The Friend Zone

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's officially Spooky Season! Assanté kicks it off by giving us the rundown on the Circleville Letters, small town family secrets and an unsolved mystery.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we catch up on the latest headlines and Hot Topics.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we share our thoughts, research and disappointment around the discourse on Nikole Hannah-Jones' article in The New York Times - "In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?"

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, from the Teeth to the Streets - a discussion focusing on cameras tracking everything from cavities to cars and the invasiveness of it all.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we welcome Dr. Lauren Seale-Sarkipato and Dr. Moriah Brewer, hosts of the new podcast Edges & Everything, to discuss their holistic evaluation of the impact of hair loss, not only as a personal problem, but also in its social impact.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we piggyback off of last week's celebration of 11 years of content creation by also sharing silent L's, failed projects and mistakes we've made along the way.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss movies featuring Black actors, roles and scripts - and what happens when representation gets complicated.

This week on #TheFriendZone, there are things that you need to know, and Dustin's going to make sure that you do. It's time for this week's hot topics. Hop in, Friends! Let's talk about people!

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're sharing some of our exclusive Patreon content! Take a listen to The Binge - our TV + Film recapping series on Patreon - where we discussed Unlocked: Family Secrets on HBO Max. In search of truth and healing, six different families revisit the secrets that have haunted them for generations. On this episode, The Preacher's Secret, a preacher's wife guards a 25 year old secret to protect her family and the church, until that secret threatens to destroy everything. The Friend Zone returns on Wednesday, August 5th. Contact The Friend Zone Podcast - info@thefriendzonepodcast.com Follow us online: Twitter - www.twitter.com/friendzonepod Facebook - www.facebook.com/thefriendzonepodcast TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thefriendzonepod Instagram - www.instagram.com/thefriendzonepod_ BlueSky - bsky.app/profile/friendzonepod.bsky.social Patreon - www.patreon.com/thefriendzonepodcast Discord - discord.gg/Jee2cwfAdz Have a GREAT day!

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're sharing some of our exclusive Patreon content! Take a listen to an episode of The Lituation - our Book Club - where we discussed Phases: A Memoir by Brandy.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're joined by our favorite Registered Dietitians - Wendy & Jess of Diabetes Digital to do a mid-year health check-in. We discuss the difference between Perimenopause and Menopause, the recent change from PCOS to PMOS and what it means for your care, Black Women and HRT, Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Fibroids, and so much more.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we imagine what it would look like to build a museum dedicated to ourselves and the things we'd choose to tell ourselves.

This week on #TheFriendZone, a round-up of hot topics, also known as the things you need to be aware of so that you can gossip sufficiently. You’re welcome, with love.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we highlight Black and Brown Men's Mental Health by answering questions from the You Good Brand deck of cards. We talk love, heartbreak, friendships, good memories vs bad memories, elder wisdom and more.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss the internet as a necessity. From AI and connected technology to convenience, adaptation, and everyday life online, we ask: what are we actually looking for when we log on?

This week on #TheFriendZone, we show support to those who need the laughs after dealing with their family all day at the Memorial Day cookout and/or events. Dustin brings us this week's hilarious HOT TOPICS. You are welcome, and seen.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by Crissle West of the Crissle’s Couch podcast. We talk all things Dr. Cheyenne Bryant, NatureBoy and Cults, Caterpillar Netflix and the Compliance Film.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're revisiting Carbon Nation after watching Hulu's The Cult of NatureBoy. What once looked like freedom and community reveals a deeper story of control, manipulation, and how it all began.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're talking Pop Culture! The news cycle moves fast, but Dustin moves faster. He catches us up on all of the hottest topics that he believes we need to know about, and it goes exactly how you think it will.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss Caterpillar on Netflix. Caterpillar is a documentary that follows David, a 50 yr old man from Miami, on a journey to India for a non-FDA-approved surgery to permanently change his eye color. Directed by Liza Mandelup, the documentary explores themes of colorism, transphobia, self-image, insecurity and the desperate need to be seen.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're talking about what happens when you do everything right...but life still feels unclear? Did success change, or are we just figuring it out in real time?

This week on #TheFriendZone, we have lots to cover. Buckle up as Dustin brings us up to speed by discussing all the latest Hot Topics.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by Financial Educator and New York Times Best-Selling author - Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche. We talk about “this economy”, how budgeting alone is not enough, how to make steady money decisions during economic uncertainty, practical shifts that reduce financial anxiety, ethical investing and the 10 pillars of financial wholeness. We also answer listener questions!

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we explore the psychology of time - why years feel longer when we’re young and why adulthood can make life blur together. We reflect on school vs adult life and discuss how creating new memories, learning skills and trying new experiences can help life feel fuller.

This week on #TheFriendZone, Bible Study is back! We have a lesson in love from the book of Genesis. Female Hip Hop, The Traitors, and The Bible have something in common, and Dustin tells us exactly what that is.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we close out the last week of Black History Month with a discussion around Mr. Walter Johnson AKA Mr. Tendernism, Uncle Nearest and the ways the Government, racism and violence have suppressed Black innovation and economic progress.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone , we continue our Black History Month Celebrations! We explore who really preserves Black history, what gets lost when stories aren’t recorded and how everyday people, not just institutions, keep our culture alive. We end with a simple challenge to preserve one piece of personal history before it fades.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we celebrate Black History Month! THE WORDS BLACK BOTTOM HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD THING. We look back at the rich Black History of the now defunct Detroit neighborhoods Black Bottom and Paradise Valley.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we share our thoughts on how 2026 has unfolded thus far. And how our sense of self, goals and hopes for the year have been impacted.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're back from Winter Break! It's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

Surprise! It's a bonus episode of The Friend Zone! We asked you to share your favorite moments of the year and we put it all together to make a "Best of 2025" bonus for the holidays. The Friend Zone returns Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

The Binge is our weekly TV & Film recap series on Patreon. This month on #TheBinge, we're revisiting the Christmas episodes of our favorite Black Television shows.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the final episode of the year. We take a look back at 2025 - from the community rallying together during the LA Wildfires, Armon’s Diddy coverage on YouTube to Patti LuPone getting cursed out for 15 min straight as an intro! We also take note of the range of conversations we contributed to the Podcast Landscape.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we look back at the last 10 years of Black Television & Film.

This week on #TheFriendZone, Dustin walks us through the landmark case of Brenay Kennard in North Carolina.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss decisions and circumstances that shifted our trajectory and daydream about alternate lives.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss the latest AI, Robot and tech developments.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the end of our 2025 Spooky Season! An intersection of Bible Study and The Crime Zone.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re still in the Crime Zone. Death In Apartment 603 - What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s another Crime Zone episode! The Multiple Mysteries of Marina Ramos.

This month on #TheFriendZone, we’re officially in our spooky season! We kick off Crime Zone October with the case of The Caldwell Triple Homicide.

This week on #TheFriendZone, you asked us the questions and we answered them! The Q&A episode.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk Unknown Number: The High School Catfish documentary on Netflix.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk TikTok story times, a lack of professionalism and AI customer service.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re having Bible Study. The Story of Solomon and The Baby.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're celebrating 10 years! Join us on our trip down memory lane.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the sh*t episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we assess our digital spending habits.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss the month’s Hot Topics.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re back from break and doing a mid-year mental health check-in.

This month on #TheBinge, we're watching Forever Netflix - An American Teen Drama television series adaptation of the book Forever by Judy Blume. Created and Directed by Mara Brock Akil. Join us for a sneak peek into S1E1 of our full series recap available now on Patreon.

In honor of the Sinners film joining streaming services this week, we're publishing a teaser of our Patreon recap from May 2025.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No Segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk Future-Proofing?

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk the month’s Hot Topics.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we vent about this shit show of an Administration and share some theories.

This week on #TheFriendZone it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No Segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk AI…relationships?

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by Dr. Lauren Seale-Sarkipato (Dustin’s cousin!) to talk about the horrific history of racism in the field of Dermatology.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk low maintenance friendships. Is the "low maintenance friend" just code for the lazy, neglectful friend?

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk aging, evolving and preparing for our next steps.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk the month’s Hot Topics.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk hyper-consumerism, dopamine hits and viral TikTok products.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk Main Character Syndrome.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk the month’s Hot Topics.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by Jade of All Jades and Xavier D’Leau of the Jade & XD Podcast to discuss the woes of Adulting.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk Fatphobia.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk Hot Topics.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk about the challenging “rug pull” moments of life and whether or not we assign deeper meaning to them.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it's a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk a little tech, a little music and a lot of TV.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we’re attending Bible Study. The Sortie of Schechem.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we share our energy forecast for 2025 and whether or not our Government’s recent stunts shifted our view of the year.

We're baaaaack! We're easing into a New Year of #TheFriendZone with a shoot the shit episode.

Surprise! It's a bonus episode of The Friend Zone! We asked you to share your favorite moments of the year and we put it all together to make a "Best of The Friend Zone 2024" episode for the holidays.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s our last episode of the year! Half of the episode is a shoot the shit and the other half is a 2024 Wrap-Up. We’ll miss you <3 Happy Holidays!

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, Assanté gets in his gamer bag.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we take a deeper look into Elon Musk and the changes happening over on Twitter/X.

This week on #TheFriendZone, we talk mental health, community and practical resistance strategies under a Trump Presidency.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourself.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s our last Crime Zone episode of the season. After a harrowing home invasion and kidnapping in 2015, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn are accused of staging the ordeal when the woman reappears. American Nightmare.

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a Crime Zone x Bible Study mashup. Cutting Up - The Levite and the Concubine. Judges 19-21.