Okay, Now Listen

Scottie and Sylvia share a goodbye message to the Okay Now Listen audience.

This week, we have a special episode, indeed. We sit down with the multitalented, Golda Rosheuvel, aka Queen Charlotte on Netflix's Bridgerton. We chat with Her Highness about the second season of the hit show, as well as the freedom of love. We even get The Queen to agree to an innocent game of 'Queen Approved.'

This week, we start off by checking in about Netflix's The Ultimatum.  That reunion was as messy as we thought it'd be. Then, we spend some time talking about what it takes to live a life of ease and softness as Black women.Finally, we bring on the multitalented Heather Headley to chat about the ways she intentionally worked to create softness into her character, Helen, on Netflix's Sweet Magnolias, and her journey from theatre to music to acting.Oh, one more thing, this podcast, along with our Youtube series, Get You A Me, have received Webby nominations and we'd love for y'all to vote for us! You can vote for our podcast here and for Get You A Me here. We appreciate y'all!

We are back, baby! This week, we check-in after our *little* hiatus and chat about our vacation adventures and what we've been binging. Hint: It's been a lot of dating reality shows. Then, we spend some time talking about the representation of Black women on these dating reality shows. We bring on the one and only, Lauren Speed-Hamilton, star of season one of Netflix's Love Is Blind, to expand the conversation even further as she shares her experience being casted and produced for the show.

Did you miss us? Of course you did! Okay, Now Listen is back for season three, baby! New date, same energy. Join Scottie and Sylvia for more interviews with your favorite celebs and the hot takes you love to hate. We'll be back in your feeds Tuesday, April 5th. Be sure to rate and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Happy (Early) New Year! We're dropping into your feeds early this week with a special Season 2 finale episode. In this marathon of a year, we talk through our personal lessons of the year before getting into all the culture moments that brought us joy in 2021. Because if there's one thing Omarion's not gonna do, it's stop us from celebrating all the fabulous Black women and culture movers who gave us life in this wild year. We get into everything from our favorite Verzuz battles to the best viral internet moments (shoutout to Oprah's Meghan Markle interview), our favorite albums of the year, songs, movies, TV shows and so much more. So grab yourself a little weighted blanket and tap in!

This week, we check in about the exhaustion of December as we fight to make it to the end of this year. Then, we pivot to unpacking the art of gift giving. What makes a good gift and what doesn't? We got the answers. Plus, we share some of the best and worst gifts we've ever gotten and talk about the science of reacting to gifts we may not like.

This week, we indulge our #sunsetshawties of the Selling Sunset hive by giving our thoughts on the latest season's shenanigans. Then, we reflect on the process of creating our Still Watching Netflix series, 'Get You A Me,' and the ways we're getting more comfortable with being seen. Finally, we flip the script on 'Get You A Me' by giving the ladies tips for cuffing season, including some from of our guy friends.

This week, we start off by giving praise to Aunjanue Ellis for her role in the new film, 'King Richard,' and we ask how the hell Adele gets her hands on our diaries every album. Then, we share our hot take about our true feelings for Thanksgiving. Remember this is a safe space, y'all. Finally, we give advice to a few listeners on their holiday season dilemmas.

This week we're dropping in your feeds early to share an episode of one of our favorite shows: Back Issue. This episode is all about reminiscing on the drama, the art, and the culture of 90s hip hop and R&B music videos.

This week, we share the excitement of 'Get You A Me," our brand new series on Netflix's 'Still Watching Netflix' Youtube channel. Then, we get into all the baby mama drama in the air starting with the latest episode of ‘Insecure' and ending with Summer Walker's new album ‘Still Over It.' There's a lot of lessons to be learned between the two and we are grateful. We spend the rest of the episode fanning out over the greatness that is 'The Harder They Fall,' Netflix's new all-black Western film. We get into the thirst, the fashion, and of course the violence. We share some of our favorite scenes including the badass women-led fight scenes. Finally, we rate some of our favorite fighting scenes of all time where fierce women get to battle it out.

This week, we check in to see if Sylvia has gotten the online push she needed to tune in to 'Crooklyn.' Plus, Scottie shares her latest Netflix binge, Maid, while Sylvia talks Insecure Fest and the final season of the series. Then, we head to Soho House West Hollywood to chat with the one and only, Jazmine Sullivan. We talk about the makings of her latest project, Heaux Tales, as well as her thoughts on crafting the perfect breakup song.

In this week's episode, Scottie catches us up on the trials and tribulations of being a new dog mom while Sylvia is still recovering from all the birthday celebrations of Libra season. Then, we revisit the latest throwback hit added to the Netflix archive: Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle Reid's '97 comedy, B.A.P.S. We revisit the amazing yet sometimes overlooked film before diving into a conversation about what makes a movie a Black classic or Blassic. We discuss our “Officially Unofficial Rules of Blassics,” including some of our favorite Blassics of all time. Finally, we do the unthinkable and share a Blassic film we secretly still haven't seen.

On this week's episode, we check in with Scottie about her month-long stay in LA and what she's looking forward to for her upcoming birthday. We see you, Libras. Then, we sit down with our good sis Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, who plays hard-working Joelle Brooks on Netflix's Dear White People. We catch up with Ashley about her Vogue-covered wedding and the importance of her tribe after moving to LA with $800 and a dream. Finally, we chat about Dear White People's contribution to the culture and get the tea on their final, musical season.

This week, we check in from the Netflix studios in Los Angeles for our very first in-person recording and get N 2 Deep about our thoughts on Drake's Certified Lover Boy. Then, we share our thoughts on Netflix's new series 'Clickbait' and how it mirrors today's viral internet culture. Finally, we share our own stories about navigating the highs and lows of viral moments and the ways it influences careers in the media industry. P.S. We're still in our feelings about Steve from Blue's Clues, too.

This week, we check-in about the sermon that is @solomonmissouri's Twitter thread urging Dell Curry to stick to the rivers and the lakes that he's used to. Then, we travel back to the summer of 2001: a time that shifted our childhoods forever and had us confronting grief for the very first time. We share our reactions to pop superstar Aaliyah's passing, which was followed a few weeks later by the tragic events of 9/11. This episode gets into some heavy topics around grief and loss so please listen at your own comfort.

This week, we kick things off by singing the praises of the new Aretha Franklin biopic 'Respect,' starring Jennifer Hudson. Then, we share some of our latest TV binges, which include the always problematic and drama filled dating reality shows. We start off with the chaos that comes with marrying someone after ten days on Netflix's 'Love Is Blind After the Altar.' Keeping with the love chaos, we then chat about the Netflix film, 'Resort to Love' starring Christina Millian. Finally, we end with a game of "What's The Plot of These White Movies?," pulling from the American Film Association's list of the 100 greatest movies of all time to test our knowledge of these so-called classic films.

This week, we start off by checking in on the scandalous news surrounding Netflix's Selling Sunset. Black Selling Sunset hive, we need to form a hashtag quickly! Then, we unpack the always relevant conversation inspired by Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles: Black women quitting and saying “no” to save their health. We share our own stories of walking away from environments, breaking generational cycles, and reflect on the everyday things we all should start saying “no” to more often. We're choosing ourselves from here on out!

On this week's episode, we catch up on more plans that the universe won't allow us to have. And by the universe, we mean us not getting our passports updated in time for our summer trips. Then we unpack a few Twitter threads that have been distracting us from our failed travel plans. We get into these timeline takes that made us reflect on whether we need men, how to have better relationships than generations before us, and of course what we can learn from our favorite TV couples.

On this week's episode, we gush over what it was like to see each other in person for the first time since the pandemic. We also chat about how it feels to see live music performances again. Then, we talk about some of the music festivals coming up that have us reconsidering our “no outdoor festivals” rule. We also share stories about our best and worst music festival experiences and come up with the music festival of our dreams.

On this episode, we check in with Sylvia about her trip to Hawaii and hear all about Scottie's very Black Juneteenth. Then, we open the phone lines for the Hot Girl Hotline. We'll be talking with some of the baddest players in the game—aka our friends—about their tips for taking on the streets this summer. We debate who fits into the hot girl category these days with Jasmyn Lawson, get tips for luring summer boos in with Taylor Rooks, and globetrotter Sio Massiah tells us how to be a hot girl on-the-go.

On this episode, we start by checking in on some of the new Netflix shows we've been watching: “My Love,” “In Our Mothers' Gardens” and “High on the Hog.” Then we do a deep-dive into two of the messiest 90s Black love classics, currently streaming on Netflix, “The Best Man” and “Love Jones.” We discuss who deserves to catch hands after cheating, what constitutes as ‘acceptable' cheating, and we call out the worst best man in movie history, Harper Stewart.

On this episode, we start by checking in on our current moods and how we’re feeling now that we’re back outside. Spoiler: we're already tired. Then, we chat with the forever funny Michelle Buteau about how comedy has become her act of resistance during these tough times. We also talk to her about Netflix’s "The Circle" and what she has enjoyed the most about working on the past two seasons.

On this episode, we've got a mama takeover! Our moms join us to check in about motherhood and the expectations they had for us growing up. Then, we challenge our mamas to some trivia questions to see just how well they know their daughters. Plus, it's time to find out if Scottie's lack of knowledge of white people really does come from her mama, so we put Ms. Scott to the test!Lastly, we wrap up the show by giving some words of appreciation and gratitude to our favorite ladies. You can follow Sylvia's mom, Elizabeth Okwirry, @lifewithlizanne on Instagram and learn more about her life coaching at lifewithlizanne.com.You can follow Scottie's mom, Shaila Scott, @shailakiss on Instagram and check out her organization Sisterly Kiss at sisterlykiss.com. 

On this episode, we start by checking in on how we're holding up as we wrap up a month filled with more breaking news than our newsfeeds (or spirits) could handle. Then, we chat with Black sitcom legends, Kim Fields and Tia Mowry, about the power of black sitcoms, the ways they maintain faith throughout their careers, and their evolving purpose. We also get some insight on Tia's new season of the Netflix series, Family Reunion, and Kim's upcoming Netflix series, The Upshaws.

On this episode, we check-in about the outside world slowly opening back up just in time for summer! Then, we spend the rest of the episode reflecting on how lockdown has made us think about body image. We also trace the roots of some of our insecurities and share how we’re learning to be kinder to our bodies and minds.

On this episode, we check-in about Beyonce's record-setting night at the Grammys and Scottie's wig adventure. Then, we take a trip down memory lane and read some entries from our childhood diaries. We chat about how fearless our younger selves were and the potential rap careers we could've had. Finally, we end the show with some Netflix television recommendations that'll have you not trusting white women ever again.

On this episode, we check-in about the one-year anniversary of being stuck in the house. We miss outside, y'all! Then, we spend the rest of the episode talking about the albums by Black women that have shaped us. Warning: There's a lot of singing in this episode so please be prepared to sing along with us.

On this episode, we start by checking in on how we celebrated Valentine's Day. Hint: it included watching a whole lot of romcoms. Then, we flip from the lovey dovey talk to our very first heartbreak stories. We share what went wrong, what went right, and advice for any listeners currently dealing with a broken heart. Finally, we end the episode by chatting with actor Damson Idris about his latest Netflix film, Outside The Wire. We even get Damson to share a little love advice with us.

On this episode, we start by checking in on what happened in the month that we've been on our lil' hiatus. And since most of that time was spent with Jazmine Sullivan's “Heaux Tales” on repeat, we just had to get into our favorite tracks! Then, we chat with our favorite Gen Z superstar, Zendaya, about her upcoming Netflix film, “Malcolm & Marie”. She talks about how the film came to be, her evolution from teen star to grown ass woman, and her honest take on how to handle growing up in the public eye. Finally, we end the episode by celebrating some of our Unsung Black Heroes in honor of Black History Month. It's a very serious list, y'all.

WE BACK, BABY! Get ready for an all-new season of Okay, Now Listen featuring Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell! Come for their hottest takes, stay for the conversations with your favorite celebrities. And, of course, we'll have more White people names that Scottie will completely mess up. The new season premieres Thursday, February 4th. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

On this episode, we start by reveling in the fact that there's only one week left in the year (but we still have our guard up). Then, we give out superlatives to some of our favorite television shows and VERZUZ moments. And we had to run through some of our favorite moments of Black joy that happened throughout 2020. Finally, we end the last episode of the year by talking about what we hope to bring into 2021.

On this episode, we start by showing our appreciation to listeners who included Okay, Now Listen on their year-end top podcast lists (thank you!!). Then, we pull back the curtain and share some segments that we recorded during the development of this podcast over a year ago! You’ll hear our take on The Newlywed Game and a segment that all “Love and Basketball” fans will appreciate called The People vs. Quincy McCall. In this week’s Putting You On, we share some of our favorite holiday movies that are sure to brighten your holiday spirits.

On this episode, we start by getting Scottie's highly-anticipated review of the movie “Home Alone” and Sylvia talks about devouring Season 4 of Netflix's “The Crown.” Then, we host a Friendsgiving with Brandon 'Jinx' Jenkins and Darian Harvin and talk about everything from crazy Thanksgiving family moments to the hottest takes on side dishes. In this week’s Putting You On, we share some tips for surviving Thanksgiving at a significant other's home and our favorite Thanksgiving-themed television episodes.

On this episode, we start by checking in on what was possibly the longest week of all of our lives. Then, we chat about a few of our favorite white TV shows that we might actually want to take with us to the other side. And the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Sylvia quizzes Scottie in a game of "Does Scottie Know This White Person?" In this week’s Putting You On, we share the only recommendation that matters right now and that's Netflix's “The Crown,” returning with Season 4 on November 15th.

This week, Scottie and Sylvia start the show with a cuffing season check-in. Then, they process their feelings on a year without homecoming and reminisce on their HBCU experiences! Come for the do's and don'ts for future homecoming's, stay for Scottie and Sylvia's recommendations on where to get the best food and HBCU merch (shout out to Hall Pass: https://hallpass.shop/)

On this episode, we start with Scottie discussing her arrival into the 30s club and what she has to look forward to. Then, we chat about the upcoming cuffing season and the play by play points on how to build your quarantine-friendly roster. Finally, we share some home decor and wellness recommendations that'll have your space and face looking right.

On this episode, we check in with ourselves and fellow Black women about the weight of the world in light of the verdict of Breonna Taylor. Then, we define what coping looks like for us right now and some ways Black women can come together to collectively cope. We also chat about the healthy ways we can use social media to heal. Finally, we share some of our coping practices that we hope can help ease your heart, mind and spirit.

On this episode, we start by giving praise to the glory that was Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle's Verzuz battle. Then, we chat about Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane; two shows that made us feel represented on screen and gave us friendships to aspire to. Finally, we give flowers to the creator behind those two shows, Mara Brock Akil, and talk about her everlasting impact in television and what her future plans at Netflix include.

On this episode, we start off by checking in about Sylvia’s apartment-hunting adventures and Scottie’s itch to redecorate.Then, we chat about a few Netflix shows that we can't stop watching including two of our favorites, Moesha and The Game. Josh Gwynn and Tracy Clayton, hosts of the brand new pop culture podcast, Back Issue, join the conversation to share their thoughts on revisiting those shows all these years later.Finally, we know you still can't get enough of all things Brandy and Monica, so we wrap up the episode with deep cut recommendations by the two artists.

On this episode, we start off by chatting about Cardi B's newest single with Meg Thee Stallion, “WAP,” and what new sex goals the lyrics have given us.Then, we speak to sex educator Tyomi Morgan about how to achieve WAP IRL and the sex tricks that are quarantine-friendly.Finally, we wrap up the episode with recommendations for Black women musicians that you can listen to and lingerie that'll have you thinking about becoming your own kind of sex symbol.

On this episode, we check-in about big life changes — Sylvia’s cross country move and Scottie’s first baecation!Then, we get really real and open up about failures. We share how hardships in our lives and careers have led to our successes and how important it is to honor the hard times too.Finally, we wrap up the episode with recommendations that give you the confidence to keep moving forward and a playlist that'll have you ready to make your next big move.

On this episode, we check-in about what phase we're really in when it comes to this quarantine. Then, we get our entire lives while in conversation with the one and only, Nia Long. She talks with us about her new Netflix film, Fatal Affair, her legacy, and how all black girls are extensions of one another. Finally, we wrap up the episode with some recommendations that'll have you set on your next television and album binge.

On this episode, we begin with a major life update and an ode to our love for New York City. Then, we spend some time examining the ups and downs of the single life. How did we get here? Why are we still here? Can we make it look as good as Traces Ellis Ross does? We need answers. Finally, we wrap up the episode with some recommendations that'll have you feeling like you want to (or your money back guarantee).

On this episode, we decide to keep the spirit of Father's Day alive by ranking some of our favorite fine ass daddies (and the standards are quite high). Then, we chat with the one and only Spike Lee about his newest Netflix film, Da 5 Bloods, and the importance of love between Black men. Finally, if you’re running a little behind on showing love to the Black men in your life, we have some recommendations that'll help you help them glow from the inside out.

On this episode, we chat about our weariness of the ways of the world (cue Solange's Weary). We share what's been the most challenging parts within the fight for Black justice while also highlighting the need to support the Black women and trans community who are also in this fight. Then, we share some of our feel goods of the moment, which include lots of television binging and the albums that'll really get you in your feelings (or out of them). Finally, we put you on to some solid Black voices that can help steer you through all that's going on and also some organizations that you can show up for, financially or otherwise. Amplifying Black Voices: @MsPackyetti, @IamGMJohnson, @wesleylowery, @emarvelous, @theccync, @mark.c, @jennydeluxe, @darian, @speakpatrice, @reagangomez, @nifmuhammad, @jnthnwll Organizations To Support: Black Lives Matter Minnesota Freedom Fund Black Visions Collective Campaign Zero Reclaim The Block Healing Minneapolis Disability Justice Mutual Aid Fund Mutual Aid Fund by the Anti-Police Terror Project

On this episode, we're feeling extra lovey dovey so we decided to check in about how quarantine is a very different experience for those of us who are boo'd up and those of us who are not. We also chat about some of our favorite romance films.   Then, Issa Rae comes by to talk about her newest Netflix film, Lovebirds. And, of course, we get some tea about her thoughts on the response to this season of Insecure. And lastly, we end the show with some recommendations that'll make you feel good about your home and yourself. Follow us on Twitter: @SylviaObell @ScottieBeam @StrongBlackLead

On this episode, we remember the lives of Andre Harrell, Little Richard, and Betty Wright, three legends we lost this past week. We also give thanks to Erykah Badu and Jill Scott for offering us some love and warmth during their Verzuz battle. Then, we interview Nadia Hallgren, the director of the new Netflix documentary, Becoming, which follows the book tour of our forever First Lady, Michelle Obama. And lastly, a reflection on the tragic murder of Ahmaud Arbery and the ever present burdens of being Black in America. Follow us on Twitter: @SylviaObell @ScottieBeam @StrongBlackLead

DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded before the gift that is Beyoncé on the Savage remix. Please still listen, y'all. Allow us to introduce ourselves! We're kicking off Okay, Now Listen, with an introduction on who we are and a little background on our friendship (this ain't no girl group manufactured in a lab). Then, we do a brief catch up session and share what's been helping us cope in the midst of quarantine craziness. Follow us on Twitter: @SylviaObell @ScottieBeam @StrongBlackLead

Okay, Now Listen is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell. They share what’s on their minds, what they're binging and what’s blowing up their timelines. Brought to you by Netflix and Strong Black Lead. Coming to wherever you get your podcasts on April 30th!