Awf The Record

Today, this candid and reflective episode of Awf The Record is your go-to year-end reset. Jeannette and Mona ditch the highlight reel to unpack what 2025 really looked like: burnout, blurred boundaries, constant “work mode,” and the pressure to overachieve.They break down the habits that kept them running on fumes, unpack the immigrant-kid conditioning that glorifies exhaustion, and reveal the small but powerful shifts they’re making to build a more intentional, joyful, sustainable 2026.Whether you're overachieving yourself into exhaustion, struggling to balance personal joy with professional hustle, or just looking for a more sustainable way to grow – this episode is for you. KEY POINTS - Why we glamorize burnout and miss the signs- How to stop “performing productivity” and start practicing boundaries- Why your “work mode” is stealing your joy (and how to reclaim it)- The value of hobbies that don’t pay you- Why scheduling your personal life is the ultimate form of self-respect- How to slow down without losing ambition- The difference between big wins vs. consistent wins- What Mona & Jeannette are leaving in 2025 (and what they’re carrying into 2026)QUOTES “2025 dragged me by my edges.” - Mona Kosar Abdi"There are some years that ask questions and some years that answer, and for me, I felt like this was a year of a lot of questions being asked, and I hope that 2026 is the year that answers." - Mona Kosar Abdi"Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Before, my excuse was they can't do better. Do it better than I can. But now you want, first off, you find out some people can. You just got to give them some time to learn."- Jeannette Reyes"I'm leaving anxiety in 2025 because it does not serve me at all... I am going to celebrate things and celebrate myself and allow my friends to celebrate me." - Mona Kosar AbdiRESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Is Ozempic really the weight loss solution we’ve been waiting for or is it more complicated than that?In this must-listen segment, Dr. Darien Sutton breaks down the truth behind Ozempic and GLP-1 medications; what they actually do, who they’re for, and why obesity is much more than a matter of willpower. From Serena Williams headlines to the science of chronic weight gain, this convo dives into the real root causes of obesity, metabolic health, and the limits of “quick fix” thinking.If you’re curious, confused, or just tired of the hot takes, this one clears it all up.GUEST RESOURCES Dr. Darien Sutton IG | @doctor.darien/ RESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

There’s power in being seen… but there’s also pressure.In this “Best-Of” episode, we explore the beauty and the burden of being a woman in the public eye. Through deeply personal stories of fame, identity, grief, and cultural expectations, these guests reflect on what it means to be visible… and misunderstood. This episode is for every woman who’s ever felt picked apart, underestimated, or praised for the version of herself the world projected – not the one she chose.KEY POINTS: Melyssa Ford: The Original Video Vixen on Fame, Fear, and Finding HerselfAndrea Lewis on Life After Degrassi, Burnout, and Becoming a BossThe Biggest Hair Myth, Texturism, and the Pressure to Be PerfectRESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

How do you nurture a big dream,  especially when you don’t have a roadmap?In this listener Q&A segment, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi share what it was like becoming journalists as daughters of immigrants, and how they found their voices in an industry where they didn’t always see themselves reflected. From reading scripts off an iPad in the living room to landing anchor desks, they reflect on visualization, storytelling, and the underrated power of immigrant kids who know how to translate everything.Whether you’re raising the next generation of storytellers or finding your own voice, this one’s for youRESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

What if your dream job wasn’t the dream anymore?In this special “Best-Of” episode, we’re revisiting four powerful stories about career pivots, evolving purpose, and letting go of the identities we once held onto. From childhood fame to corporate boardrooms, these guests opened up about what it really means to outgrow the path you thought was permanent.Whether you're feeling stuck, scared to start over, or just craving something new, this episode is your permission slip to pivot. Because your dream didn’t die – it just evolved. KEY POINTS - Imani Ellis: The Truth About Leaving Your Dream Job- How to Pivot When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned- Andrea Lewis on Life After Degrassi, Burnout, and Becoming a Boss- Real Advice for Real Life TransitionsRESOURCES: Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Youtube: @AwfTheRecordInstagram: @awftherecordpodcastTikTok: @AwfTheRecordMona Kosar AbdiIG |  @monakabdi Jeannette ReyesIG |  @msnewslady Keep in touch with Awf The Record:Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecordFollow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcastFollow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecordVisit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com Follow Mona on TikTok and IGFollow Jeannette on TikTok and IG