Stay In The Sun

*sings loudly* I AM NOT MY HAIR, I AM NOT THIS SKIN. I AM NOT YOUR EXPECTATIONS, NO NO. I AM NOT MY HAIR I AM NOT THIS SKIN. I AM THE SOUL THAT LIVES WITHIN! In this week’s episode, Toni (@fatblackluxury) and Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) reflect on their hair journeys. Whew, yall know this bout to get real hectic, lol. We all know just how political the hair of Black women can be and just how much we are still fighting to have Black hair liberated in our society. With the recent passing of the Crown Act just a year ago, we dive into everything from perms, hot combs, braids, desirability, and more. Grab a Hype Hair magazine, take a seat under the dryer, and tune in! This might take a while. 

We made it yall! 2020 is OVER! Join us as we wind down and reflect on this past year. We’ll discuss our triumphs, our successes, our loss, and what made us better. 2020 was definitely a year for growth, gratitude, and empathy; daily practices we hope to fully embody. Toni (@fatblackluxury) and Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) reflect on their 2020 holiday season and also recap pop culture moments, the 2020 election, the debut of Stay In The Sun Pod, and everything in between. We close out with our prayers and manifestations for 2021; both personal and for our podcast. Join us as we say to 2020, BYE GURL!

Yall know we’re still in a panini press, right?!! This week, Toni (@fatblackluxury) and Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) start the show off discussing their well being and the effects of being burnt out. Surviving capitalism, anti-Blackness, misogynoir, and every ism under the sun has truly been difficult this year. We share our holiday plans and traditions and how we hope to spend the holiday seasons (spoiler: rest is on the agenda!) Toni and Alexis also discuss K. Michelle’s recent remarks on wishing she was able to work with R. Kelly and the need for us to “separate the artist from the art” but like if you’re abusing Black girls, is that even possible? Majah Hype, a Caribbean comedian, also forces us to have this discussion as his survivor Kirby shares her story about surviving his abuse and revenge porn.  We also visit fatphobia, its insidious systemic nature, and how it impacts Lizzo livelihood as a public figure. Also, is anyone in line for this vaccine? How’re yall feeling about it? We share our opinions on the state of Black folks health and this vaccine as well. Join us under the sun and take a load off, Lord knows we need to! 

If people gon’ have one thing, it’s the audacity!! This week, Toni (@fatblackluxury) and Alexis  (@fromalexisnicole) start the show off discussing their holiday plans and what the Day of Thanks looks like for them during COVID. We discuss relationships and age gaps; are you open to dating years younger or older? Toni and Alexis also throw it back to our “Make It Make Sense” segment exploring Keke Palmer’s recent comments about “healthy eating” and EBT cards, Eva Longoria declaring Latina’s the “REAL heroines” of the election.*eye rolls*  While celebrating 10 years of Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday we shine a light on Meg the Stallion’s debut album and shared in her #GoodNews. Yall know we were coming with our thoughts on her intro project. OH, and speaking of eye rolls, we dive into the Fresh Prince Reunion and the accountability OG Aunt Viv should have received YEARS ago. While you’re grabbing that plate, don’t forget to grab your phones and click play! We’re waiting for you. 

Black women stay saving the world! This week, Toni and Alexis discuss the elections and the pivotal role Black women played in organizing, shifting political landscapes, and electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. They start the show discussing Stacey Abrams, Fair Fight, and the work of Georgia’s organizers and the ways colorism and fatphobia impacted her vye for the VP ticket. Alexis and Toni shared some of their coping mechanisms and what got them through the week and identity politics because people are still questioning Kamala’s Blackness. Like really? We also dive into boundaries and how do we set them at work, with friends, and with family. Come through and take a listen!

Submit to what? Submit to who? For what reason?! In this episode of Stay In The Sun (@stayinthesunpod), Toni (@fatblackluxury) & Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) discuss where we are now in the state of this global pandemic, Alexis gives a juicy update on her dating life, and we discuss our opinions on dating a partner with kids. Submission and Black women was a hot topic two weeks ago and we dive into the redundant and tired idea that Black women “don’t submit.” Chile, who said that? Toni & Alexis also discuss fast fashion, body politics, fatphobia, and size inclusivity with the release of the new IVY Park collection and Beyonce still not doing the math right. In this same breath, we celebrate rapper and artist Chika for her vulnerability and we share our takes on thin privilege, femininity, and the theme of who gets to be soft; who gets to be seen as a woman. Did you press play yet? We know you want to.

So I guess we’re dating in the rona?! In this week’s episode of Stay In The Sun (@stayinthesunpod), Toni (@fatblackluxury) & Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) give some live and direct updates on their dating lives. A lot can happen in just two weeks! We discuss setting boundaries as youth workers with young people, whether there’s a right or wrong way to “check” your fans re: Cardi B’s twitter rant, forgiving friends vs. forgiving partners; we’re all guilty of this or have experienced this, but either way it’s difficult to acknowledge and own. We dive into the co-opting of OnlyFans by celebrity culture and the double standards between Tyga and Sukihana’s content. And we send our prayers of comfort to Chrissy Tiegan & John Legend as we explore the double standards of imagery that doesn’t only glamourize motherhood or parenthood. Press play! We’re waiting for you to join us. 

In the words of our sis Breonna, “You got ya foot on they necks? PRESSURE APPLIED!!? In this week’s episode of Stay In The Sun (@stayinthesunpod), Toni (@fatblackluxury) & Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) apply major pressure and discuss their reactions to the Breonna Taylor decision, Meg Thee Stallion’s resiliency through fuckboy violence and triggers of the world, and they’re being transparent and diving into their dating lives. 2020 is ghetto and dating is even ghettoer. Is that even a word!!? Whew. We share some of our expectations when dating, our non-negotiables, cismen and bisexuality, and dating at the intersections! Grab a glass of wine, some popcorn or whatever your drink and snack choice is and join us in the sun to get some of this tea. 

Like damn! Can a Black girl live!? In this week’s episode of Stay In The Sun (@stayinthesunpod), Toni (@fatblackluxury) & Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) take you into a deep discussion on their approaches to youth work, social work, and why they’re rooting their work in building communities of freedom for Black girls. This episode explores the adultification of Black girls and the struggle as adults to embrace womanhood, holistic healing, restorative justice, school pushout, and the impacts remote learning will have on Black femmes and girls. To celebrate our collaboration and candle launch, we’re welcoming our first guest host, Assata Terry to lay under the sun with us.Together we discuss what inspired her to launch her business, the importance of prioritizing self care as Black women, and you know we had to dish about Girlfriends real quick and what’s bringing us joy! 

In this week’s episode of Stay In The Sun (@stayinthesunpod), Toni (@fatblackluxury) & Alexis (@fromalexisnicole) discuss the consistent ways Black women and femmes experience trauma through intimate partner violence, domestic violence, assault, and child abuse. They explore these topics through recent events such as Meg Thee Stallion sharing details about the night she was assaulted by Tory Lanez, Selah Marley opening up about the trauma she experienced as a child through beatings by her mom Lauryn Hill, and the importance of believing Black women the first time through KeKe Palmer’s experiences with Trey Songz. Toni and Alexis amplify importance of showing up for Black trans women in our fight for liberation and also celebrate and critique Senator Kamala’s Harris’ nomination for Vice President. This episode is a reminder and love letter to Black women and femmes that we believe you, we see you, and your trauma and healing matters to us. Your truth is valid!