The Napkin In Between

The moment Beyoncé took the stage and said "there's a lot of talking going on," the tears started flowing. Not just because I was witnessing the artist of our generation, but because her live vocals were an exact match to her studio recordings—a testament to her extraordinary talent that left me speechless. From "American Requiem" opening the show to her strategic performa...

Strength looks different for every survivor. When Cassie took the stand to testify against Diddy, when Halle Bailey sought a restraining order against DDG, when Megan Thee Stallion refused to be silenced—they showed us courage in action while facing relentless victim-blaming. Why do we ask "Why didn't she leave?" instead of "Why was he violent?" The answer reveals our soci...

Cancel Zues Network, Cancel the cookout, CANCEL EVERYTHING!!!!! I had an entirely different thing to talk about today, but my morning scroll through social media revealed content that demanded immediate attention—a reality where Emmett Till's name is carelessly used as an insult while others demonstrate complete ignorance about his historical significance. This cultural disconnect ignited a p...

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you faced your biggest fear? That's exactly what I did when I finally shaved my head after years of anxiety and hesitation. What followed was nothing short of transformative. Growing up as a Black woman, my relationship with my hair was complicated. I received compliments only when my natural 4C hair was braided, straightened, or permed - leading me...

The beautiful arrival of spring weather and the healing power of a stranger's psychic reading set the stage for our deeper dive into a troubling conflict dividing Black communities online. As my palm reader wisely noted that my defensive walls might be keeping out more good than bad, I couldn't help but see the parallel to what's happening between Black Americans and South Africans...

Ever felt like you're screaming into the void while the walls keep closing in? That's exactly what it's like being a Black creator trying to combat racism on platforms designed to silence you. When I started creating content in October 2022, I never imagined that simply responding to racist comments on my videos would lead to multiple account bans and being kicked out of TikTok&apos...

Sam Champagne sits down with us to pull back the curtain on her multifaceted career as a producer, sound engineer, singer, and songwriter. With disarming honesty, she reveals how her musical journey began at just 8 years old, experimenting with FL Studio on the family computer—a passion that would eventually become her calling. The conversation takes fascinating turns as Sam discusses navigating t...

TW: THERE IS MENTION OF MISCARRIAGE IN THIS EPISODE!! VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!!! Also, sorry the audio is a little crispy, I like to think it was the spirit of Eric Mays with us on the pod. RIP to a real one. What happens when we misidentify our true adversaries? The sun is shining, dogs are playing, and somehow we've found ourselves in a culture war between mothers and child-free women...

Family can be our greatest source of love or our most painful source of hurt. In this candid episode, I dive into my recent Atlanta trip to celebrate my Nephew's 12th birthday – a milestone that's left me emotional as I watch the little boy who gave me my Auntie nickname "Nene" grow taller than me.  Between reflecting on my driving anxiety (seriously, we're controlling sev...

Rent must be due!!!! In today's episode, let's talk about my experience receiving an AI-generated cease and desist letter from a content creator desperate for attention and relevancy. The fake legal document (complete with misspellings and an AI-detection score of 94%) represents something troubling about today's social media landscape: the lengths some people will go to for attenti...

Join me in today's episode as we do an in-depth analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime performance—my current "Roman Empire" that I can't stop thinking about. This wasn't just entertainment; it was revolution televised. From the opening red "detonator button" signaling disruption to the PlayStation controller representing how America "plays ga...

What happens when the affirmations you give to a child become the mirror that transforms how you see yourself? In this deeply personal episode, I unpack my journey from internalized racism to radical self-love, sparked by an unexpected source – a 19-month-old girl named Callie who I nannied. Growing up in predominantly white Meadville, Pennsylvania, I never experienced outright racism, but somethi...

In today's episode, we take a powerful journey into history by focusing on the life of Daisy Bates. As an unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement, Daisy's advocacy for the Little Rock Nine showcases her unwavering strength in the face of adversity.  Throughout the episode, we explore how Daisy's childhood experiences shaped her drive to fight against racial injustice, making her a...

In today's episode, we unravel the audacious undercover operation led by Ron Stallworth, a black detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. With his partner Chuck taking on the in-person meetings, Stallworth's bold tactics exposed the shocking naivety of the white supremacists, even gaining approval from David Duke himself. We recount the jaw-dropping moment when Stallworth...

Join me in today's episode as we journey back to the 1960s to honor the unsung heroes of the Freedom House Ambulance Service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . These pioneers, despite facing systemic racism, revolutionized emergency medical care for Black communities and laid the groundwork for modern paramedics. With the visionary leadership of Phil Hallen and groundbreaking medical contributions...

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!! I don't know about y'all, but I wake up every day proud to be BLICKETY BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK!!! In honor of Black History Month, I'd like to take some time to shed light on people in black history who may have been forgotten. In today's episode, let's journey through the unsung heroism of Claudette Colvin, the young girl whose defiance agains...

Girl...idk. Trump has been back in office for a week & he's hit the ground RUNNING! In today's episode, we tackle the chaos of Trump's first week in office, reflecting on the disbelief and emotional turmoil it has unleashed. The episode explores not only the alarming rollback of civil rights protections but also the underlying motivations and personal vendettas driving these cha...

Is TikTok truly a national security threat, or was it just a target in a personal vendetta by former (& now current) President Donald Trump? Join me, Daijné Jones, on The Napkin In Between Podcast as we unravel the tangled web of politics and personal grievances that fueled the explosive debate over the TikTok ban in the United States. This episode promises a thorough exploration of the conten...

From the quirks of Florida to the peelable joy of Twizzlers, we have a blast comparing everything to the one and only Jennifer Lopez. Ever thought about Colleen Hoover as the JLO of romance authors or debated Tyler Perry's influence on societal stereotypes? We tackle these topics with humor and insight, throwing in some spicy takes on the Jenner clan, Hilary Duff, and Blake Lively. Get ready...

Waking up with an inexplicable burst of joy is a rare blessing that sets the tone for a meaningful exploration of topics often shrouded in misunderstanding. Join me, Daijné Jones, as we unpack the misconceptions surrounding pro-black ideologies, emphasizing that being passionately against white supremacy does not equate to being anti-white. This journey takes us through my personal reflections on...

**DISCLAIMER**: Some topics discussed in this episode are currently unfolding, meaning new evidence & information can become available after filming. These topics will be touched upon further in future episodes! A peaceful holiday at home with Luna set the stage for reflections on pressing societal issues. I unpack the misinformation surrounding a tragic New York City subway incident, emphasiz...

Can you imagine chasing your podcast dreams only to face setbacks and misaligned partnerships at every turn? That's exactly what happened on my path to launching The Napkin In Between Podcast. After four attempts to find the perfect co-host, ranging from a model in New York who couldn't sidestep her busy schedule to a friend in Atlanta with contrasting podcast visions, I finally embraced...