OK Vibes

We made it to the series finale! Justine explains what led her to podcasting and features the Play Q&Ayyyy segment recorded live on Instagram. This isn't "goodbye", only "see ya later". 💌 Part of this episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2022/12/12/my-girlhood-hobbies-became-labors-of-love/

Gather 'round, it's fcukin' storytime! Justine shares some of her fictional faves posted to the OK Vibes blog. Tales include a strip club drama, a leaked Santa interview, literal ghosting, a super salty holiday dinnertime, and a couple of examples of why it sucks to work in an office. Sources: Prideful #flashfiction | https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2019/05/27/prideful-flashfiction/ Bottoms Up: POV Exercise | https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/bottoms-up-pov-exercise/ Santa Expose #flashfiction | https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2020/11/30/santa-expose-flashfiction/ Ghosting #flashfiction | https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/ghosting-flashfiction/ Mashed Hopes & Shady Gravy #flashfiction | https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/11/26/mashed-hopes-shady-gravy-flashfiction/ On the Rag #flashfiction | https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2019/09/30/on-the-rag-flashfiction/ Part of this episode is available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/no-more-fiction/

Life is better with a serving of real Southern sweet tea! Justine hit The Triangle area of North Carolina this month and tells all about her trip, including the worst part–being rejected from a strip club. Check out Triangle Cycle Tours for a unique touring experience of downtown Raleigh, NC: www.trianglecycletours.com Intro source: North Carolina's Anti-Gay Tourism Commercial: https://youtu.be/BU63gAvA3DI?si=sOfpJQJyiNPopG1t Part of this episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/three-nights-in-the-triangle/

Hold the cheese! Justine shares her chronicled month of veganism while battling a gut-crunching case of lactose intolerance (AKA lack toast and taller ants). No gas expulsions were recorded during this episode for the emotional safety of listeners. 🙃 Sources: I'm Sick of Fat Vegans - Comedian Brian Tucker - Chocolate Sundaes Standup Comedy: https://youtu.be/czVFB6vjuV8?si=c4lR7du_QeLzCHBJ How a vegan diet affects your brain – BBC REEL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdnEbJZoNg8 Going #Vegan for a Month: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/going-vegan-for-a-month/ Gassy #Vegan: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/gassy-vegan/ #Vegan Appetite: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/04/23/vegan-appetite/ My #Vegan Month is Over: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/my-vegan-month-is-over/ Part of this episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2014/06/19/to-be-vegan-or-not-to-be-vegan/

Are you a believer? ...of extraterrestrials, that is! Justine gets into the Roswell, NM UFO sighting, how she acquired a virtual alien pet and more. Strap on your space belts and keep your hands inside the spaceship as we coast down the intergalactic highway of truth and phenom. Sources: Danny Brown and A$AP Rocky Play Smash or Pass: Alien Edition | DANNY'S House: https://youtu.be/VqM7uhXhhaI?si=9NB7Sj7BBVHpls09 Classic Alien Arrival Sound Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZipOstSTsg FBI Records: The Vault – Roswell UFO: https://vault.fbi.gov/Roswell%20UFO What Really Happened at Roswell? https://www.history.com/news/roswell-ufo-aliens-what-happened Top 10: Controversial pieces of evidence for alien life: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9943-top-10-controversial-pieces-of-evidence-for-alien-life/ Part of this episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/venusians-anyone/

Are you a doom-scroller or someone that overshares on socials? Stop it! Justine gets into the pros and cons of social media plus the benefits for introverts of leaving it all alone. Sources: Uncle on social media | Andrea Jin: https://youtu.be/PRHMv5-vqUQ?si=Kv49BVH_R374GY62 Why I Stopped Using Social Media as an Introvert (and What I Do Instead): https://introvertdear.com/news/why-i-stopped-using-social-media-as-an-introvert-and-what-i-do-instead/ Part of this episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2015/08/06/mixed-social-media-bag/

Are you still gettin' carded when you have visible gray hairs? Justine questions this while discussing the alleged pros and confirmed cons of looking younger than your age. #BlackDontCrack Sources: KT Tatara - Looking Young Sucks (Stand Up Comedy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lGzLZuCrs8 Pros and Cons of Looking Young: https://youtu.be/_AvZOP0V4sE?si=gPn86_HgO0cKFuFE Part of this episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2022/05/16/forever-young-looking/

Don't blind yourself to history! Justine shares the origins of sunglasses and spectacles, after discussing her current sight struggle. Part of this episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2023/04/24/real-shady/ Sources: The Struggle of Wearing Glasses: https://youtu.be/ZEMRJlC4--Q?si=4037fEnWBdIzvgiU A Brief History of Sunglasses: https://www.sunglassmuseum.com/blogs/news/a-brief-history-of-sunglasses What is Photokeratitis — Including Snow Blindness? https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness When were glasses invented: https://www.glasses.com/gl-us/blog/when-were-glasses-invented

Are allergies on the rise? Justine tackles this while getting into why she started getting weekly allergy shots and rarely meeting highly allergic kids in childhood. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2023/03/20/to-hell-with-ragweed/ Sources: MADtv Levitrol Commercial: https://youtu.be/WGNhNlBYK_E?si=rMQ_sklju33RZLSt What are Allergies and Its Symptoms: https://www.pollen.com/allergy/what-is-allergy Dirty Air Could Be Raising Your Alzheimer's Risk: https://www.pollen.com/allergy/news/1708096463475

In the second half of this two-part covo, Justine continues discussing the concept of blood being thicker than water with Autiiee J, and ElReco "Ghost" Ramon. Tips for finding your soul tribe are shared in addition to the importance of loving yourself before anyone else. Can I get an amen? This episode is linked to a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/when-friends-become-family/

Is blood thicker than water? Justine explores this ideology with two returning guests: classy mom of three and herbal enthusiast, Autiiee J, plus polyamory historian, author, and podcaster, ElReco "Ghost" Ramon. In this first of a two-part covo, the trio gets into how their families affected their senses of self and how the next generation is embracing individuality versus groupthink on a kin level. Part of this episode is available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/when-friends-become-family/

Meow meow meow meow...JJ (@CyneTyme) returns for a cat chat with Justine. Stories about their feline experiences are shared, and as usual, JJ says something questionable. #AdoptDontShop This episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2021/03/08/im-now-a-cat-mom-mom/

Long live the debate on cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation! Justine revisits the Japanese B-Style controversy and wishes for a diverse panel committee. Sources: Black lifestyle in Japan - vpro Metropolis | https://youtu.be/_Qe4AZRkFYE 'B-Stylers' Are Japanese Teens Who Want to Be Black | https://www.vice.com/en/article/9bzqdp/b-style-japan-desir-van-den-berg-photos B-Style is Not a Thing | https://medium.com/thsppl/b-style-is-not-a-thing-868db217cb6f Are Japanese B-Stylers Racist? - The Jim Jefferies Show | https://youtu.be/SkSBcRDhjN0?si=DohxSs8bEzwiTgR4 This episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/the-b-style-in-japan/

Shantay, you stay! Justine gushes over her love for RuPaul in this episode dedicated to the world-renowned author, artist, and mother of many drag queens. If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? Sources: Reality Competition Program: 75th Emmy Awards | https://youtu.be/tdlFV6da6R0?si=xLby8KwV72DwkNbi RuPaul interview on Arsenio 1993 | https://youtu.be/WbINxJJY7u4?si=plLW9hPbK2SbDjNr RuPaul interviewed by Arsenio February 20, 2014 (full) | https://youtu.be/wwkQg9IQFM0?si=hhMRq_Km2e6t0a3T This episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/con-drag-ulations/

Are you a bookworm to the core? Justine has always been into reading books and shares her thoughts on the good and questionable ink she partook in during 2023. #ReadOrDie Check out Drake Said My Name (Justine) by AfroBanger on SoundCloud! https://soundcloud.com/afrobanger/drake-said-my-name-justine This episode is available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2023/01/16/book-it/ This episode is also linked to a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2023/11/20/slaying-my-2023-reading-challenge/

ElReco "Ghost" Ramon continues filling Justine in on his experience with alternative forms of companionship and offers strong advice to the poly-curious. Highly jealous individuals need not apply! This episode is linked to a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/monogamy-is-a-choice-not-a-must/

As promised, ElReco "Ghost" Ramon (@multimonogamous on Instagram) returns to discuss his experience as a solo poly individual. Justine and "Ghost" also touch on sex drive compatibility, controlling your narrative, the colonization of certain terms, and more! This episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/monogamy-is-a-choice-not-a-must/

Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, everybody! Justine reveals her liquor limitations and then gets into the history of tiki drinks. Did you know "tropical" and "tiki" aren't synonymous? Sources: Tiffany Haddish Partied Too Hard In Miami | Netflix Is A Joke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOJY4Oh3-9M One Mai Tai, Hold the Colonialism Please: https://www.eater.com/2019/10/7/20895319/tiki-tropical-drinks-colonialism-appropriation-lost-lake-pina-colada This episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2018/02/26/too-old-to-get-drunk/

New year, same you? Justine talks about the importance of defining new habits as opposed to making New Year's resolutions, and why a book she had in progress nine years ago is on hold. Work with yourself, not against yourself! Intro Source: Resolution Revolution - SNL | https://youtu.be/9lnkgrJtiyU?si=D6LMQHYuelqtat_M This episode is also available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/defining-new-habits/

Chesnuts roasting on an open...lie? Justine shares the history of modern Christmas and the origins of Santa's little Hellian, Krampus. #TeamKrampus Sources: Weekend Update: Krampus on Kidnapping Naughty Children - SNL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJ6lWIwJnY History of Christmas | https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas#is-christmas-really-the-day-jesus-was-born Have you been naughty? Then beware: Krampus is coming | https://today.usc.edu/have-you-been-naughty-then-beware-krampus-is-coming/# This episode is available as a blog post: https://okvibes.wordpress.com/2021/11/29/farcical-holidays/