Don't Hold Back

Kim Johnson, my guest on this episode, has bright red hair and we took a moment to discuss how the relationship we have with our hair is tied to our blackness. Why do we wear our hair curly, or straight? What is our hair story from childhood to young adulthood? How is the relationship black women have with their hair one of a kind? We had a lovely conversation that I hope you will enjoy and discussed the reclamation of the hair we have grown to love.

Last week, the world was informed of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain's deaths. Two people whose struggle with mental health ended tragically. I took this moment in time to discuss mental health in regards to social media and our current generation. Researchers say that depression and anxiety is at an all time high. Social media might be the cause of it, with constant stimuli that allow us to compare ourselves all the time to one another. Austen Tosone, a blogger who uses social media often for her very own brand, sat with me and discussed the ways you can make social media and life a healthier place.

Content warning: mental health and suicide

It's all about beauty! Today I let you all join me as I get ready in the morning and take you step by step through my skincare/makeup routine. For all those who wanted the skincare routine: this is the episode for you! I list the products I use and where you can get them from, as well as my dos and don'ts. If you missed any products that are mentioned in the episode, don't hesitate to contact me!

This week Demi and I try to figure out if Drake has a baby no one knows about. A baby! Is Drake a father? Pusha T and Drake are currently in a rap beef and as all rap beefs go....secrets are being revealed. Are things different if Drake has a baby? We try to figure it out, as well as discuss the other interesting events that occurred this week.

This week I have three friends sit and listen to me tell them a story of how a friend challenged me on the idea of colorism. The challenge led to a debate and a very exhausting exchange. Today we talk about what colorism is, dating preferences, our own ideas of blackness, and remember that every thought we have may not be our own. Thank you to Damon, Imani, and Kidd for their insight and for lending me their time.

Listen to a quick synopsis of Don't Hold Back and what I plan on providing to my listeners!

You graduate college and then what? You get a job? Start grad school? Move? Become an adult? What happens if in the process of those things you become sad? Now what you are "supposed" to do no longer feels right. This week we talk about post grad depression and what happens when the biggest moment of your life is more bitter than sweet.

Kanye West has been on the edge for a while and I am not happy about it. In the past few weeks, West's Twitter has made a return, along with some interesting ideas. Alex, a self-proclaimed Kanye West stan (super fan) came on the show to tell me how he maintains his respect and admiration for Kanye West even in the midst of controversy.

Junot Diaz published a piece in the New Yorker that discussed childhood trauma, love, and intimacy. My guest, Omnia Saed, and I discuss what the piece means to us and our own definitions of love and intimacy.

Welcome to the first episode of Don't Hold Back! Listen to my plans for the future of this podcast and the current events that are on my mind.