The Friend Zone

This week on #TheFriendZone , we discuss Caterpillar on Netflix . Caterpillar is a documentary that follows David, a 50 yr old man from Miami, on a journey to India for a non-FDA-approved surgery to permanently change his eye color. Directed by Liza Mandelup , the documentary explores themes of colorism, transphobia, self-image, insecurity and the desperate need to be seen. Black Business of the W...

This week on  #TheFriendZone , it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself. Catch Dustin in Atlanta - https://www.deviant.live/party/lets-talk Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront -  www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?c…9b11-63834e00ed6d Thank you to our Sponsors: Squarespace - Head over to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re read...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we're talking about what happens when you do everything right...but life still feels unclear? Did success change, or are we just figuring it out in real time? Black Business of the Week - Bird Pizzeria https://www.birdpizzeria.com Wellness Segment - Bodybuilding vs Functional Fitness https://www.templefitnessfranklin.com/bodybuilding-vs-functional-training #ListensLat...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we have lots to cover. Buckle up as Dustin brings us up to speed by discussing all the latest Hot Topics. Black Business of the Week - Yummy Tummy's Kitchen https://www.instagram.com/yummytummyskitchen?igsh=dmJtbHBnemUwM2l4 Wellness Segment - Landmark verdict against Meta and YouTube: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-03-28/how-landmark-verdict-against-meta-...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we’re joined by Financial Educator and New York Times Best-Selling author - Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche. We talk about “this economy”, how budgeting alone is not enough, how to make steady money decisions during economic uncertainty, practical shifts that reduce financial anxiety, ethical investing and the 10 pillars of financial wholeness. We also answer listene...

This week on  #TheFriendZone , it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself. Catch Dustin Ross Live!  tickets.citywinery.com/event/dustin-ross-1vh9vm Hey Fran Hey’ s Amazon Storefront -  www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?c…9b11-63834e00ed6d Thank you to our Sponsors: Squarespace - Head over to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we explore the psychology of time - why years feel longer when we’re young and why adulthood can make life blur together. We reflect on school vs adult life and discuss how creating new memories, learning skills and trying new experiences can help life feel fuller. Black Business of the Week - Golde https://golde.co Catch Dustin Ross Live! https://tickets.citywinery.c...

This week on #TheFriendZone , Bible Study is back! We have a lesson in love from the book of Genesis. Female Hip Hop, The Traitors, and The Bible have something in common, and Dustin tells us exactly what that is. Black Business of the Week -BLVD Bistro https://www.instagram.com/blvdbistro?igsh=NjAxNHF2MHY3ZGJv Fawn Weaver - Uncle Nearest Article - https://thegrio.com/2026/02/28/uncle-nearest-20-m...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we close out the last week of Black History Month with a discussion around Mr. Walter Johnson AKA Mr. Tendernism, Uncle Nearest and the ways the Government, racism and violence have suppressed Black innovation and economic progress. Black Business of the Week - Ruby Love https://www.rubylove.com Wellness Segment - Moonlit Ringlets https://www.moonlitringlets.com Catch...

This week on  #TheFriendZone , it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself. Catch Dustin Ross Live! https://tickets.citywinery.com/event/dustin-ross-1vh9vm Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront -  www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?c…9b11-63834e00ed6d #ListensLately: Mary J. Blige - More Than A Lover Victoria Monet - Let Me Biggie - I'm Getting...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we continue our Black History Month Celebrations! We explore who really preserves Black history, what gets lost when stories aren’t recorded and how everyday people, not just institutions, keep our culture alive. We end with a simple challenge to preserve one piece of personal history before it fades. Black Business of the Week - Clean Design Home https://shopcleandes...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we celebrate Black History Month ! THE WORDS BLACK BOTTOM HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD THING. We look back at the rich Black History of the now defunct Detroit neighborhoods Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Black Business of the Week - IM=X Pilates & Fitness White Plains https://www.imxpilates.com/new-york/white-plains?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_b...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we share our thoughts on how 2026 has unfolded thus far. And how our sense of self, goals and hopes for the year have been impacted. Black Business of the Week - The StoryGraph https://thestorygraph.com Catch Dustin Ross Live! https://tickets.citywinery.com/event/dustin-ross-1vh9vm Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront -  www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?c…9b11-63834e00ed6d...

This week on  #TheFriendZone , we're back from Winter Break! It's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself. Thank you to our Sponsors: Squarespace - Head over to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to  squarespace.com/friendzone  to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Rocket Money - C...

Surprise! It's a bonus episode of The Friend Zone! We asked you to share your favorite moments of the year and we put it all together to make a "Best of 2025" bonus for the holidays. The Friend Zone returns Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Binge is our weekly TV & Film recap series on Patreon. This month on #TheBinge , we're revisiting the Christmas episodes of our favorite Black Television shows.  Follow along as Fran recaps Living Single S1E15 - Living Kringle : "Synclaire is saddened to see that none of her friends share her enthusiasm for Christmas. She tries her best to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas." Living Singl...

This week on #TheFriendZone , it’s the final episode of the year. We take a look back at 2025 - from the community rallying together during the LA Wildfires, Armon’s Diddy coverage on YouTube to Patti LuPone getting cursed out for 15 min straight as an intro! We also take note of the range of conversations we contributed to the Podcast Landscape. Thank you for another wonderful year together. Have...

This week on  #TheFriendZone , it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself. Catch Dustin Ross Live! - www.dustinrosslive.com Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront - www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?c…9b11-63834e00ed6d Thank you to our Sponsors: Squarespace - Head over to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to ...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we look back at the last 10 years of Black Television & Film. Black Business of the Week - Reel Paper https://www.reelpaper.com Wellness Segment - Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey Dustin Ross Live on Tour! https://www.dustinrosslive.com #ListensLately: Brandy - Put That On Everything Brandy - Full Moon  Brandy - Sittin' Up In My...

This week on #TheFriendZone , Dustin walks us through the landmark case of Brenay Kennard in North Carolina Black Business of the Week - Ease The Brand https://www.instagram.com/easethebrand Wellness Segment: Everything’s Good - Toni Chapman (The Moody Foody) Cookbook https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593800788?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzhefrhe-20&creativeASIN=0593800788&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.27GAJJMEAZL0F&...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we discuss decisions and circumstances that shifted our trajectory and daydream about alternate lives. Dustin Ross Live! https://www.dustinrosslive.com The People’s Brief - Redefining Masculinity ft. Dustin Ross - https://youtu.be/Ea1hcOwdwFQ Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront - https://www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?ccs_id=442f4c1b-a313-4f4b-9b11-63834e00ed6d Black Bus...

This week on  #TheFriendZone , it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself. Catch Dustin Ross Live! - www.dustinrosslive.com Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront - www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?c…9b11-63834e00ed6d Thank you to our Sponsors: Squarespace - Head over to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to ...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we discuss the latest AI, Robot and tech developments. Black Business - UCLA VIP Scholars Program https://giving.ucla.edu/campaign/donate.aspx? Fund=64237C Dustin Ross Live! https://www.dustinrosslive.com Hey Fran Hey’s Amazon Storefront - https://www.amazon.com/shop/heyfranhey?ccs_id=442f4c1b-a313-4f4b-9b11-63834e00ed6d Wellness Segment - Melissa Hurricane Relief Fun...

This week on #TheFriendZone , it’s the end of our 2025 Spooky Season! An intersection of Bible Study and The Crime Zone. Black Business of the Week - Undomesticated Podcast Hosted by Michael Arceneaux and Candace Dillard Bassett https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/undomesticated/id1842883739 Wellness Segment - Food For The Poor Jamaica https://foodforthepoorja.org Catch Dustin Ross Live on Tour!...

This week on #TheFriendZone , we’re still in the Crime Zone. Death In Apartment 603 - What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? Black Business of the Week - Son of James https://sonofjames.co Wellness Segment - Black Girls Can Inc & The Pathway To Power Wellness Tour Black Girls Can Inc website https://www.blackgirlscaninc.org Black Girls Can, Inc IG https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlscan/# Black Girls C...