Awf The Record

Jeannette and Mona

In a podcast that lives up to its name, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes go “Awf the Record” with industry disruptors and cultural tastemakers, bringing you candid conversations that reflect the dynamic intersection of media, culture, and society . It’s a show that lives between the news of the day and the group chat. [Awf- Thuh- Rekərd ].

  1. 12h ago

    World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow: The Popular Procedure I Refuse to Perform

    Join The Press Club by AWF The Record for exclusive conversations, guided challenges, and a community of women building careers, businesses, and lives on their own terms: https://www.patreon.com/cw/AWFTheRecord  In this episode of AWF The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with world-renowned plastic surgeon and Botched star Dr. Terry Dubrow for an unfiltered conversation about the truth behind plastic surgery, beauty standards, and reality TV. From the deadly risks of Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) to cosmetic procedures he considers a waste of money, Dr. Dubrow reveals what patients should know before going under the knife. He also reflects on the controversy surrounding The Swan, the dangers of chasing ever-changing beauty trends, and why even the best plastic surgery can go wrong. Plus, he opens up about pretty privilege, the pressures women face to be beautiful and successful, and how The Real Housewives transformed his career. KEY POINTS 00:00 - Introduction: World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow  02:05 – How Botched and reality TV changed the stigma around plastic surgery. 05:30 – The controversy behind The Swan and why Dr. Dubrow wouldn't do the show today. 15:32 – How beauty standards and looksmaxxing culture push people to dangerous extremes. 18:50 – Cosmetic procedures that waste money, from thread lifts to overhyped skin treatments. 22:08 – What actually works for under-eye hollows, smile lines, and facial aging. 24:44 – Why Dr. Dubrow refuses to perform BBLs and the potentially fatal complications. 29:44 – The long-term consequences of chasing plastic surgery trends. 35:33 – Pretty privilege, beauty standards, and why attractive women struggle to be taken seriously. 41:02 – How reality TV transformed Dr. Dubrow's career and the secrets to building an authentic brand. QUOTES  "If you send a message out that it's really your life is really only as valuable as your looks are, as good as your looks are. That is the worst message for a male, and I can't stand that." – Dr. Terry Dubrow “I think that's the challenge women face that it's very hard for people to accept two things that you can be beautiful and qualified." – Jeannette Reyes “A BBL, a Brazilian buttock lift. That, I won't do it because no operation is worth that fatality rate." – Dr. Terry Dubrow GUEST RESOURCES:  Dr. Terry Dubrow IG | @drdubrow RESOURCES:  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: YouTube: @AwfTheRecord Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Mona Kosar Abdi IG |  @monakabdi  Jeannette Reyes IG |  @msnewslady  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com  Follow Mona on TikTok and IG Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

  2. Oct 15

    The New Rules of the Creator Economy: How to Build a Personal Brand That Pays

    In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi welcome Stephanie Piza, Hollywood talent manager and founder of Piza Global, to break down the new rules of the $21 billion creator economy. From building a personal brand that attracts opportunities to turning influence into a profitable business, Stephanie shares what it really takes to stand out in an oversaturated market. They unpack the realities of influencer pay, why creators of color still face unequal opportunities, how to negotiate brand deals, and the role AI will play in the future of content creation. Whether you're an aspiring creator, entrepreneur, or professional looking to build your influence, this conversation is about knowing your value, betting on yourself, and building something that lasts. Join The Press Club by AWF The Record for exclusive conversations, guided challenges, and a community of women building careers, businesses, and lives on their own terms:  patreon.com/c/AWFTheRecord  KEY POINTS 00:00 – Introduction: The rise of the creator economy and why personal branding matters 06:24 – How to stand out, grow an audience, and turn influence into income 09:30 – Turning down $10 million and building businesses beyond brand deals 13:31 – The inequality creators of color face in brand partnerships 20:47 – How to attract brand deals and build authentic partnerships 24:08 – Building a personal brand as a creator, entrepreneur, or professional 29:34 – Negotiating higher rates, protecting your content, and avoiding costly contracts 35:27 – The $15K vs. $95K pay gap and why the right representation matters 40:54 – The future of influencing, AI, and staying ahead of the industry QUOTES  “I have always just bet on myself. I'm first gen; I'm going to make it work.” – Stephanie Piza  “There comes a point in a creator's career where they realize they're providing more value than a one quick off brand deal.” – Mona Kosar Abdi “I don't think it's too late. I think that you have to make yourself an anomaly, because again, there's so much talent out there.” – Stephanie Piza  GUEST RESOURCES:  Stephanie Piza  IG | @stephanie_piza RESOURCES:  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: YouTube: @AwfTheRecord Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Mona Kosar Abdi IG |  @monakabdi  Jeannette Reyes IG |  @msnewslady  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com  Follow Mona on TikTok and IG Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

  3. Oct 8

    When Resentment Turns Your Partner Into the Enemy

    Join The Press Club by AWF The Record for exclusive conversations, guided challenges, and a community of women building careers, businesses, and lives on their own terms: https://www.patreon.com/c/AWFTheRecord In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with therapist and instant New York Times bestselling author Kier Gaines for a raw, honest conversation about vulnerability, masculinity, relationships, and the ways social media is quietly reshaping how we love.  Kier breaks down why men, especially Black men, often struggle to open up, why women are exhausted by the emotional load, and how online comparison, gender scripts, and fear of being played can make connection feel harder than it needs to be. From contempt and tone to emotional maturity, self-healing, and what it really means to do the work, this conversation is a needed reset for anyone trying to build healthier relationships without losing themselves in the noise. KEY POINTS 00:00 - Introduction: Social media is reshaping love, vulnerability, and conflict 01:35 - Kier reflects on becoming an instant New York Times bestselling author 03:19 - Kier explains why his work blends clinical expertise with real humanity 05:42 - The pressure on Black men to be impenetrable, useful, and unaffected 12:02 - Men are not women’s job to fix, but relationships need more emotional presence 16:09 - Therapy language and how it can also shrink emotional tolerance 17:58 - Social media comparison can quietly damage relationships 24:22 - Kier unpacks women’s emotional load, tone, contempt, and the work of repair 37:25 - What to look for in dating: accountability, listening, kindness, & emotional maturity 42:20 - Vulnerability requires mutual trust, safety, and time QUOTES  “We can't run from the fact that men don't feel like we have intrinsic value.” – Kier Gaines “Shame, blame, and guilt-they steal all of your awareness.” – Kier Gaines “The thing about contempt is it's not just the feeling; it's the narrative attached to it.” – Kier Gaines GUEST RESOURCES:  Kier Gaines  IG | @kiergaines It All Starts When You Do: A Therapist's Guide to Overcoming Self-Sabotaging and Work Towards Healing  RESOURCES:  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: YouTube: @AwfTheRecord Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Mona Kosar Abdi IG |  @monakabdi  Jeannette Reyes IG |  @msnewslady  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com  Follow Mona on TikTok and IG Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

  4. Oct 1

    Top Matchmaker: The Dating Standards Keeping Successful Women Single

    What happens when you’ve built the career, earned the degree, bought the house, and still haven’t found the relationship you want? Professional matchmaker Tennesha Wood joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a reality check on the modern dating market, especially for high-achieving Black women. Tennesha breaks down what men and women are actually asking for, why accomplishments don’t automatically translate to compatibility, and how rigid standards around income, height, looks, and “type” may be shrinking the dating pool. They also get into the strategy behind Tennesha’s matchmaking process, why attraction can grow, the importance of self-awareness and accountability, how to communicate in high-achieving relationships, when dating should become intentional, and why finding love may require the same level of planning you’ve given every other major goal in your life. KEY POINTS 00:00 – Introduction 01:47 – A reality check on what’s actually happening in today’s dating market 03:34 – Why dating can be harder for high-achieving Black women and where to meet compatible partners 04:51 – What successful men and women are actually looking for in relationships 09:01 – How unrealistic checklists and the search for perfection can keep people single 12:22 – Why focusing too heavily on looks can be a dating red flag 20:00 – Why your usual “type” may not actually be your best match 22:17 – The role of accountability and self-awareness in being ready for a relationship 24:00 – Why height, income, and other preferences may unnecessarily shrink your dating pool 32:31 – How career success can become your identity and affect the way you date 49:03 – Why finding love may require the same intentional strategy you use for your career and other life goals QUOTES  “You're not going to get everything on your list.” – Tennesha Wood “Who your type should be is who your values align with.” – Tennesha Wood “If you're not at a place where you understand what you did wrong in your last relationship or how you could have changed or improved it within yourself, then that's not going to bode well for the next relationship either.”  – Tennesha Wood GUEST RESOURCES:  Tennesha Wood  Website | www.thebroomlist.com  IG | @tenneshawood RESOURCES:  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: YouTube: @AwfTheRecord Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Mona Kosar Abdi IG |  @monakabdi  Jeannette Reyes IG |  @msnewslady  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com  Follow Mona on TikTok and IG Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

4.9
out of 5
489 Ratings

About

In a podcast that lives up to its name, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes go “Awf the Record” with industry disruptors and cultural tastemakers, bringing you candid conversations that reflect the dynamic intersection of media, culture, and society . It’s a show that lives between the news of the day and the group chat. [Awf- Thuh- Rekərd ].

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