Shireen and "Bespoke Beloved" kick off the episode recalling what it felt like receiving the news that Charles was being laid off and the friendship assessments that took place. He explains that 90% of his close friends were there to support him in new endeavors but that 10% that he felt he had invested so much into, didn't show up as he'd expected. Reciprocity was different. Joined by their good friend and psychotherapist Brittany Richardson, the couple asks what factors cause 10+ year friendships to fall apart. Brittany reminds them that social media plays a different role in your 20's vs your 30's. Career goals and lifestyle choices like marriage/partnership and children have major impacts on friendships (2:12-10:40). Charles claims to be very introspective, reflecting on where he might've fallen short or dropped the ball in friendships. Shireen points out the intentionality of friends who also have very busy lives and the value of communcating their needs directly. How do we meet our friends where they're at? Charles asks if there's room for friendship therapy and Brittany says its possible to work on it as long as there is a common goal. Shireen believes it different from marriage, brings in financial ties, children etc. The investment and attachment is different. Eventhough you're being asked to change in a friendship, family/kids/business may be prioritized over friends(10:50-18:02). Brittany explains that opting in/out feels finite in partnership but the unspoken rule is that friendship is supposed to withstand all things. Maybe friendship doesn't look the same anymore but sitting in the feeling of change is harder than just abandoning the connection. How do we give people grace, knowing its not me, its them? Boundaries has become an overused buzzword, but they're still important. Charles wishes he was more mature and more healed. He says he matches energy; if you fall back, he falls back and goes where he's celebrated. Boundaries are the cliff, and then there's a preference, which is less tit for tat and more about case by case situation. What are the signals that its time to let the friendship go? Brittany says, share how you're feeling and express what a solution would look like for you; give it a fair shot. If they're not reciprocating or flat out disregard it, leave it where it is. Decide how much you can take(19:12-28:02). Top 3 things to make friendships last: listening/communication, mutual respect, loyalty/love. To live a long and healthy life, you need community. That means sharing joy and sorrows. Some friends only share joy when they feel inadequate. Brittany emphasizes that we are everyone's best judge and our own best attorney. Pay it forward in love and don't treat the rainy days with so much shame. There are people rooting for you!

If you'd like to connect with guest therapist Brittany Richardson please follow @venttherapy on IG and visit venttherapy.com

The first official guest on FBOB is none other than our very own EP, Bridget Kelly! While discussing how Charles and Shireen's paths crossed w/BK, Charles poses the question, 'do you know who you are'? They started out as fans of the music and now that they're friends, wanted to dive a little deeper into BK's origin story. Growing up in NYC, music wasn't her only love. She wanted to be a marine biologist! With the encouragement of her parents, BK went from singing in the choir to open mics and then the Subway. Charles asks about getting signed and the process behind trying to get a deal. BK shares the first time she met JayZ and what her experience was like entering the music industry. Like most artists, she didn't realize how much went into creating a career in music aside from just singing and songwriting. BK goes into detail about how 'Special Delivery' came about, debuting it at her first Essence Fest. She shared how touring and visiting radio stations was necessary to promote the music. She tells stories about some of the big names she's proud to have collaborated with along the way. Career pivots from tv to podcasting wasn't easy, and the pandemic forced the changes that BK had prayed for. Throughout her 15 year career, BK divulges things she wishes she knew and things she might've done differently. Charles and Shireen remind BK of who she is to them, a friend but also a talent with so much more to create and share. Bringing things to present day, BK shares her love story, how she met her fiancee and what the future holds. Its a blessing to have friends who believe in you and pour into you the way Charles and Shireen pour into Bridget. Everyone needs someone to remind them who they are!

Byke like they never left! Charles and Shireen return for season 2 after an exciting year, full of wonderful changes. They start with a thank you to the audience (both real friends and fans of the show) for pressing them about returning to the mics. Charles then brings us up to speed on his professional adjustments. Having been no stranger to layoffs in the tech space, he was shocked but still at peace when his news came mid-vacation. He didn't want to hide it, despite his ego being slightly bruised, and reminds listeners to have their own IP because corporate can let you go at any time (5:15-10:02). After Essence Fest, Charles began talks with Blavity about a possible acquisition of R&B HouseParty. Charles explains acquisition preparedness and his due diligence checklist, now having the time to devote to his passion project (12:30-19:52). Charles' new position at Blavity is the GM of community. Morgan DeBaun(CEO of Blavity) understood how much of an asset Charles is and saw the vision he had for his role. A music festival has always been a dream of his, and this summer its finally coming to fruition. While Charles was planting new creative seeds, Shireen was planning Carter's 1st birthday party and simultneously being scammed out of tens of thousands, trying to build a pool! They were told that contractors everywhere were shady and it turned out someone else they knew was also scammed by the same one(21:46-27:02). Over the course of several months, the pool nightmare continued. Shireen took over communication and eventually had to pull up on the guy becuase what should've cost $40k ended up costing close to $60k! What's the number you would lose your mind for? What amount of money could you let go? All is well that ends well, since lessons can be blessings, however some lessons cost more than others. Needless to say, do your research thoroughly before hiring contractors. And also, the pool really turned out great!