In this special Q&A episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona are putting the scripts down and pulling the curtain back. You asked, so they answered - nothing is off limits.
From what inspired them to launch the podcast, to how their friendship has shifted in the spotlight, this conversation is full of raw reflections, inside jokes, and unfiltered truth. They talk about balancing ambition with burnout, navigating career crossroads, and the toll the news cycle takes on mental health especially as Black women in the media.
It’s part real talk, part behind-the-scenes, and 100% group chat energy.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on when the cameras are off or what it really takes to build something with your best friend, this one’s for you!
KEY POINTS
- How has our friendship evolved through ATR?
- Times the friendship was tested…
- A must-do: podcast with your bestie?
- Key similarities: best friend and biz partner?
- Ways to stay grounded
- The first thing we’d do if we switched lives
- Worst fashion or beauty fail (on cam)
- Mental health 101 as TV personalities
- Public’s perception about us that isn’t a FACT
- Wish for each other this 2025
QUOTES
“When something is not going as planned — and that's happened a lot of times with this podcast — we've kind of been always on the same page.” – Jeannette Reyes
“We would give you guys a headline, sitting on the anchor desk, and then we would get off and be in the group chat — just discussing all types of news stories and conversations that are more online than you would see in your morning headlines.” – Mona Kosar Abdi
RESOURCES:
Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Mona Kosar Abdi
IG | @monakabdi
Jeannette Reyes
IG | @msnewslady
Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com
Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
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