Exhale

Exhale, an acclaimed talk show from ASPiRE television network, first aired on the platform back in 2013. The series delves deep into matters of interest to African-American women, and continues the network’s commitment to offer fresh, original, and enlightening programming that address the issues and concerns of the African American community.

The concept behind Exhale is simple: a rip-roaringly honest round table discussion featuring five incredibly bright, articulate, and accomplished African-American women who pull no punches in their analyses of the issues of the day. Each episode is packed full of riveting dialogues, passionate perspectives, and very candid conversations, which sets it apart from its contemporary talk-show counterparts.

Exhale brings together a noteworthy ensemble of hosts, each one an accomplished woman in her respective field. The hosts include the Grammy Award-winning artist and actress Malinda Williams; journalist and television producer Angela Burt-Murray; film and television thespian Rene Syler; TV and radio show host Issa Rae, and comedian and television personality Erin Jackson. The diverse professional backgrounds of these women ensures a comprehensive, thorough, and multi-angled look at the topics discussed.

In this show, the viewer is taken on an emotional journey, where they serve as a fly on the wall, witnessing the unfiltered conversations these women have about relationships, health, wellness, parenting, personal growth, finance, beauty, fashion, faith, travel, and arts & culture. No matter the topic, the hosts always achieve a beautiful balance of intensity, humor, compassion, and intellect in their conversations.

Despite the varying viewpoints presented by the hosts, there is an underlying ethos of respect, understanding, and supportiveness that remains constant throughout. This helps to foster an intimate and inviting atmosphere for the viewer, who comes to feel a part of the conversation. In essence, Exhale works as a platform that promotes dialogue, inspires change, and motivates action within the black community, without shying away from controversial subjects.

Throughout its tenure, the series has also drawn in prominent guest speakers, from different walks of life, who join the panel for their expert views on a variety of topics. These include well-respected authors, influential politicians, up-and-coming entertainers, renowned chefs, and other gripping personalities. These guests add an extra layer of relevance and weight to the conversations, and provide unique insights into the diverse and dynamic black perspective.

Exhale is not your typical talk show. The series bursts the superficial bubble of trivia and conjecture usually associated with the genre and replaces it with in-depth discussions, positioning itself as a thought-provoking platform for the discerning viewer. It seeks to occupy a more meaningful space in the pantheon of television programming, delimited not by race, gender, or age, but by a thirst for knowledge and awareness.

The series plays a pivotal role in the portrayal of black women on television. It is a show where African-American women have the lead roles, they control the discussions, voice their opinions, reveal their vulnerabilities, and inform audiences about their unique experiences. This show not only gives voice to African-American women’s narratives, but also portrays these narratives as crucial, valid, and universal.

Exhale is a great example of television programming that effectively demonstrates diversity and inclusivity. It doesn't just focus on one-dimensional narratives but rather, it fosters conversations that embrace a broad spectrum of the black experience and other important issues that have been historically undervalued in mainstream media.

To sum up, Exhale stands as a beacon of women’s empowerment and black culture. ASPiRE's creation provides a refreshing deviation from conventional television, a show that expands the limits of talk-show territory and gives the viewers a sense of belonging. It’s a show that inspires viewers to be informed, enlightened, and to of course, exhale. This is more than a just a talk show; it’s a soul-satisfying, consciousness-raising, feel-good experience.