Cross Culture

This week, Lauren and Leila discuss the incoming Trump administration. They reminisce on their feelings following the election and dig into issues close to their hearts — like reproductive health, surveillance, and education — and explore how these things might be affected by the Trump administration. Media Lauren and Leila mentioned: Articles  Life of the Mother by ProPublica A Portrait on the Wall by Rachel Eisendrath The Return of Trump by The New York Review of Books Books Entitlement by Rumaan Alam The Housemaid Series by Freida McFadden Nice White Parents by The New York Times Shows The Glory on Netflix Hierarchy on Netflix Movies  The Substance Blink Twice Questions? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

[Content warning: this episode contains discussions around eating disorders and self-harm.] This week, Lauren and Leila are talking about body image. In pop culture, chatter about how people look, how much weight they’ve lost or gained, or if they look young or old is constant. Lauren and Leila dissect this phenomenon, give a history of the body acceptance movement, and share their own relationships with their bodies.  Media that Lauren and Leila mentioned: The Whale Who Went AWOL by Ferris Jabr Just In Time by Nina Simone  Jane the Virgin  Taken  The Vanishing Half Unshrinking by Kate Mann Questions? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

For the second time, Lauren and Leila are talking all about Black Empires — from rappers to film stars and genre-bending artists. What the community feels stars owe to us has changed, how we interact with  Hollywood has changed, and perhaps most importantly, what the Black and non-Black famous can get away with has changed. In this second episode of a two-part series, Lauren and Leila explore the rise (and fall) of Black mega-celebrities. They also discuss their favorite up-and-coming stars. Media that Lauren and Leila are loving: Gold by Cleo Sol Louisiana by Reyna Roberts The Curse ⁠Survivor⁠ Questions? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

This week and next week, Lauren and Leila are talking all about Black Empires — from rappers to film stars and genre-bending artists. What the community feels stars owe to us has changed, how we interact with Hollywood has changed, and perhaps most importantly, what the Black and non-Black famous can get away with has changed. In this first episode of a two-part series, Lauren and Leila explore two leading black celebrity stories at different points in their journey.

In honor of the new year, Lauren and Leila take stock. They discuss what their lives look like today, what they’ve done wrong, and what they’ve done right along the way.  Media that got Lauren and Leila through their early 20s: Cha Cha Real Smooth Lady Bird Atlanta The Office Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton  Tar Baby by Toni Morrison Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Questions? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

Lauren and Leila get into how the luxury dating trend affects modern love, how they approach relationships, and how feminism fits into it all.

In this inaugural episode, Lauren and Leila introduce themselves, break down the Keith Lee drama, and discuss Black hair salons.