The Real Connect

This is for anyone who has ever been labeled, judged, or misunderstood and still had to show up like nothing was wrong.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with TV personality, writer, and entrepreneur Ashley Silva from OWN’s Love & Marriage: DC. Ashley opens up about growing up in Baltimore near the world of The Wire, becoming a young wife and mom, and what really happens behind the scenes of r...

Real connection is still the secret to real visibility, especially in a more AI-obsessed world.In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Brett Farmiloe, CEO of Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and Featured.com, to talk about relationships, PR, and the power of simple conversations. Brett shares how HARO works behind the scenes, why connection accelerates every startup, and how he balances being a founder,...

Real connection starts with presence—on stage, on screen, and in life.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with actor and producer Danielle Moné Truitt, best known for her role as Sgt. Ayanna Bell on Law & Order: Organized Crime. From her early years performing in theatre to leading one of TV’s biggest franchises, Danielle shares how empathy, discipline, and authentic connection have shaped ever...

Some people stay surface level. Others help you see yourself more clearly.In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Rachel Leonard Kennedy, author, entrepreneur, and relationship builder with over 15 years of experience helping people turn small talk into meaningful opportunities. Together, they unpack what it really means to find your tribe, protect your energy, and stay open to connection even aft...

Some relationships add to your life. Others drain it.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Portia James for a conversation that goes beyond surface-level talk. They unpack what it actually means to recognize real vs. fake connections through the lens of personal experience, self-awareness, and the energy people bring into your life.

They get honest about friendships that feel forced, business rel...

Connection doesn’t have to be perfect. Real connection is about showing up open, being your true self, and embracing both your vulnerabilities and your strengths. In this episode of The Real Connect, host Tamika Carlton is the guest, and friend Vincent Tobias Bell is asking the questions. Tamika shares how she finally answered that voice in her soul, stepped into this podcast, and invited you into the journey of living to connect.I...

Want to know what keeps a relationship soft, safe, and strong in real life?In this episode of The Real Connect podcast, Chase Mays and Tashiera Parker Mays, the couple behind 2BLK Women Apparel, sit down with Tamika Carlton to talk love, identity, and building a brand centered on representation and pride. It's a joyful, honest conversation about choosing each other daily, dating your spouse, and creating a home that feels like a sa...

Want to know the real secrets to a joy-filled, lasting relationship?

Jason & Tina Marie Scott bring over 33 years of marriage wisdom, practical coaching strategies, and honest conversation about breaking cycles and building love that lasts.

They are best-selling authors of "Manifest A Joy-Filled Relationship," Certified Life and Relationship Coaches, and co-founders of Legendary Relationship, a personal development company helpi...

Why does vulnerability matter in modern relationships?

In this candid conversation on The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Trill AC to discuss real stories and insights on relationships, dating, and the importance of vulnerability, especially for men navigating today’s world. From breaking free of societal expectations to embracing patience and peace, this episode goes beyond surface-level advice to explore what t...

If you’ve ever tried to show up fully as a Black woman, for a Black woman, or in a world that often doesn’t know what to do with your truth, this episode is for you.

This special compilation from Season 1 of The Real Connect Podcast brings together some of the most honest, layered, and revealing moments of the season. It’s about the relationships that shaped us, the boundaries that saved us, and the healing we’re still figuring out ...

In the final episode of Season 1 of The Real Connect podcast, Tamika Carlton breaks the fourth wall in a brand new format, answering unexpected, unfiltered questions from her husband, Logan. From love and personal growth to major life pivots, nothing is off-limits. Logan brings the heat with topics Tamika didn’t see coming, including her decision to leave Seattle for an HBCU and how that bold move reshaped her entire journey. It’s ...

What happens when two creative souls meet, click, and decide to build something real together? On this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Jeffrey Taylor and Roy Carey, the authentic force behind the rising fashion brand Jeofroi.

We get into the heart of how their fashion partnership was born from a college connection to building a brand rooted in loyalty, admiration, and vision. This episode is full o...

In this quick solo episode of The Real Connect, I’m keeping it real with something we all need to hear—stop waiting for the perfect moment. That moment you're waiting for? It might never come. I’m sharing some personal truths, including losing my dad when I was young and how that shifted everything for me.

This is for anyone stuck in planning mode, held back by fear, or waiting for a sign. The sign is now. It's time to move.

Let this...

You might think podcast guesting is an unlikely topic for The Real Connect Podcast, but let me tell you why it’s not.

Real connection is at the heart of building anything lasting, whether a brand, a business, or a legacy, and guesting on the right podcasts is one of the most powerful ways to create it.

In this episode, I sit down with podcast strategist, podcast booker, and my good friend Christina Lenkowski to discuss how podcast ...

They say love conquers all… but what about when someone eats the last piece of chocolate? Or worse!

In this unfiltered, laugh-out-loud, and heart-filled episode, Tamika Carlton and her husband, Logan Bailey-Perkins, reveal what really makes a marriage work. Nothing is off limits, from silent treatments and stolen snacks to spiritual bonds and battle-tested loyalty.

Whether you're boo’d up, married for years, or navigating love in you...

Dating ain’t always it, but there are options and things you can do to keep your sanity.

Sometimes, the frogs show up before the princes and trust me, I’ve been there! In this episode of The Real Connect podcast, I’m joined by one of my favorite guests, Vincent Tobias Bell.

We each spill some unexpected teas about our dating lives.

Thank goodness, I'm no longer single, ya'll.

You'll learn why I say this when you watch this episode....

If the thought of networking makes you want to curl up on the couch and forget it even exists—trust me, I get it. Same, friend, same.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to drain your energy or be the loudest in the room to build real, solid connections.

In this episode, Tamika Carlton is joined by Audrey Kwan—Founder of Agency Together, Strategist, and Coach to Seven-Figure Agency Owners, to break down how introverts can thrive in...

Making friends as an adult can be tough, but it doesn't have to be.

In this episode of The Real Connect podcast, Tamika Carlton is joined by her LDBFF (long-distance best friend forever), Portia James, a Behavior Analyst, to unpack the question: Who are your people?

Together, they discuss how important it is to find your tribe, build lasting connections, and surround yourself with relationships that align with your values and goals...

We’ve all admired public figures, coaches, and leaders...until they show us a side we never expected. Think Snoop, Nelly, Bill Cosby, Diddy… and let’s not forget Chrisette Michele. Why do some get a pass while others are canceled? When the people we respect don’t live up to their image, what does it say about celebrity culture, accountability, and the double standards that exist, especially between Black men and Black women?

In this...