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Trying to change everything all at once? That might be what's holding you back. In this segment with Les from Balanced Black Girl, we talk about the power of focusing on one thing at a time—whether it's building a new habit, embodying a new mindset, or working toward a goal. Small, consistent steps are the real game-changer, not overnight transformations. Plus, we dive into personal stories of growth, financial discipline, and how to actually stick to the changes you want to make.

GUEST RESOURCES 

Les Alfred 

IG | @balancedles

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

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Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

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Before Awf the Record, before the mics, and before the viral moments—who were Mona and Jeannette?

In this episode, they get real about their upbringings, family expectations, and the cultural influences that shaped them. From Mona’s strict Somali academic upbringing in San Diego to Jeannette’s Dominican roots in Providence, they reflect on the highs, lows, and awkward phases that made them who they are today.

They talk about:
 🔥 Growing up in strict vs. non-strict households
 🔥 Navigating identity across multiple cultures
 🔥 The struggles of being the new kid (and eating lunch in the bathroom)
 🔥 First crushes, embarrassing moments, and bad fashion choices
 🔥 Why Jeannette attended five different high schools

Get ready for stories they never thought they’d share. It’s messy, it’s funny, and it’s 100% unfiltered.

KEY POINTS 

- Mona and Jeannette’s life backgrounds 

- A glimpse of cultural influences & family dynamics

- Whose parents are more strict? 

- The impact of parenting on their behavior

-  Reflections and Frealizations on upbringing

- The challenges of being a first-generation women 

QUOTES 

“I did truly believe when my parents said you could be anything you want to be, I'd be like: YES. Yes, I can. So let's do it.” – Mona Kosar Abdi

“I never had a curfew. I never felt any pressure too, like — do something a certain way — be something my parents would kind of like. I think they just trusted that we would know what's right and what's what you don't do.” – Jeannette Reyes

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

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What does it really take to rebrand your life? In this episode of Awf The Record, Mona and Jeannette sit down with Les Alfred, 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: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

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Is happily ever after just a fairy tale? Or is marriage set up to fail from the start? With over half of marriages ending in divorce, it’s a question worth asking. On this episode of Awf the Record, Jeannette and Mona sit down with family law attorney Tracey Coates to get real about marriage, divorce, and everything in between.

From the biggest red flags people ignore before saying "I do" to the gender differences in why people file for divorce, Tracey brings her unfiltered expertise to the table. She also breaks down the financial and emotional chaos of ending a marriage and why prenups might just be the smartest move you can make. Plus, how shifting cultural norms are reshaping the way we view commitment.

If you’re thinking about getting married, currently in one, or wondering if it's time to walk away, this is the conversation you need to hear. Raw, unfiltered, and brutally honest, just like a real group chat. Tune in now!

KEY POINTS 

- Introduction to Tracey 

- Reasons why people get married 

- Common “red flags” in marriages 

- Infidelity and its impact on divorce

- Is a prenuptial agreement really necessary? 

- Divorce’s emotional and its financial implications

- Cultural and generational differences in marriage

- Considering to undergo a second marriage? 

- Tracey’s advice to when choosing a divorce lawyer

- Benefits of living together before marriage

QUOTES 

“Get a prenup or a postnup.”– Tracey Coates

“If you don't own and recognize what went wrong in your first marriage, you're [going to] find the same person, and you're gonna find the same habits that you were doing before.” – Tracey Coates

“By nature, people want to be with other people. Companionship is really important; that's why, no matter what level [or] age – people 70-80 [are] getting remarried because they want that companionship.”  – Tracey Coates

“When you're talking to an attorney, definitely don't go with somebody who can promise you anything, because nobody knows what the outcome is going to be. I definitely would go to an attorney that's going to talk with you about the law and strategize with your specific facts and how that looks and what that looks like down the road from you.” – Tracey Coates

GUEST RESOURCES

Tracey Coates

Reach out to coatesfamilylaw.com/contact 

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

 Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
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Friendships don’t always come with big fights—sometimes, it’s just a quiet shift, a gut feeling, or an unspoken tension. In this segment, we unpack how small moments can define the strength of a friendship, why apologies sometimes feel like power shifts, and how learning to communicate in relationships can transform the way we show up for our friends.

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

 Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
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What happens when you walk away from a hit show at the peak of your career? Kamie Crawford knows firsthand.

In this episode, Mona and Jeannette pull up a seat with Kamie for an unfiltered conversation about life after Catfish, navigating the pressures of fame, and embracing the next chapter—on her own terms. Kamie spills on everything from her early days as Miss Teen USA (and the intense pageant pressures that came with it) to the childhood bullying that shaped her resilience. Plus, she gets real about why she stepped away from Catfish after six years, the behind-the-scenes tools she used to catch liars in real time (Google reverse image search and PIM eyes, anyone?), and the personal toll that came with the job.

And if you think she’s slowing down? Think again. Kamie is leveling up in a whole new way, launching her podcast Relationshit and stepping into her next big era.

Hit play and join the Awf The Record group chat as we get into career pivots, internet chaos, and the unexpected lessons that come with betting on yourself.

KEY POINTS

- Kamie’s journey in pageantry and TV hosting 

- Career shift: Its challenges and lessons 

- Kamie’s public persona and personal growth

- The importance of building confidence

- Catfish show and the pivotal role of taking risks 

- On making difficult decisions for mental health 

- Kamie’s experience with controversial comments

- The importance of speaking out for your beliefs 

- Some examples and experiences of catfishing 

- What’s next for Kamie? 

QUOTES 

“Your story is [a] proof of what happens when you bet on yourself and when you choose yourself." – Kamie Crawford

“Now that I have reached a certain place in my career, I definitely hit the backspace button more than I used to. I used to just fire everything off. I didn't care what it was, because once I found my voice, I didn't want to lose it.” – Kamie Crawford 

“You genuinely need to be kind to everyone, because you don't know where people are going.” – Kamie Crawford 

GUEST RESOURCES 

Kamie Crawford 

IG | @kamiecrawford

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

 Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
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Season 2 is here, and we’re starting off strong with a conversation that hits home.

Mona and Jeannette from Awf The Record sit down to talk about what it’s really like moving back to the city after life in the suburbs—and trust us, it’s deeper than just location.

Mona shares why city life feels like the right move for her, from the energy and convenience to the way it keeps her socially connected. Meanwhile, Jeannette gets real about the unexpected struggles of suburban living—long commutes, loneliness, and the challenge of staying connected to friends.

But this convo goes beyond just where you live. Tune in as your hosts also dive into the friendships that fade (and the ones that survive) after a big move, how social media shapes our real-life connections, the unspoken power dynamics in apologies, and why some friendships can’t handle conflict (and how to fix it).

Life changes, friendships evolve, and sometimes, moving back feels like moving forward. Tap in for a raw and relatable discussion on transitions, friendships, and the reality of maintaining social connections. 

KEY POINTS

- The decision to move back to the city

- Challenges experienced from living in the suburbs

- City life: Youth and sense of freedom 

- Navigating the pros and cons of living in the city 

- The importance of being present and maintaining friendships 

- Communication on maintaining a healthy relationship 

- On handling conflicts with friends 

- The importance of balancing social and personal life 

- Jeannette and Mona’s plans and goals

QUOTES 

"I'm pretty low maintenance. I kind of treat people and friendships the way  I'm fine with being treated. I don't require a lot. But's also like - why not cater to the way someone wants to be treated and what they like and what their preferences are?” - Jeannette Reyes 

“I can sense problematic people, and that's when I distance myself in the beginning, particularly if you're displaying or if you keep talking about issues that you have with other people.” - Mona Kosar Abdi

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

 Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
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Welcome to Season 2 of Awf The Record!

We’re back—and we’re keeping it REAL (as always). This season, we’re diving even deeper into the confessions, chaos, and hard-hitting truths about life, love, and career. From navigating major pivots to knowing when it’s time to walk away, we’re unpacking the unspoken struggles that come with adulthood.

Expect raw, unfiltered conversations, unexpected revelations, and the kind of honesty you’d only share in the group chat. So grab your drink, pull up a seat, and get ready—because Season 2 is about to get even messier, bolder, and more unfiltered than ever.

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

 Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Send us Fan Mail

We’re back—and we’re keeping it REAL (as always). This season, we’re diving even deeper into the confessions, chaos, and hard-hitting truths about life, love, and career. From navigating major pivots to knowing when it’s time to walk away, we’re unpacking the unspoken struggles that come with adulthood.

Expect raw, unfiltered conversations, unexpected revelations, and the kind of honesty you’d only share in the group chat. So grab your drink, pull up a seat, and get ready—because Season 2 is about to get even messier, bolder, and more unfiltered than ever.

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes

IG |  @msnewslady 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

 Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
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In this special BEST OF episode, Jeanette and Mona reflected on pivotal moments in their careers as news anchors and their decision to pivot. They shared personal stories about leaving their anchor roles, the emotional and practical aspects of quitting, and how they used a framework from earlier episodes to guide their choices. 

Mona discussed fulfilling a promise to her late father by becoming a network correspondent, while Jeanette revealed her desire for more personal ownership in her career. Both also explored the courage it took to prioritize their own happiness. 

With insights on introspection, mentorship, and protecting your peace, this episode offers inspiration for navigating tough decisions — AWF the Record.

KEY POINTS:

- The Group Chat Is Open: Why We Quit, Starting from the Bottom & Raccoon for Dinner

- How We Pivoted: Career Moves, Negotiations, and Intuition

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

 Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
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