Culture Edition

Welcome to another soul-stirring episode of Culture Edition! This week, we're diving deep into the rhythm and rhymes that set the soundtrack for our love stories. Get ready for "Love In Lyrics: How R&B and Hip Hop Shape Love & Relationships." Join your host, Cece D, as she takes you on a journey through the beats that have become the heartbeat of our romances. In this episode, we're celebrating the sultry and soulful sounds of R&B and Hip Hop that have woven themselves into the fabric of our love lives.From the smooth grooves that set the mood to the heart-wrenching ballads that mend our broken hearts, these lyrics have become the poetry of our relationships. But it's not just about the melodies; we're delving into the narratives these genres create around love and relationships. How do the lyrics influence our perceptions of romance? How do they shape our expectations and realities in the dating world? Are we learning life lessons from our favorite lyricists? In this episode, we're not just dissecting the lyrics; we're having a candid conversation about the impact of R&B and Hip Hop on the African-American dating experience. From the importance of representation in music to the ways these genres empower and challenge our notions of love, we're covering it all. So, whether you're a devoted fan of slow jams or a hip-hop head, Tune in, turn up the volume, and let's explore the beats of our hearts on "Love In Lyrics: How R&B and Hip Hop Shape Love & Relationships.

It's not them, it's you! This episode is about accountability, responsibility, and owning up to yourself. Many times we find ourselves in the same situations over and over again and the only thing that differs is the faces, and then you realize there is a common denominator in it all regardless of the outcome. Whether it is good or bad the reoccurring factor is and will always be you. How you address and choose to move forward at the end is all that really matters. Many of us will go through life, people, and situations never acknowledging or realizing what we can change or do differently to be better, and do better. Love yourself, but also analyze and be critical of how you think, act, and behave. Self-love without self-awareness is useless. Be accountable, life happens but in the midst of it all at your highest or at your lowest have the courage to admit: It's not them, It's you. You are the author of your life story.

Single with standards for me is defined by someone who knows and understands who they are and choose to be single until they find the person who aligns with their personality, morals, and beliefs. A Serial Decliner is someone who you meet and they have a list, yes an actual list of 10-20 requirements of the opposite sex before they will even go out on a date. I am not judging if you fit the description of serial decliner, however, let's be honest, do you meet all of the items on your own list, and if you do or don't how realistic is your list to your financial status and current life goals and accomplishments? To anyone still single that won't give anyone a chance unless they meet their list you are single because of this and you probably will remain that way. Regardless of which category you fit in I just want to spotlight my single with standards folks. Someone who is single with standards is someone who is fulfilled with their singleness and not willing to abandon the single ship until they find a partner who reciprocates the same beautiful happy energy they can provide for themselves. I have only just started to understand the beautiful journey of being single without looking for love and happiness in my partner. Love is beautiful and being able to share that with someone who understands, respects, and values me is the Goal. I can say without an absolute doubt and after several failed relationships that I am single with standards until I meet the man for me. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Trauma- We all have dealt with or know someone who has experienced trauma. Trauma comes in so many different forms and is known by so many other titles. This episode is a personal one for me as I am currently healing from past and current Trauma. By definition, trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience and or a physical injury. I  unfortunately have experienced all aspects of trauma. I have been sexually assaulted and also damaged emotionally by people I trusted to love me and those who were supposed to take care of me. My life summed up can be simply put into the words " Thank God I don't resemble anything that I have been through. As a young girl, my life was shattered by the ugliness of the world and the people in it. Most would label me broken, however, I view myself as determined and a survivor. In all honest and full transparency, I am now as a woman beginning to address the traumas of my childhood, it was not until  I begin noticing the constant cycles of failed relationships with men, friends, and family members that I was ready to admit that I'm hurting and I have not forgiven or let go and Now I have made the decision to heal and move on. I share 3 of my biggest traumas in hopes it can help you or anyone begin to address theirs and also get to know me. There are so many moving parts of who I am and today I begin to open up to you my listeners as well as opening up myself to Me.

This episode was inspired by LOVE. You will have the chance to hear some of my closest friends' views and hear their answers regarding different aspects of Love. You can often tell the people who really love themselves by what they allow themselves to go through at the hand of others. Sacrificing for love is giving up your peace and opening up for the sake of someone else's energy for the sake of compatibility and growth. Some people believe that sacrifice is worth it and well others may think you are foolish if that's one of your beliefs. I truly believe no matter what your viewpoints love the fact remains we all want love and we all want to be loved. I truly believe you attract what you desire by being intentional and authentic. There is so much more I wanted to include in this episode so make sure you are on the lookout for Part 2 of Looking for Love