Author And TV Analyst Tiffany Cross Talks New Podcast, Intergenerational Connections, And More
Author, broadcast personality, and TV analyst Tiffany Cross has a proven track record of dynamic storytelling and media savvy. She served as host of The Cross Connection on MSNBC, as well as a Resident Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics. She’s also a media business veteran, with earned career receipts working as Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief for BET Networks, as an associate producer for CNN, and as a freelance field producer. She also co-founded The Beat DC, an intersectional platform that focused on policy, business, and people of color, among other advocacy topics.
Now, she's leading as host of ACross Generations, a podcast launched via Will Packer Productions featuring candid conversations amplifying the voices and experiences of Black women. Episodes touch on topics including love, finance, gender roles, and more in intergenerational conversations for wisdom and understanding.
Bridging the Gap Between Black Men & Women Feat. Dionne Warwick & Ashley Foote
One episode, for example, includes insights from iconic singer Dionne Warwick, discussing societal shifts, the relationships between generations, and Black women’s plight for self-love. The podcast offers listeners a safe space to find reliability, honesty, and dynamic enlightenment, expanding perspectives on the experience of Black womanhood.
xoNecole caught up with Cross on a recent IG Live for a conversation about ACross Generations, where she talked about why she chose to bring the podcast to fruition, the legacy and impact of the conversation, self-love, and how it ties to her career and life, and what's in store for listeners.
Listen to the full conversation below and check out theACross Generations podcast via iHeartMedia:
Featured image by Leon Bennett / Stringer/Getty Images
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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.
Red Table Talk co-host and multifaceted artist Jada Pinkett Smith is no stranger to sharing stories and dropping gems about her lived experience. In honor of the life lessons she shares in the form of wise words, we're about to dive into a collection of inspirational quotes that reflect the depth, introspection, and versatility of the Worthy author.
From her journey to self-love to her musings on true unconditional love, get ready for a dose of wisdom and inspiration from Jada that'll leave you feeling enlightened and empowered in 25 quotes or less.
Jada Pinkett Smith On The Journey To Self-Love
"The journey to self-love can be a brutal process. Especially in those moments when we must deny ourselves that which is familiar…but harmful. Like releasing victimhood and embracing personal power. Without personal power/self-love, there is no foundation to build love for someone else because it’s the power needed to dissolve the ego which is our greatest obstacle to truly loving through its brutal and unkind nature." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"I think the moment that I felt super clear about my self-worth and felt, like, golden worthiness was when I woke up on the morning of my 50th birthday, and looked at myself in the mirror, with my bald head and all, and I was just so proud of myself. I was like, 'You did it. Look how far you’ve come.'" - Jada Pinkett Smith
"I’ve always believed a woman’s superpower is how deep she can love, you know? And one of the things growing up in Baltimore, I grew up around a lot of Black women that didn’t have, necessarily, resources to give, right? But they had their strength and they had their love to offer." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"We have to be willing to constantly evaluate and evolve ourselves if we want to grow." - Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith On Taking Care Of Yourself First
"You always have to remember to take care of yourself first and foremost, because when you stop taking care of yourself you get out of balance and you really forget how to take care of others." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"Do whatever rejuvenates you. It might be a cooking class, cocktails with the girls, or just private time with the hubby. We all have our moments where we run out of steam because we’ve given everything we’ve got to everyone else. Whoever decided that was a good thing? It’s not. Everyone needs to refuel." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"Sometimes our biggest treasures and our biggest lessons are in the zones of discomfort." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"I have a thing for doors. I always think of them as a threshold to something new." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"I think I’m still learning how to get out of survival mode. It still pops up here and there, and I think I just have more awareness around it. I might not live in it as much, but it’s still very much a part of me. It’s part of my foundation. It’s something I’ve learned to manage and be aware of." - Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith On The Shame We Carry
"There’s a lot of shame we carry in our skin but a lot of healing can come from us confronting our bodies and scraping off the shame." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"Vulnerability is the key to connecting with others on a deeper level." - Jada Pinkett Smith
When you’ve walked through the darkness of your own heart and mind ... there is no shadow you fear.
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) April 22, 2020
"When you've walked through the darkness of your own heart and mind ... there is no shadow you fear." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"When I’m tired, I rest. I say, ‘I can’t be a superwoman today.’" - Jada Pinkett Smith
"Love is what sometimes holds us and binds us when we’re not so happy." - Jada Pinkett Smith quotes
Jada Pinkett Smith On Happiness
"That to me is happiness when I feel like I am loved and I have a place to love deeply. That to me is happiness." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"Lack of confidence is what makes you want to change somebody else’s mind. When you’re okay, you don’t need to convince anyone else in order to empower yourself." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"I want to tell every mother that you can have a loving family and you can have your dreams, you can. We might not have everything that we thought we’d have but we can have that love and we can have ourselves." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"I really thought happiness had a lot to do with pleasure, and I realized that happiness is about peace." - Jada Pinkett Smith Quotes
"Do you love what you see when you look in the mirror? Because I bet that if you love it authentically, everybody else around you will. They won’t even have a chance to see anything else, because you will have a shield of confidence around you. That is a powerful gift that God gives us that most of us rarely use." - Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith On Not Being Liked
"I don’t get afraid in talking about subject matter that may spark controversy and I’m not afraid to not be liked. I think that sometimes people pay too much attention to being liked and it’s paralyzing." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"Don’t trap yourself with the desire of wanting to be liked." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves; it releases us from the burden of anger and resentment." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"True success is not just about achieving external goals; it's about finding inner peace and fulfillment." - Jada Pinkett Smith
"What I find helpful is exploring my memories and feelings with pen and paper. If you find some quiet time today, take an opportunity to write three beautiful memories from your childhood, or simply from your past, that helped you to nourish the beautiful YOU that you are." - Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith On Romance & True Unconditional Love
"Romance cannot be sustained alone. Romance is going to have to have some other verticals, what I call verticals of love, to come into that, in order to elevate romance to other levels. Everybody thinks that romance is the highest form of love — romance is a beautiful form of love, but romance has to elevate. When you take romance as the highest form of love, it’s a cycle of disappointment.
"...Two people who are chasing this high form, this romantic, idealistic picture that doesn’t exist, and so it was really about a journey coming to terms with what unconditional love, love full of friendship and acceptance, looks like, and you could add romance to that, but romance to exist alone? I think that’s why relationships are in a difficult place right now, and the expectations people have in regard to relationships. You have to have friendship. I think that’s one of the biggest reasons why Will and I have been able to survive everything we’ve had, because at the core of it, we’re friends." - Jada Pinkett Smith
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.
Featured image by Jada Pinkett Smith/Instagram
Cam Newton On Telling Girlfriend Jasmin Brown About His Sex Addiction And How They Were Able To Heal Together
Cam Newton is giving us a little more insight into what made girlfriend Jasmin Brown the one. The couple, who recently announced they were pregnant, are pretty lowkey, but every now and then, the NFL star-turned-podcaster will open up about their relationship on his podcast Funky Friday, and during his recent interview with Chrisean Rock, he shared how the comedian allowed him to feel safe and be transparent about something he was going through.
“I told her from day one I was like, yo, I think I have a sex addiction,” the former Carolina Panthers quarterback revealed. “I’ve had sex with a lot of women, so you gotta bear with me to understand me. No woman has ever wanted to understand.”
He explained that it was something he dealt with by himself as he typically dealt with a lot of things alone, and so he was surprised that Jasmin was willing to talk him through it.
“I had to figure out myself and identify, so it took me a long time to realize, like, bro, I think I got an addiction. It was more or less, I don’t drink. I don’t smoke,” he said. “I have a addictive personality and challenge, very like you what I’m saying, bravado, broad shoulders, and anytime I see a woman, it’s like the challenge for me is yo, I bet I can.”
He continued, “It took patience and, most of all, communication, and I never was with a person who really wanted to know why, and I was blown away like you really want to know?”
Earlier in the interview, Cam shared that he was excited about the new baby and called Jasmin a "helluva woman." He is a known family man and has seven kids and shared that one of the first things he told the content creator when they began dating was that his family was the most important thing to him. He even waited two years before she met his kids.
But now everyone has met and he says everyone is getting along. This will be Jasmin’s first baby and Cam’s eighth.
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 images by Prince Williams/WireImage
'I Am Finally Ready To Tell My Story': Cassie Sues Ex Sean Combs, Accuses Him Of Control & Abuse
In a shocking turn of events, a lawsuit brought to federal court on Thursday (Nov. 16), R&B singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura accuses rapper and media mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs of rape and subjecting her to years of control and abuse throughout their decade-long relationship.
Per The New York Times, Cassie, who was a signed artist under Diddy's label and 19 at the time they met, alleges in her suit against the famed record executive that she experienced a cycle of abuse and control from Diddy starting not long after they met in 2005 and later signed to Bad Boy.
According to the filing, this reportedly included several incidents of physical abuse (the filing notes beatings that occurred "multiple times each year") as well as forcing her to engage in sexual encounters with male prostitutes where he watched and filmed the acts as a part of his "voyeurism" fantasy that was referred to as "freak offs" by Diddy according to the documents. Cassie also alleges being raped toward the end of their relationship in 2018.
The lawsuit asserts that Diddy kept Cassie plied with "copious amounts of drugs," including ketamine and ecstasy, drugs that "allowed her to disassociate." Due to the alleged violence and beatings she would receive, the lawsuit notes that she was fearful that seeking help from law enforcement "would merely give Mr. Combs another excuse to hurt her."
Additionally, Cassie claims in her lawsuit that Diddy's control included having access to her medical records, paying for her car, her clothes, and her apartment, and beating her as a means of intimidation or retribution in incidents where she didn't adhere to his methods of control. "Ms. Ventura felt that saying ‘no’ to Mr. Combs would cost her something — her family, her friends, her career, or even her life," the suit reads.
The 37-year-old "Me & U" singer detailed an incident that happened involving rapper Kid Cudi, whom she briefly dated in 2011 during a time she and Diddy had cooled off their relationship. Diddy became irate after discovering their email correspondences on her phone. Cassie tried to run away at the time, but "feeling like she could not escape Mr. Combs and his network of enforcers, Ms. Ventura returned to Mr. Combs," the suit says. "He hit her several times, and then kicked her in the back as she tried to run out the door."
The suit goes on to say that in 2012, Diddy threatened to blow up Kid Cudi's car "and that he wanted to ensure that Kid Cudi was home with his friends when it happened," the lawsuit states. "Around that time, Kid Cuid's car exploded in his driveway," the suit went on to say.
Since news of her lawsuit broke, Kid Cudi has confirmed Cassie's claims of what went down. "This is all true," the "Rose Golden" rapper said in a statement via a spokesperson.
"In one incident described in the court papers, Cassie says that in early 2012, Diddy grew so angry about her dating Kid Cudi that he said he would blow up the rapper’s car. “Around that time,” the suit says, “Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.”
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 16, 2023
Through a spokeswoman, Kid… pic.twitter.com/11j0RSgdZl
Regarding Thursday's filing, Cassie shared a statement within the legal document where she says:
“After years in silence and darkness. I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”
Diddy has responded to the lawsuit, calling the allegations "offensive and outrageous" and implying that it's all blackmail. In a statement for Diddy, his lawyer, Ben Brafman said, "Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail.
"Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday," Brafman adds.
The damages Cassie is seeking with her filing have not been specified, but her suit was filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act, which allows people who claim to be victims of sexual offenses to file lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has expired.
"With the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act fast approaching it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life," Cassie said in her filing.
Sending prayers of protection over Cassie and her family during this time.
For additional details, read the New York Times article here. You can also read the lawsuit in full here.
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.
Featured image by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie to hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas, knowing how long to cook a turkey is crucial for putting on a delicious holiday feast. In the traditional Thanksgiving or holiday dinner spread, a turkey acts as the centerpiece and often the dish that all the other dishes complement.
When it comes to cooking the perfect mouthwatering bird, the size of your turkey plays a big role in determining how long it should be in the oven. Think of this as your cheat sheet for how long to cook a turkey. So, grab your apron, and let's break down the ideal cooking time for the perfect turkey for your holiday meal!
How Long To Cook Turkey
First things first, defrost your turkey.
And how long do you defrost a turkey? Well, standard practice is to defrost a turkey for 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. So, a turkey that is 4 pounds would be defrosted for 24 hours; a turkey that is 8 pounds would be defrosted for 48 hours, and so on and so forth. A 12-16 pound turkey can take 3-4 days to thaw in the fridge.
The safest way is to defrost your turkey in the fridge. Place your bird in a large tray or on a plate to catch any drips, and keep it covered to prevent any cross-contamination.
If you're short on time, you can use the cold water method to unthaw your turkey safely. Submerge the turkey in a large container with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes, and allow 30 minutes of thawing for every pound of turkey.
Cooking the Perfect Turkey
Cooking a turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit is a great choice for a delicious and evenly cooked bird. As a rough guideline, you can estimate about 15 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey.
However, it's super important to use a meat thermometer to ensure it's fully cooked. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the turkey (typically the thigh) should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep reading to learn more about ideal cook times for different pounds. The oven temperatures are based on Fahrenheit.
How long to cook an 8 pound turkey in the oven?
Cook a turkey that is 8 pounds for 2¾ to 3 hours at 325 degrees.
How long to cook a 10 pound turkey?
For a turkey that is 10 pounds, you can cook it in the oven for 2¾ to 3 hours at 325 degrees.
How long to cook a 13 pound turkey?
Cook a 13-pound turkey for 2¼ to 2½ hours in the oven at 425 degrees.
How long to cook a 15 pound turkey?
For a 15-pound turkey, cook it for 3 to 3¼ hours at 425 degrees.
How long to cook a 20 pound turkey?
For a turkey that is 20 pounds, cook it for 4 to 4½ hours at 325 degrees.
How long to cook a 22 pound turkey?
The cook time for a 22-pound turkey is around 4¼ to 4¾ hours at 350 degrees.
How long to cook a 24 pound turkey in the oven?
A 24-pound turkey can be cooked in around 5 to 5¼ hours at 350 degrees.
Let the Turkey Rest
Also, don't forget to allow your turkey to rest for about 15-20 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps the juices redistribute for a juicy, tender turkey.
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.
Featured image by Drazen Zigic/Getty Images