Cari Champion has never been afraid to speak her mind, even when the room made it clear she was supposed to stay quiet.

In this episode of Awf The Record, Cari joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a raw conversation about journalism, sports media, career reinvention, and what it really costs to be a Black woman who refuses to shrink. She opens up about starting as a one-man band in local news, getting fired in Atlanta, finding her way into sports through the Tennis Channel, and landing at ESPN’s First Take, where visibility came with intense scrutiny, sexism, and the pressure to “just tee up the topics and lay out.”

Cari also reflects on leaving ESPN, betting on herself, moving into digital media and politics, dating after divorce, and why sports can never truly be separated from politics. It’s a funny, honest, and deeply validating conversation about knowing when a room no longer serves you, trusting your voice, and building a career that makes space for all of who you are.

KEY POINTS:

00:00 - Cari Champion reflects on becoming visible overnight and being hated for it

02:07 - Cari defines herself as funny, disciplined, sensitive, and a disruptor

03:28 - Speaking truth to power made Cari a problem in corporate media

05:06 - Cari’s early local news career taught her the purpose of journalism

08:00 - Getting fired and rehired in Atlanta became a turning point in her career

14:12 - The Tennis Channel became her unexpected entry point into sports media

17:39 - Cari breaks down how she landed ESPN and became a barrier-breaking host

21:40 - First Take was the hardest job of her career because she was not allowed to be fully herself

24:53 - Cari opens up about the criticism, sexism, and boys’ club culture she faced

33:08 - Leaving First Take, finding SportsCenter, and eventually betting on herself

QUOTES:

“The only time I really knew I was doing my job [was] when I knew that I was changing minds and helping people and affecting change.” – Cari Champion

“It was never about making it big. It was always about telling the story.” – Cari Champion

“I went from a nobody to somebody overnight, and everybody hates me.” – Cari Champion

“It’s okay to be a woman and look good and be smart. None of that. Those aren’t mutually exclusive.” – Cari Champion

RESOURCES: 

Cari Champion 

IG | @carichampion

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Mona Kosar Abdi

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IG |  @msnewslady 

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Kennedy Ryan knows exactly who she’s writing for, and she refuses to let publishing’s outdated assumptions shrink that vision. In this segment, Kennedy opens up about centering Black women on the page, on the cover, and in the audience, even when the industry suggests that doing so could limit sales or mainstream appeal. She breaks down why Black women are not a niche market, but a powerful readership with their own economy, cultural influence, and buying power. From sold-out theaters to New York Times bestseller lists, Kennedy makes it clear that when Black women are centered and celebrated, they show up, bring their people, and move the culture forward. This conversation is also a reminder for any creative trying to build with conviction: know your why, write from your center, and be prepared to fight for the stories that matter most.

GUEST RESOURCES

Kennedy Ryan 

Website | kennedyryanwrites.com/about/ 

IG | @kennedyryan1

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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New York Times bestselling author Kennedy Ryan is not just writing romance. She is writing Black women into love stories where they are centered, desired, protected, and loved outrageously.

In this episode of Awf The Record, Kennedy joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to talk about the craft, conviction, and cost behind her work. She opens up about getting her first book deal at 40, why romance is often dismissed because it centers women’s pleasure, and how writing from a specific point of view actually expanded her audience instead of limiting it.

Kennedy also gets honest about burnout, depression, motherhood, marriage, and the pressure of navigating major Hollywood deals while still fighting for visibility in publishing. From centering Black women on the page and on the cover, to raising the bar for what love can look like, this conversation is a reminder to never settle, in romance, in work, or in the life you are building for yourself.

KEY POINTS 

00:00 - Introduction: Kennedy Ryan on Black love, romance, and raising the bar

02:37 - Kennedy explains how her storytelling process evolved from ideas to intentional discourse

05:39 - Kennedy shares why decades of writing in the dark prepared her for “overnight” success

09:48 - Romance is often dismissed because it centers women’s pleasure

14:04 - Why Kennedy centers Black women on the page, on the cover, and in the audience

17:44 - Her advice to young authors: figure out your why and be prepared to fight

20:23 - Kennedy opens up about the cost of success, burnout, and struggling to celebrate

34:30 - Faith, community, therapy, and medication helped her survive the hardest seasons

56:18 - Her relationship commandments after 29 years of marriage: trust, reciprocity, and never settle

QUOTES 

"I want to put black women on the page who are being loved outrageously." – Kennedy Ryan 

"I could write the man that I believe you deserve. I could write an experience that I believe honors you, that is a partner you can trust, a partner who's faithful, a partner who honors your dreams and your ambitions." – Kennedy Ryan 

"There is enough in culture that tells black women we don't deserve, and that tells black women that we shouldn't expect. So, I get to write an outcome that says, no, actually, you deserve the best, and you should expect a partner who loves you and whom you can trust." – Kennedy Ryan 

"Racism costs us all money." – Kennedy Ryan 

"I call it being the architect of your own existence, build a life that you love and you're excited about, and you're not waiting for anything, and when that partner comes, invite him or her into that, but you're not waiting to build anything." – Kennedy Ryan 

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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This episode originally aired on 04/14/2026

What does it really take to rebrand your life? In this episode of Awf The Record, Mona and Jeannette sit down with Les, host of the Balanced Black Girl podcast, to talk about reinvention, discipline, and stepping into the person you want to be.

Les shares her journey of rebranding—not as a one-time makeover, but as a daily commitment to intentional growth. She dives into the mindset shifts that helped her stay consistent, the habits that shaped her transformation, and how financial discipline played a key role in her journey.

This conversation breaks down the difference between wanting change and actually making it happen. Les explains why rebranding isn’t about aesthetics but about aligning your identity with your actions. She shares how she holds herself accountable, the power of daily deposits, and why tracking progress is key to building confidence. She also opens up about overcoming a scarcity mindset and embracing abundance, recognizing that more is always possible.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure about how to start your rebrand, this episode is the reality check and motivation you need. Rebranding isn’t a look—it’s a lifestyle. Tune in now and start shaping the future you.

KEY POINTS 

- Les’s journey as a content creator and her rebrand

- Experiences with rebranding and its challenges

- How to take actionable steps towards rebranding

- The importance of willingness to try new experiences 

- Mona and Jeannette’s strategies to stay disciplined 

- Have the “why” to stay motivated 

- Celebrating wins and overcoming challenges 

- On optimizing daily routines and habits

- The main role of social media and accountability 

QUOTES 

“Instead of being like, do I want to get up and do this thing today? I tell myself: I am a person who does this thing, whether that's working out or whether that's like reading.” – Les Alfred

“It's important to be mindful of what you consume because, sometimes, we tend to try to embody other people's habits. I tell people all the time: ‘Don't try to do what I do’.” – Les Alfred

GUEST RESOURCES 

Les Alfred 

IG | @balancedles

RESOURCES: 

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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This episode originally aired on 04/10/2026 

Dating isn’t just about having chemistry or “vibes”—it’s actually data. 

In this eye-opening episode of Awf The Record, dating and relationship expert Anwar White joins Jeannette and Mona to break down the real numbers behind modern dating—and why Black and Brown women need a different playbook.

From match rates to money, Anwar exposes the hard truths about dating in today’s age: how systemic issues impact your love life, why marriage isn’t always a financial win for Black women, and what the data actually says about dating success. But this isn’t about discouragement—it’s about empowerment.

He dives into why dating outside your race isn’t betrayal, it’s strategy. Why setting boundaries is non-negotiable. And why the real glow-up starts with emotional healing and self-worth.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start dating with clarity and confidence, this one’s for you.

KEY POINTS

- Dating: qualitative and quantitative analysis 

- Navigating dating journeys for black and brown women 

- Transitioning to dating coaching as a career 

- Challenges and misconceptions in dating (as women) 

- The societal pressure, setting realistic standards

- Difference between feminine and masculine energy 

- Strategies for successful dating 

- On navigating cultural and racial preferences 

- Is using dating apps still effective? 

- Dating 101: Set boundaries and timeline 

- Anwar’s client approach as a dating coach 

QUOTES 

“Your type is your trauma. And when you're able to actually heal the trauma, you will have the opportunity to actually widen your net and find your person.” – Anwar White

“If a man is truly in his masculine, his pleasure is derived from your pleasure.”  – Anwar White

“I don't believe in potential. I think potential is not real, it's imaginary, [and] it's a projection of what you want, but not what is.”  – Anwar White

“You become irresistible when you become irresistible to yourself, which is like, you just can't get enough of you, and that will radiate and attract everyone.”  – Anwar White

GUEST RESOURCES: 

Anwar White

IG | @datingcoachanwar

TikTok | @datingcoachanwar 

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

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Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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Etiquette is not about being stiff, fake, or elitist. It is about knowing how to move through a room, make people feel seen, and carry yourself with confidence. In this segment, etiquette expert Elaine Swann breaks down the everyday habits that can instantly change how people experience you, from giving a proper handshake to greeting people, making a graceful exit, and commanding presence without doing too much. Elaine also shares why confidence is not about being loud or perfect, but about slowing down, using your voice with intention, and honoring the people who are actually present. Whether you are at a networking event, dinner party, Zoom meeting, or family gathering, this conversation is a reminder that the small things speak loudly.

GUEST RESOURCES

Elaine Swann 

Website | www.elaineswann.com

IG | @elaineswann

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

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Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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“Etiquette, and the concept behind it, is accessible, and it's for everyone.” –  Elaine Swann

In this episode of Awf The Record, Elaine joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a crash course in modern etiquette, from fine dining, networking, Zoom meetings, and corporate happy hours to dating, ghosting, apologies, compliments, and navigating luxury spaces without feeling like you do not belong. She breaks down what the rich actually do differently, why confidence is often quieter than we think, and how the habits we overlook, like oversharing, arguing to prove a point, or making people wait, may be quietly sabotaging us.

KEY POINTS 

00:00 - Cold open: Elaine Swann previews the etiquette mistakes quietly sabotaging you

01:38 - Introduction to Elaine Swann and the crash course in modern etiquette

02:38 - Etiquette is about how you show up and how you make people feel

09:22 - The handshake mistake people still make in professional settings

11:37 - Why we need to bring back greeting people and being neighborly

14:14 - How eye contact, posture, body language, and voice signal confidence

18:00 - Why hosts should start on time and honor the people who are present

22:03 - What the rich and famous actually do differently with luxury etiquette

27:55 - Fine dining rules that help you feel more confident at the table

32:58 - Relationship etiquette and the “shower rule”

38:23 - The proper way to accept an apology and receive a compliment

40:54 - Is etiquette rooted in white supremacy or used to police people of color?

44:42 - How to navigate alcohol and relationship-building in corporate spaces

47:28 - Go Off or Log Off: Elaine rules on modern etiquette dilemmas

QUOTES 

“Etiquette is being aware of how you present yourself to other people, and it is also, it also has to do with how you make others feel.” – Elaine Swann 

“Every single thing that comes out of your mouth, and every single thing you do becomes some part of somebody's history.” – Elaine Swann 

“Honor the people who are present.” – Elaine Swann 

“In relationships, you cannot change people. What you have to do is sometimes shift and turn that nozzle the other way.” – Elaine Swann 

GUEST RESOURCES

Elaine Swann 

Website | https://www.elaineswann.com/ 

IG | https://www.instagram.com/elaineswann/ 

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record - http://www.AwfTheRecord.com  

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  https://www.instagram.com/monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  https://www.instagram.com/msnewslady 

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WeezyWTF gets honest about shame, sexuality, marriage, and the rules society still places on women. She reflects on growing up confident enough to reject outside judgment, building a community that made sexual liberation feel safe, and realizing even she had internalized hierarchies around sex, promiscuity, and respectability. From sugar dating to bisexuality, non-monogamy, marriage, and the pressure to be “chosen,” Weezy breaks down why women are still treated as more worthy once a man validates them with a ring.

RESOURCES: 

Weezy WTF 

Website: wtfmediastudios.com/home 

IG: @weezywtf 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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How do you build a multimillion-dollar brand without watering yourself down?

In this episode of Awf The Record, podcast powerhouse and entrepreneur WeezyWTF joins Mona and Jeannette for one of her most candid conversations yet. From launching Horrible Decisions as a side project while working in tech sales to building podcast studios, fitness brands, and a bestselling career, Weezy explains why authenticity has been both her greatest advantage and her biggest obstacle.

She opens up about the hidden cost of being unapologetically yourself, why success doesn't always lead to acceptance, and how staying true to who she is has often excluded her from opportunities others take for granted.

The conversation also dives into sexual liberation, growing up queer, the role her mother played in shaping her confidence, and why society still struggles with women who openly discuss sex, relationships, and desire. Weezy shares her thoughts on open relationships, modern dating, marriage, shame, and the double standards that continue to shape how women are judged.

Plus, she reveals the surprising business lessons behind her success, the biggest misconceptions people have about nontraditional relationships, and why finding your tribe may be the most important thing you can do. This episode is a must-listen.

KEY POINTS

- 0:00 Introduction & why Weezy almost changed her outfit

- 9:54 Why being completely yourself became Weezy’s biggest advantage

- 10:46 The hidden cost of authenticity and being left out of major opportunities

- 13:16 How a side-hustle podcast turned into a business empire

- 17:12 The drunken conversation that created Horrible Decisions

- 18:53 The fan encounter that changed her mission forever

- 19:55 Growing up queer, confident, and unapologetic

- 24:20 What a decade of talking about sex taught her about society

- 26:05 Why society still measures women's worth through relationships

- 37:41 How couples can explore sexuality, boundaries, and desire safely

- 49:14 Why Weezy believes cheating has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with honesty

QUOTES 

“Authenticity can really keep you out of a lot of conversations.” – Weezy WTF 

“You make money off the things that truly align with what you're already interested in.”  – Weezy WTF

“My mom made me feel so beautiful, so safe, so confident that I thought everybody else was the crazy one.”  – Weezy WTF 

“The shame can only exist where you don't have your own community.”  – Weezy WTF 

“We're all sexual beings, but we're taught to keep it tucked away.”  – Weezy WTF 

“Self-respect only seems to matter when a man has dictated it to you.” – Weezy WTF 

“Women really don't need this anymore. They're building businesses, traveling, getting educated. Who needs men anymore?”  – Weezy WTF 

RESOURCES: 

Weezy WTF 

Website: wtfmediastudios.com/home 

IG: @weezywtf 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

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Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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In this segment, Christiana Mebakwe Medina breaks down why our cultural standards around fame, work, and accountability have shifted since the 2000s. From Making the Band and Tyra Banks to Diddy, MeToo, Black Lives Matter, workplace power dynamics, and the rollback of DEI, Christiana explores how pop culture reflects the systems we live in, but rarely changes them without policy behind it. She challenges the idea that “speaking up” is enough, arguing that real progress only sticks when it becomes law, protection, and paperwork.

RESOURCES: 

Christiana Mbakwe Medina

IG | @christianaama

Website | https://popsyllabus.substack.com/ 

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

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