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Marriage isn’t just the highlight reel, it’s the quirks, the compromises, the petty debates, and the deep love that keeps two people choosing each other every day. In this episode, Charles and Shireen pull back the curtain on ten years of partnership, from fur‑coat miracles to thermostat wars to the art of minding your business in your friends’ relationships. It’s honest, hilarious, and a reminder that real love is built in the everyday moments. 00:00-02:20 The Fur Coat Enters the Chat Shireen arrives in a full fur and Charles is stunned; the story behind how she got it is even wilder. 02:2-04:40 The 'Buy Nothing' Blessing A Facebook group, perfect timing, and a free fur coat that feels like divine provision. 04:40-07:00 “You Can’t Receive With a Closed Fist” Charles drops a quote (that may or may not be T.D. Jakes) and they unpack the magic of unexpected gifts. 07:00-09:00 Married to Medicine & Marriage Commentary Watching reality TV sparks a conversation about boundaries, friendships, and who gets to comment on your relationship. 09:00-12:00 Should Friends Give Relationship Advice? Charles explains why he minds his business, and Shireen admits she had to learn that lesson the hard way. 12:00-15:00 Complaints vs. Crisis Why venting doesn’t always mean disaster; and how to listen without absorbing someone else’s relationship energy. 15:00-17:30 Dating Advice vs. Marriage Advice Shireen draws a clear line: dating is flexible, marriage is commitment; and the guidance should reflect that. 17:30-20:00 The 80/20 Rule & Choosing Your 90% They break down focusing on what works instead of obsessing over the 10% that doesn’t. 20:00-23:00 Signature Annoying Habits From accountability avoidance to questioning directives; the couple lovingly calls each other out. 23:00-27:00 Money, Shoes & The Great Organizer Debate A $1,000 pair of Louboutins, a garage project, and a disagreement about hiring help. 27:00-31:00 | Clutter, Hoarding & Household Mental Load They unpack generational habits, home management, and the invisible labor that shapes daily life. 31:00-36:00 Cooking, Cleaning & Kitchen Chaos Charles cooks like a king and cleans like… absolutely not. Shireen testifies. 36:00-40:00 Feet Cuddling & Thermostat Wars Cold feet, warm bodies, and the eternal battle over the house temperature. 40:00-44:30 Protecting Your Partner & Public Commentary Why nobody gets to talk about your spouse; not friends, not castmates, not strangers online. 44:30 Vows, Reddit Drama & A 10‑Year Celebration The Kuykendolls tease their upcoming vow renewal, vow-writing rules (no ChatGPT allowed), and the joy of choosing each other again xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The holidays get real when you’re hosting two full families, juggling gift expectations, assigning rooms, and trying to keep the peace. In this episode, the Kuykendolls break down their first big Christmas in the new house — the joy, the chaos, the “Hunger Games” sleeping chart, and the sweet moments that made it all worth it. If you’ve ever tried to host during the holidays, you can relate!  0:00–2:00 - Beyoncé Date Night & Destiny’s Child Chaos; Shireen defends her vocals, Charles critiques, and they spiral into a Beyoncé/Kelly/Michelle debate. 2:00–3:40 - New Year Rules & “Elevation Information” Debuts; When is it too late to say Happy New Year? The couple sets the official cutoff and launches their new segment. 3:40–5:00 - Holiday Greetings, Inclusivity & December Etiquette; Why “Happy Holidays” is the safest bet, and how to avoid offending people during the season. 5:00–7:10 - The Africa Trip That Didn’t Happen; The plan for Ghana + Cape Town, why it fell through, and why staying home turned out to be the blessing they didn’t know they needed. 7:10–8:30 - Hosting Christmas in the New House; Inviting both families, rushing to furnish the house, and preparing for the biggest holiday gathering yet. 8:30–10:00 - Weeks of Visitors & The Bed‑and‑Breakfast Era; The house becomes a rotating inn, and the kids get to see both sides of the family together for the first time in years. 10:00–12:15 - How They Navigated Holidays While Dating; Food diplomacy, family priorities, and why splitting up for the holidays was never an option. 12:15–16:00 - Tradition vs. “New Age” Holiday Boundaries; The debate around creating your own nuclear‑family traditions vs. showing up for your people. 16:00–22:00 - The Housing Hunger Games: Who Gets a Room?; Assigning rooms, managing expectations, grandma guilt trips, hotel diplomacy, and the complicated holiday‑hosting matrix. 22:00–27:00 - Who Counts as an Adult? Gift‑Giving Rules; The official cutoff for receiving gifts, introducing White Elephant for adults, and the “new adults” stepping into their gifting era. 27:00–29:00 - CJ’s Generosity & The Spirit of Giving; A sweet moment: CJ chooses giving over receiving and surprises his parents with a thoughtful gift from his own savings. 29:00–33:00 - The Dior Saddlebag Mission; Charles’ Amsterdam layover adventure, the Chanel rejection, and the Christmas surprise that almost made Shireen cry. 33:00 - Final Reflections & Future Holiday Traditions; Gratitude, repairing family relationships, and the vision for an elevated White Elephant with friends next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

***Please excuse the audio glitch in the beginning of this episode*** In this Meta World Peace episode (number 37), Charles and Shireen sit with close friends/chosen family Bridget Kelly and René Daniela for a warm, funny, and honest conversation about real friendship in your 30s - showing up, building a village, and celebrating each other through every season. 00:00 - 03:18 Charles opens the show mid‑obsession with rewatching his own IG stories, setting the tone for a hilarious conversation about self‑love, storytelling, and friendship energy. 03:18 - 04:56 Shireen steps in as the “phenomenal host” while Charles showers her with praise. Bridget and René join as official “friends of the pod,” kicking off the theme: Thank You for Being a Friend. 04:56 - 05:27 Shifting to positive friendships: Shireen reflects on leaving behind the 10% of negativity and choosing to focus her energy on the 90% of supportive, loving friendships. 05:27 - 06:36 A conversation inspired by KevOnStage: choosing to acknowledge positive comments first and how that shift changes your emotional landscape. 06:36 - 09:40 Charles’ IG story ritual exposed: The group roasts Charles for watching his own IG stories on loop at full volume for 24 hours straight, even static photos with music. A masterclass in New York trolling-as-love-language. 09:40 - 11:01 The Newer Friends Who Became Family: Shireen and Charles reflect on how Bridget and René, despite being newer friends, consistently show up — flights booked, schedules rearranged, no hesitation. 11:01 - 12:38 Friendship Methodology: Intentionality & Inconvenience; Bridget breaks down how adult friendships require time, intention, and sometimes inconvenience — and why showing up matters more as life gets fuller. 12:38 - 14:46 The Alaskan King Crab Chronicles: A comedic detour into René’s obsession with telling people she gets “Alaskan king crab” at their house — not snow crab, not blue crab — Alaskan king crab. A running joke that reveals how reciprocity shows up in their circle. 14:46 - 20:54 Building a Village & Being a Villager; René shares her perspective as a single, globally raised woman who pours deeply into her friendships — and why having a village requires being an active villager. 20:54 - 25:30 Full Cup Friendships & Re‑Categorizing with Grace; René explains how she starts everyone at 100%, gives grace, and adjusts expectations based on reciprocity — without taking things personally. A powerful framework for adult friendship. 25:30 - 33:19 The Five Pillars of Successful Friendship: Communication, Presence, Prioritization, Quality over quantity, Showing yourself friendly, plus a bonus: giving grace. 33:19 - 34:47 Celebrating Growth & Being Each Other’s Cheerleaders; Charles reflects on his Art Basel evolution; from plus‑one to having “Charles Beloved Productions” on the screens, and honors Bridget and René for being unwavering supporters through every season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we welcome our first guest of the season: beauty creator, lifestyle blogger, mom, and digital OG It’s My Raye Raye. From her Tumblr beginnings to becoming one of YouTube’s early success stories, Raye breaks down how the creator landscape has evolved, how she protects her peace, and why authenticity still wins in 2026. We also get into the wild story of how we met and became friends, parenting in the public eye, creator burnout, and a MAJOR announcement she drops exclusively on the pod! 0:00–1:30 It's the Rasheed Wallace number episode! 1:30–2:05 “All Black Everything,” lotion jokes & Crown Skin shoutout   2:05–3:12 Introducing our lovely friend/guest: It’s My Raye Raye   3:12–5:13 The origin of the name “It’s My Raye Raye”   5:13–8:13 Becoming a YouTube OG: experimental Tumblr era → repost culture → early success   8:13–9:32 “There’s enough for everybody” creator wisdom   9:32–12:13 Charles’ viral R&B Nightfall party moment + the universe made the connection   12:13–14:14 Realizing we lived two doors down + instant friendship   14:14–15:54 The pressure of “What’s next?” and the shift in content culture 15:54–17:36 Boundaries, oversharing & protecting your peace online   17:36–19:47 YouTube → Instagram → TikTok: navigating platform shifts   19:47–21:37 Parenting, privacy & letting kids set their own boundaries   21:37–23:18 YouTube comments vs. Instagram comments: which is harsher?   23:18–26:02 Developing thick skin + the “Joe, you need help” troll story   26:02–27:46 Glam + goofy: embracing duality and staying true to yourself 27:46–28:21 Why authenticity always wins on social media   28:21–29:28 Raye’s top 3 creator tips: consistency, representation, be yourself   29:28–30:14 Competing with Gen Z + why representation matters now   30:14–30:53 Posting rhythm: Type Z scheduling & avoiding burnout   30:53–31:13 “Reduce, reuse, recycle”: repurposing content to stay sane   31:13–31:36 Major announcement: Raye’s launching a haircare line   31:36–32:05 Inspired by her daughter Zoe + setting her up for life   32:05–33:31 What she wants to see in 2026: more grace, less judgment   33:31 Closing out with love, gratitude & where to find Raye Tap in with our guest @ItsMyRayeRaye on all platforms! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Christmas‑Eve episode starts with jokes and ends with real life. Charles and Shireen are no strangers to silver linings, so the two open up the "Kevin Durant episode" talking about about grief, friendship, entrepreneurship, mental health, and the wild ride that was 2025. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to stop delaying your dreams… this is it. 3:19 - What If It All Works Out?  Reflecting on risk‑taking, the promises of 2026, and the sudden loss of DJ Commando and why Charles is done bottling emotions. 6:31 -Shireen touches on losing Chyna; reminder that tomorrow isn’t promised and why you should “start today.” 9:02 - Check on your strong friends! It's important to double‑check on your people, reading their energy, and being intentional beyond social media. 12:03 - Stop waiting on your dreams; the Kuykendolls share how grief pushed them both to stop delaying the things they’re called to do. 14:58 - Laying the groundwork; Charles explains why he wasn’t ready for entrepreneurship five years ago — and what changed. 19:42 - Money vs. Power ; Choosing creative control, building the right team, and scaling without losing yourself in the process 24:45 - The podcast almost ended; the metrics said “quit,” but purpose said “keep going.” And then Revolt called 30:11 - Celebrating 2025; Dubai with the kids, Essence Fest, Cannes, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Afrotech, Oxtail Off - and still being nervous about what’s next. 33:56 - Health, fertility, new IPs & hope will be the focus for 2026  Peace, normal blood pressure, new ideas, their 10‑year anniversary, leads us back to consider:  What if it all works out? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our Shaq/Scottie Pippen episode y'all! This week the Beloveds needed to keep spilling the tea about the chaotic blessings of their big move, sharing how much transparency and patience was required both at the bank and driving the streets in Houston. 00:02:17 – Kuykendolls recall their most stressful season while moving. 00:04:25 – Triple financial strain: From Airbnb rent, old mortgage, and new house costs. 00:05:02 – Exhausting daily school commutes highlight the unsustainable setup. 00:06:27 – Shireen's birthday wish: forget the party, just sell the house. 00:07:31 – The cash buyer’s funds never materialize, leaving them stuck in limbo. 00:10:32 – Shireen’s corporate job/credit secures loan when Charles’s business income disqualifies him. 00:19:36 – Breakthrough: A local Houston lender offers a bank statement loan, restoring hope. 00:23:43 – Multiple low appraisals force tough negotiations and transparency with friends. 00:25:53 – The family finally moves in; kids are thriving, Mama Tina is settled, the vision for their 40s affirmed. 00:27:47 – A rental solution emerges just in time, preventing double mortgage payments. 00:30:08 – Reflection: This Houston era brings relief, new opportunities, and entrepreneurial energy. 00:31:24 – Houston praised for affordability and generational wealth potential compared to LA. 00:32:25 – Downsides: Houston drivers and road rage frustrations. 00:33:50 – Anecdote: Shireen's first cracked windshield from trucks in fast lane. 00:34:35 – Fashion differences: Houston’s stricter dress codes vs. LA’s laid‑back, homeless chic vibes. 00:36:41 – Food comparison: Houston’s diverse, flavorful scene far surpasses LA’s (sorry to our LA friends😂) 00:37:21 – Houston cost of living perks: cheap gas, bigger homes, better quality of life. 00:38:07 – Career reflections: centralized travel, bookings and business connections are still strong in LA, despite them leaving. 00:38:46 – A good friend reminds them they still own their LA house — future possibilities remain open. 00:39:00 – Now comes the excitement for Houston adventures, gratitude, and promise of a new season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back! Season 4 opens with a healthy dose of chaos and comedy: Essence Fest highs, a big move to Houston, scammy movers, bird invasions, trap house apartments, and finally a realtor’s offer. Episode 33 is a rollercoaster of "broke" dreams and big laughs. 00:20 – Season 4 kicks off live from Houston ; Charles and Shireen make their grand entrance, joking about budgets, brokenness, and the glow-up energy of recording in Texas. 02:00 – Essence Fest recap + the big move reveal ; They rewind to summer adventures ...Essence Fest, Cannes - before dropping the cliffhanger: leaving LA behind for Houston. 03:42 – Shireen goes fully remote - Houston becomes home; Shireen shares how her employer supported her transition to remote work, making the Houston dream possible. 05:07 – Carter’s birthday + moving chaos; Between signing house papers and funneling every dollar into the build, Carter’s birthday party gets downsized to cake and a pool splash. 06:10 – The Porter Ranch house sale that never happened ; Charles reveals his “sell high, buy low” scheme — equity dreams, Airbnb plans, and an AP watch wish list — all dashed when the house wouldn’t sell. 07:00 – Movers, scams, and firing on the spot ; The couple recounts the moving company drama: bait-and-switch tactics, surprise fees, and Shireen firing the crew mid-job. 12:40 – The $5K surprise fee meltdown ; A heated showdown over cubic feet and hidden costs — Shireen unleashes a legendary curse-word symphony before negotiating directly with Jorge’s team. 18:20 – Bird flies into the house mid-move ; As movers pack, a bird invades the home, leading to a chaotic chase with boxes and high ceilings — symbolic of the madness of moving. 20:30 – Houston arrival + hotel drama ; After self-financing upgrades and draining savings, they land in Houston only to face car damage and shady lodging. 23:01 – Trap house apartment fiasco; The “Landing” rental looks polished online but feels like Training Day in person — sketchy vibes, broken gates, shirtless neighbors, and a dead water bug in the tub. 27:14 – Realtor calls with an offer ; Just as doubts creep in, their realtor delivers a potential buyer’s offer — a moment of relief and validation that the move might actually work out. 32:00 – Reflection + setting up Houston life ; The episode closes with laughter, exhaustion, and perspective: from scams and setbacks to resilience and new beginnings, they embrace Houston as home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 3 finale! We did it, Joe! Every season there's a moment of questioning whether or not to continue the pod, but the outpouring of love, support and encouragement has grown more and more, so we will keep the party going. Shireen and Charles circle back to the Oxtail Off and how they forgot to mention their silent partner; ChatGPT. Shireen says she and Charles were early on the AI bandwagon, and he credits Morgan Debaun, CEO of Blavity for explaining the benefits of it. At Afrotech, it was introduced as a "thought partner", meant to be asked specific questions to provide ideas and layers you may not have considered before(1:02-6:50). Detailed prompts provide detailed outlines or decks. Paying max $200 for a completed deck from AI versus a few thousand was a win! Shireen chimes in to share that she uses AI for personal and professional things. The company she works for warned everyone to be cautious when using, especially when it comes to sensitive data. She also warns everyone not to input any confidential or proprietary information for your own protection, you never know who could potentially access it later. Shireen says her only concern is for the youth, who don't necessarily have the writing/comprehension skills, they just want to turn their brains off. Charles jokes that if he were apart of this upcoming generation that he would be dumb, he would've relied on it for everything, since he claims to have been the king of Cliffnotes(IYKYK) back in high school(7:48-16:01). Charles admits to going back and forth in the comments defending his use of AI in place of human creatives, but emphasizes the importance of discerning when/where to apply it. Switching gears, Charles says it would be nice for AI to clone them for all the travel they have coming up this summer, since that schedule is the main reason for season 3 coming to a close. Charles lists all the amazing events he's got on the calendar(18:21-24:03). Shireen shares her excitement about CJ's birthday party, saying its his first one in a while, they usually take trips to celebrate. She looks forward to planning the next installment of Oxtail Off and all of Charles' accomplishments. This next season will be even more abundant! Both Charles and Shireen are grateful for the continued growth and hope to see y'all outside in these streets! Run up and tell Charles if he's funny in real life, Shireen has too much second hand anxiety for anybody new trying comedy. Have a great summer and we'll see y'all soon! Keep up with us on IG @forbetterrorbestpod and follow us in the off season! @beloved1906 @miss_deme Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share! xoxo Keep up with us on IG @forbetterrorbestpod and follow us in the off season! @beloved1906 @miss_deme Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's giving double date! We've got our first married guests, close friends and chosen family Jessica and Marcus Cromartie on today's episode. Charles kicks it off by sharing how he met Jess in NYC many years ago, while she was building her influencer profile. Now 10+ years later, they've been apart of each other's journeys into marriage/parenthood. Marcus joined the friend group 5 years ago, citing that he and Jess became friends first. He fit in with Charles immediately, blending the friend circles organically. Jess talks about becoming a curly hair influencer when she started building her following but didn't want to be limited to hair brands, she wanted lifestyle/travel partnerships as well. She recalls her audience feeling slighted when she moved to LA and started straightening her hair as part of a rebrand(2:12-8:23). Jess' brand has evolved over the years, and gained more of following with every milestone, from her travel/beauty moments to family content. They went viral on Shade Room with their new baby. Charles asks how she has thick skin, Shireen asks Marcus how he got accustomed to it as well. Having been in the NFL, Marcus was familiar with hecklers and haters and pays them no mind. He expresses pride in how creative she is with content ideas and how vulnerable she is online. Marcus explains his level of focus and faith that helped him in the NFL and helped him pivot. He got his MBA during the pandemic and transitioned into being an agent and encourages people to ask themselves, "why not you?"(9:04-16:59). Shireen shifts the convo to how they met, on Hinge, and they were both looking for different things. Jess says she was being intentional in looking to date and Marcus admits to looking to have fun. It was the pandemic so no one knew what to expect. They met and became friends and after a few months Jess was ready to commit and Marcus wasn't sure, in the middle of figuring out his next career steps. Shireen advised Jess to cut him off while he figured himself out, saying nothing will make a man come back to you faster than leaving a man alone. Marcus was honest and honorable about where he was and they took a step back before deciding to build a life with each other(18:19-26:05). Charles mentions how connected he was with his bonus mom growing up, noting that Jess stepped into her role as a bonus mom. Jess took her time bonding with MJ, Marcus' son, and now having their daughter Kendall, the blend has been great. Marcus always prioritized being a present father, which Jess loved. Marcus acknowledges that bonus mothers are under more pressure to create that support and gives her praise for letting him lead and helping her customize her role(27:22-34:06). Shireen asks Jess about her transition into motherhood and what challenges she's faced. Jess had a bit of anxiety around life changes but thanked God for having an easy baby. Marcus jumps in to praise her for giving birth naturally in their living room. Sharing that content helped with the numbers online as well! Marcus tells first time parents to be patient and communicative with each other, because everything changes rapidly. Jess speaks about sleep training the baby at 5mo and how that has helped her prioritize her self care and more time for her and Marcus. Marcus stresses that putting their marriage first makes them closer and makes them better parents. Charles shares the turning point in his union with Shireen was a couples trip they took with Jess and Marcus that reminded them how much they love each other. Shout out to solid friends who grow with us and make our lives better! Follow our guests @heygorjess and @cromartie_m  Keep up with us on IG @forbetterorbestpod Listen to us on Apple and Spotify! Like, Subscribe, Comment and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take it easy! We're all coming down from the high of the Oxtail Off this weekend, and this time EP BK is in the guest seat! Charles and Shireen both share their gratitude, relief and exhaustion that comes with pulling off such an awesome event. Shireen explains how the joining of cultures is so important to her, since Charles is African American and Shireen is second generation Antiguan. Charles shares that his first time making oxtail was during the pandemic, and he barbecued it *cue side eye*(1:30-7:20). After practicing a few times, Charles decided to host a cooking competition and only advertised it on Close Friends. It grew legs organically, with 200 people showing up to their house. Charles came in second place, and JerkMuva (a Jamaican chef from The Bronx) took home the first place prize. People approached Charles during Art Basel last year about it and he admits to feeling fear about scaling it without the backing of Blavity House Party. BK reminds Charles that folks consistently show up and show out for him because of how fun he is and points out that there is a hunger for more Caribbean/West Indian centric parties/events(8:12-19:09). Shireen requests grace in addition to feedback about whether or not the event was authentic enough, saying it was all about creating a balance. One of their friends called Charles half genius half psycho for going from 200 people in his house to 2000 in an outdoor venue. He admits to downplaying his own personal brand sometimes because he's so focused on the logistics. The number of people who bought tickets doubled the week prior to, adding more pressure on Charles. This was a 2 year old idea, no initial sponsors, Charles paid for things out of pocket, similar to the early days of R&B HouseParty. Giving back to a community organization has always been apart of Charles' branding. Having lost a friend a couple weeks ago, Charles gets emotional, explaining that community empowerment is what he wants his legacy to be. FoodCycle LA feeds the unhoused in LA, so Charles made sure to match the dollar amount awarded to the chef, to charity(22:16-32:43). Shireen says she sees Charles being the next Tom Joyner, creating music led experiences for generations. Charles throws it to Bridget, who is working on a new album that sounds like nothing she's ever done. She says she cringes at the word reinvention when it comes to music, she calls it more of an extension of what goodness already exists. Bridget says she's making this project for herself and is fine if her usual audience doesn't love it. She says its hard to separate yourself from your art and that her takeaway from Charles' experience is to be authentically yourself and know that at every stage, it is enough. Less reinvention, more reinforcement of what is already aligned. You'll find your people and your people will find you.   To donate to FoodCycleLA, please click the following link: https://www.foodcyclela.org/donate-money/ Keep up with us on IG @forbetterorbestpod  Listen to us on Apple and Spotify Subscribe, Like, Comment and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in full effect, Charles and Shireen are joined by their long time friend, music manager and visionary Gordan Dillard. They kick off talking about being a transplant in NYC and hustling. Coming from the Bay, Gordan was motivated by the music industry culture on the east coast. NYC provided lessons and pressure for him, when he was living in his aunt's basement, interning at a label and working at Aldo. Gordan says he always wanted to be an A&R and knew that it was an "eat what you kill" situation so he laid the foundation early(2:13-10:09). Charles reminds G that their group of 4 friends were called The Finesse Boys, wearing suits to work and finagling to get themselves into parties and networking events. Gordan started managing producers before artists and explains the differences. As talent, your team is an extension of you. Charles asked Gordan why he would never be an artist and he says he likes to be low key and strategize behind the scenes(12:39-20:02). Gordan relocated to LA for opportunity. He says he wasn't ready because he felt ike he didn't accomplish everything he wanted to in NYC, but says he eventually wants to move back to NYC when he makes more strides. Shireen says he would never have grown his business if he hadn't left and he's grateful for it. Gordan gives Charles and Shireen their flowers for how they've built their lives and community. He hopes it comes together similarly for him when its time to have a family. Charles asks how G knows when an artist is a star. G says when you're on the right path, you'll just feel it. He tells the story about how he became Doja Cat's manager, how nothing was forced. He connected with a homie in Miami who told him about her, casually played her music and he was in. He explains his vetting process, how he needs to get to know an artist and see how hard they work and how focused they are before committing. Most artists are opportunists because they need to find people to help them get to the next thing. If you're not creating the strategies as a manager, they'll leave you(22:17-31:31). G says its important to weigh the sacrifice, and how elevating changes the people you call friends. Everyone isn't always happy for you and sometimes folks' behavior doesn't fit the new level you're on. Everybody can't go! Friendships in our 30's means we understand everyone has work and responsibilities. G mentions taking care of his mother and how his lifestyle has changed so he can't slow down. Charles shares the story of going to Coachella with Gordan when Doja Cat headlined and how impressed he was with her performance and watching the progression of Gordan's vision. Started in Gap and Aldo, and we're a far cry from there now! #VATTax Get your tickets for The Oxtail Off @ The Beehive on Sunday May 25th in LA! https://events.eventnoire.com/e/the-oxtail-off/tickets Keep up with us on IG @forbetterorbestpod Listen to us on Apple and Spotify Subscribe, Like, Comment and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week has been nonstop! Charles and Shireen kick off the episode with fatigue, citing their son CJ's recital, a Netflix screening and of course the Cowboy Carter concert. Shireen breaks down the process of paying top dollar for floor seats for Beyonce and the discovering how much more they spent compared to the website. After a bunch of calls, hemming and hawing and submitting evidence to AmEx, they managed to get part of their money back and were able to enjoy the concert (1:26-15:20). Shireen and Charles then discuss the screening of the new Netflix show 'Forever', produced by Mara Brock Akil. Charles and Shireen banter about being young and in love. Charles wonders if Shireen would have even looked his way in high school, Shireen laughs and says she was always a baddie but didn't date as much as Charles thinks. Charles claims to have always been a charmer and his 8th grade girlfriend "ruined" it once they got to high school and she invited him and someone else to her homecoming(16:09-26:24). Charles decided to never be a simp ever again! Being cool and focusing on himself was the play, after that. What Charles didn't realize, was that that's what a lot of the girls like, so he never talked to her again after that. Shireen shares a story about dating a jealous guy in college that always accused her of sneaking around and cheating. You know who accuses people of cheating the most? Cheaters! A random coworker of her man outed him to Shireen and in true Virgo fashion, she brought receipts and she never talked to him again after that. We've all had crazy experiences as young lovers, so glad we're beyond all that now. Get your tickets for The Oxtail Off @ The Beehive on Sunday May 25th in LA! https://events.eventnoire.com/e/the-oxtail-off/tickets Keep up with us on IG @forbetterorbestpod Listen to us on Apple and Spotify Subscribe, Like, Comment and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is all about that cash money! Shireen comes in hot, saying that Charles is having an existential crisis. Charles pretends not to know what that big word means so Shireen explains how introspective Charles has been in 2025, trying to establish the work/life balance. Charles still can't believe how much money he made in 2024, both of them have reached new heights in their careers. He also shares that he has spent more days of his life poor than he has spent living "rich"(1:34-6:23). When assessing how much their house cost compared to what many of their other friends have paid in other places, it was clear that they paid 3x more because they're in LA. They question if it's worth it long term, is LA a forever financial place? Charles' mother now lives with them, so wanting another child means that more space is necessary. Shireen says she wants to create generational wealth, so maintaining their quality of life might mean relocating. Charles mentions life insurance policies and how crucial it is now(7:40-16:15). Shireen points out that part of building personal branding means health has to be a priority, so get it while you're healthy. Charles announced he's officially launched Charles Beloved Productions, with Kareem and Shireen as business partners. Any time Charles got booked in the past it was through R&B HouseParty and now Charles Beloved is its own entity. Someone at AfroTech called Charles a "curator of Black joy" and it stuck. Charles says he's not getting outta bed anymore for less than the number he has in mind. He has no problem saying it with his chest(19:30-26:15). Shireen tells Charles he taught her how to negotiate for what she wants. Say your number and then shut up. Don't talk yourself out of your worth, start high. Charles enjoys working for himself, Shireen shares that she does not and that's ok. He knows business, how to scale and build and market and will bet on himself. Shireen set up the sharing of an update that Charles has, after he has been setting his goals for the year. He wanted to become an ambassador for a liquor brand considering how much his lifestyle/content matches. Finally the call came from Hennessy/LVMH. The Henny Beloved era is upon us!(26:15-33:25). Charles says this is a match made in heaven. God will give you the desires of your heart. Charles says he's had nights of questioning if he was making the right choices but he's always been patient in looking for signals and signs. Charles is ready to take the risk and sacrifice for alignment. Shireen confirms that whatever fell through or didn't work out, will never be God's best for you. Anxiety and faith can't live in the same house. Charles stresses that sacrifice is a real thing. You've got to be willing to go without. Normalize doing that to get after what you really want. Being responsible with what you've got will set you up for your future. Get your tickets for The Oxtail Off @ The Beehive on Sunday May 25th in LA! https://events.eventnoire.com/e/the-oxtail-off/tickets Keep up with us on IG @forbetterorbestpod Listen to us on Apple and Spotify Subscribe, Like, Comment and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ok so we know we said no guests this season but an exception had to be made for Chi Town Tina, the queen mother of Charles Beloved himself! They go back to the 80's when Shontina and Charles' father were 19 and 20yrs old, married and working. Shontina explains feeling older than she was, even before kids, because life was moving fast. Enter Charles' brother and the birth of Beloved. Their parents didn't stay together for long, and the boys moved to the west side of Chicago with Shontina where she bought a house. Realizing schools weren't great in the neighborhood, Shontina went to see a Senator and then wrote to the White House to try and get her sons into magnet schools. Now we see where Charles gets his "won't take no for an answer" determination from!(1:23-9:35). Shontina recalls Charles always being a go getter, even if it wasn't reflected in his grades. Girls started distracting him in third grade. Charles says watching his mother hustle with multiple jobs inspired him to later do the same. Shontina had her own beeper company(Google 'beeper' if you're GenZ), she also worked for the IRS. She credits her mother for being so enterprising; she had beauty salons and her own radio station. Once Shontina became a flight attendant and was traveling she would bring souvenirs home for Charles. Throwback jerseys happened to be a trendy thing and Charles started slinging them left and right. By the time the boys were graduating, Shontina told Charles he either had to join the army or go to college. Shireen points out that Charles isn't Army material. Shontina was a great cook and would prep meals for the local hustlers in exchange for protection for her sons(10:33-19:27). Charles' brother Monty was always a scholar and Charles was the big personality. Shontina worked her magic and pushed to get Charles an interview at Monty's school where the director called him lazy. That birthed the version of Beloved that's dead set on proving everyone wrong. He and his brother were always very different, on different paths. Shontina explains that her being an only child was less pressure, compared to having multiple kids fighting to succeed. Both brothers are successful in their own right. Shontina shares how she sacrificed and chose her children and improving their lives over anything else(22:19-34:52). Shireen shares that they didn't get along right away and that it took work over the years. Now being a mom of 2 boys, Shireen has an appreciation for how strong willed Shontina was. The mother of sons doesn't have as much say as the mother of daughters when it comes to access to grandkids. Shontina shares that she'd be open to finding love and getting married again and hints at having met someone worthy. She goes on to spill the beans on an online encounter she had with who she thought was a Nigerian star. After months of communication and making plans unsuccessfully, Charles and Shireen started getting suspicious. Shontina was getting the run around and Charles finally DM'd the Nigerian actor on IG to try and piece it all together. It became clear after Charles reached out that Shontina was being catfished. Despite the embarrassment and sense of betrayal, Shontina is still hopeful and looking for love, much more carefully this time 3  Get your tickets for The Oxtail Off @ The Beehive on Sunday May 25th in LA! https://events.eventnoire.com/e/the-oxtail-off/tickets Keep up with us on IG @forbetterorbestpod  Listen to us on Apple and Spotify! Like, Subscribe, Comment and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles and Shireen are fresh off the plane from Dubai, and it's spring break! Every year they take a family trip, last year was Paris and this year their son CJ had been mentioning the Burj Kalifa nonstop, so Dubai was the choice. Charles says Mexico City was his initial pick, but after pricing it out, surprisingly Dubai made more sense. Shireen was anti Dubai because she was supposed to be pregnant and she didn't want to be in main cabin pregnant (they booked it in October). When you get a taste of first class, you never want to go back! Charles recalls their first trip to Dubai 10 years ago when the glitch happened, before the kids, before Instagram had stories and only had posts. On Christmas Day, there was a flight sale glitch, and Dubai had never seen so many Black people (1:52-8:37). Charles describes Dubai as a new city, there are so many new builds in the last 10 years and he researched a bunch of different activities for kids. Charles' brother and his family as well as Charles' best friend Kareem and his family came along for the spring break vibes as well. Charles notes that he is the masterful planner with a Google Doc itinerary and Shireen doesn't know the details at all. Shireen defends her position, reminding hm who shops, packs and preps them and their sons for every adventure. Not to mention the pre-trip appointments (lashes, nails etc). 16 hours on a direct flight with kids in coach is no joke and jetlag for little ones is real! Carter at 2yrs old did better than some adults!(9:12-17:22). First day of the trip, CJ's dream came true, visiting the Burj Kalifa. Charles would've paid the express fees had he known the line was gonna be 2hrs long! While it is a tourist trap, they both agreed its a must see in Dubai. Charles brags on the food and restaurants, Miss Lily's and Ting Irie. He notes that the McDonald's and Raising Cane's in Abu Dhabi tastes exactly the same as America. Abu Dhabi was the next stop where they visited the Grand Mosque. Shireen made sure to pack more conservative clothing, covered from neck to ankle. When they went 10yrs ago, you used to be able to rent a head covering outside the mosque. Now, you walk through a mall to get the mosque, prompting you to buy head scarves, socks and arm coverings. Charles got in trouble for posing with prayer hands and Shireen got left behind with her mother in law trying to take pictures. Everyone makes it onto the shuttle except Shireen and her phone was in the stroller so Charles felt like Liam Neeson in 'Taken'. Shireen eventually made her way to the help desk, where she was able to call Charles' mother and get back to the group. (19:48-30:29). Charles then soothes his anxiety with shopping!by Gold is a big thing in Dubai(and in the Bronx as well, let Shireen tell it). The boyd got matching name bracelets but Charles mentions the 5% VAT tax so they didn't go too crazy. Their inventory of Rolexes was amazing but Charles was proud he didn't buy anything. Food, hotel prices and activities were spectacular, a yacht day, and some shopping made spring break in Dubai an A1 trip! Get your tickets for The Oxtail Off @ The Beehive on Sunday May 25th in LA! https://events.eventnoire.com/e/the-oxtail-off/tickets Keep up with us on IG @forbetterorbestpod  Listen to us on Apple and Spotify! Like, Subscribe, Comment and Share! xoxo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices