Bloom How You Must: Tara Pringle Jefferson on Rest, Community and Redefining Self-Care

Certified breathwork facilitator and founder of The Self-Care Suite Tara Pringle Jefferson joins us to reframe self-care beyond consumerism. Drawing from her new book Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing, Tara unpacks the “strong Black woman” narrative, shares what was happening in her life when her doctor literally prescribed rest as medicine, and points out practical ways to build support, not just stamina. We get into social and professional wellness (hello, sabbaticals), the power of “third places,” why it’s important to indulge creative rituals that aren’t rooted in perfectionism, and the intergenerational wisdom she gathered from talking to 100 Black women ages 19–99. Plus: Toni Morrison’s lesson on boundaries, Coretta Scott King’s vocation-as-service, and a simple mandate for 2026 (remember you’re human).

For more from Tara:

Bloom How You Must (book + tour dates)

The Self-Care Suite (Tara’s community)

Tara on social: @WearWomenBloom (IG / Facebook / Threads)

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

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Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. This episode was edited by Victoria Marin. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

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