The Friend Zone – “Ten Years Black” (Dec 3, 2025)

Hosts: Dustin Ross, Hey Fran Hey (Francesca), and Asante
Producer: Loud Speakers Network
Theme: Mental Health, Culture, and Celebrating a Decade of Black Film & TV

Episode Overview

This episode marks a reflective, lighthearted, and in-depth look at the past ten years of Black excellence in film and television. The hosts take listeners on a journey through the evolution, impact, and resonant moments of Black creative storytelling, from Moonlight to Sinners, with stops along the way for memories, critiques, and big laughs. The episode also features listener feedback, a spotlight on Black-owned business, wellness, TV Land, music moments, and more.

Main Discussion: Ten Years of Black Film & TV

Theme:
Celebrating a decade of achievements, shifts, and shining moments in Black-led film and television, the hosts discuss why certain shows and movies resonated, who stood out, and how the culture has evolved.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening Banter: Sleep Scares, Social Media Doctors, and Home Energy

Timestamps: 01:09–10:47

• Medical ‘Fear-Mongering’ Online: Dustin references a doctor on social media warning of sleep habits that could kill you (sleeping on your stomach, with your phone, heavy meals before bed, sleeping pills, and TV on).
  • “I’m tired of certain medical professionals... Everybody else needs to get some of that, like Dr. Lauren had when she was on.” – Dustin [01:36]
  • Fran shares her phone-charging ritual away from the bed for health reasons.
• Childhood ‘Don’t Swim After Eating’ Rule unfolds, prompting reflections on old parenting wisdom, why these ‘rules’ are passed down, and how TikTok doctors now continue the cycle.
• Vibes at Home: Hosts discuss sleep temperature preferences, evolving as they age, and the relationship between environmental comfort and self-care.
  • “Sleeping while it’s hot is nasty…a cold house smells fresher.” – Dustin [06:02]

2. Announcements & Black Business of the Week [13:19–22:38]

• Dustin’s Comedy Dates: Shout-out to live shows in Charlotte and Miami.
• Patreon Wind Down: End-of-year episode news, extra Patreon content, and December 17th live event.
• Black-Owned Business Spotlight: Fran highlights Real Paper – a sustainable, bamboo-based, Black co-owned line of paper products.
  • “I love that it’s eco-conscious, no plastic, and wrapped in recyclable paper... I’m a huge fan of bamboo products.” – Francesca [17:43]
  • Discussion on how bamboo toilet paper feels versus traditional options, sustainability, and subscriptions.

3. Recap & Listener Feedback: Reactions to Last Week’s Episode [22:39–38:44]

• Landmark Case of Brene Canard Recap (Last Week’s Topic)
• Listener responses from SoundCloud, Spotify, and the “gated community” (Patreon). Standout comments on:
  • Black maternal health suggestions beyond being an OB/GYN [25:48]
  • The “alienation of affection” law in North Carolina and its gendered impact [29:43]
  • Emotional shout-outs from listeners finding solace and joy in the show after loss [33:10]
  • Laughter, pop culture call-backs, and a hilarious mixup of Cynthia Bailey and Cynthia Erivo in discussion of Wicked [35:29]

4. Main Deep Dive: A Decade in Black Television & Film [43:07–109:59]

Asante leads an exuberant walk through the Black cultural archive, inviting feedback and freeform vibes.

Chronological Highlights:

• Moonlight (2016):
  • “I’ve actually never seen the movie in full.” – Dustin, sparking a game of movies hosts 'should have seen.' [47:02]
  • Discussion of Andre Holland’s magnetic presence, Mahershala Ali’s fine acting, Janelle Monáe’s versatility, and the Oscars envelope fiasco.
  • “It showed soft layers of Black men…all right, these are men, gay, straight, whatever. These two particular men are having feelings.” – Asante [54:28]
  • Fran asks: Should straight actors play gay roles? Group consensus: It’s about acting.
• Get Out (2017):
  • Jordan Peele’s genre-defining horror debut, racially charged plot, and praise for shifting the horror landscape.
  • “It was so electrifying…couldn't stop talking about Get Out.” – Asante [56:31]
• Girls Trip (2017):
  • A festival, a phenomenon, and Tiffany Haddish’s comedic breakout.
  • “These bitches are all hilarious. It was beautiful.” – Asante [61:59]
• Black Panther (2018):
  • Massive culture moment; costume/kente at every screening. Reflection on Chadwick Boseman, Angela Bassett, Michael B. Jordan, and discussions about a third film and possible new leads.
  • “Smart Black people…throwing shade to white folks…great to see on screen.” – Asante [69:26]
• If Beale Street Could Talk (2018):
  • Regina King’s performance and subsequent Oscar, plus her directing acclaim [78:36]
• Atlanta (2016–2022):
  • Donald Glover, “weirdo in a good way,” Lakeith Stanfield, city as a character, and surreal, relatable narratives.
  • “It reset ‘weirdo’ in a very good way. Damn, this is good.” – Asante [87:34]
• Insecure (2016–2021):
  • Continuing resonance, music as narrative driver, how it changed LA TV’s look and feel, Natasha Rothwell’s breakout, and calls for future movies.
  • “It filled in a gap…black shows about everyday life…Issa did a good job." – Francesca [88:26]
• Pose (2018–2021):
  • Ballroom culture, queer and trans excellence, powerful ensemble [92:16]
• More TV and Movie Notables:
  • Reasonable Doubt, Watchmen, Lovecraft Country, The Woman King, They Cloned Tyrone, Swarm, P-Valley, Abbott Elementary, and much more.

Notable Quotes:

• “Looking back, these stories didn’t just entertain us, they challenged us. They reflect us.” – Asante [108:34]
• “So much has happened over these ten years. Black Magic continues.” – Asante [109:50]

5. Wellness Segment: Psychology of Color [112:23–134:37]

Fran dives into how color influences mood, creativity, and personal spaces:

• Red energizing her gym routine (“Loud as hell, but made me feel good!”)
• Dustin and Asante discuss their own preferences, from dark, authoritative walls (Dustin) to bright color association (Asante)
• “These are subtle energies people should lean into…the impact on creative and emotional life is real.” – Francesca [127:00]
• Caution and intention around graphic/logo-heavy clothing (“I’m being really mindful of the words on things that I’m wearing.”) [128:26]

6. Music: Listen Lately & Brandy Mini-Session [134:45–158:43]

Highlights:

• Jordan Chiles & Normani on Dancing with the Stars
• NLE Choppa’s “Michael Jackson” era and willingness to be ‘weird’ as a young, mainstream Black artist.
• Deep-dive Brandy segment (multiple tracks: “Put That on Everything,” “Sittin' Up in My Room,” “Yes Forever”), leading to hosts rhapsodizing about her vocal and songwriting prowess.
• Sprinkle of classics (Dr. Dre, Division, Key Glock, Keisha Cole)

7. TV Land [158:43–167:24]

Dustin’s TV Picks:

• “Love and Marriage: Huntsville” and Wanda’s food truck return [158:53]
• “Real Housewives of Potomac”: Cast changes, new faces, Angel not connecting, Kiana Q&A [160:31]
• “Married to Medicine” returns; discussion of cast longevity, drama, and new energy.
  • “They’re the medicine in Married to Medicine…people have grudges from seasons prior.” – Dustin [165:09]
• “P-Valley” and “Reasonable Doubt” also get shout-outs.

8. Closing

Encouragement to stay engaged, resourceful, and loving toward community, plus an ongoing celebration of Black creativity in all forms.

• “Stay black and protect your magic.” [167:34]

Notable Quotes & Funniest Moments

• “I’d rather die clean. I want fresh-smelling underarms.” – Dustin Ross [08:35]
• “Did you see Wicked?” / “Yes. The lion. Not Colman Domingo in real life. But what the lion did in that movie, okay?” – Dustin [37:36]
• “Can’t eat a banana. Can’t lay on a couch in a robe. Can’t smile on your cake…” – Francesca riffing on gendered rules for men [11:35]
• “We was wicked, child.” – Twitter reacts to Cynthia Bailey/Ariana Grande/Wicked meme [36:31]

Major Takeaways

• Past Decade is a Renaissance: Black creators have remixed every genre: new voices, high production values, overlooked cities, sexuality, and community. These stories amplified Black joy, pain, imagination, and reflection.
• Wellness is Layered: Mental hygiene is shaped by environment, upbringing, even home decor.
• Music Drives the Story: TV soundtracks, Brandy’s legacy, and young artists “doing their own thing” all highlighted.
• Community is Central: The listeners (“gated community”) aren’t just fans but integral to the conversation.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:09] – Medical sleep “rules” social media panic with laughs
• [13:19] – Black Business: Real Paper bamboo TP
• [22:39] – Listener feedback highlights
• [43:07] – “Ten Years Black” TV/film master list begins
• [47:02] – “Moonlight” never-seen moment and Oscars history
• [56:31] – “Get Out” and new Black horror
• [61:59] – “Girls Trip,” Tiffany Haddish, and festival fun
• [68:14] – Black Panther kente cloth audience stories
• [87:34] – “Atlanta”: weirdness and authenticity
• [88:26] – “Insecure,” music, and LA
• [92:16] – “Pose” and queer representation
• [112:23] – Wellness: The psychology of color
• [134:45] – Music: Brandy mini-tribute, “Listen Lately"
• [158:43] – TV Land: all things reality and soapy Black excellence

For New Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll come away with a sense of both joy and reverence for the vast, nuanced landscape of Black art that defined a generation. There’s laughter, music, and plenty of personal vulnerability along the way, delivered with the warmth and playful honesty that makes The Friend Zone a staple of Black podcasting.

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