EP 429: Essence Fest 2025 (Ft. Kandi Burruss)

Summary

Decisions, Decisions – EP 429: Essence Fest 2025 (Ft. Kandi Burruss) Summary

Release Date: July 14, 2025
Hosts: Mandy V and WeezyWTF
Guests: Kandi Burruss

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1. Episode Introduction and Essence Fest Overview

In this special edition of Decisions, Decisions, hosts Mandy V and WeezyWTF delve into their experiences at Essence Fest 2025. This was their inaugural attendance at the event, providing listeners with firsthand insights into the festivities, networking opportunities, and cultural highlights.

Key Highlights:

• Networking and Partnerships: Mandy and WeezyV discuss their interactions with notable organizations such as Black Effect Network, Gilead Sciences, and Black Women in Health.
• Essence Fest Experience: Both hosts share their observations about the event’s demographics, cultural elements, and overall vibe.

Notable Quote:

Mandy V (03:33): "Our first time being at Essence Fest, and oh, so much of it is only expected."

2. Personal Stories: New Orleans Adventures

The hosts recount their adventures in New Orleans during Essence Fest, highlighting the city's unique culture, cuisine, and unexpected encounters.

Key Highlights:

• Culinary Delights: Mandy emphasizes the exceptional food scene, mentioning dishes like crawfish, oysters, and various renditions of red beans and rice.
• Unexpected Encounters: Mandy shares a wild story about meeting Spectacular from Pretty Ricky and an impromptu club experience with Keith Sweat, showcasing the vibrant nightlife and unexpected moments that made her weekend memorable.

Notable Quotes:

Mandy V (04:33): "I never want to be referred to as an auntie ever again. Because if ESSENCE is the Auntie Fest, I have another 60 years before I become an auntie."

Mandy V (09:19): "We ended up meeting Spectacular from Pretty Ricky... It was like being in the metaverse."

3. Financial Insights and Advertisements

Throughout the episode, Mandy and Weezy intersperse their conversations with sponsored segments, promoting brands like Mint Mobile and Chime. However, the hosts seamlessly integrate financial advice into their discussions, especially during interviews.

Key Highlights:

• Chime Promotion: Emphasizes fee-free banking and early direct deposits.
• Mint Mobile Promotion: Highlights affordable unlimited premium wireless plans.

4. In-Depth Interview with Kandi Burruss

The highlight of the episode is an engaging interview with Kandi Burruss, exploring her journey as an entrepreneur, mother, and influential figure in the entertainment industry.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Entrepreneurship and Production: Kandi shares her experiences producing Broadway shows like Othello and her involvement in the music industry.

  Notable Quote:

  Kandi Burruss (64:16): "Denzel brought the opportunity... Jake was the first one on his list."

• Motherhood and Parenting: The conversation delves into the challenges of parenting Riley, Kandi’s daughter, highlighting the balance between being a mother and maintaining a public persona.

  Notable Quote:

  Kandi Burruss (71:24): "I want people to remember me as a woman who always looked out for people and uplifted others to be successful."

• Financial Advice: Kandi provides valuable financial tips, advocating for early investments, separate banking accounts to avoid overdrafts, and the importance of budgeting.

  Notable Quotes:

  Kandi Burruss (66:19): "I started putting my money into investments heavy in my 20s and look at that money as it doesn't exist."

  Kandi Burruss (69:05): "You need to have bank accounts at two separate banks... Live below your means."

• Legacy and Impact: Discusses the importance of leaving a lasting legacy beyond one’s children, focusing on community impact and personal achievements.

5. Relationship Dynamics and Personal Reflections

Hosts delve into personal relationship dynamics, drawing parallels between business and romantic interactions. They discuss the challenges of receiving rejection, maintaining communication, and balancing personal and professional lives.

Key Highlights:

• Handling Rejection: Mandy and Weezy share their strategies for dealing with 'no' in both romantic and business contexts, emphasizing resilience and continuous growth.

  Notable Quotes:

  Mandy V (58:57): "I always tell my kids all the time, if they say no, so what? Go on to the next person."

  Weezy (60:28): "What's harder to hear a no in a romantic situation or a no in a business situation?"

• Balancing Creativity and Corporate Life: Mandy reflects on her reluctance to move to Washington D.C. due to its political and corporate environment, preferring cities that foster creativity like New York and Los Angeles.

6. Closing Remarks and Future Collaborations

The episode concludes with excitement about future collaborations and projects. Kandi Burruss hints at upcoming movies produced with her husband, Todd, and expresses interest in joining the podcast for future episodes.

Key Highlights:

• Upcoming Projects: Kandi mentions her latest movie, Don't Bring Your Man to Atlanta, and encourages listeners to stay tuned for more updates.
• Future Collaborations: Hosts express their enthusiasm for having Kandi join future podcasts and continue the enriching conversations.

Notable Quote:

Kandi Burruss (75:11): "Thank you so much."

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Conclusion

EP 429 of Decisions, Decisions offers a rich blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and inspiring conversations with Kandi Burruss. Mandy V and WeezyWTF successfully navigate discussions on culture, finance, and relationships, providing listeners with valuable takeaways and an authentic glimpse into their experiences at Essence Fest 2025.

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Notable Advertisements Omitted:

• Mint Mobile: [00:36] - [01:18]
• Chime: [16:03] - [17:24]
• DreamWorks Animation – The Bad Guys 2: [17:36] - [18:35] and [34:20] - [35:19]
• T-Mobile Family Freedom: [77:12] - [77:42]

Transcript

[Host 1]

This is an Iheart podcast.

[Host 2]

Remember the Bad Guys? They are back.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

And they're funnier than ever. And my family is so excited because DreamWorks animations the Bad Guys 2 is just going to be the wildest, funniest comedy of the summer. You know, it's everyone's favorite crew of criminals. They're trying their best to go good until they're roped into a globetrotting heist by a new crew. The Bad Girls. That's right. The girls are going to meet the guys. It's going to be amazing. Your kids, your parents, everybody's going to love this. So make sure you get your Tickets now for DreamWorks animations, the Bad Guys 2. In theaters August 1st. Rated PG.

[Mandy V]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. Now, I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Weezy]

Of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required. New customer offer for first three months only.

[Mandy V]

Speed slow.

[Weezy]

After gigabytes of networks busy taxes and fees extra c mint mobile.com welcome to Decisions Decisions.

[Mandy V]

I don't think you should say Decisions, Decisions. It sounded like you was talking it.

[Weezy]

Cursing you definitely say the.

[Host 1]

Welcome.

[Mandy V]

Welcome to the new podcast.

[Weezy]

Oh wait, you want to say it together.

[Mandy V]

Decisions, Decisions. Welcome everybody to a very, very, very special edition of Decisions Decisions. I'm your girl, Mandy V. Hey everybody.

[Weezy]

Welcome back to Decisions Decisions. My name is Weezy. We are so excited to share this episode with you. If you've never listened to Decisions Decisions and you only know Candy, this is a very fun show where we de stigmatize kink. We talk about dating, relationships, sex history. But today Candy's episode is really more focused on motherhood, parenthood, being a boss woman. Just her, her journey throughout entrepreneurship. And she gave some really good financial tips. So we're excited to get into that with y'. But before we do, we gotta recap this Essence Fest.

[Mandy V]

Well, by the way, y', all, we are gonna work on bringing Kandy on to sit down for a real Decisions Decisions episode. Well, she said it's gonna talk about.

[Weezy]

She's here with us.

[Mandy V]

Yeah, y' all know, you know we are now rebranded. So working with, you know, just bigger entities, they was like don't be going up on stage talking about no sucking dick. So we. We leaned away from that. But when I say Candy, her energy was amazing, y'. All. I told her about my story going to Mexico, picking up a couple, and her jaw dropped. And I was like, candy, not me making your jaw drop. But it was really interesting, even her hearing my story about being a unicorn in Mexico from the book, because she was like, I'm hearing your story, but I'm realizing me and Todd would be the couple in this. So being picked up by a girl on vacation, she's like, ooh, I can't wait to read the chapter. Um, but really, definitely hoping that we get Candy back on the podcast soon. But, yeah, we'll start with the recap of Essence Fest. And before we start, we want to give a really, really big shout out to Black Effect Network, Heller, Gilead Sciences, Black Women in Health, whose booth we were at on Friday, as well as Essence Fest in general. This was our first time being at Essence Fest, and ooh.

[Weezy]

And so much of it is only expected, like, so shout out to Gilead for buying books for attendees of Essence. They paired us with Black Women's Health initiative, and they were so much fun. So fire. I know we're definitely going to work with them again. Like, I really liked everything that whole brand was about all of their staff. But let's talk about the arrival of New Orleans. What did you see besides fedoras and fans?

[Mandy V]

Oh, I'm not gonna lie. Here's. Here's my overall consensus, right? And I have. I have a few takeaways. My overall consensus is that I never want to be referred to as an auntie ever again. Because if ESSENCE is the Auntie Fest, I have another 60 years before I become an auntie. I saw everyone that was 102 years old, and I was like, ooh, where are the millennials? When I hear auntie like and shit like that, I think it's like, 35 and up. So I was expecting to see, but.

[Weezy]

Auntie is not 35, bro.

[Mandy V]

Auntie is 35. They did a whole breakdown on the Internet. Auntie is 35 and up. And so I was like, definitely looking for younger people. I'm not gonna lie. It took me two days to spot a YN. I was looking for the YNs. It took two days. I did not see a YN until Saturday morning. But overall, overall, I will say my favorite thing about the weekend by far, was the food I think that New Orleans has. It is probably top three, one of the best spots in the US to get Food. And they have their own cuisine. And I was so glad to just have crawfish and fucking oysters. And I think I had red beans and rice three different ways. Like, I had a great time. I was outside. So. Went to a mayor's gala on Thursday night, followed by Club Quarantine with DJ D. Nice.

[Weezy]

What was your favorite event of the weekend?

[Mandy V]

Okay. My favorite event of the weekend. Okay. For me, honestly. And we'll get into, like, our work portion. But I wanted to start out with the wildness of me actually enjoying Essence. Before we get into all the work perks, I have a story, and it's the most random story, y'. All. It made me feel like I was in the metaverse, I was in some other universe, because what the fuck? So Saturday night. Saturday night, we completely finish all of our obligations, all of our duties, and I'm like, bitch, I just want to be outside. So in my mind, I was going to be crawling on Bourbon street, drunk as fuck, swimming in piss, because that's what Bourbon street is. It's full of piss on the ground. And I was just like, I'm ready to black out. We're New York Times bestsellers. I was ready to just celebrate it because we hadn't really had the chance to celebrate because we got the announcement on Wednesday, and then we were in New Orleans by Thursday. So anyways, I end up meeting the first night that I arrive Spectacular from Pretty Ricky. So we'd known each other from online and in passing. And so I'm leaving to the gala, run into him. I'm like, I know. I'll see you again. See him again Friday. So Saturday, he hits me like, what are y' all doing tonight? Do you wanna. Do you wanna slide to the. To the club with me? And I'm like, sure. So I asked my homegirl, who's with me, mind you, she's celebrating her 37th birthday, and new Orleans is, like, one of her favorite cities that she hasn't been to since pre Katrina. So I'm like, bitch. So we link up with Spectacular, and the club appearance time keeps getting pushed back. So y'. All. We go to a bar maybe three blocks away from the hotel, y', all, no lie. I love that my friend lives in LA and can peep the scene, y'. All. Spectacular was about to get lined up. There was these bitches trying to, like, rob his ass. And my friend was like, she spoke, girl. There was two girls just standing behind him on the phone. And so my homegirl's in front and peeping These girls, and they're just standing at the bar, not ordering nothing but on the phone. So I go in Spec's ear, and I'm like, my friend thinks, like, these girls are about to try to rob you. So I say, let's go sit down where no one can be behind you. So, girl, as we go sit down, these two stud pull up and sit at the end of our table. And I'm like, now there's. Now there's four. Like, he was about to. Because this nigga had all his goddamn jewelry on. He was bedazzled. Nigga had on diamonds. And I'm like, we are still in New Orleans, sir. So anyways, we at the table, and I'm like, I think these stud is here to rob you. So I look, mind you, now his security guard assistant is peeping. And I'm like, I ain't gonna hold you. I don't wanna stay around to see how bold they are. I said, we need to go, bitch. As we get up and go tell Jaz we're leaving, bitch. I hear one of the bitches say, stand there. I said, oh, no, bitch, we outta here. When I tell you we don't even wait for a to go plate for my homegirl's food. I say, bitch, let's get the fuck up outta here. So, bitch. Anyway, we leave, we start zigzagging down the things. Cause I'm like, let's just go back to the hotel. These roads are blocked. Let's just go back to the hotel so we can go to the club. So boom.

[Weezy]

What happened to Spectacular?

[Mandy V]

We're still with Spectacular. So we go, because we're going to the club with him. So we're like, let's just go back to the hotel. Let's head to the club. Okay. So we get in the car, and by this time, clearly, because we stopped at a couple bars, my friend has been drinking. Mind you, we've been playing it in the room since we ran into him on Thursday. We've been listening to her favorite song on the Blue Stars album. Let me guess which if you guys know, which if you know, you know, is a classic album to me. So we are in a car on the way to the club, and my homegirl shout out to Jasmine, decides to start singing her favorite records on the Blue Stars album, too. Spectacular, let's be very clear, she starts singing his songs to him. So she goes to start singing AJ nothing but a number, and talks about how problematic the song is today. But she goes, you say, mind you, she's grinding. She's singing this goddamn song. And then out of nowhere, she yells, I'm a young man, but my dick grown up. And literally starts rapping the first verse, but literally emphasizes, I'm a young man but my dick grown up. And I'm like, oh, my God. She is singing down this Pretty Ricky song, and all I could do is smile because my friends are my friends, and they are their unique selves. And at this point, bitch, we're already in the car going to the club with this n. So I'm like, thank you, Jaz, for. It was funny because we started singing, like, grind on me and all this stuff. And I even admit, I tell him. I'm like, listen. I say, that album, to me, is such a classic. I've talked about it online. I said, it's my favorite. And I said, what's crazy is not too many men put it on their sex playlist. And he ended up sending me to my phone one of his sex playlists. And I was like. I said, not too many men put it on sex playlists. But I said, anytime I am in bed with somebody and a Pretty Ricky song comes on, I stop and just know you a nasty nigger. Mind you, that album came out before I was even hunching. But, baby, that is the album. So anyways, we get to the club. I didn't announce it yet because this is where we got into the metaverse of it all, y'. All. We get to the club, and we link up with who we're walking into the club with. So, y', all, I am now with my homegirl, Spectacular, his homeboy, and Keith Sweat and his entourage. So we enter the club with Keith Sweatt, who's performing. It's like 1:30 in the morning, and I'm like, bro, am I Frenchy? Am I young?

[Host 1]

Where?

[Mandy V]

Where you said what I would think?

[Weezy]

Like, what is the crowd like? Cause Spectacular and Keith Sweat.

[Mandy V]

It's Essence Fest. Mind you, Spectacular, I think, just is friends with Keith Sweat. So he's not on the fly or anything? No, no, no, no, no, no. So we go to the club. Key Sweat is set to perform. And I'm like, what is life? I'm walking into the club with goddamn. A member from Pretty Ricky and fucking Keith Sweat. So me and my homegirl are the only bitches at the table. Mind you, it's like 15 dudes. So we get approached, y'.

[Host 1]

All.

[Mandy V]

We get approached to do something that I can't believe I did at the grown age of 34. But I obliged Because I was like.

[Weezy]

This is fun shots in your eyes.

[Mandy V]

We were. Girl, let me finish the story. We were.

[Weezy]

I'm just guessing and having fun.

[Mandy V]

We were set to literally go around the club and select bitches to bring to the stage. Poor Keith Sweat. And I'm like, bro, I am 34 years old, literally about to go scope the scene for bitches for a 63 year old Keith Sweat. And I'm like, what is life? So anyways, we rummage the club, we bring some bitches up on stage. It's Essence Fest. So it definitely wasn't giving options like a Miami or a New York or an la. But we did our due diligence, we had a good time. I ended up getting one of the girls numbers because she was so cute. So then I asked her because Keith Sweat is now performing. And clearly I brought bitches on stage that I thought was cute too. So I'm shooting my shit with one of the ones that I really like. I'm like, by the way, how old are you? She says she's 27 years old. I said, do you even know this man on stage? And she admits she doesn't. She said, I think some of these songs my mom listens to. I said, do you know that gentleman right there with the dreads? And she knew Spectacular from love and hip hop. And I'm just like, wow. We are literally in the era of where our generation is probably the last to really know how great Pretty Ricky is, but also to realize that the generation that is now outside also does not know Keith Sweat. I was like, wow, okay. This is a generational era type of event where there could be someone so young that they don't know a mega superstar who has been him for the last 40 years, mind you. So I called my mama because I sent her a video of Keith Sweat. She was like, you have the best seat in the house. I said, mom, I've been tasked to bring bitches to his table. Why my mama? Why? Ms. Tammy? Y' all said, now, why you ain't FaceTime me? I could have been a bitch for Keith Sweat. I said, so you were gonna get to New Orleans in 10 minutes, Mom. I'm like, my mom's still wanting to gyrate on Keith Sweat after all these years I found to be hilarious. But to me, that was my most real type of night. To where I was like, wow. I'm partying with someone I grew up loving. I'm partying with someone my mom grew up loving. But I definitely know his songs. And it Was just a good ass black ass time. I had a really good time. So that was probably my favorite night of essence.

[Weezy]

Mandy, tell me how much you hate getting a fee on something.

[Mandy V]

I hate it. Especially the ones that are hidden. The ones where you see there's a total and then next thing you know, there's a fee at the end. Like rentals for the weekend and concert tickets.

[Weezy]

For me, it's a missed payment because, girl, we've been busy, okay? And honestly, every dollar counts for me. I got vacations to go on.

[Mandy V]

Well, fees are everywhere and they hurt the most when you're down. And that's why Chime offers fee free banking, which means no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance fees. Sign up [e-mail] decisions. That's D E C I S I O N S. Okay, can I tell.

[Weezy]

You my favorite part?

[Mandy V]

Forget the fee, girl.

[Weezy]

Getting paid to two days early.

[Mandy V]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Weezy]

Up to two days early with direct deposit.

[Mandy V]

Well, y' all make sure you sign up today. That's chime.com decisions. C-H-I-M e.com decisions and the 247 customer support.

[Weezy]

It's just always so convenient considering you never know what time zone you and it might be.

[Mandy V]

3:00Am we in the club, we need that card to work the tools.

[Weezy]

Helping me with just balance updates and.

[Mandy V]

Letting me know where I'm at in real time.

[Weezy]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Mandy V]

Open your account in two [e-mail] decisions. That's chime.com decisions. Chime feels like progress.

[Weezy]

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp Bank NA or Stride Bank NA members FDIC Spot me Eligibility requirements and overdraft limits apply. Timing depends on submission of payment file. Fees apply at out of network ATMs. Bank ranking and number of ATMs according to US News and World Report, 2023. Chime checking account required.

[Host 2]

Remember the Bad Guys? They're back and they're funnier than ever. DreamWorks animations the Bad Guys 2 is hitting theaters and my family could not be more excited. It's the boldest, wild, baddest comedy of the summer. I mean, this time everything's bigger. The action, the laughs, the hilariously questionable decisions. I mean, it's everyone's favorite crew of criminals trying emphasize on trying to go good. And spoiler, it's not going well. Yeah, because they get roped into a heist that takes them all over the world by some new rivals. There's a slick, stylish, and seriously bad crew known as the Bad Girls. Yeah, the Bad Girls Meet the Bad Guys. I love it. This movie is packed with outrageous gags. It's epic action. It's so, so many laugh out loud moments that you might spill your popcorn. Just warning you. And here's a tip. See the Bad guys too. In a theater, the energy of the crowd will make every joke hit even harder. Kids are going to love it. Adults will love it, and your inner bad guy or bad girl will love it too. Get your tickets now for Dreamworks animations. The Bad Guys 2. In theaters August 1st. Rated PG.

[Mandy V]

Wheezy, what was your favorite moment outside of work? I guess for you?

[Weezy]

So for me, I was really exhausted with our book tour like the day before. I had just flown in. So, as you guys now know, we're New York Times bestsellers. I got to host a really dope book signing in LA at Reparations Club. Shout out to them. We did two black owned bookstores, Uncle Bobby's in Philly and Reparations Club. Was your store black owned in Atlanta?

[Mandy V]

In LA, the store in D.C. was also black owned. And yeah, the store in Atlanta was also black owned. It was 44th and third bookseller. Shout out to them. They're on the campus of Spelman and Morehouse Medical Center. So. And then I think the store that we did in New York was woman owned. So we did request indie stores that were black owned, queer owned, and or woman owned. So we accomplished that for the entire first week.

[Weezy]

That was really exciting. Like, LA was so vibey. So two hours before getting into hair and makeup, I found out about our New York Times bestseller. I got to tell my mom in front of everyone. It was really special. And also got some info on just a New York Times bestseller, period. I mentioned this to Mandy when we were in New Orleans. Shan was hosting. She's like, damn, girl, I didn't even get that. She's like, you know who else didn't get that? She was like, drake had a book. He didn't get that. Like, I saw a comment on one of Charlamagne's videos that was like, everybody's a New York Times bestseller. I literally replied. And I was like, oh, you do it.

[Mandy V]

Like, not only that, Tempest. Tempest alerted me. For you guys who aren't aware, 0.01% of authors are New York Times bestsellers. I think there's only about 500 people out of the millions of authors that actually have the title. And so it's a really, really big deal. Like the way that art, like artists want to win Grammys and, like, you know, like actors want to win Tonys and Emmys. The New York Times bestseller award and title is like the creme de la creme of authors outside of getting into, like, Pulitzer Awards type shit. But, yeah, it's a. It's a huge deal and not many people get it at all.

[Weezy]

It's a huge deal. And I think for us to have received it after having such a tough week with books, bookstore stuff, as you can hear on our Patreon episode on the Town hall, it's super juicy over there. It was just dope. But beyond eating food, I think. So a few things happened that I wanted to chat with you about, because I think it'll be a really cool conversation for everybody that listens. And I would love to know everybody's top five. So we always see the memes when someone's like me five minutes into being drunk in a city, I can move here. So I had been creating a list in my head of places I could live forever. I've always said that New Orleans was my favorite city in the country because I don't think, and I repeat this so much, there is anything else that has that much consistency or culture native to that city. Now everyone that's listening, y' all are in New York and Texas, somewhere else and screaming at me, hear me out. The sound of New Orleans is unique. The taste of New Orleans is one spread around the world. And I truly believe it is a place where everyone almost assimilates to the culture, the accent. And I generally don't see that when it comes up to different ethnic groups. New York is the best city in the world. Right? Nothing could top New York. You can go to any fucking country in the world by just a walk through Queensland. But there's something about New Orleans that's so unified and special that I just love it. So I made this list, and I wanted to see if some of the cities could be the same for you or at least one. So these are places I want to live or have my forever home. Number one for me is New York. My forever home is priced at about $11 million in the Greenwich Village. It's a townhouse. It is literally how I would love to live in New York. Living in New York in your dream home is literally impossible for anyone I know that's not a billionaire fuck millionaire nigga2la. I could find my dream home for a million dollars in la. LA got some beautiful landscape, beautiful views, nature, good weather. And there's enough black people there for me. Paris I love. I think it's got some of the best black scene in Europe. Fashion, capital, food, impeccable. I just love it. And number four is now New Orleans for me. Here's why I haven't felt so at home by every single person that I met. That was in hospitality. You know how you begin attitudes, sometimes you pull up to a motherfucking spot and everybody just mad. I just felt so at peace at home in New Orleans. And it reminded me why I love this place. And I started to go on Zillow Magazine street, one of the most famous streets in New Orleans outside of Bourbon in the French Quarter. $900,000 for a fucking three story home. And I was like, oh, bruh. Then my last one is Mexico City. And y' all already know I think I'm Mexican. So I'm curious. So a lot of this for me. Obviously I can't afford my dream home in New York today, but I really thought about all the factors of this shit and where I could be happy, where I could find community, cities I could live in where I have no friends, but I could make some just cities that feel like home. Art, food, culture, LA, sorry I ain't got the food, but y' all are good at everything else. But yeah, I really want to know, what do you think those five are for you?

[Mandy V]

I know for sure I don't have five. New York would be. New York would be where my dream home is. New York. And I would want it actually in Columbus Circle overlooking Central Park. That's my happy, my happy place. I probably went there. I used to live like three stops from Central park when I was in Long Island City. And so for me, being able to overlook the park, be able to ride the scooters, some of my favorite restaurants are over there. I would just say there. I mean, clearly I'm in Atlanta now. This is my third time living in Atlanta in my life, where my community is. This is where people I went to high school with. This is where my best friends are. Other than that, I just like traveling. I think I really liked the bay. If I had to just add a third.

[Weezy]

Oh, wow.

[Mandy V]

I really like the bay, but I still haven't been there enough. I fucking. Y' all know how much I love the bay. Just from All Star Weekend this year. Other than that, I am very fucking American. I lived in Singapore for six months and was miserable. I don't like Europe.

[Weezy]

That might have been A culture shock.

[Mandy V]

No, I mean, I don't like Europe. I don't like. Y' all know, I don't like accents. And although we're dealing with the orange man in office, I've literally said it. When my friends are like, ooh, let me figure out where I'm gonna go live. I'd rather just put up with here. It's what I know. I fucking. I'm real like, bitch, I'm typical American. Like, I don't like. I like immersing myself into other cultures, but I wouldn't want to live there. I don't. I don't. I've never gone to another country, and I've been to a lot. There's countries where I'm like, ooh, I could have done another couple days here, but I've never been anywhere and been like, ooh, I could see myself living here.

[Weezy]

Was gonna say something that was a big factor for me. I forgot to mention, after this New Orleans Zillow, little search I did, I hit my boyfriend. He's like, nah, bro, DMV gotta be on that list. I'm like, you know why? It's not cause of the weather. New York is the only place in the world I will sacrifice not being warm. And it's cuz.

[Mandy V]

Okay, actually, now that you say that, D.C. is the only city that I go to where I start looking at.

[Weezy]

You say, you said it on the spot.

[Mandy V]

I love. I love dc. The only thing is, DC for me would have to be. It's unfortunate, I would have to change careers. Like, I think the. The only thing that always, like, puts me into reality about DC Because I've wanted to move to DC Is that it is very government, it is very political, it is very corporate. And so for me, there's no creativity there that would allow me to flourish in podcasting, television, film, radio. It's. Unless I do the news. So for me, that's what always slaps me back into reality. But for me, it's New York. Like, I love New York, but, yeah, I would want to look at New.

[Weezy]

York is so New York or die, bro.

[Mandy V]

New York, to me, I don't care what anyone says, period, is the best city in the world.

[Weezy]

That's why when you are traveling, it almost feels like you got this little stamp of approval because they know, like, hey, maybe you've never been to Bali before, but you're in Indonesia. You've heard of this country because you live in New York. You've seen other types of Asians. You know, when I lived in Florida. And I think many of us can attest to this as we grow and get older and mature. Asian people were Chinese people to me because I had no other viewpoint until I started to get older and be around other people. Now my friends are mixed with Koreans, Thai, Vietnamese. Like, we just simply don't know. And that's not even this prejudice thing. You're just kind of dumb sometimes. Like, there's not enough. And I'm not saying that all Floridians are dumb. We have to do our own due diligence. But for the most part, when you're in this place that's just kind of locked to its own thing. The thing I'm really blessed for, I believe, is getting to learn so many different Caribbean and Latino countries. I feel so well versed in Latin and Caribbean countries from living in Florida. But when I moved to New York, I was meeting people I never met from Africa. Congolese, Sierra Leonean, like, Ghanaian. I very rarely met people like that.

[Mandy V]

For me, it was. For me, it was the top hats and the curls. Brooklyn, the skirts past the knees, the wigs.

[Weezy]

Miami is.

[Mandy V]

I had never seen. I had never seen. What is it? Hasidic Jews.

[Weezy]

Hasidic Jews.

[Mandy V]

And so to learn about their community, they have their own hospital, their own buses, and I had just never seen them dress like that. Maybe it's too hot in Florida. I don't know. No, no, no. I mean, I'm just saying, it wasn't until I got to New York that I actually got to see them in their community.

[Weezy]

Like, for anyone that doesn't know, they're in Williamsburg, which is also the most hippie neighborhood in the world. So that should be funny.

[Mandy V]

Yeah, I've been learning. I was listening to around the Way Curls shout out to Shanti and Antoinette, and they said that New York City has the biggest population of Jews outside of Israel, like, in the world. So it was. I mean, New York is just incredible. I mean, y' all know, if you've read Neil Holds Barred in some capacity, Weezy and I both have, like, love letters and thank yous to the city of New York for our journey of sexuality and all the things. Actually, one moment, I just want to add to this because this platform is so big. One of the biggest things that I am disappointed in in the last week from social media to people who did not even attend ESSENCE Fest is almost the need and urge to discredit talk shit, talk down to are black events, are black institutions. And I've seen this happen anytime. BET Awards comes out we saw it with Roots Picnic. I've seen it happen with Invest Fest. I just had this conversation with Troy from eyl. I don't understand the need and desire to constantly tear down the things that we are creating for our own community. And we understand that DEI has recently been taken out of. We understand that Target was a part of ESSENCE this year. That deal probably took place a year ago before we knew that they removed dei. To me, it's unfortunate. We are in a place where we constantly want bigger budgets given to us. We constantly want to show up or have others respect what we're creating and what we're building when our own people are dismantling it. I'm going to insert a clip here of someone who is able to express this far better than I am. But I want you to take heed the next time you get on X, the next time you get on Twitter, the next time you get on Spill, the next time you get on Instagram, the next time you get on any social media app to talk down on a black institution or event, I want you to consider this and I'm gonna insert this clip. And this gives exactly my sentiments on how everyone has chose to trash this year's Essence Fest. And I just really implore specifically our listeners to take heed in the energy that you are putting out into the universe about our own Black institutions and events. And so check this clip out.

[Kandi Burruss]

I just got back from Essence Fest and I've seen a lot of the online commentary, and I think that there's one important distinction that we need to make early and often that is the distinction between feedback and fellowship. Some of you just seem to be in love with the idea of providing negative feedback. I've even seen feedback from people who weren't actually even at the event. I will remind us it is important for us to protect our stuff. Now, look, nothing is perfect and there are always opportunities to improve. But the spirit in which we do that is super important. Feedback often is about just critiquing the product. Fellowship protects the product. Feedback is transactional where fellowship is transformational. These sort of distinctions are the things that I deeply encourage us to be thinking about as we're talking about one of the very important institutions that we have in our community. So much economic impact, so many people have been provided jobs that ordinarily wouldn't have had them. And again, while I understand there are always opportunities to improve, the spirit in which we continue to have these very public discussions about things that ultimately are important to us has to stop. I love us, and I know that you do too. But the spirit in which we have some of these discussions has to change. Congratulations to the Essence Team on having what was an amazing experience. It's very difficult to pull off such large scale events. I cannot wait to come back to continue to participate in what is an institution inside of our community. And I hope that you will join me in doing the same and supporting all the other great activations and experiences that we have going on throughout the country. Let's encourage them, yes, to be better, but to do it again in a spirit that makes sense. See you soon.

[Host 2]

Remember the Bad Guys. They're back and they're funnier than ever. DreamWorks animations, the Bad Guys 2 is hitting theaters and my family could not be more excited. It's the boldest, wildest, baddest comedy of the summer. I mean, this time everything's bigger. The action, the laughs, the hilariously questionable decisions. I mean, it's everyone's favorite crew of criminals trying emphasize on trying to go good. And spoiler, it's not going well. Yeah, because they get roped into a heist that takes them all over the world by some new rivals. There's a slick, stylish and seriously bad crew known as the Bad Girls. Yeah, the Bad Girls. Meet the Bad Guys. I love it. This movie is packed with outrageous gags. It's epic action. It's so many laugh out loud moments that you might smell your popcorn just warning you. And here's a tip. See the Bad guys too. In a theater, the energy of the crowd will make every joke hit even harder. Kids are going to love it. Adults will love it. And your inner bad guy or bad girl will love it. To get your Tickets now for DreamWorks animations, the Bad Guys 2 and in theaters August 1st. Rated PG.

[Weezy]

Well, guess what? Speaking of sexuality, even though you don't get it, but candy coated nights was so good and she literally was like, oh, I'm bragging with y'. All. Like we doing this again. So we are going to make sure to bring candy coated nights out of retirement for a good horrible mix one day. But for now, enjoy listening to the interview from ESSENCE Fest featuring Kandi Burry.

[Mandy V]

Now, y', all, we do have a very special guest coming out here. I don't know how we've been able to keep it a secret all weekend. I think every time we went somewhere, Weezy was like, can I share who we talking to? Can I share who we talking to? And I just fangirled out. So hopefully we really dive into how she's become the boss that she is, how she navigates being a mom, how she navigates.

[Host 1]

Oh, you said white.

[Weezy]

I didn't even know you were gonna give that away.

[Mandy V]

Was that too much? Look, you said what? Oh, wait, y' all already know.

[Weezy]

Oh. So, Candy, let me tell y', all, we really genuinely are excited to talk to this person because I think not only is lovers of watching her grow on her show, watching her family, we really get to respect this woman as an entity herself. And I think that's the most exciting part about the conversation today. It's like we got all these juicy details about the tea and the surface level stuff, but it's like this person wasn't just a housewife, they really a boss.

[Mandy V]

Yeah.

[Weezy]

And the premise of this show that she's become such an icon of is for women that we're supposed to sit at home and watch the kids. And we know that ain't no candy.

[Mandy V]

That is not candy. So without further ado, do we want to bring her own out?

[Weezy]

Let's do it.

[Mandy V]

Y' all ready for Kandy to join us on the stage?

[Host 1]

What's up, y'? All? Hello, everybody. How y' all doing?

[Weezy]

Okay.

[Host 1]

That's nice.

[Weezy]

We gonna give Kandy some compliments. And once we do, I wanna hear Hell, yeah. Ain't that dress sparkly? Ain't she looking fly, period?

[Host 1]

Is Kandy our favorite? Congratulations, y', all on being bestsellers.

[Mandy V]

Thank you, girl. By the way, the song that she came out to, y', all, is celebrating its 25th year anniversary.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah. This year.

[Mandy V]

This year.

[Host 1]

That's great.

[Weezy]

We got kids and songs the same age.

[Host 1]

That is crazy.

[Mandy V]

And also, thank you for congratulating us, but I'm trying to reach like you. I want some Emmys next.

[Host 1]

Come on, let's go.

[Weezy]

You know, when we were prepping for this interview, so to interview someone that you're aware of, you normally don't have to do Googles because you can just interview them about the things you enjoy. I was like, I know how it is.

[Host 1]

I knew.

[Mandy V]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. She started. She said, othello does this. Candy does this. Candy does this. I said, uh huh. Cause I'm a Bravo, girly. So I know your whole discography, your whole imd, your whole everything.

[Weezy]

Now you know what's embarrassing about me, y'?

[Mandy V]

All?

[Weezy]

So I'm not a Bravo, girly, because you know, you gotta pick a side. I'm a TLC. I like, I want to see someone who's £600 and losing it. I want to see an African man with a fat white lady getting married. That's what I want to see.

[Mandy V]

I need to see desperation. Well, we're going to have a little bit of fun before we get into the conversation with a quick fire. Real, real easy ones. Don't. Don't be thinking too long. The first thing that come to your mind.

[Host 1]

Uh.

[Mandy V]

Oh, okay, Candy.

[Weezy]

So boom. Favorite franchise outside of atl.

[Host 1]

I don't. I'm not even going to lie to you. I don't really watch. She said.

[Mandy V]

I don't know those girls.

[Weezy]

Even if it's the memes, I don't watch it either. But.

[Host 1]

Okay, here's the thing. It was a couple that I watched when they first started.

[Mandy V]

Okay.

[Host 1]

So I'm gonna give it to Potomac.

[Mandy V]

Okay. I like that answer. I like that answer.

[Weezy]

Okay, this one I love because I feel like this is a really interesting question. Andy decides to take a year off to keep being a dad, just enjoying his life. Who is your chosen guest host for the reunion?

[Host 1]

Guest host?

[Mandy V]

Yeah. Like who? Who sits in place of Andy? If you could have anyone else host y', all, period.

[Host 1]

Like, listen, I feel like anybody that's going to make. Hold them accountable, like, make them actually answer the questions, and when you know they lying, call them out for it.

[Weezy]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host 1]

It gotta be somebody that's actually gonna keep them accountable.

[Mandy V]

Because he said. You said that ain't happening.

[Host 1]

It be a lot of lies on the show.

[Weezy]

You know what I would want? Bring Wendy out of retirement. Get Wendy William.

[Mandy V]

Oh, I would like that. Wendy be eating.

[Weezy]

They might need to take Wendy off the stage.

[Mandy V]

I would like that.

[Host 1]

Nah, that would be crazy.

[Mandy V]

Now, I have another question for you. What's more fun, touring with Escape or going on housewives vacations?

[Host 1]

You know, both is tough. No. Okay, so I would say now that lately with my group Escape, we've been on the same page.

[Mandy V]

Okay.

[Host 1]

But, you know, unfortunately, we haven't. We've been torn with not all of our members, but in this past year or two years. I don't know. I guess two years it's been. This is the longest we've ever gone without arguing.

[Mandy V]

I love.

[Weezy]

Really?

[Host 1]

That's crazy. I was having a conversation with my girls just a couple months ago, and I was like, can y' all believe we haven't had any arguments?

[Mandy V]

Candy, I'm tell you now, you just jinxed it. Me and Wezy do the same thing when we go on tour. We haven't argued. And then the next city we going.

[Weezy]

On nine days A night arguing. You know what it is? We.

[Mandy V]

We.

[Weezy]

Not only. It's not like we just tour together. We spend every week, two episodes a week, constantly on calls. This is the bulk of our business. So I'd just be like, uh, one little thing. I thought you got French fries. We just start fighting. But I would love to also dig into you about the healthiness of talking about disagreements.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Weezy]

All right, so.

[Mandy V]

Oh, I just had one last question, and then we gonna get to that. And it's not this question. I'm gonna go off script. What's harder, being a wife or being a mom? I asked that question to Gia Casey, and her answer was very interesting. You're a mom of three.

[Host 1]

Well, you know what? That's a hard question too, because it's tough either side. But what I'm realizing is I feel like it's tougher being a mom to a 22 year old than it is to young kids. Okay. Now, Riley, she used to be so easy when she was little. Now she be making me want to head butt her sometimes. Like, you know, it's. It's so different. It's like, you know, they want you to be there for them emotionally, but then she don't want to talk to you. And it's like if you don't do something for her that you do for the little kids, oh, you were showing favoritism and doing all this stuff. But then in the next second, it's like she won't even answer my phone call. I just be wanting to snatch her.

[Weezy]

Riley.

[Mandy V]

Sorry.

[Weezy]

I appreciate that because I'm so tired of parents acting like they don't get mad at their kids and just go through ebbs and flows. I heard an interview with Kenny Barris where he said, right now, my favorite kid is my youngest one, but it used to be this one. I was like, damn, that's so honest.

[Mandy V]

I'll say. You even saying how difficult it was. I saw a recent episode. So Riley's now on her own show on tv. And I thought it was amazing how you showed up for her with handling the microaggressions that she's receiving on the show. Like hearing that phone call and hearing you be a mother, but also a friend, but also like, tell her what the world is actually like. Was so good to see. Like, even for reality tv, it was so dope.

[Host 1]

Well, I think Riley did. She does. She does a good job of defending herself and speaking up for herself because.

[Mandy V]

Look at who her mommy is.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah. But I mean, you know, of course I'm gonna be there for my daughter. I really want to be on the plane for my daughter. Like, we probably said more than that, than what they showed, but I know Todd was like, oh, how old is he? He was like, you know, we could send your cousin Patrick up there. They the same age. They the same age.

[Weezy]

Hey, yo, that's real Atlanta.

[Host 1]

We gonna turn your cousin up. You know, Candy and the gang. If y' all remember Patrick, he's not to be played, man. Like a big dude.

[Mandy V]

Kandi said they cut that part out.

[Weezy]

So the questions we're gonna ask, since everybody in this audience is gonna be getting a free copy of the book, we broke up the book into pleasure, pain, progression, and power. So we're gonna start with questions about pleasure, since we talking about time.

[Mandy V]

Yes. So I want to ask you. You and Todd have built a relationship in the public eye. What's been the secret sauce to keeping your marriage intact, both at home and in business? Because you are also working with him, and then you raise a family together. So what's the sauce to, like, balance that out?

[Host 1]

Well, I would say communication. We spend a lot of time together and keep it fun. Keep it.

[Mandy V]

You know, you keep it fun. What that means?

[Host 1]

Look at y'.

[Mandy V]

All.

[Weezy]

What do we wear?

[Host 1]

You said, what do we wear?

[Weezy]

We put something on to keep it fun. What we doing?

[Host 1]

Candy, you know what? That is kind of crazy, because I need to step my game up and putting the outfits on, because, I mean, those type of outfits. Because he be like, okay, really? You're not gonna. Like, that's how you're gonna come with your. With your bonnet on your head?

[Mandy V]

That is hilarious. I just went on a date the other day, and he literally. I said, oh, I got to do my makeup. He said, why? I said, no, no, no, no, no. I want to dress up. It look cute. A date is an event now. So maybe y' all could, like, start dressing up for, like, date night.

[Host 1]

Well, yeah, I could dress up for that, but. But he'll come. He'll still complain about that, because he'll tell me, okay, let's go somewhere. And I'll say, well, do you want me to keep my flats on? You want me to put on my heels? Oh, you can keep on your flats. You can keep on your flats. But then if I go out with my girls and I got my heels on, oh, you don't ever do that for me.

[Mandy V]

Why is every day one thing? Why is that a thing?

[Host 1]

Like, wait a minute. You just said you didn't need me to put the Heels on. But whatever.

[Weezy]

You know what I'm thinking about, just. Cause I feel like as we get older, nights at home are just like, what we want to do. Now, when you're at home and you need, like, just a day alone, what's the thing that you want to do at home? Is it nothing? Is it a stupid TV show? Is it being on the phone gossiping? Like, what's your thing when you at home?

[Host 1]

I like just catching up on my favorite TV shows or watching a new series.

[Mandy V]

Your friend just said Instagram.

[Host 1]

You just be scrolling on Instagram. I would scroll for an hour or two, but I do. I like watching scripted series.

[Mandy V]

So.

[Host 1]

Yeah, man, Todd, that's. We love sitting up, catching a series, and just watching.

[Weezy]

What's your favorite snack when you watching tv?

[Host 1]

My favorite snack.

[Weezy]

What's it do you do? Do you do it in the bed? Cause I might have a snack in the bed.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Cheese crackers. Like, but you know, when you. I like cracker barrel, extra sharp cheese, and you slice it yourself and put it on. Y' all like the Ritz crackers.

[Mandy V]

That's her. That's hers too, bruh.

[Weezy]

We've known each other 20 years. That's my sister.

[Mandy V]

Snack it out. Cheesy crackers. Now, going into pleasure, but bringing it into business. What does pleasure look like for you as this entrepreneur? Is it the deal closing moment, the creative process, or the payoff when you get the check?

[Host 1]

Oh, we can't say all of the above.

[Mandy V]

Do they have different feelings, though?

[Host 1]

Like, yeah, it's totally different feelings. Like, I love when I come up with a good idea, you know, or if I know, I know something is gonna bump. Especially, like, if I'm writing a song and I'm like, oh, yeah, this is gonna be this it right here. Like, I love that. To create it. I hate the part of recording. It takes too long. You know, even though I can finish it real quick, I still be like, okay, I want whatever's in my head.

[Mandy V]

To immediately be here.

[Host 1]

But so the creating, you know, coming up with it and the payoff at the end to see the enjoyment of the people. So let's say if we did, you know, one of our live performances, and I see when you know what the people react to and what people want to be a part of that. Yeah.

[Weezy]

I think the deal closing is like, ooh, that one's the one that give me a little.

[Mandy V]

Ooh, you've made a lot of songs.

[Host 1]

A lot of songs.

[Mandy V]

Is there any song where today you're like, I can't believe it's this big. I can't believe people still sing it. I did not think what song all of them, but.

[Host 1]

No, but what I'm. I mean, I would have to say, you know, like, no. Scrubs obviously, was the biggest one. And the fact that people keep sampling it and making new songs.

[Mandy V]

She said, keep sampling. I'mma clear it.

[Host 1]

I appreciate it, but it's surprising because it's like, you know, that was like, you know, just a saying. And me and my homegirls used to say, talking about dudes, and then now the whole world be saying it.

[Mandy V]

No, no, no, no, no. You think it's a surprise the Scrubs are still out here? That's why they're still singing it. I just watch.

[Host 1]

We are stressed, girl.

[Weezy]

You see these flags?

[Mandy V]

Listen.

[Host 1]

Red flag to all the Scrubs I.

[Mandy V]

Just watched waiting to excel. Like, maybe a couple months ago, as an adult, I said, we still dealing with the same stuff about 30 years later. Yeah, it's crazy.

[Host 1]

It's just a. You know, it's like a blessing to be able to go to a karaoke bar and to see a couple songs that I wrote that's in the book.

[Weezy]

Cause we always gonna see Bugaboo and no Scrubs.

[Host 1]

I'm like, oh. Or Bills, Bills, Bills.

[Weezy]

No, Scrubs is my favorite karaoke song. And I always come out like I'm about to kill it. You know, when you. When someone come up at karaoke, you like, can they sing or can they not sing? I be like, hey, y', all, I'm from New York. Nice to see everybody.

[Host 1]

I was always. I even see, like, even overseas, like, I see. Don't think. I'm not in a karaoke book.

[Weezy]

Oh, yeah.

[Mandy V]

To me, I just like songs where I don't have vocals, y'. All. I just talk. That's it. I can't sing. So if I feel like it just stay enough to where I sound. All right. That's what. That's what all of them songs give to me.

[Host 1]

So what I think a lot of people don't recognize is we love our. And I written for big singers like Whitney Houston and Hat.

[Mandy V]

Oh, this little flip.

[Host 1]

And I've written for, you know, people who just do kick cool singing like tlc. You know what I mean? But people don't realize it's not normally like, Whitney Houston is Whitney Houston, but if we talking about a majority of the singers, the ones that really, really be blowing up is the ones who just got a unique tone and a song that regular people can sing along. With, oh, she said, I'm regular.

[Weezy]

You know, the good singers. We don't know.

[Host 1]

It's the truth. I mean, people talk about JLo as much as they want, but she got a gang of records that she could do a whole concert for an hour. Everybody gonna be.

[Mandy V]

Because we all sound like J, bro.

[Weezy]

Because I'm tell you right now, I don't speak no English, but every time I hear it, she killed that movie.

[Host 1]

But okay, you get my point. It's like, it's. I mean, I could just go down a list of. And it'd be like, it's the song that people can just sing along with or that they can relate to. So for me, okay, recently, it ain't out yet. Oh, an artist from Africa sent me one of their songs and was like, hey, you know, I want you to put a verse on here. I was like, all right, dope. But my. My train of thought when I was listening to the verse, I mean, you know, to like, okay, how I'm gonna come with it, right? I'm like, I need to have, like. It's the second verse heard. First part coming in was very melodic. And then, you know, they always have something to make you want to do a little dance in the second part. I'm like, okay. And it brought that energy in it. I was like, okay. The second verse has to come in with energy, and each part of the verse has to feel like a hook. Everybody's gonna have to be able to sing each section. You get them. So, for instance, using a song that you would know, like, just use no scrubs. If you say. If I say, no, I don't want your number no, I don't want to give you my. See, you can sing along with me, right? But that's not the hook. That's the pre chorus or the B section. So for me, the type of writer I am, I like to write multiple hooks in a song. So each section feels like everybody.

[Mandy V]

That's why it's stuck in our handy.

[Weezy]

We did not go to music school. I didn't know what you were saying, but that was a good. That was good. I was like, okay, wait, you want.

[Mandy V]

To get into the pain section? Yeah.

[Host 1]

I mean, did I explain it to where you understood it? Look, we got it.

[Mandy V]

We got it. You took us to school.

[Weezy]

It's funny that you just taught us that. Because the question I had for you to end this section was, if it wasn't entertainment, no tv, no music, not really creative, what would be candy in an alternate universe's job what would you be doing every day for a living?

[Host 1]

Oh, okay. People have asked me before, if I never made it in music or entertainment, what would I have done? So when I was younger, I said, if I don't make it in my dream, I really wanted to be a performing arts teacher because I love. I want to always do something that is creative in what I love, and I love kids or whatever, and I love being creative and coming up with stuff. So I feel like I would feel fulfilled. And I mean, being the business person I am, we probably would have still had. We probably would have did the performing arts thing, and then we probably have our own performing arts company where we do shows and put on performances outside of school.

[Weezy]

Girl, we just want you to be simple, lady. Dang. Now you got a bottom line.

[Host 1]

I'm just not simple.

[Mandy V]

Okay.

[Host 1]

When I was real little, I said I wanted to be an accountant or a lawyer.

[Weezy]

Before, we was talking about relationships.

[Mandy V]

Girl.

[Weezy]

Okay, now we're digging into.

[Host 1]

That was before I knew that it was possible to do what you love for a job for a living.

[Mandy V]

That is so dope. We're going to get into pain, and I want to bring up a little bit because I know we have a lot of moms out here, and I want to know what's been some dating advice that you've recently had to give Riley because she is in her 20s now. And then also, how does that differ from you have sons like you have boys. What is gonna be the difference between how you give dating advice to both of them?

[Host 1]

Okay, so with Riley. So I right now, first of all, Riley don't really want to hear what nobody got to say.

[Mandy V]

Neither do we.

[Weezy]

We don't listen either. We 34, and she's pretty private.

[Host 1]

She doesn't really like I'm an open book. I say whatever. She doesn't want to tell all her business. So she's even secretive sometimes with me. But I would say that I was overjoyed that she broke up with her last situation and the current situation. I really like him. He's really nice. And I always feel like you need to date somebody who motivates you to be your better self. And I think she met somebody that does that. Sometimes people can just add on to the bs, you know, if, you know, you being lazy, you know, you not really just doing what you're supposed to do, then you can match up with somebody who they kind of on that, and then you find yourself more in a slump.

[Mandy V]

Yep.

[Host 1]

But then sometimes you meet somebody that you know when you Feeling in a slump. They bring up your energy, like, come on, let's do this. You can get it together. This, you should be looking at this, you know, bringing ideas to the table.

[Weezy]

I like this. We had a question, we actually asked on a podcast where we were debating a bit. We watched this clip of a woman controversial take, and she said, women need to date a man better than them to be able to respect them. They need someone more alpha, like women need someone better. Better is subjective.

[Host 1]

She said, in order to be able.

[Weezy]

To respect them, respect, have a fulfilling relationship, we need to see someone better. Maybe it's fitness, maybe it's wealth, maybe it's creativity. And as controversial and messed up as it was, I understand why she said it. What do you think about that sentiment that we need to date someone who's better in something than we are?

[Host 1]

Well, I think there's another. I think that's good to, I guess, have somebody that's better in something that you are. But I think the issue is that most people equate that to me, he has to have more money than you do every time. That's the part that I don't necessarily agree with. Because the reason why I say that is because a lot of times right now in today's society, women are making more than men and you are limiting your dating pool. If you just sitting there thinking like, oh, if he don't make more than me, then we not going. It's not going to work. First of all, respect should be had no matter what level a person is on. Like, let's not debate respect on money. But secondly, somebody, when I tell you somebody can motivate you in a way and help you turn up 10 times what you are doing. You know what I mean? And then, unfortunately, I'm going to say this for myself, I'm not saying it for everybody else. I felt like in my past, you know, I dated a lot of people.

[Weezy]

We see, girl, we wrote a book. We can go toe to toe in.

[Mandy V]

A lot of the evolution.

[Host 1]

So, meaning I dated people who had way more money than me and more success than me. And I dated some that just was kind of cool. And some, they were never.

[Mandy V]

They were never broke, though.

[Host 1]

The issue is some women feel like, girl, why would you let that man go if it's a guy who had a lot more money and success? And the issue was he didn't care about my success. He didn't care about me being successful. He only cared about himself. So I remember one time when I was one of my group when we was much younger and we was going through issues and I knew we were breaking up and I was starting to panic, like, oh, my God, what am I going to do? And I was like, okay, we need to get more in the studio. Be right. And I need to be figuring something out. He was like, oh, you good? I got you. You don't have to be worrying about going to studio. Why you feel like you got me in the studio? If I would have been listening to him, child, I would have never did no scrubs. Me and Tiny would got in the studio and did that. Which would have never led into, you.

[Weezy]

Know, what he doing right up every time he dating somebody and they turn the TV on. Oh, oh, I knew her before she was.

[Host 1]

Yeah, hey, love that. Yeah. But so anyway, my point. No, not cutting you off. I'm sorry, but my point is just like it. It would have. I would have been more focused on catering to him and what he wanted to do than to building up myself. So you got to find somebody who's equal parts, you know, you got to respect them, obviously, and they also understand that you are just as important as they are in building each other up.

[Mandy V]

I agree. I want to keep it in pain just for one more conversation, because rejection is a thing, right? In dating and in business, a lot of us don't know how to kind of receive a no. And we had a really good conversation back in the back. But I want you to kind of share a story where you were told no in business and. And you persevered or pushed through and kind of still found a way.

[Host 1]

Oh, a no is nothing. Always a no is nothing. I always tell my kids all the time, I've been like, so what? What's a no? You can't be afraid of a no. Like, people always are so fearful of rejection or no. Okay, if they say no, so what? Go on to the next person or figure it out, try it again. But don't let that know crush you. Don't let it stop you from doing your goals or whatever. And I think that's so important to instill in our kids to have the confidence to be able to accept a no, respect it and keep it pushing. You cannot let somebody's no deter you and your movement. I just be like, fear equals failure. If you are afraid of noting you ain't going to do nothing, you might as well get settled into being just mediocre if that's what you want. If you scared of no's. You know what I mean?

[Weezy]

I want to ask both of Y', all, what's harder to hear a no in a romantic situation or a no in a business situation? Ooh.

[Host 1]

In a romantic situation, saying you ain't.

[Weezy]

Gonna blow my ego.

[Mandy V]

Uh, really? I was gonna say business. A knowing business is because I pride myself on my work. A man telling me no so I'll talk to his friend. What we talking about now, bro?

[Weezy]

Somebody tell me they not available until tomorrow. And be like, he thinks I'm ugly.

[Host 1]

What? Okay, so to me, business no's are to be expected. You always gonna get a no in business. That's right. So you find the right business partner or the right business situation. So to me, no in business is like, eh, whatever, Candy.

[Mandy V]

I like saying no to men. Let's keep no's available, too.

[Weezy]

In Romantics, they got a book called the Power yes, the Power of no.

[Host 1]

The Power of Saying no. So listen, my mom, she had said that she had gave me a book when I was a teenager with a section that was all about the power of saying no because she feels like. And I guess it is true. Sometimes I go above and beyond for everybody around me, and I hate to say no or disappoint the people around me, right? So I end up putting myself in a messed up situation sometimes, trying to work it out for everybody else. And then sometimes you be saying yes to something, you know, from the jump you really didn't want to do. So what I did learn from that book, and I still hold true, and I believe in it, even though I don't always stick with it. Let's just say a friend asks you to do a favor. It says, by this book, you supposed to say no first. Like say, for instance, if I tell you, hey, is it possible next month that you host an event for me? And then you be like, you know, you be like. You like, okay, what happens a lot of times, sometimes we be like, the whole times we be up there regretting we told them. Yeah, man, Why I tell them I was gonna do this, Then you'll be trying to figure out how you gonna get out of it. Not every not realizing you made the situation worse by saying yes to something you really didn't want to do. So basically, if you cancel on them now, you really disappointed them and you put them in a bad situation. So what it says is say no first. And then when you get a little bit closer to the time, you realize, oh, I really don't have nothing on my schedule. I'm really not doing anything. I could do this for them. You can always go Back and say, hey, did you ever find somebody to do that for you? Because if you still need me, I got you. They would appreciate that more than you agreeing to doing something that you didn't want to do and then pull out on them later.

[Weezy]

We got to test this theory out.

[Host 1]

Oh, I kind of do pull out on them later. You. You show up not really wanting to do it.

[Weezy]

Now I feel like I'm doing it wrong. A few weeks ago, someone said, hey, girl, can you help me move? And instead of saying no, I said, did you call anybody else yet? Anyway, I did it, but, see, I should have said no.

[Mandy V]

All right, we're going to move into our progression, and this is just a personal question that I wanted to ask anyways, so this is. This is my question. You got into Broadway, so your production company has been a part of Othello. The Wiz, the Piano Lessons, Thoughts of a Colored Man. For me, Othello has my favorite white and my favorite black. It has Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. I need to know what it was like, whose decision it was to cast both of those two people in Othello. Who's the web casting, how hard it was to see him, because Denzel is Denzel.

[Host 1]

Okay. So, first of all, that was an amazing experience to be a part of. Denzel brought the opportunity.

[Mandy V]

Oh.

[Host 1]

So he. Back when we were doing the Piano Lesson, his son was starring in our show, and he was talking. So basically, we would see Denzel sometime, you know, because he was a part of what's going on as, you know, the whole production. So he became cool with Brian Moreland, who is also my mentor and our lead producer. And he told Brian that he wanted to come back on Broadway and he wanted to do Othello in particular. So it was his idea. Okay. And then from there, it was just a short list of, you know, people that he would possibly want to work with, Jake being the first one. And Jake immediately said, yes.

[Mandy V]

Jake was the first one on his list.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Mandy V]

Oh, wow.

[Host 1]

But, I mean, you know, you have to have a couple people in mind, but.

[Weezy]

Yeah, do we get to know one? Jayden Tatum, Ryan Gosling, who was the other cute white boy that almost was.

[Host 1]

Yeah, yeah. I'm not.

[Mandy V]

She said, no, I'm not going there.

[Host 1]

Not going there.

[Weezy]

Yeah. You know, with what we've been able to watch in your journey, I think something that will really be helpful for all of us is if there's a small piece of financial advice that maybe was given to you or something. You've learned along the way because I find that my biggest advice I give to people is I had a real broke mindset of, I'm not putting money away in my 401. Like, I need to keep what I got. I was very scared to let money go in my younger.

[Host 1]

Isn't that keeping what you got, though?

[Weezy]

But when you're younger, you don't necessarily make the greatest decision. You don't want to see the money leave. You feel like, all right, well, I need money. For xyz, you really have to learn how to budget. So that, to me, is the thing that I tell everybody. What's a piece of financial advice you could offer to all of us today that you think would be helpful no matter where you're at in your financial journey?

[Host 1]

How old are you?

[Weezy]

I'm 34. Okay.

[Host 1]

All right. So I would say I started putting my money into investments heavy in my 20s. And I look at that money as it doesn't exist. So.

[Weezy]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

So meaning once it's put away, whether you put it away, your savings, the 401k, whatever investment you put it in, that money does not exist. And when it goes up and down, don't touch it. Because you at a age that he eventually is going to go back up. I've seen them, you know, the stock market drop and then everybody panicking. Oh, my God.

[Mandy V]

Oh, my God.

[Host 1]

Don't touch it. You know, and then you have to manage the rest of the money you get. So I was always. I feel like I was better with money in my younger years than I am now, to be honest. I used to really, like, budget to the very penny in my. As a teenager. And I used to read, like, finance books and stuff like that so that, you know, hoping I wasn't gonna be broke one day like a lot of entertainers do. So.

[Weezy]

She said, y' all scrubs, too?

[Host 1]

No, it'd be a lot of broke entertainers.

[Mandy V]

It'd be sad to see.

[Host 1]

Because it's sad.

[Mandy V]

Girl.

[Weezy]

Move out the mansion. Just get a nice little luxury apartment.

[Host 1]

So it's multiple things. I feel like it's so many things we could do on finance, but I'm trying to figure out where to begin. Okay.

[Weezy]

No, no, I think what you said was real.

[Host 1]

Yeah. You put it away and you don't touch it. The other thing, and I told them on a stage yesterday, is just simple things. To stop yourself from being a spender, you have to have bank accounts at two separate banks. You need to have your spending money account at one bank, and you can Put your cash app on that one. Don't put your bill money and your savings money at that same bank. So if you ever overdraft, like, let's see your account go low, they can't overdraft into your savings period that out. They can't overdraft it to your bill money and take that out. It's in two separate banks. So definitely don't do that other thing. You know, you gotta always live below your means if you are saving. I hate when people be talking about, oh, I have this idea, but I don't have that. You know, I don't have the money to get it started. Well, you've been talking about that idea for years, honey. How much have you saved towards it? It's like we forget a little bit adds up to one day be a lot of bits. You know what I'm saying? For you, you need to be getting one of those life insurance old stuff.

[Mandy V]

I'm doing good now, Candy dang.

[Host 1]

You need to get one of them life insurance investment policies right now, y'.

[Weezy]

All. When I did that life insurance and I had to do my little blood test, I was like, oh, they want to make sure I'm not on the road to death. That was crazy for me. And I tell you, like, learning about how you can borrow against life insurance was very helpful for me as well.

[Host 1]

And it protects you. If somebody sue you one day, they can't sue your life insurance.

[Mandy V]

Oh, oh, she's feeling all the tea. Good to know. Good to know.

[Host 1]

I want to ask too many things, and we can talk. We start talking about money, we got to go too far.

[Weezy]

You know what? Here's a simple question about money. You were talking about, you know, making sure you was budgeting back in the day. Is there a broke meal that you had from back in the day that you still like to eat?

[Host 1]

Yes. Ramen noodles. Oh, that's always, you know, for your little meat in it. Sometimes you dice that thing up, put some. Whatever you put some meat in there, it's a whole meal.

[Mandy V]

I love it. I love it. I want to ask a question.

[Host 1]

Grilled cheese, my favorite.

[Mandy V]

Oh, no, I put all of that in mind. I put capers in mine. Garlic.

[Weezy]

I put onions.

[Mandy V]

I'll be making it all, like, fancy. I do the little jelly egg you.

[Host 1]

Make, you know, like when you do.

[Mandy V]

The little jelly egg, you mixed.

[Host 1]

Aren't you.

[Mandy V]

Oh, we not going to do this. Katie do this and am&m.

[Weezy]

She said capers.

[Mandy V]

I like capers. Hey, we could be part of essence.

[Weezy]

That's how we mixed enough.

[Mandy V]

A lot of us believe that legacy is left with your children. However, you have things that are going to outlive you. Your children, their children. What does legacy look like for Candi Burris? And how do you want people to remember you?

[Host 1]

Oh, well, I want people to remember me as a woman who always. Well, that I always looked out for people, that I accomplished a lot, but I brought people along the way, every step along the way, and uplifted other people to also be successful. And I do a lot for my community. I try to make sure my kids are doing good. And yeah, I always go against the grain. I live outside the box. I mean, yeah, we do too. Yeah.

[Weezy]

Now, while we're in these final moments of the power section and I'm truthful.

[Host 1]

I like that real RSI housewife of Atlanta. Dependent. Like, I'm dependable. So you ask me to do something, I do it. So back to the thing about telling people no. I always end up being a person to be like, damn, why? I tell them that. But I still come through. I don't leave people.

[Weezy]

Should we shoot our shot? Kandi, when you in New York, you gonna do an episode of Decisions Decisions with us?

[Host 1]

Sure.

[Mandy V]

Oh, we got it on the record, y'.

[Weezy]

All.

[Host 1]

Listen, y', all, I was scared to come out here today because I was like, uh, oh, what they gonna say about. Wait, what are they gonna say that has me on the blogs by the end of the afternoon?

[Weezy]

Honestly, I think we would. For us, when you interview someone you love, I think a lot of problems with shows today is they want this gotcha moment. Let me stump you. Let me have this moment. I would rather an amazing time with someone I care about same. Like, I wanna know that they wanna come back. I wanna know they feel celebrated.

[Mandy V]

Like your energy was good. It was. This ain't about a gotcha moment. We were like so, so honored to just be able to have this conversation with you here at Essence Fest. Like, it's incredible for sure.

[Host 1]

And I'm going have to bring. I'm going have to bring candy coated nights back just so I can bring y' all on.

[Weezy]

Oh, Lord.

[Mandy V]

Y' all see y' all miss Candy.

[Host 1]

Coated nights because we do listen and ask some questions for you.

[Weezy]

Okay, so the power question I've got for you. I think when we see people with money and fame and beauty and status, that's power. What's been the most powerful moment of your life?

[Mandy V]

Whoa.

[Host 1]

The most powerful.

[Weezy]

The thing that made you feel like I'm that bitch.

[Host 1]

I feel Like, I had a few moments in my life that stood out to me because, I mean, every moment is important for different reasons. But I feel like when I was the first woman to win the NAACP Songwriter of the Year. Let's laugh it up. A laugh for the Rhythm and Soul Awards. I was shocked, first of all, because I was like, no other woman has done it. I was like, wow. But I think that kick started in me. Something to be like, okay, I always like to be the first. Now I like. Well, I don't like to be the first because I feel like it should get to a point where that's not taboo for women or black women or black. You know, for it to be the first. But if somebody gotta be the first, it's gone.

[Mandy V]

Let it be me. I'll take it away.

[Host 1]

We acting like, let me make first New York Times bestsellers.

[Weezy]

I don't care who wrote a book. J.K. rowling. Oprah.

[Mandy V]

We did. Did it?

[Weezy]

Did.

[Host 1]

I love that for y'. All. I think that is so. I've never written a book, and people always say, oh, you should write a book. You should write a book. And I'm like, I don't even know what it would be about. Cause I'm in so many different. Y' all will help you.

[Mandy V]

Would y' all read Kandi's book?

[Weezy]

Hold on, wait. Let's get a little quick survey. If Candy wrote a book, what would you want to read about? Ooh, I'm gonna help you, girl.

[Mandy V]

Sex, love, and money, Candy. Period.

[Host 1]

I really want to.

[Weezy]

Talking about today. You got one?

[Mandy V]

Finances. Okay, finances.

[Weezy]

Last one. You got one. You said finances. Sex dungeon, honey. Sex dungeon, honey.

[Mandy V]

The sex dungeon. You said.

[Weezy]

Forget the budget sheet, girl. All right, Candy, we'll be the co authors.

[Mandy V]

We will. We'll help it.

[Host 1]

I love it.

[Mandy V]

Authors now. Well, Candy, thank you so, so, so very much for joining us on stage, y'.

[Weezy]

All.

[Mandy V]

Give it up a candy, y'. All.

[Host 1]

Thank you.

[Mandy V]

And we are really, really, really excited to see what else you have coming out next.

[Host 1]

Thank you so much.

[Mandy V]

Is there anything that you could tell us? Like, anything that.

[Host 1]

Oh, yes. So my husband and I, yeah, we've been producing movies and stuff. We have two more movies that are about to come out. I can't. Well, the one that just posted a link on my store. I mean, in my bio, and it's in Todd's bio. It's called don't bring your man to Atlanta.

[Mandy V]

No, you are. Yes.

[Weezy]

Wait. We should host a screening, bro.

[Host 1]

Don't bring over to Atlanta. You are going to love this movie. It's starring Shamil. Mo is in it. Yes. Bambi's in it. Mel Easily Bolo's in it. Now, I know y' all thinking that it's gonna be some. It's gonna be some wild stuff, but it's not as wild as you made. Well, yes. I don't know. Trailer right now, I would say go to Todd. It's his Instagram page. Todd to D D167 in the bio. Just click the link so you can sign up to be the first to trailer. You'll find out more information as I.

[Mandy V]

Get to my phone. I'm so excited for that. Once again, y' all give it up for Candy Verse. Y' all.

[Host 2]

Remember the Bad Guys? H. They are back. Yeah. And they're funnier than ever. And my family is so excited because dreamworks animations the bad guys 2 is just gonna be the wildest, funniest comedy of the series. Summer. You know, it's everyone's favorite crew of criminals. They're trying their best to go good until they're roped into a globetrotting heist by a new crew. The Bad Girls. That's right. The girls are going to meet the guys. It's going to be amazing. Your kids, your parents, everybody's going to love this. So make sure you get your tickets now for Dreamworks Animations. The Bad Guys 2, in theaters August 1st. Rated PG.

[Kandi Burruss]

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[Mandy V]

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[Kandi Burruss]

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[Mandy V]

All on America's Link largest 5G network.

[Kandi Burruss]

Visit T Mobile.com Family Freedom.

[Mandy V]

Up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card. Typically takes 15 days.

[Kandi Burruss]

Free phone via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement.

[Mandy V]

Example Apple iPhone 16, 128 gigs $829.99 eligible.

[Kandi Burruss]

Trade in example iPhone 11 Pro for.

[Mandy V]

Well qualified credits end and balance due if you pay off early or cancel contact us.

[Host 1]

This is an iHeart podcast.