Sunshine in Red Lipstick

DJ starts the episode by singing Happy Birthday to herself, then reflects on just how overwhelming the last chapter was—before inviting you into something softer.

This time, we trade heaviness for good food, good drinks, and a night out with Mo and her friends—right before they hop on the tour bus headed to New Orleans for their very first hair show.

But of course, the past never stays quiet for long.

A familiar presence resurfaces, and Mo does what Mo does best: overanalyzes every feeling, every step, and the possibility of finally removing Julian from the friend zone.

This episode is about calm after chaos, old habits knocking at the door, and what it feels like to stand on the edge of something new—wondering whether you’re ready to choose differently.

Press play and come sit with us.

In Episode 12 of Sunshine in Red Lipstick, we step into one of the most emotionally layered moments of Mo’s journey so far.

As Monique begins fully committing to her chosen hair school, she and her classmates attend that year’s Domestic Violence Gala—an event meant for service, education, and support… but one that quietly pulls Mo into memories and emotions she wasn’t prepared to face.

This episode explores what happens when healing sneaks up on you—when you think you’ve moved on, but life gently (or not so gently) asks you to sit with the past a little longer. DJ reflects alongside Mo, sharing personal insights on dating with intention, emotional readiness, and knowing when walking away isn’t about love but about timing.

This week’s Big Question asks:
Have you ever walked away from someone you loved—not because they were wrong, but because you weren’t ready?

Grab your lipstick, take a deep breath, and press play.
Some realizations arrive softly… others demand your attention.

#SunshineInRedLipstick

DJ is elevating this week — not just in the length of the show,but in the depth of it.
Episode 11 dives into Monique finally dusting herself off and hopping on thenext train toward her career. She’s officially done with her pity party… andshe’s definitely not letting the likes of TJ keep her down.

Ride with Mo as she slides into the car and heads straight to Ms. Felder —her second mama — ready to spill her plans, soak up wisdom, and take in all theadvice her iPhone (and her spirit) can hold.

DJ also opens up about the missteps she made while trying to find purpose,avoid personal stagnation, and rise above a life filled with beer. It’s honest.It’s brave. And it’s the kind of growth we love to see.

Monique is finally waking up.
After leaving North Carolina — and TJ — behind, she rides home with her cousins, a Plan B box in the backseat, and a whole new clarity settling in her chest.

This episode dives into tough choices, young heartbreak, mama-written letters, and the moment a girl realizes she deserves more than bare-minimum love.

A little humor, a little healing, and a whole lot of truth.
Tap in, sis.

In Episode 9 of Sunshine in Red Lipstick, DJ steps into one of the most pivotal moments in her main character’s life — a childhood trauma that’s explored without graphic details, yet still carries every emotional truth. She shares why she chose to protect listeners from the explicit scene, while guiding them through the fear, silence, and instinct that shape little Monique’s world.

DJ reflects on the importance of creating a safe space for children to speak up, and how her own experiences shaped the way she parents her daughters today. She also considers the ways Monique’s mother could have protected her — not as judgment, but as an honest look at how generational silence forms and how it can break.

This episode blends storytelling, personal truth, and emotional insight, reminding us that while trauma can change a child, so can protection, awareness, and the courage to speak.

This week, we’re stepping right back into Monique’s two-week North Carolina adventure… and babyyy, the red flags were flaggin’. What started as butterflies and beach walks turned into silence, disappointment, and a whole lot of “girl, what are we doing here?”

In Chapter 7: Bubble Burst, Mo finally sees TJ for who he really is — a man who loves the chase more than he loves the girl chasing him. She’s in her feelings, trying to make sense of mixed signals, quiet rooms, and that moment every woman knows too well: when your heart gets the message before your mind does.

I’m talking about first-love delusion, wasted time, and the moment a woman decides she’s done explaining what should’ve been obvious. And yes, I share a little bit of my own story too, because healing and honesty go hand-in-hand around here.

Tune in as we unpack why Mo stayed, why she left, and why every bubble eventually bursts. 💭💔

Mo finally did what Sub Mo’s been hollering about since day one — she put on her big-girl panties, grabbed her carry-on, and boarded that plane. ✈️

The first night in North Carolina, she’s face-to-face with TJ and a dinner date that goes from sweet to sideways faster than she can blink. Maybe she’s overthinking his every word, maybe she’s just scared to be wrong about love again — either way, she’s already there, and there’s no turning back.

Can she handle the forwardness?
Or will this trip show her that growing up sometimes means outgrowing the fantasy?

Graduation season has Mo feeling grown… until “grown” means spending two whole weeks with TJ. 👀 Her first real getaway with a man isn’t exactly the sleepover she imagined. Will she stick it out for all 14 days or catch the first flight back to Mama? Tune in as Mo takes her next step—from caps & gowns to lessons that don’t come with a diploma.

In this episode, DJ makes sure Monique finishes high school the right way—looking like a baddie with love in her heart, even if she’s just tagging along. Prom night was supposed to be magical, but for Monique, it becomes a turning point. She confronts TJ’s inability to open up and decides she’s in control of how the night ends.

DJ also takes us down the road toward impending adulthood, unpacking Monique’s complicated feelings about her mother—a tension that begins with a simple gift. Through Monique’s story, this author finds herself reflecting on her own mother-daughter relationship, or lack thereof.

Suit up—and grab those tissues. 💋

In this week’s episode, I dive into Chapter 3 of Dreams I Bought—where Mo’s obsession with TJ takes center stage. I also share the story of the first time I ever asked a boy out (bold, right?) and reflect on how other people’s opinions fueled my determination to prove them wrong.