The Bonnet Talks

WE ARE BACK, with another episode of the Bonnet Talks after a mini hiatus. I am giving you an hour and a half worth of content to make up for the last few months (with a video version of the episode coming out on Wednesday)! Back in August 2021, I sat down with my Ugandan-British love, Ronah, to discuss her experiences as an English teacher in Seoul, being black in Korea, and learn more about her as a person. I liked this episode initially because you get to see a different side of Ro but I think what is cooler is that so much time has passed since this recording that my perspectives on some of these topics have shift/I've partially answered some of the questions we asked in this episode. And that is on GROWTH, people! 

I had the opportunity to meet Ro in person while being in Seoul, and I am so lucky to have her as a sister. She is the most incredible energy (and you can see her literally glowing off the screen on YouTube) and is genuinely one of the FUNNIEST people I have ever met. Ro is an absolute legend. En fin.

This week’s episode of the Bonnet Talks features my dear friend, Shuchen Hu! She is an international student from China who has lived in America since high school. Shuchen and I talk about how we became friends (literally the beginning of summer), our high school experiences (why was the cafeteria like the battlefield?), her past struggles with embracing her Asian identity in American culture, and the idea that people don’t want to accept all that you are. We also reflect on funny, but impactful, childhood memories (HINT: Hannah Montana, anyone? Enough said.) This was an eye-opening episode even for me, and I really hope it encourages you to not only more aware of your words/actions but to develop your curiosity in other cultures and backgrounds.

FIND US ON SOCIAL:

In today’s episode, I catch up with the Dallas, Texas content creator, Michelle Reed. I discovered her around the beginning of post grad and she is one of the people that I relate to the most. Honestly, we talked about EVERYTHING but highlights include: the importance of doing the simple things, why its okay to not want the lifestyle others may seem to have, what she learned in her move from NYC to Dallas, her life as a married woman (AHH!), the role her faith plays in her life/content and more! I loved this conversation because it brings you down to earth in deciding what kind of lifestyle you want to have and understanding what is important to you specifically. Made me think about some new things I want to incorporate in my own life! Michelle is so down to earth and I am so glad to have chatted with her.

HEY, HEY, HEY - long time no see y’all! We are BACK with another episode of the Bonnet Talks. To kick off this new season of the podcast, I brought the incredible Susie, also known as @Susiemeoww on social - She is a Kpop dancer and content creator from China and she is absolutely KILLING the game right now! Susie is truly one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met and I knew I needed to have her on for you all to hear her story - we discuss the hardest part of following your passions and goals, which is taking the first step to actually DO the action, and tips for overcoming that hurdle. Susie is incredible sweet and dedicated, I hope that you will also be inspired her to actually take the first step towards the one thing you’ve always wanted to do (I mean, we might as well, what else should twenty-something year olds be doing?) 

In today’s episode, I catch up with my long-time, dear friend Lexi Fragola. Lexi is a recent graduate from the University of Connecticut (with a dual degree, a GENIUS), where she also currently works as an admissions officer. We talk about the ways we learned to maintain our college friendships after graduation, how to make new friends in post-grad and how the pandemic has changed our relationships. We also talk about our pre-covid concert days, hilarious moments in our friendship, and some of the (multiple) times Lexi has encountered celebrities (Halsey fans, anyone? Directioners, I know you are out there!). You guys will find our tips SO useful, enjoy!

In today’s episode, I give you a little glimpse into Argentina - I bring on my friend and fellow podcast host, Camila Vola to talk about the twenty-something life in Argentina. We discuss Camila's dreams about moving abroad, what her friends think about that, and how that impacts dating in her twenties. We also talk about why she wants to be involved in international politics, what she admires about America, and how her love for NYC began. Let’s teleport to Argentina! Such an interesting episode, I loved hearing Camila's perspective about how her different cultural experiences impacted how she not only views the world but how she views herself. Make sure to listen to Camila's podcast, My Point of View, linked down below!

In today's episode, you get to spend your Friday with moi --- in this solo, episode, I reflect on three things I've learned since moving home for quarantine (exactly a year ago YESTERDAY)! What?! I also touch upon the weird nostalgia that we feel when I think about the beginning of quarantine.... is it just me? Probably. Also, it is almost ONE YEAR of the Bonnet Talks! Listen in to hear about what is in store as we approach the one-year anniversary of the show. 

In today’s episode, I bring on Gabby Whiten: an NYU grad student, owner of a design studio, and content creator. She stops by to chat about her adventures as a Ph.D. student at NYU, how she got there, and how she blurs the lines between science and creativity. Gabby also discusses what it has been like viewing the pandemic through her lens, living in NYC having studied diseases. Gabby’s journey is inspirational and she gives tangible advice about how you can maintain pursuing all of your passions, even if they are very different. For more amazing tips on how to balance it all, check out Gabby's latest video about it, linked below!

In today’s episode, I have fellow content creator and young entrepreneur, Beatrice from The Bliss Bean blog and Youtube channel, where she shares her tips for all things productivity, organization and self-improvement. Only recently turning 20, Beatrice talks about her excitement for entering college post-covid and what she learned during her two gap years. We also discuss the pressures of keeping with up a persona, especially after graduation. And if you are a BTS Army, you know we cannot discuss personas without having to reference the members in some shape or form so of course we talk about that. If you want a new perspective on productivity and personas, this episode is for you! Let’s take a listen!

In today’s episode, I bring on Cydney-Alexis Delarosa, a soon-to-be graduate of UConn, major in biomedical engineering, researcher, and honestly, part-time model at this point (seriously, ask Tyra Banks). We discuss the importance of maintaining your energy - what that actually means, how to identify what your energy is and how it protects your peace. This is something that I’ve personally heard my friends discuss in one shape or another, and I think Cydney was the perfect person to dissect this with - I could have talked to her for hours on this topic and I loved the stories we shared in this episode. Hope you enjoy!

In today’s episode, we have Jake Brewer, a music artist, podcast host, and entrepreneur → yes… a triple threat, bring on the applause. We chat about one of our favorite subjects, music, specifically how the Grammys are the Scammys. The TEA. We then dive deeper into how Jake started his business, FRNDLY media and how it has really brought amazing opportunities and collaborations for young creatives. We also discuss the new season of his podcast Groundbreaking, capping it off with the important lessons he has learned through it all. You don’t want to miss this one. Jake really exemplifies how much you can achieve when you give yourself that first chance. Take the first step and draw the blueprint. Make sure you check out his socials for more!

We kick off TBT 2021 with my podcast sista, Emily Gigliotti, a Sports Management grad student and host of the Purpose Project. We evaluate how we did in 2020, discuss the problem with New Year's Resolutions, our mantras for the new year, and how to set intentional goals that we’ll *actually* follow through with. Let me tell y’all, it's all good stuff and Emily is a GEM.

WE ARE BACK BABY on this Monday with a new episode of TBT after a break last week.  I bring on my friend Briana to catch up on life and talk about the things we wish we knew in college. Like me, she is a UConn graduate and she is currently working at Google (incredible? yup). We touch upon networking, knowing who Briana’s post-grad mantra, “living with grace.” I have learned so much from Briana just from this one conversation, and I cannot wait for you guys to study some “Briology” with me. Many laughs in this episode, you don’t want to miss it! 

Find Briana on social!

HELLO, Happy Monday everyone! I am joined by my hilarious friend TInah Ogalo aka Tinah with an H, for today’s episode. She is the host of the In Your Twenty’s podcast which is like your survival guide to all things twenty-something related. We have been longtime friends through the Aerie Ambassador program and this is the first time. I have been thinking a lot recently about the dating experience as a black woman and I was like who would be fun to talk about this with - the first person that came to mind was Tinah. We talk about the struggles and insecurities we face as black women in the dating world, the role that colorism plays, and the conversations we have explaining that it is normal to wear a wig or a weave. 

I love Tinah and it was really nice to have this chat, I couldn’t stop smiling while listening back, and honestly I didn’t have to edit this at all because I just loved it all. Thank you for stopping by Tinah, can't wait until you take Ryan Seacrest’s job in 10 years! Make sure you check out Tinah's podcast and socials below.

Today, I am accompanied by the empowering, Chloe Belangia. She is the host of the Passages podcast, which is just one of the many branches of her newly launched project, The Passages Project. We chat about the funny way we met (cough cough hi Katy Bellotte, her journey as a new young professional, what she’s learned, how she stays true to her passions and how she continues to show up for herself everyday. It’s one thing to set goals for yourself, but it’s another thing to actually keep the promises you make for yourself over the long term. One of my favorite parts of 2020 was meeting Chloe and I love getting to know her because we share many of the same passions. Chloe’s goal is to help other young professionals unlock life and work from the ground up, which is literally everything I believe in. Make sure you check our her coaching services, podcast, and the new Passages Project which serves as a resource for young professionals to share their stories, strengthen professional development and motivate/empower each other. Talk soon! 

Hi everyone! Welcome to the TWENTIETH episode of TBT, incredible that the show has come this far and that we are on the second season. This show has become one of my favorite things I have ever done and I am eternally grateful that you have come along for the ride. Today, I switch it up and give you guys a SOLO episode (crazy right?). I sit down and delve into my first ever dating app date from this past weekend - the good, the bad, and my roommates spying on me? I also shed some light on the things I learned about myself from the date and why I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to do this. Hope this pushes the 90% of yall who download the app but don't go on dates to actually take the chance and GO! Hope you have a good week everyone!

Today’s episode is with Sissel Aare Boe, an entrepreneur from Denmark currently living in Seoul, South Korea. Sissel took the risk of moving to South Korea at age 19 without any plans and two years later, she is a successful entrepreneur and influencer. Sissel takes us on her journey of moving to a foreign country instead of opting for the typical university route. She also shares her insights on the importance of risk-taking, the impact that cultural differences have had in her life, creating a new, strong support system in a different country, and more. Loved this episode because I could strongly relate to Sissel and her perspectives are interesting to apply to my own life. She is so free-spirited and wise at such a young age, so lucky to have someone like her on the show. Once again, thank you, Sissel! Make sure you follow her social channels below. Have a nice week!

In today’s episode, my friend, Yodonnic Etoria, stops by the virtual studio to catch me up on what she’s been up to in her first year of post grad. As a black woman in STEM, she talks about her experiences as a manager in Corporate America. Yodonnic gives good insight as to how she navigated the corporate space as well as how this experience has been impacted by the George Floyd murder and Black Lives Matter movement. We both discuss our thoughts on the conversations we’ve had at work about racial injustice and the (sometimes... surprising) reactions. I think this conversation really puts into perspective how difficult it is for Black people to survive these environments, even though Yodonnice and I are very used to being the only black person, let alone black women, in the room.

We also reflect on our forever love for the Jonas Brothers and how we are salty that Priyanka and Sophie took our men. It had no choice but to be noted. Such a great and informative episode. Hope you guys enjoy, Talk to you soon!

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and fellow podcaster, Maya Fleming to talk about financial self-care. As defined by Maya, financial self-care is any activity or action that gets you closer to your ideal dream state. This means having enough money to use it as a tool to create our dream lives! We talk about the ways she has tried to achieve this since graduation, how to budget according to your values, and the horrifying, atrocious student loans most of us have to deal with. Such important advice that we all need to hear, hope you enjoy!

Check out Maya’s socials and podcast:

Instagram: (@MayaFleming)

Today’s episode is all about dating in your twenties: the apps, the bad first dates, the pressure to be married by 30, and everything in between. I bring on NYC content creator Katy Bellotte, to chat about the pressures of dating in a major city, dating app culture and the hidden blessings of being single. Chatting about the magic and comedy of love is completely on brand for her, which is why I was so excited to have the opportunity to sit down with her. Be sure to check out her social media channels, podcast, graphic design business and patreon! I had a lot of fun with this one. Hope you enjoy!

Katy's social/business channels:

Instagram - katybellotte

Youtube - hellokaty

Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6lRgb3fNRoqYh1k7qMvEaW?si=WVaLVNbZSnSsifqSRZ1wFg

Sigh... here we go again. Here are my thoughts on the senseless murder of George Floyd, the current state of affairs in America, and why we need to look towards new solutions based on the private conversations we have on social issues. #BlackLivesMatter. 

Ways to donate to the cause: