Charles And Shireen Kuykendoll

Shows

For Better Or Best PodcastThe Business of Influencing feat. René DaniellaThis episode is said to be our season finale (allegedly) and Shireen is flying solo without Charles. She is happily joined by one of her best friends, content creator, free diving mermaid and travel aficionado Rene Daniella, known on social media as @ownbyfemme. Shireen gives her guest her flowers, complimenting how intentional Rene is about posting on social media. Rene takes us through her journey to becoming an influencer. She studied broadcast journalism and was working for a PR firm in NYC. She did a shoot that she felt self conscious about but it was during a time when...2024-07-0343 min

For Better Or Best PodcastA Friend Of The Pod feat. Scottie BeamAfter giving Shireen more flowers this week, the Kuykendolls are joined by one of their favorites, Scottie Beam. Charles recalls meeting Scottie at his first Revolt event in Chicago and knowing immediately that she was a star. Shireen remembered watching Scottie at ComplexCon, realizing how much she makes Black women and men feel seen. Scottie acknowledges everyone, always says hello, always stops to take pictures. Charles asks how she became an influencer. Humbly, Scottie shares how she got her start on the Hot97 street team in NYC and worked her way up to digital producer, taking what she learned...2024-06-2648 min

For Better Or Best PodcastThe DecisionThis week the Kuykendolls dive into making a decision about having baby girl Beloved. Charles recalls the first episode ever being about the vasectomy and now 15 months later they're preparing to go through the process of IVF. Shireen says that he revealed he really wanted a little girl during her 37 week ultrasound while pregnant with Carter and she thought he was joking. Now that Carter is almost 2 and Shireen's snapback is crazy, Charles thinks its time for them to do the egg retrieval. Shireen says she was intentional about her prayers and there was never a prayer for baby #3...2024-06-1237 min

For Better Or Best PodcastDelayed But Not Denied feat. Shardia WashingtonBarely-making-it Beloved is fresh off of a flight to join Shireen and their guest, occupational therapist, Shardia Washington. Her intro defines what her exact medical title means as they discuss the very touchy topic of children. Identifying developmental hurdles as a parent can be tough. Shireen shares that their second son Carter was a little delayed in his ability to stand and walk as a 1 year old, and being familiar with CJ's growth (he was slightly late and lazy), she knew that Carter would need the same if not more grace(1:52-5:05). Milestones are not definitive; Shardia explains that...2024-06-0536 min

For Better Or Best PodcastChasing Your Dreams feat. Jae Murphy and Alex HillFriends, how many of us have them?! This week the Kuykendolls are joined by good friends Jae Murphy (DJ, host, artist) and Alex Hill (chef, food blogger, content creator). The guests start off disucissing their HBCU experiences, Jae was at Howard for broadcast journalism and Alex went to Hampton for PR/marketing. Charles gushes about wanting his kids going to HBCUs, for all the perks of culture and networking. Jae pledged Kappa and learned how to DJ quietly while building a local name for himself. After getting asked to host the BET Music Matters showcase with Kendrick Lamar, he...2024-05-291h 02

For Better Or Best PodcastLoud LuxuryBlow-A-Bag Beloved is back with his wonderful queen Shireen, outfits matching, per usual. After exchanging pleasantries, compliments and big words, the two dive right in. People are pocket watching! Aesthetics and luxury are important, but working really hard to get a deal is too. Shireen spills the tea on the Palm Springs outlets and mentions that they Google the best prices for all the items she's looking for. Charles mentions his love of watches and wanting a Rolex, so the convo about shopping internationally begins(2:10-12:19). Charles explains VAT tax and how he doesn't shop in London unless there's...2024-05-2245 min

For Better Or Best PodcastReen-Govy (An Ozempic Journey)The Kuykendolls are back for a solo episode this week, after several deep chats with friends! It felt like a good time to share some personal health changes that both Charles and Shireen had been experiencing. Charles makes it a point to declare he is politically correct Beloved and doesn't speak on womens' bodies, but says that seeing Shireen pregnant, he thought she was the most beautiful. Shireen has lost a considerable amount of weight. Shireen shares that she gained quite a bit during her most recent pregnancy and the post-baby weight was stubborn, especially in her mid-section and...2024-05-1538 min

For Better Or Best PodcastHey, I Know You From Instagram! feat. Taiwo Ade and Krystal FranklinThis week, Charles and Shireen are joined by content creator/researcher/entrepreneur Taiwo Ade and award-winning producer and journalist Krystal Franklin. Charles starts off professing his love for Instagram, citing that its his favorite social media platform. He talks about connecting with both guests via mutual friends that introfuced them to connect at AfroTech. Charles emphasizes how much of a good networking tool IG has become, remembering how exciting it was to talk to new friends on Black Planet and MySpace. He explains how nowadays IG likes/supportive comments are his way of connecting when life make its tough...2024-05-0845 min

For Better Or Best PodcastPsychology of Friendships feat. Brittany RichardsonShireen and "Bespoke Beloved" kick off the episode recalling what it felt like receiving the news that Charles was being laid off and the friendship assessments that took place. He explains that 90% of his close friends were there to support him in new endeavors but that 10% that he felt he had invested so much into, didn't show up as he'd expected. Reciprocity was different. Joined by their good friend and psychotherapist Brittany Richardson, the couple asks what factors cause 10+ year friendships to fall apart. Brittany reminds them that social media plays a different role in your 20's vs your 30...2024-05-0138 min

For Better Or Best PodcastDo You Know Who You Are? feat. Bridget KellyThe first official guest on FBOB is none other than our very own EP, Bridget Kelly! While discussing how Charles and Shireen's paths crossed w/BK, Charles poses the question, 'do you know who you are'? They started out as fans of the music and now that they're friends, wanted to dive a little deeper into BK's origin story. Growing up in NYC, music wasn't her only love. She wanted to be a marine biologist! With the encouragement of her parents, BK went from singing in the choir to open mics and then the Subway. Charles asks about getting...2024-04-241h 03

For Better Or Best PodcastLessons Equal BlessingsByke like they never left! Charles and Shireen return for season 2 after an exciting year, full of wonderful changes. They start with a thank you to the audience (both real friends and fans of the show) for pressing them about returning to the mics. Charles then brings us up to speed on his professional adjustments. Having been no stranger to layoffs in the tech space, he was shocked but still at peace when his news came mid-vacation. He didn't want to hide it, despite his ego being slightly bruised, and reminds listeners to have their own IP because corporate...2024-04-1736 min

Hustle Over EverythingEp. 178 | How I Went From 0 To Acquired By Blavity Ft. Charles and Shireen KuykendollHey there, hustlers! In this episode of Hustle Over Everything, we're diving into some epic conversations about black love, entrepreneurship, acquisitions, and the incredible journey of becoming acquired by Blavity. Join me, Alex, and Owen with special guests Charles and Shireen for insights that can supercharge your success. 👊💰 Timestamps: 00:00 The Spicy Conversation That Changed Everything 16:31 The Vision and Intentions Behind RNB House Party 24:47 Strategic Business Insights from The Journey Podcast 29:51 From Party Enthusiast to Business Entrepreneur 33:18 The Morgan Debaun Connection: Afrotech Pitch 37:36 Key Lessons from The Acquisition Journey 42:35 Crafting SOPs for a Consistent Global Party Vibe 46:53 Attracting a Supportive Partne...2023-11-0151 min

For Better Or Best PodcastDear SummerWe finally made it to episode 10! Shireen talks about being nervous during the first episode compared to now, and Charles says they're officially podcasters after 10 episodes. Shireen and Charles are both super excited to be at the end of season one, especially just in time for a very busy summer. CJ is about to graduate kindergarten and Carter is about to turn 1 and take his first international trip with their friends. From there they go to Chicago and Essence Fest aka Aunty Fest for some nostalgic R&B vibes. The Freaknik generation are now the Essence Fest demographic(0:22-5:40...2023-06-0733 min

For Better Or Best PodcastRed and Green FlagsCharles and Shireen kick off ep 9 by laughing about the comments and feedback from previous episodes. Charles points out that some of their subscribers believe Shireen has displayed red flags, and that its a topic the two have never discussed before. Charles says that Shireen had some yellow flags early on when they were just friends and he was watching how she moved dating other people. Shireen claims she thought Charles was corny, but admits that NY women think everyone is corny. He eventually got his swag up(1:05-8:00). Shireen was intentionally dating to meet her husband so one...2023-05-3130 min

For Better Or Best PodcastLanguage Of LoveDo you know your partner's love languages? Charles and Shireen deep dive into their different preferences in this episode. Charles states that he'll be keeping his shades on the entire episode, to usher in R&B HouseParty energy. With summer approaching, Charles schedule is getting hectic. Shireen describes how tough it is to manage the house and her big girl job, not to mention keeping up with CJ's social life. Shireen's been watching 'Love Is Blind' and realized that understanding love languages isn't as common as it should be. The assumption is ususlly that mens' main language is physical...2023-05-2540 min

For Better Or Best PodcastMy Money MonsterThe money convo continues in episode 7, as Shireen and Charles show up in matching drip (unplanned, somehow). Both admit that podcasting isn't as easy as it looks, but that they're loving the support and feedback from the audience. Charles is still upset that Shireen kept all her money movements a secret while he was sweating, trying to figure out how they would pay for the wedding. Shireen says once she made it out the mud, she never wants to be poor again. They both have poverty ptsd and its manifested in different ways. Shireen has a spreadsheet that keeps...2023-05-1738 min

For Better Or Best PodcastFunny MoneyCharles starts off admitting he didn't know the lyrics to 'Poison' by Bel Biv Devoe until he met Shireen, and now it plays at R&B HouseParty. The couple is prepping/planning around each other's schedules, since summer is on the way and now Charles' mother has moved out and their in-house childcare is no more! Shireen is back in the thick of work, with Carter now in daycare and Charles announces The Bridge Tour for R&B HouseParty, a series of free parties(0:34-4:15). Its tax refund season, so its time to talk money. Shireen notes that she's...2023-05-1035 min

For Better Or Best PodcastStay The CoursePatience is a virtue! Charles and Shireen kick off episode 5 talking about delayed gratification. Charles has been curating events celebrating community and women, but none of it has been on his time. Shireen said this is a season of tests for Charles, she believes God wants to see how Charles will do trusting other people to take the lead(0:42-2:45). Theres other sides to Charles aside from the fun-loving life of the party persona. He used to treat his now-flourishing businesses as hobbies and side hustles. He has a great business mind and a creative one, he just had...2023-05-0334 min

For Better Or Best PodcastFocus on YourselfFocusing on yourself is tough to do with a spouse and kids, but this week the Kuykendolls unpack what that means for them. Shireen and Charles discuss whats coming up on their schedules; bachelorette and influencer trips, mixing work/play. Before the kids, Shireen was active and outside! So much so that Charles was known as "Shireen's boyfriend"(0:20-4:16). Shireen and Charles' relationship was long distance for 3 years, so balancing time with each other and friends was tough. They both respect each other's friendships because they were friends first. Being a host/event curator, Charles has a ton of...2023-04-2649 min

For Better Or Best PodcastThe Weigh InEpisode 3 is heavy! The couple share that weight is a sensitive subject, both have fluctuated in size over the past 11 years. Charles is back in the gym and encourages Shireen to keep up, despite prefering her more full bodied than skinny (1:55-3:58). Charles has a goal weight in mind, but he's gone beyond that number. He was born big, struggled with weight his whole life. Everyone called Charles big boned, in church it was normalized to be husky and since he could cook and saw it as a chance for fellowship or a celebratory occasion, food became a crutch...2023-04-1931 min

For Better Or Best PodcastThe Balancing ActThis week, Charles and Shireen dive right in to the latest adjustment in their household; Carter (baby #2) is here and maternity leave/paternity leave are inn full effect! Charles is back in his R&B HouseParty bag now that he's on paternity leave, and Shireen talks about going back to work from home after 5mo with the baby. She says she can get distracted by nursing, taking supplements, and balancing her mental (3:08-4:14). Charles talks about wanting to be the Tom Joyner of our generation, sharing the fun side and the business savvy side. He says having a...2023-04-1244 min

For Better Or Best PodcastSnip Snip HOORAY!!In their very first episode, Charles and Shireen introduce themselves to the audience walk them through how long it has taken to conceive this podcast. Since participating in the 'Black Love' TV series and having their second baby last year, life has been life-ing! (1:20-1:45) Shireen admits to getting in her own way and Charles encourages her to step into her main character energy. (2:00-3:45) Shireen shares where the title "For Better Or Best" came from (5:00-6:10). Charles is a bit of a perfectionist, and it shows in his work/family life (7:10-7:45) Both talk a bit about their...2023-04-0429 min

Dating for MarriageLove and Dating Advice with Shireen and Charles Kuykendoll featured on Season 5 of Black Love Are you ready to create your own love story this year? From the popular documentary TV Show Black Love on the OWN network, Shireen and Charles Kuykendoll share their experience. Going on six years of marriage from how they met, fell in love, and got engaged they are sharing it all. Hear more about their dating challenges and how many years they dated before they said "I do". They are also giving away some great tips and advice to help singles looking for love. At the end of the episode listen in for their big announcement of wh...2022-03-0138 min