The Real Table Talk Pod

Real Table Talk Pod Hosts: Tiana, Char, Alicia

The Real Table Talk Pod is where love, healing, and real-life relationships get discussed with honesty, humor, and heart—no performance, just truth. Hosted by Tiana Von Johnson, Dr. Alicia Watkins, and Char Curry, the show brings three distinct perspectives to the table to help you reflect, grow, and build healthier relationships in real time. Contact us/more info.... Email: info@realtabletalkpod.com Trigger Warning: This episode may include discussion of sexual assault, trauma, abuse, discrimination, and other sensitive topics. Please honor your wellbeing—pause, skip, or return later if you need to. Disclaimer: The Real Table Talk Pod is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical care, legal advice, diagnosis, or professional consultation. Listening to this podcast—or engaging with it by submitting questions, commenting, or appearing as a guest—does not create a therapist-client, counselor-client, or any other professional relationship with the hosts or guests. We welcome real conversations and recognize that topics may bring up different perspectives and strong reactions. If you choose to participate, you do so voluntarily and at your own discretion; we cannot control how others may respond, and responses may feel disagreeable or unfair. Any content you submit (questions, comments, messages) may be referenced, quoted, or paraphrased on-air and/or used to support discussion, promotion, or endorsement of the podcast. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and may change over time. While we make reasonable efforts to be thoughtful and accurate, listeners should not treat the content as definitive fact and are encouraged to do their own due diligence before acting on any information shared. If you’re in crisis, thinking about self-harm, or feel unsafe, call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for immediate support. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Episodes

  1. Men, Therapy, and the Closeness Women Keep Asking For

    Apr 18

    Men, Therapy, and the Closeness Women Keep Asking For

    In this episode of The Real Table Talk Pod, we talk about men, therapy, intimacy, trust, ego, emotional distance, and the pain that shows up between men and women when healing has not happened. Women have been working on themselves — going to therapy, reading the books, learning their patterns, and trying to communicate better. But many women are still hurting from the lack of closeness, emotional safety, and intimacy in relationships. This conversation asks the real question: What happens when women are doing the healing work, but men have not been given enough space, support, or permission to do the same? Dr. Alicia Watkins, Tiana Von Johnson, and Char Curry discuss the pressure men face to protect, provide, perform, stay strong, and hide their pain. We also explore how transactional relationships, trust issues, ego, trauma, and emotional shutdown can create distance between men and women. According to NIMH, men are less likely than women to receive mental health treatment, and CDC data shows mental health treatment among U.S. adults increased from 19.2% in 2019 to 23.9% in 2023. This episode is not about blaming men or women. It is about naming the pain, understanding the distance, and asking what healing could look like if men had safe places to be vulnerable too. Char Curry closes the conversation with her unique perspective on men, relationships, and the struggles that often go unseen. Episode 7: Men Need Therapy Too: Healing the Distance Between Men and Women Hosted by: Dr. Alicia Watkins, Tiana Von Johnson, and Char Curry Follow the show: @RealTableTalkPod Contact: info@realtabletalkpod.com Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not therapy and does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a licensed mental health professional or call/text 988 in the U.S. for immediate support.

    22 min
  2. Healing After a Narcissist Tried to Rewrite Your Reality

    Apr 2

    Healing After a Narcissist Tried to Rewrite Your Reality

    Some relationships don’t break you loudly—they unravel you quietly. In this episode of The Real Table Talk Podcast, Dr. Alicia Watkins, Tiana Von Johnson, and Char Curry have an honest and necessary conversation about navigating relationships marked by narcissistic behaviors—and the emotional aftermath that many women carry in silence. Together, they explore how manipulation, control, and gaslighting can distort your sense of self, leaving you questioning your reality, your worth, and your instincts. This episode brings clarity to those experiences while offering insight into how to break free, rebuild, and heal. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of: Narcissistic relationship dynamicsEmotional manipulation and gaslightingTrauma bonding and attachment patternsReclaiming identity, voice, and boundariesThe path toward emotional healing and self-trustThis conversation centers the lived experiences of Black women navigating love, power, and healing—without judgment, but with truth. 🎧 Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Listen Notes, and RSS.com 📍 Follow the show: @RealTableTalkPod 👑 Hosted by Alicia Watkins, Tiana Von Johnson, & Char Curry 📩 Contact: info@realtabletalkpod.com ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you are in distress or experiencing relationship harm, please seek support from a licensed professional or contact a crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial or text 988 for immediate assistance.

    26 min
  3. Money Secrets, Power, and Control in Love

    Mar 26

    Money Secrets, Power, and Control in Love

    Money isn’t just numbers—it’s trust, safety, and emotional security. And when that trust is broken? It doesn’t just affect your bank account… it affects your nervous system. In this episode of The Real Table Talk Pod, we go deep into a conversation most couples avoid: financial infidelity. What happens when your partner lies about money? Hides spending? Keeps secrets that slowly erode the foundation of the relationship? Because let’s be clear— this isn’t just about dollars… it’s about safety, transparency, and emotional honesty. We unpack: How financial secrets mirror emotional disconnectionWhy money lies can feel like betrayal in the bodyThe link between financial behavior and past traumaHow power, control, and survival patterns show up in relationshipsWhat it really takes to rebuild trust after financial dishonestyThis is the conversation that shifts everything—because you can’t build healthy love on hidden truths. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re overreacting… or felt something was off but couldn’t name it… this episode will give you language, clarity, and truth. 💼 This episode is sponsored by The Black Business School If you're ready to take control of your financial future and build real wealth, learn more here:👉 https://theblackbusinessschool.com/ 🎧 Listen now on: iHeart Podcast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Listen Notes, and RSS.com 📍 Follow the show: @RealTableTalkPod 📩 Contact: info@realtabletalkpod.com Hosted by: Dr. Alicia Watkins, Tiana Von Johnson, Char Curry Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for professional mental health, financial, or legal advice. If you are in distress, please seek support from a licensed professional or contact 988 for immediate assistance.

    27 min
  4. Why Strong Women Still Struggle With Love

    Mar 19

    Why Strong Women Still Struggle With Love

    She’s successful. Resilient. The one everyone depends on. But when it comes to love… something still isn’t working. In this episode of The Real Table Talk Podcast, we unpack the truth about why strong women—especially those who’ve had to survive, lead, and carry others—often struggle in their romantic relationships. This isn’t about weakness. This is about unhealed patterns, emotional overload, and survival roles that don’t translate into intimacy. We explore how strength, when shaped by survival, can quietly interfere with intimacy, trust, and the ability to receive love. 👑 Dr. Alicia (@coachingwithdralicia) + Tiana (@tianavonjohnson) go deep in-studio on: Why being “the strong one” can block vulnerabilityHow childhood roles follow you into adult relationshipsThe hidden cost of over-functioningWhy independence can turn into emotional isolationWhat it really means to feel safe in love🔥 Then Char Curry (@sayswhatshewants) closes the conversation with the truth that brings it all home. If you’ve ever felt like: “I can handle everything… but love still hurts” This episode is for you. ✨ Healing isn’t about losing your strength. It’s about learning how to be held without abandoning yourself. 📍Follow + listen: @RealTableTalkPod 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Listen Notes, and RSS.com 📩 Contact: info@realtabletalk.com ⚠️ Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or professional mental health treatment. Please seek a licensed professional for personalized support.

    26 min
  5. The Hard Truth About Love: When to Fight for It and When to Let Go

    Mar 13

    The Hard Truth About Love: When to Fight for It and When to Let Go

    When Relationships Reach a Crossroads Do You Stay or Walk Away? Not every relationship ends with a dramatic breakup. Most reach a crossroads first. A moment when the connection feels strained, conversations become tense, and one question quietly begins to surface: Should we stay and work through this… or is it time to let go? In Episode 2 of The Real Table Talk Podcast, Dr. Alicia Watkins, PhD, LCSW — licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience working with couples — leads a thoughtful and honest conversation about how couples navigate these critical moments. Sometimes relationships are simply going through a temporary dip caused by stress, life transitions, or emotional overwhelm. Other times, couples are stuck in patterns that have been hurting the relationship for years. Learning how to tell the difference can change everything. In this episode, Dr. Alicia and Tiana Von Johnson explore: • Why every healthy relationship eventually enters a conflict phase • How conflict can actually deepen intimacy when handled well • The difference between a temporary struggle and a chronic pattern • When grace and patience may be needed • When it may be time to step back and seriously evaluate the relationship Then Char Curry joins at the end with her signature unfiltered perspective, offering the kind of truth that challenges denial and brings the conversation full circle. If you've ever asked yourself: “Is this relationship worth saving?” This episode is for you. Because sometimes the moment that feels like the end… is actually the beginning of learning how to love differently. 👑 Dr. Alicia (@coachingwithdralicia) + Tiana (@tianavonjohnson) go deep in-studio… 🔥 Then Char Curry (@sayswhatshewants) closes the conversation with the truth that brings it all home. 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Listen Notes, and RSS.com ➡️ Follow the show: @RealTableTalkPod

    32 min
  6. Mother Wounds:  Healing the Hurts We Don't Talk About

    Mar 6

    Mother Wounds: Healing the Hurts We Don't Talk About

    Alicia Watkins, PhD, LCSW (@coachingwithdralicia) and Tiana Von Johnson (@tianavonjohnson) go there in-studio unpacking mother wounds, how they show up in your love life, confidence, and boundaries, and what it really takes to heal without sugarcoating it. Then Char Curry (@sayswhatshewants) closes it out with her real, unfiltered take bringing the final word you didn’t know you needed. (March 5, 2026) Contact us/more info.... Email: info@realtabletalkpod.com This episode of The Real Table Talk Pod is brought to you by TheRareBag.com—where luxury meets rare finds. Shop now at TheRareBag.com. Trigger Warning: This episode may include discussion of sexual assault, trauma, abuse, discrimination, and other sensitive topics. Please honor your wellbeing—pause, skip, or return later if you need to. Disclaimer: The Real Table Talk Pod is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical care, legal advice, diagnosis, or professional consultation. Listening to this podcast—or engaging with it by submitting questions, commenting, or appearing as a guest—does not create a therapist-client, counselor-client, or any other professional relationship with the hosts or guests. We welcome real conversations and recognize that topics may bring up different perspectives and strong reactions. If you choose to participate, you do so voluntarily and at your own discretion; we cannot control how others may respond, and responses may feel disagreeable or unfair. Any content you submit (questions, comments, messages) may be referenced, quoted, or paraphrased on-air and/or used to support discussion, promotion, or endorsement of the podcast. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and may change over time. While we make reasonable efforts to be thoughtful and accurate, listeners should not treat the content as definitive fact and are encouraged to do their own due diligence before acting on any information shared. If you’re in crisis, thinking about self-harm, or feel unsafe, call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for immediate support. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.

    31 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Real Table Talk Pod is where love, healing, and real-life relationships get discussed with honesty, humor, and heart—no performance, just truth. Hosted by Tiana Von Johnson, Dr. Alicia Watkins, and Char Curry, the show brings three distinct perspectives to the table to help you reflect, grow, and build healthier relationships in real time. Contact us/more info.... Email: info@realtabletalkpod.com Trigger Warning: This episode may include discussion of sexual assault, trauma, abuse, discrimination, and other sensitive topics. Please honor your wellbeing—pause, skip, or return later if you need to. Disclaimer: The Real Table Talk Pod is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical care, legal advice, diagnosis, or professional consultation. Listening to this podcast—or engaging with it by submitting questions, commenting, or appearing as a guest—does not create a therapist-client, counselor-client, or any other professional relationship with the hosts or guests. We welcome real conversations and recognize that topics may bring up different perspectives and strong reactions. If you choose to participate, you do so voluntarily and at your own discretion; we cannot control how others may respond, and responses may feel disagreeable or unfair. Any content you submit (questions, comments, messages) may be referenced, quoted, or paraphrased on-air and/or used to support discussion, promotion, or endorsement of the podcast. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and may change over time. While we make reasonable efforts to be thoughtful and accurate, listeners should not treat the content as definitive fact and are encouraged to do their own due diligence before acting on any information shared. If you’re in crisis, thinking about self-harm, or feel unsafe, call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for immediate support. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.