With Love, Ryan | Episode 18

On this episode of Courtside Forever, we’re talking about joy—the kind of joy that shouldn’t be controversial but somehow still is.

I recently watched With Love, Meghan, the new Netflix show featuring Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as she hosts friends, cooks, and gardens in Montecito. It’s the kind of peaceful, feel-good lifestyle show we’ve seen for years with Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, and Joanna Gaines. And yet, the backlash Meghan has received? It’s different. It’s louder. And let’s be honest—it’s rooted in something deeper.

This episode dives into why the internet seems to hate joy, how Black women—especially Black moms—are scrutinized for simply existing in peace, and why we struggle to let people enjoy life without attaching some grander meaning to it.

We’ll talk about the viral tweet from a woman who dared to enjoy morning coffee with her husband in their garden—and the absurd backlash that followed. We’ll explore the internet’s pattern of building people up just to tear them down, from everyday folks like Daisey and Michael the Librarian to someone as high-profile as Meghan Markle. And we’ll ask the real question: Why do people love wealth and celebrity culture until the person enjoying it is a Black woman?

But most importantly, this episode is about reclaiming joy. Whether it's making ice cream, watching a cozy cooking show, or tending to an arugula garden, we all deserve simple pleasures—without the internet ruining them.

So, what’s something small and joyful in your life that you refuse to let the internet take from you? Let’s talk about it.