Awf The Record

Jeannette and Mona

In a podcast that lives up to its name, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes go “Awf the Record” with industry disruptors and cultural tastemakers, bringing you candid conversations that reflect the dynamic intersection of media, culture, and society . It’s a show that lives between the news of the day and the group chat. [Awf- Thuh- Rekərd ].

Play

Open in

26 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 34 min
English

Episodes 26

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S4 · E29
Thursday · 50 min
Rich BFF Vivian Tu: Why You Still Feel Broke Even When You Make Good Money
In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi welcome Vivian Tu, everyone’s favorite Rich BFF, for a no-fluff conversation about why so many people still feel broke even when they are making good money. Vivian breaks down the money blueprint most of us inherited, why working hard is no longer enough, and how asset ownership, investing, budgeting, and career strategy can help people build real financial security. From fake wealth on social media to salary negotiation, dating with financial clarity, family money boundaries, trad wife culture, credit scores, debt, and the cost of adulthood, Vivian brings the group chat version of financial advice: honest, sharp, funny, and deeply practical. This conversation is for anyone trying to stop chasing a lifestyle that does not actually exist and start building a life that can hold them. KEY POINTS 00:00 - Introduction: Vivian Tu breaks down the new rules of money 01:15 - The old money blueprint no longer works 03:30 - Social media is making fake wealth look normal 08:18 - Budgeting starts with knowing what you can actually afford 10:00 - Career security means being loyal to yourself first 11:38 - The “up and out” rule has changed in this job market 14:41 - Raises require receipts, confidence, and self-advocacy 17:56 - Major life milestones now require tradeoffs and timelines 24:19 - Family planning and benefits are part of the money conversation 27:04 - Money in relationships requires honesty, equity, and autonomy 39:13 - Rich people spend based on value, not performance 41:30 - Debt, credit scores, and family money need better boundaries QUOTES “Let me be entirely clear. Those people are broke. The vast majority of the showy, loud, portrayed wealth that you're seeing on social media is fake.” – Vivian Tu “It's not how good you are with money; it's how good you are at playing this game.” – Vivian Tu “Debt has been made into like this swear word when real rich people know that debt is leverage.” – Vivian Tu GUEST RESOURCES: Vivian Tu Website | https://www.yourrichbff.com/ IG | https://www.instagram.com/your.richbff/ 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
S4 · E28
Tuesday · 4 min
[Go Awf] Reesa Teesa on Dating After Deception and Learning to Trust Again
How do you date again after someone used vulnerability as a strategy? In this segment of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi talk with Reesa Teesa about trust, dating, and the psychological aftermath of being deceived by someone who seemed to say all the right things. Reesa reflects on how her ex “beat her to the story,” sharing false details about past relationships, therapy, and heartbreak before she could even ask the questions that might have protected her. She also opens up about why her circle is smaller now, why dating still scares her, and why she believes background checks should be part of modern dating. Honest, sharp, and deeply relatable, this conversation is about what happens when someone learns your wounds, flips the truth, and makes you question how easily trust can be weaponized. GUEST RESOURCES: Reesa Teesa IG | @reesateesa Amazon book | What (TF) Do I Do Now?: Reclaiming Myself, One Piece at a Time 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
S4 · E28
September 17 · 1 hr 2 min
Reesa Teesa: How to Spot a Pathological Liar Before You Marry One
In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with Reesa Teesa to talk about life after the viral Who TF Did I Marry? series, the red flags she missed, the shame that kept her silent, and the healing she is still walking through in real time. Reesa opens up about dating from potential instead of reality, realizing she had married a pathological liar, and why the fear of admitting “I’m getting played” felt scarier than the truth itself. From background checks and desperation dating to miscarriage, loneliness, faith, book deals, TV development, and learning how to edit the dream without giving up on it, this conversation goes far beyond the viral story. It is honest, funny, painful, and deeply human, reminding women that being single is never worse than being married to the wrong person. KEY POINTS 00:00 - Introduction: Reesa Teesa’s story became a viral cultural moment 02:15 - Reesa reflects on life after going viral 03:50 - Reesa summarizes the story behind Who TF Did I Marry? 05:26 - Reesa explains why accountability shaped the story’s reception 09:27 - Reesa pushes back on the “it could never be me” mindset 12:30 - Reesa explains how dating potential made her vulnerable 15:14 - Reesa admits that facing the lie meant facing her own fear 18:16 - Reesa breaks down how a pathological liar builds a false foundation 22:39 - Reesa explains how money became part of the manipulation 24:46 - Reesa explains how he “beat her to the story” and damaged her trust 28:46 - Reesa opens up about the book, healing, and loneliness 40:19 - Reesa talks about the TV series, business, shame, and life after virality QUOTES “I tend to date off of potential and not reality.” – Reesa Teesa “There’s a difference between being alone and lonely.” – Jeannette Reyes “Being single is nowhere near as bad as being married to the wrong person.” – Reesa Teesa GUEST RESOURCES: Reesa Teesa IG | @reesateesa Amazon book | What (TF) Do I Do Now?: Reclaiming Myself, One Piece at a Time 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
September 15 · 8 min
[Go Awf] Norman Baker on Wendy Williams’ Legacy, Final Season & Sherri Shepherd
What did we really lose when The Wendy Williams Show ended? In this segment of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with former Wendy Williams producer Norman Baker to reflect on the cultural force Wendy created, the final season that left the team in limbo, and why no one has been able to fill the space she left behind. Norman opens up about Wendy’s brilliance, her fearlessness, and the rare freedom of working on a show where a Black woman could speak her mind every single day on daytime television. He also shares why he has been cautious about participating in documentaries about Wendy, what it felt like to learn major updates through the media, and how the transition into Sherri challenged him to adapt his voice, sharpen his comedy, and keep the spirit of hot topics alive in a new way. GUEST RESOURCES: Norman Baker IG | @thenormanbaker 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
September 10 · 49 min
Wendy Williams’ Former Producer Breaks His Silence on the Final Days and New Documentaries
What really happened behind the scenes during the final days of The Wendy Williams Show? In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with former Wendy Williams producer Norman Baker for an inside look at one of daytime television’s most unforgettable cultural eras. Norman opens up about moving to New York with $100, getting his start as a receptionist, earning Wendy’s trust on and off camera, and watching the show become a place where pop culture, gossip, shade, and Black womanhood collided in real time. Norman also reflects on the final seasons of the show, the limbo the staff experienced when Wendy was no longer able to return, and why he has chosen not to participate in certain documentaries about her. From protecting Wendy’s legacy to the shift from Wendy to Sherri, the art of shade, and the future of daytime TV, this conversation is a funny, honest, and surprisingly tender tribute to the show that changed how we talked about celebrity culture. KEYPOINTS: 00:00 - Introduction 02:31 - Norman broke into TV with $100 and no industry connections 03:16 - Wendy turned Norman into an on-camera personality 04:20 - Norman explains the cultural void Wendy left behind 05:12 - Norman describes the final years as a “long, slow descent” 11:15 - Norman explains why he is cautious about the Wendy documentaries 18:12 - The Wendy team never got real closure 20:33 - Norman reflects on transitioning from Wendy to Sherri 47:24 - Norman shares how he wants Wendy to be remembered QUOTES: “In the end this shows that what fascinates people the most is other people doing the things that they swear they never do.” – Jeannette Reyes “I feel like no one's been able to fill the void that she and, should I say, we created.” – Norman Baker “I feel like that show got closure, quote unquote, but it still like it struck a chord with a lot of people.” – Mona Kosar Abdi “We were in limbo. We're like, what are we gonna do? What is this show gonna be? Is she ever gonna come back?” – Norman Baker GUEST RESOURCES: Norman Baker IG | @thenormanbaker 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
S4 · E26
September 3 · 55 min
[Rewind] Top Plastic Surgeon: The Secret Procedure Your Favorite Celebrity Is Hiding
This episode originally aired on 04/16/2026 What are celebrities actually getting done… and why does everyone suddenly look younger? In this episode of Awf The Record, top Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon Dr. Carl Truesdale pulls back the curtain on modern plastic surgery, from facelifts and fillers to the “undetectable” glow ups taking over Hollywood. He breaks down the biggest misconceptions about plastic surgery, why natural results are now the gold standard, and how today’s techniques are creating transformations that look subtle, not obvious. From celebrity trends to the rise of men getting work done, Dr. Truesdale shares what people are really asking for behind closed doors. The conversation also dives into the psychology behind plastic surgery, why some people should not get it, and how to know if you’re choosing the right surgeon. Plus, he reveals the red flags most people completely miss, the real cost of facial rejuvenation, and why bad work is often easier to spot than good work. If you’ve ever wondered what actually works, what’s overhyped, and how to approach plastic surgery the right way, this episode is a must-listen. KEY POINTS - 0:00 Introduction - 1:57 The Biggest Myth About Plastic Surgery and Black Patients - 5:43 What Actually Makes Someone Attractive - 8:42 The Psychology Behind Plastic Surgery - 10:35 Most Requested Procedures Right Now - 12:20 Why Hollywood Results Look More Natural Today - 14:05 Who Dr. Truesdale refuses to Operate On - 16:43 Fillers vs Facelifts: What Actually Works - 19:13 Black People and Plastic Surgery - 27:07 The Real Cost of Looking Younger - 32:10 The Biggest Red Flags When Choosing a Surgeon - 36:52 The Future of Plastic Surgery - 42:33 What Are The Men Getting In Plastic Surgery? QUOTES “What I do is candy. It's sugar. It will improve your quality of life, but you don't need to do it.” - Dr. Carl Truesdale “The hardest part of what I do is literally fulfilling the happiness piece, not related to surgery. It's a mental, psychological thing.” - Dr. Carl Truesdale “Perfect symmetry is not actually the goal. We want things to be more symmetric, but keeping a little bit of asymmetry is the thing that makes your face, your face.” - Dr. Carl Truesdale RESOURCES: Dr. Carl Truesdale Website | www.doctortruesdale.com IG | Doctor.Truesdale 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
September 1 · 7 min
[Go Awf] Aliza Kelly on Celebrity Birth Charts, Astrology Apps & Why Astrology Went Mainstream
Astrology may feel like a Gen Z obsession, but celebrity astrologer Aliza Kelly says the conversation has been happening for generations. In this segment of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi talk with Aliza about how astrology evolved from sun sign horoscopes and ’60s compatibility culture into today’s birth chart readings, apps, and celebrity astrology. Aliza shares how technology helped people go beyond “What’s your sign?”, how her own astrology dating app helped launch her career, and why 2016 marked a major cultural shift in how people turned to the stars for answers. She also breaks down what celebrity birth charts can reveal, why public personas do not always match private realities, and the most surprising chart she has seen: Rachel Dratch’s Pisces-heavy birth chart. It’s a fun, curious conversation about astrology, pop culture, identity, and why your sign might only be the beginning of the story. GUEST RESOURCES: Aliza Kelly Website | www.alizakelly.com IG | @alizakelly 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
S4 · E25
August 27 · 45 min
Celebrity Astrologer: What Your Birth Chart Reveals About Your Love Life & Who You Really Are
What if astrology is less about predicting your future, and more about finally having language for who you are? In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with celebrity astrologer Aliza Kelly for a funny, fascinating, and surprisingly personal crash course in astrology. Aliza breaks down what astrology is and what it is not, why your birth chart is more than just your zodiac sign, and how the sun, moon, and rising signs can help you better understand your energy, emotions, perspective, relationships, and the stories you tell about yourself. From dating compatibility and Gemini slander to the rise of astrology on TikTok, Aliza explains why astrology should be used as a tool for curiosity, connection, and self-awareness, not fear or judgment. She also reads Mona and Jeannette’s birth charts in real time, revealing why their charts are almost shockingly compatible and why their friendship may be written in the stars. This episode is for the astrology curious, the astrology skeptical, and anyone who has ever wondered if their chart knows a little too much. KEYPOINTS: 00:00 - Introduction 02:01 - Aliza Kelly explains how astrology became her life’s work 03:54 - Astrology is an art, not a science, and Aliza says that matters 07:02 - Astrology can coexist with faith because it is not a religion 08:23 - Astrology works as a social language for connection 09:14 - The birth chart is a snapshot of the sky when you were born 13:37 - Aliza traces how astrology became mainstream again 20:50 - Men dismissing astrology often reflects a deeper disrespect for women’s interests 24:41 - Compatibility is not as simple as “this sign works with that sign” 33:17 - Mona and Jeannette’s birth charts reveal major creative compatibility 41:21 - Astrology becomes toxic when it feeds anxiety instead of curiosity QUOTES: “What astrology does is help us tell better stories.” – Aliza Kelly “Something that is an art doesn't need to be a science in order for it to be meaningful.” – Aliza Kelly “Astrology is the language, but the lived experience is actually like, do these people get along, and if so, how do they get along.” – Aliza Kelly “Life is about being able to form those connections.” – Aliza Kelly GUEST RESOURCES: Aliza Kelly Website | www.alizakelly.com IG | @alizakelly 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
August 25 · 6 min
[Go Awf] How To Know If You’re The Problem In Friendships with Danielle Bayard-Jackson
What if the reason you feel drained in friendships is not that everyone else is taking, but because you learned to give in order to earn love? In this segment of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with friendship expert Danielle Bayard-Jackson to unpack overgiving, oversharing, one-sided friendships, and the patterns that can make women feel like they are always the one doing the work. Danielle explains why the “no one shows up for me” story deserves compassion, but also deserves curiosity, especially when it keeps showing up across multiple friendships. Danielle also breaks down how to ask yourself whether you might be the common denominator in repeated friendship breakups, why feedback feels so awkward in friendships, and how social media can validate every issue without actually helping you grow. It is a sharp, honest conversation about friendship patterns, self-awareness, emotional generosity, and learning how to give without using giving as a shortcut to closeness. GUEST RESOURCES: Danielle Bayard-Jackson Website | www.daniellebayardjackson.com IG | @daniellebayardjackson 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
S4 · E24
August 20 · 55 min
Top Friendship Expert: The Red Flags Hiding in Your Friend Group
Why does making and keeping friends as an adult feel so much harder than it used to? In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with friendship expert and author Danielle Bayard-Jackson for a real conversation about female friendship, loneliness, vulnerability, jealousy, friendship breakups, and the quiet ways high-achieving women can end up isolated. Danielle breaks down why friendship is not just about having people around you, but about feeling understood, supported, and safe enough to be honest in the relationships you already have. From the rise of the female loneliness epidemic to the pressure to be self-sufficient, Danielle explains why “I don’t need anyone” is not the flex we think it is. She unpacks why conflict can actually create deeper intimacy, how to apologize well, why jealousy does not automatically make you a bad friend, and how to tell if you might be the common denominator in your friendship patterns. This episode is a reminder that friendship takes time, repair, emotional honesty, and the courage to let people show up for you. KEY POINTS 00:00 - Danielle Bayard Jackson explains why friendship issues are everywhere 01:19 - Loneliness is not always about lacking friends 02:20 - Friendships are suffering because we spend less time together 04:17 - The loneliness industrial complex sells connection, but does not always create it 06:04 - High-achieving women can struggle with vulnerability in friendship 08:19 - Closeness takes time, and conflict can deepen intimacy 11:04 - A good apology has to speak to the heart and the mind 12:48 - Jealousy does not make you a bad friend, but what comes next matter 17:32 - Female friendships are not worse than male friendships, they are often deeper 32:05 - Adult friendship requires intention, regularity, and asking for help QUOTES “We've lost the art of doing nothing with a friend.” – Jeannette Reyes “The right people want the data on how to love you well.” – Danielle Bayard-Jackson “Somewhere along the line, I feel like that came from our fear of vulnerability, because to need people, you have to be vulnerable and you have to ask for help.” – Mona Kosar Abdi “We think of lonely as a lack of friends, but it's other things too.” – Danielle Bayard-Jackson “I feel like part of having community is to be burdened.” – Mona Kosar Abdi GUEST RESOURCES: Danielle Bayard-Jackson Website | www.daniellebayardjackson.com IG | @daniellebayardjackson 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
August 18 · 5 min
[Go Awf] Attachment Styles and the Signs a Relationship May Not Last
How do you know if the problem is yours, theirs, or something happening between both of you? In this segment, therapist Melissa Dumaz joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to break down the relationship patterns that often show up in couples work. She explains why some fights are not really about the relationship itself, but about unresolved issues each person brings into the room, and why a major sign of hope is whether both people are actually open to change. Melissa also unpacks attachment styles, how anxious and secure attachment can show up in love, and why two people can want connection in completely different ways. From toxic red flags to couples who say they “never fight,” this conversation is a grounded reminder that healthy relationships are not conflict-free. They are built by people who are willing to be honest, self-aware, and prepared for the hard conversations. GUEST RESOURCES: Melissa Dumaz Website | www.melissadumaz.com IG | @melissadumaz 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
S4 · E23
August 13 · 55 min
COUPLES THERAPIST: The #1 Relationship Mistake You're Making Without Realizing It | Melissa Dumaz
What if the biggest threat to your relationship is not one big betrayal, but the quiet habits, assumptions, and unspoken expectations slowly wearing the love down? In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with licensed marriage and family therapist Melissa Dumaz for a raw, honest conversation about modern love, marriage, dating, conflict, vulnerability, and the relationship mistakes most couples do not realize they are making. Melissa breaks down why social media highlight reels are distorting what we expect from real relationships, why more people are walking into therapy asking if they even want to be married anymore, and how ambition, gender roles, emotional safety, and unresolved trauma are reshaping the way couples connect. From attachment styles and red flags to dirty fighting, love languages, resentment, and the myth of “if he wanted to, he would,” Melissa offers a grounded look at what actually helps relationships last. She explains why healthy couples still fight, why sarcasm can quietly break down love, why vulnerability can feel unsafe, especially for Black women, and why relationships start to suffer when busy people put love on autopilot. This is a conversation about choosing honesty over ego, communication over assumptions, and your partner over the quiet resentment that can build when the small things go unaddressed. KEY POINTS 00:00 - Introduction: Melissa Dumaz names the real tension in modern relationships 01:42 - Social media has made real relationships feel like they’re falling short 04:18 - Women’s ambition has changed relationships, but men were not always prepared for that shift 09:13 - Couples need to build a relationship model that fits who they are now 12:12 - Dating should reveal how someone handles real life, not manufactured tests 17:51 - Anger is often covering a deeper emotion 21:26 - Couples have to identify whether the issue is yours, theirs, or the relationship’s 26:14 - Love languages can change as people move through different seasons 33:48 - Sarcasm is a form of dirty fighting that often hides resentment 51:46 - Marriages quietly break down when couples stop nurturing the relationship QUOTES “The biggest challenge relationships face today is thinking that relationships should look like social media relationships in real life.” – Melissa Dumaz “We have to give ourselves permission to dream again.” – Melissa Dumaz “It is in the living that you will see how they show up and how they respond to life.” – Melissa Dumaz “If you don't feel safe yet to be your true authentic self, then that's the red flag. That's the yellow flag.” – Melissa Dumaz “The ego has to die at some points and several times throughout the relationship.” – Melissa Dumaz GUEST RESOURCES: Melissa Dumaz Website | www.melissadumaz.com IG | @melissadumaz 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
S4 · E22
August 11 · 12 min
[Go Awf] Recho Omondi on Why She Stopped Giving Her Work Away for Free
Recho Omondi did not build The Cutting Room Floor overnight. She built it through years of unpaid work, uncertainty, live events, viral episodes, creative conviction, and a deep belief that good work deserves real support. In this segment, Recho joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to unpack the grind behind her creator journey, from launching the podcast in 2018 with $400 worth of equipment to spending years publishing without meaningful monetization. She reflects on the early days of building an audience, selling merch, losing momentum during the pandemic, and relaunching in 2021 with episodes that proved the industry was paying attention. Recho also breaks down the decision to move The Cutting Room Floor behind a Patreon paywall, why exclusivity became her strongest value proposition, and how she learned that going viral does not automatically mean getting paid. It is a sharp, honest conversation about self-worth, audience trust, creator economics, and the difference between being seen and being financially supported. RESOURCES: Recho Omondi IG | @omondi 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
S4 · E22
August 6 · 1 hr 7 min
The $55K Job Post That Blew Up Her Business — and Made It Bigger | Recho Omondi, The Cutting Room Floor
Recho Omondi did not build The Cutting Room Floor overnight. She built it through years of unpaid work, uncertainty, live events, viral episodes, creative conviction, and a deep belief that good work deserves real support. In this segment, Recho joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to unpack the grind behind her creator journey, from launching the podcast in 2018 with $400 worth of equipment to spending years publishing without meaningful monetization. She reflects on the early days of building an audience, selling merch, losing momentum during the pandemic, and relaunching in 2021 with episodes that proved the industry was paying attention. Recho also breaks down the decision to move The Cutting Room Floor behind a Patreon paywall, why exclusivity became her strongest value proposition, and how she learned that going viral does not automatically mean getting paid. It is a sharp, honest conversation about self-worth, audience trust, creator economics, and the difference between being seen and being financially supported. KEYPOINTS: 00:00 - Introduction: Recho Omondi joins the group chat 02:05 - Recho describes herself as curious, independent, and headstrong 04:04 - The Cutting Room Floor was built to make fashion less opaque 09:11 - The $55K job post turns Recho into the face of a bigger industry issue 12:20 - Recho explains what people misunderstood about the controversy 16:08 - Recho reflects on the impossible standards placed on Black women founders 24:24 - Recho opens up about the grind behind the “overnight success” 28:51 - Going viral without getting paid pushed Recho behind the paywall 36:31 - Recho explains why her interviews go viral 42:12 - The Patreon deal proves the business value of The Cutting Room Floor QUOTES: “Things don't happen to you. They happen for you.” – Recho Omondi “There are conglomerates who offer less than what I was offering.” – Recho Omondi “I think there was a genuine, or sorry, general thought that. And this is part that I think is unfair, that I'm supposed to be better and bigger than these institutions.” – Recho Omondi RESOURCES: Recho Omondi IG | @omondi 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
S4 · E21
July 30 · 58 min
[Rewind] How To Become THAT Girl: Style, Dating Coaches & The Real Glow Up Formula
In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with Jodie Taylor, corporate strategist, DEI leader at Sony Music, and digital creator with over half a million followers, to unpack the strategy behind becoming your highest self. Jodie shares how a devastating season of loss, heartbreak, layoffs, and friendship breakups forced her to completely reevaluate her life. Instead of staying stuck in grief, she built a deliberate blueprint for transformation by focusing on physical confidence, career capital, social capital, and emotional growth. From navigating corporate America as a Black woman to building a powerful personal brand online, Jodie explains why success is not accidental. It is strategic. Their conversation dives into glow-up culture, networking without feeling transactional, building influence in your career, and the surprising role vulnerability plays in relationships and self-development. As Jodie highlights: “There is no universal definition of what being a baddie is.” Tune in! KEY POINTS There is no playbook for navigating corporate spaces as a woman of color How grief, layoffs, and heartbreak forced her to rebuild her life intentionally The Glow Up framework: physical, social, and career capital Why social capital and proximity to powerful networks can change your career trajectory The surprising psychology behind confidence, self-image, and physical transformation How high-achieving women often struggle with vulnerability and emotional expression The difference between preferences and real relationship boundaries Why ambitious women should think strategically about dating, mentorship, and life Jodie explains the biggest mistake people make when trying to reinvent themselves QUOTES “I’m going to intentionally develop a life of my dreams and find support and strategy behind it.” – Jodie Taylor “A woman who feels like she’s at the bottom of her life is a dangerous woman.” – Jodie Taylor “The people who are the most magnetic are the ones who exist fully and completely as themselves.” – Jodie Taylor “There is no version of me that exists today without going through that season.” – Jodie Taylor GUEST RESOURCES Jodie Taylor Website: jodiektay.com Instagram: @jodiektayl TikTok: @jodiektay RESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record: Youtube: @AwfTheRecord Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Mona Kosar Abdi IG | @monakabdi 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
July 28 · 9 min
[Go Awf] Scot Louie on TikTok Trends, Personal Style & Buying Belonging
Scot Louie has no problem saying what everyone else is thinking: fashion has been TikTokified. In this segment, Scot joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to unpack how trends, influencer culture, luxury bags, clean girl aesthetics, and unboxing videos have changed the way people think about personal style. He gets candid about the difference between having things and having style, why so many people are buying access, belonging, and acceptance, and how fast-moving trend culture can make it harder to know what you actually like. Scot also opens up about branding, being the “director of the divas,” turning “to us” into a signature phrase, and learning to step in front of the camera after years of hiding behind the work. It’s a funny, sharp, and deeply honest conversation about authenticity, identity, and why the real flex is knowing who you are before the trend tells you. GUEST RESOURCES Scot Louie Website | scotlouie.com IG | @scotlouie 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
S4 · E20
July 23 · 1 hr 1 min
Hollywood's Diva Director Teaches Taste, Trends & Timeless Style | Scot Louie
Celebrity stylist and self-proclaimed Director of the Divas Scot Louie is taking the group chat to fashion school. In this episode of Awf The Record, Scot joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a masterclass on personal style, taste, body type, red carpet strategy, and what it really takes to become unforgettable. From styling stars like Kehlani, Ryan Destiny, and Beyoncé to building his own brand through Dinner Plus, Diva Academy, and his signature “to us,” Scot breaks down why style is not about buying the most expensive thing in the room. It is about knowing who you are, what works on your body, and how to make every look feel intentional. Scot also gets into the politics of fashion, why great styling can change someone’s trajectory, how TikTok has flattened personal style, and why people are confusing trends with identity. Whether you are building a wardrobe, shopping on a budget, dressing for your body type, or trying to unlock your inner diva, this conversation is your reminder that taste cannot be bought, but it can be studied. Tune in! KEYPOINTS: 00:00 - Introduction: Scot Louie opens Diva Academy with the truth about taste 02:34 - Scot defines what it really means to be a diva 04:12 - How “clawing for comfort” shaped his career 06:05 - The making of a diva starts with discomfort 07:11 - Red carpet styling is about creating a full story 10:33 - Zendaya and Law Roach show how styling becomes image architecture 14:10 - Fashion still has a long way to go for women of color 19:00 - Great style matters, but having a stylist is a luxury 21:07 - Taste is not about price; it is about knowing what works 29:35 - Dressing for your body type requires honesty, not trend-chasing 39:15 - TikTok has flattened New York fashion and personal style 44:03 - Being a stylist means babysitting insecurities 45:48 - How “to us” and Diva Academy became part of his brand QUOTES: "Styling is a rich bitch sport." – Scot Louie " Every diva you know has dealt with a level of discomfort, whether it be scrutiny with how they do something, how they show up, how their career is outlined. You have to sit in that discomfort. A lot of people shy away from it.” – Scot Louie "You don't need a stylist. You don't. Right? Like you need taste. There you go. That's what I'm getting at. And taste cannot be bought." – Scot Louie GUEST RESOURCES Scot Louie Website | scotlouie.com IG | @scotlouie 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
S4 · E19
July 21 · 6 min
[Go Awf] Cari Champion on Sexism, First Take & The Boys’ Club
Cari Champion knew what it felt like to be watched, judged, and picked apart before she was ever fully allowed to speak. In this segment, Cari opens up about her time at ESPN and First Take, where she says everything from her outfits to her makeup to her presence on screen was scrutinized. She reflects on being told to tone it down, navigating the boys’ club, and learning that visibility in sports media did not always come with protection. Cari also gets honest about her relationship with Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless during that era, why she felt hazed in the middle seat, and how she eventually realized that being a woman, looking good, and being smart were never mutually exclusive. It’s a sharp, candid conversation about sexism, scrutiny, and what it costs to be one of the first to push the door open. RESOURCES: Cari Champion IG | @carichampion 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
S4 · E19
July 16 · 46 min
Cari Champion on ESPN's Boys Club, Public Criticism & Breaking Barriers
Cari Champion has never been afraid to speak her mind, even when the room made it clear she was supposed to stay quiet. In this episode of Awf The Record, Cari joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a raw conversation about journalism, sports media, career reinvention, and what it really costs to be a Black woman who refuses to shrink. She opens up about starting as a one-man band in local news, getting fired in Atlanta, finding her way into sports through the Tennis Channel, and landing at ESPN’s First Take, where visibility came with intense scrutiny, sexism, and the pressure to “just tee up the topics and lay out.” Cari also reflects on leaving ESPN, betting on herself, moving into digital media and politics, dating after divorce, and why sports can never truly be separated from politics. It’s a funny, honest, and deeply validating conversation about knowing when a room no longer serves you, trusting your voice, and building a career that makes space for all of who you are. KEY POINTS: 00:00 - Cari Champion reflects on becoming visible overnight and being hated for it 02:07 - Cari defines herself as funny, disciplined, sensitive, and a disruptor 03:28 - Speaking truth to power made Cari a problem in corporate media 05:06 - Cari’s early local news career taught her the purpose of journalism 08:00 - Getting fired and rehired in Atlanta became a turning point in her career 14:12 - The Tennis Channel became her unexpected entry point into sports media 17:39 - Cari breaks down how she landed ESPN and became a barrier-breaking host 21:40 - First Take was the hardest job of her career because she was not allowed to be fully herself 24:53 - Cari opens up about the criticism, sexism, and boys’ club culture she faced 33:08 - Leaving First Take, finding SportsCenter, and eventually betting on herself QUOTES: “The only time I really knew I was doing my job [was] when I knew that I was changing minds and helping people and affecting change.” – Cari Champion “It was never about making it big. It was always about telling the story.” – Cari Champion “I went from a nobody to somebody overnight, and everybody hates me.” – Cari Champion “It’s okay to be a woman and look good and be smart. None of that. Those aren’t mutually exclusive.” – Cari Champion RESOURCES: Cari Champion IG | @carichampion 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
S4 · E18
July 14 · 6 min
[Go Awf] Kennedy Ryan on Why Publishing Keeps Underestimating Black Women
Kennedy Ryan knows exactly who she’s writing for, and she refuses to let publishing’s outdated assumptions shrink that vision. In this segment, Kennedy opens up about centering Black women on the page, on the cover, and in the audience, even when the industry suggests that doing so could limit sales or mainstream appeal. She breaks down why Black women are not a niche market, but a powerful readership with their own economy, cultural influence, and buying power. From sold-out theaters to New York Times bestseller lists, Kennedy makes it clear that when Black women are centered and celebrated, they show up, bring their people, and move the culture forward. This conversation is also a reminder for any creative trying to build with conviction: know your why, write from your center, and be prepared to fight for the stories that matter most. GUEST RESOURCES Kennedy Ryan Website | kennedyryanwrites.com/about/ IG | @kennedyryan1 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

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes