The Napkin In Between

If a single word can spark a fight, it’s rarely about the word. We open the door to a bigger, braver conversation: why “cis” and “trans” are descriptive terms, how sex and gender actually differ, and what it takes to create a space where learning beats defensiveness. We’re celebrating a creator milestone with our show landing in Spotify’s top 5%, but the takeaway isn’t just the numbers. It’s the responsibility that comes with growt...

Thirty doesn’t feel like a deadline; it feels like a doorway. I’m stepping through it with a list of thirty lessons that reshaped how I love, rest, create, and choose my people. From the radical act of saying no without a paragraph of justification to the freedom of ignoring faceless critics, these are the truths I’m taking into a new decade—and the ones I wish I’d learned sooner.

We talk about what it really means to trea...

The high was real—and so was the crash. After celebrating big electoral wins and a fresh wave of optimism, we watched lawmakers fold on a shutdown fight that had voters and even unpaid federal workers urging them to hold firm. That twist didn’t just sting; it exposed how quickly trust evaporates when bold speeches turn into soft votes and “we’ll vote later” promises fade on contact with reality.

We unpack the core question...

The night the “blue shift” never showed up still sits heavy—the 4 a.m. doom-scroll, the Barbie Land coping, the dread that followed. This week, the vibe flipped. We felt a real surge of hope as wins rolled in across New York City, Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, and more. While these wins reignite feelings of hope, we must not to confuse good news with a done deal. The heartbeat here is simple and urgent: celebrate the victorie...

A cozy Halloween intro turns into a tough but needed conversation about racism, accountability, and how fast the internet can lose the plot. We share why inner-child joy and speaking up are connected, then walk through a viral moment where a racial slur got brushed off as “awkward laughter.” If you’ve ever wondered where apology ends and accountability begins, or why audiences keep mistaking critique for “hate,” you’ll find clarity...

A week on the water brought peace, but the feed was waiting with a storm. We open with the relief of a long-delayed family cruise and pivot into a story that exposes how fast nuance disappears online: a DoorDash delivery, an open door, indecent exposure, a report filed, and a viral clip that cost a job. Instead of picking a side on reflex, we walk through the gray space most people skip. It can be predatory for someone to be visibl...

A new hair era, a new lens on pop—a candid analysis of Taylor Swift’s latest album discourse, the limits of “hits,” and why popularity isn’t proof of quality.

In today's episode, I read Swiftie comments and respond point by point: the “biggest tour” flex without sources, the myth of the self-made star when family capital paved lanes, and the way fans conflate streams with standards. We talk about infantilization after...

The boxes aren’t even unpacked and the story already has plot twists: a shower that won’t shower, a bedroom lock that locks you in, a front door that barely holds on, and a management team dodging the only question that matters—who checked this place before handing over the keys? We walked in expecting a soft reset and got a hard lesson in habitability and accountability.

We open with the fun stuff—new setup, decor ideas, ...

Taking a leap of faith can transform your entire life – even when you don't have everything figured out beforehand. When I found myself increasingly unhappy in Atlanta despite being closer to family, I kept daydreaming about New York City during visits to friends there. The six-lane highways triggered my driving anxiety, making friends as a nanny proved nearly impossible, and something essential was missing from my life.
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Moving apartments shouldn't feel like a fight to the death, yet that's exactly what it's become in New York City. Picture this: you're balanced on a pedestal, unable to step off too early (landlords won't show you apartments a month before your move date), forced to wait until the perfect moment when you must sprint against countless others toward the same limited housing options. This absurd reality perfec...

What do you do when a lifelong friendship is compromised by racism? In this raw and candid episode, I dive deep into the difficult terrain of friendship boundaries, specifically when it comes to race and respect.

The heart of this episode centers on a listener submission through my "What Would Daijné Do" segment. A young Black woman writes about her 13-year friendship with someone who consistently demonstrates pr...

Something strange happens when we spend too much time scrolling through feeds, watching reality shows, and following strangers online. We forget the line between entertainment and reality. The imaginary relationships we build with public figures start feeling real, and suddenly we're fighting like our lives depend on defending people who don't know we exist.

This episode dives deep into the disturbing trend of pa...

Finding your perfect place in the world feels like coming home to yourself. In this powerful episode, I open by sharing my journey through small Pennsylvania towns to Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and finally New York City – where I've discovered that perfect balance of quiet neighborhood living with big-city opportunities just a subway ride away.

This sense of place becomes a metaphor for something much bigger as I dive into ...

The journey toward authentic self-expression online isn't easy, especially for those from marginalized communities. In this candid episode, I open up about my recent creative project that unexpectedly resonated with so many of you, and how much it means to finally be embraced for my genuine self after years of feeling pressure to conform.

As I describe my "firecracker" personality (courtesy of my Sagittarius...

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...