Awf The Record

New York Times bestselling author Kennedy Ryan is not just writing romance. She is writing Black women into love stories where they are centered, desired, protected, and loved outrageously. In this episode of Awf The Record , Kennedy joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to talk about the craft, conviction, and cost behind her work. She opens up about getting her first book deal at 40, why rom...

This episode originally aired on 04/14/2026 What does it really take to rebrand your life? In this episode of Awf The Record , Mona and Jeannette sit down with Les, host of the Balanced Black Girl podcast, to talk about reinvention, discipline, and stepping into the person you want to be. Les shares her journey of rebranding—not as a one-time makeover, but as a daily commitment to intentional grow...

This episode originally aired on 04/10/2026  Dating isn’t just about having chemistry or “vibes”—it’s actually data.  In this eye-opening episode of Awf The Record , dating and relationship expert Anwar White joins Jeannette and Mona to break down the real numbers behind modern dating—and why Black and Brown women need a different playbook. From match rates to money, Anwar exposes the hard truths...

Etiquette is not about being stiff, fake, or elitist. It is about knowing how to move through a room, make people feel seen, and carry yourself with confidence. In this segment, etiquette expert Elaine Swann breaks down the everyday habits that can instantly change how people experience you, from giving a proper handshake to greeting people, making a graceful exit, and commanding presence without...

“Etiquette, and the concept behind it, is accessible, and it's for everyone.” –  Elaine Swann In this episode of Awf The Record , Elaine joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a crash course in modern etiquette, from fine dining, networking, Zoom meetings, and corporate happy hours to dating, ghosting, apologies, compliments, and navigating luxury spaces without feeling like you do not...

WeezyWTF gets honest about shame, sexuality, marriage, and the rules society still places on women. She reflects on growing up confident enough to reject outside judgment, building a community that made sexual liberation feel safe, and realizing even she had internalized hierarchies around sex, promiscuity, and respectability. From sugar dating to bisexuality, non-monogamy, marriage, and the press...

How do you build a multimillion-dollar brand without watering yourself down? In this episode of Awf The Record , podcast powerhouse and entrepreneur WeezyWTF joins Mona and Jeannette for one of her most candid conversations yet. From launching Horrible Decisions as a side project while working in tech sales to building podcast studios, fitness brands, and a bestselling career, Weezy explains why a...

In this segment, Christiana Mebakwe Medina breaks down why our cultural standards around fame, work, and accountability have shifted since the 2000s. From Making the Band and Tyra Banks to Diddy, MeToo, Black Lives Matter, workplace power dynamics, and the rollback of DEI, Christiana explores how pop culture reflects the systems we live in, but rarely changes them without policy behind it. She cha...

In this episode of Awf the Record , culture critic and Pop Syllabus creator Christiana Mbakwe Medina joins Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes for a sharp, layered conversation on modern fame, celebrity mystique, pop culture, and the systems hiding underneath our favorite headlines. Using Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, The Kardashians, Tyra Banks, Diddy, Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Rihanna, Chappell Roan, Timothé...

In this powerful segment, Laura Coates opens up about her time as a federal prosecutor and the complicated reality of pursuing justice from inside the system. She reflects on why Black and brown communities deserve prosecutors who understand their lived experiences, the emotional weight of victim advocacy, and the courtroom moment involving a deportation warrant that shook her to her core. Laura s...

On today’s Awf The Record , CNN anchor, attorney, and legal analyst Laura Coates joins the group chat for a powerful conversation about purpose, pivots, and what it really takes to build a life that feels true to you. Laura opens up about leaving the Department of Justice (DOJ), the moment her husband’s fear during a police stop became a wake-up call, and why “informational activism” became her wa...

In this segment, Jaz Turner gets honest about the “messy middle” of self-growth, the part that does not look like green juice, Pilates, or a perfectly curated morning routine. She shares how rebuilding starts with small daily choices like journaling, faith, movement, and learning how to pour into yourself first. From leaving law school to redefining self-care as a love letter to herself, Jaz remin...

What does a real glow up actually look like? In this episode of Awf The Record , Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes sit down with lifestyle entrepreneur and digital creator Jaz Turner , whose thoughtful approach to self-investment, wellness, and intentional living has built a global audience of more than one million followers. But Jaz’s story didn’t begin with morning routines and glow-up advice....

In this segment from the Eboni K. Williams interview, Eboni breaks down why relationships, appearance, marriage, motherhood, and opportunity all operate within real social “marketplaces.” From Michelle Obama’s recent comments on appearance as currency to the controversy around advising women to prioritize partnership earlier, Eboni challenges listeners to think less about what feels fair and more...

In this episode of AWF The Record , attorney, TV host, author, and Judge Eboni star Eboni K. Williams joins the group chat for an unfiltered conversation on dating standards, the infamous “bus driver” controversy, single motherhood by choice, and why she refuses to apologize for being clear about what she wants. From her time on Real Housewives of New York to navigating public backlash, Eboni open...

What does it really take to build a successful fashion brand? In this segment, fashion designer Sergio Hudson breaks down the reality of the fashion industry, from scaling a small brand to navigating luxury retail stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. He shares the hidden costs of production, the risks of wholesale, and why many fashion brands struggle to survive. This conve...

In this episode of AWF The Record, legendary fashion designer Sergio Hudson opens up about the journey from small-town South Carolina to dressing some of the most powerful women in the world, including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Kamala Harris, and Kendall Jenner. Known for his razor-sharp tailoring, sculpted silhouettes, and unapologetic glamour, Sergio gets candid about the defining moment that cha...

Who do you turn to when the industry gets brutal? In this segment, Jess Hilarious opens up about the mentors who helped shape her career, from Nick Cannon’s support to Kevin Hart’s unfiltered advice on handling controversy and staying authentic. She shares what she learned about navigating fame, dealing with criticism, and why not everyone deserves access to you. Jess also reflects on the importan...

In this episode of AWF The Record , Jess Hilarious opens up about the realities of postpartum, navigating a major career shift with The Breakfast Club , and what it actually takes to find your voice in an industry that’s constantly watching. From waking up at 3:30 AM for radio to becoming a published author, Jess reflects on her journey from viral comedian to mainstream media personality. She shar...

In this episode, Rachel Lindsay gets real about what it was actually like to become the first Black Bachelorette. She talks about finding out while she was literally in the middle of a jury trial, getting thrown into late-night TV and Good Morning America, and the moment it hit her that life would never go back to “normal.” Rachel opens up about the pressure of representing Black America on such a...

On today’s episode of Awf The Record , Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay opens up about everything the audience didn’t see: navigating fame as the first Black lead, the pressure of representing an entire culture, and the reality behind a highly public marriage and divorce. From walking away from law for a life she never planned, to realizing love alone isn’t enough, Rachel shares the truth about...

What are people actually getting done… and why does everyone suddenly look younger? In this segment, Dr. Carl Truesdale breaks down the reality behind modern plastic surgery, from facelifts and fillers to the techniques behind today’s most natural-looking transformations. He explains why results have improved so dramatically, how trends are shaped by social media, and why the goal is no longer to...

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...

What does failure really look like when you’re already successful? In this candid segment, KevOnStage breaks down why failure is not the opposite of success, it is the path to it. From deals falling apart to Hollywood saying no, Kevin shares the real story behind building a creator career in today’s digital landscape. He also opens up about getting dragged online, navigating cancel culture, and th...

What does it actually take to build a creative empire without losing yourself in the process? In this episode of Awf The Record , KevOnStage (Kevin Fredericks) gets real about the journey from posting skits online to building a full-scale media company. From viral success to real-life responsibilities, Kevin Fredericks opens up about what people don’t see behind the content. This is not just a con...