Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods

Episode: EP 53 | If You Could Gaze into the Future
Release Date: November 25, 2024
Host: Avery Woods
Guests: Raven Simone & Miranda Madea

Introduction and Guest Profiles

In the 53rd episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods welcomes two esteemed guests, Raven Simone and Miranda Madea. Raven Simone, a trailblazing actress from the Disney Channel era, and Miranda Madea, Raven's wife and co-host of the podcast Tea Time, share their unique experiences navigating the entertainment industry and their personal journey together.

Avery Woods introduces Raven as "the first female black actress to have a Disney Channel show named after her," referencing her groundbreaking role in That's So Raven. She highlights Raven's contributions to projects like Cheetah Girls 1 and 2, Princess Diaries 2, Raven's Home, and The View. Avery also acknowledges Raven's courage in coming out in 2013, which paved the way for her marriage to Miranda Madea.

Career Background and the Tea Time Podcast

Raven Simone and Miranda Madea delve into the inception and evolution of their podcast, Tea Time. Originally launched as a YouTube channel in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tea Time featured a segment called "Tea Time," inspired by mukbangs where they shared meals and conversations.

However, as life became busier and their initial partnership with iHeartMedia didn't align with their vision, they relaunched Tea Time under their own terms with a smaller production company. Raven explains, “We started a YouTube channel in 2020 during COVID... Things started happening. Life got busier... So Tea Time came back, but this time it was on our own terms.”

Miranda emphasizes the importance of representing a younger, interracial lesbian couple in the media landscape, stating, “There isn't a married lesbian couple that's younger because there's Ellen and Portia and others, but none that's interracial under 40.”

Relationship and Story of Meeting

Avery engages the couple in reminiscing about their relationship's beginnings. Miranda recounts meeting Raven at a karaoke night in Gayville, leading to an immediate connection. Their bond was solidified during a glamping trip in Philadelphia, despite initial reservations. Raven shares, “We started talking... by June 16th, that was a full U-haul.”

Their swift transition from dating to marriage during the pandemic underscores their deep connection and mutual understanding.

Experiences in the Entertainment Industry

The conversation shifts to the challenges and nuances of working in the entertainment sector. Raven discusses the pressure of maintaining authenticity while managing public perceptions: “In the world that I did, you see people who work on television a lot... It's not as jarring.”

Avery praises Miranda and Raven for their genuine personas, contrasting them with the often-guarded nature of other celebrities: “You guys have to be so proud of because that's very rare.”

Coming Out and LGBTQ+ Experiences

Both Raven and Miranda share their experiences with coming out and embracing their identities. Miranda opened up publicly via a tweet, navigating the complexities of being a lesbian in the public eye. She reflects, “I think my gayness kind of saved me because I had, like, 18 masks... I was just happy to come out as who I am.”

Raven identifies as bisexual, sharing her journey of self-discovery and eventual alignment with Miranda: “I grew up with crazy crushes on boys... My first relationship with a girl was when I was 19.”

They discuss the importance of self-acceptance and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the spotlight, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding.

Childhood and Personal Stories

Raven and Miranda delve into their childhoods, highlighting the impact of early responsibilities and societal expectations. Raven, who began her acting career at 16 months old, reveals the pressures of growing up in the public eye: “I grew up in LA in a neighborhood called Hancock Park... I had a ton of anxiety at a very young age.”

Miranda shares her upbringing and the ways it shaped her resilience: “I always made sure that I was... grounded in the conversations. It's so layered... But I'm still here, and I'm married and I'm gay.”

Notable Quotes

• Avery Woods [03:05]: "Avery Wood: I love it. So, first of all, I got to get my fangirl moment over with and then we'll never speak about it again."

• Raven Simone [08:23]: “I am a an Avery Woods fan. I love your TikToks. I follow you regularly. I am up on all this tea all the time. So it's a fun moment for me to be.”

• Miranda Madea [10:25]: “You have to tell the whole story for sure. But I'm sure if I wasn't disassociated, I probably would have had feelings.”

• Avery Woods [12:06]: “It's the most enjoyable part of my job. Because I do just show up.”

• Raven Simone [22:42]: “Don't you want to make sure you know all the facts? Don't you want to make sure you have the context?”

• Miranda Madea [48:32]: “I'm gay.”

Future Plans and Projects

Looking ahead, Raven and Miranda discuss their aspirations, including the completion of Miranda's book and upcoming projects from their production company. They express excitement about expanding their podcast and potentially going on tour, incorporating musical guests and interactive elements. Raven mentions, “We have some really exciting, cool projects,” while Miranda highlights the importance of telling their stories authentically through writing.

Conclusion

Episode 53 of CHEERS! with Avery Woods offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Raven Simone and Miranda Madea. Through candid conversations about career challenges, personal growth, and navigating their identities, the episode underscores the importance of authenticity, representation, and resilience in both the entertainment industry and personal lives.

For more insights and engaging discussions, listeners are encouraged to follow Raven and Miranda's podcast Tea Time available on YouTube and other streaming platforms.

Notable Moments Covered:

• [00:00 - 02:59]: Introduction of guests and their backgrounds.
• [07:52 - 12:06]: Origins and evolution of the Tea Time podcast.
• [16:23 - 16:41]: Skipped - Outback Steakhouse Advertisement.
• [22:42 - 24:11]: Discussion on handling public backlash and the importance of context.
• [48:32 - 51:06]: Coming out experiences and personal reflections.
• [73:13 - 80:58]: Skipped - Peloton Advertisement.
• [81:46 - 81:51]: Closing remarks and final toasts.

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary to focus on the core discussions and narratives.