Your Mark” was a necessity and a common practice for many people. Wise Black Nanas share loving memories of elderly relatives during a very different time, or is it? How will you Make Your Mark?
Vote-Vote-Vote
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:29 — 17.2MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
It’s political season. Wise Black Nanas could not miss the opportunity to share their thoughts on our political climate. Wise Black Nanas remind us of the historical significance of Civil Rights and Voting Rights efforts over the years, the connections and messages that still ring true today. What was it like to attend a newly integrated school as a teenager? Listen as Dr. Sharla shares remembrances of that period. Their passion shines through on this relevant episode. Get connected to your desire to vote!
What’s Going On?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:20 — 16.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
The Nanas are back after a brief break, back amid their own challenges, Dr Sharla is getting stronger each day, all while the country is greatly polarized in the political arena. The Nanas have a lively discussion about how they will move forward, the hard tough conversations, life and family roles, everyday issues, and most critically their labor of love, Wise Black Nanas.
Purpose – What Do You Want to Be?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:20 — 21.2MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
What’s your purpose? Ever felt that others around you seem to know their calling? Their reason for being here? Perhaps you are not as sure? Well, Wise Black Nanas shed more light on this easy, and yet complex concept. During the conversation Dr. Sharla is especially engaging and frank about the influence of her background. Joanne and Sharla discuss “being” and “doing”…key as it relates to discovering our purpose, our reason for being here. Wise Black Nanas think it’s never too late to discover your purpose. It’s never too late to get started!
Resilient, Renewed, Moving Forward!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:23 — 21.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Wise Black Nanas welcome Dr. Sharla back from her period of recuperation! With grace and gratitude, Dr. Sharla discusses some of her experiences, what got her through, and what she learned about resilience along the way. Wise Black Nanas talk about key issues, documents, family roles as only they can. In hindsight, what situations caused Dr. Sharla to re-look at plans she thought were in place, and sufficient. Were they? Learn, be encouraged, be inspired, just in case you need a resilience check-up.
I Am SO Grateful For…
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:54 — 14.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Joanne explores the concept of gratitude in that Wise Black Nanas style we love – personal, fascinating, moving and inspiring. This is not your standard treatise on the importance of gratitude. Engaging, revealing and powerful, you will reflect not only on what you can be grateful for, but how you can fully embrace the life you are living.
Juneteenth – Did You Know?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:44 — 22.9MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Wise Black Nanas looks closer at the newly proclaimed Federal Holiday Juneteenth. Is this just another day off or what is the real significance of June 19? Enjoy Joanne’s part history lesson and part personal commentary espousing how the Black Community has kept Juneteenth near and dear, current, alive and growing through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, Civil Rights Movement, Black Lives Matter and Me Too. Joanne shares her love of history with you as she talks about how and why Juneteenth is more than a Holiday to so many people, and has so much potential. Go with her from Texas to Central Florida to Oakland to Washington DC, what happened there and what they mean to the narrative. Hear about well known historical figures and learn about a few new ones. Be inspired to make Juneteenth everyday.
Millennial Chat – Super-Power of Friendship and Love
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:12:28 — 66.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Wise Black Nanas pull back the curtain for a look into the lives of two special guests, Millennial best friends Amber and Monique. They have known each other since 4th grade. One married, the other single, different career choices, different demands on time. What sustains them? How do they keep it together, or do they? What keeps them up at night as they juggle family, relationships, careers, social media, children or not, and the demands of today. They talk about health, loss, friendship and support. Can these young women of today have it “all”, or does it just look that way? Their story reinforces the Super-Power of friendship, love, and gratitude.
When Life Throws You A Curveball
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (26.6MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Wise Black Nanas were thrown a curveball. Just what does that mean, what do you do when something happens that you did not plan for; something completely out of your control. Hear the strategy that Wise Black Nanas embrace as they work through their season of uncertainty. Joanne shares a revealing situation that shows that the Nanas do not always have all the answers or make the right choices. As she looks back at the situation, what did she learn, what was reinforced? Practice key essential steps right along with the Nanas.
Stay in Touch
Stay in touch with the Nanas and be the first to know about new episodes!