The OWN Network returns with its highly anticipated Will Packer-produced relationship series, Put A Ring On It for Season 2. Life and relationship master coach, Dr. Nicole LaBeach will follow three couples as they navigate their way to the altar. Along their journey, love and trust between each partner, will be tested as they witness their significant others date complete strangers.
Temptation and consequences are at stake, as they push their relationships to the limit and see if there is a love connection they've been missing all along. The question is, will they decide to call it quits, or is it time to officially put a ring on it?
Meet Eric and Jessica
Courtesy of OWN
Entrepreneur Jessica and former NFL player Eric have been at odds in their relationship from the very beginning. The former pro-baller might have spent his fair share of time playing the field and as a result, the two are not always on the same page about matters of the heart. Though the couple have been dating for four years, an "I do" might still be out of reach.
Meet LaRhonda and Eric
Courtesy of OWN
Comedian Eric and industry professional LaRhonda have their heart matters on lock, but their money matters? Not so much. For this couple who have been dating for three years, what's keeping them from going down the aisle is a difference in tax brackets. Eric longs to feel more financially established before putting a ring on it.
Meet Alexa and Darion
Courtesy of OWN
14 years is a long time to be dealing with someone without the security of where the relationship is headed. This is probably one of the reasons why this couple have been on and off for over a decade. Though the relationship is now progressing for the former basketball player and Field Mob member (by way of moving in together), it still seems they are not completely on the same page about what forever looks like.
Meet Dr. Nicole LaBeach
Courtesy of OWN
While the words "I do" are on pause for the couples, Dr. LaBeach uses her 20+ years of coaching experience to be an anchor using her professional tools to keep the couples connected. "If you can effectively communicate, so many things shift for a relationship. Nonverbal communication gives access to words so that the other person can understand," Dr. LaBeach shares.
When asked how important is it to have life coaching and therapy throughout a relationship, Dr. LaBeach responds, "If I could have it my way, it would be a requirement for every relationship on a quarterly basis, to connect with a coach or therapist to make sure that things that are going to strengthen a relationship are being activated, and the things that deteriorate a relationship can be excused and given a quick exit."
As the hit Will Packer Productions show kicks off their new season, Dr. LaBeach joyfully makes it known that she is not so much rooting for the couples when doing her job, but rooting for their relationships. She explains the outcome is more meaningful and cherishable when having that mindset.
Put A Ring On It Season 2 will air this Friday, June 25 at 10/9c p.m. on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Check out the first episode of the season before it premieres by clicking here.
Featured image courtesy of OWN
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The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
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On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
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Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
My main motive? Mostly, I hope that it will serve as a solid reminder to embrace all of the things that you adore about this time of year, so long as you do it in moderation and you weigh the costs.
Especially as far as drinking alcohol is concerned.
PRO: Manages Blood Sugar Levels
GiphyHere’s something that you may have never seen coming. Were you aware of the fact that alcohol can actually help to stabilize your blood sugar? Yep, according to the American Diabetes Association, so long as you leave it to no more than 1-2 cocktails a day, alcohol may be able to lower your A1C levels. Pretty cool, right?
CON: It’s a Carcinogen
GiphyAlcohol is a carcinogen. The reason why this should somewhat alarm you is because carcinogens are things (like tobacco, UV rays, processed meats, etc.) that can increase your chances of being diagnosed with cancer (especially mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and breast cancer). There are various ways this happens including the fact that alcohol, specifically, can hinder your body from breaking down certain nutrients, it can cause your estrogen levels to spike and alcohol can also cause certain toxins to damage your DNA and certain bodily proteins over time.
PRO: Cultivates Euphoric Feelings
GiphyIf you find yourself feeling more euphoric while you’re enjoying a drink, it’s not all up in your head. Although, for the more part, alcohol is considered to be a depressant, when consumed in small amounts, it can provide a stimulant effect. This happens due to the fact that when you first start to consume alcohol, it causes the production of the feel-good hormone known as dopamine to increase — and since dopamine makes us all feel more relaxed and confident while heightening our senses of pleasure too…well, there you have it.
CON: May Increase Anxiety/Depression
GiphyAs they say, “what goes up, most come down” at some point — and that is what you have to be careful of when it comes to alcohol consumption. For instance, when you drink alcohol, although it tends to initially cause your dopamine levels to uptick, because it is a temporary bodily response, sometimes the dips are lower than the rises…and that is when anxiety starts to kick in. A similar point is made with depression because oftentimes, people with depression-related symptoms, will use alcohol as a way to deflect from what’s really going on with them — and that can make them feel even worse than ever once the buzz of alcohol starts to wear off.
PRO: Has Some Heart-Related Benefits
GiphyWhen it comes to your heart, there are interesting findings surrounding its relationship to alcohol. For instance, some research states that, so long as the consumption is moderate, alcohol can actually help to increase the good cholesterol in your system while also breaking down proteins that can potentially lead to blood clots; both of these factors alone can reduce your chances of dying from heart disease.
CON: Packs on Pounds
GiphyIt’s no secret that alcohol tends to contain quite a few calories. That’s why, it’s not uncommon for people who’ve lost weight to mention “I’ve stopped drinking” as one of the causes for the shed pounds. That’s not to say that there aren’t some alcoholic beverages that have less calories than others including vodka (133 calories per serving), white wine (148 calories per serving) and tequila (99 calories per shot). Just keep in mind that the more you drink, the more calories get into your system and the more weight you stand to gain.
PRO: Lowers Inhibitions
GiphyAlthough you really should only be uninhibited around people who you absolutely trust, if that person is your partner and you’re looking to have a pretty — eh hem — active evening, alcohol can certainly help to make that happen. The science of it all is the prefrontal cortex of your brain is what regulates your inhibitions and levels of self-control. Meanwhile, alcohol suppresses your inhibitions which can cause you to be more spontaneous and open to trying things that you might not immediately do if you were sober. And with the right individual, that can be sexually beneficial (emphasis on “right person”).
CON: Makes It Harder to Orgasm
GiphyOn the other hand, as odd as it may seem (in light of what I just said), if you have too much alcohol in your system, it could make climaxing difficult. That’s because orgasms happen, in part, due to your nervous system being stimulated — and since alcohol is technically a depressant…well, it could reduce nerve sensitivity (especially as far as your clitoris goes) for you while making it challenging for your partner to remain erect or have consistent stamina. And yeah, that sucks.
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‘Tis the season. And with that, if some wassails or hot buttered rums are in your immediate future — hey, don’t let me stop you — not even a lil’ bit.
All I’m saying is now that you know what alcoholic drinks have to offer (both ways), you can know exactly how to incorporate them into your holiday plans. Enjoy!
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