Awf The Record

How A Posing Class Taught Us Seduction

What does it actually mean to be sexy?In the Season 4 premiere of Awf The Record, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes reunite in New York and quickly find themselves unpacking a bigger question than they expected: why does being sexy feel so uncomfortable for so many women?What starts as a simple posing class meant to help them feel more confident in photos turns into a deeper conversation about religion, misogyny, body policing, and the shame many women are taught to feel about their own bodies.From growing up in conservative households to navigating public careers in media, Mona and Jeannette reflect on the messages they internalized about modesty, confidence, and credibility. They also explore how women are often judged differently for the same behavior - and why reclaiming your confidence can feel rebellious.Plus:  • Jeannette reveals why she almost moved to Chicago instead of New York • Mona opens up about nostalgia and the “highlight reel” trap • The two admit their shared struggle with chronic lateness • And the posing class that accidentally turned into a philosophy lessonThis episode is about confidence, identity, and redefining what “sexy” really means.Because maybe the problem isn’t being sexy…Maybe it’s the story we’ve been told about it.KEY POINTSBreaking news: Mona and Jeannette are finally living in the same cityWhy Jeannette almost moved to Chicago before choosing New YorkTheir honest confession about chronic lateness and “time blindness”The surprising downside of romanticizing the pastThe posing class that unexpectedly turned into a confidence breakthroughWhy slowing down is the secret to confidence and presenceHow religion and culture shaped their views on sexuality growing upThe moment Jeannette was labeled as “the girl who would corrupt the pastor’s son”Why sexiness is far more complex (and powerful) than society makes it seemQUOTES “Owning my sexy is uncomfortable.” – Jeannette Reyes“Sexiness is more multifaceted than we give it credit for.” – Mona Kosar Abdi“It's uncomfortable for me to be sexy. And if I happen to be sexy, that is not on purpose.” – Jeannette Reyes“A sexy woman is sure of herself. She has this confidence that you can't control.” – Mona Kosar AbdiRESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Thursdays Just Got a Whole Lot Better | Awf The Record Season 4 Official Trailer

The girls are back… and this time they’re not going anywhere.Season 4 of Awf The Record is officially here, and we’re going weekly.Every Thursday, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes bring their newsroom instincts and group chat curiosity to the conversations everyone’s whispering about. From relationships and pop culture to trending headlines and the questions nobody wants to say out loud.The honest conversations.The uncomfortable questions.The moments that make the group chat explode.Awf The Record. New episodes every Thursday.RESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Unlearning Our "News Voice": Finding Ourselves After Journalism

Who are you when you’re no longer performing?In this raw and reflective segment, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes unpack the emotional identity shift that comes with leaving journalism. From unlearning their “news voice” to confronting the fear of truly being seen, they share what it’s like to go from messenger to message — and why stepping into your voice is one of the bravest things you can do.If you’ve ever had to shed an old identity, this one will hit home.RESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

"Good Hair" Is a Lie: Yene Damtew on Deprogramming Hair ShameWhat even is “good hair”?

In this powerful segment, celebrity stylist Yene Damtew and Jeannette Reyes unpack the emotional weight so many Black women carry about their hair — from childhood salon trauma to being conditioned to see certain textures as “unmanageable.” Yene breaks down how she helps her clients deprogram shame, why the natural hair movement has been both a blessing and a battleground, and how true hair confidence starts with unlearning.If you’ve ever questioned your texture, this one is a must-listen.GUEST RESOURCES: Yene Damtew IG | @YeneDamtewRESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Visible but Voiceless: Andrea Lewis on The Real Story Behind Hazel from Degrassi

What happens when your character is seen, but your story isn’t?In this powerful segment, Andrea Lewis opens up about her experience on Degrassi — playing Hazel, one of the few Black characters on the show, and what it felt like to be visible but voiceless. She reflects on the lack of cultural authenticity in Hazel’s storyline, the toll it took on her confidence, and how it fueled her to create The Black Beauty Effect, a groundbreaking series that centers Black women, beauty, and belonging.This is a must-listen for anyone who's ever felt erased — and found power in creating their own table.GUEST RESOURCESAndrea Lewis IG | @andrealewisRESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG