Was America’s Next Top Model groundbreaking television… or televised trauma?

This week on Raised by Her, we break down the explosive three-part documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model and the cultural reckoning surrounding Tyra Banks and ANTM.

We unpack:

• Tyra’s defensive response to the documentary
• The infamous “Italy incident” involving Shandi
• The controversial forced dental work (“gap tooth” makeover)
• Why ANTM winners struggled to book real modeling jobs
• The exit of the “Jays” and Nigel Barker
• And whether reality TV crossed ethical lines in the name of ratings

Then we pivot to another viral headline: reports that ASAP Rocky pays 100% of Rihanna’s household expenses. Does a billionaire need a “provider”? We explore 2026 financial data, relationship economics, and the racial dynamics shaping modern dating expectations.

Finally, we close with a heartfelt tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, reflecting on his civil rights leadership, impact on broadcast ownership, and the enduring message to “Keep Hope Alive.”

This episode is about accountability, power, money, media, and staying authentic in a culture that often demands performance.

Timestamps:

0:00 We’re Blessed and Highly Favored: Weekly Catch-up
0:26 Why Everyone Is Talking About the ANTM Documentary
1:42 Tyra’s Founder Journey & the UPN Near-Miss
2:31 Was Tyra Unprepared for the Interview?
7:44 The Shandi Italy Incident Explained
14:23 Did Tyra Exploit the Models Twice?
19:04 The “Gap Tooth” Makeover Controversy
26:10 Why ANTM Winners Didn’t Get Booked
34:58 The Exit of the Jays & Nigel Barker
41:42 Mixing Business and Friendship
49:56 Tyra’s Ice Cream Pivot
51:57 Rihanna & ASAP Rocky: Modern Provider Debate
56:22 Race, Money & Dating in 2026
1:00:47 Tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson

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Bad Bunny just pulled 128 million viewers—but why did the actual Super Bowl feel… boring? In this episode of Raised by Her, we break down the cultural shift behind the 2026 Super Bowl and why Bad Bunny’s “Benito Bowl” moment dominated the conversation.

We also get into the power of multiculturalism in entertainment, the surprising resurgence of the Milan Winter Olympics, and the wild differences in Olympic medal payouts (Hong Kong vs. USA). Then we switch gears into wellness—what’s actually “self-care,” what’s just suffering—and why our latest detox experience felt straight-up traumatizing.

Plus: Cardi B’s “plastic bag” hair-care moment, Black hair rituals, and why Gen Z is ditching driver’s licenses—and what that signals about adulthood, freedom, and the future.

In this episode, we cover:

• The “Benito Bowl” effect and why the game felt flat
• Hidden messaging + storytelling in the halftime show
• Winter Olympics viewership, medal drama, and payout gaps
• Infrared saunas, colonics, and the wellness industry reality check
• Cardi B, hair-care culture, and authenticity in branding
• Gen Z and the decline of driving as a rite of passage

Timestamps

0:00 Is the Super Bowl Over? (The “Benito Bowl” Takeover)
1:57 Why Bad Bunny’s Performance Broke the Internet
3:38 Can Great Art Transcend Language?
5:10 The Hidden Messages in the Halftime Show
6:45 128 Million Viewers: The Stats Behind the Hype
9:05 Why Multiculturalism is the Ultimate Brand Hack
11:35 2026 Winter Olympics: The Massive Comeback
13:05 Our Hilarious Failed Attempts at Skiing
18:25 The Shocking Pay Gap for Olympic Gold Medals
23:00 Why are the Olympic Medals Breaking?!
25:50 Cardi B, Plastic Bags, and Brand Authenticity
28:55 The Cultural Ritual of Black Hair Care
34:00 Gen Z is Giving Up on Driving (The Data)
39:50 The Great Valentine’s Day Debate: Is it for Men too?
45:45 Our “Traumatizing” Wellness & Colonic Journey
49:20 Wisdom for Living a Life You Love

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Is the secret to a happy marriage… living in separate houses?

This week on Raised by Her, we unpack the “Living Apart Together” (LAT) relationship trend and debate whether space can actually strengthen commitment—or just delay the hard conversations. We also dig into the viral controversy surrounding Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Netflix and the unsettling online attacks on the former First Lady during Black History Month.

Along the way, we share personal stories about navigating racism—from 1950s Alabama to the middle-school basketball court—and why character is still the sharpest form of resistance. Plus: a quick Grammys recap (Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and more), the “Keke Palmer rule” hot-take dating debate, a peek inside Kamala HQ and Gen Z organizing, and the viral Winter Olympic fashion moment everyone’s talking about.

If you’re into relationships, culture, politics, and real talk—this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

• Living Apart Together (LAT) marriages + modern relationship boundaries
• Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Netflix + online backlash during Black History Month
• Personal stories on racism and resilience
• Grammys highlights: Bad Bunny + Kendrick Lamar
• Keke Palmer-inspired “hot take dating” expectations
• Inside Kamala HQ + Gen Z organizing
• Viral Winter Olympic fashion moment (Haiti)

Timestamps:

0:00 Celebrating Black History & Heart Month
1:40 The Michelle Obama Becoming controversy
6:10 Why Netflix moved the documentary to the Kids section
7:40 Responding to political attacks with character
10:30 A life lesson from 1950s Alabama
12:35 Facing racism on the basketball court
16:05 Bad Bunny & Kendrick Lamar: Grammy highlights
20:55 Did the Mariah Carey tribute miss?
24:10 The Keke Palmer rule: first-date expectations
26:45 Living Apart Together (LAT): the case for separate houses
29:40 Is LAT a real relationship trend?
33:15 How relationship dynamics are evolving for women
36:30 Inside Kamala HQ: organizing Gen Z
42:20 Haiti’s viral Winter Olympic fashion
46:00 Final message: live a life you love

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Is Melania Trump’s reported $25 million documentary a cinematic statement—or reality TV with a prestige budget? In this episode of Raised by Her, we compare Melania’s new film buzz to Michelle Obama’s Becoming and unpack why audiences are responding so differently.

We zoom out into the “business” of being a First Lady—storytelling, legacy, branding, budgets, and impact—then pivot into leadership, media training, and pop culture moments that reveal a lot about power and perception.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between legacy storytelling and image control
• Budget vs. audience impact: what really moves people
• Leadership lessons from America's Next Top Model and Tyra Banks’s mentorship style
• A candid political moment from Donnica’s Washington, D.C. lobbying days
• Why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—new love, new careers, new chapters
• A media-training breakdown of Serena Williams’ viral interview moment on Today with Savannah Guthrie

Pop culture pivots we couldn’t ignore: Cher, Vanna White, and the real truth about “retirement” and reinvention.

Timestamps
0:00 – The $25M Melania Trump Documentary: Hit or Miss?
2:10 – Why People are Re-watching Michelle Obama’s Becoming
4:25 – The "Business" of First Ladies: Budgets vs. Impact
6:30 – Passing the Mantle: Why the Next Generation Needs to Lead
10:45 – The Fight for Justice: What’s Happening in Minneapolis?
13:30 – Why This Congressman Told Me He Doesn't Want Educated Voters
18:50 – Tyra Banks Exposed: Was She a Diva or a Mentor?
22:40 – The Excellence Standard: How to Give Criticism That Works
25:50 – It’s Never Too Late: Modeling in Your 70s & New Beginnings
28:15 – Serena Williams vs. Savannah Guthrie: What Went Wrong?
32:45 – Media Training 101: How to Control Your Narrative
35:20 – Defining Your "Next Phase": The Truth About Retirement

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Did a popular motivational speaker lift her work from Black women without credit? We dive deep into the Brené Brown controversy. Plus, we react to a listener accusing us of being "funded by Rush Limbaugh" and celebrate the record-breaking Oscar nominations for Sinners.

In this episode of Raised By Her, we are breaking down the biggest cultural moments of the week. First, we address the feedback from our last episode, including a hilarious comment accusing the podcast of being sponsored by the far right. Then, we celebrate Black Excellence in film as Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s Sinners secures a historic 16 Oscar nominations. Mom also drops a bombshell revelation about being an extra in the 1970s classic Superfly!

The conversation shifts to the changing landscape of sports, from the "deterioration" of College Football due to NIL deals to the continued disrespect of Black women in tennis like Naomi Osaka. Finally, we discuss the allegations surrounding Cassandra "Brené" Brown and the importance of crediting Black women for their intellectual property. We wrap up by sharing our "Words of the Year" for 2026 and how stepping out of your comfort zone leads to true transformation.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Surviving the "Snowstorm of the Century"
02:02 - The Lynn Jones Journalism Controversy
03:28 - Hate Comment: Are We Funded by Rush Limbaugh?!
05:58 - Sinners Breaks Records: 16 Oscar Nominations
07:43 - Why Sinners Isn't Just a Horror Movie
17:10 - Storytime: Mom Was in the Movie Superfly!
20:30 - Is the Transfer Portal Ruining College Football?
23:55 - The Debate Over NIL Deals & Player Rights
33:30 - The Disrespect of Naomi Osaka & Coco Gauff
39:50 - The Brené Brown Plagiarism Controversy
44:40 - Revealing Our "Word of the Year" for 2026
51:30 - Final Thoughts: What Does "Raised By Her" Mean to You?

#RaisedByHer #SinnersMovie #BreneBrown #MichaelBJordan #BlackExcellence

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Did you know our grandmothers were best friends with Dave Chappelle’s family? We open up about our real-life connection to the comedy legend and the truth about Yellow Springs.

In this episode, we bridge the gap between generations to tackle the biggest cultural conversations of the week. We start by sharing our "freezing" experience at Podfest in Orlando and the realities of the podcasting business versus traditional broadcasting. Then, we dive deep into Martin Luther King Jr. Day, debating the sanitized version of MLK versus the radical reality of the Civil Rights movement.

Later, we discuss the recent controversy surrounding journalist Lynn Jones and her compassionate interview with the Jaguars coach—was it unprofessional, or is the media too cold? Finally, we challenge you to look at your own life: Are you evolving, or are you just repeating the same year over and over? Join us for wisdom, class, and a little bit of tea.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Freezing in Florida (The Podfest Experience)
01:48 - Broadcasting vs. Podcasting: The Business Shift
04:20 - MLK Day: Why We Can’t Just "Hold Hands"
08:25 - Was MLK Becoming Malcolm X?
11:30 - Reviewing Dave Chappelle’s New Special
15:30 - Our Personal Family Ties to Dave Chappelle
19:20 - The Truth About Yellow Springs & Gentrification
20:30 - The Lynn Jones Controversy: Compassion vs. Professionalism
24:12 - Why Black Media Is Still Fighting for Credentials
27:20 - 2016 vs. Today: Are You Better Off?
32:00 - The 10-Year Plan: Stop Stagnating
35:45 - The Power of Intergenerational Conversations

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Was the First Lady’s dress disrespectful… or simply modern fashion? In this episode of Raised By Her, we break down the viral Pastor Jamal Bryant / Karri Turner controversy and what it reveals about church culture, boundaries, and double standards.

We also revisit the long-awaited Oprah Winfrey & Iyanla Vanzant reunion—unpacking the real reason they fell out, what reconciliation requires, and the healing lesson behind: “I couldn’t hear you.”

Plus: we respond to listener feedback from our viral “Black Love” conversation, touch the RHOP/Gizelle Bryant connection, and close with a powerful conversation about MacKenzie Scott’s major giving to HBCUs like Spelman and why it might be time to audit your circle for growth.

In This Episode:

• Listener feedback: “Black Love Only” & what people really meant
• Interracial vs. intercultural relationships
• Oprah vs. Iyanla: why they feuded and how they repaired it
• Communication breakdowns + healing when someone can’t “hear” you
• Boundaries in family dynamics (and why it’s hard)
• Jamal Bryant / Karri Turner: faith, fashion, and church expectations
• RHOP ties: Gizelle Bryant & Jamal’s past
• MacKenzie Scott, HBCUs, and the power of philanthropy
• “Audit your circle” for personal growth
• Podfest plans (yes—Disney bound)

Timestamps:

00:00 Addressing the “Black Love Only” Comments
00:39 Interracial vs. Intercultural Relationships
03:53 Is She the Next Oprah? (The Comparison)
09:53 The Real Reason Oprah & Iyanla Feuded
13:57 “I Couldn't Hear You”: Healing Communication Breakdowns
19:57 “Get Out!” - My Mom Hated How I Set Boundaries
22:02 The Maya Angelou Rule: Not In My House
24:41 Too Sexy for Church? The First Lady Dress Scandal
30:25 The RHOP Connection: Gizelle Bryant & Jamal’s Past
37:31 Why MacKenzie Scott Gave Millions to HBCUs
41:34 Audit Your Circle: Why Diversity Matters
49:50 We’re Going to Podfest! (Disney World Bound)

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Welcome back to Raised By Her!

We’re kicking off the New Year with equal parts chaos, culture, and celebration. In this episode, we unpack a tense misunderstanding with police at a VA hospital (yes—expired insurance and Santa hats were involved), then shift into the unsettling reality of riding in a self-driving Tesla Model 3 and how EV ownership is changing what maintenance really looks like.

From there, we dive into pop culture and relationships—starting with Venus Williams’ wedding and the online criticism surrounding interracial marriage. We share our own lived experiences navigating interracial relationships, cultural differences at home, and the unexpected challenges that come with wedding planning.

From “no kids allowed” policies to accidentally hosting an illegal riverboat wedding on the Ohio River—and even discussing Indian wedding traditions involving elephants—this episode is a reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, but it can still be one you love.

What we cover

• Police encounters and lessons learned the hard way
• Self-driving cars, Tesla anxiety, and EV maintenance realities
• Interracial marriage and cultural fusion in families
• Wedding planning disasters, traditions, and boundaries
• Aging gracefully, identity, and choosing a life you can love

Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome to 2026
0:28 – Surrounded by Police: The Traffic Stop Story
2:40 – Dealing with Aggressive Officers
5:22 – The Lesson: Check Your Insurance
7:50 – Terrified by a Self-Driving Tesla
12:50 – Gas Cars vs. EVs (Maintenance Costs)
15:40 – Venus Williams & Aging Gracefully
18:47 – Interracial Marriage Controversy
23:38 – Cultural Differences at Home
28:30 – Wedding Planning Gone Wrong
35:20 – The “Illegal” Riverboat Wedding
38:53 – No-Kids Wedding Debate
41:35 – Indian Wedding Traditions
45:32 – Live a Life You Can Love

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