Awf The Record

Latest Episodes:

[Go Awf] Visible but Voiceless: Andrea Lewis on The Real Story Behind Hazel from Degrassi Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

What happens when your character is seen, but your story isn’t?
In this powerful segment, Andrea Lewis opens up about her experience on Degrassi — playing Hazel, one of the few Black characters on the show, and what it felt like to be visible but voiceless. She reflects on the lack of cultural authenticity in Hazel’s storyline, the toll it took on her confidence, and how it fueled her to create The Black Beauty Effect, a groundbreaking series that centers Black women, beauty, and belonging.
This is a must-listen for anyone who's ever felt erased — and found power in creating their own table.

GUEST RESOURCES

Andrea Lewis

IG | @andrealewis

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

[Go Awf] The Art of Quiet Power: Melyssa Ford on Confidence, Sensuality & Setting Boundaries Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

How do you stay empowered and sensual in a world that wants to box you in?
In this powerful segment, Melyssa Ford gets real about the exit ramp from video vixen fame, reclaiming her narrative, and the intentional ways she moved through public spaces to protect her peace. She shares how she modeled herself after women like Claire Huxtable, Lena Horne, and Sade, and what it really means to master quiet confidence in a loud world.
For anyone navigating womanhood, media, and misunderstood power, this one's for you.

GUEST RESOURCES

Melyssa Ford

IG | @melyssaford

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

How to Audit Your Year & Reset with Intention Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Today, this candid and reflective episode of Awf The Record is your go-to year-end reset. Jeannette and Mona ditch the highlight reel to unpack what 2025 really looked like: burnout, blurred boundaries, constant “work mode,” and the pressure to overachieve.

They break down the habits that kept them running on fumes, unpack the immigrant-kid conditioning that glorifies exhaustion, and reveal the small but powerful shifts they’re making to build a more intentional, joyful, sustainable 2026.

Whether you're overachieving yourself into exhaustion, struggling to balance personal joy with professional hustle, or just looking for a more sustainable way to grow – this episode is for you.

KEY POINTS

- Why we glamorize burnout and miss the signs

- How to stop “performing productivity” and start practicing boundaries
- Why your “work mode” is stealing your joy (and how to reclaim it)
- The value of hobbies that don’t pay you
- Why scheduling your personal life is the ultimate form of self-respect

- How to slow down without losing ambition

- The difference between big wins vs. consistent wins

- What Mona & Jeannette are leaving in 2025 (and what they’re carrying into 2026)

QUOTES

“2025 dragged me by my edges.” - Mona Kosar Abdi

"There are some years that ask questions and some years that answer, and for me, I felt like this was a year of a lot of questions being asked, and I hope that 2026 is the year that answers." - Mona Kosar Abdi

"Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Before, my excuse was they can't do better. Do it better than I can. But now you want, first off, you find out some people can. You just got to give them some time to learn."- Jeannette Reyes

"I'm leaving anxiety in 2025 because it does not serve me at all... I am going to celebrate things and celebrate myself and allow my friends to celebrate me." - Mona Kosar Abdi

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

[Go Awf] Ozempic: Miracle Drug or Just Hype? What You Need to Know About GLP-1s Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Is Ozempic really the weight loss solution we’ve been waiting for or is it more complicated than that?

In this must-listen segment, Dr. Darien Sutton breaks down the truth behind Ozempic and GLP-1 medications; what they actually do, who they’re for, and why obesity is much more than a matter of willpower. From Serena Williams headlines to the science of chronic weight gain, this convo dives into the real root causes of obesity, metabolic health, and the limits of “quick fix” thinking.

If you’re curious, confused, or just tired of the hot takes, this one clears it all up.

GUEST RESOURCES

Dr. Darien Sutton

IG | @doctor.darien/

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Being a Woman in the Public Eye: The Beauty & Burden of Being Seen | Best of Awf The Record Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

There’s power in being seen… but there’s also pressure.

In this “Best-Of” episode, we explore the beauty and the burden of being a woman in the public eye. Through deeply personal stories of fame, identity, grief, and cultural expectations, these guests reflect on what it means to be visible… and misunderstood.

This episode is for every woman who’s ever felt picked apart, underestimated, or praised for the version of herself the world projected – not the one she chose.

KEY POINTS:

Melyssa Ford: The Original Video Vixen on Fame, Fear, and Finding Herself
Andrea Lewis on Life After Degrassi, Burnout, and Becoming a Boss
The Biggest Hair Myth, Texturism, and the Pressure to Be Perfect

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

[Go Awf] Breaking Into Journalism When You Don’t Know Where to Start Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

How do you nurture a big dream, especially when you don’t have a roadmap?
In this listener Q&A segment, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi share what it was like becoming journalists as daughters of immigrants, and how they found their voices in an industry where they didn’t always see themselves reflected. From reading scripts off an iPad in the living room to landing anchor desks, they reflect on visualization, storytelling, and the underrated power of immigrant kids who know how to translate everything.
Whether you’re raising the next generation of storytellers or finding your own voice, this one’s for you

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Leaving Your Dream Job for Your Next Dream Job | Best of Awf The Record Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

What if your dream job wasn’t the dream anymore?

In this special “Best-Of” episode, we’re revisiting four powerful stories about career pivots, evolving purpose, and letting go of the identities we once held onto. From childhood fame to corporate boardrooms, these guests opened up about what it really means to outgrow the path you thought was permanent.

Whether you're feeling stuck, scared to start over, or just craving something new, this episode is your permission slip to pivot. Because your dream didn’t die – it just evolved.

KEY POINTS

- Imani Ellis: The Truth About Leaving Your Dream Job

- How to Pivot When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

- Andrea Lewis on Life After Degrassi, Burnout, and Becoming a Boss

- Real Advice for Real Life Transitions

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

[Go Awf] When Your Dream Job Isn’t Enough Anymore: Why Imani Ellis Left NBC to Build CultureCon Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

What happens when your dream job can’t hold your purpose anymore?
In this unfiltered segment, Imani Ellis, founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective NYC, shares the real story behind her decision to leave NBC. From working 18-hour days to building a movement out of her living room, she opens up about burnout, identity shifts, and how she knew it was time to choose herself.
If you’ve ever felt torn between a “good” job and your greater calling, this is the reminder that your next dream might be waiting on the other side of exhaustion. You’ll Hear:

The midnight grind of juggling corporate and community
What the breaking point actually looked like
Her dad’s advice that changed her perspective
Why the pivot starts way before the resignation
The power of building what you needed but couldn’t find

GUEST RESOURCES

Imani Ellis

IG | @imaniimani

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

How to Stop Hiding and Win by Being the Real You w/ Taryn Delanie Smith Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

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 her quick wit, iconic characters like Denise the Heaven’s Receptionist, and her refreshing take on beauty and friendship, Taryn proves that switching lanes can be both messy and magical.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix pageant glam with laugh-out-loud comedy, this episode is for you.

Hit play and join the group chat—you won’t want to miss this one.

KEY POINTS

- Taryn’s beauty queen and career background

- Her journey to becoming a comedian

- Taryn’s first viral video and its impact

- Taryn’s early life years and career aspirations

- COVID-19, career struggles, and new opportunities

- Balancing personal life with the public persona

- The impact of social media and audience interaction

- Taryn’s experience in pageantry and being Miss New York

- Why you need a support system: The power of female friendships

QUOTES

“To live as an ideal is no life at all. You're not an ideal. You're a person.” – Taryn Delanie-Smith

“I had to start viewing my authenticity, in a way, as a responsibility that I had, not only to myself but to others, specifically, because I have a platform.” – Taryn Delanie-Smith

RESOURCES:

Taryn Delanie-Smith

IG | @taryndelaniesmith

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

[Go Awf] When Your Kinks Don’t Match... Sex Therapist Explains How to Ask for What You Want in Bed Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

In this spicy segment, licensed sex therapist Marissa Nelson breaks down what happens when partners have very different sexual desires including kinks, fantasies, and preferences most people are too afraid to admit out loud. From foot fetishes to roleplay to exploring the “awkward intimacy” necessary for real connection, Marissa explains why desire evolves over time and how couples can bridge the gap without shame.

She also shares practical scripts for talking about what you want in bed, how to give feedback without hurting your partner, what to do when a kink feels like a dealbreaker, and why some couples open their relationships to fulfill specific needs.

If you’ve ever wondered how to have honest conversations about kink, pleasure, and discomfort — this is your guide.

You’ll learn:

Why kinks exist and how they evolve
How to talk about sexual preferences without shame
What to do when your partner isn’t into what you’re into
How awkward intimacy builds deeper desire
Why sex is an ongoing process, not a performance
Healthy ways to negotiate mismatch or explore new things

GUEST RESOURCES

Marissa Nelson

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord

Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast

TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi

IG | @monakabdi

Jeannette Reyes

IG | @msnewslady

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com

Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected