We have all lived through the good, bad, and ugly of love and relationships, and lately, I've noticed this influx of people who have no problem talking about every side of it in their podcasts.
I'm certainly here for it because for starters, it goes against the stigma that our generation doesn't value healthy love and relationships. But these podcasts also get into the nitty-gritty of every aspect that every couple can relate to; from the heavy moments to the ones that make us laugh because we literally just went through the same thing. Whatever you need, these podcasts will certainly get you and bae all the way together.
That Black Couple
The That Black Couple podcast, hosted by Daren and Jenn, is basically the epitome of all things Black love and relationships. Its motto is "A podcast about Blackness and adulting," and it certainly lives up to the hype while covering everything from love to pop culture and everything in between. Like, seriously. Some of their most standout episodes include toxic masculinity in relationships (come on!), whooping children, and how to know if you're getting proper sleep, as well as the setbacks that happen if you don't. And it's all from the viewpoint of Black married millennials in their 30's, which is something our generation desperately needs. So grab a snack, some Hennessy (that's literally what they tell you to do lol), and enjoy with your bae.
Love On Purpose
iTunes
This is a fairly new podcast. It's only a couple of episodes in, but I have to say, it certainly didn't waste any time in making its mark. Newlyweds Jay and Janelle Johnson might have only been married for a few months, but they're dropping gems that even seasoned couples can relate to and benefit from. I fell in love with this podcast immediately because they're so honest about the reality of marriage as they share so much about their life. They definitely bring the laughs as they reveal what they've learned as husband and wife (like one not knowing how to really wash dishes and the other being much more of a talker than expected). Get into it!
Black Love Matters
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Yes, it does. And this podcast will never tell us any different. That's probably why it's a big hit. But it doesn't just dish on all things Black love, even though that's the main premise and perspective. The Instagram bio says it best: "A hilarious podcast for loving each other, figuring out adulthood, finding our inner Barack and Michelle." Isn't that what most of us want anyway? As for the episodes, they dish on everything from getting a dog, giving advice for couples that want to buy a house, and even had an episode called "Protecting Black Women." Here.For.It. If you really want to dig in, there is also a YouTube channel, a place where couples can submit their own stories, and a shop for #BlackLove gear.
Bonnets And Durags
iTunes
The Bonnets and Durags podcast is a pillow talk show at its finest. A beautiful girl named Simone serves as the host and will easily become your best friend in your head after listening to one episode. Sidebar: Yes, a female does host this show solo for the most part, but she raises awareness and topics of conversations that both parties in relationships can take advantage of. Her main push is to spark conversation for couples and millennials in general, concerning topics that some of us have the tendency to avoid. Plus, she never fails to feature a guest who can represent a male's point of view. And don't sleep on her Nightcap playlist – (she's thought of everything).
Couples Therapy
iTunes
What couple doesn't need therapy? In between sessions, feel free to sit on the virtual comfy couch of an amazing podcast. Candice and Casey get so candid that you'll feel like you're watching a VLOG of their life play out before your eyes. At the same time, this can be therapeutic because most listeners will realize they're not alone in the big and small things they deal with in their relationship regularly. In past episodes, they've gone further than just touching on topics and completely dived in head-first with their thoughts on forgiveness, disagreements/straight up arguments, and the possibility of getting too close and too personal with each other. It might be tempting to grab your popcorn and listen; but trust, you'll want to take notes too.
Dating While Black
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If we're real, dating is probably one of the hardest things that we'll do in life. And unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's going to ease up; at least not this year. Thankfully, the Dating While Black podcast gives us some sort of relief that the struggle is not only real but more common than we think. Between DMs, Snapchat, and cuffing season, the art of dating gets a bad rap, and this podcast stirs the pot in the realest way possible. While it focuses on the realities of dating, this is a great podcast for couples because they'll still be able to relate to the struggle.
The Friend Zone
For starters, this is in no way a podcast hosted by a couple, or about only love, despite the name. But if anything, it will definitely be a good time for you and your boo if you're looking for a way to do life together. Considering it has three hosts – two guys (Asanté and Dustin) and Hey Fran Hey, listeners pretty much get every viewpoint on all things life, including love. But most importantly, the premise of the show is to discuss mental health, wealth, and even hygiene. Because, in their words, "who wants a musty brain?" For real, though.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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RELATED
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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What Is a Praise Kink?
The concept of praise kinks isn't new, but thanks to TikTok, a lot of people are now realizing they might identify as praise kinksters. Currently, the hashtag #praisek1nk is trending with 568.9 million views, with tons of creators posting about their love for compliments and words of affirmation during sex. I, too, love a good compliment during sex. I once had a lover sing my praises about how good I was at a certain bedroom activity. His affirmations gave me WAP, but does that categorize me as having a praise kink?
How To Know if You Have a Praise Kink
Just because you love receiving praise doesn’t mean you have a praise kink. Someone with a praise kink experiences an intense level of sexual excitement from being praised or verbally affirmed by their partner during sex. You might have a praise kink if hearing your partner tell you how pretty you are makes you cum or if the thing that makes sex go from good to great is hearing your partner's thoughts about how good you are at giving head. And if, during solo play, the thing that gets you all hot and bothered is recalling the times your partner called you a good girl, it’s probably a praise kink.
Generally, a kink is a sexual activity that is needed for someone to enjoy sex. When it comes specifically to praise kinks, if you need reassurance from your partner that you're sexy, or good in bed in order to orgasm, you have a praise kink.
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Examples of Praise Kink Phrases To Try With Your Partner
If you’re new to the term and looking to explore, you probably have questions about what phrases to use. It may take a lot of communication and some trial and error to figure out what phrases work best for you and your partner. Ultimately, the best phrases to use vary from person to person and are based on what sex acts you and your partner enjoy, or what parts of their body they like complimented.
To get you started, here are some generic praise kink examples to try out with your partner:
Praise Kink Examples:
- You're such a good girl/boy.
- You're so good at [insert skill].
- You look so hot when you [insert activity].
- Your [insert body part] is irresistible.
- You taste so good. I can't get enough of you.
- You just have the perfect [body part].
- Just like that… you’re doing so good.
- Who taught you how to be so good at [something?]
While many examples of praise kink involve specific verbal affirmations, praise can also come in the form of brief words or phrases like “yes,” “keep going,” or simply a moan. No matter what type you prefer, praise kink is all about finding what feels good and exciting, and turns you and your partner on the most.
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Originally published on November 4, 2022