What does it mean to write while Black? To put your truth on the page in a world that so often tries to silence or sanitize it?
In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Lisa sits down with her brilliant big sister, Sharon Hurley Hall: author, anti-racism activist, and a fierce advocate for equity everywhere—including in the publishing industry.
Together, they explore the joys and challenges of writing as Black women, the publishing paths they've each chosen (Sharon is a self-published author; Lisa went the traditional publishing route), and the power of using their words as tools of both resistance and restoration.
This is more than a sibling conversation—it’s a masterclass in writing with purpose, publishing with intention, and building legacy on their own terms.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ The pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing—straight from two sisters who’ve done both
✅ How to navigate racism, gatekeeping, and erasure in the publishing industry
✅ Why writing as a Black woman is both a radical act and a sacred responsibility
✅ The emotional labor of telling the truth, and how to care for yourself in the process
✅ How Sharon and Lisa each define success: not by sales alone, but by impact, agency, and integrity
CREDITS:
👸🏽Guest: Sharon Hurley Hall, author of I’m Tired of Racism
👸🏽Podcast Producer: Lisa Hurley, author of Space To Exhale and Founder of The Great Exhale
SHOW NOTES
CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:
Sharon Hurley Hall (she/her) is an author, educator and anti-racism activist. A former journalist and writer, Sharon is also the author of I'm Tired of Racism: True Stories of Existing While Black and Exploring Shadeism. In addition, Sharon is the Founder of Sharon’s Anti-Racism Newsletter (where she's on a mission to fight racism one article at a time) and the SHHARE anti-racism membership community. In what passes for her spare time, Sharon provides mentoring for introverted Black women and creates courses to help people share their important stories.
🔗 Connect with Sharon on:
Learn more:
https://www.antiracismnewsletter.com/
https://books2read.com/tiredofracism#
STAY IN TOUCH:
🔗 Connect with Lisa on
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GET SPACE TO EXHALE:
📚Get your copy of Space To Exhale: A Handbook for Curating a Soft, Centered, Serene Life
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Already read it? Leave a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads. (Or all three! 😊)
ABOUT SPACE TO EXHALE:
It is time to exhale: to say no to hustle culture, and yes to a life of ease. In Space To Exhale, Lisa Hurley, Anthem Award-winning activist, founder of The Great Exhale, and leader in the rest movement for Black women, provides you with an uplifting and practical guide to help you beat burnout, embrace rest, and live a soft life.
As a soft Black woman, and an advocate of rest for Black women, Lisa supports readers via modalities like affirmations, meditations, and breathwork, as well as her powerful Exhalation Point framework. This inspiring self-help book guides you on a life-changing journey to:
Know Yourself: Remember who you are, align with your values, and celebrate your strengths.
Love Yourself: Practice positive self-talk, select your close circle, and prioritize rest.
Be Yourself: Show up authentically, protect your energy, and live a soft, centered, serene life.
Ready to exhale? Get your copy today. Published by Wiley, Space To Exhale is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and wherever books are sold.
Need several copies for your book club, event, retreat, or ERG? Visit our bulk orders partner Porchlight Books.
