Shows
The Napkin In BetweenLove Island, Hate Machine: Black Women and Reality TV VillainsThe villainization of Black women in media isn't new, but the recent treatment of Love Island USA contestants Chelley and Olandria offers a powerful case study in how this harmful pattern continues today.When major outlets like Time Magazine and Buzzfeed deliberately misrepresent situations to fit the "angry Black woman" narrative, we must call it what it is: racism. Time Magazine twisted Chelley's perfectly healthy communication (recognizing she was too emotional for a productive conversation) into "toxic interruption" – while later in the same article praising this exact behavior as healthy! The hypocrisy is stunning but unsurprising.2025-07-2038 minThe Napkin In BetweenNicolandria and the Power of Being Gentle: Reflections on Love IslandWe've all heard about "putting yourself first," but for Black women, that concept often feels foreign or even forbidden. This week, I'm diving deep into what it truly means for Black women to prioritize themselves in a world that constantly demands our energy, care, and emotional labor.Drawing from the current season of Love Island, I explore how the relationship between Nic and Olandria beautifully demonstrates what happens when a Black woman is genuinely cared for rather than being the constant caretaker. As a self-proclaimed president of "Nicolandria Nation," I break down why I'm so invested in...2025-07-1338 minThe Napkin In BetweenThe Joy of Unsticking YourselfWhat does it truly mean to embrace your identity entirely, without reservation or apology? In this candid exploration of Black joy and self-acceptance, we dive deep into the transformative power of recognizing your own worth in a world that often fails to do so.The journey from internalized anti-Blackness to profound self-love reveals how embracing your heritage becomes not just a personal victory, but a revolutionary act. "Being Black is my superpower," isn't just a catchy phrase—it's a recognition of the inherent strength, creativity, and resilience that has allowed Black people to thrive despite countless attempts at...2025-06-2940 minThe Napkin In BetweenStraight Up NOT Having A Good Time...Sometimes the weight of the world becomes too heavy, and we struggle to find even one thing that brings us joy. That's exactly where I found myself this week, sitting in front of my microphone for over an hour, unable to identify a single moment that made me truly happy.This raw, unfiltered conversation explores what happens when our mental health takes a hit from the constant barrage of disturbing news and political developments. From impending international conflicts to the erosion of reproductive rights, 2025 has become a brutal landscape to navigate emotionally, and I'm not afraid to...2025-06-2230 minThe Napkin In BetweenNo One Is "Illegal" On Stolen Land!!!!!!!The warmth of summer brings a curious duality – the freedom to embrace joy juxtaposed against a backdrop of urgent social issues. In this candid conversation, I reflect on how kicking off summer with Beyoncé's concert and experiencing Gov Ball's electric atmosphere provided much-needed mental respite while still acknowledging the weight of our current political landscape.T-Pain's nostalgic performances transported me back to simpler college days, sparking reflections on educational paths not taken and how we define success beyond traditional routes. This naturally flows into a deeper examination of what brings authentic fulfillment – for me, it's creating diges...2025-06-1529 minThe Napkin In BetweenThe Privilege Paradox: Recognizing Systemic Oppression Across Different GroupsHave you ever wondered why speaking truth comes with such a high price tag in the content creation world? As I celebrate reaching 112k followers just one month after rebuilding my TikTok presence, I'm struck by the beautiful paradox of authentic connection—the more unfiltered I am, the stronger our community grows.The pressure to self-censor is real. I've sat through meetings with talent agencies who love my numbers but squirm at my politics. They never directly tell you to stop talking about race or social justice—they just hint around it, hoping you'll voluntarily muzzle yourself for...2025-06-0830 minThe Napkin In BetweenMy Cowboy Carter Tour Experience!!!!!!!!The moment Beyoncé took the stage and said "there's a lot of talking going on," the tears started flowing. Not just because I was witnessing the artist of our generation, but because her live vocals were an exact match to her studio recordings—a testament to her extraordinary talent that left me speechless.From "American Requiem" opening the show to her strategic performance of the national anthem leading into "Freedom," every moment of the Cowboy Carter tour was meticulously crafted with intention and meaning. The juxtaposition of these songs created a powerful commentary on America's complex relationship wit...2025-06-0127 minThe Napkin In BetweenPROTECT BLACK WOMEN!!!!!!!Strength looks different for every survivor. When Cassie took the stand to testify against Diddy, when Halle Bailey sought a restraining order against DDG, when Megan Thee Stallion refused to be silenced—they showed us courage in action while facing relentless victim-blaming.Why do we ask "Why didn't she leave?" instead of "Why was he violent?" The answer reveals our society's persistent tendency to hold everyone accountable for a man's violence except the man himself. Drawing from personal experience with psychological abuse, I share a frightening moment when an ex threatened suicide to prevent me from ending ou...2025-05-2527 minThe Napkin In BetweenSummer is Coming, But The Cookout is CANCELED Indefinitely!!!!Cancel Zues Network, Cancel the cookout, CANCEL EVERYTHING!!!!! I had an entirely different thing to talk about today, but my morning scroll through social media revealed content that demanded immediate attention—a reality where Emmett Till's name is carelessly used as an insult while others demonstrate complete ignorance about his historical significance. This cultural disconnect ignited a passionate exploration of how historical awareness shapes our present understanding.Through an unfiltered examination of American history's whitewashing, from misconceptions about Abraham Lincoln to the ongoing exploitation of harmful stereotypes, I challenge listeners to recognize how historical ignorance enables oppression. Wh...2025-05-1823 minThe Napkin In BetweenI FINALLY DID THE BIG CHOP!!!!!Have you ever wondered what would happen if you faced your biggest fear? That's exactly what I did when I finally shaved my head after years of anxiety and hesitation. What followed was nothing short of transformative.Growing up as a Black woman, my relationship with my hair was complicated. I received compliments only when my natural 4C hair was braided, straightened, or permed - leading me to get chemical treatments every six weeks until my hairdresser refused to continue damaging my hair. When she suggested "the big chop," I couldn't imagine being bald. The idea terrified...2025-05-1135 minThe Napkin In BetweenThe Girls Are Fighting…The beautiful arrival of spring weather and the healing power of a stranger's psychic reading set the stage for our deeper dive into a troubling conflict dividing Black communities online. As my palm reader wisely noted that my defensive walls might be keeping out more good than bad, I couldn't help but see the parallel to what's happening between Black Americans and South Africans over the controversial Zulu parade in New Orleans.When South African Zulu people voiced concerns about cultural appropriation and blackface in this Mardi Gras tradition, the response should have been simple: listen and...2025-04-2721 minThe Napkin In BetweenI'm Quitting TikTok...Ever felt like you're screaming into the void while the walls keep closing in? That's exactly what it's like being a Black creator trying to combat racism on platforms designed to silence you.When I started creating content in October 2022, I never imagined that simply responding to racist comments on my videos would lead to multiple account bans and being kicked out of TikTok's Creator Fund. The pattern became painfully clear: I would call out racism, my content would be flagged as "violating community guidelines," yet the original racist content remained untouched despite numerous reports....2025-04-2036 minThe Napkin In BetweenNavigating The Music Industry & Creating Clear Boundaries with Sam ChampagneSam Champagne sits down with us to pull back the curtain on her multifaceted career as a producer, sound engineer, singer, and songwriter. With disarming honesty, she reveals how her musical journey began at just 8 years old, experimenting with FL Studio on the family computer—a passion that would eventually become her calling.The conversation takes fascinating turns as Sam discusses navigating the music industry as a dark-skinned woman in a field dominated by men. Rather than viewing this solely as a challenge, she explains how she strategically used digital platforms where her work could initially be ju...2025-04-1359 minThe Napkin In BetweenThere Is A SERIOUS ATTACK On Motherhood!!!!!!TW: THERE IS MENTION OF MISCARRIAGE IN THIS EPISODE!! VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!!! Also, sorry the audio is a little crispy, I like to think it was the spirit of Eric Mays with us on the pod. RIP to a real one.What happens when we misidentify our true adversaries? The sun is shining, dogs are playing, and somehow we've found ourselves in a culture war between mothers and child-free women that completely misses the point.In today's episode, we dive deep into the recent social media trend of women celebrating their child-free status and...2025-04-0626 minThe Napkin In BetweenHome Visits, Headstones, & Homophobes: WWDD?!Family can be our greatest source of love or our most painful source of hurt. In this candid episode, I dive into my recent Atlanta trip to celebrate my Nephew's 12th birthday – a milestone that's left me emotional as I watch the little boy who gave me my Auntie nickname "Nene" grow taller than me. Between reflecting on my driving anxiety (seriously, we're controlling several-ton machines with just our feet and a wheel!) and stepping outside my comfort zone at an airport bar, I explore how my perfectionism often keeps me from experiencing life fully. The con...2025-03-3043 minThe Napkin In BetweenI WAS SENT A CEASE & DESIST!!!!!!Rent must be due!!!! In today's episode, let's talk about my experience receiving an AI-generated cease and desist letter from a content creator desperate for attention and relevancy.The fake legal document (complete with misspellings and an AI-detection score of 94%) represents something troubling about today's social media landscape: the lengths some people will go to for attention. Whether seeking male validation or internet relevancy, this manufactured drama reveals how content creation can become unhealthy when people value any attention over personal growth.Although it's a hard concept for some to grasp, words mean things, and...2025-03-2332 minThe Napkin In BetweenUnpacking Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime ProtestJoin me in today's episode as we do an in-depth analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime performance—my current "Roman Empire" that I can't stop thinking about. This wasn't just entertainment; it was revolution televised. From the opening red "detonator button" signaling disruption to the PlayStation controller representing how America "plays games" with its citizens, particularly Black Americans, Lamar's performance was layered with profound symbolism. Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, the symbolism of "40 acres and a mule," and the powerful positioning of dancers all conveyed a message about refusing to "shut up and dribble."Have yo...2025-03-1648 minThe Napkin In BetweenWhat "Radicalized" Me?What happens when the affirmations you give to a child become the mirror that transforms how you see yourself? In this deeply personal episode, I unpack my journey from internalized racism to radical self-love, sparked by an unexpected source – a 19-month-old girl named Callie who I nannied.Growing up in predominantly white Meadville, Pennsylvania, I never experienced outright racism, but something perhaps more insidious: the absence of celebration for my natural features. By my early twenties, I was getting hair relaxers every six weeks, chemically altering my appearance until my beautician finally refused to continue damaging my ha...2025-03-0930 minThe Napkin In BetweenFighting for Justice: The Legacy of Daisy BatesIn today's episode, we take a powerful journey into history by focusing on the life of Daisy Bates. As an unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement, Daisy's advocacy for the Little Rock Nine showcases her unwavering strength in the face of adversity. Throughout the episode, we explore how Daisy's childhood experiences shaped her drive to fight against racial injustice, making her a pivotal figure in the integration of schools. Join us as we honor Daisy Bates and her unwavering support and fight for civil rights.2025-03-0217 minThe Napkin In BetweenThe BlacKkKlansman: Ron Stallworth and Unmaksing The KKKIn today's episode, we unravel the audacious undercover operation led by Ron Stallworth, a black detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. With his partner Chuck taking on the in-person meetings, Stallworth's bold tactics exposed the shocking naivety of the white supremacists, even gaining approval from David Duke himself. We recount the jaw-dropping moment when Stallworth posed for a photo with Duke, all without blowing his cover, and discuss why the operation, despite its success in thwarting potential hate crimes, was abruptly shut down. Join us for a tale of wit, courage, and the remarkable impact...2025-02-2327 minThe Napkin In BetweenPioneers of Change: The Legacy of The Freedom House Ambulance ServiceJoin me in today's episode as we journey back to the 1960s to honor the unsung heroes of the Freedom House Ambulance Service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . These pioneers, despite facing systemic racism, revolutionized emergency medical care for Black communities and laid the groundwork for modern paramedics. With the visionary leadership of Phil Hallen and groundbreaking medical contributions from Dr. Peter Safar and Dr. Nancy Caroline, these 25 Black men proved that resilience and innovation could overcome adversity. We reflect on their enduring legacy and the need to recognize their pivotal role in shaping emergency services as we know them today.2025-02-1623 minThe Napkin In BetweenThe Untold Story of Courage, Change, and Claudette ColvinHAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!! I don't know about y'all, but I wake up every day proud to be BLICKETY BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK!!!In honor of Black History Month, I'd like to take some time to shed light on people in black history who may have been forgotten. In today's episode, let's journey through the unsung heroism of Claudette Colvin, the young girl whose defiance against segregation laws preceded Rosa Parks’ famous protest. Despite facing the harsh reality of Jim Crow laws and an unjust legal system, her defiant spirit remained unyielding. This episode doesn't just stop at...2025-02-0920 minThe Napkin In BetweenIt's Been A Week…Girl...idk. Trump has been back in office for a week & he's hit the ground RUNNING! In today's episode, we tackle the chaos of Trump's first week in office, reflecting on the disbelief and emotional turmoil it has unleashed. The episode explores not only the alarming rollback of civil rights protections but also the underlying motivations and personal vendettas driving these changes. When reflecting on the things Trump has done so far, it made me think...what would a world where I was President look like? What executive orders would I sign? What changes would I make? L...2025-02-0226 minThe Napkin In BetweenUnraveling the TikTok Ban: Politics, Privacy, and Personal VendettasIs TikTok truly a national security threat, or was it just a target in a personal vendetta by former (& now current) President Donald Trump? Join me, Daijné Jones, on The Napkin In Between Podcast as we unravel the tangled web of politics and personal grievances that fueled the explosive debate over the TikTok ban in the United States. This episode promises a thorough exploration of the contentious journey from Trump's initial claims to the potential sale to Microsoft, all while questioning the real motives behind the headlines. Was it all about safeguarding data, or did it have more to d...2025-01-2624 minThe Napkin In Between___is the JLO of___From the quirks of Florida to the peelable joy of Twizzlers, we have a blast comparing everything to the one and only Jennifer Lopez. Ever thought about Colleen Hoover as the JLO of romance authors or debated Tyler Perry's influence on societal stereotypes? We tackle these topics with humor and insight, throwing in some spicy takes on the Jenner clan, Hilary Duff, and Blake Lively. Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughs, nostalgia, and sharp social commentary that promises a unique perspective on pop culture and beyond.2025-01-1928 min