A Lifelong BaSh Podcast

We can all attest to the fact that 2020 had been a doozy! As we’re approaching the holiday season, what better time to reflect on the year in review and prep for the coming year. On this episode of Dating my Best Friend Podcast, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini discuss the power of declarations vs resolutions and cover three common areas of reflection including Personal Development, Fitness, and Finance.

For each area,  they are joined by guest experts, Tamara Lynn (momentum Education), Joanna Clinton (Project SHED) and Shatisha Stephens (Financial Matters) who focus on how setting intention coupled with proper information and action can propel you closer to the dreams and visions you have for your lives.  So get your pens and paper, take all the notes as you take in all of the gems dropped in this final episode of the season entitled “I Declare: Intension and Goal Setting for the New Year”.

There is no “perfect” relationship. Every couple faces challenges within their relationship that either make or break them. As two people decide to journey together there are bound to experience mishaps, heartbreak, forgiveness, and healing all in an attempt to return to love.

In this episode, hosts Barry and Shantini share a painstaking point in their relationship that destroyed trust and challenged their future together. Inspired by an article about Pastor John Gray, they discuss the importance of holding yourself accountable for creating chaos in your relationship, recognizing your wrong-doings, and making a valiant effort to change behavior to heal and restore the relationship. It gets really real.

Thanksgiving is literally next week and It’s officially the beginning holiday season! Exciting! Often times this can bring up challenges in relationships particularly if you Holiday differently. Questions like: “Who spends what holiday with which family, do you spend it apart? Do you create your own?” are at the core of the holiday season. What if life’s circumstances (death, loss, or other family challenges) shifted how you approach the holiday season?

In this episode, alongside our special guest, social worker, pastor and pre-marital counselor, Dr. Donald Garner, we dissect some of these common challenges, including our very own and share tips on how to navigate the holidays.

On a daily basis are constantly reminded of the negative narratives associated with the black man, we can harp on all the things he’s not and constantly share what the black man should do for the black women. But what about them? Why about their needs? On this episode of Dating My Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, chat with faith leaders Jason Hendrickson and Sharise W. about what it takes to love a black man. Tune in as they share lessons on what loving a black man looks like, how to love past challenges, and love through a Godly lens.

Malcolm X said the most disrespected, unprotected, and neglected person in America is the Black woman. On this episode of Dating My Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, chat with their friends Maddox and Neziak (Larry) about what it means to protect black women. Tune in as they dissect the word protection and explore other powerful action words like support, showing up, and encourage as a more all-encompassing way to really hold space for black women today and always.

This year Covid-19 came and flipped all of our lives upside down. From masks and loads of hand sanitizer and toilet paper, we were forced to quarantine in an effort to stay safe at home. It was really a time where whether or not you were involved, you were forced to be with yourself and navigate all of your relationships virtually. On this episode of Dating My Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, chat with some of their single friends about how they mingled (or not) in the midst of Covid. Tune in for all the details of their guests' experiences with dating hits and misses, safety precautions, and incorporating sexy cuddle time during the quarantine.

“Engagement marks the end of a whirlwind romance and the beginning of an eternal love story." ~Anonymus Exciting news! He asked and she said YES! On this episode of Dating my Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, share the behind-the-scenes of their recent engagement and chat their hopes and intention for the next phase of their love story. Tune in for all the details of the day and the extraordinary planning that Barry secretly pulled off with the help of family and friends to make the day magical and memorable!

There’s a saying that says: “Of all the books in the world the best stories are found between the pages of a passport!” On this episode of Dating my Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, discuss the importance of traveling with your partner and how it can elevate your relationship as you learn and grow together with amazing guest Travelista, Author, Educator, and Founder of Traveling Black Women, Dr. Nadine Duncan. She candidly shares her knowledge and expertise on the benefits of travel and how it fosters a deeper connection in relationships. Tune in for travel tips and new perspectives on creating a healthy love-cation!

Did someone say it’s Sexy time? We’ll BaSh fam, we believe pleasure is such a treasure and it’s such an integral part of your relationship. On this episode of Dating my Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, discusses how to keep things spicy in (and out of) the bedroom with Guest Sex-pert (yes you read that right) and Pure Romance Consultant, Junie Sylvain. This is a hot topic and you don’t want to miss it. Tune is as they chat sex, toys, enhancements and the taboo that’s often associated with having a pleasure chest.--

Love is such an integral aspect of relationships. The big question is, however, is love all there is to it? Are there other things to be considered? On this episode of Dating My Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, dissect this important question--Is Love Enough? Listen as they share their thoughts on the importance of love and whether or not its enough to sustain a relationship.

All relationships evolve and change over time. Sometimes it's for the better and other times not so much. It's so important to be in tune with how your relationship is evolving. On this episode of Dating my Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini, discusses the importance of taking inventory in your relationships--the one with yourself and the relationship with others. Listen as they share what they've been up to during this quarantine and tackle some key questions that serve as a check-in to their very own relationship. 

The number three is such a dynamic number and is said to represent wholeness, and completeness.  On this episode of Dating my Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini explore the three "Cs" that are at the core of building and sustaining a healthy relationship.  With support from expert guest,  clinical psychologist, celebrity life coach, and award-winning author, Pervis Taylor, III, they discuss the ins and outs of Communication, Compromise, and Commitment.

At one point of another we’ve heard someone introduce their boo thang as their “other half” or “better half”? Heck, it’s likely that we have even done it ourselves at some point. But last time we checked we were whole beings, not half people. So on this episode Of Dating My Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini discuss the importance of being whole, whole-hearted, and bringing your whole self to when building your relationship. --

So wherever you are in the world, in one way or another you are doing your best to navigate our new normal of this quarantined life.  Due to the fact that distance is now the best way you can show your care for someone, we are all in some form of an Isolationship. While on one end this can be a bummer, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini chat about how isolation can be a form of revelation.`

How do you deal with change? Do you go with the flow or resist? On this episode of Dating My Best Friend, hosts Barry (aka Coach Coop) and Shantini discuss navigating transitions in relationships. Get into the conversation now!