Send us a text After walking through the powerful marriage journeys of our guests in the Why Did I Get Married? series, it’s time to shift the conversation back to singleness. In this episode, we’ll unpack why the greatest gift you can bring into a relationship is contentment in your singleness. Being single doesn’t mean you’re incomplete or living at a deficit—your worth isn’t defined by your relationship status. We’ll talk about what it truly means to be fulfilled on your own, how to avoid ...
Send us a text Just as we know summer is giving way to fall by the cooler nights and changing leaves, our lives also give us signs when we’re entering a new season. In this episode of The Powder Room, we talk about the major transitions many of us face after 40 — from caring for aging parents, shifting careers, and navigating menopause (for both men and women), to changes in relationships, finances, and identity. Together, we’ll explore how to recognize these shifts, embrace them with grace, ...
Send us a text In this special recap episode, we close out Why Did I Get Married? series by reflecting on the powerful stories, challenges and experiences shared by each couple. From navigating communication and trust, to healing past wounds and embracing faith, this conversation brings together the biggest takeaways from every episode. Whether you’re single, newly married or have decades of marriage under your belt, you’ll walk away with practical wisdom, fresh perspective and encouragement ...
Send us a text In the final installment of The Powder Room’s Why Did I Get Married? series, we sit down with Lawrence and Joycelyn Sheard, a couple who prove that love has no expiration date. Married for just 2.5 years, their story is one of second chances, unexpected blessings and a love that is equal parts heartfelt and enjoyable. Lawrence, a widower and Joycelyn, previously divorced and widowed — never imagined they would marry again. But God had other plans. What neither was seeking, they...
Send us a text In this episode of The Powder Room’s Why Did I Get Married? series, we sit down with Pablo and Kesha Smith, high school sweethearts who met at just 15 years old and have now been married for 26 years. Their journey is one of intentional love, rooted in faith, boundaries, and a commitment to building something stronger than the cycles they came from. With toxic patterns and broken homes on both sides of their families, Pablo and Kesha made a vow early on that their marriage woul...
Send us a text In this heartfelt season opener of The Powder Room, we sit down with Osby and Kai Watts — who met at 19 and have been married for 25 years. They open up about the beauty and the bumps in the road of their journey, from learning the hard way about communication, co-parenting, and the delicate dance of submission and leadership, to discovering what it really means to “leave and cleave.” Though they married for love, Osby and Kai stay married for something deeper—the sacred vow th...
Send us a text In this final installment of the Daddy Issues series, I open up about two pivotal moments that forced me to truly confront how my father’s absence shaped my decisions, my emotional patterns, and my deepest wounds. I walk through the beginning of my healing journey—where mindset, heart, and emotional work became essential tools. I also reflect on the broken state of our relationship at the time of his death and share how, surprisingly, my healing didn’t begin until after h...
Send us a text In this episode, Ivy shares what happened after the uncovering. Confronting Daddy Issues takes you deeper into her personal journey—two defining moments that forced Ivy to face the lingering impact of growing up without a consistent father figure, and how that awareness shifted everything. She opens up about how she processed this realization and how it impacted her relationship with her dad. This conversation isn’t about blame—it’s about honesty, healing and finding peac...
Send us a text In the first episode of this heartfelt new series, we’re gently pulling back the curtain on a topic that many women quietly carry: daddy issues. So often dismissed, misunderstood, or reduced to stereotypes, the truth is far more layered—and far more personal. This conversation isn’t about blame, but about impact. We’re exploring how absent or inconsistent fathers can leave invisible marks on our sense of self, our relationships, and the way we move through the world. And while ...
Send us a text In this deeply personal episode of The Powder Room, host Ivy Ashley opens up about her 25+ year journey with ovarian cysts and fibroids. From the physical pain to the emotional weight, the mental toll to the strain on relationships — she shares her unfiltered truth about living with chronic reproductive health issues. As the episode unfolds, she highlights the often unspoken impact these conditions have on everyday life, identity, and womanhood. She also addresses the broader i...
Send us a text Mother’s Day isn’t joyful for everyone—in fact, for many, it can be a tender reminder of deep loss. In this special tribute episode, I’m joined by my two best friends, Rakisha and Katrina — fellow motherless daughters as we honor the women who raised us, shaped us, and continue to live on through us. Rather than dwell in grief, we choose celebration. We’re sharing the vibrant personalities of our mothers, the things that make us smile when we think of them, the wisdom they pass...
Send us a text In this heartfelt finale of the Dating For Dummies series, I’m pulling back the curtain on some of the most powerful love lessons I’ve learned—all of which are featured in my book, Daddy Issues: Love Lessons in Healing from Toxic Relationships. These aren’t just theories or clichés—they’re lived experiences, born from moments of pain, reflection, and growth. From learning to not confuse sex with intimacy, to the hard truth that you should not date damaged, I’m sharing personal ...
Send us a text In this episode of The Powder Room, we’re continuing our Dating For Dummies series with a deep dive into the infamous Must Haves, Preferences, and Lists. Are your dating standards guiding you—or are they guarding you from the love you desire? We're unpacking how rigid expectations, unrealistic preferences, and overly curated lists might be limiting your dating experience and keeping you stuck in singleness. From fantasy vs. reality to the difference between standards and inflex...
Send us a text In this episode of The Powder Room, we’re diving into the world of red flags—what they really mean, how our past experiences shape the way we interpret them, and why sometimes, what we see as a red flag might just be a difference in perspective. From true signs of concern to misunderstandings rooted in fear or past hurt, we’ll explore it all. I’ll share a few personal stories that highlight moments when I got it right—and when I didn’t—and we’ll talk about specific behaviors to...
Send us a text In this episode of The Powder Room, we dive into the hidden dangers of unforgiveness and how holding onto resentment can impact your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We’ll define unforgiveness, explore its consequences, and share practical steps to release the weight of past hurts. If you’ve ever struggled to let go, this conversation will help you find the freedom and peace you deserve. Tune in for an honest, healing discussion!
Send us a text In this episode of The Powder Room, "Whole, Not Broken – Transformative Self-Awareness," we dive into the profound connection between self-identity and self-awareness. I’ll explore how our upbringing shapes our ability to truly know ourselves, sharing my own struggles with identity and awareness along the way. We’ll unpack the consequences of living without self-awareness and the incredible power that comes from embracing it. To close, I’ll offer practical daily strategie...
Send us a text In this episode, we dive deeper into the consequences of misinterpreting the term unequally yoked and how this misunderstanding can impact relationships, decision-making, and personal growth. We’ll also explore how to apply this concept properly to foster alignment in faith, values, and life goals. Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion on making wiser, more intentional connections!
Send us a text Many people use the phrase "unequally yoked" to describe all kinds of relationship struggles, but what does it really mean? In this episode, we break down the biblical definition of being unequally yoked, why it refers to spiritual alignment —not financial, emotional, or goal differences — and how to recognize true incompatibility. Are you facing real misalignment, or just two different life visions? Let’s talk about it!
Send us a text Dating isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s a whole different game with new rules, unexpected hurdles, and, let’s be real, a lot of “pee” in the pool. In this episode, we’re diving into why dating gets harder as we get older, what exactly is contaminating the waters, and how to navigate the mess without drowning in it. Whether you’re treading carefully or ready to cannonball in, this episode will help you stay afloat and maybe even find a clean corner of the pool. Grab your floati...
Send us a text Dating isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s a whole different game with new rules, unexpected hurdles, and, let’s be real, a lot of “pee” in the pool. In this episode, we’re diving into why dating gets harder as we get older, what exactly is contaminating the waters (spoiler: unresolved trauma, emotional baggage, and dating drama), and how to navigate the mess without drowning in it. Whether you’re treading carefully or ready to cannonball in, this episode will help you stay afloa...