Work Bae

This week Naana and Obie unpack their evolving relationships to religion, spirituality, and the structures that shaped them. From inherited beliefs and religious guilt to ancestral wisdom and Eastern philosophy, they explore what it means to question what you were taught and choose what actually feels true ✝️🤔✨ Join them as they discuss what carving out your own spiritual lane looks like in a world where institutions such as the church continue to lose their influence. Whether you're deconstructing your faith, rebuilding it, or have rejected it completely ... this episode is for you.

The definition of “family” isn’t what it used to be and maybe that’s a good thing 👪🏾 This week, Naana and Obie explore how young families are reimagining the family structure, moving beyond the traditional nuclear model toward something more fluid, intentional, and community-driven. From chosen families and co-parenting collectives to intergenerational living and friendship-based households, we’re witnessing a cultural shift that centers love, care, and belonging over convention. Join your favorite Work Baes as we unpack how changing social values and a desire for deeper connection are reshaping what it means to build and belong to a family.

Grief is complicated, but collective grief is even more of a mindfuck 🫨 This week, Naana and Obie discuss how millennials are (or aren’t) processing the layered grief of our generation. From 9/11 and the financial crisis to the pandemic, climate anxiety, political chaos, and lost cultural milestones, we explore what it means to come of age in an era of nonstop disruption. How do we mourn the future we were promised while still imagining joy, hope, and connection? Tune in for a raw and reflective conversation about loss, resilience, and the unique struggles of a generation navigating a world in constant flux. Cheat Sheet 1. "Gen Z Grief: The Hidden Grief of a Generation" - https://tinyurl.com/2nvtwu64 2. "US Gen Zers and Millennials Are Burning Out, Poll Finds" - https://tinyurl.com/5n6d9m35

We’ve proven We’re Not Really Strangers™ (Episode 59) but this week we jump into the XXX twist on the card game as we strip away the small talk and dive into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes awkward conversations about sexual intimacy 😈 From moaning and growling to exploring the outer reaches of our sexuality while being vulnerable about some of our insecurities in and out of the bedroom. Your favorite Work Baes cover it all on this episode with laughter, honesty, and zero shame. Aren’t you curious? 👀 Cheat Sheet Purchase the XXX version of We’re Not Really Strangers™ here 👉🏿https://tinyurl.com/2fu8ryxz

Who taught you about pleasure? How do you tap into the erotic? What is so innate to us sometimes can feel very disconnected 🫦 In this episode, Naana and Obie explore pleasure through the lens of Audre Lorde’s iconic essay, “Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power”. Join us as we unpack how embracing the erotic, beyond just the sexual, can lead to deeper self-awareness, richer connections, and radical personal empowerment. From everyday joy to identity and societal norms, this conversation challenges the status quo and invites you to reclaim what feels good as a source of strength. Cheat Sheet - Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power (1978) by Audre Lorde: https://tinyurl.com/3bnebwb5 - Audre Lorde reads Uses of the Erotic [AUDIO]: https://tinyurl.com/3cv7arvh

Conflict is hard, but it doesn’t have to break us 😞 On this episode of Work Bae, Naana and Obie sit down with therapist Thérèse Kempf to talk about the sometimes messy but necessary work of navigating conflict in relationships. We dive into why being open and honest can actually bring us closer together, and how those tough talks can be a chance to grow. Whether you're dealing with a partner, friend, or coworker, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate those tricky moments. Tune in for a real and relatable conversation that just might shift the way you see conflict ❤️‍🩹 Show Notes: Thérèse specializes in couples therapy, trauma & PTSD, easing anxiety, and empowering women of color. Follow her on IG (instagram.com/tkatharina) or find her on Psychology Today (tinyurl.com/zcruwxnp). You can also learn more about her practice on her website (www.theresekempf.com)

“Community” has been in the lexicon a lot lately but what does it really mean? Do you find community or does it find you? How do you sustain community? If this is something we are all craving, why is it so hard to find?! 🧐 Join us this week as we explore the transformative power of community and its profound impact on personal growth and how connections with others can shape our lives, offering support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. Cheat Sheet - Tap Into Your Sense of Play with Playdaate: instagram.com/play.daate - Learn More about New Visions Book Club: instagram.com/newvisionsbookclub - Follow Sadé and attend an upcoming Sunday Salon: instagram.com/sadeinstereo - Join a Community of Black Polyamorous/ENM folk: instagram.com/boonoonoonoos_co

The robots are coming, the robots are coming … baby they are already here! 🤖‼️ This week, your favorite Work Baes jump into the world of emerging technology — especially the rapid rise of generative AI. They explore the controversial phenomenon known online as “AI slop” and the spread of exaggerated, stereotypical, and often dehumanizing depictions of Blackness created and spread by AI tools. They also unpack their relationship with new technology. Which Work Bae do you think is an early adopter of new tech and which one waits and sees? 👀🤔 This episode is a call to pause, reflect, and push for a tech future that respects dignity over clicks. Cheat Sheet "Your Brain on ChatGPT" - https://tinyurl.com/5n8dep6k "Racist AI-generated videos are the newest slop garnering millions of views on TikTok" - https://tinyurl.com/yc4z999b "‘I felt pure, unconditional love’: the people who marry their AI chatbots" - https://tinyurl.com/4ss7ty49

After an unplanned but very necessary break, your favorite Work Baes are back! 🫩😮‍💨😓 In this season opener, Naana and Obie reflect on the wild ride that was the past year—navigating job loss, creative breakthroughs, and challenging conversations about friendship, family, and growth. From the tension between balancing creativity with stability to the messiness of unlearning people pleasing. Tune in for a refreshingly honest catch up full of laughter, lessons, and a little chaos!

The weather is turning in NYC and outside is calling!! ☀️😎 Join your favorite Work Baes for the Season 4 finale as we chop it up about the power of doing things scared and the transformative magic that happens when we step outside our comfort zones. We hope this episode encourages you to live a life full of adventure and wonder. We're taking a little break but we won’t be gone for long ... stay tuned for an in person Work Bae mixer in a few weeks! 📆

Your favorite Work Baes are back this week after recording two episodes with friend of the podcast Antoinette Henry from Around The Way Curls. Around The Way Curls has always been one of our favorite podcasts and it's always a pleasure to jump on with Antoinette and Shanti whenever we get the chance! 🙏🏿 We'll link the two episodes in the show notes below 👇🏿 This week we wanted to switch it up after Episode 58's heavy but very necessary conversation about grief and lighten things up a little bit with some fun Q&As courtesy of the popular card game, "We're Not Really Strangers". You'll be surprised by some of the things we still don't know about each other even after six years of friendship! 😲 Cheat Sheet Listen to Around The Way Curls Ep 348: Money, Morals & Culture & Ep 349: Can You Emasculate A Man? - t.ly/BviWB Follow Around The Way Curls on IG @aroundthewaycurls

Join us this week for a heartfelt episode exploring one of the most universal yet least understood emotions ... grief. On the heels of a once in a lifetime pandemic and with war waging throughout the world how do you make room for your personal tragedies ... for heartbreak or loss or the tension that comes from grieving what was and what may never be? Beyond the individual, how does grief impact us as a collective and what are some healthy ways to process it? All this and more on this week's episode of Work Bae. Cheat Sheet 1. "I'm a grief therapist. Here's the most damaging myth about loss and grieving" - TODAY (t.ly/-O8JF) 2. "Understanding Black grief" - University of Arizona (t.ly/NEKiq) 3. "Understanding Your Grief and the Grief of Others" - Good Grief (t.ly/_OdJc)

This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie talk through the complexities and sometimes outright ridiculousness of the gender wars within the Black community. From examining historical legacies to dissecting contemporary societal pressures, we explore how gender dynamics shape relationships and our identities. Tune in as we confront some of the nuances and tensions driving this ongoing discussion and hear our thoughts on how to rise above the noise.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON! 😵‍💫😩😭 Let’s dive into some of the current events shaping our world ... from political upheaval to cultural shifts, Naana and Obie explore some of the issues driving global conversations. Join your favorite Work Baes as we analyze, dissect, and discuss some of the headlines currently dominating the news cycle 🗞️

This week, Naana and Obie discuss the burgeoning loneliness epidemic that is plaguing millions of Americans here at home and impacting the lives of countless others globally as well. With social media at our fingertips, why are so many people experiencing loneliness today? What effects does loneliness have on us individually and as a collective? From fostering genuine relationships to navigating the digital age's impact on human connection, this episode offers invaluable guidance on understanding loneliness and how to cultivate fulfilling relationships IRL. We also share some actionable tips on uncovering your 'third place'—that sanctuary beyond home and work—where meaningful connections thrive. Tune in to rediscover the power of authentic human interaction in an increasingly isolated world.

Twin, where have you been?! After two long years away, join your favorite Work Baes as they finally make their way back to the mic. In this catch-up episode, Naana and Obie reflect on some of the challenges, growth, and newfound perspectives they’ve taken on since we last heard from them. Tune in for a nostalgic yet refreshing conversation filled with laughter, introspection, and the promise of new beginnings.

Recently the concept of decentering romantic love has started to take hold as people. regardless of gender, have begun to prioritize being more fulfilled in other areas of their life. Antoinette Henry from @aroundthewaycurls joins Naana this week to share what decentering romantic love has meant to them while still exploring how to build romance in their lives while single 💖 Who says the two always have to exist together? Join us this week as the ladies jump into a discussion about love and all of the different forms it takes on in our lives. No Cupid's bow required 🏹 Cheat Sheet: Follow Antoinette @ instagram.com/antoinettewashere Tune in to ATWC @ instagram.com/aroundthewaycurls "Real Love" by Sharon Salzberg - www.sharonsalzberg.com/reallove

Alright bet ... so what we're all gonna do is act like Work Bae didn't just take a 2 month hiatus midseason and go on with our lives like it never happened 🤫 Yeah?! We cool?! You Gucci?! 🙏🏿 That's why we f*cks with y'all 🤣 No but seriously PLEASE forgive us for the extended break! Things got hectic the last few months of 2021 but we're back and excited to share this space with you once again. Tune in this week as we check in with ourselves and each other about what we learned last year, some of the growth we're hoping for in 2022, and all of the ways that we're trying to find balance. We'll be back again next Monday ... we 🅿️romise!! 💯

We promised you part two and here it is! We’re joined again this week by the lovely Lauren Brake, Jazzmine Carthon, and Velonica Pome’e for a very special Wine Down episode of Work Bae 🍷 Tune in and hear from Jazz and Velonica on how the body positivity movement plays out in the world of fashion and how their experiences as Black and brown plus-sized models led them to help build the Models for Change Now (@modelsforchangenow) platform. But beyond activism, how are our guests navigating dating, relationships, and sex as fat girls? 👀🍑💦 Things got a little spicy this week … apparently Ari ain’t the only one sitting on things!! 😳 Cheat Sheet Follow Lauren @ https://www.instagram.com/brake_free_ Follow Jazzmine @ https://www.instagram.com/jazzminecarthon Follow Veronica @ https://www.instagram.com/veronicapomee Learn more about Models for Change Now @ https://www.instagram.com/modelsforchangenow

This week your favorite Work Baes are joined by three amazing guests: fellow podcaster Lauren Brake, Project Runway 16 model winner Jazzmine Carthon, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Velonica Pome'e for a roundtable discussion on the #BodyPositivity movement 🍑 Tune in and hear how each woman navigates the movement and their place in it, from their relationship with their bodies to why the “small fats” and “super fats” are beefin’ 🤬 The conversation got so good that we had to cut it short and save some for a special Wine Down episode next week that you won’t want to miss! 🍷🎧 Cheat Sheet: Follow Lauren @ instagram.com/brake_style Follow Jazzmine @ instagram.com/jazzminecarthon Follow Velonica @ instagram.com/veronicapomee

If you went to an H.B.C.U. you might already be familiar with Alphas, Deltas, Omegas, and Sigmas and the storied history of Black fraternities and sororities but that is NOT what we're talking about this week! 🙅🏿‍♂️ Instead we're jumping into the discourse surrounding "alphas", "betas", and all the other archetypes that men have decided to divide themselves into ♂️ What effects do these rigid hierarchies have on men or the women that engage with them? From red pilling to incels and Kevin Samuels join us this week as we jump down the rabbit hole that is male socio-sexual hierarchy 😖 Cheat Sheet: "How America Became Infatuated With a Cartoonish Idea of ‘Alpha Males’" - New York Mag (https://tinyurl.com/2emkujnu) "There's no such thing as an alpha male" - Business Insider (https://tinyurl.com/7n968uje) "The Myth of the Alpha Male" - Greater Good Magazine (https://tinyurl.com/fy6u8ww) “A Short History of ‘Simp’” - The New York Times (https://tinyurl.com/56zctwej) “How pseudo-love guru Kevin Samuels exploits the vulnerability of Black women” - The Grio (https://tinyurl.com/nkkmscks)

Last season on Episode 40, Naana and Obie introduced the concept of the "inner child" and how our collective unresolved traumas from our formative years can affect us well into adulthood 😢 But what are the conditions at home and in society that lead to the mistreatment of children? This week, Naana and Obie delve into the concept of childism; the often misplaced belief that children are not deserving of the same respect, dignity, and rights as adults. Why has this -ism managed to fly under the radar so long? Why does it seem so prevalent in Black and brown families? What does that say about us? How do we chart a new way forward? 🤔 All this and more on this week's episode of Work Bae. Cheat Sheet: "Childism" Dr. Chester M Pierce & Dr. Gail B Allen, Psychiatric Annals: Vol 5, No 7 "Childism: Confronting Prejudice Against Children" by Elisabeth Young-Bruehl “Understanding Childism: Are We Prejudiced Against Children?” - Psychology Today “Childism: A form of prejudice that flies beneath the radar” - Medium

This week on Work Bae we share an episode we recorded a few months ago where we discussed the dumpster fire that is the United States of America 🇺🇸 🔥 From the insurrection earlier this year on January 6th to the slew of voter suppression laws enacted in the wake of the 2020 Election, Naana and Obie put on their political commentator hats and try to make sense of the current political landscape and most importantly how to process it all as a Black person living the American experience ✊🏿 Meet us here every Monday for a new episode of Work Bae!

🎶 reunited, and it feels so good, reunited 'cause we understood. there's one perfect fit and, sugar, this one is it. we both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey ... 🎶 It's Season 4 and your favorite workbaes are finally back!! 🫂🙌🏿 Catch up with us on what this past year has been like, what we’re planning for the future, and all the things that have made us say “huh?!” recently 🤔 We’ve missed you all so much and are excited for all of the topics and conversations we'll be sharing with you this season. Make sure you tune in each and every Monday for a fresh episode!

We’ve made it to the end of Season 3 🙌🏿 We might be inching across the finish line but, "Mama we made it!!" 🤣 Nothing seems more pertinent these days than the #2020Election but as we’re getting closer to November 3rd more and more people are questioning if their vote will even count or make a difference considering the current state of our country. On the season finale, Nanaa and Obie share their differing views on the importance of voting … is it still an effective tool to influence change? While they might disagree on its role, they both arrive at the same conclusion … we ALL need to get our asses out and vote! 🗳️💯 Thank you all for listening in and joining us this season as we navigated through sometimes difficult conversations while having everything that’s happened this year as a backdrop. No matter where we are as a country later this winter we look forward to figuring it all out with you on Work Bae Season 4! As always wash your hands, wear your mask, and love on each other ✊🏿🖤✨

As we near the end of our third season we figured it was time to discuss another type of ending ... one that isn’t discussed often but can be just as, if not more, painful as losing a lover … the end of a friendship. How do you know when it's time to walk away from a friendship? How do you even broach that conversation or move on afterward? 😕 Most times we enter into friendships thinking they will last forever, but just like any other type of relationship, some are just for a reason and a season. Join us as we navigate through what can often be a tricky and emotionally charged conversation with some guidance from several therapists and psychologists about how to end things peacefully while still honoring what you shared. We learned a lot from recording this episode and we hope you do too! ✨ Tune in for a new episode of Work Bae every Monday. Cheat Sheet "Why Friendship Breakups Hurt So Much, According to a Couples Therapist" - Repeller (tinyurl.com/y42dwqrw) "Why Ending a Friendship Can Be Worse Than a Breakup" - Time (tinyurl.com/y4ojloqz) "How to Break Up With a Friend Without All the Drama" - Vice (tinyurl.com/y2zvbafh)

2020 is proving to have a very wicked sense of humor but, we’ve made it to September and for that we are grateful. After a week away your Work Baes are realizing that even in the dumpster fire we’ve been living through there are also beautiful things happening this year and one of them has been our reintroduction to rest. The main thing that tends to keep us from prioritizing our rest is CAPITALISM, aka that evil cloud hovering over our heads at all times. This week on Work Bae, we discuss all things capitalism … how it robs us of our time, energy and joy and how prioritizing rest is its own form of resistance. We hope that you find the time this week to check in with yourself and find time to relax and just be. Cheat Sheet "What 'Capitalism' Is and How It Affects People" - Teen Vogue (tinyurl.com/y8ckbw35) "We Need to Talk About Sleep Deprivation in Black Communities" - Healthline (tinyurl.com/yxed45ue) "Reparations for Black People Should Include Rest" - Vice (tinyurl.com/y2wdgb7v) "How to Prioritize Your Rest and Relaxation" - Living Embrace (tinyurl.com/yxre9btm)

August has been a tough one for the Work Baes, with both of their anxiety on a thousand snd 2020 still not letting up 😟 This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie tackle something that’s been plaguing our society for centuries … misogynoir. With a number of incidents that have happened over the last few weeks that directly affect Black women, we thought this was the best time to bring this conversation to the pod 🎙️ From Meg Thee Stallion having to defend herself after being shot by fellow rapper Tory Lanez, to the heinous attack on three trans women in Hollywood, and Kamala Harris’ blackness being brought into question. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of examples of misogynoir but our greater conversation is on how we can rid ourselves of this disease. If we really all we got then this needs to be something we all address 🖤👩🏿🖤 Cheat Sheet "What Is Misogynoir?" - Blackburn Center(tinyurl.com/yxmwb6gp) "Dear Black Men: ‘Protect Black Women’" - Journey Magazine (tinyurl.com/yyflnrbe) "Black Women Have Consistently Been Trailblazers for Social Change. Why Are They So Often Relegated to the Margins?" - Time (tinyurl.com/y53k7gq3) "Why Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s Empowering Anthem “WAP” Is So Important" - Complex (tinyurl.com/y3wkkybp)

It’s another week in the Black Mirror episode that is 2020 and things keep getting weirder!! 🥴 We kick off this week’s episode with a few hot takes, everything from the announcement of Kamala Harris as Biden’s VP pick, to Trump’s unabashed voter suppression and finally our collective bewilderment to why white people can’t let us have things for ourselves?!? We wrap up the episode by exploring Beyonce’s latest visual album, Black Is King, and center the conversation on context, not just of the project itself but the lens through which we viewed it as first-generation African immigrants. You might be surprised where the conversation goes! 🐝✊🏿✨ Make sure you tune in every Monday for a new episode of Work Bae with Naana and Obie. Cheat Sheet “Beyoncé’s new film ‘Black Is King’ is stirring up controversy” - The Africa Report (https://tinyurl.com/y3ep6mdt) “Africans Unimpressed by Beyoncé’s "Black Is King" - Africa News (https://tinyurl.com/y2vulcgw) “Beyoncé’s ‘Black Is King’: Let’s Discuss” - NYT (https://tinyurl.com/yyf25qdz)

This week on Work Bae, we continue with this season’s theme of discussing relationships by delving into our relationship with our inner child 👧🏿👦🏿 Things get emotional as we touch on some of our childhood traumas and how they’ve manifested in our lives as adults. Obie breaks down how your wounded inner child can sometimes C.O.N.T.A.M.I.N.A.T.E. your life and Naana shares how resolving some of the pain and hurt we experienced as children can help align ourselves for a better future. Make sure you grab your Kleenex for this one as the conversation even made Obie hit us with a thug tear or two 😭 We hope that this episode allows you to connect with parts of yourself long forgotten ✨ Cheat Sheet: "Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child" by John Bradshaw (https://tinyurl.com/y324pby2) “Essential Secrets of Psychotherapy : The Inner Child” - Psychology Today (https://tinyurl.com/yckz2hw6) "5 Ways To Take Care Of Your Inner Child" - Bustle (https://tinyurl.com/yya9veno)

The love train continues this week with our newest Work Baes Brat (@dhqbrat) and Orion (@orionstarbreeze) 🚂 Naana and Obie make a quick stop at their station to learn all about polyamory. Brat and Orion share their journey to polyamory separately and how it has flourished for the two of them as a couple. We tackle some of the myths surrounding this form of ethical non-monogamy (ENM) and learn how boundaries and good communication are at the core of their relationship just like any other. So, if you have been curious about exploring the lifestyle, are already in a polyamorous relationship, or maybe found yourself in one unknowingly as Naana did a few years ago ... you definitely want to tune in to this week’s episode! 💞 Cheat Sheet Follow Brat: instagram.com/dhqbrat Follow Orion: instagram.com/orionstarbreeze “Polyamory Works for Them” - NYT (tinyurl.com/yytq7ofj) “7 Polyamory Myths It's Time to Stop Believing” - Glamour (tinyurl.com/yb6a6fof)

We got some new Work Baes on the pod this week! 🙌🏿 Ebony (@themamaloverfriend) and Devon (@definedfatherhood) joined us for Part 2 of our marriage episode from last season and talked us through how they’ve kept their relationship strong after 11 years of dating, the birth of their beautiful daughter Ryann, and almost 5 years as a married couple. How do you maintain your individuality while creating a life with your partner? What kind of boundaries help protect a marriage? Is couples therapy a necessity? 👰🏽🤵🏿 All this and more on this week’s episode ... this is a good one y’all ... you don’t want to miss it! Tune in every Monday for a brand new drop of Work Bae with Naana and Obie! Cheat Sheet Follow Devon on Instagram: instagram.com/definedfatherhood Follow Ebony on Instagram: instagram.com/themamaloverfriend

While the pandemic and #BlackLivesMatter movement have dominated the news cycle for the past few months now a few celebrities seem to have missed the memo 🤦🏿‍♀️ This week, Naana and Obie take a break from their own personal growth to discuss some current events in pop culture; everything from Kanye2020 to performative black solidarity and “entanglement”. Make sure you stick around for the end of the episode where we introduce a new listener segment. What else is there to talk about when there’s “Nowhere To Run” from all the craziness happening around us?!

Can you really fall in love with anyone? What if all it took was going through a series of well-crafted questions? 🤔📜💘 On this episode of Work Bae, Naana and Obie tackle the popular New York Times questionnaire, “36 Questions That Lead To Love”. Originally drafted in 1997 as part of a study by psychologist Arthur Aron, this quiz has helped boost intimacy between thousands of strangers, resulting in friendship, romance, and even marriage. After going through the list, Naana and Obie discover that even after two years of friendship there’s still so much that they don’t know about each other. Tune in for their vulnerable and honest conversation as “Intimate Friends” Cheat Sheet: "The 36 Questions That Lead to Love" - NYT (tinyurl.com/rroezfp4)

Do you have any regrets in your life? Do you ever ask yourself, “What if?” 🤔 This week, Naana and Obie explore their relationship with regret, from questionable decisions to missed opportunities and some of the “what if?” questions that have kept us up at night. As we share some of the insight we’ve gathered along the way on how to relieve yourself from the weight of regret, we take it to the Far East and learn about a Hindu goddess and an ancient Japanese art form that can teach us about putting the pieces back together when things seem to fall apart. 🧩 Tune in for an emotional but also reinvigorating conversation that offers both of us a chance to learn some things about each other that we never knew before. Cheat Sheet: "How to Get Over Regret" - Huffington Post (tinyurl.com/y8xqarl4) "The Goddess of Never Not Broken" - Science & Nonduality (tinyurl.com/y7bkltmz) Buy "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself": tinyurl.com/y9pq8l43 Buy "When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times": tinyurl.com/ybqkex3m

Lovin’ during quarantine has looked different for all of us 💏🏿🥒💦🖐🏿 This week on Work Bae with Naana and Obie, we discuss how dating, communicating, and connecting have all changed dramatically in the wake of COVID-19. From the recent surge on dating apps to virtual hangouts and family zoom meetings your Work Baes are here to help you love on each other but most importantly yourselves! Cheat Sheet: "Too Much Alone Time? Tips To Connect And Find Joy While Social Distancing" - NPR (tinyurl.com/y9sdsxvj) "How Coronavirus Is Changing the Dating Game for the Better" - NYT (tinyurl.com/ycztoxkp) Follow Afrosexology: instagram.com/afrosexology_ Follow Fiveboi: instagram.com/fiveboi Follow We're Not Really Strangers: instagram.com/werenotreallystrangers

🚨 SPOILER ALERT! 🚨 This week Naana and Obie decide to take a little break from all the madness in the world and talk about some of the shows that have been saving them the past few months. One show that’s high on that list for both of us is Issa Rae’s “Insecure”, on this week’s episode we do a deep dive into Season Four by answering a few questions from a series of threads posted by @UrsineNoir over on Twitter. KJ’s questions have been a great way to break down each episode and engage with the characters and storyline in a more meaningful way. Stick around for the end of the episode as KJ joins us for our own special “Wine Down” and shares some of his thoughts about the finale and where the show might go from here 📺 Cheat Sheet Follow KJ on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UrsineNoir Follow KJ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrhkj

After two weeks of daily protests in response to the death of #GeorgeFloyd, the whole planet has taken to the streets galvanized around the fight against racism. This week on Work Bae, we discuss the different ways of participating in the movement that doesn't necessarily require boots on the ground. Whether you’re marching in the streets or supporting the protesters by donating, signing petitions, or emailing your government officials we all have a role to play as we fight for change. Tune in and learn how to start today ✊🏿🖤 #BlackLivesMatter

Here we are at the start of our third season, and the world looks very different than it did when we left on Season 2. 🦠😷 This week, Naana and Obie discuss life under quarantine, how the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected them personally and the black community as a whole. What have they learned about themselves during this time? What do they miss most about life B.C. (before Corona)? How different will things be on the other side? All this and more on the season premiere of Work Bae. We are so excited to be back and hope these episodes are little pockets of joy amid all the madness 🙏🏿🖤

L O V E … what better way to end Season 2 than discussing what made this podcast possible! 🥰 This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie recap how they celebrated Valentine’s Day weekend and jump into what love means to them and how it’s manifested in their lives. What influences your capacity to love and how you express that love? 🤔 Join the Work Baes for a little Psych 101 as they explore the 5 Love Languages® and dive into the fascinating theory of attachment styles. 🧠 Thank you ALL for riding with us this season! We’re going to take a little break as we prepare for a bigger and better Season 3. Thank you for tuning in each week, sharing the podcast and most importantly for all the LOVE 💕🙏🏿 Cheat Sheet: 5 Love Languages® Quiz - tinyurl.com/y4nwytlr Attachment Style Quiz - tinyurl.com/ydbmonq4 The Attachment Theory: How Childhood Affects Life - tinyurl.com/sznhu2o Learn the Different Types of Love (and Better Understand Your Partner) - tinyurl.com/ydy6ouyg

We couldn't let February end without showing #BlackHistoryMonth some love. ✊🏿🖤 This week on Work Bae with Naana and Obie, we celebrate all things Black history, Black culture, and Black community with some of our favorite blacks Charis, Marquia, and Preach! Join us for a discussion on the origins of Black History Month, followed by a few hilarious rounds of the popular card game “Black Card Revoked.” 🤣 What does Black History Month mean to you? How do you choose to celebrate? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected] 📲 Cheat Sheet: Follow Charis - instagram.com/uniquecharisma Follow Marquia - instagram.com/marquiaw Book a Recording Session at Cast Sound Lab - castsoundlab.com Purchase Black Card Revoked - cardsforallpeople.com Black history matters to everyone – it’s a crucial part of our nations’ story - tinyurl.com/y7kfsemh The importance of black history and why it should be celebrated beyond February - tinyurl.com/vazjb7e

This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie unpack the untimely and tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi and seven others in a helicopter accident last Sunday. How do we individually and collectively begin to process the loss of their lives? We explore our relationship to death and how it has affected us in our personal lives and offer some advice on how to deal with grief. We hope this episode helps any of you grappling with loss and encourage you to reach out to friends and loved ones or even seek professional help if you need it. 🐍🏀💔 #RIPMamba Cheat Sheet: What Happens to People When a Celebrity Dies? Here’s What a Psychologist Has to Say - tinyurl.com/v49vfos Why We Feel So Sad After Celebrity Deaths - tinyurl.com/uvsfvzl On Processing My Messy Feelings About Kobe Bryant’s Myth, Life and Death - tinyurl.com/r9pczb8

Part 2 is finally here! 🙌🏿 In this episode, our favorite Work Baes finish the conversation they started last week on vulnerability. Obie shares how therapy has had a big influence on his ability to be open with others and Naana reveals that one of her biggest fears about being vulnerable is being judged by others. Do you struggle with being vulnerable in your relationships? Tune in for some tips we found to help you get started on your journey. While we’re on the topic of being open and honest, we appreciate you all for sticking by us as we work out some kinks with our new recording equipment, but rest assured we’re sorting everything out for the last three episodes of Season 2! 💯 Cheat Sheet: How To Be More Vulnerable In Your Relationship (Even If It Scares You) - tinyurl.com/yxnqhj2u 8 Habits Of Actively Vulnerable People - tinyurl.com/uqyjfa9 How To Embrace Vulnerability As Your Greatest Strength - tinyurl.com/y227ak8x

Out of all the feedback we've received since starting the podcast last year the one we've heard the most is just how much people appreciate how vulnerable we are with each other. So this week on Work Bae we dive into what it actually means to be vulnerable and share our journey to vulnerability on our own and as friends. ✨ Look out for "November Pt. 2" later this week! Cheat Sheet: How To Be More Vulnerable In Your Relationship (Even If It Scares You) - tinyurl.com/yxnqhj2u 8 Habits Of Actively Vulnerable People - tinyurl.com/uqyjfa9 How To Embrace Vulnerability As Your Greatest Strength - tinyurl.com/y227ak8x

With an increase in disposable income, education, the rise of social media, and a generation of tech-savvy millennials, we are at the height of the Black Travel Movement. More and more people of color are traveling internationally, creating lucrative opportunities for the tourism industry, but until now it's a market that's been largely neglected ✊🏿✈️🌍 This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie discuss their experiences traveling and share their thoughts on the importance of being a conscious traveler. Cheat Sheet: How the Black Travel Movement is Gaining Momentum - tinyurl.com/yyqrj376 African American Travel Represents $63 Billion Opportunity - tinyurl.com/sf6hl2l What is “conscious travel” — and why does it matter? - tinyurl.com/unrtxv2 How to be a socially conscious traveler - tinyurl.com/ydhkxj82

I do? Do you? 💍🤔👰🏿🤵🏿 This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie discuss the institution of marriage. How they’ve seen it manifest in their families, the pressure they sometimes feel to take the plunge and the luxury of living in a time when you can make your vision of marriage completely your own. Tune in every Monday for a brand new of Work Bae with Naana and Obie!

Soo … WE LIED!!! 😂 We couldn’t let the year end without a final word from your favorite work baes. Long before we made our way into the studio, we had many of the same conversations that we now have behind the mic over text and on the phone. With less than 24 hours left in 2019, we decided to jump on the phone like we did back in the day to recap the year: everything from the good to the bad and the petty! Join us as we navigate through the year by responding to prompts from the popular Instagram account @werenotreallystrangers. Naana and Obie reflect on what the year has taught them, what they are leaving behind, and some of their hopes and dreams for 2020. The #WorkBae journey started this year, and we can not thank you enough for riding with us and supporting us each step of the way. 🙏🏿 We are so excited for what 2020 has to offer, and we’re looking forward to continuing to share with you. Be safe out there and have a wonderful new year! 🥂🖤🎉

🚨 SPOILER ALERT! 🚨 If you haven’t seen Queen & Slim yet, we're not sure what you’re waiting for. Stop what you’re doing and head straight to the theaters so you can join us as we review the movie with special guest Ekua (@ekua.pm), host of the popular Afrolit Podcast (@afrolitpodcast). Tune in as we discuss key themes in the film, the power of finding joy, Ekua unleashing her #DarkSkinAgenda and Obie explaining to us what a “New Black” is. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! Cheat Sheet Follow Ekua: www.instagram.com/Ekua.pm Tune in to Afrolit: www.instagram.com/AfrolitPodcast

Joining us for this week's episode is our second ever honorary #WorkBae Carmen Mayes (@writtennthestars) 🙌🏿🎖️ Carmen is an Intuitive Astrologer, Master Reiki practitioner, Spiritual Wellness Coach and founder of Written in the Stars, her wellness practice, dedicated to helping clients along their path of spiritual wellness and personal development. With formal training in astrology, Reiki, and life coaching, Carmen helps clients understand their highest purpose while navigating karmic lessons, emotional wounding, and improving their relationships with self and Spirit. Tune in as she joins Naana and Obie for a discussion on all things astrology and shares advice on ways to integrate the zodiac into our everyday lives. Cheat Sheet Follow Carmen: www.instagram.com/writtennthestars Book Carmen: https://calendly.com/writtennthestars

As mental health and wellness have become a part of our everyday vocabulary, more and more attention has been focused on the concept of self-care. What does it mean to care for yourself during the chaos and confusion that sometimes is our everyday lives? How can black and brown people carve out space for themselves in an industry that seems to be increasingly whitewashed? This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie explore the topic of self-care and challenge themselves and their listeners to find the time to recharge, rejuvenate, and just be 🧘🏾‍♀️ Cheat Sheet “Radical Self Care: 25 tips for Black People” - AFROPUNK: https://tinyurl.com/w3ehmxu