Reflections on Being a Guest on the “Coffee Can’t Fix Everything” Podcast
This spring, I had the opportunity to be a guest on Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, hosted by Corey Dion Lewis. It was my first time on someone else’s podcast, and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the guest chair. From the moment we sat down at The Slow Down Coffee Shop, the vibe was familiar—like talking to an old friend. Corey’s questions were thoughtful, the atmosphere was easy, and I felt safe enough to speak freely about my journey, my work, and my growth.
Our conversation began with my background—growing up in Des Moines, moving away for a few years, and ultimately returning to Iowa in 2018. I shared how Black. Girl. Iowa. was born in 2024, following a powerful moment at the Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE). A white woman questioned my desire to center Black women’s stories, and that comment—though frustrating—pushed me into action. “I always knew I had something to say—I just didn’t know the avenue to say it.” That day, I started researching how to launch a podcast. Within months, I was producing my first season: 36 episodes total, 8 of them solo.
Corey and I talked deeply about the motivation behind the show, and how the podcast became a space where I could not only highlight others, but also begin to share my own story. We touched on the complicated feeling of visibility as a Black woman in Iowa. I admitted that for most of my life, I didn’t feel seen—but through creating the podcast, I began writing a love letter to my younger self. “Even now, I don’t always feel seen. But this show has given me a way to affirm my story—and create space for others to do the same.”
The conversation then moved into mental health—something I don’t often share publicly. I opened up about living with anxiety, depression, and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), and how therapy and journaling have become vital parts of my healing. For years, I believed I had to tough it out, to “white knuckle” my way through life. But through therapy and medication, I’ve finally found a sense of peace. “I was strong enough to do it on my own… but I didn’t have to.”
We also discussed creative burnout. Producing Season 1 of Black. Girl. Iowa. on my own—from recording and editing to writing blogs and social posts—was a huge undertaking. I shared how important it has been to set boundaries, pause when needed, and enter Season 2 with clarity and intention. “Podcasting isn’t easy when you don’t have a team—but when you find purpose, it’s worth it.”
One of the most touching parts of the interview came when we discussed intergenerational wisdom. After watching a documentary on the Vietnam War, I called my dad to ask why he didn’t serve. That conversation sparked a new desire to ask deeper questions, to learn about what my parents lived through, and to document those stories now—before they’re gone. “If we don’t ask, we repeat. And I don’t want to repeat. I want to remember, learn, and honor what came before me.”
Corey and I ended the episode talking about what it means to use your voice—authentically and without apology. I quoted one of my favorite lines from The Office: “There’s always a million reasons not to do something.” And that’s the truth. But it only takes one reason to begin. For me, that reason was creating a space for Black women to be heard, and from that one spark, everything else has followed.
This interview was a reminder of why I started this journey. It reminded me that my voice matters, that storytelling heals, and that taking up space—especially as a Black woman in Iowa—is a radical act of self-love and resistance. I’m so grateful to Corey for offering me that space, and for creating a platform where we can talk openly about identity, healing, and purpose. If you haven’t listened yet, trust me—this conversation is more than coffee talk. It’s a story about reclaiming your power and finding your voice, one conversation at a time.
Huge shout out to Corey Dion Lewis for inviting me to be a guest on Coffee Can’t Fix Everything. It was truly an honor to be in conversation with someone who not only creates space for honest dialogue, but also pours into his community through storytelling and advocacy. Be sure to check out both of his podcasts—Coffee Can’t Fix Everything and The Healthy Project—available wherever you stream your favorite shows. And if you loved this conversation, don’t miss the next episode of Black. Girl. Iowa., premiering Monday, July 21st, where Corey and I flip the script and dive into his story, his passion for community health, and what brought him to Iowa. You won’t want to miss it!
– Emili
Black. Girl. Iowa. 