I'm Here for The Food

Ariane Davis first came to the public’s attention on Love & Hip Hop, the Atlanta franchise.  As tumultuous as the show and all of its characters  were, Ariane seemed to breeze past the drama, maintains an air of mystery.  On today’s episode of I’m Here For The Food, she gives a more revealing look into her time on the show, what talents she’d really like to be known for and the role God has played in her life and what’s gotten her through this crazy year 2020.

On today’s episode of I’m Here For The Food we catch up with the multi hyphenated and multi talented singer Mya Harrison, otherwise known as Mya. She’s not only an award winning singer and songwriter, who produces and distributes her own albums, she’s an accomplished dancer and choreographer, actress and philanthropist. But what’s most notable about Mya is how fiercely private she is. Rarely does she give interviews or divulge tidbits about her personal life.  Tune in to find out what Mya reveals, from her thoughts on being a veteran of 20+ years in the Entertainment Business, hard lessons she’s learned and what passions fuel her drive. You don’t want to miss this!

Trigger warning: The following episode may be difficult to listen to. It’s no secret to the HFTF family and friends that our host Melyssa lost her mother this year, after a short but aggressive battle with Colon Cancer. She publicly shared her pain and mental anguish, knowing that by sharing her experience, others in similar pain would feel seen and understood. On the premier episode since her return, along with a surprise guest, find out the ways that Melyssa is learning to cope with her new normal and the things she’s learned about Love, Loss and the ways in which to live a fully examined LIFE along the way. (Bring a box of tissue with the wine, folks)

This episode is dedicated to Oksana Barbara Raisa Ford, Melyssa’s mother. She passed at 12:45pm on Tuesday May 19th, 2020. This episode is to update the Foodies and loyal listeners on the status of the show, pending Melyssa’s return. Thank you ALL so much for your tremendous support in this journey.

We are living in strange times these days. Sheltering in Place, forced to quarantine while watching a constant news cycle of a rising death toll due to a virus we are receiving so much conflicting information on. Our “fight or flight” instinct we all have is on high alert. With so much to worry about I ask you this: How much time are YOU devoting to caring for YOURSELF? It’s a natural instinct to want to help others, love others but sometimes to your own detriment. My guest on this episode is Mercedes Coffman, psychotherapist and Licensed Marriage and Family therapist. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month so I couldn’t think of a better time to unpack this loaded subject with an additional discussion about love and the development of healthy relationships. Links mentioned:3 Day Water Fast: https://www.whitneyerd.com/2020/01/i-did-a-3-day-water-fast-the-how-why-tips.htmlCheck this out on Insight Timer! https://insig.ht/dGKXSAC5e6PROMOS:Stamps:https://www.stamps.com/Promo code : FOODCloud Water :https://www.cloudwaterbrands.com/foodiePolicy Genius :https://www.policygenius.com

Anyone else getting a case of cabin fever? Has your relationship held up during the Shelter in Place Mandate? Or, If you’re single, have you been Quarantine and Chillin’ or just phone boning? These are just some of the topics covered on today’s episode of I’m Here For The Food. Melyssa is joined by long time friends rapper/actor Maino, VH1 LAHHNY Star Tahiry Jose and Po Johnson from the VH1 hit series LaLa’s Full Court Life. Nothing is left off the table as this group of friends commiserates about what most of us are feeling these days. Tune in for some major laughs!

Elise Neal is a household name. She’s been a fixture on our TVs and the Big Screen for 30 years. From roles on TV shows like Fresh Prince of Bel Air to All of Us to blockbuster movies such as Logan and Hustle and Flow, she has endeared herself to us through an incredible range of talent and grace. Since turning 50, she has become the epitome of lifestyle and body #goals, maintains a physique that rivals women half her age. Sit down and have a glass of wine with Elise as Melyssa dives beneath the surface of this fabulous woman.

A personal message from Melyssa to YOU lovelies!

Have you ever met someone who, after speaking to them, you’ve realized it was almost predestined for you to meet? That your lives have seemingly been running a parallel course for years up until that moment? Intersectionality is a common theme in all of our lives and on today’s episode, Melyssa walks down memory lane with the editors of King Magazine and discusses the cultural impact the magazine had on young black men and the world. Joining them is Shaka Senghor, who speaks from the perspective of a young man in prison during King’s heyday, and how for black and brown men like him in prison, it was one of their only lifelines to the outside world. Promos:Stamps: Get a 4-week trial, FREE postage AND a digital scale without any long-term commitment by visiting www.stamps.com. Simply click microphone at the top of the homepage and type in FOODPolicy Genius: Compare insurance quotes side by side to find the best option - and save money doing it by visiting www.policygenius.com.

Promo Links:Skillshare: Get TWO free months of unlimited classes by visiting http://skillshare.com/FoodLiquid IV: Get 25% off your order by visiting https://liquid-iv.com/ and entering promo code FOODIE at checkout!Imagine this: a pandemic hits the globe and the citizens of every state and country are told to quarantine themselves at home, in order to stop the rate of contagion. Government officials issue a Shelter in Place mandate and you and/or your spouse have been laid off from your jobs. It’s unbelievable but here we are. But what happens when you’re forced to stay inside in a home that is so abusive that your life is more at risk there than going outside and facing a virus whose mortality rate is steadily creeping up? On this episode of I’m Here For The Food we talk with former Chief of the Detroit PD and current Chief of Detroit Public Schools Ralph Godbee and Kalyn Fahie, a domestic violence Survivor, Advocate founder of SAFE (Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment) to discuss the rise of Domestic Violence complaints during mandatory quarantine and, with all schools adjourned for the rest of the year, the possibility of unreported child abuse with a lack of mandatory reporting. Promo Links:Skillshare: Get TWO free months of unlimited classes by visiting http://skillshare.com/FoodLiquid IV: Get 25% off your order by visiting https://liquid-iv.com/ and entering promo code FOODIE at checkout!

How does one go from being an honor roll student, living in a middle class household in Detroit to a 19 year old crack dealer/user, tried and convicted of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to 17-40 years? New York Times best selling author and prison reform activist Shaka Senghor can tell you, since this is his story. Join us as we take a break from discussing all things #coronavirus and discuss the real life story of life, death and redemption inside of an American Prison with the author of Writing My Wrongs. It’s an episode you DON’T want to miss. http://www.shakasenghor.com/Link to purchase Shaka's book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1101907312/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_49cGEbRRC0FNN

Flattening the Curve. Pandemic. Social Distancing. Self Quarantine. Just a few weeks ago, these were words and phrases not often used by most of us. Now, they are mainstays in the public’s lexicon. Most of us don’t know what to believe, mainly because Trump’s greatest accomplishment seems to be conditioning the public to question news reports from even the most reputable media sources. So what do we do, to separate fact from fiction? We ask a couple of experts! On this episode of I’m Here For the Food me and @bluecentric sit down (at home) and remotely interview 6 time author, TV host & Political Correspondent Dr. Marc Lamont Hill and Dr. Bernard Ashby, a Vascular Cardiologist and founder of Comprehensive Vascular Care Clinic.

Coronavirus. Covid 19. A few weeks ago, these terms meant nothing to us. Now, they represent fear, widespread panic, unknown financial repercussions on a global level… and toilet paper

Laz Alonso. Mention his name and women collectively start swooning like the heart eyes emoji! One of the stars of the new Amazon Prime series “The Boys”, Laz has graced our TV and Cinema screens for the last 20 years. Charismatic and wildly talented, it seems like the older he gets, the easier he is on the eyes. So why is he still a bachelor? On today’s episode we get all up in his personal business, in addition to discussing the success he has found in his career. Laz is full of energy and surprises so this is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss and may want to WATCH rather than just listen!

When the Fabulous Miss Toccara Jones walks into the room, it’s as if a category 5 hurricane just swept through the place. Trailblazing, charismatic, drop dead gorgeous with an even more beautiful personality, Toccara’s self imposed break from social media and the industry has officially ended and she’s back like she never left… but boy, was she missed! Toccara sits down in the rotating 3rd chair to talk about the 4 years leading up to the launch of her custom Intimate Apparel Line “Toccara’s Intimates” which can be found at www.IAmToccara.com ; the ladies also chat about everything from the challenges of entrepreneurship, transitioning from being a model to a businesswoman and those pesky couple of times she and Melyssa dated THE SAME GUYS! Having been one of Melyssa’s closest friends for over 15 years, see how the ladies discuss handling situations that would have challenged other friendships but only proved to strengthen their bond as Sister Friends.

Amber Rose’s Slut Walk and Face Tattoos. Kobe Bryant’s Legacy. Gayle King’s Mea Culpa. Snoop Dogg's apology. These are just some of the subjects the ladies cover during another episode of “Girl Talk.” Today’s episode brings Melyssa’s friend Actress Skye P. Marshall into the 3rd chair. Not one to suffer fools, Skye offers her spirited take on the following subjects and it’s safe to say the ladies' conversation got a little SPICY!

Valentines Day may be over but we may have found the secret to long lasting LOVE. Meet the Kinsey’s: Bernard and Shirley met at Florida A&M University and have been married for 53 years. They’re as much in love today as the day Bernard laid eyes on his leading lady. In addition to that, in recognition of Black History Month, they also own the largest collection of African American Art and Historical documents, which they’ve loaned to museums around the world. This is an episode that will pull on your heart strings, give you HOPE and empower you all at once. Review The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection at www.thekinseycollection.com

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and love is in the air! But what do u do if it seems like Cupid’s arrow couldn’t find your ass if you had a bullseye painted on it? No, you don’t spend February 14th curled up in a ball on your living room floor; you call up your gal pals, plan a nite out and give Cupid the finger on your way out the door! Joining Melyssa and Blue for some “Gal-entine’s Day” fun is a gorgeous trio of Melyssa’s pals: actress Parker McKenna, TV personality Rocsi Diaz and Model-preneur Rosa Acosta. Grab some goodies, like the ones featured from www.thegoodgoodla.com to go with your wine (and don’t worry about the calories, they don’t count this week

They say Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus; well, on today’s show the hosts decide to battle it out with two of the funniest guys around! Comedian Spank Horton, of the famed Kevin Hart crew called Plastic Cup Boy’s and “Hollywood Hino” a Nigerian born former heavyweight boxer turned trainer to the stars sit with Melyssa and Blue and share laughs over their combined confusion as to how to make peace with the Opposite Sex! Don’t spill your wine from laughing too hard! Find I'm Here For The Food here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/im.herefort...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImHereForThe...

Season 17 of NBC saw the return of Gwen Stefani as a judge and she was quick to turn her chair once she heard the powerhouse voice singing with a voice gifted by God herself. Meet Rose Short, one of this seasons finalists who many say was robbed of the top spot. Rose sits with the hosts to discuss her upbringing in a small town in Texas and how she has never suffered from a Dream deferred. She knows exactly where she’s going and nothing will stop her. Sit down and listen to a future STAR in the making!

We’ve all heard of birthing dula’s; professionals who assist women who reject the dogma of conventional medicine and birth their children at home during a ceremony.Well Death Dula’s are at the opposite end of the spectrum; they prepare the terminally ill and their families for the inevitable. And their goal is to provide a safe space for patients and their families to feel as comfortable about the process of transition as possible. Death is unavoidable; it happens to the best of us.On today’s episode we introduce you to Alua Arthur: attorney and CEO of Going With Grace, an organization that practices and trains people to become Death Dula’s.“Bringing awareness to Death and Dying.” That’s the goal of Going With Grace. So sit back and listen but you may want to grab a box of tissues with your glass of wine, folks.

We listened to your requests and as promised we’ve invited guests to sit in our rotating third chair; our first of the year being TV/Radio show host Claudia Jordan. We discuss personal tidbits from the last year (and decade) as we attempt to put the past (and all its drama and trauma) in the past and forge ahead with the promises the future holds. The conversation gets very personal - but reliving pain can also be cathartic. If you decide to fall down the rabbit hole with us, you may need to grab that bottle of Pinot and bring it with you.

Hello Everybody and welcome to 2020!! Not only are we in a new year but a new decade! And if we’re to believe every meme on IG it’s going to be EVERYONE'S year!Our guest today is Mike Rashid King and he's no stranger to the “New Year/New Me” phrase; he’s one of the biggest online fitness and motivational coaches, with a line of supplements, apparel and meal plans. He’s transformed hundreds of people’s bodies and shaped their minds into a ”warrior mentality”; but what did it take for him to do so? Tune in to find out!

Professor. Orator. Minister. Scholar. Regarded as one of the greatest critical thinkers of our era, award winning and NY Times best selling author Dr Michael Eric Dyson has made the list yet again with his 21st book; an ode to the life and legacy of rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z, released on the mogul’s 50th birthday and in celebration of his 30 years in the entertainment business. He sits down with the ladies shows us why his picture should be under the definition of the word “loquacious”. 

Tis the season to be jolly! And jolly we were, with the help of Cannabis-infused food provided by @ChefBuds and libations provided by @shot_box! For our holiday episode, the hosts were joined by actress/producer Angell Conwell, cartoonist/illustrator Obi Arisukwu and actor and entrepreneur Kendall Kyndall.  Everything from Past Personal Inventory to Future New Year’s Resolutions were discussed so grab a glass of spiked eggnog and settle in for some deep convos and, of course, some laughs! 

Labels. We love to use them on other people but HATE when they are used on us. Have you ever given any thought to who someone is PAST the label that they’ve been assigned?Well, hold onto your seats because this episode provides you with the opportunity. Meet Jesse Spencer, a charismatic, lovely church-going father of two beautiful daughters… who also happens to be one of the biggest stars of the porn industry in the last 25 years. Here’s where you say to yourself: “I will not judge a book by its cover.”

Imagine a product that can be used over and over. Criminal enterprises have caught onto this and applied it to the fastest growing crime, globally. That crime is Human Trafficking. And it’s not just an international issue; it’s right at our doorstep with the United States being one of the worst perpetrators.On this episode of I’m Here For The Food, the girls take a somber look at the statistics and sit down with Jayla Baxter, a former teen prostitute turned Human Rights advocate and rescuer of trafficked girls. They discuss her lengthy and brutal story, how she has risen above her past circumstances and personal safety tips for everyone to arm themselves with. This is an episode you DON’T want to miss and should definitely be shared with those closest to you.

Reverend Marcia Dyson joins the ladies to dissect an array of topics including: women’s empowerment, prison reform, political policy, and intimacy & sexual prowess. Class is in session.

This week's episode focuses on forgiveness through lens of the Amber Guyger murder trial. The ladies share their perspective of the subject matter before assessing the "hug" that stirred up more controversy after the verdict. Are we too forgiving towards certain cultures? Is it a subconscious compliance? Let's get into it.

On our special segment "Dick in a Box” comedian Ryan Davis joins the ladies of the hour to talk companionship, standards of dating, and the infamous ideal mate list. Can Ryan simmer in the hot seat or will he reach his boiling point?Stay in the loop by following your new favorite group chat on Insta: @im.hereforthefoodSubscribe if you haven't already & we'll see you in the next episode!

The colorism fiasco surrounding Basketball Wives has blown over to social media! We welcome cast member Kristen Scott to the show to give her perspective on the issue. Tension is high as our hosts have their own personal traumas with colorism. Looks like this conversation is just getting started.

 Colorism is a variable that has plagued many communities of black and brown people, ironically it's a conversation that isn't addressed. Colorism or shadeism is the differentiation of treatment based off of someones skin complexion. As we take the bandage off this wound, notice that the scar is visible and painful.

Meet the hosts of the enticing and deliciously informative podcast I'm Here for the Food! Chantelle Anderson, Blue Telusma, & Melyssa Ford discuss how the show came into conception and the role they played. You'll also get a glimpse into the contrasting lives of these rising stars.