OPN TABS

In this episode of OPN TABS, we take a closer look at the concept of virginity - its cultural weight, its origins, and its impact today.We explore purity culture and how its messages around intimacy, shame, and morality can shape women’s identities, relationships, and mental health. We also reflect on the intersections of religion, culture, and Black womanhood, and how these influences impact the way we understand our bodies and worth.Opening the tab, we get personal about the messages we grew up with, how our views on intimacy have evolved, and what we’ve had to unlearn.We also unpack: – “Body count” discourse and sexual double standards– The rise of the manosphere and how it objectifies women’s bodies–  The idea of “soul ties” and whether it empowers or controlsThis episode is about questioning what we’ve been taught and reclaiming autonomy on our own terms. Let us know what you think in the comments! 🫂💗TW: Mentioning of r*pe and SA

In this episode of OPN TABS, we open the tab on friendship - what it really takes to build it, sustain it, and show up in it fully. From meeting at university to becoming genuinely close, we reflect on our journey and the intentional choices that shaped our connection.We get into the cost of avoiding vulnerability and how surface-level friendships can leave us feeling disconnected, even when we’re surrounded by people. We unpack the pressure and politics of birthday dinners, our shared disdain for “we should catch up” friendships, and what those dynamics reveal about how we value each other’s time and energy.We also explore the rise of parasocial relationships and the idea of “monitoring spirits” online - questioning how social media can blur the lines between real support and silent observation.From navigating confrontation to defining our friendship non-negotiables, this conversation is about choosing honesty over comfort, depth over convenience, and building friendships that can actually hold us.Let us know what you think in the comments! 🫂💗

In this episode of OPN TABS, we open the tab on glow up culture and the beauty standards shaping the way we see ourselves.We reflect on our first experiences of a “glow up” in secondary school, when it happened, how it felt, and how those moments shaped our relationships with beauty, confidence, and our bodies.We talk about aesthetics and self-image, the rise of the UK Black Girl aesthetic, and the pressure to balance being both “pretty” and “smart.” Along the way, we open up about insecurities we’ve experienced around our appearance and how we’ve navigated those feelings over time.From beauty trends we love to the standards we’re questioning, this conversation explores how beauty culture influences our identities, and what it means to redefine confidence on our own terms.As always, we’re opening another tab: questioning, reflecting, and learning in real time.Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 

Welcome to OPN TABS! ✨In our very first episode, we’re opening the first tab by introducing who we are, two creative Black women with academic roots in politics and sociology, navigating culture in real time. We share why we started this podcast, the need to be seen, building community, and creating space for conversations that feel honest, layered and a little bit “too deep.”Plus, in the spirit of the New Year, we introduce our first segment: Ins and Outs - where we discuss what we’re bringing into 2025 and what we’re leaving behind.This episode sets the tone: curiosity, nuance, and the tabs you usually keep hidden.Stay tuned for our next episode!