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. 1 day ago

    Recho Omondi on Why She Stopped Giving Her Work Away for Free

    Recho Omondi did not build The Cutting Room Floor overnight. She built it through years of unpaid work, uncertainty, live events, viral episodes, creative conviction, and a deep belief that good work deserves real support. In this segment, Recho joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to unpack the grind behind her creator journey, from launching the podcast in 2018 with $400 worth of equipment to spending years publishing without meaningful monetization. She reflects on the early days of building an audience, selling merch, losing momentum during the pandemic, and relaunching in 2021 with episodes that proved the industry was paying attention. Recho also breaks down the decision to move The Cutting Room Floor behind a Patreon paywall, why exclusivity became her strongest value proposition, and how she learned that going viral does not automatically mean getting paid. It is a sharp, honest conversation about self-worth, audience trust, creator economics, and the difference between being seen and being financially supported. RESOURCES:  Recho Omondi  IG | @omondi 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. 6 days ago

    The $55K Job Post That Blew Up Her Business — and Made It Bigger | Recho Omondi, The Cutting Room Floor

    Recho Omondi did not build The Cutting Room Floor overnight. She built it through years of unpaid work, uncertainty, live events, viral episodes, creative conviction, and a deep belief that good work deserves real support. In this segment, Recho joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to unpack the grind behind her creator journey, from launching the podcast in 2018 with $400 worth of equipment to spending years publishing without meaningful monetization. She reflects on the early days of building an audience, selling merch, losing momentum during the pandemic, and relaunching in 2021 with episodes that proved the industry was paying attention. Recho also breaks down the decision to move The Cutting Room Floor behind a Patreon paywall, why exclusivity became her strongest value proposition, and how she learned that going viral does not automatically mean getting paid. It is a sharp, honest conversation about self-worth, audience trust, creator economics, and the difference between being seen and being financially supported. KEYPOINTS: 00:00 - Introduction: Recho Omondi joins the group chat 02:05 - Recho describes herself as curious, independent, and headstrong 04:04 - The Cutting Room Floor was built to make fashion less opaque 09:11 - The $55K job post turns Recho into the face of a bigger industry issue 12:20 - Recho explains what people misunderstood about the controversy 16:08 - Recho reflects on the impossible standards placed on Black women founders 24:24 - Recho opens up about the grind behind the “overnight success” 28:51 - Going viral without getting paid pushed Recho behind the paywall 36:31 - Recho explains why her interviews go viral 42:12 - The Patreon deal proves the business value of The Cutting Room Floor QUOTES: “Things don't happen to you. They happen for you.” – Recho Omondi “There are conglomerates who offer less than what I was offering.” – Recho Omondi “I think there was a genuine, or sorry, general thought that. And this is part that I think is unfair, that I'm supposed to be better and bigger than these institutions.” – Recho Omondi RESOURCES:  Recho Omondi  IG | @omondi 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. 30 Jul

    [Rewind] How To Become THAT Girl: Style, Dating Coaches & The Real Glow Up Formula

    In this episode of Awf The Record, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi sit down with Jodie Taylor, corporate strategist, DEI leader at Sony Music, and digital creator with over half a million followers, to unpack the strategy behind becoming your highest self. Jodie shares how a devastating season of loss, heartbreak, layoffs, and friendship breakups forced her to completely reevaluate her life. Instead of staying stuck in grief, she built a deliberate blueprint for transformation by focusing on physical confidence, career capital, social capital, and emotional growth. From navigating corporate America as a Black woman to building a powerful personal brand online, Jodie explains why success is not accidental. It is strategic. Their conversation dives into glow-up culture, networking without feeling transactional, building influence in your career, and the surprising role vulnerability plays in relationships and self-development.  As Jodie highlights: “There is no universal definition of what being a baddie is.” Tune in! KEY POINTS  There is no playbook for navigating corporate spaces as a woman of color How grief, layoffs, and heartbreak forced her to rebuild her life intentionallyThe Glow Up framework: physical, social, and career capitalWhy social capital and proximity to powerful networks can change your career trajectoryThe surprising psychology behind confidence, self-image, and physical transformationHow high-achieving women often struggle with vulnerability and emotional expressionThe difference between preferences and real relationship boundariesWhy ambitious women should think strategically about dating, mentorship, and life Jodie explains the biggest mistake people make when trying to reinvent themselves QUOTES  “I’m going to intentionally develop a life of my dreams and find support and strategy behind it.” – Jodie Taylor “A woman who feels like she’s at the bottom of her life is a dangerous woman.” – Jodie Taylor “The people who are the most magnetic are the ones who exist fully and completely as themselves.” – Jodie Taylor “There is no version of me that exists today without going through that season.” – Jodie Taylor GUEST RESOURCES Jodie Taylor Website: jodiektay.com  Instagram: @jodiektayl TikTok: @jodiektay  RESOURCES:  Keep in touch with Awf The Record: Youtube: @AwfTheRecord Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast TikTok: @AwfTheRecord Mona Kosar Abdi IG |  @monakabdi  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. 28 Jul

    [Go Awf] Scot Louie on TikTok Trends, Personal Style & Buying Belonging

    Scot Louie has no problem saying what everyone else is thinking: fashion has been TikTokified. In this segment, Scot joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi to unpack how trends, influencer culture, luxury bags, clean girl aesthetics, and unboxing videos have changed the way people think about personal style. He gets candid about the difference between having things and having style, why so many people are buying access, belonging, and acceptance, and how fast-moving trend culture can make it harder to know what you actually like. Scot also opens up about branding, being the “director of the divas,” turning “to us” into a signature phrase, and learning to step in front of the camera after years of hiding behind the work. It’s a funny, sharp, and deeply honest conversation about authenticity, identity, and why the real flex is knowing who you are before the trend tells you. GUEST RESOURCES  Scot Louie  Website | scotlouie.com IG | @scotlouie  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

  5. 23 Jul

    Hollywood's Diva Director Teaches Taste, Trends & Timeless Style | Scot Louie

    Celebrity stylist and self-proclaimed Director of the Divas Scot Louie is taking the group chat to fashion school. In this episode of Awf The Record, Scot joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a masterclass on personal style, taste, body type, red carpet strategy, and what it really takes to become unforgettable. From styling stars like Kehlani, Ryan Destiny, and Beyoncé to building his own brand through Dinner Plus, Diva Academy, and his signature “to us,” Scot breaks down why style is not about buying the most expensive thing in the room. It is about knowing who you are, what works on your body, and how to make every look feel intentional. Scot also gets into the politics of fashion, why great styling can change someone’s trajectory, how TikTok has flattened personal style, and why people are confusing trends with identity. Whether you are building a wardrobe, shopping on a budget, dressing for your body type, or trying to unlock your inner diva, this conversation is your reminder that taste cannot be bought, but it can be studied. Tune in! KEYPOINTS: 00:00 - Introduction: Scot Louie opens Diva Academy with the truth about taste02:34 - Scot defines what it really means to be a diva04:12 - How “clawing for comfort” shaped his career06:05 - The making of a diva starts with discomfort07:11 - Red carpet styling is about creating a full story10:33 - Zendaya and Law Roach show how styling becomes image architecture14:10 - Fashion still has a long way to go for women of color19:00 - Great style matters, but having a stylist is a luxury21:07 - Taste is not about price; it is about knowing what works29:35 - Dressing for your body type requires honesty, not trend-chasing39:15 - TikTok has flattened New York fashion and personal style44:03 - Being a stylist means babysitting insecurities45:48 - How “to us” and Diva Academy became part of his brand QUOTES: "Styling is a rich bitch sport."  – Scot Louie " Every diva you know has dealt with a level of discomfort, whether it be scrutiny with how they do something, how they show up, how their career is outlined. You have to sit in that discomfort. A lot of people shy away from it.” – Scot Louie "You don't need a stylist. You don't. Right? Like you need taste. There you go. That's what I'm getting at. And taste cannot be bought."  – Scot Louie GUEST RESOURCES  Scot Louie  Website | scotlouie.com IG | @scotlouie  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

  6. 21 Jul

    [Go Awf] Cari Champion on Sexism, First Take & The Boys’ Club

    Cari Champion knew what it felt like to be watched, judged, and picked apart before she was ever fully allowed to speak. In this segment, Cari opens up about her time at ESPN and First Take, where she says everything from her outfits to her makeup to her presence on screen was scrutinized. She reflects on being told to tone it down, navigating the boys’ club, and learning that visibility in sports media did not always come with protection. Cari also gets honest about her relationship with Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless during that era, why she felt hazed in the middle seat, and how she eventually realized that being a woman, looking good, and being smart were never mutually exclusive. It’s a sharp, candid conversation about sexism, scrutiny, and what it costs to be one of the first to push the door open. RESOURCES:  Cari Champion  IG | @carichampion 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

  7. 16 Jul

    Cari Champion on ESPN's Boys Club, Public Criticism & Breaking Barriers

    Cari Champion has never been afraid to speak her mind, even when the room made it clear she was supposed to stay quiet. In this episode of Awf The Record, Cari joins Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi for a raw conversation about journalism, sports media, career reinvention, and what it really costs to be a Black woman who refuses to shrink. She opens up about starting as a one-man band in local news, getting fired in Atlanta, finding her way into sports through the Tennis Channel, and landing at ESPN’s First Take, where visibility came with intense scrutiny, sexism, and the pressure to “just tee up the topics and lay out.” Cari also reflects on leaving ESPN, betting on herself, moving into digital media and politics, dating after divorce, and why sports can never truly be separated from politics. It’s a funny, honest, and deeply validating conversation about knowing when a room no longer serves you, trusting your voice, and building a career that makes space for all of who you are. KEY POINTS: 00:00 - Cari Champion reflects on becoming visible overnight and being hated for it 02:07 - Cari defines herself as funny, disciplined, sensitive, and a disruptor 03:28 - Speaking truth to power made Cari a problem in corporate media 05:06 - Cari’s early local news career taught her the purpose of journalism 08:00 - Getting fired and rehired in Atlanta became a turning point in her career 14:12 - The Tennis Channel became her unexpected entry point into sports media 17:39 - Cari breaks down how she landed ESPN and became a barrier-breaking host 21:40 - First Take was the hardest job of her career because she was not allowed to be fully herself 24:53 - Cari opens up about the criticism, sexism, and boys’ club culture she faced 33:08 - Leaving First Take, finding SportsCenter, and eventually betting on herself QUOTES: “The only time I really knew I was doing my job [was] when I knew that I was changing minds and helping people and affecting change.” – Cari Champion “It was never about making it big. It was always about telling the story.” – Cari Champion “I went from a nobody to somebody overnight, and everybody hates me.” – Cari Champion “It’s okay to be a woman and look good and be smart. None of that. Those aren’t mutually exclusive.” – Cari Champion RESOURCES:  Cari Champion  IG | @carichampion 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

  8. 14 Jul

    [Go Awf] Kennedy Ryan on Why Publishing Keeps Underestimating Black Women

    Kennedy Ryan knows exactly who she’s writing for, and she refuses to let publishing’s outdated assumptions shrink that vision. In this segment, Kennedy opens up about centering Black women on the page, on the cover, and in the audience, even when the industry suggests that doing so could limit sales or mainstream appeal. She breaks down why Black women are not a niche market, but a powerful readership with their own economy, cultural influence, and buying power. From sold-out theaters to New York Times bestseller lists, Kennedy makes it clear that when Black women are centered and celebrated, they show up, bring their people, and move the culture forward. This conversation is also a reminder for any creative trying to build with conviction: know your why, write from your center, and be prepared to fight for the stories that matter most. GUEST RESOURCES Kennedy Ryan  Website | kennedyryanwrites.com/about/  IG | @kennedyryan1 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

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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 ].

Information

  • Creator
    Jeannette and Mona
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Awf The Record
  • Show Website
    Awf The Record

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