As the popular adage goes, "You can't pour from an empty cup." In Episode 28, Dr Drea encourages us to practice self-care daily in our lives, especially when we are going through rough times in our relationships.

Music Credits

Intro Music: Tu Foto by Bad Duck

Episode Song Clips: Through the Fire, sung by Chaka Chan (written by Cynthia Weil / David W Foster / Tom P Keane)

Michael Jackson asked y'all (sorta aggressively), "Do you remember, girl?" In Ep. 27, Dr. Drea continues with her Through the Fire Series,* this time encouraging couples to create a personalized memories resource to use when times get rough.

*The Through the Fire Series is a series of episodes that provide healthy, relationship focused suggestions to help you and your partner navigate through rough times.

Music Credits

Intro Music: Tu Foto by Bad Duck

Episode Song Clips: Through the Fire, sung by Chaka Chan (written by Cynthia Weil / David W Foster / Tom P Keane)

The "Through The Fire Series" is a series of mini episodes that provide healthy relationship-focused suggestions on how to manage tough times in your marriage or dating relationship. In this episode, Dr. Drea discusses waiting a specific period of time when you're emotional (angry, frustrated, hurt, etc.) before addressing or attempting to respond to a comment or behavior from your significant other that bothers you. Don't choose violence, ya'll!

In Episode 25, Dr. Drea encourages us to avoid being pulled into unnecessary arguments with our significant others.

Like Salt-N-Peppa said, "Opinions are like a**holes, everybody's got one." In Ep. 24, Dr. Drea discusses the overwhelming amount of relationship advice given on social media and how to sort through it all. Just because someone's advice sounds good, that doesn't necessarily make it right for you and your relationship. Should we listen to anyone who makes a video if others agree with them, or should we be more intentional and deliberate with picking which voices we trust and receive information from? Dr. Drea shares her concerns about social media relationship advice and provides insight on how to discern whose ideas you should consider.

In the words of Webbie, "I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T, do you know what that mean?" In a world where being viewed as independent is more desirable than being dependent, can a man or woman be too independent, and how does the independent spirit negatively impact relationships? In Ep. 23, Dr. Drea explores the reason why many Black people become "independent," and how being overly self-reliant can create barriers in connecting with friends, family, and significant others. She recommends interdependence as the pathway to healthy, Black relationships.

Since Black men and woman are abuzz about the recent viral video of a single mother with four children "exposing" the father of one of her kids for buying McDonald's for his child only, Dr. Drea provides her unique commentary on the topic. Focusing on the bigger picture and the health of Black families rather than right or wrong, Dr. Drea provides a deeper interpretation on what she sees within this family's dynamic and what we all can take away from their struggle that can better our community as a whole.

Episode Links

Initial Video: https://youtu.be/8IQOZprbaiA

Breakfast Club Reaction: https://youtu.be/0P5J38HSJ6o

Mom's Explanation Video: https://www.facebook.com/100046114503301/posts/pfbid02NEeDmLfDSKxLF6AhQxmMCvhd43HCd9VNEAeksz732nM9gwR1nKHaBt8AKQARpf8Fl/?d=n

"The wealth-gap data tells us that despite Black people being in the US for over 400 years, the American Dream is still outside of reach for many of us. In 2019, the average wealth for a Black household was $24K in comparison to white households at $189K. This is mostly due to systemic efforts and policies that have and continue to economically disadvantaged Black Americans. When we consider the health of our relationships and marriages, should Black Americans continue to set our sights on achieving the American Dream?" In Episode 21, Dr. Drea challenges listeners to redefine our goals and efforts toward the American Dream.

Music Credit: Tu Foto by Bad Duck (SnapMuse)

Statistics and Information Sources

https://wjccschools.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/05/How-the-American-Dream-Has-Changed-Over-Time.pdf

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/eliminating-black-white-wealth-gap-generational-challenge/

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/08/opinion/the-american-dream-quantified-at-last.html?referringSource=articleShare