The Friend Zone – Episode: “Chick’n & Popsicle Sticks”

Aired: December 10, 2025 | Hosts: Dustin Ross, Hey Fran Hey (Francesca), Assanté | Loud Speakers Network

Episode Overview

This week on The Friend Zone, hosts Dustin, Francesca, and Assanté kick off with laughs and end with deeper reflections, blending their signature mix of pop culture, personal stories, humor, and practical wisdom. The conversation covers the recent trend of celebrities—including Busta Rhymes—being trolled in public, personal encounters with road rage and safety, nostalgic fashion wishes, holiday cooking traditions, navigating veganism, skepticism about social media “skits,” and the rapidly changing world of AI and tech. The Friend Zone crew stays real and relatable, advocating for self-protection, community, and a dose of old-school common sense in increasingly wild times.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Public Antagonism Toward Busta Rhymes

(01:02–11:06)

• Running Down Recent Incidents:
  • Francesca recounts multiple recent situations where Busta Rhymes was harassed in public by streamers and fans:
    • A streamer calls Busta “Tracy Morgan” to his face at Art Basel. Busta immediately asks, “You trying to be funny?” and doesn’t have it.
      • Notable Quote: “At the end of the day, people do what the fuck you allow. This bitch is a child and I ain't got time for that shit.” – Dustin (01:02)
    • Another streamer wishes Busta “Stay black” after being denied a photo. Busta sharply retorts, “So what else I’m supposed to be? You a clown now, too?”
    • Recap of 2023 incident where a woman grabbed Busta’s ass and he threw a drink at her.
• The Hosts’ Take:
  • The crew discusses the generational disrespect and entitlement of some fans, comparing social media trolling to old-school standards.
  • Francesca jokes about wearing a belt “to whoop some ass” if people keep playing games (07:12).
  • Respect for Busta and Tracy Morgan, and the discomfort with people provoking celebrities for clout.

2. On-Stage and Performance Memories

(08:19–09:56)

• Busta Rhymes’ Legacy:
  • Reminiscing about seeing Busta perform, his unique style, and memorable Hype Williams visuals.
  • “Busta was always cool and amazing and awesome visuals. But y'all know he got me when he started going futuristic and shit.” – Asanté (09:39)

3. Road Rage & Personal Safety Stories

(12:02–26:48)

• Dustin’s Encounter:
  • Dustin describes being followed home by an irate driver, unsure why he was targeted, and the anxiety it caused.
    • “My heart drops because I'm like, is he about to get…you don't know, like, the rage that people feel.” (12:32)
  • The experience pushes Dustin to reconsider gun ownership for self-protection (“I want that Mossberg pump” – 16:11) and inspire others to be vigilant.
• Expanding on Safety:
  • The hosts examine the thin line between self-defense and escalation, and the risks of involving loved ones.
  • They discuss community, relationships, and the emotional labor of caring for each other during stressful events.
  • “I'm grateful that there's someone in the house that I know… but at the same time that's exactly why you don't want to make him vulnerable to rage.” – Dustin (25:20)

4. Community Wisdom & Handling Conflict

(26:45–37:27)

• Escalation & Consequences:
  • Real-life stories about fights, near-misses, and the escalation of minor incidents into violence.
  • “Let them fight. But I think it's the fact that people be quick to take it to another level.” – Dustin (29:08)
• Gallows Humor:
  • Lots of joking about wishing bad (but cartoonish) luck on angry drivers.
  • “I hope you get gangrene, you know what I'm saying?” – Francesca (20:11)

5. Holiday Cooking & Family Traditions

(53:34–66:09)

• Cast Iron and Cookware Joy:
  • Francesca shares her pride in seasoning her cast iron skillet and swapping recipes with friends and family.
    • “You gotta give it a deep cast iron massage with that olive oil oil. Then you put it in your oven upside down.” – Francesca (54:08)
  • Dustin and Francesca swap tips on Le Creuset cookware (“We have all clad, obviously, and then we have all cast iron in our Dutch oven.” – Dustin, 55:04)
• Thanksgiving Tales:
  • Francesca recounts sourcing pots at TJ Maxx and making an extensive holiday meal from scratch—lobster tails, shrimp, chicken, collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese, and homemade cornbread.
    • “All by myself, yeah. Well. Well, no. My. I had. My friends came over.” – Francesca (62:18)
  • Emphasizes that men should cook and not wait on their partners, and the importance of family kitchen traditions.

6. Nostalgic Fashion – 90s Surf Style Hunt

(49:14–52:24)

• Francesca asks listeners to help her track down an extra-large purple 90s Surf Style windbreaker and pants, mourning their scarcity and sharing a love for “Miami style.”

7. Food, Veganism, and Being a Cool Vegan

(70:19–91:26)

• Recipe Swaps and Food Culture:
  • Hosts share comfort food favorites (seafood nachos, cleaning shrimp thoroughly) and emphasize the importance of “losing recipes” in ethnic cuisines.
• On Being Vegan:
  • Fran and Dustin reflect on Dustin’s non-pushy approach to veganism, the importance of inclusion, and not making dietary choices an identity.
    • “I've just always looked great, felt great. It was great. So I never. I felt like I wanted to be…an example of the lifestyle.” – Dustin (91:47)
  • Shout outs to Slutty Vegan and Pinky Cole for making vegan food fun and accessible.

8. Social Media Skepticism: Skits & Deepfakes

(104:39–117:43)

• The CPN Skit & Online Fakes:
  • The hosts discuss the viral trend of obviously fake “CPN” (credit privacy number) application videos, reflecting skepticism and fatigue.
    • “Don’t you be glad when you don't know nothing about some bullshit?” – Francesca (107:35)
  • They share their suspicions about rampant staged content and the perils of misinformation.
• AI & Viral Videos:
  • The trio grapples with the proliferation of AI-manipulated videos, expressing concern that reality itself feels tenuous.
    • “Now everything I watch, I'm, like, questioning what I'm looking at, if it's real. I'm like, damn, this is exactly what they wanted.” – Dustin (116:31)

9. Tech, Gadgets, and Privacy in a Changing World

(119:17–125:29)

• The hosts compare old and new tech (Dustin’s still rocking an iPhone 12), dream about home office upgrades, and discuss hesitations about the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.
  • “I hate it. I keep passing people, and I'm like, ew. Because you just know. You were in their video.” – Dustin (122:39)
  • They joke about needing a “blur me out” gesture for privacy in public.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Busta Rhymes & Trolling:
  “This stupid ass streaming…these games, literally, that people play. It’s time out for that shit. Wear a belt.” – Francesca (07:36)
• On Road Rage Trauma:
  “Once you start being that person, then you flash it and then whatever flashes.” – Dustin, about the emotional toll of carrying a gun (16:35)
• On Handling Social Media ‘Skits’:
  “I hate that about people who are responsible for this. There’s no turning back, y’all…” – Francesca (116:04; 116:13)
• On Tech Paranoia:
  “Now everything I watch, I'm, like, questioning what I'm looking at, if it's real. I'm like, damn, this is exactly what they wanted.” – Dustin (116:31)
• Veganism Done Right:
  “I've just always looked great, felt great… I realized what was more effective was being, like, an example of the lifestyle.” – Dustin (91:47)
• Keeping Community Strong:
  “If you can help others, help. And if helping others means staying out the way, stay out the way.” – Assanté (125:48)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:02–11:06] — Busta Rhymes incidents and generational trolling
• [12:02–26:48] — Road rage story, personal safety, and self-defense talk
• [26:45–37:27] — Handling conflict, escalation, and life lessons
• [53:34–66:09] — Cooking, family traditions, and holiday food stories
• [70:19–91:26] — Food culture, kitchen hygiene, and veganism discussion
• [104:39–117:43] — Social media “skits,” online scams, and AI skepticism
• [119:17–125:29] — Gadgets, privacy, and tech-related future fears

Tone & Style

The episode is quintessential Friend Zone—honest, witty, candid, and peppered with both heartfelt community advice and shade for those who test their last nerves. The hosts move seamlessly from deep to petty, holding space for personal stories, cultural critique, and practical laughter therapy.

Closing

• The hosts send well wishes for the holidays, encourage protecting one’s peace (and “magic”), staying safe in unpredictable times, and share gratitude to supporters.
• “Stay black and protect your magic.” – Asante (129:17)

For more food/culture talk, be sure to listen to the full episode, and support Dustin’s comedy show on December 19th in Detroit!