For Love's Sake

I'm in the studio with a returning guest and client, Shakera, who has spent the past several years intentionally transforming her dating life. What began as a journey of self-discovery has now evolved into something deeper: learning how to build and sustain a real connection with a man. We explore the shift from dating skills to connection skills—the emotional, relational, and spiritual work t...

Today is a conversational episode with a dear client of mine who at this point has really become a true friend as well. We're talking about this notion of being pretty and the culture centered around it, which my guest, Dr. Elizabeth-Rose Amidjogbe, calls "Pretty Girl Culture." Join us for a conversation where an outsider and an insider explore the dynamics of this culture and how we b...

I'm in the studio with a returning guest and client, Shakera, who has spent the past several years intentionally transforming her dating life. What began as a journey of self-discovery has now evolved into something deeper: learning how to build and sustain a real connection with a man. We explore the shift from dating skills to connection skills—the emotional, relational, and spiritual work t...

Happy Fun Girl Summer! This year, I wanted to dive deeper and with former guests to offer richer and diverse topics in womanhood, dating, and relationships. Across the next five episodes, you’re going to hear from women at different stages of life and relationship experience — women who are reflecting honestly on what it means to love well, date intentionally, build partnerships, and sometimes con...

In this conversational episode, Dr. Jae sits down with her husband, Jeremiah, to discuss how many men—particularly Black men—approach marriage, whether they consciously realize it or not. Together, they explore four dominant frameworks men often use to imagine what marriage is for and how they expect a wife to show up within it. These frameworks aren’t prescriptions or endorsements—they’re only le...

In this conversational episode, Dr. Jae is joined by her husband, Jeremiah, for a candid, thoughtful dialogue about a tension that shows up in many heterosexual relationships: both men and women resisting being overworked, undervalued, and reduced to labor in marriage and partnership . Together, they unpack how men and women often name the same exhaustion —but for very different reasons—and how un...

CORRECTION: I referred to the wrong study in this episode. The study I meant to refer to was a study of never-been married Black men sharing what encourages and discourages toward marriage by ⁠Tera Hurt⁠ . In this conversational episode, Dr. Jae sits down with her husband, Jeremiah, for an honest, nuanced discussion on men’s perceived loss of freedom after marriage —specifically around friendships...

In this Mother’s Day special, Dr. Jae sits in the guest seat for a rare role reversal—interviewed by Miriam Arvinger, “The Girl Mom Guide.” Together, they talk about what it means to become a girl mom after raising sons, why this pregnancy was deeply intentional, and what it looks like to prepare not just for a baby… but for a daughter. Don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want to share w...

What happens when love, marriage, identity, lineage, and legacy all meet at the question of a last name? In this episode, I sit down with my husband to talk through a conversation many couples eventually face but do not always prepare for with enough depth: what happens to a woman’s surname after marriage, and what should happen when children enter the picture? This episode is for engaged couples...

What happens when love, marriage, identity, lineage, and legacy all meet at the question of a last name? In this episode, I sit down with my husband to talk through a conversation many couples eventually face but do not always prepare for with enough depth: what happens to a woman’s surname after marriage, and what should happen when children enter the picture? This episode is for engaged couples...

Join us for Part 2! Dr. Jae is in the studio with her husband, Jeremiah, to continue their protector-provide conversation. We explore capacity versus desire, legacy versus lineage, community versus individual responsibility, and the systemic shifts that reshaped dating and marriage in the Black community over the last 50 years. Don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want to share with me li...

In this conversational episode, Dr. Jae sits down with her husband, Jeremiah, to unpack a question that keeps showing up at women’s tables and in the culture: Are men naturally wired to protect and provide—and do marriage-minded men actually want to? Jeremiah offers a grounded framework for what “husband” means to him: caring for the woman and tending to the shared marriage space. Together, they e...

Join me as I discuss a 2025 peer-reviewed study on Black love and media representation to explore how TV, film, and pop culture have quietly shaped Black millennials’ beliefs about love, conflict, gender roles, emotional safety, and partnership readiness. If you’ve ever wondered why dating feels harder than it “should,” why expectations feel mismatched, or why love feels delayed rather than denied...

What does it really take for Black couples to stay emotionally connected in a world that feels heavy? In this episode, I break down powerful relationship research to explore how Black couples cope with racial stress—and how those coping styles shape intimacy, support, and conflict inside romantic relationships. Don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want to share with me like the one I shar...

In this research-centered, I dive into a powerful qualitative study exploring why Black men choose marriage —from the voices of Black men who actually said yes . Building on Episode 100 (which examined how never-married Black men think about marriageability), this conversation centers married Black men and asks a critical follow-up question: What pushed you toward commitment—and what almost stoppe...

Join me as I celebrate my 40th turn around the sun and the second anniversary of my pod! Today’s show is a vulnerable, wisdom‑packed walkthrough of my year‑long “Journey to 40” Selfhood Project . From sun‑drenched Mediterranean moments to soul‑stretching grief work, I share how an intentional blueprint can change the way we show up in life, love, and legacy. Don’t forget - if you have a Secret Sto...

Join me as I celebrate women 40+, particularly navigating life beyond their mooning years and entering their wisdom era. With a mix of science, lived experience, and cultural reverence, this episode unpacks the Grandmother Hypothesis , dispels ageist myths, and reminds listeners that the value of a woman deepens , not declines, with age. From evolutionary biology to ancestral intelligence, I speak...

In this behind‑the‑scenes solo episode, Joyice pulls back the curtain on her semi-unexpected, but divinely timed, rebrand. Expect equal parts testimony and strategy as Joyice catches you up on the major happenings in her life, shares her choice to rebrand, teaches some spiritual gems, and invites you in on what’s next for the pod! Don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want to share with me...

Join Joyice and Jeremiah, a husband-wife team, in a conversation about a sensitive complementary pair, Validation & Challenge, that every relationship needs. Listen in as we explain their definitions, distinctions, how they work together, and how to provide them with practical examples for both men and women.  Also, as always, don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want to share with me...

Join Joyice and Jeremiah, a husband-wife team, in a conversation about an essential complementary pair, Admiration & Adoration, that every relationship needs. Listen in as we explain their definitions, distinctions, how they work together, and how to activate them with practical examples for both men and women.  Also, as always, don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want to share with...

Join Joyice and Jeremiah, a husband-wife team, in a conversation about a foundational complementary pair, Security & Stability, that every relationship needs. Listen in as we explain their definitions, distinctions, how they work together, and how you can work on developing them with practical examples for both men and women.  Also, as always, don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want...

Join Joyice and Jeremiah, a husband-wife team, in a conversation about the difference between complementary pairs and opposite pairs as a means of examining your thinking on how you approach dating, relationships, and marriage. Because it is important that we view men and women as complements, not opposites. Also, as always, don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story you want to share with me like...

Happy January, Lovebugs! January is for reflection and revelation, and a time to understand the power of spiritual planting and to reconcile our human duality of good nature and evil inclination. Join me in an exploration of more depth of who we are as women including reflective practices as an in-step task toward increasing our wisdom. I’m presenting four main topics: power of reflection (hindsig...

Happy New Year, Lovebugs!  Meet my best friend, Jessica. Join this conversation between me and her as we discuss how we became friends, our friend contract, motherhood, female intimacy, marriage and family, and turning 40–with a surfacing theme of redemption. You’re in for a treat as you come to know a different side of me in this episode. Also, as always, don’t forget - if you have a Secret Story...

Happy New Year’s Eve, Lovebugs!  Kaity and I are back with another fun and festive show to close the year, and we’re inviting you along to play with us. Join us as we share our expertise and personalities and discuss at least one story per month for all of 2024. For each story, we’ll judge it as either MESSY or MAGICAL. As you listen to our takes, decide for yourself or see if you can guess the on...