Roots and Rhythm Podcast

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:...

Share your thoughts with us! In this powerful episode of Roots & Rhythm, we sit down with Cordan James Haveron ( @cordanjamesspeaks ) to explore what it truly means to be a man in today’s world. Together, we unpack themes of male vulnerability, the impact of the patriarchy on masculinity, and how healing from childhood trauma can lead to authentic leadership and wholeness.  Cordan opens up abo...

Share your thoughts with us! In this week’s episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast , hosts Vlad & Angie explore a question that many of us avoid asking: How much healing is “enough” before entering a relationship? They dive deep into the modern obsession with “doing the work,” unpacking how the healing journey can either prepare us for love — or become an excuse to avoid vulnerability altog...

Share your thoughts with us! In this week’s episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast , hosts Vlad and Angie explore the real talk behind love, sacrifice, and individuality in relationships. 💞 They unpack how to balance giving and gaining , why healthy boundaries matter, and how ego and societal pressures can quietly sabotage connection. From moms needing more personal time away from responsibili...

Share your thoughts with us! EPISODE 17: “Love Is Therapy” — Roots & Rhythm Podcast This week, Vlad and Angie explore how self-love and acceptance are key ingredients to confidence in any committed relationship. Drawing inspiration from Edmond and Kalybriah’s journey on Love Is Blind: Season 9 , they unpack what we can learn about self-awareness, emotional compatibility, and the healing power...

Share your thoughts with us! This week, Angie and Vlad unpack one of the most viral relationship topics — red flags. 🚩 They share how they used to define them in their early 20s vs. how marriage, healing, and parenthood have transformed their perspective today. Is it a red flag… or a reflection of your own unhealed story?  Join us for laughter, honesty, and insight on what it truly means to grow...

Share your thoughts with us! In this episode of Roots and Rhythm, hosts Vlad and Angie discuss the complex topics of faith, family, and substance use, particularly focusing on drugs like cannabis and psilocybin. They share personal experiences, cultural attitudes, and the impact of the war on drugs on communities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of open discussions about substance use w...

Share your thoughts with us! his week on the Roots & Rhythm Podcast , Angie and Vlad sit down for one of their most honest and vulnerable conversations yet. While the episode title is inspired by 50 Cent’s legendary track 21 Questions , this isn’t a literal Q&A—it’s a deep dive into the real issues that shape marriages and long-term relationships. From infidelity and sex, to personal ideol...