TAWKS: the Podcast

What does it mean to be "spiritual" vs. "religious"? Does talking to my ancestors make me a weirdo? And what's the deal with all the sage burning?! We get to the real root of the questions this week in our conversation with our friend Danielle of ToiBox Tarot. She gives us helpful insight and the real deal on what tarot practice is and what it ain't! Come learn something new, and leave your bad energy at the door. Follow Danielle @toiboxtarot Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

This week we link back up with Billy Banx almost a year after speaking with him about his music. This time he's back with a new single, a new attitude and a clear intention on the mark he wants to leave on the music industry and the world. Follow Billy Banx - @b.banx Stream #Fallen   Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

We give our review of Black is King (masterpiece), Kamala Harris (support her!) and of course WAP (ya'll just mad cause you're not getting any). Stay tuned for the shenanigans! Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

We all know things are crazy here at home, but ever wonder what it's like to be a Black man in China? We chat with Charlotte based artist Ian Wilson (a.k.a. Charlie Markers) to talk about his experience living oversees, his move back stateside and how he uses art as a form of activism in response to the state of our world. Have you donated to the Pull Up Back to School Drive yet? We're still collecting supplies and donations until July 31, to fill 200 book bags for kids & families in the city. Can’t donate supplies in person? Send a little coin via CashApp to $HelpKidsLearn 💵 “Pull Up” for education in our community. Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

We tried not to get political...but it happened anyway (s/o to DAKA's mom for today's topic). This week we discuss the growing controversy surrounding many states new mandatory mask laws and why this is turning into a polarizing topic. We also make our projections about the 2020 presidential election, and Nayo tells us why the little things matter in her words of wellness. Have you donated to the Pull Up Back to School Drive yet? We're still collecting supplies and donations until July 31, to fill 200 book bags for kids & families in the city. Can’t donate supplies in person? Send a little coin via CashApp to $HelpKidsLearn 💵 “Pull Up” for education in our community. Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

With all the talk of divestment and donating to organizations like Black Lives Matter that work for the interest of Black people, how do we know what the money is really going towards? How important is that transparency, when you're considering donating? Also, B. Simone...girl you really fumbled the bag on that book. You tried to pull a fast one on us be we haven't forgotten... Have you donated to the Pull Up Back to School Drive yet? We're still collecting supplies and donations until July 31, to fill 200 book bags for kids & families in the city. Can’t donate supplies in person? Send a little coin via CashApp to $HelpKidsLearn 💵 “Pull Up” for education in our community. Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

Another week, another cop using excessive force, another murder of a Black life — we're tired of watching all of this play out on TV and social media. We dig into our feelings on that in this week's episode. Hey #tawkers! Summer will be over before you know it, which means back to school time is coming! Join us alongside some of the QC’s dopest black podcasters to “pull up” for a good cause. From now until July 31, we’ll be collecting school supplies to fill 200 book bags for kids & families in the city. Just DM us to schedule a drop off or donate at any @hyggeclt location starting 6/13. Can’t donate supplies in person? Send a little coin via CashApp to $HelpKidsLearn 💵 “Pull Up” for education in our community. Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

We're finally back live in the studio ya'll!! This week we unpack our feelings around the protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd, and talk about what the future holds for Black America. We also take a little tour across the country with some little known facts about our hometowns, and Nayo gives us some tips for pulling back for a moment so that we can be mentally strong to continue the fight for freedom. Hey #tawkers! Summer will be over before you know it, which means back to school time is coming! Join us alongside some of the QC’s dopest black podcasters to “pull up” for a good cause. From now until July 31, we’ll be collecting school supplies to fill 200 book bags for kids & families in the city. Just DM us to schedule a drop off or donate at any @hyggeclt location starting 6/13. Can’t donate supplies in person? Send a little coin via CashApp to $HelpKidsLearn 💵 “Pull Up” for education in our community. Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

Friends! How many of us REALLY have them? This week on #TAWKsPodcast we talk all things friendship. Is it normal to grow apart and experience ebbs and flows in a friendship? What do you do when the homieship has run aground? We dive in with our buddy Rell (@rells.eye) to tawk it out! Follow the TAWKS TRIO! DAKA - @thealleykatway BLEU - @_itsjustbleu SUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakur TAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

Happy 4/20! Sparking some good conversation with our girl A'nae (@highuhhnay) to bust some myths about marijuana and have a few laughs...all while practicing social distancing, of course!_______⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Stay safe and stay healthy TAWKERS! ❤️Follow A'nae - @highuhhnayFollow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

The pots start bubbling and the table gets shaken in this week's 2wenty Caliente with special guest Chef Johnny Lee of Lushed Foodie! Follow Johnny - @_mrwenzdeFollow Lushed Foodie - @lushedfoodie Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

We’re tired…of ya’ll buying up all the toilet paper! 🤬 This week we give our take on the #COVID19 situation and the impending zombie apocalypse…because let’s be real, it’s all headed that way anyway 🤷🏾‍♂️_______⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀DISCLAIMER: Even since we recorded this episode a couple of weeks ago quite a bit has changed with the introduction of new information & increased public health precautions around the country. This episode is meant to try and keep things lighthearted while still giving accurate information when possible. As a reminder, here’s what you can do to combat Coronavirus:•⠀⠀1.) Wash your hands often2.) Practice social distancing3.) Stay home if you’re sick/work from home when possible4.) Seek medical attention if you are showing symptoms Visit www.cdc.gov or visit your city/county health department website for the most accurate information on how the pandemic is affecting your area.•⠀⠀Stay safe and stay healthy TAWKERS! ❤️ Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

What do you get when you mix one-part sassy, Southern savant with savory? You get our good buddy Johnny Lee! As a classically trained chef, Johnny knows his way around the kitchen serving up all types of tasty dishes and creating food reviews on his blog Lushed Foodie. Oh, and that mouth...well it's slicker than butter! He's always quick with a comeback and will tell it straight, no cap 🧢.This week we dish on all things food and fun; you'll want an extra helping of this, guaranteed!Follow Johnny - @_mrwenzdeFollow Lushed Foodie - @lushedfoodieFollow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

Is Beyoncé truly the most influential woman in the world? What’s the secret to a good ass Philly cheesecake? Does sugar belong in grits, or is that the mark of a mad man?! We answer all these questions and more in this “sizzling” edition of 2wenty Caliente with special guest Jonathan Gardner of GardHouse!Learn how GardHouse is helping students achieve their dreams by visiting gardhouse.orgFollow them on IG @gardhousecltConnect with Jon @jonnng_nc Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

What do you do when you see a need in your community that is just not being met? Do you wait or it to magically resolve itself or do you tackle it head-on? That's what this week's guest decided to do. DAKA and Bleu sit down with Jonathan Gardner, founder of GardHouse - a nonprofit seeking to close the employment and internship gap experienced by college students of color. Learn how GardHouse is helping students achieve their dreams by visiting gardhouse.orgFollow them on IG @gardhouseclt Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

We're baaaaccckkkk!!! Welcome to Season 2 of #TAWKs! It's the first week of Black History Month and we are definitely coming in hot. What better way to celebrate than with a game of Black Card Revoked, and debunking some myths about blackness. We also dive into this week's hot topics and pay respect to the legendary Kobe Bryant. Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

It's all about asking the tough style questions on this week's edition of 2wenty Caliente! Follow the Guys!Tevin - @untitledfacade | @thetevinbKen- @dblackkenChris- @chris_rosello Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

Love it or hate it, men’s fashion is changing. From gender-fluid silhouettes to more guys experimenting with color and pattern, this ain’t ya’ daddy’s wardrobe! This week DAKA sits down with three men who don’t play by the traditional, and sometimes constricting, rules of menswear to talk personal style, and what’s lacking in the industry today. Follow the Guys!Tevin - @untitledfacade | @thetevinbKen- @dblackkenChris- @chris_rosello Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

Bleu turns up the heat with special guest Dre on this week's 2wenty Caliente! Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com

With a new decade on the horizon, should we as black men rethink our views on masculinity? What’s “toxic” about the way we interact, react and raise our sons, and more importantly, what can we do about it? 🤔 Bleu takes over this week for a candid conversation with his special guest, Dre on these topics and more. Follow the TAWKS TRIO!DAKA - @thealleykatwayBLEU - @_itsjustbleuSUNFLOWER SHAKUR - @sunflowershakurTAWK to US!! Send us your questions and comments to tawkspod@gmail.com