EP9: Parenting Without Help: Defiant Teens, Deadbeat Dads, and the Fight for Control
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Release Date: 12/23/2024
EP 35: Voicenote Devotionals, Selfie Request and The Last Straw
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Whew! Y’all… I’m out here trying to date and let me just say: it’s terrible. This week I went on two dates — yes, two. One man is ready for a monogamous relationship immediately… and has absolutely no friends (red flag?). The other sends me unsolicited prayer voice notes every single morning and follows up with "send me a pic" all day long. I’m exhausted, and it’s only Monday. 🙃 Meanwhile, Dex is convinced the internet is for girls only — specifically saying men should not be in The Shade Room comments. Honestly? I don’t disagree. Go build a house or something, sir. We...
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EP 34: Body Language, Dating Games & Big Beautiful Bills
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Alright y’all, in this week’s episode we got real about body language in dating—yes, sis, that closed-off vibe might be why no one’s stepping to you! A new study says most women think we look approachable, but we really out here serving “don’t talk to me” energy. I put some of those body language tips to the test and let’s just say... results were mixed. Meanwhile, Carla is back in these dating streets and using ChatGPT to help cut through all the awkward small talk on Hinge and honestly, it’s working! you’ll have to hear it to believe it. What are ya’ll thoughts on...
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EP 33: Single Mom to CEO: Jena Mehlberg on Faith and Raising Boys
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Hey friends—Carla here! This week on So What Now?, Dex and I sat down with the fierce and inspiring Jena Mehlberg—entrepreneur, mama, survivor, and all-around powerhouse in the beauty world. Jena took us on a real ride through some of the toughest chapters of her life—becoming a single mom in her teens, losing a parent, navigating an emotionally abusive relationship, and the ups and downs of running her own business. And y’all, the way she speaks about resilience and faith? You feel it in your bones. She talks about the importance of existing outside yourself and not letting isolation...
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EP 32: Pro-Choice, Pro-Chaos, Probably Problematic
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
This week’s episode of So What Now gets into some pretty spicy and controversial territory—so let’s jump right in. We started things off light: I came across a study that says spending money on your best friend can actually boost your mental health. So Carla, just know—I’m always here to support your wellness journey… especially if it includes buying me lunch. #SelfCare 😌 Carla let us know a few of her exes are trying to “spin the block,” and baby, she is not impressed. That got us thinking: would you ever take an ex back? Carla’s a maybe, but for me? All mine are married...
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EP 31: What She Wore vs. What He Did: The Real Issue
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Friend, this week was juicy and necessary. First off, I gave y’all some homework—yes, homework. Go listen to Atomic Habits and please, if you're struggling with your mental health, talk to a therapist. We love healing over here. Dex gave us all the feels with her recap of her Cowboy Carter trip with her daughter—bonding, Beyoncé, boots and Black girl joy. In our Womanhood segment, we had to touch on B. Simone getting dragged again. This time it’s ‘cause she wore coochie cutters in church. The internet lost its mind. But let’s be real—why is she catching heat when she’s...
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EP 30: Babies on Board, Husbands at Risk & $5K Ain’t It
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Friend… this episode was pure chaos—in the best way. We started off with Porsha from Real Housewives of Atlantathreatening to sleep with a castmate’s husband after an argument. Yes, the same Porsha who already married her ex-friend’s man. The audacity is clearly on clearance and she bought the whole rack. Me and Carla had to break that all the way down, because girl… what are you even doing? Then we shifted gears to Amina Butterfly and her daughter straight-up refusing to go to school. No bullying, no issues—just vibes. The internet had opinions: some dragging Amina’s parenting,...
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EP 29: Serving Hottie Sauce, Auntie Vibes & Labor Glam
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Hey friend, it’s me, Carla! 💋 This week on So What Now, we’re giving flowers (and maybe some biscuits) to our Woman of the Week—Megan Thee Stallion—for opening her own Popeyes franchise and dropping that delicious “Hottie Sauce”! I LIVE for a business-savvy baddie, okay?! 💅🔥 Now, let’s talk “auntie”... because Dex is still not over it. We get into what it really means when people start calling you that—respect, shade, or both? After some laughs (and a little dragging), Dex might be warming up to the title—as long as nobody expects her to be a role model, LOL. We...
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EP 28: Birthday Blues & Ride-or-Die Red Flags
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Hey y’all, it’s Carla! My birthday’s coming up, and let’s just say I’ve been in my feelings. In this episode I shared how I’ve been mourning parts of my younger self and wishing I could go back and change a few things. Dex reminded me that aging isn’t just loss — it’s also growth and new beginnings, and honestly, I needed to hear that. We also unpacked a wild episode of Dear Future Wifey where a pastor’s wife said she used to iron her man’s clothes so he could go see his side chick. Yes, you read that right. She said it was her calling from God to support him — and...
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EP 27: Did We Self-Love Ourselves Into Loneliness?
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Hey friend, it’s Dex, and we’re back with another episode of So What Now? — where the convos are deep, the laughs are loud, and the side-eyes are always earned. This week, we kicked things off with a little life catch-up. I ran a Hyrox race (yes, me — running, sweating, questioning my life choices), while Carla was out here being the hostess with the mostess for Easter. Deviled eggs were served, auntie gossip was flowing — it was fabulous. Then we got into that trending Traci Ellis Ross interview. Traci said, “I grieve the things that I thought would be and that are not.”...
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EP 26: The Truth About 50/50 Love and Trauma Bonds
So What Now? with Carla and Dex
Hey friends, it’s Carla and this week’s episode of So What Now was a whole mix of “wait, what?” and “absolutely not.” We kicked things off with Ayesha Howard, who recently responded to the backlash around her decision to keep her baby. And listen… her response didn’t move me. At all. I said what I said, and I still feel the same way. Then we got into this Florida city trying to roll out a 4-day school week, which sounds cool until you realize... parents still work 5. So who’s watching the kids on that fifth day? Make it make sense. Policies like this just make parenting even...
info_outlineThis week Carla, Dex are joined by Ariel B. The group dives into the complex world of parenting teens. As kids grow older, parenting styles and relationships need to shift, and the group explores how they are navigating these changes. Carla talks about her struggle with managing expectations, while Ariel reflects on the challenge of losing control as her children begin making their own decisions. The conversation touches on what happens when older kids break the rules, with Dex sharing her own experience of poor decision-making due to a lack of open communication with her parents. Carla and Ariel also reveal how their teens are turning to platforms like TikTok to express themselves when direct conversation feels too difficult.
The trio also revisits the story of Amora Lex, the 27-year-old single mother who recently gave up her five children to CPS. The group reflects on the harsh social media backlash she's received, particularly the blaming comments about her choices in men. This leads to a broader discussion on absentee parents, red flags when dating men who aren't involved in their children's lives, and the importance of building strong, supportive communities for women. Tune in for an insightful episode filled with real talk on motherhood, judgment, and how we can support one another.
SO WHAT NOW? TAKEAWAYS
Parenting Teens Requires Letting Go of Control: As children grow older, parents must adjust their approach. It's important to allow teens to make their own decisions—even when it’s hard.
Disobedience Isn’t Personal: Conflicts with teens often stem from a desire for control. Parents may take disobedience personally, but it's important to remember that teens are not thinking about how their actions affect their parents—they’re navigating their own path to independence.
The Stigma of Single Motherhood: The story of Amora Lex, who gave up her children to CPS, sparked harsh judgment online. The group discusses the need for compassion, understanding, and support for mothers, particularly those raising children without strong family or community support.
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