🎶 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!

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Episode 46: Reunited

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!

Episode 47: This Is America

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

Episode 48: Runaway Love

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)

Episode 49: We Don't Love Them Hoes

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

Episode 50: Scuse Me Ft. Lauren Brake, Jazzmine Carthon & Velonica Pome'e

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

Episode 51: On It Ft. Ft. Lauren Brake, Jazzmine Carthon & Velonica Pome'e

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!! 💯

Episode 52: If You Got A Problem

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

Episode 53: Agape Ft. Antoinette Henry

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.

Episode 54: Family Reunion

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.

Episode 55: Lonely

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 🗞️

Episode 56: Burn It Down

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.

Episode 57: We Belong Together

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)

Episode 58: These Days

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

Episode 59: Wanna Get To Know You

New year, new me is what they say, but Work Bae is getting a bit more intentional with our goals for 2019. Listen as we explain the difference between resolutions and intentions and share a few from our lists for the upcoming year.

Episode 2: We Need A Resolution

This week things get very personal with the Work Baes, as Naana and Obie reveal some of their romantic, personal, and professional shortcomings 😬🙈 Some of which they are actively working on changing and others they’ve decided to own entirely. Join us on this hour and a half journey of introspection, it’ll be a good one! #DontJudgeUs

Episode 10: Cracks In Mr. Perfect

Summer 2019 has been declared a “Hot Girl Summer” but these “City Boyz” won’t let us live 🙄 This week on the season finale of Work Bae, Naana and Obie update you on their mixxy summer and discuss this silly competition between the Hot Girls and City Boys. With the challenge of shooting her shot more, Naana has spent the summer on a couple of the dating apps and it's been a trip. Tune in as Naana and Obie share some of the pros and cons of using dating apps, the effects they're having on our actual relationships and some of their personal swiping experiences 🤳🏿 One take away ... honey, everything ain’t for everybody! You’re not gonna want to miss this episode. Catch you in the fall for Season 2!

Episode 15: I Need A Hot Girl

Do I really belong here? Do I deserve all this praise and attention? Why didn’t I do this better? 😔 These may be a few of the questions you ask yourself when dealing with the feelings of inadequacy associated with imposter syndrome. This week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie discuss how their lives have been affected by this phenomenon. If you’ve ever had similar fears or doubts, we hope this episode sparks the conversation within yourself to change that narrative ✨

Episode 17: Fake It Til' You Make It

Black, African, African American, Caribbean, Pan African, a member of the diaspora ... there are so many ways for those connected to The Continent to identify themselves and that relationship ✊🏿🌍 This week Naana and Obie discuss their heritage and how they have each chosen to identify as first-generation immigrants. Much to their surprise, despite sharing similar origins, they have both had very different experiences. Why does it sometimes feel like there’s such a large rift between Africans and African Americans? Are some of the misconceptions that define the #DiasporaWars accurate or just another way that we tear each other down? All this and more on this week’s episode of Work Bae!

Cheat Sheet
"The Changing Definition of African-American" - The Smithsonian: https://tinyurl.com/y44j5cod
"The Relations between African-Americans and African Immigrants" - Africa Is a Country: https://tinyurl.com/secxut5
"From Colonialism To The Diaspora Wars": We Are All Finding Our Way Back - Wear Your Voice Mag: https://tinyurl.com/rbn5pwr

Episode 19: Africa Unite

Money, Money, MONEY!!! 💸 Navigating the topic of money and finances in relationships seems to always be a tricky subject. When it’s not busy being the root of all evil it’s derailing marriages; many studies suggest that money problems are the number one cause of divorce. But finances are not something that only married couples have to contend with, this week on Work Bae, Naana and Obie try to tackle the money and dating conversation and quickly realize things are far more complicated than you could imagine. 😖

Episode 20: Love Don't Cost A Thing

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

Episode 27: November Pt. 1

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

Episode 30: Love of My Life

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 🙏🏿🖤

Episode 31: Tryin' Times

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

Episode 32: What's Going On

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

Episode 34: Tired of Being Alone

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

Episode 35: Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

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?!

Episode 37: Nowhere To Run

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)

Episode 41: Black Is King

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)

Episode 44: Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)

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 ✊🏿🖤✨

Episode 45: This Land Is Your Land

Clock out with two coworkers turned workbaes whose conversation goes beyond the water cooler. Join them as they navigate everything from pop culture to challenging each other to step outside of their comfort zones. Work Bae is where Naana and Obie drop their guards, crack jokes, and chop it up ... they may even shed a thug tear or two!

Popular tracks by Work Bae with Naana and Obie