So, we have thoughts… and they’re starting at a heartbreaking place: the sudden passing of Stephen “tWitch” Boss.  On 12/14, we learned he died of an apparent suicide... and like many other people, this news shook us!  It got us thinking and talking about mental health — being in struggle, suicide, support, death, coping… the loved ones left behind… and how cultural norms influence ideas around mental health.  RIP, tWitch.  Sending love and light to your loved ones ❤️

So, we have thoughts… and they’re very academic ☺️.  We’re talking with Hazel Francis, an educator here in New York City about some interesting work that she’s been doing.  Hazel, for those who don’t know, is also Tonya’s Mom ☺️.  And for some months now, Hazel has been conducting research on “Tools for a Culturally Responsive Environment” and she’s telling us a bit about her learnings.  Tune in and get informed!

So, we have thoughts… and they’re kind of a blast from the past… we’re talking about the Velvet Rope album, the legacy of MJ (in life and after death), and the rise and fall of R. Kelly.  We’re digging deep and talking about the artist vs. the art they create.  Y’all know a lot has changed in 20+ years, so we’re exploring all the things!

So, we thoughts... and they're about all about summer - our favourite time of year!  There's always so much to do - scorching hot weather and humidity aside - the city feels so alive!  This year, though, we want to mix, mingle, and chill.  Listen, the mid-30s pace hits different... but, maybe it's this after-pandemic life too?  Who knows!  

So, we have thoughts… and they’re about dominance and submission.  These two words elicit very STRONG reactions (on either side) and we're exploring why!  In dating and relationship scenarios, being dominant/submissive comes with its own set of challenges and we’re getting into them.  Lord help us.  Tonya (our resident dater) has rejoined the dating world and discovering some things along the way… namely, she’s not the sub she thought she was 😆.  Tune in!

So, we have thoughts… they’re about Tonya’s new dating adventure and the sea of dating shows currently streaming: Married at First Sight, Love is Blind, The Ultimatum, Temptation Island, Put A Ring On It… we can go on and on!  Reality TV is unceasing, but we’re particularly curious about this apparent infatuation with dating shows.  It seems like there’s an urgency to find love and connection, but why the surge… and why now?  With loneliness on the rise and the endless supply of perfect social media content, we’re very curious about what’s pushing the dating show craze.  

So, we have thoughts… and they’re coming in multiples… we’re talking about how we’re (still) moving through the pandemic, the mid-30s adult life, and the tools and things that we use to feed our mind.

So, we have thoughts… and they’re mostly about Love is Blind.  They’re back for season 2 and there’s SO much to dig into!  There were so many GLARING issues with how the singles navigated their journey and yet, there was this unceasing commitment (and proclamation) to “the process working”… but did it?  Because… my gawd, look at Shake!  We don’t know why he was even there… and we don't want to.  There’s so much we didn’t get… but, we did get many ‘meme-worthy’, cringey moments... (fine, we got some good ones too 🤭 ).   

So, we’re BACK and we have thoughts!  We’re talking with my friend, Ijeoma, about happiness + happiness research.  We dig into the meaning of happiness… is it a “real” thing… is it fleeting… is it necessary to feel ALL the time to qualify as "happiness"?  There are so many layers to explore… we covered a ton, and still have many other angles to consider!

So, we’ve wrapped the first season of our show and sharing thoughts on our podcasting journey!  It’s been an amazing time, lots of magic and sentimental moments, and we can’t wait to be back.  ‘See’ you in February!

So, we have thoughts… and they’re all about The Great Resignation!  The last 2 years have been hard AF… the pandemic has been endless, much of the world shifted to working remotely (and loving it), and a lot of folks have decided they’re actually done with the working world (we wish 😩).  Millennial and Gen Z workers have had enough and we’re talking all about it.  

So, we have thoughts… we watched Dave Chapelle’s ‘The Closer’ and we’re definitely struck by a few things that he shared 👀.  We’re talking about freedom of speech, navigating difficult conversations (especially these days), Dave’s announcement of being a TERF 😳, cancel culture (the ever expanding reach), social disruption, and much more.  Yeah, he caused quite a stir!  

So, we have thoughts… Beyoncé turned 40 last month and released a beautiful statement about what the moment meant.  And, we were particularly struck by this line: “There’s a freedom and liberation knowing that I’ve made it to the other side of my sacrifice”… It got us thinking about our goals and the work to create the lives we envision for ourselves.  

So, we have thoughts... and they're about the new era of work: the age of the influencer.  These days, it seems like everyone wants to be an influencer, has an OnlyFans... or sells something online.  The assignment: be enterprising AF.  

So, we have thoughts… we’re talking about marriage (as we know it now), Married At First Sight (why it works), divorce (what happens when it ends), and some recent high profile divorces (lessons learned - or not - from Dr. Dre and Jeff Bezos ‘n them).  Plus, some interesting thoughts on alimony, women’s independence, and how we’re probably never getting rid of the patriarchy 😩. 

So, we have thoughts… and they're still about our Girls Retreat weekend.  We laughed, we cried (just a little), we relaxed… we felt moved… we spoke about self care, trauma, healing, nurturing ourselves & our female friendships, and everything under the sun!  Join us for part 2 of the conversation! ❤️🥰   (And, we're STILL listening & loving this R&B, soulful playlist "Black Sunday Brunch" on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/black-sunday-brunch/pl.u-DdANrX5Tayl59pX) 

So, we have thoughts… and they're all about catching up on our weekend.  We had a Girls Retreat with some of our favorite girlfriends and loved all the girlfriend bonding time!  As women, we wear multiple hats and lead such busy lives and against the backdrop of these hectic, pandemic times... it was important for us to have a moment for ourselves.  We spent half a day at Body by Brooklyn, had an incredible dinner at Beauty & Essex (we’re obsessed with them!), and ended with a delightful brunch at Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar ❤️.  Join us for both parts of our conversation!   (Btw, we're listening & loving this R&B, soul music playlist "Black Sunday Brunch" on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/black-sunday-brunch/pl.u-DdANrX5Tayl59pX 🥰)

So, we thoughts… and they’re pretty much all over the place! LOL.  Today, we’re talking about Y&R (AKA “Soaps”; THE Caribbean pastime); Helga’s shrine + all the adult shit in children’s cartoons 🤭; the Caribbean mindset; our love for Haitian food; Run The World + the notion of “Fucking UP” 😉😈; and exploring everywhere that our thoughts took us.  

So, we have thoughts… who decides which shows are rebooted and why?  As much as we love a great show, when it ends, it’s DONE, and we’re fine with that!  This week we’re discussing some shows that are supposedly coming back: Sex & The City, but without Samantha… so, without the sex?!  Gossip Girl (essentially the Gen Z version), again why?!  The Game?  Was already over, no?!  Ugh, please don’t… just let them stay gone. 

So, we have thoughts… we’re discussing feminism, womanism, equality, gender roles, the “good parts” of patriarchy (i.e. marriage) and much, much more! 

So, we have thoughts: the world has reopened (mostly), we’re outside, and the mask mandate has been lifted - probably way too soon, to be honest - more on that later.  Anyway, we’re having drinks, shootin’ the shit, talking about COVID, vaccination, and all things summer.    Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speakers and do not represent the views of the Target corporation.  

SPOILER ALERT!  So, we have thoughts… HBO’s Succession.  We’re obsessed and diving all the way in!  The show follows a wealthy media conglomerate family (The Roy Family) as they navigate the future of their empire: their Dad stepping back from his role at the helm… or so they thought.  They are in your face, disruptive, viciously funny, obviously powerful.. and they do whatever TF they want to do.  From family dynamics to Shiv’s ass, we’re talking about EVERYTHING!  

So, we have thoughts… the outsides are opening up again, and we’re talking about finding love in our 30s.  Lust and fire are great, but now we deeply appreciate how sexy it is to be loved in a healthy way.  Right?!

Hey World!  Here’s a little snippet of who we are and why we’re doing a podcast.  Hope you’ll be joining us on this journey into podcasting!  XOXO, Tonya & Kiandra.