That Black Couple Podcast

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren explain why they decided to stop making New Year’s Resolutions. In the second segment, they interrogate the concept of New Year’s Resolutions, explain why they fail, and suggest alternatives. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren share their past failed resolutions and why they have “unburdened” themselves from strict goals. Articles for reference: * New Year, S...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren talk about how lack of sleep in the short term has afforded them time to get things done at the expense of their own wellness. In the second segment, they discuss how lack of sleep and sleep disorders have extraordinarily dangerous side effects for racial minorities yet it is often overlooked or even expected. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren reflect on how...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren discuss the listener question that prompted this episode and the common perceptions people have of spanking. In the second segment, they discuss the studies around acceptance of spanking in the U.S., how spanking is still allowed in schools, and the country’s history of corporal punishment. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren outline their parenting approach a...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren explain the meaning of the motto “Do good work and don't be trash.” In the second segment, Jenn and Daren discuss how they model the motto in their daily lives from how Daren checks his privilege to how Jenn uses her platform to elevate the work of other Black women. In the third segment, they talk through how not being trash requires being critical when necess...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren talk about Janelle Monae coming out as queer and what the resurgence of queerness means for this generation. In the second segment, Jenn and Daren discuss queerness as a set of gender politics and a set of sexual politics. In the third segment, Daren reflects on being a heterosexual Black man coupled with a queer Black woman and Jenn reflects on identifying as...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren talk about recent situations when the police have been called without good cause and why they are so problematic. In the second segment, they discuss the disparate responses police officers provide to white people vs. Black people and how unnecessarily bringing the police into situations can often end with Black people dead. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren read a listener submitted question (the topic of this episode) and clarify that this question speaks to a larger question of the power of the status quo. In the second segment, they discuss the theoretical implications of being liked and supported by white people. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren discuss not doing things for the white gaze, codeswitching, a...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren offer up both the official and #ThatBlackCouple versions of descriptions for some of the most buzzed about films nominated for Oscars this year. In the second segment, they give their in-depth critiques of the most buzzed about films this awards season: ‘The Shape of Water’, ‘Three BIllboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, and “Lady Bird’. In the third segment, Jen...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren talk about their experience viewing Black Panther and explain why they saw the film first as a couple and second with their children. In the second segment, they discuss the merits and problems with Black Panther in conversation with responses written by Chris Lebron and Lawrence Ware. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren reflect on how Black Panther could and...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren talk about what they want to leave in 2017, especially white saviors and performative allyship. In the second segment, they discuss things they liked about 2017 and how 2017 was the year of Black folx on their "glow up". In the third segment, Jenn and Daren discuss things they are looking forward to in the Blacker more feminist future of 2018 including Black Pa...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren talk about the ways that mainstream media operates to exacerbate and benefit from the public performance of Black pain. In the second segment, they discuss what Black Liberation really looks like given this type of system. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren discuss their experiences with internalized anti-Blackness, whether it be from them or others, and how...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren talk about emerging news around the medical issues that are associated with football, especially as it relates to CTE. In the second segment, they discuss all of the problematic aspects of professional football that are damaging to Black folx and question how anyone can be for Black lives while also supporting an anti-Black system like the NFL. In the third seg...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren discuss how subtle forms of racism show up in our everyday lives. In the second segment, they dig deeper into what implicit racism is, how we conceive of “microaggressions”, and what racism looks like for Black millennials in the United States. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren talk about how we address these issues and what are some ways to combat these iss...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren discuss the allegations against Harvey Weinstein and the misuse of power in Hollywood. In the second segment, they dive into gaslighting, defining the term and illustrating how pervasive it is in our culture. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren talk about sexual harassment in intimate environments and why it is so important for men to be vocal about these issu...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren discuss how mental health has played a role in their lives. They talk through anxiety attacks, childhood trauma, medication, and long term therapy. In the second segment, they lay out a litany of stats to discuss the seriousness of mental illness within the Black community. In the third segment, Jenn and Daren go over ways to seek help and be helpful to those i...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren discuss the "Black Love Documentary" that recently aired on OWN. They talk about the couples they loved, the ones they didn't, and the depictions of Black love that they hope are represented in the next season. In the second segment, they talk through why #RelationshipGoals is damaging and problematic both for those who are described with the term as well as th...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren discuss the Canadian Poet Laureate who stole ‘Still I Rise’ from Maya Angelou, the problem with those "Phenomenal Women" t-shirts, and the historical erasure of Black Women's work. In the second segment, they talk about the role of Black women in the workplace, very public examples of Black women’s erasure like the adaptation of Nnedi Okorafor's novel "Who Fear...

In this short primer for the podcast, Jenn and Daren give listeners a brief summary of their work at WaterCoolerConvos.com and how it informs the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to support the show through donations on Paypal.me/watercoolerconvos and Patreon.com/watercoolerconvos. Listen now to learn all the ways you can support!

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren discuss how Serena Williams and Beyonce were treated during their pregnancies. Their experiences are indicative of how Black women really are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, and pregnancy and motherhood are fraught with racial and gendered biases and innuendo. In the second segment, they talk about motherhood in very real terms. Namely, there is an...

In "First Things First", we talk about how we were introduced to masculinity and the impact of growing up in single-mother households. In "The Conversation", we define toxic masculinity and give some concrete examples from television shows. Highlights include perpetually invasive stalker Stever Urkel from "Family Matters" and Overton and Kyle from "Living Single". In "The Reflection", we discuss h...

In this episode, we discuss the white supremacist march and rally in Charlottesville, abstinence parenting, and why it is important to be honest with kids about the political realities facing the world today. In the first segment, we talk about what happened in Charlottesville and how it affects Black families. In the second segment, we talk about an experience we had with our kids during a recent...

In the first segment, Jenn and Daren describe how they came to be called "That Black Couple" by walking through how they became a couple in the first place. Highlights include when Daren had to literally be Jenn's mouthpiece and their "Never Felt This Way Moment" at the back of a bus. In the second segment, they provide a brief overview of the content listeners can expect to hear discussed on the...