Cognac,Cupcakes,and Conversations Podcast

Black Girl Magic? It's real, but it ain't always easy. As millennial women navigating the messy world of work, creativity, and media. Tired of sugar-coated stories? CCC is here with the honest tea (and a little' bit of spice)! ️We're pullin' back the curtain on being a creative in the workforce/corporate jungle. It ain't all Instagrammable flatlays, honey! C3 discusses the...

This week's episode is a divinely delicious blend of purpose and pastries! Listen as the ladies of #CCC chat with Astin Blount, the inspiring force behind Her Promise. We dive deep into shattering the stigma of period poverty, from menstrual education in underserved communities to fierce advocacy for women's health. But wait, there's more! The ladies get introspective, exploring the wh...

Ana and Kel talk through their rough couple of weeks and how they and so many other Black moms are able to stay the course. Hot Toddy recipe: A mini "Mea Culpa" review *no spoilers*, a dash of Cécred side eye, spiritual tinnitus and more. Follow us on instagram http://instagram.com/cognaccupcakesandconversations

Happy New Year and Black History Month! :-D 2024 hit us with a couple hurdles ALREADY. But we did start it off recording this episode in early January that we still find to be a relevant listen. So kick back, relax, and vibe with us about evolving in our 30s, liking who we're becoming, considering therapy, the Color Purple Musical movie, and much more. Philanthropy Highlight: Loveland Therapy...

Kel and Ana embark on a soul-stirring journey down memory lane, recounting the victories and challenges they faced since 2022.We delve deep into the profound question: What would we tell our younger selves? From childhood dreams to family influences, we lay  the blueprint that shaped the resilient, ambitious women we've become. ​​We spill the tea on the hit show —Black Cake. Get ready for a sp...

Kel and Ana are back from a mini holiday break and ready to grub on the latest current event headlines. The ladies give their thoughts on how to move through a room full of vultures, hurdles and adversaries as a woman in the industry and relate to the the Diddy/Cassie case, Through the Fire: Shelia Johnson's autobiography, and another Black Cake recap; which all seem to touch on DV and the rip...

Kel reviews her eventful DC weekend at the Whoreible Decsions live podcast and Wale's 10th Anniversary of Ambition Kennedy Center performance. After that, ish gets real as they discuss Keke Palmer's heartbreaking domestic violence situation; and Kel uses her own experience to share how to help someone you love dealing with DV. Spoiler Alerts: Full review of Black Cake episodes 1-4. Join th...

After a two year break, your girls Ana and Kel are back with the Cognac, Cupcakes, and Conversations Podcast. The ladies discuss all that's happened since the last episode aired in November 2021; from breakups and baby to weight loss surgery and 2 pandemic weddings. They catch up over Ana's Twix inspired cupcakes, prosecco, and two signature cognac cocktails crafted by Kel. They also give...

It's that special time of year again where we typically reflect and plan ahead... but what about living in and being thankful for the present? Kel and Ana talk about what they're currently thankful for after another crazy year and one they want to change next year, while also sharing that they'll be going on a brief hiatus with the new baby on the way! R&R: Ana cringes at the thought of Da Baby an...

It’s been a crazy start to the holiday season. Between Black women being accused of alienation for creating Black women-centered empowerment events, and Travis Scott’s fatal festival in Houston… we’re trying to figure out where our safe spaces reside. Join us for our candid conversation on these and other safe zone hot topics.

Last but certainly not least; we're ending our mini-series "At the Bar" with our dads to have candid conversations. We discussed what their experience was like being girl-dads and try to understand the man's role in being a protector, provider, and guide. Kell's Dad (0:00:53) Ana's Dad (0:17:00)

Following up from last week's episode, we present to you the second part of the series to the kitchen where we head "to the kitchen" and have honest conversations with the strongest black women we know, our mothers. We ask our moms about their journey into womanhood and what it means to them to be a mother. (Ana's Mom 37:49 | Kel's Mom 1:04:44 ) R&R: We reflected the passing of Collin Powell, the...

For this episode, Kel draws from the Netflix show "In Our Mother's Garden," which highlights Black women from across the globe and unlocks stories of their mothers to redefine holistic lives rooted in radical self-care and healing in this documentary. It got her to reflect on often we miss the opportunity to learn from the wise. So we present to you OUR series, From Our Garden, in which Ana and Ke...

Lisssennn bay-bee scamming is at an all time high. Them stimmy’s done stopped coming, the government is real ghetto and broke and the people gotta eat. Kell shares her story on how her season of mercury in retrograde is going. In R&R Miguel and Nazanin Mandi have decided to part ways. So sad but we all know marriage isn’t for everyone. Kelis hubby was diagnosed with stomach cancer. We are keeping...

Hey millennial friends! Do we really have to bear the burden of breaking generational curses and build legacies for our future kids? Without proper financial education, it's hard to know. So we sat down with financial analyst and "stocks whisperer", Kiandra to discuss the financial landscape, loopholes, stocks 101, and how we too can level up in this economy. Philanthropy Highlight: Operation Hope

Hold the line! When did we become grannies with the big panties? This week, we're discussing whether or not the Gen Z girls doing too much to make it big. Chloe and Normani performances, Chloe’s ass out vibes all together compared to her mentor and superstars of the early 2000s (from the millennials perspective). Also, we advise someone to take Nicki’s phone, she needs to be put on pause. Are we h...

The date of 9/11 is often remembered most for the carnage seen as America was attacked in 3 locations, most memorable, the NYC’s World Trade Center. This week we have a special guest, Carla Nicole, joining us to talk about that day. Carla’s father, my Uncle Rudy, was a victim who perished during the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001, but he of course was much more than that,...

What’s going on? The words from singer Marvin Gaye that still ring even more true today. This week we had to get back to shit that matters, like giving you our POV on Biden’s decision to extract U.S. troops from Kabul ending the 20-year war in Afghanistan. The states of Louisiana and Mississippi are in our prayers as they try to recover from another natural disaster that hit on the same weekend as...

LISTENNNN! We've got a lot to say about our trip to Jamaica, particularly our resort. We're sad to say, the customer service wasn't giving what it was supposed to gave! However, we still lived our best lives and did it like it was our bday (Because it actually was Kel's bday!). In R&R we discussed Drake and Kanye's ongoing petty beef, Nicki Minaj and her husband's transgressions, Aaliyah's 20th de...

Birthday trip loading! We're vaxxed, waxed, and ready to relax. So leading up to our vacay, we remind ourselves, through the great words of Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, "that it's OK to stop when we need to". We also ask each other when can you have the courage to say no, even when it feels like you can't? R&R revisits the micro chips, new music from Lizzo to Nas, Nick Cannon's "Eurocentric" marriage...

Come sit back sip on this yac as we discuss Kells impromptu kickback for her bday. We had to endure a very disappointing #verzuz. We had to pour out the yac on the ground for the way #Jadakiss murdered Dipset. We also chat about the latest and greatest in the Vax debates. Philanthropy highlight: Milani Cosmetics

This week we’re feeling a type of way. Maybe it’s in the stars or because we are counting down to vacation. Either way, we are so in our feels. We share our sentiments about ….mom guilt, the covid variant and impeding next shut down, Da Baby’s ignorance and mental health. Philanthropy Highlight: DC Ward 8 Councilmember Trayvon White is hosting a backpack giveaway.

We're Baaaaack! And we've got some big news! Ana's gonna be a mama! So we discussed what it feels like to become a first-time mom, triumph after the tragedy of miscarriage, and embracing your body before, during, and after pregnancy. In R & R, we kept the baby vibes going while discussing the Erica Mena and Safaree shit show on Love & Hip Hop (whatever city they're in now). Also Dani Leigh, Norman...

While Ana's out on vacay, we're taking a mini break. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out! Let's revisit one of our most relaxing and introspective episodes to date, "The Woo-Woo". --- Get into the Woo Woo! In this episode, we decided to skip the ratchetness and righteousness and get right into our conversation with Chakra expert Kenice. Learn about how chakra alignment (or lack thereof) can...

We're lighting the candles, setting the vibes for our very special 100th episode. Shout out to our amazing and loyal listeners! We reflect on our favorite episodes and events of the podcast. R&R: Hide ya kids hide ya wife #BilCosby is out of jail. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. Unfortunately, the #freeBritney movement has to live to fight another day in the battle over her conserva...