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
Getty Images
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
Getty Images
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.
Related Articles:
12 Must-Listen Podcasts For Women Who Want To Glow Up – Read More
14 Podcasts You Should Listen To With Your Girlfriends – Read More
10 Podcasts All Aspiring Girl Bosses Need To Listen To – Read More
Doing The Work Helped This Podcaster Surpass 2.5 Million Downloads – Read More
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
