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In a podcast that lives up to its name, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes go “Awf the Record” with industry disruptors and cultural tastemakers, bringing you candid conversations that reflect the dynamic intersection of media, culture, and society . It’s a show that lives between the news of the day and the group chat. [Awf- Thuh- Rekərd ].
66 Episodes
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There’s power in being seen… but there’s also pressure. In this “Best-Of” episode, we explore the beauty and the burden of being a woman in the public eye. Through deeply personal stories of fame, identity, grief, and cultural expectations, these guests reflect on what it means to be visible… and misunderstood. This episode is for every woman who’s ever felt picked apart, underestimated, or praised for the version of herself the world projected – not the one she chose. KEY POINTS:...
What if your dream job wasn’t the dream anymore? In this special “Best-Of” episode, we’re revisiting four powerful stories about career pivots, evolving purpose, and letting go of the identities we once held onto. From childhood fame to corporate boardrooms, these guests opened up about what it really means to outgrow the path you thought was permanent. Whether you're feeling stuck, scared to start over, or just craving something new, this episode is your permission slip to pivot. Because...
From Beauty Queen to Comedy Queen—Taryn Delanie-Smith proves that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. This week, Jeannette and Mona sit down with Taryn Delanie-Smith—comedian, content creator, and former Miss New York—who turned a viral TikTok into a thriving career. Taryn shares how she went from pursuing diplomacy to building a comedy empire, including the hilarious (and sometimes chaotic) journey that led to a reel that brought her 21 million views and internet fame. Known for h...
In this episode of Awf The Record, DeAndre Brown – aka the original “The Corporate Baddie” – gets real about leaving investment banking to become a full-time content creator. From viral TikToks and six-figure brand deals to burnout, reinvention, and building a brand with purpose, this episode peels back the curtain on what it really takes to pivot from 9-to-5 to FYP. He shares the lessons he learned negotiating deals (including a $6k LinkedIn check and an $80k CVS partnership), why auth...
This episode flips the script… literally. In a candid, behind-the-scenes Q&A, Jeannette and Mona sit down with their podcast producer to answer the questions they don’t usually get asked on air. From the burnout that led to leaving legacy media to how they really feel about brand deals, content creation, and modern relationships, nothing’s off limits. If you’ve ever wondered how two former news anchors rebuilt their lives and brands in real time while navigating love, money, pressure, and...
Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Yene Damtew joins us to talk about the real work behind “good hair,” the pressures Black women face around beauty standards, and what it was really like doing Michelle Obama’s hair at the White House and beyond. From the rise of Instagram stylists to the myths around natural hair, Yene gets brutally honest about the hair industry, client relationships, and why the best stylists are educators first. 💬 In this powerful and hilarious convo, we cover: - Her j...
You may know Andrea Lewis as Hazel from Degrassi — but that was just the beginning. In this powerful episode of Awf The Record, Andrea opens up about the transition from being one of the few Black girls on TV to becoming a writer, director, and multi-hyphenate creative building space for others to shine. From identity to independence, creative control to burnout, Andrea gets real about what it takes to grow up in front of the camera and then take ownership behind it. We talk about her product...
“The line is drawn when you’re not in control of it. The ownership, agency, and empowerment factor comes from putting the price tag on your own image and likeness.” Melyssa Ford is stepping out of the image, the headlines, and the hype - and into her truth. In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Awf The Record, Melyssa opens up about what it really meant to be “the video vixen,” the trauma of being hyper-visible yet misunderstood, and the personal fallout of fame, objectification, a...
Is Ozempic a game-changer or just the next quick fix? In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona are joined by Dr. Darien Sutton, an ABC News medical correspondent and emergency room physician, for a deep dive into the complex, controversial world of GLP-1 medications, Ozempic, and the science (and stigma) behind obesity. They break down everything you’ve been hearing [and seeing] online – from food noise and body fat bias to BMI myths, celebrity culture, and what weight loss l...
From her dream job at Bravo to building one of the most powerful creative communities in the country, Imani Ellis is the visionary founder behind CultureCon and The Creative Collective NYC. In this episode, she sits down with Jeannette and Mona to share the real story behind her bold pivot from corporate life to creative entrepreneurship - including the fear, obsession, burnout, and self-trust it took to make the leap. Whether you’re in your corporate bag, building something on the side, or j...
This is not just a sex talk- it’s a whole intimacy intervention. In this jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud, deeply healing episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona welcome licensed couples & sex therapist Marissa Nelson to the group chat… and let’s just say: nothing was off limits. From the orgasm gap to scheduling sex, soul ties to underwater escapades (yes, really), Marissa breaks down the myths, mindsets, and cultural taboos keeping Black women from fully experiencing pleasure. We talk...
The group chat is back, and we’re kicking off Season 3 with the realest catch-up yet. Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down to unpack a summer filled with unplanned pivots, unexpected lessons, and major perspective shifts. From navigating a painful career rejection to juggling pregnancy timelines, family expectations, media burnout and motherhood pressure, this episode is for anyone feeling like their life plan just got flipped. You’re not behind. You’re being redirected. Jeannet...
It’s finally here: Season 3 of Awf The Record, the unapologetically real podcast from Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi. This season, we’re going even deeper with emotional confessions, viral-worthy breakdowns, and unfiltered takes on Black womanhood, sex, therapy, identity, and healing. From hair trauma and awkward intimacy to pleasure, purpose, and poppin’ your sh*t unapologetically, Season 3 is about owning your voice and honoring your truth. Expect big guests, bigger gems, and the kind ...
It’s finally here: Season 3 of Awf The Record, the unapologetically real podcast from Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi. This season, we’re going even deeper with emotional confessions, viral-worthy breakdowns, and unfiltered takes on Black womanhood, sex, therapy, identity, and healing. From hair trauma and awkward intimacy to pleasure, purpose, and poppin’ your sh*t unapologetically, Season 3 is about owning your voice and honoring your truth. Expect big guests, bigger gems, and the kind ...
In this deeply personal season finale, Jeannette and Mona take off the armor and speak straight from the heart. What starts as a conversation about vulnerability quickly unravels into a much bigger exploration of fear, identity, legacy, and healing. From life coaches and mindset breakthroughs to childhood trauma, grief, and the fear of criticism, this is the kind of talk that doesn’t just stay in the group chat—it transforms it. Jeannette opens up about how playing it safe protected her for...
What does it really take to have deep, meaningful friendships over time? In this best-of episode, Mona and Jeannette revisit some of the most vulnerable, hilarious, and insightful moments from past conversations about friendship—the joy, the heartbreak, and the unspoken tension in between. From childhood wounds and attachment styles to apology dynamics and growing pains, these clips explore how we navigate closeness, conflict, and connection in platonic relationships. You’ll hear candid sto...
In this special best-of episode, Jeannette and Mona revisit the raw, revealing, and sometimes hilarious conversations they've had with experts and friends about dating, love, and the realities of marriage. From navigating modern romance and dating apps to unpacking divorce red flags and cultural double standards, this episode delivers hard truths and big-sis wisdom alike. Whether you're single, dating, divorced, or in a “complicated” situation, this episode holds space for the unfiltered re...
In this special best-of episode of Awf The Record, Mona and Jeannette bring together the realest advice and most unforgettable gems from past conversations that still hit hard. From redefining success to setting boundaries with family, pivoting careers to reclaiming joy, these are the truths that only get better with time. You’ll hear reflections on burnout, letting go of outdated family expectations, healing from toxic work cultures, and what it really means to rebrand your life—inside and...
In this special Q&A episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona are putting the scripts down and pulling the curtain back. You asked, so they answered - nothing is off limits. From what inspired them to launch the podcast, to how their friendship has shifted in the spotlight, this conversation is full of raw reflections, inside jokes, and unfiltered truth. They talk about balancing ambition with burnout, navigating career crossroads, and the toll the news cycle takes on mental health es...
Objection overruled: She didn’t just take a leap of faith—she appealed to her true calling. Today’s Awf The Record guest, Eni Popoola, had all the receipts for a high-powered legal career: Harvard undergrad, Columbia Law, and a coveted position at a top law firm. But what happens when the courtroom starts to feel less like a stage and more like a cage? In this bold and unapologetic episode, Eni opens up about the internal tug-of-war between security and self-expression. She shares t...
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Just finished an episode of 'Awf The Record' and I'm thoroughly impressed! The hosts have such a knack for diving deep into interesting topics while keeping the conversation engaging and lively. https://medium.com/@PackagingHouston Their insights are spot-on, and the chemistry between them makes each episode a joy to listen to. Highly recommend this podcast to anyone looking for thoughtful discussions and a good dose of humor. Keep up the great work!