The Friend Zone Podcast

Episode: A Pin In Karrin
Hosts: Dustin Ross, Hey Fran Hey (Francesca), Asante
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging and hilarious episode, the trio dives deep into a viral TikTok scandal involving content creator Brene Kenard, toxic friendships, marital drama, and a landmark lawsuit in North Carolina. With their signature wit and unfiltered takes, Dustin, Fran, and Asante unpack everything from the foolishness of illiteracy (prompted by Juelz Santana’s viral comments) to the complicated and messy dynamics of love, loyalty, and social media fame.

The episode is broken up with their usual warmth—book club recaps, music selections, wellness chatter, and listener correspondence. However, the central feature is Dustin’s thorough, laugh-out-loud retelling of “the curious case of Brene Kenard,” leading both co-hosts and listeners through an almost unbelievable saga of betrayal, internet sleuths, and real-life consequences for messy choices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Juelz Santana and the Value of Literacy (00:51–10:45)

• Dustin recaps a viral interview where Juelz Santana suggests kids "don’t need to know how to read," claiming audio and apps can handle it, and that common sense trumps book smarts.
• The hosts are collectively incredulous and drag Juelz for being "dumb as a box of rocks," pointing out the necessity of literacy in everyday life—including being a rapper!
• Memorable quote (Dustin, 05:29):

  "I just. I could keep going, but I'd have to use some more words and apparently that's not cool around me."

• Fran & Asante echo the need for both common sense and education, bemoaning the "vapid" turn social media wisdom sometimes takes.

Timestamps:

• Viral Juelz Santana interview: 01:16–06:29
• Extended roast: 06:29–10:45

2. Weekend & Life Updates (10:48–17:02)

• The hosts update each other on their weekends and ongoing projects:
  • Asante: Starting an initiative for Black men, focusing on space for dialogue and interactivity.
  • Fran: Shares her experience of a tragic event at her gym, touching on urban desensitization and her efforts to climb out of a slump.
  • Community theme: The importance of checking in and mutual support among friends.

Timestamps:

• Weekend sharing: 11:22–16:10

3. Listener Correspondence & Book Club Recap (22:04–34:13)

• Recap of “The Midnight Library” episode—listeners reflect on alternate life paths, regret, and fulfillment.
• Notable stories:
  • A military mom worried about uprooting her kids.
  • A listener with dreams of being an OB-GYN.
  • Someone leaving an executive job to escape capitalism.
  • Funny social media story about a would-be robber who turned out to be an old flame (!)
• The hosts appreciate the vulnerability and honesty of their audience.
• Quote (Francesca, 26:19):

  "I love that it's a parent considering how their decision making is shifting the trajectory of their kids’ lives."

Timestamps:

• Book club/recap: 22:04–34:13

4. The Main Event: The Saga of Brene Kenard

Timestamps: 35:19–85:43

Dustin leads a detailed, scandal-driven storytelling session about TikTok influencer Brene Kenard and a North Carolina lawsuit that made internet headlines:

a) Setting the Stage (35:19–44:38)

• Brene: Famous TikTok influencer (known for her very large chest, long nails, and “get ready with me” content).
• Married to Devin; their close friends (and cousins) Akira & Tim—also a married couple with two children.

b) The Beginning of Mess (44:14–55:00)

• Brene & Devin's marriage falters; Brene moves in with Akira & Tim.

• Immediate inappropriateness: Brene walks around with no bra, skimpy clothes; leaves the home messy; spends late nights talking to Tim.

• Akira copes through body piercings, tries not to trouble anyone, and delays direct confrontation.

• Quote (Dustin, 55:00):

  "The minute that I heard the noise of the skin of your titty slapping against your stomach…That’s the kind of stuff you have to lean into the very first time it happens."

c) Confrontation and Fallout (58:37–62:47)

• Akira’s mom and grandma show up, get Brene out after a physical altercation (Brene pushes the grandmother).
• Tim’s lack of assets—house belongs to Akira’s grandmother. Brene is forced to leave.

d) The Internet Sleuths & Evidence Blows Up (62:47–66:13)

• Akira finds videos on Tim’s laptop of Brene twerking in her house, talking romantically to Tim, discussing his anatomy.
• Tim accuses Akira of invading his privacy.
• Both couples ultimately separate.

e) Mess Goes Public (66:37–75:01)

• Brene “announces” a divorce online (actually, just separated); Tim and Brene appear together in videos.
• Internet finds out Brene and Tim were high school flings—and that Tim broke Brene’s heart by cheating with Brene's TWIN sister, Karrin (Corinne).
• Internet swarms, analyzes old videos, notices shifting dynamics.

f) "Single Black Female Energy" (75:01–82:58)

• The “twist of all twists”: Karrin is pregnant by Tim while in a long-term relationship with someone else (and her kid looks just like Tim).

• Akira, sick of her kids appearing in Brene’s content, sues for "alienation of affection," a North Carolina law allowing the spouse to sue the third party in a marriage for damages.

• Brene, representing herself, loses spectacularly.

• Verdict: Jury awards Akira $1.75 million in damages ($1.5M for alienation of affection, $250k for criminal conversation).

• Quote (Dustin, 84:02):

  "Drawers up and your dresses down…Stop fucking everybody. Some things you just don’t need to do because it can literally get out of control."

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Juelz Santana’s viral take:
  "You’re a rapper who uses words and language for a living. How are you doing what you do? Vibes, ChatGPT. You probably can’t even spell that since you don’t know how to read, you confused motherfucker." — Dustin (05:30)
• On Brene, Tim & the friend’s home:
  "Tits first, flying. Okay, anyway, but so again, Akira has had it. She’s literally had it up to here— and here, apparently, with piercings." — Dustin (52:52)
• On the lawsuit:
  "Brene’s defense during the trial...she was trying to say that because of private conversations they had...that in some way was giving her consent to date him. When Tim testified...he said his marriage with Akira was loveless..." — Dustin (77:41)
• On cautionary notes:
  "You gotta really, you know...check your...You know what she needed to do? Calm her tits. That’s what she needed to do. She needed to calm her tits. Okay? And she didn’t." — Dustin (85:23)

Other Show Segments

Black Business of the Week (20:01)

• Ease the Brand—Black woman-owned patent-pending Invisalign-style grills.

Book Club

• Currently reading The Measure by Nikki Erlich (sci-fi with social commentary).

Wellness Segment (87:01)

• Fran highlights cookbooks and the value of cooking at home:
  • “Everything’s Good: Cozy Classics You’ll Cook Always and Forever” by Toni Chapman.
  • “Kitchen Culture: The New Southern Table” by Corderius Green.

Music Man (100:14)

• Fran’s picks:
  • KWN (K1)—"Back of the Club"
  • Sasha Key—"Work"
  • Masego—"Unhinged"
• Dustin’s picks:
  • Smashing Pumpkins—"Tonight Tonight"
  • Locke Mind—"Elephants and Little Girls"
• Asante’s picks:
  • V. Cartier—"So Good"
  • PARTYNEXTDOOR—"Cheers"
  • Case ft. Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige—"Touch Me, Tease Me"

TV Land (119:12)

• Shoutouts for Real Housewives of Potomac (esp. Stacey Rush’s moment), Bell Collective, Love & Marriage: Huntsville, and Baddies USA.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Dustin (05:30) — "You’re a rapper who uses words and language for a living. How are you doing what you do? Vibes, ChatGPT. You probably can’t even spell that since you don’t know how to read, you confused motherfucker."
• Francesca (26:19) — "I love that it’s a parent considering how their decision making is shifting the trajectory of their kids’ lives."
• Dustin (55:00) — "The minute that I heard the noise of the skin of your titty slapping against your stomach…That’s the kind of stuff you have to lean into the very first time it happens."
• Dustin (84:02) — "Drawers up and your dresses down… Stop fucking everybody. Some things you just don’t need to do because it can literally get out of control."

Segment Index

• 00:51–10:45: Juelz Santana/illiteracy roast
• 10:48–17:02: Weekend & mental health
• 22:04–34:13: Listener recaps/book club
• 35:19–85:43: The Brene Kenard TikTok scandal and lawsuit story
• 87:01–99:10: Wellness (cookbooks & cooking at home)
• 100:14–119:08: Music segment
• 119:12–122:57: TV Land
• 122:57–end: Outro

Tone & Style

• Conversational, irreverent, and highly humorous
• Hosts are unfiltered, supportive, and insightful—especially Dustin, who shines as a masterful storyteller
• Real-life lessons on boundaries, friendship, and internet notoriety are peppered between the jokes

Why Listen?

Whether you want a laugh-out-loud retelling of one of TikTok’s messiest scandals, unvarnished takes on social issues, or just to feel like you’re hanging with the funniest, sharpest friends on the internet, this episode delivers. The story of Brene Kenard has it all—betrayal, viral fame, familial mess, courtroom drama, and lessons you won’t forget.

For those who missed the episode, this summary tells you everything (and more!) you need to know.