Around The Way Curls

*Trigger Warning - this episode contains themes of sexual and physical violence. This week Antoinette is joined by artist, writer, and pod fave Joél Leon. After some unfortunate news from back home, Antoinette looks to Joél to help make sense of some of it all and questions whether or not Questlove was right when he said women and children are often collateral damage when it comes to hip-hop. A li...

This week Antoinette is joined by the amazing Dustin Ross @lookatdustin . They exchange pleasantries, discuss their thoughts on the recent rap beef between Drake and Kendrick, & deep dive into Dustin's recent TED Talk. For Politics As Usual, the conversation then shifts to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the potential arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Vivek Ramaswamy getting the sh*t played out of h...

This week we are joined by  Naana and Obie of The Work Bae Pod again! Work Bae pod is where you can clock out with two coworkers turned work baes whose conversation goes beyond the water cooler. Join them as they navigate everything from pop culture to challenging each other to step outside their comfort zones. The conversation explores the need for self-care and setting boundaries, as w...

We have a jam-packed episode for you! This week we are joined by Naana and Obie of The Work Bae Pod where you can clock out with two coworkers turned workbaes whose conversation goes beyond the water cooler. Join them as they navigate everything from pop culture to challenging each other to step outside their comfort zones.  For Politics as Usual, they discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and...

In this conversation, Dating Coach Anwar discusses the challenges faced by Black and Brown women in dating and relationships. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and setting boundaries then addresses the issue of self-sabotage. Anwar also explores the concept of masculine and feminine energy and how it impacts relationships. He provides insights into when someone is ready to date and off...

In this week's episode, Shanti announces a much-needed mental health break, while Antoinette shares her gratitude for her 2 Webby Wins for her other podcast "Can't Afford Therapy". Together we discuss the recent political events and mass graves uncovered in Gaza and highlight the funding bill signed by President Biden, which includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and humanitarian aid for conflict zones...

This week Shanti is away so Crissle & Jade came to play. We talk cinnamon apples, sports, and playful banter including the times Antoinette “accidentally” play slapped Jade in the club and bit Crissle during the Superbowl. We then shift to listener voicemails where we revisit passion vs duty in the context of work and financial security. Finally, we dive into Therapy 101 where Crissle imparts...

This week Shanti is away so Crissle & Jade came to play! The hosts discuss various topics including their personal updates, the state of the world, therapy, and upcoming events. The conversation then transitions into Politics As Usual where we focus on the Middle East and the right to protest. Together we explore the complexities of the Israel-Palestine war/genocide, the role of the United Sta...

In this week's episode, Shanti shares her growing obsession for Jerrod Carmichael and Willow Smith while Antoinette finishes her Walking Dead Era and seeks a new TV series to watch. For our main topic, we are inspired by a listener's call. We discuss the dilemma of choosing between passion and duty in one's life. Together we explore the logistical details of managing both and the sacrifices that c...

In this week's episode, Shanti shares her current condition of "badmouth" while Antoinette corrects her mistake from last week. Together we recap our trip to Canada and our ATWC meet up. For politics we discuss the recent ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court that upholds a near-total abortion ban in the state and the bird-flu epidemic amongst birds and now mammals. For pop-culture we discuss, the b...

In this week's episode, Shanti shares her discovery of a dating coach on TikTok which inspires her deep dive into the biology of falling in love for men and women. The conversation explores the different stages of love and attraction, highlighting the role of hormones in bonding and attachment. Lust, attraction, and attachment are discussed as distinct phases, each driven by specific chemicals in...

In this week's episode, Shanti asks for hair help from the community while Antoinette requests your votes for her podcast "Can't Afford Therapy" for The Webby Awards. For politics, we discuss the recent killing of 7 aid workers in Gaza by Israel's IDF, the selling of Bibles by Trump, and the new abortion law in Florida. For pop culture, we react to the premiere of Jerrod Carmichael's reality show...

In this week's episode, we are excited to be in conversation with pediatric and adolescent GYN, Dr. Charis Chambers. Together, we discuss the importance of our reproductive health and the factors that contribute to misdiagnosis. She also provides invaluable guidance on guiding adolescent girls through puberty and addresses the disconnection and trauma that some women may feel toward their bodies....

Forgive us. Antoinette's has serious technical difficulties which is why her audio sounds a but... tricky In this week's episode, Shanti tries to keep her head above water as she juggles motherhood and other responsibilities while Antoinette recovers from a medical procedure she was not expecting to be as painful as it was. For politics, we discuss Candace Owens by diving deep into her history and...

In this episode, Shanti recalls stealing hoagies from the corner store & childhood eating habits while Antoinette readies herself for an upcoming GYN visit. The ladies answer voicemails that range from The Roots Picnic attendance to dealing with a friend's infidelity. For our main topic, we are joined by Dr. Kelli Ruglass. Dr. Kelly, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified eating disord...

In this week's episode, we discuss our upcoming trip to Canada! We are looking for suggestions of where to have a meetup so please feel free to share recommendations! Antoinette shares her fear of Apple's AirPods, and the controversial history of Joni Mitchell. For politics, we get into Texas law on immigration and the threat to unions by major corporations. For pop culture, we delve into Amanda S...

In this week's episode, Shanti doesn't eat meat for a week and now considers herself a vegan while Antoinette continues her dissociative streak to manage her overload. For our main topic, we delve into the concept of "nice guys". Are we truly ready for the "nice guy"? Are we ready for the ways our identities may have to change once we are no longer identifying with struggle and rejection? Are we r...

In this week's episode, Shanti shares her misadventures in New York while Antoinette tries to recover from the violation of having her food stolen by her Super. For politics, we review the recent State of the Union address, the Boeing whistleblower and corporate power, the battle over TikTok and censorship, the Nigerian kidnappings, and the crisis in Haiti. For pop culture, we discuss the Oscars,...

In this week's episode, Shanti puts herself in harm's way for fried chicken while Antoinette does her best to talk Shanti off the ledge as she navigates her single life. After listening to voicemails, we delve into our main topic: We discuss the role our egos play when it comes to self-defense. When should we ignore untruths vs fighting back to set the record straight? How do we navigate the compl...

In this week's episode, Shanti discusses aging without much grace and how she has been exploring aesthetics and personal style and its connection to emotional well-being while Antoinette's updates are deeply connected to the current political climate and her growing concerns. For politics, we review the past week's Super Tuesday and the relevancy of the growing "uncommitted vote" in Michigan as a...

In this episode, Shanti discusses a week of emotional distancing and self-soothing while Antoinette shares the importance of receiving and giving constructive criticism. For this episode, we catch up on voicemails from listeners who delve into topics of queerness and polyamory and share personal experiences in making decisions about discarding frozen embryos. To end the episode together we watch a...

In this week's episode, we are joined by Monty our beloved audio editor of the podcast! For updates, Shanti shares her sexual revelation about coffee while Antoinette manages a busy week and Monty prepares for his coming birthday. Together we discuss the self-immolation and act of protest of Aaron Bushnell, Trump's immunity claim and Mitch McConnell's recent retirement announcement. For pop cultur...

In this week's conversation, we are joined by podcaster and educator Marquise Richards. Together, we discuss restorative justice. We explore the challenges and criticisms of restorative justice, including the role of the harmed and the perpetrator in the restoration process. We question the impact of social media and how cancel culture may not always lead to true accountability and change. Using C...

In this week's episode, Shanti shares a recent gym mishap, while Antoinette updates us on the health of her beloved cat, Blue. For politics, we discuss the Alabama State Supreme Court's ruling on embryos being children, a nonbinary teen killed in Oklahoma, and Trump's recent release of sneakers that sold out in Philly. For pop culture, we talk about Beyoncé's new haircare line and Wendy William's...

In this week's episode, Shanti has little to no updates while Antoinette attempts to get clear on her voting strategy for the coming presidential elections. For our main topic, Shanti invites us to consider possible 5,10, or 20-year life goals starting and ending with "have a good day". In this topic, we discuss the root causes of "bad days" and what control and responsibility we have as individua...