Authentic AF

With life feeling pretty upside down lately, many of us have turned to entertainment to keep us feeling sane, occupied, and hopeful. But - what's going on with many of the creators we hope to keep supplying us with content while so much of the world is on pause? What's going on behind the scenes? Talent manager, producer, and TV/Film executive, Abbey MacDonald, gets real AF on how the current pandemic is impacting the entertainment world and those in it. How can creatives stay at the top of their game during this weird time? What can we, as consumers, expect to come out of this in terms of shows, movies, books, what-have-you? Well... Let's find out!

World-famous fashion model, singer, entrepreneur, and old high-school bestie, Natalie Lim Suarez, joins me virtually from her beautiful NYC home for a little reminiscing and reflecting since our show choir days. Given many of us are trying to figure out how to manage our emotions and our days while our world is being turned somewhat upside down, Natalie and I thought it would be a perfect time to highlight just how important it is (and how fun it can be) to connect with people, past and present, who put a smile on your face and remind you of the light in all the dark. We may be "socially distancing" right now, but that doesn't mean we can't connect in other ways and have some fun little reunions while we're on house arrest, right?!

"We're all in this together," friends!! Seriously - we have to find the light in dark times, as cheesy as that sounds. Podcaster, writer, comedian, and self-improvement junkie, Zack Peter, helps us figure out the apocalypse together - through FaceTime dates, learning to craft different cocktails, learning some different hip-hop routines for your new TikTok, using coffee grinds to give yourself a little tan, what-have-you... Let's just make sure we continue to stay connected, stay inspired, and stay positive during this time. We're still here - let's make the best of it!!

Holy crap... We're still here, ya'll!! With the current apocalypse, I figure now is a good time for me to delve into some personal crises I've experienced recently (vaguely, but authentically) that have helped me view this worldwide pandemic in a way that says "I've totally got this, ya'll" versus totally freaking out, letting my emotions take the wheel, and letting life go haywire. Whether you're going through your own personal hell or are simply trying to get through the current hell that is the grocery store as you try to get some damn toilet paper, here are some personal and professional tips and tricks on how to maintain your personal, mental, and relational health and sanity. Let's grow through what we're going through... shall we?

Badass boudoir photographer and female empowerment advocate, Melissa Goodman, helps us better understand what it really means to feel sexy and confident in our own skin - even when we're in the most vulnerable of situations... like when we're naked, and being documented! Do we really have to worry about getting the last-minute spray tans, losing 'x' amount of pounds, or having the most luxurious hair extensions to feel like our best selves? Definitely not... And we TOTALLY can get our cute little (or big) tushies to a photoshoot with someone who helps us feel comfortable to just TRY something a little different. PUSH ourselves to let it all hang out, and be proud of it. EMBRACE our most raw and unfiltered selves... and even get a fire pic or two out of the already priceless experience. It's not like I'm speaking from experience or anything...

Screwed by the same guy, fashion maven and fierce friend, Molly Bleau, and I get raw AF on how jealousy can screw with us more than any guy (or other person) ever could. While we all get a little jealous sometimes, even if we say we don't, it's important that we not only learn to recognize where that jealousy is coming from, but that we challenge it. We grow from it. We stop playing the comparison game with others and start owning our sht in ways that only level us up - in all areas of life. On this special Galentine's Day episode, Molly and I encourage all our ladies to find joy in learning from and loving on the chaos that is life - and maybe even find a bad b*tch of a friend or two in the process.

AdventurPro's "Mr. and Mrs. Abroad", also known as Mike and Ashley Bustillos, seemingly have the perfect relationship, job, Insta feed, and overall life. Is it really perfect, though? Well, maybe it's not perfect, but it's pretty darn close - and it certainly didn't get that way overnight or with minimal effort. This adventurous and amazing couple get Authentic AF in a mini couples therapy session about what it takes to make their relationship and partnership thrive. We explore commitment, communication, consistency, and a plethora of other concepts that can truly help keep a relationship at the top of it's game. No matter what our ideal relationships look like, Mike and Ashley remind us that we have to both believe what we want is possible for us and further work to make our dreams our realities.

Creator of Basic by AF, executive director for Dr. Lazer, and total boss babe, Abigail Fraher, gets real about what it takes to make your passion your career, and legitimately make our dreams our realities - as impossible a feat as that may sound. From staying on people's couches with $500 to her name, to creating a beautiful life for herself in the heart of Hollywood with nothing but promise to come for her brand, Abigail knows the ins and outs of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and manifest the life you want for yourself. She's here to help us understand that while it's uncomfortable and stressful a lot of the time, it's more than doable - if we work our a*ses of for it and believe enough in ourselves to get out of our own way and make it happen.

Recovery warrior, Jessica DeBurra, gets real AF about her eating disorder recovery journey - and what helped her realize she deserved so much more than the mental and physical punishment she was inflecting on herself. From having OCD / not feeling "good enough" as a kid, to doing high-fashion modeling in NYC, to engaging in a toxic romantic relationship in LA, to landing herself in the hospital for restricting and over-exercising, the eating disorder thrived... It finally got whipped in the a*s, however, when Jess decided to seek the help she not only needed, but deserved. While recovery from any type of mental / physical illness isn't fun or easy, it is WORTH IT - and Jess, her health, her happiness, her newborn baby, and her story are proof.

Writer, comedian, host, and self-help junkie, Zack Peter, and I get deep, raw, and authentic AF about navigating singlehood - successfully. We not only get into the weeds of the anxiety spirals many of us experience when feeling lonely or rejected, but we also discuss ways to challenge those self-deprecating thoughts, become more aware of what we really want vs what we're just used to getting, and level up our dating game in the process! Being single can be challenging; dating can be messy; both can be f*cking fantastic - if we allow ourselves to see it that way...