Are you driven to always be number one? Do you jump through hoops to be the best of the best? If you answer either of these questios yes, you may have a strong competitive spirit. But, does being competitive mean always going against others? Does it also mean detracting from the success of others who inevitably beat you sometimes? Find out the answers to these questions and consider whether your competitive spirit is a positive driver or negative alienator. Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Inst...
Feb 21, 2024•35 min•Season 7Ep. 169
People of color have mixed experiences with law enforcement. Rarely do we get an insider's perspective behind the badge. And, even less frequently do we hear the voices of women officers. The Hats Podcast wanted to have this conversation, and former Secret Service Agent Holli Draines agreed to have it with us! Holli's story of life in law enforcement is inspiring, and a wonderful reminder of those "behind the blue wall" who truly honor their duty to protect and serve. Explore Holli's Security Co...
Feb 14, 2024•49 min•Season 7Ep. 168
If you are listening to this episode, then you may not be in the middle of a digital detox because you have to find us digitally! But, we hope that what you get out of this episode is that a digital detox, while necessary from time to time, can take many different forms. You can go cold turkey and sequester away in a cabin in the woods with no electricity, keep everything the same but reduce social media posts from 10 to 5 per day, and many other things in between. If you've been wanting to chan...
Feb 07, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 167
Pioneering podcaster Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of the wildly successful podcast Therapy For Black Girls joins The Hats Podcast to talk about how women can heal through sister relationships. There is nothing quite like that moment when passing another woman and receiving the smile and nod that say "Sis, I see you!" And, those laughs and tears shared over brunch? Whole television series have been rooted in those sisterly occasions. Listen to co-hosts Melissa and Kerri discuss the unique bond between...
Jan 31, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 166
Hope is the fuel that keeps us charging forward during the most difficult circumstances. When we consider the state of world - or, even our own lived experiences - living in a state of hope can feel naive. This episode of The Hats Podcast helps you see why hope is not naive, but necessary. And, co-hosts Kerri and Melissa give tips to move through the inevitable bouts of hopelessness you will encounter along the way. Why the World Needs Hope Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Instagram thehatspodc...
Jan 24, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 165
Any time we discuss death, the subject is emotional. This time it's emotional and controversial. The law in California changed some years ago to make the state one of the 11 that allow doctors to give people a lethal dose of medicine to end their lives. There are rules and circumstances that must be followed and exist, respectively. Returning to the show for a third time, guest therapist Thomas Pier walks us through the entire process. It's no exagerration to say listening to this episode could ...
Jan 17, 2024•52 min•Season 7Ep. 164
"Girl, did you know that ...." Anytime a conversation starts this way, there is a good chance you are gossiping. But, what exactly is gossip, what are its consequences, and are there moments when gossip is a good thing? These are the issues Kerri and Melissa explore in this episode, while sharing personal stories about how gossip has impacted their lives. Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Instagram [email protected] Thank you for listening! We tip our hats to you!...
Jan 10, 2024•40 min•Season 7Ep. 163
Foreplay is not what you think it is. Well, it probably includes things that automatically come to mind. But, it can (and, arguably should) be so much more than something that leads to sex. If you've never thought of vacuuming as a form of foreplay, this episosde is a must-listen for you! Sex therapist and radio show show Dr. Jeshana Avent-Johnson schools us on many of the ways foreplay extends beyond the bedroom and into daily moments of you and your intimate partner's lives! Meet Dr. Avent-Joh...
Dec 27, 2023•50 min•Season 7Ep. 162
Happy 50th Anniversary hip hop!! Tracing the roots, trunk and branches of hip hop music in one podcast episode is an impossible task. Festivals, documentaries, movies, articles and so much other media has been produced this year alone to celebrate this iconic, unapologetically Black art form. Co-hosts Kerri and Melissa could not think of a better way to usher in the next 50 years of hip hop than to invite their husbands - ultimate, hard core hip hop fans - to wax poetic on this true love of thei...
Dec 13, 2023•47 min•Season 7Ep. 161
In the past 159 episodes, co-hosts Kerri and Melissa may have led you to believe that they are living the dream of perfectly balanced lives. Not so much! In this episode, the co-hosts explore the idea of whether true "balance" is possible; and, if it is how do we get there; and, if it isn't, how do we reconcile with not showing up 100% in every area all the time. Their discussion is enriched by the commentary, feedback and insights of guest expert therapist, world traveler and tech innovator Tif...
Dec 06, 2023•59 min•Season 7Ep. 160
Drugs. Gambling. Food. Pleasure. Thinness. We can become addicted to anything. In this episode, guest therapist Gali Barak gives us an inside view into her own struggle and recovery from addiction, insights on how to help loved ones seized by addiction and help understanding and responding to the humanity behind addiction. Co-host Kerri, a self-proclaimed sweet treats addict (she explains this in the episode), has been especially anxious to talk about addiction. This is an episode you do not wan...
Nov 29, 2023•55 min•Season 7Ep. 159
Apologizing has become an art form everyone needs to master. It used to be that apologies were about preschoolers hitting each other on the yard, a spouse betraying a spouse, a boss being overly critical. Now, an apology can be the difference between international humiliation, death threats and losing you entire livelihood. Cancel culture is real. In this episode co-hosts Kerri and Melissa talk about the art of the apology and how you can hone this crucial skill for issues large and small. Conne...
Nov 15, 2023•48 min•Season 7Ep. 158
Having been personally touched by suicide death, co-hosts Kerri and Melissa have been wanting to talk about suicide for quite some time. The word suicide gives rise to so many emotions - fear, shame, guilt, remorse, frustration and more. Listen to two bold and beautiful Black women discuss their lifelong and ongoing struggles with mental illness and suicidal thoughts. Together, T-Kea Blackman and Jordan Scott bravely and candidly share the difficult journeys that brought them together and led th...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 7Ep. 157
Finals are coming up. Tomorrow is your BIG INTERVIEW. Your kid is having a hard time with math. Yesterday your mother had a biopsy and you are waiting for results. The list of stressful situations in any Hatter's life is infinitely long and varied. It can be very tempting to eat your way through these difficult times. In fact, there is science behind why we do so. Listen to this episode with guest experts and founders of The Eatwell Exchange, Ashley Carter and Jasmine Westbrooks. They share insi...
Nov 01, 2023•49 min•Season 7Ep. 156
Did you know empathy is different from sympathy? Many people think they are synonymous, but they are not. They are both important building blocks in relationships and necessary to see and fully recognize the humanity in others. But, they manifest differently and yield different responses to others. Are you an empathetic person? If no, can you adopt a more empathetic mindset? Find out more about yourself and this vital character trait in this episode of The Hats Podcast. Connect with us: Facebook...
Oct 25, 2023•36 min•Season 7Ep. 155
Raise your hand if you have been a member of a relationship (moms, friends, children), professional (lawyers, doctors, singers), activity (runners, chess players, anime) or any other type of organization. Co-host Kerri is the epitome of a joiner having been a member of at least 4 organizations since college, co-Melissa not so much! Wherever you lie on the joiner spectrum, this episode answers the following questions and more: What does it mean to be a joiner? What are some of the benefits of bei...
Oct 18, 2023•40 min•Season 7Ep. 154
We have been wanting to talk about infertility. It would have been great to include this episode in the Focus on the Family Series. But, we needed the right guest and we finally got her on the mic. Listen to newscaster Jeannette Reyes share her painful, beautiful and unique story of how taking command of her own health alerted her to very unexpected infertility issues and her path to having a lovely little girl. In this episode, we answer the following questions: When did you first realize that ...
Oct 11, 2023•38 min•Season 7Ep. 153
Have you ever wondered what people on a show do when the show goes on a break? We have! So, we decided to share with you what we - co-hosts Melissa and Kerri - did during our rather extended hiatus between Seasons 6 and 7. Not only that, but we share some insights into why taking a hiatus maybe helpful (and, sometimes necessary), and how to overcome obstacles to taking a hiatus. Why you should take a hiatus Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Instagram [email protected] Thank you for listen...
Oct 04, 2023•46 min•Season 7Ep. 152
Dear Hatters, YOU have been on our minds for these past weeks of our hiatus! We are so very happy to be back with you and launch Season 7. Surely, this will be a lucky season. Why? Because we are finally getting the chance to have so many of the conversations we've been waiting months and years to have! Listen to the our Season 7 opener to get a peek under the tent on Season 7, which starts next week!! You will be glad that you did. Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Instagram thehatspodcast@gmai...
Sep 27, 2023•12 min•Season 7Ep. 151
We said we were going to get up close and personal, and BOY DID WE!! We covered so many different heart gripping topics with wonderful guests and by sharing our own personal stories. We did not expect the season to be as rich and deep as it turned out to be, but we are proud of all of that was revealed. In this closing episode we share our favorite moments ... and, there were many! Connect with and follow us: Facebook Twitter Instagram [email protected] Thank you for listening! We tip our...
Aug 23, 2023•27 min•Season 6Ep. 150
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: mom guilt. Moms want to do it all - bake cupcakes for the bake sale, attend every performance, comfort sick kids, be a go...
Aug 16, 2023•45 min•Season 6Ep. 149
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: multiples. A missed period often means a woman is pregnant. If the doctor confirms the pregnancy, the woman will go throu...
Aug 09, 2023•39 min•Season 6Ep. 148
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: family traditions. Every Christmas morning, Kerri makes a baked french toast for her family. Every Sunday growing up Mel'...
Jul 26, 2023•37 min•Season 6Ep. 147
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: the only child. Conventional wisdom says that parents must have at least two children in order for a child to get all of ...
Jul 12, 2023•39 min•Season 6Ep. 146
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: the importance of family. Family is not a given. As an adult, sustaining and creating family relationships is a choice. C...
Jul 05, 2023•41 min•Season 6Ep. 145
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: discipline. To spank or not to spank? That is the million dollar, ultra-controversial, argument-inducing, deeply-research...
Jun 28, 2023•52 min•Season 6Ep. 144
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: families with no kids. Some would challenge the whole idea of this episode - how can you have a family if there are no ki...
Jun 22, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 143
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: co-parenting. Court dates, custody agreements, splitting holidays and birthdays, child support. Parenting a child with a ...
Jun 14, 2023•38 min•Season 6Ep. 142
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: having more than one kid. Kerri and her husband knew with absolute certainty they were done having children after their s...
May 31, 2023•36 min•Season 6Ep. 141
Welcome to the Focus on the Family Series! In the next few episodes, we will explore the ins and outs of family life - how they start, how they grow, what shape they take, etc. The notion of the nuclear family is so yesterday! Listen to each episode and see which elements of family resonate with you, which could not be more different, and which spark some intrigue! This week: mixed race families. If you are a Hatter, there's a good chance you remember the Spike Lee Joint Jungle Fever. It was one...
May 25, 2023•54 min•Season 6Ep. 140
