And All That Jaz - Podcast

If you've followed me for a while then you know I'm a huge music buff, and not just a music buff but a band nerd. I've played the flute since I was about 11, marched for 6 years, was all-city and all-state, played in jazz bands as well as concert bands, and I was even the head drum major my senior year in high school! The one thing I didn’t do that I really wanted to do was join a core band, but they only march brass instruments and I played a woodwind. Band was always a big part of my life, so when I got the opportunity to cover this year's National Battle of the Band competition in Houston I pounced on it. I have a full blog post coming later this week on that, but I wanted to share some band memories with y'all and have two very special guests come on and share their band memories as well. My parents! They were truly by my side throughout all of those years, so I figured they'd be the perfect guests for this episode.

Take a listen below and stroll down memory lane with me, and when you're finished with this episode do yourself a favor and check out The Score Podcast, especially if you're into music education and band stuff like this. One of the hosts is actually one of my former drum majors in high school and he's since directed a few bands, turned one high school's band program around and is just doing great things in his field. You can check them out on Instagram (@podthescore) or on their podcast's page.

Whew!! So much happened last week! Power came back for it's sixth and final season, Popeyes and Chik-Fil-A went head to head over chicken sandwiches, I had a Twitter Party for the Fandemic Tour that will be here this Fall and I had an emergency therapy session to help me deal with finding my balance and rhythm in my new roles. You know, your typical week in August, right? Grab a cup of coffee or tea and listen to my theory about the sudden change in theme songs on 'Power', and you might even be able to find out who I think had the better chicken sandwich on this week's episode!

As always you can email or DM me if you have any questions or comments, and let me know if there are any topics you'd like to hear discussed on the show. I love y'all's input.

Guess what!? Your girl is 31…and I brought in the big day by myself. At home. 

And I loved it!

I did something I don't think I've ever done by celebrating my birthday at home recharging, and I'm talking about that sharing 31 lessons I've learned in 31 years in today's podcast episode. But hey, don't cry for me Argentina. One of the things I've learned from my step-mom is that birthdays are meant to celebrated the entire month so I'll be doing my part to give back and hitting up a few restaurants for Houston Restaurant Weeks, so please let me know if you wanna treat ya girl! Take listen below and let me know some of your favorite birthday memories.

Oh! I mentioned the Fandemic Tour at the top of last week's show, but I wanted to make sure y'all had a link for the tickets. Get your GA and VIP passes here.

I know I said that this week's episode would be a behind the scenes type one with a blogger, but we're going to put a pin in that one for now. Keep your questions coming and I'll be sure to ask them when I get her on the mic! In the meantime I wanted to do a brain dump episode of sorts and get a few things off my chest. From the mass shootings from this past weekend, to wealthy parents gaming the federal financial aid system, to Sarah trying to Columbus headscarves. So grab a mug of coffee or tea and take a listen below!

Please tell me you read that title to the tune of Jeezy's hit "My President", if you didn't take 3 seconds and do it. It makes this post and episode that much better. 

If you can't tell by now, this episode is all about Disney and more specifically their recent live-action reboots. Between the announcement of Halle Bailey as Ariel in the upcoming live action remake of the 'Little Mermaid', the release of 'Lion King' almost two weeks ago, and the release of 'Aladdin' the month before that there's been no shortage of Disney content for the world. I know that I've loved all of the diversity that the company has shown in their castings recently, but unfortunately that wasn't the case for everyone. 

But wait, there's more! They showed the previews for a few upcoming releases before 'Lion King' and I'm beyond pumped about those. I'll be sharing a bit about that, as well as my love for the soundtrack Beyoncé executive produced for the reboot. The title of the album was perfect, because it truly is a gift for us all.

So grab a coffee or tea and listen to this week's episode; you may even hear a random mention of an even more random holiday! Oh! And next week's episode is one you don't want to miss either. If all goes as planned I'll be interviewing one of my favorite bloggers and dear friend who is not new to this blogging game. She's been blogging for about 10 years now and has a wealth of knowledge about it. If there's anything you want to ask her please feel free to email me or DM and I'll be sure to ask them on the show!

Another week, another podcast episode! Like I said before, I had really good feedback and interest on these dating chronicles podcast episodes so I wanted to do a part 4 with a different panel. I feel like this week's episode is a nice balance of last week's. We have Los, Kerristen and Taylor Brione on the show discussing all things dating. Online dating vs in-person dating, lessons in love, settling and even the art of dating multiple people at a time! You don't want to miss it so tune in below and remember to follow this week's hosts!

Kerristen - @itskerristen and @eunoiaherbals

Taylor - @taylorbrione

Carlos - @los_thadean

@andallthatjazie @lehautepaire 

I know, I know! Two episodes in one week?! This is actually supposed to be the week where I share music with you guys instead of a new 'Le Haute Paire' episode, but we recorded so much good content this past weekend I couldn't wait to share it with you. 

I guess I would consider this a bonus episode of sorts, but it's a LONG bonus episode. My co-hosts for this episode are two women I look up to, though I'm sure both of them are younger than me. Both of them are not only captains of their industries, but they're passionate about something I'm equally passionate about: women's health rights and normalizing the topic of sex when it comes to women. We've had so many versions of this conversation offline, and it dawned on me that I needed to get this recorded. 

This episode isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking about menstrual cycles, STI & STDs, the joys of birth control and even myths that we've heard along the years about it. 

Be sure to follow this episode's co-hosts:

Bri - @itsbrilew and check out her blog 'Unprocessed Lifestyle'

Stephanie - @missbension and check out her websites 'Stephanie Bension' and 'Sophistiratchet'

We're back sooner than expected with another episode! Last week I shared a post on Instagram about a recent dating woe and said that I was ready to spill some tea...well whiskey and wanted to know if anyone wanted to join me on the mic.  Well quite a few people raised their digital hands, enough that there will be a part four of this coming out pretty soon!  This week I was joined by Cece and Taylor as well as friend of the show, Jordan!  Yep, that Jordan!  

We're talking all things dating this episode: our own personal wins and fails, dating in a new city, settling down vs having a #hotgirlsummer, and even that viral Twitter thread from last week where user Bob Phondo essentially told us that he's marrying his mom.  Grab a mug of coffee, tea or whatever adult beverage you've been favoring and take a listen!

Oh, and be sure to follow this week's co-hosts! 

Taylor - @taylor.marier

Okay, I know that I said that I wouldn't be reviewing the entire season of 'Euphoria', and I honestly didn't plan on it but a friend of mine reached out to me on Instagram and told me that he liked the show as well and was interested in jumping on the mic and discussing it with me for y'all. Who am I to say no to that?!

While I like recording episodes by myself, I love having a co-host or a guest and James was perfect for this episode! I met him a few years ago at a YP event and found out shortly before I left my previous firm that he was actually one of my tenants! He's not new to the podcasting world either, he's the former co-host of 'The Urbanist Unfiltered' and 'Imprint' podcasts, and by day he's a marketing consultant! If you guys want to give him a follow you can find him on Twitter and Instagram at @LetItReign and on Facebook at @JamesForTexas.

But before we started our discussion of this intense HBO series I wanted share my thoughts on the dope news about Halle Bailey being cast as Ariel in the upcoming live-action version of 'The Little Mermaid'. She's great for the role, is a good actress and has the voice of an angel! I'm looking forward to seeing her knock it out of the park when the movie is released. So y'all know the drill, grab a coffee, water or some lemonade to cool you off in this summer heat and tune in to today's episode!

Y'all! This show has me hooked! I mentioned in Tuesday's episode that I would do a mini episode about the HBO show 'Euphoria'. I hadn't planned on giving this show a real chance. I'd seen a few previews for it before GOT episodes, and figured I'd watch a few minutes of the first episode and that's all it took for me to now want to watch the entire season. 

I love Zendaya as an actress, and seeing her in this role is something that's a full 180 from what we've seen her in in the past. High school was wild, but I don't remember it being that wild. Maybe I just didn’t run in those crowds? Either way, I hope you guys take a listen to this mini episode and check it out as well. Please note that this show is rated TV-MA for a reason. There's quite a bit of drug usage, nudity and cursing in it. It comes on at 9PM for a reason. So don't watch it around your kids! Let me know if you've tuned in or if you plan on tuning in below!