Decisions, Decisions – EP 442: Roses & Break-Ups (ft. Serayah)
Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: Mandii B & WeezyWTF
Guest: Serayah (actress, singer)
Overview
In this candid and vibrant episode of “Decisions, Decisions,” Mandii B and WeezyWTF welcome actress and singer Serayah (Ruth & Boaz, Empire) for a conversation spanning celebrity encounters, boundaries in relationships, the complexity of “truths” and omissions, the dynamics of supportive partnerships, and reflections on the new Netflix film “Ruth & Boaz.” The hosts and guest dive into the messiness, joy, and vulnerability of love, fame, and self-expression as Black women in their 30s.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Celebrity Encounter Icebreakers (00:37–13:05)
- The episode kicks off with playful banter and fun, with Mandii and Weezy sharing wild celebrity encounters—including stories involving Babyface and Doja Cat.
- Serayah details her own “pinch me” studio session with Babyface, expressing awe at collaborating with a musical legend for “Ruth & Boaz.”
“When I heard the songs that Babyface wrote, I was like, oh, wow. And I started singing. I'm like, these do feel like low key country.” (01:46, Serayah)
- Weezy shares a hilarious and cringy story about her mom fangirling over Babyface at Thanksgiving (03:43).
- Serayah describes her moment meeting Beyoncé at the VMAs while she was with “Taylor Swift and the Squad.” Beyoncé’s words—“You’re doing amazing”—were meaningful, validating her career in a subtle but powerful way.
“She like comes to me, and she's like, you're doing amazing.” (10:59, Serayah)
2. Truth & Dare: On Omissions in Relationships (14:38–28:29)
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Mandii facilitates a “Truth & Dare” game, using the movie as springboard for real talk about what people conceal (or reveal) in relationships.
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Serayah opens up about the nuances of what she shares or omits with new partners, noting that while honesty around cheating is important, there are boundaries when it comes to disclosing deeply personal information about ex-partners (16:34).
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Weezy emphasizes presenting oneself as someone who’s had healthy relationships, not just past pain. She shares a listener’s story about dating women with generational trauma and how that influences dating outlooks (18:19).
Notable moment:
- Discussion on what baggage is “fair” to share early in dating, and how much is too much for a first date.
- Mandii: “...if you're with somebody and you wanna be with them, unfortunately, you do take on their trauma.”
On Sexual Openness
- The “Dare” has Serayah improvise a 15-second steamy hook using “rose,” “milk,” and “slow.”
- This veers into a playful segment on sex toys (“the rose,” “the womanizer”), the stigma of masturbation, and humor about sexual wellness (25:09–28:39).
3. Reacting to Relationship “Break Up” Advice (29:00–38:29)
- Clip played from another show arguing that every couple should break up at least once before truly committing, as real character is revealed during break-ups.
- The hosts, along with Serayah, largely disagree:
- Serayah believes tough friction and raw moments can expose character, but doesn’t support intentionally breaking up to “test” someone, or repeated breakups as a measure of depth.
“I do agree with the sentiment...but I have never broken up with someone for like, let's break up. Let's take a break and come back. I've never done that before.” (31:34, Serayah)
- Weezy argues that someone’s true self is revealed through challenge, loss, and adversity—not game-playing break-ups.
“There are so many things in life that will show you who someone is. Pain, struggle, someone losing a job.” (34:46, Weezy)
4. “Ruth & Boaz” Film Talk: Timing, Love Bombing & Faith (40:00–49:12)
- In-depth discussion of the movie, its themes on patience, persistence, gender roles, and biblical context.
- Mandii asks if women (or men) should “wait it out” for someone to be relationship-ready; Serayah says, “…if you want to be treated like the man and the leader and the everything, then you need to know what you want. And if it's not me, then…” (41:14)
- Hosts debate “love bombing” versus genuine pursuit, referencing Beau’s character as “almost love bomber, almost too perfect.”
- The faith-based origins of the “Ruth and Boaz” story are explored, with Weezy expressing appreciation for healthy, nuanced representations of religious young people.
5. Dynamics of Support for Successful Women (54:26–62:50)
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Serayah breaks down what “showing up” in a relationship looks like for a busy, successful woman in entertainment:
- Emotional support, attention to details, public celebration, and genuine pride.
- She contrasts this with insecure men who struggle with not being the center of attention or can’t handle women’s ambition.
- Discusses balancing masculine/feminine energies, expressing that successful women should and can “bring femininity” home if that feels right to them.
“Showing up for me just looks like acknowledging what I'm doing or even remembering the details...But not showing up, I have also dealt with in the past.” (54:26, Serayah)
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Hosts reflect on societal expectations, how “soft life” and “independent woman” narratives shape dating goals, and the impact of being raised in single-parent homes on relationship norms.
6. Parenting & Partnership Logistics (62:50–68:00)
- Serayah discusses how she and her fiancé juggle parenting duties given both have busy schedules, highlighting teamwork and practical coordination.
- “...what do you have for this week? What are you doing tomorrow? What's on the agenda? Like, how do we make this work? Because once again, he supports what I'm doing and I support what he's doing. This is who I was when you met me…” (61:34, Serayah)
- She expresses her belief that women’s money is hers to save or invest, while her fiancé “fronts most of the things”—but stresses couples should do what works for their unique dynamic.
7. Fun Segments: Hoetry & Pop Quizzes (48:37–53:08)
- “Hoetry” segment: Serayah identifies lyrics from Beyoncé and Joey Bada$$ as poetry, sharing laughs over steamy lines and musical memories.
- The hosts and Serayah recall classic lyrics from “Baby Got Back,” and joke about R&B/rap’s persistent sexual overtones.
8. Personal & Behind-the-Scenes (69:01–71:36)
- Serayah reveals she was secretly pregnant during filming of “Ruth & Boaz,” facing morning sickness while shooting on-location.
- She shares the challenge of not revealing her pregnancy to colleagues and the support she received from the female director.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On authenticity early in relationships:
“I feel like things that I grew to know about him, it was just very open...I didn't have to go into the whole...there was no pressure.” (36:50, Serayah) - On breaking up as a “test”:
“You should not have to be separated for true colors. There are so many things in life that will show you who someone is.” (34:46, Weezy) - On women’s masculine-feminine balance:
“I feel like there could be an insecure man...But I do know that also a lot of successful, educated women can be. They can probably not just sit in their feminine...because they're so used to operating in their masculine.” (56:15, Serayah) - On the parental dynamic:
“It looks very much like, you know, baby, sleep down for the night. What do you have for this week? What are you doing tomorrow? What's on the agenda? Like, how do we make this work?” (61:34, Serayah) - On lessons from “Ruth & Boaz”:
“I would hope that their takeaway is Community. Leaning into your community. She did that a lot in the film…and real love. All these hashtags, we just said, it's exhausting. We're making it harder.” (66:16, Serayah)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Celebrity Stories & Icebreakers: 00:37 – 13:05
- Truth Game: Omissions in Relationships: 14:38 – 17:15
- Sexual Openness/Jokes about Sex Toys: 25:09 – 28:39
- Reacting to “Break Up Before Marriage” Advice: 29:00 – 38:29
- Film & Relationship Dynamics: 40:00 – 49:12
- Hoetry & Music Pop Quiz: 48:37 – 53:08
- Successful Women & Partnership: 54:26 – 62:50
- Parenting/Logistics: 62:50 – 68:00
- Behind the Scenes: Filming While Pregnant: 69:01 – 71:36
Closing & Recommendations
- Sarayah’s message for viewers of “Ruth & Boaz”:
Lean into your community and real, vulnerable love—ditch the exhausting pressures of modern dating's competing narratives. - Listen to “Put That Shit On” (PDSO), her new single, and “Ruined” from the film soundtrack.
Tone & Language
The episode is lively, raw, and relatable—full of laughter, anecdote, and sisterly wisdom. The hosts and Serayah speak candidly in Black vernacular, blending humor with earnest conversation and real-life experience.
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
This episode is an energetic, insightful exploration of what it means to navigate love, success, and boundaries as a modern Black woman. If you’re interested in honest talk about sex, dating, ambition, and faith—with extra pop-culture flavor—this is a must-listen!
