It’s a NOBA first! In part two of a two-part series, Renee and Nicole welcome special guests Gregory and Jonathan—their husbands. In a fun, but also serious, conversation, the couples share how they’ve loved and fought their way through 15-plus years of marriage. They also realize how much each other is a lot like the person they married.

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

It’s a NOBA first! In part one of a two-part series, Renee and Nicole welcome special guests Gregory and Jonathan—their husbands. In a fun, but also serious, conversation, the couples share how they’ve loved and fought their way through 15-plus years of marriage. They also realize how much each other is a lot like the person they married.

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

In part 2 of Friends, but also Sisters, Renee and Nicole continue their discussion on all things friendship, including red flags and green flags in relationships, as well as more of their own friendship story. With candor, vulnerability, and humor they share how to engage your friends, fight for your friendships, and be the best BFF ever.

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

Why is making and keeping friends so difficult? What constitutes a healthy friendship? What are friendship red flags? In this episode, part 1 of 2, Renee and Nicole tackle these questions and more from friends, besties, frenemies, and the ever-evasive “sister” relationship. With candor, vulnerability, and humor they share their own friendship story, as well while also answering your submitted questions about BFF’s.

Mentioned in this episode:

- The 5Ls by Shawn Banzhaf

- Nedra Tawwab

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

In conclusion of their 2-part discussion on whiteness and colorism, Renee and Nicole continue to share personal and cultural stories around this topic to reveal how, too often, cultural standards of “beauty” impact the most vulnerable so those in power can remain in power.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Woke Racism by John McWhorter

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

In Part 1 of a 2-part series on whiteness and colorism, Renee and Nicole define these terms and discuss how they might appear in different societies to the exclusion and oppression of people with darker skin tones.

They share personal and cultural stories around this topic to reveal how, too often, cultural standards of “beauty” often impact the most vulnerable so those in power can remain in power.

The current crisis in Ukraine is also discussed and how colorism is being seen on the world stage.
 

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

Correction: Renee mentioned how Keanu will be 57 and a half in April. It’s actually March.

Mentioned in this series:

-Whiteness definition: From National Museum of African American History and       Culture: https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/whiteness

-Jones, Trina (2001). "Shades of Brown: The Law of Skin Color". Duke Law Journal. 49 (1487). doi:10.2139/ssrn.233850.

- The Racial Healing Handbook by Anneliese Singh

Show (Netflix): Indian Matchmaking

-Jerry Seinfeld on Diversity in Comedy: https://youtu.be/EsEr6xNN8Hw

Intercultural Development Inventory (Hammer, 2012)

Intersectionality (Kimberlé Crenshaw): https://www.law.columbia.edu/news/archive/kimberle-crenshaw-intersectionality-more-two-decades-later [Correction: Renee misspoke and said intersectionality occurs when power is “achieved” instead of saying “negotiated”]

-Jordan Peterson resignation piece: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jordan-peterson-why-i-am-no-longer-a-tenured-professor-at-the-university-of-toronto/wcm/4c000e2b-fabd-4067-a7a5-ed7908fc3643/amp/

- Woke Racism by John McWhorter 

Renee and Nicole are back with their first ever shoot-the-breeze-episode, in which you are invited into their back-and-forth of trying to figure out this week’s topic. They end up discussing mentoring, heaven and hell, Oprah, and justice, among other things...including Renee discovering that she prefers monogamy. Welcome to the process.

Special appearances by Jonathan Cottrell  and our very own producer, Evan Bates.

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

Referenced in this episode:

“Mother Hunger” by Kelly Mcdaniel

In part 2 of having conversations with kids about real issues, Renee and Nicole discuss the ongoing dialogues they have with their children about race and racism. Whether it’s sorting out identity, understanding cultural concepts, or navigating complex interactions, they share their own stories of how they’ve been learning as they go, alongside their children. 

Part 1 of this conversation discussed how the hosts talk about sex with their children.

Mentioned in this episode:

-The Color of Us by Karen Katz
-Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum
-The concept of "Ubuntu" and poem In Lak'Ech
 
Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

NOBA episodes have tackled big questions, but what about when it’s time to speak to your children about certain issues? In this episode, Part 1 of 2 on talking to children about sex and racism, Renee and Nicole share insights and personal anecdotes on how to speak to kids about sex, addressing consent, masturbation, and shame.

Mentioned in this episode:

-Greta Eskridge, Instagram @maandpamodern
-To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee 

-Unbound by Tarana Burke

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/

What do spiritual abuse, murder, espionage and orgies have in common? Listen to Part 2 as Renee and Nicole unravel this mystery, and more, with their usual humor and personal insight—as they discuss the forms spiritual abuse takes and how God is leading people forward to wholeness and hope.

Mentioned in this episode:

-Jawaharlal Nehru, delivering his Tryst with Destiny speech: https://www.cam.ac.uk/tryst_with_destiny

Intro music “Bhangra, but also jazz” and outro by Gregory Kyle Klug
https://gregorykyle.com/