262 - Why Modern Dating Feels Broken with Naza Shelley
Release Date: 03/10/2025
273 - Ratchet Reflections with Boonie
The Boonie Breakdown
In this solo episode closing out Season 14, I’m sounding off on everything from chaotic reality TV to the very real “romance recession” y’all are living through. Then we get into the good stuff: 💋 Love Island drama and the emotional chaos of bingeing 20+ episodes—why is everyone kissing everybody?! 🎤 Getting hyped for the Cowboy Carter concert and celeb beauty products that actually do what they say. 🧳 The struggle of packing. Because why does it take this much energy now?? 💔 The “romance recession”—a real convo about why so many women are tired of the dating scene....
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272 - Unlearning the BS with Dr. Donna Oriowo
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Donna Oriowo—the brilliant therapist, dynamic speaker, and now author of Drink Water and Mind Your Business: A Black Woman’s Guide to Unlearning the BS and Healing Your Self-Esteem. Known for her candid insights and unapologetic approach to mental wellness, Dr. Donna returns to break down what it really means to heal, unlearn, and radically embrace self-worth as a Black woman. We dive deep into: 🧠 The difference between self-esteem and self-confidence—and why it matters 😞 How shame shows up in our lives and keeps us disconnected from ourselves...
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271 - Why You’re Not Ready for the Love You Say You Want with Brian & KG
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I’m joined by two of my favorite guests—Brian, our problematic fav, and KG, our responsible fav—for a real, unfiltered conversation about dating in today’s world. For the first time, we explore the game from both of their perspectives, diving into the chaos, calm, confusion, and comedy that comes with it. We talk about the shift from “Brian-type” energy—thrilling but unstable—to “Kenny-type” stability and why so many women say they want the latter but still get caught up in the former. There are moments that left me speechless (literally) as we unpack...
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270 - What If You Let It All Go? with Samia Burton
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I welcome back Samia—the vibrant creator behind Sexual Essentials, Not Just Another Sex Podcast, and The Art Exhibit—for an honest, raw, and refreshing conversation about reinvention, resilience, and redefining success. Known for her bold takes and fearless transparency, Samia returns in a new light as The Bankrupt Millionaire, sharing the powerful story of what it means to lose everything—and gain yourself. We also discuss: 💸 Why she walked away from successful platforms and content creation 🧠 The mental toll of pretending everything’s fine when it’s not...
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REPLAY - From $1Million in Debt to Millionaire with Naseema McElroy
The Boonie Breakdown
We’re hitting replay on one of the most jaw-dropping and inspiring conversations we’ve had on the podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by Naseema McElroy—nurse, mom, money coach, and the powerhouse behind Financially Intentional. We dive deep into her incredible story of paying off over $1 MILLION in debt in under 3 years (yes, you read that right), and how that financial freedom unlocked a new purpose: helping others—especially Black women—build lasting wealth and take control of their money story. We also discuss: 💰 What it really looks like to pay off 7 figures of debt 🧠...
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269 - Naked, Unashamed & Holy with Brittany Broaddus-Smith
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I sit down with Brittany Broaddus-Smith—a Christian sexologist and the bold, brilliant founder of The Intimacy Firm—for an eye-opening conversation at the intersection of faith, sexuality, and healing. We dive into taboo topics often brushed aside in the church, including the legitimacy of soul ties, the emotional confusion they can bring, and why over-spiritualizing these concepts can cause more harm than good. Brittany keeps it all the way real, offering clarity, nuance, and a path to healing that doesn’t require abandoning your faith. We...
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268 - America Is Crashing Out! with KG
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I’m joined by my favorite political analyst, KG for a deep, unfiltered convo on the state of American politics, the economy, and the emotional toll it’s all taking—especially on men. From Trump’s possible 2028 run to supply chain fears and the media’s obsession with crisis, we unpack what’s real, what’s hype, and what it means for everyday people. We also dig into how young men are navigating their political identity, why they’re often left out of campaign messaging, and the deeper existential question—do men even believe they deserve happiness? The...
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267 - Cutting Through the Silence: Black Women, Fibroids & the Hysterectomy Decision with Melissa
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I sit down with Melissa of Fab Glance—a lifestyle influencer, digital strategist, and one of the realest voices online—to have a deeply personal conversation about women’s health, fibroids, and her decision to have a hysterectomy. After sharing my own story in a previous episode, I opened the door for others to speak up—and Melissa walked through it with vulnerability, courage, and honesty. We talk through the emotional and physical realities of living with fibroids, navigating the decision to be child-free, and how society often places unfair expectations on women’s...
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266 - Teachers Are People Too! with Smitty
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I sit down with my podcasting cousin, Smitty—an English teacher, mom of three, and host of the Patreon-exclusive podcast Teachers After Dark. We dive into her life as an educator, the wild dynamics of parent-teacher conferences, and how she balances being a public figure with her own very real, very human experiences. Smitty gets real about the often-unspoken realities of working in education and the challenges teachers face outside of the classroom—from social media scrutiny to the spicy politics of staff relationships. As someone who doesn’t have kids, I was floored...
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265 - Monogamy, Maybes & Modern Mess with Brian
The Boonie Breakdown
In this episode, I sit down with returning guest and our problematic fav, Brian, for a hilarious, honest, and thought-provoking conversation that runs the gamut—from Greek life to the chaos of modern dating. We break down the challenges facing Black Greek organizations today and how they intersect with cultural shifts and current events. And because the convo got that good, we saved the unfiltered extras exclusively for the Patreon crew! We also discuss: 🎓 The cultural impact (and complications) of Black Greek life 💔 Why dating feels harder—and more casual—than ever 👀 How...
info_outlineIn this episode, Naza Shelley, CEO and founder of Carpe Diem Dating, breaks down the biggest frustrations in modern dating—especially for Black women. As an attorney-turned-matchmaker, Naza shares her journey in building a dating app that prioritizes meaningful connections over endless swiping.
We dive into the realities of online dating, ghosting, and the disconnect between what dating apps promote versus what users actually want. Naza offers expert insights on navigating today’s dating scene, including how to approach dating with confidence and clarity.
Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for making real-life connections, setting clear relationship expectations, and shifting their dating mindset to attract better matches.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone tired of the dating games and looking for real love.
Follow Naza Shelley here:
Instagram: @carpedmboss & @carpedmdating
Website: https://www.carpedmdating.com/
A transcript of the full episode is available here.
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