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Awf The Record
Jeannette and Mona
71 episodes
4 days ago
In this powerful segment, celebrity stylist Yene Damtew and Jeannette Reyes unpack the emotional weight so many Black women carry about their hair — from childhood salon trauma to being conditioned to see certain textures as “unmanageable.” Yene breaks down how she helps her clients deprogram shame, why the natural hair movement has been both a blessing and a battleground, and how true hair confidence starts with unlearning. If you’ve ever questioned your texture, this one is a must-listen. ...
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Society & Culture
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All content for Awf The Record is the property of Jeannette and Mona and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this powerful segment, celebrity stylist Yene Damtew and Jeannette Reyes unpack the emotional weight so many Black women carry about their hair — from childhood salon trauma to being conditioned to see certain textures as “unmanageable.” Yene breaks down how she helps her clients deprogram shame, why the natural hair movement has been both a blessing and a battleground, and how true hair confidence starts with unlearning. If you’ve ever questioned your texture, this one is a must-listen. ...
Show more...
Society & Culture
Episodes (20/71)
Awf The Record
Visible but Voiceless: Andrea Lewis on The Real Story Behind Hazel from Degrassi
What happens when your character is seen, but your story isn’t? In this powerful segment, Andrea Lewis opens up about her experience on Degrassi — playing Hazel, one of the few Black characters on the show, and what it felt like to be visible but voiceless. She reflects on the lack of cultural authenticity in Hazel’s storyline, the toll it took on her confidence, and how it fueled her to create The Black Beauty Effect, a groundbreaking series that centers Black women, beauty, and belonging. T...
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1 week ago
15 minutes

Awf The Record
The Art of Quiet Power: Melyssa Ford on Confidence, Sensuality & Setting Boundaries
How do you stay empowered and sensual in a world that wants to box you in? In this powerful segment, Melyssa Ford gets real about the exit ramp from video vixen fame, reclaiming her narrative, and the intentional ways she moved through public spaces to protect her peace. She shares how she modeled herself after women like Claire Huxtable, Lena Horne, and Sade, and what it really means to master quiet confidence in a loud world. For anyone navigating womanhood, media, and misunderstood power, ...
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2 weeks ago
9 minutes

Awf The Record
How to Audit Your Year & Reset with Intention
Today, this candid and reflective episode of Awf The Record is your go-to year-end reset. Jeannette and Mona ditch the highlight reel to unpack what 2025 really looked like: burnout, blurred boundaries, constant “work mode,” and the pressure to overachieve. They break down the habits that kept them running on fumes, unpack the immigrant-kid conditioning that glorifies exhaustion, and reveal the small but powerful shifts they’re making to build a more intentional, joyful, sustainable 2026. Whe...
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2 weeks ago
34 minutes

Awf The Record
Ozempic: Miracle Drug or Just Hype? What You Need to Know About GLP-1s
Is Ozempic really the weight loss solution we’ve been waiting for or is it more complicated than that? In this must-listen segment, Dr. Darien Sutton breaks down the truth behind Ozempic and GLP-1 medications; what they actually do, who they’re for, and why obesity is much more than a matter of willpower. From Serena Williams headlines to the science of chronic weight gain, this convo dives into the real root causes of obesity, metabolic health, and the limits of “quick fix” thinking. If you’...
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3 weeks ago
6 minutes

Awf The Record
Being a Woman in the Public Eye: The Beauty & Burden of Being Seen | Best of Awf The Record
There’s power in being seen… but there’s also pressure. In this “Best-Of” episode, we explore the beauty and the burden of being a woman in the public eye. Through deeply personal stories of fame, identity, grief, and cultural expectations, these guests reflect on what it means to be visible… and misunderstood. This episode is for every woman who’s ever felt picked apart, underestimated, or praised for the version of herself the world projected – not the one she chose. KEY POINTS:...
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3 weeks ago
19 minutes

Awf The Record
Breaking Into Journalism When You Don’t Know Where to Start
How do you nurture a big dream, especially when you don’t have a roadmap? In this listener Q&A segment, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi share what it was like becoming journalists as daughters of immigrants, and how they found their voices in an industry where they didn’t always see themselves reflected. From reading scripts off an iPad in the living room to landing anchor desks, they reflect on visualization, storytelling, and the underrated power of immigrant kids who know how...
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4 weeks ago
5 minutes

Awf The Record
Leaving Your Dream Job for Your Next Dream Job | Best of Awf The Record
What if your dream job wasn’t the dream anymore? In this special “Best-Of” episode, we’re revisiting four powerful stories about career pivots, evolving purpose, and letting go of the identities we once held onto. From childhood fame to corporate boardrooms, these guests opened up about what it really means to outgrow the path you thought was permanent. Whether you're feeling stuck, scared to start over, or just craving something new, this episode is your permission slip to pivot. Because...
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1 month ago
9 minutes

Awf The Record
When Your Dream Job Isn’t Enough Anymore: Why Imani Ellis Left NBC to Build CultureCon
What happens when your dream job can’t hold your purpose anymore? In this unfiltered segment, Imani Ellis, founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective NYC, shares the real story behind her decision to leave NBC. From working 18-hour days to building a movement out of her living room, she opens up about burnout, identity shifts, and how she knew it was time to choose herself. If you’ve ever felt torn between a “good” job and your greater calling, this is the reminder that your next dream...
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1 month ago
4 minutes

Awf The Record
How to Stop Hiding and Win by Being the Real You w/ Taryn Delanie Smith
From Beauty Queen to Comedy Queen—Taryn Delanie-Smith proves that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. This week, Jeannette and Mona sit down with Taryn Delanie-Smith—comedian, content creator, and former Miss New York—who turned a viral TikTok into a thriving career. Taryn shares how she went from pursuing diplomacy to building a comedy empire, including the hilarious (and sometimes chaotic) journey that led to a reel that brought her 21 million views and internet fame. Known for h...
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1 month ago
48 minutes

Awf The Record
When Your Kinks Don’t Match... Sex Therapist Explains How to Ask for What You Want in Bed
In this spicy segment, licensed sex therapist Marissa Nelson breaks down what happens when partners have very different sexual desires including kinks, fantasies, and preferences most people are too afraid to admit out loud. From foot fetishes to roleplay to exploring the “awkward intimacy” necessary for real connection, Marissa explains why desire evolves over time and how couples can bridge the gap without shame. She also shares practical scripts for talking about what you want in bed, ho...
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1 month ago
9 minutes

Awf The Record
Corporate Baddie DeAndre Brown on Leaving Investment Banking for TikTok Fame
In this episode of Awf The Record, DeAndre Brown – aka the original “The Corporate Baddie” – gets real about leaving investment banking to become a full-time content creator. From viral TikToks and six-figure brand deals to burnout, reinvention, and building a brand with purpose, this episode peels back the curtain on what it really takes to pivot from 9-to-5 to FYP. He shares the lessons he learned negotiating deals (including a $6k LinkedIn check and an $80k CVS partnership), why auth...
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1 month ago
43 minutes

Awf The Record
The Promotion Didn't Happen... Rejection, Redirection, and What’s Meant for You
In this honest, reflective segment, Mona opens up about the moment she thought her journalism career had peaked and how that rejection led to a redirection she never saw coming. With Jeannette by her side, they unpack the grief of missed opportunities, the quiet ways imposter syndrome shows up, and why the “no” might actually be the greatest gift. If you’re in a season of transition, disappointment, or asking “Is this it for me?” — this one’s for you. 🔍 You'll Learn: What Mona learned from...
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1 month ago
8 minutes

Awf The Record
Burnout, Brand Deals & Building Life After News
This episode flips the script… literally. In a candid, behind-the-scenes Q&A, Jeannette and Mona sit down with their podcast producer to answer the questions they don’t usually get asked on air. From the burnout that led to leaving legacy media to how they really feel about brand deals, content creation, and modern relationships, nothing’s off limits. If you’ve ever wondered how two former news anchors rebuilt their lives and brands in real time while navigating love, money, pressure, and...
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1 month ago
43 minutes

Awf The Record
The Biggest Hair Myth, Texturism, and the Pressure to Be Perfect
Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Yene Damtew joins us to talk about the real work behind “good hair,” the pressures Black women face around beauty standards, and what it was really like doing Michelle Obama’s hair at the White House and beyond. From the rise of Instagram stylists to the myths around natural hair, Yene gets brutally honest about the hair industry, client relationships, and why the best stylists are educators first. 💬 In this powerful and hilarious convo, we cover: - Her j...
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2 months ago
54 minutes

Awf The Record
Andrea Lewis on Life After Degrassi, Burnout, and Becoming a Boss
You may know Andrea Lewis as Hazel from Degrassi — but that was just the beginning. In this powerful episode of Awf The Record, Andrea opens up about the transition from being one of the few Black girls on TV to becoming a writer, director, and multi-hyphenate creative building space for others to shine. From identity to independence, creative control to burnout, Andrea gets real about what it takes to grow up in front of the camera and then take ownership behind it. We talk about her product...
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2 months ago
1 hour 9 minutes

Awf The Record
Melyssa Ford: The Original Video Vixen on Fame, Fear, and Finding Herself
“The line is drawn when you’re not in control of it. The ownership, agency, and empowerment factor comes from putting the price tag on your own image and likeness.” Melyssa Ford is stepping out of the image, the headlines, and the hype - and into her truth. In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Awf The Record, Melyssa opens up about what it really meant to be “the video vixen,” the trauma of being hyper-visible yet misunderstood, and the personal fallout of fame, objectification, a...
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2 months ago
1 hour 28 minutes

Awf The Record
Ozempic Explained: Food Noise, Sex Drive, & Side Effects with Dr. Darien Sutton
Is Ozempic a game-changer or just the next quick fix? In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona are joined by Dr. Darien Sutton, an ABC News medical correspondent and emergency room physician, for a deep dive into the complex, controversial world of GLP-1 medications, Ozempic, and the science (and stigma) behind obesity. They break down everything you’ve been hearing [and seeing] online – from food noise and body fat bias to BMI myths, celebrity culture, and what weight loss l...
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2 months ago
43 minutes

Awf The Record
Real Advice for Real Life Transitions
The group chat is wide open... and y’all did not hold back. In this solo episode, Jeannette and Mona answer voice notes directly from YOU! Tune in as they give their most honest, heartfelt, and hilarious advice on everything from bold career pivots to how to survive motherhood and find your peace. It’s giving: group chat, girl talk, and big sister wisdom all in one. Whether you're navigating burnout, debating a return to your career field, trying to fund your next chapter with $8K, or wonderi...
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2 months ago
34 minutes

Awf The Record
Imani Ellis: The Truth About Leaving Your Dream Job
From her dream job at Bravo to building one of the most powerful creative communities in the country, Imani Ellis is the visionary founder behind CultureCon and The Creative Collective NYC. In this episode, she sits down with Jeannette and Mona to share the real story behind her bold pivot from corporate life to creative entrepreneurship - including the fear, obsession, burnout, and self-trust it took to make the leap. Whether you’re in your corporate bag, building something on the side, or j...
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3 months ago
59 minutes

Awf The Record
Why You’re Not Having the Sex You Want
This is not just a sex talk- it’s a whole intimacy intervention. In this jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud, deeply healing episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona welcome licensed couples & sex therapist Marissa Nelson to the group chat… and let’s just say: nothing was off limits. From the orgasm gap to scheduling sex, soul ties to underwater escapades (yes, really), Marissa breaks down the myths, mindsets, and cultural taboos keeping Black women from fully experiencing pleasure. We talk...
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3 months ago
50 minutes

Awf The Record
In this powerful segment, celebrity stylist Yene Damtew and Jeannette Reyes unpack the emotional weight so many Black women carry about their hair — from childhood salon trauma to being conditioned to see certain textures as “unmanageable.” Yene breaks down how she helps her clients deprogram shame, why the natural hair movement has been both a blessing and a battleground, and how true hair confidence starts with unlearning. If you’ve ever questioned your texture, this one is a must-listen. ...