The Napkin In Between

Finding your voice can be one of life's most challenging yet essential skills. As a former therapist with a master's degree in social work, I offer a unique perspective on the viral TikTok controversy where a woman claims her psychiatrist reciprocated romantic feelings. I break down why basic rapport-building techniques are often misinterpreted as romantic interest, and why clear boundaries are crucial in professional rel...

Trust betrayed, time wasted, and the painful reality of being used—this episode, we dive into the shocking breakup between Kenny Rodriguez and JaNa Craig from Love Island Season 6. What appeared to be a beautiful love story spanning nearly a year has unraveled into something far more disturbing and all too familiar for many Black women.

The breakup between Kenny and JaNa has unleashed a firestorm that goes far beyond reali...

Freedom of speech is under attack, and I'm not staying silent about it. Just as I've reached 2,100 subscribers by being authentically myself, I'm witnessing escalating censorship that should alarm everyone who values free expression.

My journey from quiet child to outspoken podcaster reflects a personal revolution against self-silencing. Growing up, I was that kid who barely spoke, always flying under the ra...

The villainization of Black women in media isn't new, but the recent treatment of Love Island USA contestants Chelley and Olandria offers a powerful case study in how this harmful pattern continues today.

When major outlets like Time Magazine and Buzzfeed deliberately misrepresent situations to fit the "angry Black woman" narrative, we must call it what it is: racism. Time Magazine twisted Chelley's per...

We've all heard about "putting yourself first," but for Black women, that concept often feels foreign or even forbidden. This week, I'm diving deep into what it truly means for Black women to prioritize themselves in a world that constantly demands our energy, care, and emotional labor.

Drawing from the current season of Love Island, I explore how the relationship between Nic and Olandria beautifully de...

What does it truly mean to embrace your identity entirely, without reservation or apology? In this candid exploration of Black joy and self-acceptance, we dive deep into the transformative power of recognizing your own worth in a world that often fails to do so.

The journey from internalized anti-Blackness to profound self-love reveals how embracing your heritage becomes not just a personal victory, but a revolutionary act...

Sometimes the weight of the world becomes too heavy, and we struggle to find even one thing that brings us joy. That's exactly where I found myself this week, sitting in front of my microphone for over an hour, unable to identify a single moment that made me truly happy.

This raw, unfiltered conversation explores what happens when our mental health takes a hit from the constant barrage of disturbing news and political...

The warmth of summer brings a curious duality – the freedom to embrace joy juxtaposed against a backdrop of urgent social issues. In this candid conversation, I reflect on how kicking off summer with Beyoncé's concert and experiencing Gov Ball's electric atmosphere provided much-needed mental respite while still acknowledging the weight of our current political landscape.

T-Pain's nostalgic performances tran...

Have you ever wondered why speaking truth comes with such a high price tag in the content creation world? As I celebrate reaching 112k followers just one month after rebuilding my TikTok presence, I'm struck by the beautiful paradox of authentic connection—the more unfiltered I am, the stronger our community grows.

The pressure to self-censor is real. I've sat through meetings with talent agencies who love my num...

The moment Beyoncé took the stage and said "there's a lot of talking going on," the tears started flowing. Not just because I was witnessing the artist of our generation, but because her live vocals were an exact match to her studio recordings—a testament to her extraordinary talent that left me speechless.

From "American Requiem" opening the show to her strategic performance of the national anthem...

Strength looks different for every survivor. When Cassie took the stand to testify against Diddy, when Halle Bailey sought a restraining order against DDG, when Megan Thee Stallion refused to be silenced—they showed us courage in action while facing relentless victim-blaming.

Why do we ask "Why didn't she leave?" instead of "Why was he violent?" The answer reveals our society's persistent tend...

Cancel Zues Network, Cancel the cookout, CANCEL EVERYTHING!!!!! I had an entirely different thing to talk about today, but my morning scroll through social media revealed content that demanded immediate attention—a reality where Emmett Till's name is carelessly used as an insult while others demonstrate complete ignorance about his historical significance. This cultural disconnect ignited a passionate exploration of how histor...

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you faced your biggest fear? That's exactly what I did when I finally shaved my head after years of anxiety and hesitation. What followed was nothing short of transformative.

Growing up as a Black woman, my relationship with my hair was complicated. I received compliments only when my natural 4C hair was braided, straightened, or permed - leading me to get chemical treatment...

The beautiful arrival of spring weather and the healing power of a stranger's psychic reading set the stage for our deeper dive into a troubling conflict dividing Black communities online. As my palm reader wisely noted that my defensive walls might be keeping out more good than bad, I couldn't help but see the parallel to what's happening between Black Americans and South Africans over the controversial Zulu parade ...

Ever felt like you're screaming into the void while the walls keep closing in? That's exactly what it's like being a Black creator trying to combat racism on platforms designed to silence you.

When I started creating content in October 2022, I never imagined that simply responding to racist comments on my videos would lead to multiple account bans and being kicked out of TikTok's Creator Fund. The patte...

Sam Champagne sits down with us to pull back the curtain on her multifaceted career as a producer, sound engineer, singer, and songwriter. With disarming honesty, she reveals how her musical journey began at just 8 years old, experimenting with FL Studio on the family computer—a passion that would eventually become her calling.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as Sam discusses navigating the music industry as a dar...

TW: THERE IS MENTION OF MISCARRIAGE IN THIS EPISODE!! VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!!! Also, sorry the audio is a little crispy, I like to think it was the spirit of Eric Mays with us on the pod. RIP to a real one.

What happens when we misidentify our true adversaries? The sun is shining, dogs are playing, and somehow we've found ourselves in a culture war between mothers and child-free women that completely misses the point.

Family can be our greatest source of love or our most painful source of hurt. In this candid episode, I dive into my recent Atlanta trip to celebrate my Nephew's 12th birthday – a milestone that's left me emotional as I watch the little boy who gave me my Auntie nickname "Nene" grow taller than me. 

Between reflecting on my driving anxiety (seriously, we're controlling several-ton machines with just our...

Rent must be due!!!! In today's episode, let's talk about my experience receiving an AI-generated cease and desist letter from a content creator desperate for attention and relevancy.

The fake legal document (complete with misspellings and an AI-detection score of 94%) represents something troubling about today's social media landscape: the lengths some people will go to for attention. Whether seeking male validation ...