The Bffers: Recent Episodes
Carol Mahida
The hosts of the podcast are Black lady best friends: Ryann and Carol. Their candid conversations about marriage, career, hair and make-up, pop culture, identity politics, and mental health sparked a desire to share the lessons they’ve learned and are going through with others.
Ryann and Carol speak with Raquel "Rocky" Velez about her company Alpine Parrot, an outdoor apparel company for people of size. They discuss East Coast boarding school life, enduring friendship, the joys of nature, and what it's like to build a company from the ground up. Listeners can use the code: BFFERS2024 for 20% off their Alpine Parrot purchase through the end of December 2024. Many thanks to Rocky and happy shopping, Y'all!
Ryann and Carol are together in real life and discuss everything from viral conversations on the internet, country music, dating and partnership, mushrooms, and preparing to see the Queen, Beyoncé.
Show notes:
Ina Garten's Chicken with Morels:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chicken-with-morels-recipe-1952105
It’s been a minute! In this special two-part episode, Ryann and Carol chat about the unexpected hiatus and reflect on how they’re pushing against grind culture when life starts to stack up. You’ll also meet, Raquel “Rocky” Velez, founder of the outdoor apparel company, Alpine Parrot. Rocky talks about her passion for the outdoors and the barriers some folks experience when trying to enjoy nature.
Carol and Ryann meet with the founders of Milk Honey Soul Salon, Kyle Huntsberry and Stephanie Lopez, who are disrupting the beauty industry. Their salon was created to address major issues within the industry and forge a new and better way of working as owners, stylists and artists. They aim to promote personal and professional growth, work-life balance, and fair pay.
As Kyle and Stephanie discuss their mission, they explain how their salon offers employees a supportive and empowering environment. By prioritizing employee well-being, they aim to provide a high-quality experience for clients as well. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as they have quickly gained a loyal following among those who appreciate their unique approach.
Carol and Ryann are impressed by the founders' passion and dedication to creating a better beauty industry standard. The conversation ends with a sense of inspiration and excitement for what the future holds for Milk Honey Soul Salon.
Show Notes:
Follow Milk Honey and Soul on Instagram, book an appointment through their website, and if you're in New Jersey, pay them a visit!
Their Favorite Hair Products:
Innersense , Lus, & Hairstory
Carol and Ryann enter into uncharted waters in their friendship and discuss the P word: pregnancy and the C word: children. In this episode, they share their respective journeys over the last five years and contemplate what their decisions have opened up in their lives. This one is a must listen for all those who are mothers, DINKs or somewhere in between.
Shopping Links:
Carol's Outfit:
Top
Alternate Matching Top
Pants
Carol and Ryann have leveled up their self-care routines and are discussing their current beauty treatments to normalize the things once done in secret. Their conversation goes deeper as they begin to unpack how they got here and some of the challenges they've faced along the way.
Links!
Carol’s Favorite Target Set: Top, Alternate Matching Top, and Pants
Ryann's Favorite Face Wash (Biossance and Sephora)
Ryann's Favorite Moisturizer (Image Skincare)
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum
Maintenance Phase Podcast, The Trouble With Calories
We’ve learned a lot in the past 6 months and wanted to share with you our key takeaways and more about our purpose. As we approach 2023, we have a clearer vision for the show and a fun range of episodes planned. Spoiler Alert: You don’t have to have it all figure out to start something new! And it probably comes as no surprise, but we love doing this and love being your new podcast bffs.
On this special holiday edition of The Bffers, Ryann and Carol discuss their traditions-old and new, Santa, Kacey Musgraves, gift giving and their hopes for 2023. Listen to this fun episode to get into the spirit, hear some great music and of course giggle...a lot. All of the music from this episode is included in the playlist below.
Listen:
Happy Holidays from The Bffers Playlist
Watch:
The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show: https://www.amazon.com/Kacey-Musgraves-Christmas-Show-Season/dp/B0875WKSDZ
Shop:
Satya Jewelry Pisces Gold Zodiac Coin Necklace
Target Future Collective by Kahlana Barfield
Women's Zip Front Bustier
Women's Puff Sleeve Organza Puff Blouse
Carol's Boots:
Doc Martens 2976 Ambassador Leather Chelsea Boots (Black)
Ryann's Boots:
Doc Martens Platform Rometty Wyoming Leather Platform Chelsea Boots (Black)
The shopping talk continues! In this episode Carol and Ryann offer advice for visiting vintage and thrift stores, not getting lost in the sale room sauce, resisting snobbery, and Carol's Facebook Marketplace obsession.
Episode Links:
Eleanor’s bed from Castle Kids and Cribs
Inspired by their conversation regarding personal style, Carol and Ryann discuss shopping everywhere and their hacks and "cheat codes" for getting the best deals. They lead off their chat by critiquing Beyoncé's new album (hint: we love it!), confessing which condiments they carry in their handbags and makeup tips for all.
Carol and Ryann discuss the importance of personal style, finding what to wear to work when also navigating respectability politics, closet organization, and dressing to make yourself happy. How has your personal style evolved? What are you still holding on to that needs to be blessed and released? And listen to the end for a story that was too good not to include.
Carol and Ryann share some of their surprises and early takeaways as "baby" podcasters.
Making new friends and maintaining friendships after 30 can be fun, enlightening and a bit tricky. Join Carol and Ryann as they discuss their own stories of friends who taught them valuable lessons, caused them to grow and of course, made them laugh.
Happy Summer! Join Carol and Ryann as they discuss how they are mindfully, intentionally, and unapologetically easing into summer differently this year. Also, learn about their "Why" for starting their podcast and how they met.