In the final episode of season 8, Jenn and Daren explore the relentless pursuit of dreams and the journey to fulfillment. They share their personal experiences of moving to Maryland, overcoming challenges, and ultimately finding happiness in their new life. Most importantly, they emphasize the importance of perseverance and the joy that comes from achieving one's goals, despite the difficulties faced along the way.
In this episode of "That Black Couple," Jenn and Daren return after a break with a discussion on the intersection of Black food and gender roles. They share personal anecdotes about their relationships with food, exploring how their upbringing shaped their culinary skills and perspectives. Then they delve into the cultural significance of cooking within the Black community, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional gender norms that often dictate who should prepare meals. They highlight th...
In this episode, the hosts discuss the significance of Black August, emphasizing the importance of consistency in activism, the historical context of Black liberation movements, and the need for education and in-person connections in the fight for justice. They reflect on the challenges posed by social media and the necessity of courage in activism, while also highlighting the ongoing struggles for liberation and the power of community engagement.
In this episode, Dr. Jenn and Daren discuss the importance of moving away from toxic relationships in various aspects of life, including friendships, family, and work. They explore how personal growth can lead to the end of certain relationships and emphasize the need for accountability, boundaries, and self-worth in maintaining healthy connections. The conversation highlights the signs of toxicity and the necessity of demanding better treatment from others.
In this episode of “That Black Couple,” Jenn and Daren delve into the complexities of toxic masculinity within Black communities. They discuss the impact of patriarchy on Black men, including the emotional struggles they face in unpacking societal expectations and behaviors. Further, they highlight the crucial role women play in challenging these toxic behaviors. Through personal reflections and references to influential thinkers like bell hooks, they emphasize the importance of community accoun...
In this episode of That Black Couple, Jenn and Daren discuss the complexities of parenting while being polyamorous, addressing common misconceptions and societal concerns. They explore the benefits of polyamorous households for children, emphasizing open communication, community support, and the importance of diverse experiences. The conversation highlights the need for honesty and authenticity in parenting, ultimately showcasing how polyamory can contribute to raising well-adjusted, happy child...
In this anniversary episode of That Black Couple, Jenn and Darren celebrate 19 years of marriage and 22 years of being together. They dive into the dynamics of their non-traditional relationship, discussing their unique identities as a monogamous person and a polyamorous person. The couple shares insights on communication, the importance of understanding one's own needs, and how to navigate love and relationships outside of societal norms. Join them as they reflect on their journey and provide v...
In this episode of That Black Couple Podcast, Jenn and Daren dive into the thought-provoking concept of the Black Legacy Model, inspired by a viral TikTok series. They explore the four pillars that define this model: income, labor, community and family investment, and career flexibility. The couple reflects on how these ideas resonate with their own 19-year journey of partnership, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and teamwork in relationships. As they unpack each pillar, Jenn and Dar...
In the second part of the season 8 opener, Jenn and Daren dive deep into the complexities of their relationship journey, revealing the pivotal moments that shaped their love story. They reflect on the early days of their romance, starting from their college years. The conversation takes a candid turn as they discuss the challenges they faced from family disapproval, particularly from Daren's father, who went to great lengths to deter their union. The couple reflects on their scrappy beginnings i...
In this 2-part episode, Jenn and Daren kick off Season 8 of That Black Couple Podcast with their first-ever video episode, allowing listeners to finally see their dynamic personalities in action. Join them for a heartfelt and humorous exploration of love, friendship, and the origins of That Black Couple. They reflect on their journey together, starting from their fateful meeting in the chicken line at the University of Southern California in 2002. They share the story of how they became best fri...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren celebrate the milestone of reaching 2025 with an untraditional year-in-review format, reflecting on the tumultuous events of 2024. They kick things off by sharing their personal and podcasting achievements, including Jenn's book launches and their feature in The Huffington Post. In The Conversation, they delve into the podcast's performance over the past year, highlighting the most listened-to episodes that resonated with their audience, such as discussions on Bla...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren tackle the myths and realities of holiday traditions, questioning the authenticity and significance of these celebrations. As they reflect on the end of 2024, they discuss the societal pressures surrounding holidays and the myths that shape our understanding of them. In The Conversation, they delve into the notion of identity-making and the role holidays play in it. They challenge the conventional narratives around holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, emphasi...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren dive into the heart of Blackness in the American South, exploring its cultural richness, historical complexities, and the unique qualities that make it a cornerstone of Black identity in the U.S. They begin by sharing their personal experiences and revelations about the South, particularly through the lens of climate change and its impact on Southern communities. Jenn recounts her recent travels and the profound connection she felt to the land and its people, whil...
In this episode, inspired by Aliah Sheffield's song "Earth is Ghetto," Jenn and Daren dive into the chaotic reality of today's world, including the resurgence of COVID-19 and the unsettling political landscape post-election. They begin by candidly discuss their recent experiences with COVID-19 and the importance of remaining vigilant as the pandemic persists. Jenn shares her meticulous efforts to avoid the virus during her book tour, highlighting the stark contrast between her precautions and th...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren return after a brief hiatus due to a bout with COVID-19 to discuss the aftermath of the recent election results. This episode dives deep into the implications of the election, focusing on the role of Black women and the voting patterns that led to the unexpected outcome. In The Conversation, they analyze the election results, highlighting the phenomenon of split-ticket voting, where voters supported Democratic issues like abortion rights but still voted for Trump....
In this episode, Jenn and Daren dive into the rich and often overlooked topic of ancestor appreciation. Throughout the episode, Jenn and Daren emphasize the importance of acknowledging and honoring one's ancestors. They share personal anecdotes and practices, such as setting up altars and engaging in rituals that connect them to their ancestral roots. They argue that these practices are not only meaningful but also essential for a holistic understanding of self and community. The episode begins ...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren dive into the critical issue of food insecurity and the concept of food as medicine. The episode opens with Jenn and Daren sharing their personal relationships with food, shaped by their diverse upbringings. Jenn discusses their upbringing in a food desert and the impact of generational food insecurity on their family. Daren, on the other hand, talks about his childhood in Southern California, where despite having access to food, his choices were often influenced ...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren bring the heat with a rundown of recent events and topics they've missed while Jenn was away celebrating their 40th birthday. The episode kicks off with a discussion on COVID-19, highlighting the resurgence of cases and the importance of continuing to take precautions. Jenn shares her observations from her travels, noting the disappointing lack of mask usage and the general complacency around the virus. Daren emphasizes the need for updated vaccinations and the im...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren tackle the contentious topic of "Experts Over Influencers and Content Creators." With a mix of humor and candidness, they explore the distinctions between true expertise and the rise of social media personalities. The episode opens with Jenn and Daren discussing the importance of understanding the difference between experts, content creators, and influencers, especially with the Presidential election on the horizon. They highlight the necessity of rigorous trainin...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren launch the seventh season by diving into the nuanced topic of boundaries versus walls. They discuss their personal journeys and the importance of setting healthy boundaries in various aspects of life, from relationships to social media to work environments. The episode begins with Jenn sharing insights from Nedra Tawwab's book "Set Boundaries, Find Peace," highlighting the importance of setting boundaries not just with others but also with oneself. They discuss th...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren delve into the significance of Black lesbian visibility during Pride Month. With a mix of humor and heartfelt reflection, they explore the resurgence of Black lesbian representation in media and society, emphasizing why it matters now more than ever. The episode kicks off with Jenn and Daren sharing their excitement for Pride celebrations. In the first segment, they discuss the current wave of Black lesbian visibility, highlighting notable figures like Tracy Chapm...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren dive deep into the exploitation of Black labor, drawing from their personal experiences working for Disney. They shed light on the harsh realities faced by Disney workers, particularly Black employees, and discuss the broader implications of these labor practices within the context of American capitalism. The episode begins with Jenn and Daren discussing the recent viral video of Disney characters unionizing and the importance of labor unions in protecting workers...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren delve into the harrowing topic of domestic violence and physical abuse, focusing on the entertainment and music industries where violence against women, especially Black women, is rampant. They urge listeners to take care of themselves and provide resources for victims and survivors of abuse at the end of the episode. The conversation begins with the recent allegations against Diddy and the leaked video of his violent behavior towards Cassie. Jenn and Daren dissec...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren ask the questions “what qualifies as rest” and "what does it take for rest to qualify as resistance?” In the first segment, Jenn shares an Instagram conversation that sparked the episode's theme. They question if rest, defined as the absence of activity, can be considered a form of resistance. They reference Dr. Tricia Hersey's argument that rest disrupts capitalistic systems of production that are anti-Black and white supremacist in nature. They emphasize the nee...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren bring to light April as Autism Acceptance Month by highlighting the unique experience of being Black and neurodivergent, focusing specifically on autism. In the first segment, Jenn shares their own experience of being a Black neurodivergent person and conversations they had online with Black autistic people around their difficulties in understanding social cues. Daren highlights the importance of including a young Black lesbian woman named Journey on the Netflix s...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren highlight Sexual Assault and Prevention Month. In the first segment, Jenn shares how sexual assault is an unavoidable part of her Black Politics course, and Daren shares his experience watching the “Quiet On Set” documentary that exposes the mistreatment and abuse of child actors at Nickelodeon during the 1990’s. In the second segment, Jenn and Daren dive deeper into this topic, explaining what constitutes sexual assault or harrassment. Daren shares troubling stat...
In this Rundown episode, Jenn and Daren get caught up on recent pop culture news. They start off talking about how apt it is that during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, it appears that accused abusers like Sea “Diddy” Combs and Russell Simmons are being held accountable. While they are not advocates of the carceral system of punishment, they are fully behind restorative justice, and accountability is a cornerstone of that. In the second segment, Jenn and Daren give updates on the ...
In this “Where Have You Been?” episode, Jenn and Daren let everyone know where they have been for the last few weeks. They start things off by talking about their recent spot in Huffington Post Black Voices series “Black Love on Our Terms,” in which they share how their relationship works and how others can use their model to find love on their own terms. They follow that up with an account of Jenn’s hospital stay and the challenges of being a Black woman in the care of modern day doctors. In th...
In this rundown episode, Jenn and Daren catch up on important happenings from the last few weeks. In the first segment, they recap the high points of Megan Thee Stallion’s “HISS” and Nicki Minaj’s failure of a response “Big Foot.” In the second segment, Jenn and Daren highlight the wins Black folx took home from the 2024 Grammys and Oscars, celebrating the achievements of artists such as Victoria Monet, Coco Jones, and Samara Joy. In turn they question the status of a music industry where Killa ...
In this episode, Jenn and Daren welcome everyone into the new year with an update on everything that is going on with them. Since the end of the last season, Jenn’s book "Black Women Taught Us" is available for purchase, Daren had eye surgery, and they have released people who couldn’t respect boundaries. They urge everyone listening to radically choose themselves in 2024 and see how much better life is on that side. They also look forward to everything that they are setting out to accomplish in...
