Roots and Rhythm Podcast

Share your thoughts with us! “Red flag.” 🚩 “Toxic.” “Cut them off.” “Know your worth.” “Leave.” Spend enough time on social media and you’ll hear plenty of advice about when it’s time to walk away from a relationship. But what happens when normal relationship discomfort starts getting treated like dysfunction? In this episode of Roots & Rhythm Podcast , Vlad and Angie ask a question that migh...

Share your thoughts with us! Our parents worried about where we were when we left the house. Today, our kids can be sitting right next to us and still be somewhere completely different online. This week on Roots & Rhythm , Vlad and Angie ask a question every modern parent eventually has to confront: How do we raise children safely in a world of smartphones, social media, AI, algorithms, and un...

Share your thoughts with us! What happens when loving your family starts to come with conditions? Inspired in part by a recent loss in Vlad’s family, the conversation asks a difficult question: When is walking away from family necessary, and when are we allowing pride, religion, resentment, or the need to be right to cost us relationships we may never get back? Vlad and Angie unpack their own fami...

Share your thoughts with us! They say it takes a village to raise a child. But what happens when the village isn't there? In this episode of Roots & Rhythm Podcast , Vlad and Angie sit down with Chantell Ford, founder of HomeTRYB , for an honest conversation about parenting, isolation, marriage, boundaries, mental health, and why so many parents are trying to do something that was never m...

Share your thoughts with us! We spend a LOT of time talking about relationship red flags—but what about the signs that tell you you’ve actually found something healthy? In this episode of Roots & Rhythm Podcast , Vlad and Angie flip the conversation from 🚩 to 💚 and break down 10 green flags that can help identify a partner who may actually be built to go the distance with you. Because choosi...

Share your thoughts with us! Is loneliness becoming the silent epidemic of adulthood? Despite living in the most connected generation in history, millions of adults report feeling isolated, emotionally disconnected, and without meaningful community. In this episode, Vlad and Angie explore:  Why adulthood can feel surprisingly lonely   The hidden ways childhood shapes adult relationships   Parentin...

Share your thoughts with us!  Summer break sounds relaxing… until you're the one responsible for keeping little humans entertained, fed, safe, enriched, and somehow finding time for yourself.  In this episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast , Vlad and Angie unpack the reality of parenting during the summer months—from daycare closures, summer camps, travel, rising utility bills, and balanci...

Share your thoughts with us! Father's Day may have passed, but the conversations it sparked are just getting started.  In this deeply personal episode of Roots & Rhythm , Vlad and Angie reflect on what it means to be fathered, what it means to become a parent, and how those experiences shape the adults we become. Together, they explore the complicated relationships many of us have with ou...

Share your thoughts with us! "Go no contact." It's one of the most common pieces of advice on social media today—but is it always the right answer? In this episode, Vlad and Angie explore the growing trend of cutting off family members and examine it through a Caribbean cultural lens. Drawing from personal experiences with parents, family expectations, and boundary-setting, they dis...

Share your thoughts with us! Life has been LIFE-ing lately.  In this episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast, Vlad and Angie sit down for a real and unfiltered conversation about marriage, parenting, finances, mental health, modern pressure, and what it means to stay grounded during difficult seasons.  From raising kids in today’s world, to budgeting during inflation, to the changing culture aro...

Share your thoughts with us! In this episode, we sit down with Dhiny Mercedes , Army Sergeant and Clinical Social Work Intern (RCSWI, MSW), to talk about mental health, service, and purpose.  We explore:   Mental health in the military   PTSD and emotional resilience   Serving others through lived experience  This conversation is powerful, honest, and necessary.   🎙 About Dhiny Mercedes   Deneet M...

Share your thoughts with us! In this powerful episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast , we sit down with marketing strategist and entrepreneur Desiree Whitehead , who shares her journey from corporate America to building a purpose-driven marketing business rooted in integrity.  Desiree breaks down what it really means to:   Walk away from a six-figure career   Build a business aligned with your...

Share your thoughts with us! In this deeply impactful episode, we’re joined by Dr. Gayl Crump Swaby , therapist, professor, and author, to explore generational healing and emotional legacy. We discuss:  How trauma is passed down   What it means to “unlock legacy”   How healing impacts parenting, marriage, and identity  This episode will challenge you to reflect, heal, and grow. 🎙About Dr. Crump-Sw...

Share your thoughts with us! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dorian Stewart , author, speaker, and founder of Dorian Inspires, who shares her journey from self-doubt to publishing 19 books. We also dive into:  Her adoption journey as a mother   Writing as a form of purpose   Helping children build identity and confidence  This episode is about stepping into your calling — even when you...

Share your thoughts with us! In this raw and honest episode, we sit down with Joshua Kephart , a recovery coach and father, who shares his journey through addiction and what it truly takes to rebuild your life.  We explore:   What addiction really is (beyond the stereotypes)   The mindset shift required for recovery   How purpose is built after pain  This is a must-listen for anyone navigating hea...

Share your thoughts with us! Marriage doesn’t survive on vibes alone . In this Valentine’s weekend episode — and the final episode of Season 1 — Vlad and Angie break down the real ingredients that make a relationship last. As Angie celebrates 14 years of marriage, we explore what actually sustains love long-term — not just butterflies, not just chemistry, but the deeper foundations that keep coupl...

Share your thoughts with us! In Episode #29 of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast , Vlad and Angie take a deep, reflective trip down memory lane to revisit one of the most defining years of the last decade. From Snapchat, Vine, Pokémon Go, and iconic music, to personal turning points, political shifts, and cultural moments that reshaped how we experience the world today — 2016 was a year that left a m...

Share your thoughts with us! In this episode of the Roots and Rhythm podcast, hosts Vlad and Angie delve into the complexities of fighting fair in relationships. They discuss the inevitability of conflict, the importance of communication, and the foundational role of emotional safety. The conversation highlights strategies for navigating disagreements, the psychological aspects of conflict, and th...

Share your thoughts with us! Summary In the 2026 premiere episode of the Roots and Rhythm podcast, hosts Vlad and Angie reflect on the holiday season, discuss the effectiveness of New Year resolutions, and explore the importance of sustainable change in personal growth. They delve into the all-or-nothing mentality, the significance of accountability, and the role of communication in relationships....

Share your thoughts with us! The holidays are supposed to be joyful… but for many of us, they bring tension, grief, unresolved family dynamics, and unspoken expectations. In Episode 26 of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast , Vlad and Angie sit with the truth of the season and ask a powerful question:   What would it look like to choose PEACE this Christmas? In this episode, we explore: The emotional w...

Share your thoughts with us! ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode contains graphic language and discussions of violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), and domestic violence (DV) . Viewer and listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone you love is experiencing DV/IPV, please use the resources listed at the bottom of this description. This week on Roots & Rhythm , Vlad and Angie dive in...

Share your thoughts with us! In this week’s episode of Roots & Rhythm , Vlad and Angie dive deep into the alarming realities of modern divorce: why people stay longer than they should, why they eventually leave, and what life looks like after the paperwork is signed. Drawing from their own childhood experiences as products of divorce, they unpack: Why 40–50% of first marriages end in divorce W...

Share your thoughts with us! In this heartfelt post-Thanksgiving episode, Vlad and Angie dive into the complex emotions many of us carry into the holiday season—especially those who grew up in chaotic or unstable households. As the holidays approach, old wounds, unmet expectations, and complicated family patterns can resurface. This conversation reminds listeners that healing is possible and that...

Share your thoughts with us! EPISODE 22: “From Acquaintances to Family — Choosing Our Village, Raising Our Kids, and Protecting Our Values” This week on Roots & Rhythm , Angie returns to join Vlad for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply grounding conversation about how they went from acquaintances… to family . They break down: How intentional friendship became a village rooted in love, accounta...

Share your thoughts with us! This week on Roots & Rhythm , Vlad and Angie tackle one of the most important conversations yet — how to break free from generational dysfunction . From questioning faith and parental influence to learning empathy and setting emotional boundaries, this dialogue explores the layers of healing required to change the narrative for future generations. 🔑 Top Takeaways:...