They Met Online | Life and Love | Whether You're Waiting, Dating or Mating

The world is watching. On this episode we talk about recent events from Ferguson and the killing of Mike Brown to the killing of the two NYPD officers, Liu and Ramos. But this is a different conversation. We talk with filmmaker Adam Butler and members of the conscious hip hop group, Negros Americanos, Bishop The Eastside Nappyhead and MC Enigma. All three men are Black and are school teachers. Our goal in the conversation is to come away with the beginning of a solution to the distrust between underrepresented people and communities of color as opposed to police and government systems, as well as our honest thoughts about how we, as Black people, view ourselves. #BlackLivesMatter indeed.  

Talk about a hot topic! Paternity and child support, according to our guest this week, is a $500 Billion 'industry' in the U.S. This week the Team talks with filmmaker, Al Greeze, about his new film Frustrated 2: Mama's Baby Daddy's Maybe, which is an exposé on child support and paternity rights in America. Needless to say there are times during the interview when Michelle and Al 'agree to disagree.' Tune in and weigh in!

Were you spanked as a kid? Do you believe in spanking your children? This highly debated topic is very personal and can not only impact your children, but can also impact your relationship if your parenting styles differ. The Team is joined by analyst and commentator, Anthony Nolen of What Is It With Anthony Nolen and Mommy extraordinaire, Stacy Carter aka Bailey's Mommy who weigh in with their very strong and sometimes opposing opinions on the topic. Are parents who spank bad parents? Is spanking and its effects culturally based? Tune in and weigh in! 

Tommy 'Tiny' Lister is best known for his acting roles in movies like 'Friday' and the 'Fifth Element,' and even music videos such as Michael Jackson's, "Remember the Time." He's worked with everyone from Quentin Tarantino to Marlon Brando to the late Sir Peter O'Toole. But today he joins Team TMO to talk about his dedication to his faith and how what he grew up feeling that what was a curse ended up being his biggest blessing-well next to his wife, Felicia. And, he tells how he brought out the big guns to win her! That and so much more. We guarantee that this is a side of Tiny you've never seen before.

Would you date a guy who has cats? Can we create some new Man Laws? Never one to hold his tongue, Lincoln Anthony Blades of Relationships & Bullsh*t and This Is Your Conscience, stops by for a firey and engaging conversation about everything from women proposing to men to pop-up weddings (aka 'surprise this is OUR wedding') to street harassment to Kim K.'s latest, um, spread for Paper magazine and whatever else we can think up. Be sure to leave your comments below or by voicemail on our site or Facebook page!

Do you feel intimidated by the "Tech" Community? Would you like to learn more about starting your own business? We've got you covered. Anthony Frasier and James Lopez, founders of The Phat Startup, stop by to talk about the power in our community, the power of five- to six-figure monthly income and why the hip hop generation is positioned to generate real wealth from our ideas. 

One of the most authentic and brave guests we've ever had the honor of interviewing, Ms. Terrie M. Williams. Terrie is not only a clinically trained social worker, but an űber agent to celebrities in every arena of entertainment and the arts. Her flagship clients? None other than Eddie Murphy and Miles Davis. She chats with Team TMO about parties at Eddie's house...which fascinate Ricardo, and more importantly her activism around depression. This is a can't miss episode if we do say so ourselves! Oh, and wait for it...Ricardo does something he's NEVER done on-air with a guest before (here's a hint, can't knock his #hustle). Tune in.

Do you read your horoscope? Whether you read it for fun or to guide your interactions we break down the ins and outs of astrology, sun signs and everything related with our guests, Ipori Lake and Heather Sarah. And a guest caller gets to ask our experts whether her burgeoning new relationship has a chance for romance.

No guests tonight, just Michelle and Ricardo chatting about decisions we've all made in love. The good, the permanent and the bad. Monyetta Shaw, ex-fiance of artist Ne-Yo shared that while engaged she tied her tubes thinking that her family was set. Then she and Ne-Yo broke up. Social media went wild with accusations that he'd forced her to tie her tubes and then left her. Now, should she meet Mr. Right they will not be able to have children. That got us to thinking about tattoos, cross-country moves and other "sacrifices" and decisions that we make for love. Tune in and share your thoughts about what you would do for love!

In this first episode of the second season, the Team talks with social worker and couples counselor, Renee Ambush Rucker of Out Tha Box, LLC. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month and Ms. Rucker shares a fresh perspective on the Ray and Janay Rice elevator incident, as well as her insight on emotional abuse from her over 20 year career in counselling. Also, in the time of '50 Shades of Grey' and what appears to be an awakening of dominant behaviors in the bedroom, are there indicators of domestic violence that we can glean during sex and intimate moments? That and much more, as Team TMO gives that good TMI.

Mother's Day is a lovely time for many and a not so happy time for others. On this episode Michelle and Ricardo speak with LaTasha Rowe, a successful attorney, who had her first son at 15 years old, then attended college and law school while her son remained in his grandparents's care primarily. Then Tori Hodge, a substance abuse and mental health counselor talks about her journey and decision to have her ex-husband raise her sons. Finally, Ginger Miller, a Navy veteran and founder of Women Veterans Interactive talks about the battle moms who have been deployed face while they are gone and upon their return. Finally, Christine St. Vil, founder of http://momsncharge.com/ stops by to talk about how mom can take charge of their lives after motherhood. It's a little longer than an hour but oh so worth it! 

Creator of FantasyDatingGame.com, Suzanne Casamento and Amazon Best-Selling author and founder of Code Red Flag, Dena Reid, Esq. join Michelle and Ricardo to talk about shaking things up in your dating life by doing something differently. Ricardo gets completely intrigued by their advice for approaching a woman who is out with her friends. 

For our last live episode, Team TMO is rejoined by our Founding Social Media Strategist and TMO Team Member, L. Martin Johnson Pratt, social media guru, founder of the internationally recognized brand, ILuvBlackWomen and most recently named as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Blacks on Social Media. Also joining the Team, marketing and social media strategist, Mr. Mike Street, who has provided strategy as members of Gary Vaynerchuk of VaynerMedia, Oprah's OWNTV social media teams. And of course, the sisters are well-represented also, as Blogger and Founder of Black Bloggers Connect and BloggerWeek, Jessica Ann Mitchell shares her thoughts, on leveraging a blog for business and story-telling, as well. A great conversation about the role of social media in our lives--personally and professionally. If you even have an inkling of using social media to advance any portion of your life, tune in to this episode, because like Ricardo says we talk about, "Tweeter." Pray for him! LOL

Anthony Nolen and guest, 'Shango,' join the Team to have a quite lively debate about the various facets of marijuana on our religious, sociopolitical and interpersonal relationships. Does pot make you lazy? Does it impact your exercise and sex life? Anthony and our other guests definitely have strong opinions...which thankfully they share.

Money is the main reason marriages fail within the first five years. Madam Money, Tarra Jackson and relationship strategist, Jay Hurt join Team TMO to talk 'money fornicators' and selfless joint money management. And this show is for singles too! The Team also has a great chat about love and business with Oprah's favorite matchmaker, Paul C. Brunson. 

The Team continues its look at loss, grief and giving back. Kim Jones-Booker talks about the children's safety foundation she founded in her son Alexander's honor after his tragic death at the age of 12. Our own Ricardo shares the pain that's haunted him since his brother, Ricom was murdered at the age of 17. Carolyn Woodson, the founder of Spiritual Adventures and coach, Robert Pruitt of RobertPruitt.com help The Team and guests walk through life in “new normal.” Susan Axelrod shares her mission working with people and foundations to honor the legacy of those lost. Finally, Michelle shares about the loss of a 20 plus year love relationship. Grief and loss are felt by all. This show talks about what's next.

So often we shy away from the tough conversations, the unpleasant messiness of love and loss. The Team takes on a few of the faces of loss and grief. Successful podcaster and entrepreneur, Meron Bareket joins from Israel to discuss his year in pain and bedridden after a horrific car accident as a teenager. Carolyn J. Woodson, founder of Spiritual Adventures discusses loss and joy. Robert Pruitt talks about the journey with his father during his final days. Street Sense newspaper vendor, Eric Thompson Bey discusses drug addiction and homelessness. Filmmaker, Linda Wang of Stone Soup Films shares the organization's mission to help organizations share their good works. It's not an easy conversation but it's important for us to have healthy relationships with ourselves and others.

Team TMO is joined by Yesha Callahan, television writer and parenting contributor to The Root, single mom blogger, Ty Knighten, founder of Sexy Single Mommy and Nina Skye of the popular Facebook community, Living Single. They share openly about the highs and lows of raising kids solo. Ricardo even crashes our single mom's party, with the flu. Speaking of Gladiators, also joining The Team, the filmmakers behind 'Scandal' actor Columbus Short's new film, 'The End Again' stop by to talk about the anatomy of a break up and the film's DC screening.

The Team talks openly with guests, Alorie Clark of The B.E.A.C.O. Blog and filmmaker Adam Butler about not just what power looks like in relationships, but to dissect how we can have better relationships where we don't struggle and vie for power. This is an intimate and important conversation no matter what your relationship status. 

Men say women can't handle the truth. Women say let them decide for themselves. The Team has a, shall we say, 'vigorous' debate about why men lie and whether we should all just accept that people lie for their own self interest. He said/she said guests, Diana Veiga and Abram-Atafa have no shortage of opinions on dating and relationships and lying. 

On this power-packed episode the Team talks with three women who have birthed their business dreams in really unique ways. Cinnamon Bowser, founder and CEO of Nail Taxi talks about starting and expanding her business. Architect and designer, Charita Madison of MAD Design a residential and commercial design and build firm talks about being a woman in the male-dominated construction industry. Patrice Banks empowers women through her blog and workshops as a woman auto mechanic and founder of Girls Auto Clinic. We guarantee that you'll be inspired and encouraged! 

The Team is joined by Jay Ryan co-founder of BreakupGems.com. Why not treat yourself to a $20,000 divorce ring with that alimony check? Nova Browning Rutherford of ...but I love me more, shares her worst Valentine's Day story AND talks self love and relationships along with Girltalk Unplugged founder, Elder Vikki Johnson and guest co-host, Director of Poetry Events at Busboys & Poets, Bomani Armah. Robert Pruitt also stops by to ask if you're ready to do the work. 

So, you thought that wine was inaccessible and boring? Think again. We talk about how cheap, sweet and screw tops are all OK! Ever drop an ice cube in a glass of wine? Yeah, we have too. Team TMO is joined by a full house of wine folks, and no one is stuffy. Sharing their passions are sommelier, Karima Mariama-Arthur, DC mixologist, Jeff Erickson, coordinator of the DC Wine and Food Festival, Dennis Burns (did he just say he used to be a bartender at DC’s The Ritz in the ‘90s? awww sooky sooky), and the team behind the newly released, “Love Wine” out of New York Winery 21 Brix, Top 100 Most Influential Winemaker, Kris Kane and his colleagues, wine enthusiasts, Seymour Knox IV, and Bill Donovan, whew! This show is edutainment at its best…and did we mention the giveaways?

They Met Online…and then married one another and lived happily ever after. True story. Robert Pruitt has worked alongside Iyanla Vanzant  he coaching academy, InnerVisions, for almost a decade. He has been featured on Oprah’s network and coaches people as they “do the work” to fix their lives. Denny Pruitt coaches folks as they work on both their inner lives and outer physiques. In addition to coaching people on creating visions boards and manifesting their true desires, she is a Zumba fitness instructor and owner of F-I-T Now LLC, in the Washington, DC area. Iit gets real as Team TMO and the Pruitts go head to head about expectations, online dating and manifesting your heart’s desires.

What happens when a man is ready to say Yes! to marriage? We all hear that good men are a commodity, what does it take for women to be valued and pursued for relationships? The answers may surprise you. Adam Butler of End the Disconnect and ‘I’m Single Because’ is our guest co-host for this special episode discussing how we can create lasting, loving romantic relationships and marriages.

Dust off your shell top Adidas and break out the bamboo earrings. Team TMO is joined by hip hop legend, Sparky D. She discuses her journey as the first female rapper on wax and her return to music after a 20-year addiction. What does she have to say about Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross? Joining the Team for this legendary interview is hip hop enthusiast and leadership expert, Dr. Jai. 

The Team rings in the New Year talking the pursuit of passion. Stand-up comedian, Elton Howard, Jr., photography coach, Lynford Morton, bartender and passionate businessman, Cory Brim and the Team's own firefighter and actor, Ricardo Kingsbury, discuss the challenges and triumphs of pursuing their passions. The passionate producer of the They Met Online... theme music, Genius D. R. Light stops through too for an impromptu in-studio unplugged concert. 

After traveling the country asking, “What is the biggest challenge facing relationships?” Chris “Kazi” Rolle of Together Apart and Convos with Kazi chats with Team TMO to talk about the answer(s) to that question. He also gives great advice for what to do before saying “I do” and after a relationship goes south. The Team grills him about his own personal journey from being a bachelor to being a married man. He even shares what he now tells men about relationships and marriage. No matter where you are in your journey, there is something for everyone in this interview.

The Team is joined by Elder Vikki Johnson, founder of Girl Talk Unplugged, The Faithful Matchmaker Brandon Scott and Christy Little Jones of My Relationship Revolution. These guests bring a real-world practical perspective to your dating experiences. Tune in for an honest and raw conversation about dating in the 21st Century. 

After a TMO tribute to the late, great Nelson Mandela, the Team talks celibacy. Former Marine, Chris Richardson of Real Talk with Chris Richardson  and attorney Dena Reid of Code Red Flag have each been celibate for over a year--nope not a dry spell. Is it harder for men or women? It was definitely a spirited conversation.

In the words of Facebook, it's complicated. The Team is joined by relationship counselor, Jay Cadet of co3 Studio, and photographer, Kelly Shimoda, whose text message project is unlike any other. In the era of status updates, check-ins and texting, are we really "communicating" in our relationships? Tune in to find out!

It's Thanksgiving and Black Friday the Team TMO way! Stacy Rybchin, sex expert and founder of My Secret Luxury breaks down the ins and outs of adult toys. How do you introduce them to your partner? How have toys evolved since we met the Rabbit in 'Sex in the City'? Tune in and learn something you may not know--and possibly get turned on in the process. 

Team TMO is joined by their station mate, DC native Adam Butler, producer-host of Mindstream Radio. Adam stopped by to talk about his new film, “I’m Single Because: The Civil War Between Black Men and Women.” Adam and the Team discuss relationships and communication and how we can better understand one another. Adam is passionate about ending the disconnect and so is Team TMO! Great takeaways for men and women.

The Team recaps their 'Love Jones' mixer and chats with photog and relationship guru Rasheem Rooke of A Brother's Point of View and relationship blogger Nina Skye who lives and dates out loud at 'Living Single.' They brainstorm ways for us to come together and make our relationships work. Oh, and apparently 25% of the population are sociopaths...yikes, who knew?!!

The Team, with special guest co-host, Diana Veiga, chat with three women who are each pursuing very unique dreams. Puja Satiani has left her DC legal career behind and is a world-class trained chocolatier. Vanessa Maddox went from corporate IT specialist to founding two non-profit organizations to help women, she talks about pursuing her passion full-time after losing her job. And, Vonnetta Cornish, founder of One30 Media, is hosting a December 2013 premiere of her first feature film, 'Bachelorette's Degree,' while still working her day job!!! This show will inspire and amaze. Your turn. 

Can you have a lover whose politics differs from yours? The Team is joined by Ipori Lasana, a DC entertainment lawyer and self-described communist, Denis Campbell, Wales-based host of World View with Denis Campbell and Anthony Nolen, political scientist and radio host to chop it it up. Are socialists better lovers? Are conservatives morally superior to liberals? Do love and sex appeal trump political preferences? Listen in and find out!

J. Shawn Durham, author of 'Broke Brothers Revolution,' joins the team to discuss the 'war between the sexes.' Why can't we all just get along? Well, apparently Michelle and Shawn struggle with communication, as well. It gets heated!

The Team chats with relationship blogger and coach extraordinaire, Fernando 'Nando' Rodriguez, and Marcie Pregulman of Love Your Relationship and the University of Denver. They unpack the concept of soulmates and how it can derail your chances for lasting love.

Michelle and Ricardo wrote the book on online dating...literally. They share tips and secrets from their Amazon Romance Bestseller, "Don't Do What We Did! A Conversation About Online Dating with an Ex-Not-Quite Couple Who Met on the Internet." Hear what their collective 20 years of online dating experience have taught them about what you need to know for success, from choosing a site that works to safety

The Team is joined by Preston Mitchum with the FIRE Initiative of the Center for American Progress, YouTube sensation, LGBT community member and comedienne, Hart, and extra special guests Elton Howard and Jasmine Lamboy, Michelle's ex-husband and daughter. A heavy topic covered with that Team TMO Twist!

Guest co-host, Bomani Armah, Director of Poetry Events at Busboys and Poets,  and artist (but not a rapper), joins the Team. They talk erotic spoken word and how spoken word touches our love lives with guests, Phinesse Demps, Dean Jéan-Pierre and GPA (Greatest Poet Alive). When did you first fall in love with poetry? If you haven't yet, tune in, you will!

Sometimes you just need to shut the guys up and let the women share their point of view. That is this show. Threepeat guest, blogger, author brand guru, Jai Stone, and blogger, TV writer and Clutch magazine executive, Yesha Callahan, join Michelle and Belle. The ladies talk self-love, motherhood, friendship and the myth of the Alpha woman. 

On this episode the Team talks The Truth...about Michelle and Ricardo's "whirlwind love affair" and love actually and other mishaps. This show is from the heart. Tells us what you think!

Christy Little Jones joins the Team to talk about sex and the modern Christian. She also shares her own powerful story of infidelity in her marriage. Ekene Onu and Kayona Ebony Brown also stop by to talk about their current projects. Christianity and sex the TMO way! 

Join the men of team TMO as they are joined, in studio, by comedian Funnyman Skiba from Blis.fm's Raheem DeVaughn show, where they talk about all things man. They address many questions that women want answers to. Be careful though, ladies, because this show is no holds barred!   Don't say we didn't warn you! ;) 

Good relationships begin at home and great relationships are sustained around family meal and fitness times. The team talks with The Six O'Clock Scramble founder, Aviva Goldfarb and Anthony L. Shuler, creator of LIFE4DLiving. From couples to families, everyone benefits from spending time together! Come spend time with us and listen in. 

Team TMO 'attempts' to take on size acceptance in the U.S. Authors and bloggers, Jai Stone and Catina Sinches join us to talk about living as large women. It's a powerful, emotional show that can't be missed. 

The Team is joined by, "50 Foods for Sex" author, Jeannine Marzella. Jeannine breaks down the BEST and WORST foods for great sex. And, our own Ricardo Kingsbury also wears a guest hat to talk about how fitness has impacted his sex life positively and his best sex enhancing moves. 

Join team TMO as we talk with Ande Lyons about keeping and/or bringing back the sparks in the bedroom in your relationship. Has your foreplay turned into boreplay? Have you lost your sexy siren? And most importantly, how good the Big O is for your body. Tune in and get turned on. You don't want to miss this one. Check it out! 

For Fourth of July Team TMO talked all things friendship. Do lovers make the best friends? Do friends make good business partners? Callers also discuss friendships that started online. 

The Team talks with author and communications expert, Rachel DeAlto, about her book 'Flirt Fearlessly,' and shares her #1 tip to successfully flirt for fun, love and in business too. Yes, men and women, you can flirt to get what you want without being a jerk. Listen in to find out!