The Bonnet Talks

This week’s episode of the Bonnet Talks features my dear friend, Shuchen Hu! She is an international student from China who has lived in America since high school. Shuchen and I talk about how we became friends (literally the beginning of summer), our high school experiences (why was the cafeteria like the battlefield?), her past struggles with embracing her Asian identity in American culture, and the idea that people don’t want to accept all that you are. We also reflect on funny, but impactful, childhood memories (HINT: Hannah Montana, anyone? Enough said.) This was an eye-opening episode even for me, and I really hope it encourages you to not only more aware of your words/actions but to develop your curiosity in other cultures and backgrounds. FIND US ON SOCIAL: Shuchen Hu The Bonnet Talks (Instagram) 

In today’s episode, I catch up with the Dallas, Texas content creator, Michelle Reed. I discovered her around the beginning of post grad and she is one of the people that I relate to the most. Honestly, we talked about EVERYTHING but highlights include: the importance of doing the simple things, why its okay to not want the lifestyle others may seem to have, what she learned in her move from NYC to Dallas, her life as a married woman (AHH!), the role her faith plays in her life/content and more! I loved this conversation because it brings you down to earth in deciding what kind of lifestyle you want to have and understanding what is important to you specifically. Made me think about some new things I want to incorporate in my own life! Michelle is so down to earth and I am so glad to have chatted with her. Michelle's Youtube Michelle's Podcast Michelle's Instagram The Bonnet Talks Instagram

HEY, HEY, HEY - long time no see y’all! We are BACK with another episode of the Bonnet Talks. To kick off this new season of the podcast, I brought the incredible Susie, also known as @Susiemeoww on social - She is a Kpop dancer and content creator from China and she is absolutely KILLING the game right now! Susie is truly one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met and I knew I needed to have her on for you all to hear her story - we discuss the hardest part of following your passions and goals, which is taking the first step to actually DO the action, and tips for overcoming that hurdle. Susie is incredible sweet and dedicated, I hope that you will also be inspired her to actually take the first step towards the one thing you’ve always wanted to do (I mean, we might as well, what else should twenty-something year olds be doing?)  Susie's Instagram  Susie's Youtube  The Bonnet Talks Podcast (Instagram) 

In today’s episode, I catch up with my long-time, dear friend Lexi Fragola. Lexi is a recent graduate from the University of Connecticut (with a dual degree, a GENIUS), where she also currently works as an admissions officer. We talk about the ways we learned to maintain our college friendships after graduation, how to make new friends in post-grad and how the pandemic has changed our relationships. We also talk about our pre-covid concert days, hilarious moments in our friendship, and some of the (multiple) times Lexi has encountered celebrities (Halsey fans, anyone? Directioners, I know you are out there!). You guys will find our tips SO useful, enjoy! Lexi Fragola (Instagram)  The Bonnet Talks (Instagram)  Ama Appiah (Instagram)

In today’s episode, I give you a little glimpse into Argentina - I bring on my friend and fellow podcast host, Camila Vola to talk about the twenty-something life in Argentina. We discuss Camila's dreams about moving abroad, what her friends think about that, and how that impacts dating in her twenties. We also talk about why she wants to be involved in international politics, what she admires about America, and how her love for NYC began. Let’s teleport to Argentina! Such an interesting episode, I loved hearing Camila's perspective about how her different cultural experiences impacted how she not only views the world but how she views herself. Make sure to listen to Camila's podcast, My Point of View, linked down below! My Point of View Podcast (Spotify) My Point of View Podcast Instagram  Camila Vola Instagram  The Bonnet Talks Podcast 

In today's episode, you get to spend your Friday with moi --- in this solo, episode, I reflect on three things I've learned since moving home for quarantine (exactly a year ago YESTERDAY)! What?! I also touch upon the weird nostalgia that we feel when I think about the beginning of quarantine.... is it just me? Probably. Also, it is almost ONE YEAR of the Bonnet Talks! Listen in to hear about what is in store as we approach the one-year anniversary of the show.  The Bonnet Talks Instagram 

In today’s episode, I bring on Gabby Whiten: an NYU grad student, owner of a design studio, and content creator. She stops by to chat about her adventures as a Ph.D. student at NYU, how she got there, and how she blurs the lines between science and creativity. Gabby also discusses what it has been like viewing the pandemic through her lens, living in NYC having studied diseases. Gabby’s journey is inspirational and she gives tangible advice about how you can maintain pursuing all of your passions, even if they are very different. For more amazing tips on how to balance it all, check out Gabby's latest video about it, linked below! Gabby in the City blog  Gabby Whiten Instagram  Gabby's latest video

In today’s episode, I have fellow content creator and young entrepreneur, Beatrice from The Bliss Bean blog and Youtube channel, where she shares her tips for all things productivity, organization and self-improvement. Only recently turning 20, Beatrice talks about her excitement for entering college post-covid and what she learned during her two gap years. We also discuss the pressures of keeping with up a persona, especially after graduation. And if you are a BTS Army, you know we cannot discuss personas without having to reference the members in some shape or form so of course we talk about that. If you want a new perspective on productivity and personas, this episode is for you! Let’s take a listen! The Bliss Bean - Youtube The Bliss Bean - Instagram

In today’s episode, I bring on Cydney-Alexis Delarosa, a soon-to-be graduate of UConn, major in biomedical engineering, researcher, and honestly, part-time model at this point (seriously, ask Tyra Banks). We discuss the importance of maintaining your energy - what that actually means, how to identify what your energy is and how it protects your peace. This is something that I’ve personally heard my friends discuss in one shape or another, and I think Cydney was the perfect person to dissect this with - I could have talked to her for hours on this topic and I loved the stories we shared in this episode. Hope you enjoy! Cydney Delarosa - Instagram The Bonnet Talks - Instagram 

We kick off TBT 2021 with my podcast sista, Emily Gigliotti, a Sports Management grad student and host of the Purpose Project. We evaluate how we did in 2020, discuss the problem with New Year's Resolutions, our mantras for the new year, and how to set intentional goals that we’ll *actually* follow through with. Let me tell y’all, it's all good stuff and Emily is a GEM. Catch up with Emily Gigliotti through her podcast The Purpose Project and follow the show on social (@thepurposeprojectpod) Be sure to check out my Instagram (@amaappiah), the TBT insta (@thebonnettalks), and Youtube (Ama Appiah). For business inquiries, please email: thebonnettalks@gmail.com.

Hi everyone! I bring you a new TBT episode on this Monday, and its the next segment in the TBT “Your Twenties in ____”, mini-series (feat. my international friends). My dear friend and “sorority cousin”, Celia Higson calls in from London to talk about her postgrad experience in England. We chat about the surprising differences between America and the UK, what quarantine life has been like (they are currently wrapping up a second lockdown) and the British perspective on everything going on in the world currently . Another episode full of laughs - I was so happy to reconnect with Celia after literally years have gone by (THAT story will be on today’s pod as well). I am so glad that you guys loved that I started this series, and I am happy that you feel that is providing you a new perspective on the same twenty-something struggles that we go through every day. Message me on Instagram if there is a specific country that you would like to know more about on the show and I will definitely look into it. Talk to you all next week!

This week, I had to come on the pod for a solo episode to talk about the seemingly never-ending Presidential battle. Considering what this year has been, this seems to be the climax of it all - and I happen to be here in Washington DC to see it unfold in realtime. In this episode, I chat about the moment the projection was announced, DC's reaction, and the overall takeaways I had from the election (including the critical role Millennials/Gen Z had in election awareness). I am hoping this episode helps you to look at things with a different lens, something I strongly believe everyone needs now with the world being pulled in so many different directions. Hope you enjoy!

WE ARE BACK BABY on this Monday with a new episode of TBT after a break last week.  I bring on my friend Briana to catch up on life and talk about the things we wish we knew in college. Like me, she is a UConn graduate and she is currently working at Google (incredible? yup). We touch upon networking, knowing who Briana’s post-grad mantra, “living with grace.” I have learned so much from Briana just from this one conversation, and I cannot wait for you guys to study some “Briology” with me. Many laughs in this episode, you don’t want to miss it!  Find Briana on social! Instagram: @xbriananicole Youtube: Briology 

Today, I am accompanied by the empowering, Chloe Belangia. She is the host of the Passages podcast, which is just one of the many branches of her newly launched project, The Passages Project. We chat about the funny way we met (cough cough hi Katy Bellotte, her journey as a new young professional, what she’s learned, how she stays true to her passions and how she continues to show up for herself everyday. It’s one thing to set goals for yourself, but it’s another thing to actually keep the promises you make for yourself over the long term. One of my favorite parts of 2020 was meeting Chloe and I love getting to know her because we share many of the same passions. Chloe’s goal is to help other young professionals unlock life and work from the ground up, which is literally everything I believe in. Make sure you check our her coaching services, podcast, and the new Passages Project which serves as a resource for young professionals to share their stories, strengthen professional development and motivate/empower each other. Talk soon!  The Passages Project Passages Project (Instagram)  Chloe Belangia's Instagram

Today, I have a special episode with my longtime friend and fellow Aerie Ambassador, Nikita Roy! If you didn’t see my announcement on Instagram last week, I am officially partnering with Aerie for a second time as a brand ambassador (exciting), so I thought it would be a good time to bring Nikita on (it’s been a long time coming) to chat about our favorite topic: positive self-perception and confidence. I have always related and looked up to Nikita as we’ve had similar interests and career paths in college. She is always booked and busy (she was a Fulbright scholar AND a current medical student.  I can honestly say that I really treasure our friendship and this episode is a great one because it is a slightly different outlook on this topic. We discuss the intersectionality of confidence, childhood memories that impacted the way we see currently view ourselves, and tangible ways we have claimed those insecure moments to not only build up our own confidence but the confidence of others. Hope you enjoy!

Hi everyone! Welcome to the TWENTIETH episode of TBT, incredible that the show has come this far and that we are on the second season. This show has become one of my favorite things I have ever done and I am eternally grateful that you have come along for the ride. Today, I switch it up and give you guys a SOLO episode (crazy right?). I sit down and delve into my first ever dating app date from this past weekend - the good, the bad, and my roommates spying on me? I also shed some light on the things I learned about myself from the date and why I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to do this. Hope this pushes the 90% of yall who download the app but don't go on dates to actually take the chance and GO! Hope you have a good week everyone! Instagram - Ama Appiah  Instagram - The Bonnet Talks

Today’s episode is with Sissel Aare Boe, an entrepreneur from Denmark currently living in Seoul, South Korea. Sissel took the risk of moving to South Korea at age 19 without any plans and two years later, she is a successful entrepreneur and influencer. Sissel takes us on her journey of moving to a foreign country instead of opting for the typical university route. She also shares her insights on the importance of risk-taking, the impact that cultural differences have had in her life, creating a new, strong support system in a different country, and more. Loved this episode because I could strongly relate to Sissel and her perspectives are interesting to apply to my own life. She is so free-spirited and wise at such a young age, so lucky to have someone like her on the show. Once again, thank you, Sissel! Make sure you follow her social channels below. Have a nice week! Instagram  Youtube Instagram (skincare line - Sind Beauty)

Today’s episode is the start of a SECOND mini-series (tentatively called the Breakfast Club) - I have been wracking my brain to come up with creative ways to bring new content and create new experiences for my listeners - and I thought it would be a good idea to bring people together in groups based on one thing they have in common and we just sit down and chat! It’s a great way for people to meet each other, connect and once again learn new experiences. This week, I bring on some friends from middle school, high school AND college to talk about all things grad school. Lizzy Darin, Shannon Foley, and Jill Stifano talk about why they decided to go to grad school, how their first year went, imposter syndrome and how the support of their classmates has impacted their experiences. As someone who is just starting grad school (today is my first official week of the fall semester!), I thought it was so interesting to contrast their experiences with my first impressions of grad school. I am so happy that I got to bring these ladies today, they are such an intelligent, sweet bunch and it made me really excited for the future episodes to come! Hope you guys enjoy!

This week I am back with a new episode but with a twist - I am premiering a new mini-series on the podcast called World Perspectives: Your Twenties in ______". I am so lucky to know many amazing young people around the world and I want to take the opportunity to show you the conversations I have with them. Even though culturally we have experienced different things, we all still relate to each other in the "twenty-something  experience." We will be covering different topics like careers, dating, friendships but all within the country's cultural context mentioned in the episode. Today, we are talking about what it's like to be a 22-year-old in Malaysia with my good friend, Praise Tan. We cover everything from Malaysia's view on mental health to their hookup culture to university life. I think this series will be so valuable and fun for people to listen to, and it is a nice way to switch things up! Thank you Praise for coming on, can't wait to have you on again soon. Have a great week everyone!

In today’s episode, my friend, Yodonnic Etoria, stops by the virtual studio to catch me up on what she’s been up to in her first year of post grad. As a black woman in STEM, she talks about her experiences as a manager in Corporate America. Yodonnic gives good insight as to how she navigated the corporate space as well as how this experience has been impacted by the George Floyd murder and Black Lives Matter movement. We both discuss our thoughts on the conversations we’ve had at work about racial injustice and the (sometimes... surprising) reactions. I think this conversation really puts into perspective how difficult it is for Black people to survive these environments, even though Yodonnice and I are very used to being the only black person, let alone black women, in the room. We also reflect on our forever love for the Jonas Brothers and how we are salty that Priyanka and Sophie took our men. It had no choice but to be noted. Such a great and informative episode. Hope you guys enjoy, Talk to you soon! Yodonnic's Instagram: @yodonnicetoria