Being the Black Sheep
Summary: Being the Black Sheep is a bold, unapologetic podcast hosted by Janine Stella—self-proclaimed misfit and truth-teller—created for those who’ve always felt like outsiders. It’s a space for fellow black sheep to share the wild, awkward, and unfiltered stories that come from living life on your own terms. With humor, heart, and a little swagger, Janine dives into family drama, questionable choices, and what it really means to embrace your “difficult” personality. Featuring real stories and expert insights, this show is for anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood. If you've been the topic of conversation more than part of it—welcome home. Let’s ruffle some feathers.
Episodes
People love to judge your success, but they never stick around for the prequel. You know, the one with the wall-unit A/C, the EBT cards, and the 59¢ pasta dinners that lasted all week. In this episode, I’m taking you back to where it all began—L Street in Lake Worth, Florida—where resilience was the family currency and silence was the love language.
My dad was the youngest of four kids in a family that learned grief be...
Let’s be real — speaking up for yourself shouldn’t feel like a crime scene, but somehow it does. One minute you’re calm, cool, and collected, and the next minute you’re “too much,” “aggressive,” or “not a team player.” But here’s the truth: silence might keep things comfortable, but it also keeps you small.
In this episode, I’m talking about what it means to finally stop biting your tongue and start using your voice — ...
Growing up in a rainbow household meant my family looked nothing like anyone else’s — I had a lesbian mom, a bisexual (okay, mostly gay) dad, and a childhood that could’ve been its own sitcom. The PTA wasn’t ready for us, and neither was my bank account.
From my mom’s secret partner to my dad’s quiet coming out, I learned early that love doesn’t fit into neat little boxes — and neither does budgeting.
In this episode,...
Newsflash: the minute a Black Sheep stops playing nice, the flock starts bleating. This episode dives into why boundaries are the ultimate rebellion, how to say no without guilt, and why your fleece pajamas and peace of mind are worth more than keeping everyone else happy.
From flaky friends to overbearing bosses to family who think “no” is negotiable, I’m unpacking the real reason people lose it when you draw a line. ...
Dating as a Black Sheep isn’t romantic—it’s survival with cocktails. One minute you think you’ve met “the one,” the next you realize you’ve trauma-bonded with a walking red flag in skinny jeans. The herd calls it chaos. We call it Tuesday.
In this episode, I’m diving into why Black Sheep love differently—attachment styles with a misfit twist, rejection sensitivity, and why calm love feels boring when you’re wired for d...
Family isn’t always warm hugs and Sunday dinners. Sometimes it’s blame, favoritism, or that aunt with boxed wine breath telling you you’ll “never measure up.” In this raw episode of Being the Black Sheep, Janine Stella teams up with trauma specialist Eric Bricker, LMHC to rip the bandage off family-of-origin trauma.
From Christmas gift inequality to being iced out at the dinner table, Janine and Eric expose how familie...
Some sheep follow the herd… and then there are the ones who set the pasture on fire. In this episode of Being the Black Sheep, Janine Stella dives into the rebels who flipped history on its head—mythical misfits like Prometheus and Loki, real-world fire-starters like Joan of Arc and Rosa Parks, and modern icons from Ali to Gaga who turned “too much” into legendary.
With a few of her own wild stories thrown in (yes, th...
What happens when your faith decides you’re no longer fit for the flock? In this episode of Being the Black Sheep, Janine Stella unpacks the wild, heartbreaking, and often absurd ways religious communities have given the ultimate cold shoulder—from medieval Spain’s “convert or get out” orders to the silent shunning of modern high-control groups.
We’re talking Amish teens torn between family and freedom, Jehovah’s Witne...
Ever been the one in the office who doesn’t fake-laugh at the CEO’s lame jokes or join in the gossip just to fit in? Welcome to the club. In this episode of Being the Black Sheep, I share my own wild ride through corporate hell—complete with toxic positivity memes, wine-fueled “check-ins,” and the two little words (“Yes, boss”) that got me publicly shamed and fired.
But here’s the twist: getting canned during COVID tur...
Every group has one—the person who refuses to blend in and makes the rest wonder what rulebook they’re following. You know the type.
In this very first episode of Being the Black Sheep, I’m ripping the wool off the history of this infamous label. I’ll take you from ancient flocks to Puritan judgment, through folklore where black sheep were seen as magical, to modern psychology that explains why we’re the ones carrying ...
Being the Black Sheep is the podcast for anyone who's ever felt like the odd one out—and owned it. Hosted by Janine Stella, your favorite resident misfit, this show dives into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes healing journey of those who never quite fit the mold. From awkward family dinners to WTF relationship moments, Janine and her fellow black sheep share the real stories no one else dares to say out loud. ...
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