Tembe Denton-Hurst Talks About Finding Home in a Messy World

Baddies, we have a real one for y’all today. If you’ve ever felt lost in your career, questioned your path, or just wanted to burn it all down and start over, then this week’s minisode is for you! We sat down with Tembe Denton-Hurst, author of Homebodies, to talk about career burnout, the struggle of being unseen, and what it truly means to find home.

For those who don’t know, Tembe is a writer, a self-proclaimed “biscuit wife” (tune in to the ep for more on that lol), and the author of Homebodies—a novel that really gets into the messiness of ambition, failure, and the pressure to perform. We knew we were in for a ride, but this conversation took us places we didn’t expect!

Career Burnout & The Reality of Being Overlooked

One of the most raw and relatable parts of Homebodies is how real it gets about the exhaustion of trying to be excellent while still being ignored. Tembe talked about how she wanted to put that experience on the page:

“The strength to not go off in that moment? The way you have to handle these situations as a Black woman, as a woman, period—it’s exhausting.”

Y’all. The way we felt that in our spirits! We’ve all had those moments where you’re doing everything right—working hard, showing up, proving yourself—and yet, somehow, you’re still invisible.

And when Mickey, the main character in Homebodies, loses her job, she’s left questioning who she even is outside of work—a conversation that had us sitting real uncomfortably.

What Does Home Really Mean?

Tembe took us deeper into Mickey’s journey and what it really means to find home when you feel untethered. Turns out, home isn’t always a place—it’s a feeling, a sense of safety, a community, it’s context.

“I think community makes me Black. I don’t think I exist as Black in a vacuum. That’s why Mickey’s story had to be full of people—because that’s how we understand ourselves.”

Whew. When she said that, we had to pause. It really puts into perspective how much of our identity is rooted in the people who hold us down. Whether that’s best friends, chosen family, or the people who see us when we feel invisible—home is the spaces where we don’t have to explain ourselves.

Messy, Complicated, & Completely Human Characters

One thing about Tembe? She’s not here to write perfect, easily likable characters. And honestly, we love that. Mickey makes mistakes, she doesn’t always have the right answers, and she’s figuring it out in real time—just like the rest of us.

“I love writing messy characters. Mickey isn’t perfect—she’s making mistakes, she’s reacting to trauma, she’s figuring it out. And I think that’s what makes her feel real.”

Because real life? It’s not neat, it’s not always pretty, and it’s definitely not a straight path to success. Sometimes, we crash and burn before we rise again.

**Writing for **Us

One of the standout moments in the episode was when Tembe made it very clear who she writes for:

“I was not writing for these white people at all. I wanted Mickey to be Black in an ordinary way—her story isn’t about being Black, it’s about her, period.”

Say that again, please! We’re so used to stories where Blackness has to be explained, dissected, or used as a teaching moment. But Homebodies? It’s a story for us, about us, with no apologies. And that’s exactly why it hits so hard.

What’s Next for Tembe?

You already know we had to ask about what’s next, and Tembe delivered. She’s currently working on something she describes as Love Jones meets Sex and the City, and honestly? We are READY.

She’s also reading Sula by Toni Morrison (for the first time—gasp!), so if you need a book twin to dive into some classics with, Tembe’s your girl.

If you’ve ever felt like you were drowning in career exhaustion, questioning your worth, or wondering where you truly belong—Homebodies is for you. And this minisode? It’s one of those conversations that sticks with you.

✨ Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! And if you’ve already read Homebodies, drop a comment and tell us what resonated most with you. 💬