You Had Me at Black
You Had Me at Black·126 episodes·Monthly
Quick Facts
Our true-life stories in our own words. youhadmeatblack.substack.com
Episodes
Latest Episode
October 14, 2026 · 4m
TL; DR: A new cohort of The Storytellers’ Circle starts November 2! Join for $250, and I have payment plans available. Hey Beautiful People, I don’t know what I expected 2026 to be, but it wasn’t this! That damn fire horse the astrology girlies were talking about tossed me to and fro all year. At some point I said, “you know what? You got it.” I let it run into the sunset, leaving a cloud of dust in its trail. I wish it well on its journey. After the dust settled and I recollected myself, I got a chance to look around and appreciate all I’d blurred past while hanging on for dear life. Things like You Had Me at Black celebrating 10 years ! The Community Core reaching 6 months! Organizing a festival ! The Storytellers’ Circle completing its first cohort! Bracing myself for every gallop and bump, I forgot to look up. I almost missed the beauty of terracotta hues and purple sunsets. Sometimes, you’ll find rejuvenation in the desert. All Were Brave In our early days, my sister and I made the decision to focus on passing the mic to everyday people over influencers, personalities and celebrities. Over time, that decision proved to be the right choice. The way folks transform throughout the storytelling experience became one of my favorite parts of You Had Me At Black. Back in the day, I’d comb Instagram and hop in strangers’ DMs to ask if they’d like to tell a story. Some of the folks who said yes were skeptical, many were nervous, and all were brave. Most had never done something like this before, sharing a personal story in front of strangers. But by the end of our time together, regardless of how they came in, every single one emerged as a storyteller. What Your Story Can Awaken I love storytelling for what it can teach us about ourselves. The scales it can shake off. The things it can awaken, the light it can spark. The power it unlocks. You’ve never shared a personal story before but now you have, and you feel more confident telling people about that idea that’s been keeping you up at night for years. You haven’t really thought deeply about that moment and how you handled yourself since it happened, but now you have, and you’re calling that family member to reconcile. You didn’t think you had a single story to tell at first but now you know that you contain multitudes, and you’re speaking up more at work and setting boundaries you should’ve been set a long time so. The distance between where we are and where we want to be is the length of a story: the story we tell ourselves about what is possible. You never/ haven’t/ didn’t before, but now you have written a new future for yourself and are moving boldly in its direction. One of the most common responses I receive to our stories is something along the lines of, “Everyone sounds so good, I could never sound like them.” Oh baby, yes you could! Many don’t realize that every storyteller on our podcast has been coached, using a framework that’s now been refined over 100 stories and 5 years. We’d help folks mine their memories, then spend a few weeks developing one into a story. During COVID I started coaching storytellers virtually in small groups, and that unlocked a new special layer of camaraderie and community. This is what you can expect within The Storytellers’ Circle - a five-week small group journey to excavate our memories, develop a story, and perform it for each other. The best part is that the skills you learn you can carry with you for life, and you’ll leave with a keepsake recording of your story. But don’t take it from me, here’s what folks in the first cohort had to say: “This was such a validating and empowering experience. The small cohort size made it really easy to be vulnerable and experiment.” “It really has given me so much - more than I could have ever imagined… I really appreciate this reawakening - the experience was affirmation I really needed. Thank you for being you and sharing your gifts and medicine with us so generously.” The next cohort begins Monday, November 2 and meets for 5 weeks. Join me for $250. I offer payment plans. Only 5 spots are available. Peace, Martina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
More Episodes
May 20, 2026 · 24m
Carl takes a shot of love.This ends our birthday countdown! Carl also joins us to reflect on his story and what it means to him all these years later.Join the Patron's Circle and claim your place in You Had Me at Black's next era.Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
May 13, 2026 · 30m
A carefree date goes awry, and sets Paula on a journey through deceit, loss, healing, and liberation. We're rewinding 10 stories that have stayed with us to coundtown to our 10th birthday and You Had Me at Black's next 10! Paula also joins us to reflect on what this story means to her all these years later.Join the Patron's Circle and claim your place in You Had Me at Black's next era.Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
May 6, 2026 · 27m
Kelly connects the dots of what her parents do for a living when, one afternoon, the police show up at her family's home.We're rewinding 10 stories that have stayed with us to coundtown to our 10th birthday and You Had Me at Black's next 10! Kelly also joins us to reflect on what this story means to her all these years later.Join the Patron's Circle and claim your place in You Had Me at Black's next era.Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
Apr 24, 2026 · 6m
You Had Me at Black turns 10 this May.In this audio letter, Martina shares what the last few years have looked like behind the scenes, and what it will take to build the next chapter.If this space has ever meant something to you, this is your invitation to be part of what comes next.Join us at the People’s Assembly on April 28 at 8pm ET:youhadmeatblack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
Apr 22, 2026 · 21m
For Deborah, "by any means necessary" becomes "never again."We're rewinding 10 stories that have stayed with us to coundtown to our 10th birthday and You Had Me at Black's next 10! Deborah also joins us to reflect on what her story means to him all these years later.RSVP to the Peoles Assembly on April 28 and learn more about how you can be part of our next chapter.Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more (like photos and videos from this kickback). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
Apr 15, 2026 · 30m
Kevin learns the hard way to be careful what you plan for. We're rewinding 10 stories that have stayed with us to coundtown to our 10th birthday and You Had Me at Black's next 10! Kevin also joins us to reflect on what this story means to him all these years later.RSVP to the Peoles Assembly on April 28 and learn more about how you can be part of our next chapter.Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more (like photos and videos from this kickback). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
Apr 8, 2026 · 21m
Childhood Theo finds himself in a pinch the afternoon of a big audition, and adult Theo joins to reflect on what this story means to him all these years later.We're rewinding 10 stories that have stayed with us to coundtown to our 10th birthday and You Had Me at Black's next 10! RSVP to the Peoles Assembly on April 28 and learn more about how you can be part of our next chapter. Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more (like photos and videos from this kickback). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
Apr 1, 2026 · 20m
Jessica's Dad has an unconventional plan for getting into the zoo.Counting down to our 10th birthday, we're rewinding 10 stories that have stayed with us. Jessica also joins to reflect on what this story means to her all these years later, and Martina closes with an invitation to our upcoming People's Assembly on April 28.RSVP to the Peoles Assembly and learn more about You Had Me at Black's next chapter, including the Patron's Circle and other upcoming programs.Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more (like the album cover art that sparked this story). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com
Mar 25, 2026 · 26m
Mark takes a trip in Peru.Counting down to our 10th birthday, we're rewinding 10 stories that have stayed with us. Mark also joins to reflect on what this story means to him all these years later, and Martina closes with an update on what's next for You Had Me at Black.Listen on Substack on your web browser to access episode transcripts and more.Learn more about You Had Me at Black's next chapter, including the Patron's Circle and other upcoming programs. Help shape the Patron's Circle by booking a listening call with Martina.Get familiar w/these Black shows:Indie Creative Network , For All Nerds (fka Fan Bros Podcast), Blackbelt Voices, While Black, and Bag Ladiez. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com