suicide is a conversation we need to have beyond statistics, warning signs, and crisis numbers.

in this episode, we’re talking about what suicidal thoughts can actually feel like, why people may hide them from the people they love, why someone can be struggling without looking depressed, and how “you have so much to live for” can sometimes miss the deeper pain underneath.

we also unpack an important distinction: “i want to die” vs. “i don’t want to live like this anymore.”

because suicide prevention isn’t only about keeping someone alive. it’s also about understanding what has made life feel unbearable and asking what would need to change for life to feel worth staying for.

this is a deeper conversation about pain, hopelessness, connection, responsibility, and what it really means to support someone who is struggling.

🎙️ listen/watch now.

In Part 2 of Episode 16, we continue our conversation about Daejon Love, who allegedly posed as an NFL player, and Angel Murdock, who allegedly posed as a Duke PA student.

We dive into what it takes to maintain a fake identity, how social media can reward performance and appearances, and why we’re so fascinated by people getting exposed online. We also unpack the difference between exposure and accountability, whether people can rebuild after public deception, and where accountability ends and public humiliation begins.

Finally, we bring the conversation back to ourselves: What happens when we attach our worth to being successful, attractive, educated, wealthy, or impressive? Are we building lives that actually feel good to live, or ones that just look good to other people?

Part 1 of Episode 16, we’re unpacking two very different stories involving people who allegedly built entire identities around lives they weren’t actually living — a fake Duke PA student and Daejon Love, who allegedly used a fake NFL identity to manipulate and financially exploit women.

But we’re not just talking about people who lied. We’re going deeper into identity, performance, status, social media, belief, victim blaming, and why certain identities are so easy for us to trust.

At what point does curating your life become fabricating it? Why do we believe people based on so little? And why are we so quick to ask, “How could they fall for that?” instead of asking what made the lie believable in the first place? Because sometimes the most interesting part of the lie… is what it reveals about all of us.

In this episode of All the Layers, we unpack the many layers of the Nolan Wells case. Beyond the headlines, we explore the psychological, social, and cultural questions this case has sparked and why it has captured so much public attention.

Rather than focusing only on the facts, we examine the broader conversations surrounding the case, including how people respond to tragedy, the role of social media, and what our collective reactions reveal about society.

Join us as we move beyond the surface and into the deeper conversations that often get overlooked. 🎙️

New episodes every week. Don't forget to follow, rate, and share All the Layers if you enjoy thoughtful conversations that go beyond the headlines.

Welcome back to Part 2 of Episode 14, What Are We Missing? ❤️

In this episode, we continue the conversation by exploring what happens when we choose to truly see one another. We talk about the messages many of us—especially within the Black community—grew up hearing about strength, survival, and mental health, and how those messages can sometimes make it harder to ask for or receive support.

From loneliness and the loss of community to redefining what real connection looks like, we're asking how we can create spaces where people feel safe enough to be honest, seen, and supported. Because maybe being strong isn't about carrying everything alone—maybe it's about letting people in.

If someone came to mind while listening, don't ignore it. Reach out. Check in. Sometimes the smallest act of connection can remind someone they matter.

🎙️ What's one layer you've been carrying lately that people probably don't know about?

This week on All the Layers, we’re beginning a two-part conversation with a question that’s been sitting heavy on our hearts:

What are we missing?

Every day brings another headline, another tragedy, another reminder of how heavy the world can feel. But behind every headline is a human being with a story we may never fully see.

In Part 1, we peel back the layers beneath the news and explore emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, the pressure to always say “I’m fine,” and why genuine check-ins matter more than we realize.

This isn’t a conversation about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions, choosing curiosity over assumptions, compassion over judgment, and remembering that every person carries layers beneath the surface.

We hope this episode encourages you to check in with the people you love—and maybe even with yourself.

💛 If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who might need the reminder that they’re not alone. Part 2 drops next week.

Sometimes life changes the conversation.

This week, we're simply checking in. 🤍 After a heavy few weeks filled with grief, unexpected challenges, and a much-needed pause, we're catching up, asking each other, "How are you...really?" and inviting you to do the same.

Join us for an honest sister conversation about protecting your peace, practicing self-love, finding gratitude in difficult seasons, and making space for the conversations that can't be rushed. Plus, we share a preview of next week's episode—a discussion on hope, mental health, community, and what we might be missing when we look at the people around us.

Grab your favorite drink, answer our "This or That" questions with us, and let this be your reminder to check in with yourself and someone you love.

This week on All the Layers, Mattea is sitting down for our very first solo episode.

Over the past few weeks, life has felt heavy. Between loss, disappointment, uncertainty, and the everyday challenges that come with being human, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about hope; what it is, where it comes from, and how we hold onto it when nothing feels worth it.

In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about cynicism, burnout, grief, and the quiet ways we begin to close ourselves off from life. More importantly, we’re talking about why hope isn’t just a feeling you stumble upon, it’s a choice to stay open, to keep showing up, and to keep believing that your story isn’t over.

If you’ve been feeling tired, discouraged, stuck, or simply in need of a reminder to keep going, this one’s for you.

First things first: sorry for the delay on this one 😭 We ran into some technical issues that set us back, but it's finally here! 

Welcome to Episode 11 🎙️

After celebrating the milestone of 10 episodes, we wanted to take this opportunity to answer questions directly from our audience. In this special Q&A episode, we're responding to your thoughtful questions, sharing our perspectives, and continuing conversations that matter most to our listeners.

Thank you for your support throughout our first 10 episodes. We appreciate every listen, comment, and question, and we're excited to keep growing with this community.

Tune in and hear our answers—and as always, keep the questions coming for future episodes!

Most of us think we know what love looks like—but a lot of us were raised on chaos, not healthy connection.

In this episode, we talk about the difference between love and attachment, why chemistry can be misleading, and how we end up falling for potential instead of reality. We get into red flags we ignore, patterns we repeat, over-giving too early, and why healthy love can feel unfamiliar (or even boring) at first.

We also unpack communication, self-worth, modern dating, and what it actually feels like to be emotionally safe with someone.

If you’ve ever been confused in love, stayed too long, or questioned what’s really “healthy”… this conversation is for you.