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In a podcast that lives up to its name, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes go “Awf the Record” with industry disruptors and cultural tastemakers, bringing you candid conversations that reflect the dynamic intersection of media, culture, and society . It’s a show that lives between the news of the day and the group chat. [Awf- Thuh- Rekərd ].
42 Episodes
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In this special best-of episode, Jeannette and Mona revisit the raw, revealing, and sometimes hilarious conversations they've had with experts and friends about dating, love, and the realities of marriage. From navigating modern romance and dating apps to unpacking divorce red flags and cultural double standards, this episode delivers hard truths and big-sis wisdom alike. Whether you're single, dating, divorced, or in a “complicated” situation, this episode holds space for the unfiltered re...
In this special best-of episode of Awf The Record, Mona and Jeannette bring together the realest advice and most unforgettable gems from past conversations that still hit hard. From redefining success to setting boundaries with family, pivoting careers to reclaiming joy, these are the truths that only get better with time. You’ll hear reflections on burnout, letting go of outdated family expectations, healing from toxic work cultures, and what it really means to rebrand your life—inside and...
In this special Q&A episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona are putting the scripts down and pulling the curtain back. You asked, so they answered - nothing is off limits. From what inspired them to launch the podcast, to how their friendship has shifted in the spotlight, this conversation is full of raw reflections, inside jokes, and unfiltered truth. They talk about balancing ambition with burnout, navigating career crossroads, and the toll the news cycle takes on mental health es...
Objection overruled: She didn’t just take a leap of faith—she appealed to her true calling. Today’s Awf The Record guest, Eni Popoola, had all the receipts for a high-powered legal career: Harvard undergrad, Columbia Law, and a coveted position at a top law firm. But what happens when the courtroom starts to feel less like a stage and more like a cage? In this bold and unapologetic episode, Eni opens up about the internal tug-of-war between security and self-expression. She shares t...
Dating isn’t just about having chemistry or “vibes”—it’s actually data. In this eye-opening episode of Awf The Record, dating and relationship expert Anwar White joins Jeannette and Mona to break down the real numbers behind modern dating—and why Black and Brown women need a different playbook. From match rates to money, Anwar exposes the hard truths about dating in today’s age: how systemic issues impact your love life, why marriage isn’t always a financial win for Black women, and wha...
Making friends shouldn’t feel like a mystery—but in today’s world, it often does. In this episode, Dr. Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and New York Times best-selling author of Platonic, joins Mona and Jeannette to break down the science of friendship. She explores how technology, convenience culture, and societal expectations have fueled an epidemic of loneliness—while also revealing the keys to building meaningful, lasting connections. Together, they tackle why male emotional vulnerability i...
From Beauty Queen to Comedy Queen—Taryn Delanie-Smith proves that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. This week, Jeannette and Mona sit down with Taryn Delanie-Smith—comedian, content creator, and former Miss New York—who turned a viral TikTok into a thriving career. Taryn shares how she went from pursuing diplomacy to building a comedy empire, including the hilarious (and sometimes chaotic) journey that led to a reel that brought her 21 million views and internet fame. Known for h...
Before Awf the Record, before the mics, and before the viral moments—who were Mona and Jeannette? In this episode, they get real about their upbringings, family expectations, and the cultural influences that shaped them. From Mona’s strict Somali academic upbringing in San Diego to Jeannette’s Dominican roots in Providence, they reflect on the highs, lows, and awkward phases that made them who they are today. They talk about: 🔥 Growing up in strict vs. non-strict households 🔥 Navi...
What does it really take to rebrand your life? In this episode of Awf The Record, Mona and Jeannette sit down with Les Alfred, host of the Balanced Black Girl podcast, to talk about reinvention, discipline, and stepping into the person you want to be. Les shares her journey of rebranding—not as a one-time makeover, but as a daily commitment to intentional growth. She dives into the mindset shifts that helped her stay consistent, the habits that shaped her transformation, and how financial dis...
Is happily ever after just a fairy tale? Or is marriage set up to fail from the start? With over half of marriages ending in divorce, it’s a question worth asking. On this episode of Awf the Record, Jeannette and Mona sit down with family law attorney Tracey Coates to get real about marriage, divorce, and everything in between. From the biggest red flags people ignore before saying "I do" to the gender differences in why people file for divorce, Tracey brings her unfiltered expertise to the t...
What happens when you walk away from a hit show at the peak of your career? Kamie Crawford knows firsthand. In this episode, Mona and Jeannette pull up a seat with Kamie for an unfiltered conversation about life after Catfish, navigating the pressures of fame, and embracing the next chapter—on her own terms. Kamie spills on everything from her early days as Miss Teen USA (and the intense pageant pressures that came with it) to the childhood bullying that shaped her resilience. Plus, she gets ...
Season 2 is here, and we’re starting off strong with a conversation that hits home. Mona and Jeannette from Awf The Record sit down to talk about what it’s really like moving back to the city after life in the suburbs—and trust us, it’s deeper than just location. Mona shares why city life feels like the right move for her, from the energy and convenience to the way it keeps her socially connected. Meanwhile, Jeannette gets real about the unexpected struggles of suburban living—long commutes, ...
Welcome to Season 2 of Awf The Record! We’re back—and we’re keeping it REAL (as always). This season, we’re diving even deeper into the confessions, chaos, and hard-hitting truths about life, love, and career. From navigating major pivots to knowing when it’s time to walk away, we’re unpacking the unspoken struggles that come with adulthood. Expect raw, unfiltered conversations, unexpected revelations, and the kind of honesty you’d only share in the group chat. So grab your drink, pull up a s...
We’re back—and we’re keeping it REAL (as always). This season, we’re diving even deeper into the confessions, chaos, and hard-hitting truths about life, love, and career. From navigating major pivots to knowing when it’s time to walk away, we’re unpacking the unspoken struggles that come with adulthood. Expect raw, unfiltered conversations, unexpected revelations, and the kind of honesty you’d only share in the group chat. So grab your drink, pull up a seat, and get ready—because Season 2 is ...
In this season finale of AWF the Record, Dr. Karen Tang—renowned gynecologist and author of “It's Not Hysteria"—joins Mona and Jeannette to set the record straight on women's health. From misconceptions around periods to the mysteries of conditions like fibroids, PCOS, and endometriosis, Dr. Tang dives deep into what many women have been conditioned to ignore or misunderstand about their own bodies. With her expertise, Dr. Tang exposes why women’s pain is often dismissed, the cultural myths t...
This week on Awf The Record, Jeannette and Mona sit down with Dr. Thompson, a leading Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist, for an eye-opening conversation about the IVF and egg-freezing journey. Jeannette opens up about her personal experience with infertility, the emotional rollercoaster of undergoing IVF and what she would’ve done differently. Meanwhile, Mona shares her desire to start a family soon, prompting Dr. Thompson to walk her through the process step-by-step. D...
Mona and JR sit down with Emmy winner and comedy powerhouse Yvonne Orji, who hilariously unpacks what it truly means to start from the bottom. From her Nigerian upbringing, where her parents dreamed of her becoming a doctor, to the sheer terror of breaking the news that she was chasing a career in comedy instead, Yvonne shares how defying expectations brought plenty of struggles—and plenty of laughs. She recounts the early days of her comedy hustle, learning on the job as an actress on HBO’s ...
This week on Awf the Record, the husbands join the group chat as we pull back the curtain on everything you won’t see on our social media. Mona and Jordan reveal the one thing they’ll never do in their relationship, the power of proactive couples therapy, and where they stand on starting a family. Jeannette and Robert get real about their one big regret after a 4.5 years of long-distance marriage, the highs and lows of their fertility journey, and the surprising “third person” in their relati...
This week on Awf The Record, Mona Kosar Abdi sits down with Sabrina Elba for an intimate and empowering conversation. Sabrina opens up about her relationship with actor Idris Elba and the intense bullying she faced after their engagement was announced. She shares the personal journey of reclaiming her confidence while managing the spotlight. As the founder of S’able Labs and a UN Goodwill Ambassador, Sabrina also talks about the challenges of entrepreneurship and how her Somali heritage inspi...
This week on Awf The Record, we're diving deep into the stuff you really want to know. Certified sex educator and intimacy expert Shan Boodram joins us for a no-holds-barred conversation about relationships, sex, and everything in between. From the truth about open relationships and why they can thrive to whether scheduling sex actually kills the vibe, Shan doesn’t hold back. She also tackles the age-old question: How often should you really be having sex? Her answer didn’t just stir the pot—...
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Just finished an episode of 'Awf The Record' and I'm thoroughly impressed! The hosts have such a knack for diving deep into interesting topics while keeping the conversation engaging and lively. https://medium.com/@PackagingHouston Their insights are spot-on, and the chemistry between them makes each episode a joy to listen to. Highly recommend this podcast to anyone looking for thoughtful discussions and a good dose of humor. Keep up the great work!