It's Time To Be Intentional ( Michael B. Jordan ready for kids , Jeezy wants a life partner)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "It’s Time To Be Intentional (Michael B. Jordan ready for kids, Jeezy wants a life partner)"

Podcast: The Latest with Loren LaRosa
Host: Loren LaRosa (Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts)
Date: December 11, 2025
Guests: TaylorMade (audio engineer, producer, podcast regular)

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the importance of being intentional—in career decisions, personal well-being, and especially in relationships and family-building. Topics include Michael B. Jordan’s public musings on wanting children, contrasting celebrity approaches to parenthood and partnership (with a digression into LiAngelo Ball’s headline-making personal life), and Jeezy’s evolving stance on love and marriage after his high-profile divorce. Throughout, Loren and Taylor emphasize the need for conscious choices, accountability, and emotional preparation as life and priorities change.

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Behind the Scenes: Checking In & Personal Growth

[03:18 - 10:00]

Introduction of TaylorMade

• TaylorMade (Taylor) returns to the show after maternity leave.
• Loren introduces Taylor to new listeners and explains her foundational role in the podcast and longstanding partnership on other media projects.

“She’s been actually the person that was producing and editing the podcast from day one.” — Loren LaRosa (03:55)

Adjusting to Motherhood & Adulthood

• Taylor shares the experience of re-entering work after having her first baby, highlighting the need to adapt to new routines and responsibilities.
• Loren and Taylor discuss the constant process of "levelling up" both professionally and personally.

Mentorship & Maintaining Focus

• Loren recounts a meaningful text from her mentor, Lori Hayes, encouraging her to protect her energy and stay intentional:

“Keep manifesting the glory that is within you. You were born for this. Remember to keep the main thing the main thing, whatever that thing is for you. Don't forget to take care of my baby girl.” — Lori Hayes (via Loren, 07:50)

• Loren admits to feeling burnt out when overcommitting and stresses the need for boundaries:

“I was showing up to this podcast with, like, the energy of a freaking nail.” — Loren LaRosa (09:55)

• Taylor and Loren agree on the importance of routines and self-care, even if it’s still a work in progress.

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Intentional Parenting: Michael B. Jordan’s Readiness

[16:08 - 24:00]

Michael B. Jordan on Wanting Children

• Loren recaps a teaser from Michael B. Jordan’s upcoming Netflix interview, where he jokes about prepping for parenthood by first learning to care for plants and dogs.

“Yeah, I want kids one day. But, but I figured I gotta start off with like plants and dogs to see if I can...” — Michael B. Jordan (16:39)

• Loren contextualizes this within Michael’s career, age (38), and dating history (notably, Lori Harvey and rumored links to Taylor Russell).

Responsiveness to Social Media Critique

• Loren & Taylor defend Michael’s “plants and dogs first” logic, noting that building responsibility is a valid path to readiness.

“People are killing Michael B. Jordan for saying this... but I think there is some onus.” — Loren (20:25)

• Taylor draws from her own experiences transitioning from dog owner to mom, insisting that both demand real responsibility:

“My dog will always be my son. But honestly, when it comes to even, like, for your instance of wanting to start a family and stuff... I do feel like now having a baby, things fell together more than apart.” — TaylorMade (20:47)

• Both hosts point out the value of being intentional about who you parent with—an attitude they wish for across all relationships, not just for celebrities.

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Relationship Accountability: LiAngelo Ball, Intent & Consequences

[24:35 - 30:47]

The Cautionary Tale of LiAngelo Ball

• Loren describes the ongoing drama between LiAngelo Ball and Ms. Nikki Baby, focused on allegations of abandonment after their child’s birth.
• The conversation pivots to the importance of not entering parenthood or relationships casually.

“Are you even friends with the person you’re lying down with just in case it happens? …I think there should at least be some responsibility on who you laying down with.” — Loren (24:45)

• Taylor shares personal stories, reflecting on her own parent's divorce and how children are impacted by parents’ choices.

“Your kid didn’t ask to be here. There should still be some play, support, or something in place.” — TaylorMade (27:34)

Notable Quote

“At certain big grown ages, we got to understand that there are accountability. And you lay down, you know, what's about... we know how to get there. We know one plus one equals two at 38, 35, 20. You know how to make a kid. And if both of you guys that are doing that, regardless of what happens, the baby didn't ask to be here is like my whole point of everything.”
— Loren (29:05)

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Redefining Partnership: Jeezy’s Take After Divorce

[34:56 - 39:29]

Jeezy’s New Approach to Relationships

• Loren features a clip from Jeezy’s interview with Bishop T.D. Jakes:

“If two human beings can come together and come to some type of understanding and build this bond that doesn’t need a piece of paper to validate it... But I also want you to be okay if this doesn't work. What does that look like for you? Let's talk about that.” — Jeezy (35:28)

• Jeezy explains that his preference is now for a “life partner,” not a marriage in the traditional sense, influenced by his contentious divorce with Jeannie Mai.

• Loren summarizes the complicated financial and emotional aftermath of their divorce, underscoring the reality that even with pre-planning and agreements, separations can become messy and traumatic.

• Both hosts agree that nothing is guaranteed in life except life and death, and underscore the need for personal accountability and honest communication about expectations and exit strategies.

“You luck up if you find a person who makes you want to grow through whatever happens.” — Loren (39:40)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:18 – 10:00 | Behind-the-scenes, personal growth, mentorship, overcoming burnout
• 16:08 – 24:00 | Michael B. Jordan’s comments about fatherhood, intentionality in family-building, social media reactions
• 24:35 – 30:47 | LiAngelo Ball, responsibility in relationships and co-parenting
• 34:56 – 39:29 | Jeezy, revisiting traditional marriage, seeking intentional partnership post-divorce

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Memorable Quotes

• “Keep manifesting the glory that is within you. You were born for this. Remember to keep the main thing the main thing.”
  — Lori Hayes (in a text to Loren, read aloud at 07:50)

• “People are killing Michael B. Jordan for saying this because… and I don’t know, I mean, I feel like he was jokingly saying it, but I think there is some onus.”
  — Loren LaRosa (20:25)

• “But honestly, when it comes to even, like, for your instance of wanting to start a family and stuff… I do feel like now having a baby, things fell together more than apart.”
  — TaylorMade (20:47)

• “Nothing is guaranteed in this world but life and death.”
  — Loren LaRosa (29:10)

• “If two human beings can come together and come to some type of understanding and build this bond that doesn’t need a piece of paper to validate it and say, ‘hey, look, we’re going to do life together.’”
  — Jeezy (35:28)

• “You luck up if you find a person who makes you want to grow through whatever happens.”
  — Loren LaRosa (39:40)

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Tone & Takeaway

The episode is lively, relatable, and honest, blending pop culture headlines and personal anecdotes. Loren and Taylor create a safe space for nuanced conversation about love, family, and selfhood, all while championing individual agency and real-world intentionality.

For listeners:
If you’re negotiating what “family,” “success,” or “partnership” means in your own life, this episode offers resonance, wisdom, and a reminder that no path is flawless—but with self-awareness and care, you can walk it on your own terms.

Transcript

[A]

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I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody. You know, she don't lie about that, right? Lauren came in hot. Hey, y'. All, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Now, yesterday in our episode, and I thought about this after we recorded, I was like, I'm like, oh, Taylor's back on the episode. I'm like, yo, we are like 4 million plus more people since Taylor has been on the podcast. I didn't even introduce who Taylor was to all of those people who may not know. I mean, if you listen to Brilliant Idiots or watch Brilliant Idiots with Charlamagne and Andrew Schultz, then you know Taylor, you know, Taylor Gaines, Taylor Made it or Breakfast Club also, because she's one of the producers at the Breakfast Club. She does all of our imaging, which is like all of the, like, intros to the segments and all that, like, good music that you hear before, you know, the segments happen. But for those of you guys who do not know, I want to introduce the legend, the icon, and my sister, girl, Taylor. Taylor made it. She's been actually the person that was producing and editing the podcast from day one. But Taylor had a baby, so she just came back from maternity leave. Yes. Yes. Hey, y'. All. Yeah. As my good girl sis said, I am TaylorMade. And you know, I have my whole business, Tillamed Productions. So if you want quality.

Audio podcast, come holl at me. Yes. I am so excited for Taylor to be back. Cause Taylor and I've loved all of the other editors and, you know, people that we've worked with, but Taylor, particularly, like, from day one, I've been learning how to podcast. And even with like, not rushing through and speaking fast and just different things. And she's always very, very honest with me about where things could be better. And she's worked around so many great podcasts that have been, you know, around for years. So I was like, taylor, when you coming back? And then she told me that she wouldn't mind coming to the studio because we would be sending her this audio anyway. So as we kick off and get started, y' all know we check in behind the scenes of the grind. Cause that's just what we do. And that just means how are you really feeling when you're moving, when you're grooving? I don't know. Sometimes it's just. It takes over and you don't really check in on how you feel, nor do you stop to ask your own self that. Back on the grinding, Nutella, how you feeling? I'm feeling good. I feel like I was just thinking to myself, I'm like, I really feel. I've been feeling like an adult, but now being a mom, like, I just went to go get my son's birth certificate and, like, it's just. It's like, why I did this. Like, yeah, like, here we go. Having a very productive mother today. Mm. Well, I'm glad to hear that you're feeling good. I know. Like, you know, after having a baby and getting back to work, there's so much, like, adjustment that, you know. And you talked about this in our episode yesterday, please check that out if you guys haven't heard it already. But just figuring out, like, what your new, like, schedule is and day to day, that's a lot. I feel like I have to reinvent myself because I'm. I'm about to move into certain spaces still about audio and production, but, yeah, just. Just leveling up, basically. I love that. Taylormadeproductions.com if you want my services, consultation, all that, don't play with her. And. And even if I wasn't with Black Effect, which, I mean, where else would I be? But before I actually had a podcast deal with Black Effect, when I was just in Delaware, I was guest hosting a little bit on the Breakfast Club, and I was like, I want to do a podcast. I really just wanted to do a show in general.

But I hit up Taylor and was like, hey, can you build an intro for me? And she, you know, was amazing. Like, turned it around. And I didn't even have the best audio then either. And she still made it, like, feel and sound so official. And I know a lot of my friends were Hitting me up even then like, yo, who did your intro for you? So this is who. Okay. This is. Yeah. When you guest hosted, too. I made you that one. Yes. Every. Yeah, every time you guys hear my segment intro on the Breakfast Club, it's Taylor. She does everything for the Breakfast Club with the intros and stuff. But people always ask me about that intro too, and I'm like, I send them your Instagram and your website all the time. So Taylor made a productions, you said? Yes, taylormadeproductions.com. yeah. So now y' all have a proper introduction on Taylor. But checking in, I. I have been feeling like. I was just saying earlier off camera, today I started kind of like behind the A ball because I woke up late. I was rushing into the show. So I. I told myself after the day ended, we. I got through the day fine. I had a great day the morning. We had a great show today. But I felt like I was, like, chasing the day all morning. Like, and I don't like feeling like that. I like to feel like I'm dominating the day and I'm pacing my day. Um, and I. This morning, I. And today, I just didn't feel that way. I felt like I was, like, running to keep up. But I wanted to share a text message that my mentor, she. I call her, like, my second mom. Her name is Lori Hayes. Hey. She want to be my cousin. Oh, yes. All right. Her name is Lori Hayes, and she is. I met her in high school. She was my. One of my, like, guidance counselors basically, in high school. And she saved my life. If it wasn't for her coming into my life, I don't think I would have finished high school. Like, my mom needed. I mean, I think my mom just really needed an additional person outside of herself to help guide me through the things that I was facing as, like, you know, I'm entering high school or whatever, and she unknowingly came into my life and was that so? I always thank God for her, but she randomly texted me yesterday at 11:20am and she said, you were on my mind this morning. Just want you to know I love you and I'm praying for you. You are powerful beyond measure. Keep manifesting the glory that is within you. You were born for this. Remember to keep the main thing. The main thing, whatever that thing is for you. Don't forget to take care of my baby girl. And when I heard that, I'm like. Because I've been, like, the feeling that I had today of, like, chasing the day. I've been Feeling like that just about life in general over these last couple weeks, because things have just been nonstop. Yeah. She also texted me and this was random, but, you know, like, again, that intuition that, like, moms and people who love you have. She also texted me and was like, don't be afraid to say no. Everything that is a go isn't good. Good. Yeah. I can't say that I've been just, you know, on my, like, hustle bustle. Do you feel now with the opportunity that you have, that you do feel like you have to.

Say yes? Yeah. No. Okay. I don't feel like I have to say yes to everything I did in the beginning. And I was so burnt out. Yeah, I was like, burnt out like this. Like, I was showing up to this podcast with, like, the energy of a. Of a freaking nail. Like, it was bad by the time I got to the podcast every day and just my weekends, like, I had nothing. I was so burnt out and it was messing up. She talking about keeping the main thing. The main thing. I was, like, messing up really, really bad with Breakfast Club because I wasn't able to repair as much because I was so tired and exhausted, barely sleeping. So I had to say no and learn and say no. But I do think in these last couple of weeks, I have said yes to things because I really wanted to do them or experience them. And some of which may have thrown off, like, I've gotten into this schedule and this consistent.

I have to do things a certain way. And I never realized this about myself until all of the things started. And, you know, the Breakfast Club, because it's so early in the morning and I have prep that I do after the show. But I have to do things a certain way when it comes to preparing my stories. Like, I need to actually, like, in real time, watch as things unfold, you know, watch a ton of interviews, connect this interview to that one, and, you know, all of these different things that if I miss one step, it can throw me off completely. And I've always been like that. That's why I don't like people watching interviews for me and just telling me what, you know, you're going to catch something that someone else did 100%. And I've always been that way where, like, I need to be fully, like, in it in order to, like, best maneuver in a situation or to recount things or whatever. So with me now, like, I'm coming up out of those, like, couple bookings, and I'm looking forward to, like, I've been looking forward to this week so much because I could just get back into that schedule. Yeah. But the first few days of this week I've just been like after work, doing as much as I can and knocking out because I've been catching up from all of the yeses I done gave out recently. Right. So when she texts me that I'm like, this is God. Like God always shows up. And, and you know, last time somebody told me that it was Charlemagne. Like keep the main thing. The main thing. Because I, I felt off my. Yeah. Off my, like pivot a little bit. So that was like. That has been. That text message has been sitting with me all day. And I literally just told myself today I'm going to like reset when I leave here. I'm going to go into some praise and worship. I'm going to completely reset. Because whatever this feeling of like running and I'm chasing but I'm not catching up, it. That's how it feels. It feels like I'm running, but I'm never catching up. I'm not even about to allow that energy to sit within my spirit. Spirit for longer than these 48 hours that I've been feeling it or 24 hours that I've been feeling it. So I was gonna say too make sure you also have a routine for your self care in a sense. I'm still developing that. Okay. I don't, I don't think that I have that. Not even think I don't have that. But we'll figure that all out. Let's get into the episode. You know what might be the best thing about JD Sports? The possibilities. I mean, they're endless. I stopped by the other day at the Times Square location and I didn't even really need anything. I was just there. Y' all know how you wander in and then you end up buying everything. But I was like, JD Sports gets me like they feel me. I couldn't leave without picking up something. So I grabbed the Nike tech for bae. Cause y' all know it's that season and to no surprise, it worked out perfectly. Elevate your fit at JD Sports. Explore the latest drops and make your style your own. JD Sports, where the latest global sportswear lives.

[B]

Woo. What a vibe we've got, y'.

[A]

All.

[B]

As always, it's classic HBCU energy. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chants, echoing, drums beating everybody showing that school pride. Moments like this. Yeah. They call for an ice cold Coca Cola. Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

[A]

Mm.

[B]

Yeah. That taste always hit the right note just like the band at halftime. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the place, no matter the moment. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going. What's up? It's big long from It's Up There Podcast on this episode, we're unpacking the difference between toxic love and a real bond. How so many of us were taught to survive love instead of experiencing it. A lot of men think being solid means being silent. I'm good. I got it. That's the script we memorize before we even know ourselves. Because somewhere along the line expression got labeled weakness. So now we perform composure while we're falling apart. You share your body but not a conversation. And that's not intimacy. But what if being a man really means you care enough to communicate? Real love isn't loud, it's consistent. It's the small things. The small check ins, the shared accountability, the honesty that feels awkward but keeps everyone safe. Stop confusing numbness with dependability. We gotta break the cycle and break the pattern. This special episode of It's Up There podcast with Lone, brought to you by Healthy Sexual from Gilead sciences on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

[A]

So let me get this straight.

[B]

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[A]

Data because it's here, there and everywhere? Seems like something's missing.

[B]

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[A]

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[B]

Wherever it lives to change how you do business. Let's create Smile to Business IBM.

[C]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snore loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company.

[A]

Speaking of, you know, just seeing things as they unfold. Yesterday, just in me minding my business, not really minding everybody else's business On X, I saw a clip that Netflix had posted with Michael B. Jordan. So he's going to be on David Letterman's My Next Guest needs no introduction, which is like, it's like a sit down interview series. But Michael B. Jordan and him. I saw this and I'm like, what? Michael B. Jordan ready for kids? Let's take a listen.

[B]

Yeah, I want kids one day. But, but I figured I gotta start off with like plants and dogs to see if I can like, I see.

[A]

Plants, dogs, humans, that is, you know what I'm saying?

[B]

If I can take care of a.

[A]

Plant, I should be able to get a dog. Yeah, as long as cool. Then, you know, I have a shot.

[B]

You will love it. And I'll be wondering what took me so long.

[A]

Yeah, so I mean that was just a short text teaser clip and that's the way that they roll it out. So the interview will actually be live in about a week. It'll be live on December 16th and they shot this in London. Michael B. Jordan is in London. He's been there for a few months actually. He's actually been there since like March filming the Thomas Crown Affair. I mean, Michael B. Jordan is 38 years old. I looked it up when you asked. He's 38 years old. So I mean he's at that point where it's like, okay, you know, I'm 30, dang. I was going to say I'm 33, I'm 34, I'm 34 years old and I don't want kids like today or tomorrow. But I'm definitely having conversations about what my life looks, looks like when I have kids a lot differently than I was two to three years ago. Like it's more real now because it's like, okay, age wise, you're getting there. But also too, I just think I'm at a point in my life where the things that I'm doing, eventually I'm doing them because I want to be able to have children and build a family that I can enjoy it with. And he's amassed great success. Like at 38, he is one of the most sought after actors. Like not just people love to talk about Michael B. Jordan. Like he's like the black actor, like the young black actor that everyone goes to. And I know now Damson, Idris also, you know, people throw him in there when they have that conversation. But yeah, but, but even outside of just a black actor, as an actor, Michael B. Jordan literally is like, he, he's, he's one of the, like, he is the name. He's one of the names. So he has done enough now where I'm sure he's looking around and he's like okay. Who I'm gonna share this with. He's probably been like that. I think he's a relationship type of guy. Seems like it. I mean, his dating history is pretty, you know, he's. He's had some good pics. One of the last people that we knew him to be dating was Lori Harvey, Steve Harvey's daughter. They were dating from 2020 to 2022, and they broke up. And people were having all these conversations about why they broke up. We really don't know the real. He said the rumors were that he wanted. That was married or. Yes, like that whatever the rumors were, that he was ready for a certain next step when it comes to all the things he's talking about right now, honestly, like with marriage and children and that. That's not where she was at. But that was never confirmed. But now 2025, in March, he was spotted out with Taylor Russell, who is one of his co stars, and which is why he's in London or was in London at least when they shot this. I don't know where he is this very day, but it's a reboot of Thomas Crown Affair. People think that they're dating, and neither of the two have shot down the rumor nor have they confirmed it. So I don't know where his dating life is now, but I'm sure we'll find out more on, you know, this conversation he had with David Letterman. But I'm not mad at him for saying he's starting with plants and dogs. Okay. I done seen some people be like, good luck with that, Michael B. Jordan. Like, if we taking it to the streets in the tweets, I'm gonna read some of the comments that I saw. But, I mean, Taylor, you just recently had a baby, and you were a dog mom. Yes, I was. Before you had a baby. Not compare your baby to a dog. Okay, well, let me be very clear, and I stand on this. My dog will always be my son. And. But honestly, when it comes to. Even, like, for you, for your instance of like, wanting to start a family and stuff. Yeah, I. I do feel like.

Now having a baby, because I was always worried about that, like, how's it gonna fall into this type of industry? In a sense. Yeah. But I do think that at least for me, things fell together, but more than a part, honestly. And, like, I don't think you're ever going to be ready for. I don't think. I think it's hard to plan for a kid. Yeah. But when the kid is here, things are going to come together. I'm not worried about it per se. Like, I mean, it's something that I've never done, obviously, but I'm not really worried about it. I, I. When I went through, like, when I first started this caretaker journey, things were, like, really rough. Like, like, really, really rough. Like, like, extremely rough. And I had to plan my whole life, my work, my whole everything, my day, day to day, around not just me, but, like, also my mom. And when I started to come kind of, like, up out of it a little bit, I just. I don't know, I just had this, like, random thought, and I felt like it was like a conversation with God, even though it was just a random thought. But I was like, I used to be so worried about becoming a mom because I've never done it. And I was like, I think I got this. Like, I. I handled the shit out of that situation, like, figuring out life for me and my mom at that time. Can we, like, yeah, it was just natural. Like, it was just a natural. And she's my mom. Of course, she's not my child, but, you know, my mom's like, stage four cancer. It put my mom to a point where, like, she couldn't even bathe herself in the beginning of me caring for her, nor really feed herself. So, I mean, when I say, like, you're tending to someone, I mean, like, and I'm waking up around the clock, making sure that she has certain medicines. And, like, we were barely sleeping for about the first, like, three months. When I got through that, I was like, I could do this mom thing, yo. Like, I don't have to figure it out. It's a little different, but. And it also helps to have a great partner, too, though. Oh, 100%. That's all I speak on my life. That's all I speak on my life. I don't want to do it without a great partner. Yeah. And I want everybody. You know, if you're listening to this, please me. I'm Lauren LaRosa. L O R E N L O R O S A Everywhere. Let me know how you guys feel. If you are watching this, take it to the streets in tweets. Get in the comments. People are killing Michael B. Jordan for saying this because. And I don't know, I mean, I feel like he was jokingly saying it, but I think there is some, like, onus. Oh, by the plants and dogs. I think it's just a thing of him saying he's learning how to be responsible for something other, so. But people are like, bro, it's a baby. It's so different. Let me tell you something. Because I had people who were like saying that to me. Now having a dog and a child, like, yes, having a baby is different in a sense. But like you just said, having a dog. Because even when I had a dog, I had to make sure he's being fed, though. Like I'm going back home to make sure he's being fed at least twice a day and stuff. And he has to be walked. Like, no, you're not doing that to your child. But at the same time, like you just said, it's responsibility though. Like you have, you have to kind of get a routine in. I just love the fact that plants are hard to care about. I never once tried to be a plant mom because I just knew I didn't have it in me. Yeah. All of the watering of the plant, the positioning it in the light, the right way. Your house has to be a certain temperature for certain plants. Like, y' all better leave that man alone. If he working on, if he working with plants, A dog, a baby born, I don't even care. Exactly. But I don't think people, whoever is mad at him and like they're taking it too literal. Like he's. People take everything. Yeah, it's nice. I just think that in my opinion, I think if you look at Michael B. Jordan, right, he's young, he's at the, the height of his career, super successful, obviously attractive, and he is being, it seems, intentional about wanting to create a family. You got men out here that are just having babies with any old body. People that they barely even want to speak to on a day to day. And are you, are you talking to. Oh, nevermind. We'll go for that, say liangelo ball. I mean if we want to go there.

Like it's. And I mean whether you're famous, successful or not, I just think that you should be more intentional about even if you're not planning to have the kid. And it seems like he is making preparations and plans because he knows that he wants it. I admire that. But even if you're not in a space of like planning the kid, I think there should at least be some responsibility on who you laying down with just in case it happens, right? Like just in case y' all gotta become partners in a co parenting situation. Do you even like the person you laying down with? Because speaking of Leangelo Ball, right? We watched him have a baby with Ms. Nikki baby who's, you know, she's all love and hip hop influencer. Comes from a very well established rich family, so she didn't need leangela Ball for the money. She thought she had a partnership. They had a baby too. Oh, that. Yeah. Cause it was a new baby when he left. Yeah. So they had. She had just had her new baby and he decided he didn't want to be there anymore. Now, granted, even that things happen. You decide. Okay, look, this is not where I want to be. Cool. But the way that he went about it, according to Ms. Nikki Baby, like, not wanting to be in your kid's life because it didn't work out with you and your person, I don't really. I don't feel that. And I know that him and Ms. Nikki baby were not strangers, but it seems like I'm confused about where his intention is even when it comes to just the women and just the kids. Like, if, you know, you don't want to be with somebody and be with a partner. Okay, I don't want to. See, I think people think that you have to stay with somebody just because that's just the way it's supposed to be. Don't get me wrong. I don't want to ever be divorced and go through any of that. But if we were miserable and it's not working, I don't want my child to see me grow up. Like, I don't want them to see that. Like, but at least I want them to see their dad. Right. Like, can you show also just as a dad, like, how do you not want to see a child, though? Like, I don't. I don't get that. I want to say, because I know a lot of times men try and, like, I mean, I've been here in my own real life and my mom and my dad were not together when I was growing up. And my dad always alludes to it being so much more to the story of why he chose not to be involved for like 13, 14 years. But the way that I feel, and I'm saying that to say, I don't know, we only know what we see online. We don't know the full in house dynamic between leangela Ball and Nikki Baby. Right. So I don't know if he thought I'm better off, no contact, whatever, but you're never better off. No contact. Like, I've literally told my dad that, like, it doesn't matter what you were going through, especially because at a certain point I got to an age where you could contact me without my mom. You're never better off. No contact. Like, as a parent, like, that's extremely crazy. And then so she had another baby. Ms. Nikki baby had another baby with LiAngelo Ball. He decided that they didn't. He didn't want to be with her anymore. He moved on to another relationship. Again, it's not about him moving on to another relationship. If you feel like you need to do that, do your thing. But that was crazy. I mean, would you. I don't know. I think my only take on. Because I've also been in a household where two people were together and they should not have been. And I mean, I love my brother's dad, my stepdad to death, but my. Some of my memories of him and my mom are things I wish I never had to see in my life. And I was like 9, 10 years old, and I'll never forget it. But they shouldn't have been together, but they were trying because my mom had my brother. So, like, I kind of understand both sides of it, but I still think it's trash for you to do that without. Like, like, your kid didn't ask to be here. Like, there should still be some place support or, like, something in place. I don't know. That's a sticky situation. But leangela Ball moved on and had another baby with another girl who said that he forced. He was forced to marry her. Yeah. I mean, let's just play the clip.

[B]

Imma go, I'm going through the motions with her ass. Like, she like, imma do this, do this. I'm like, whatever, all right, cool. Whatever, Cool. Just getting. Whatever, nigga. Just doing anything. She like, we gonna get married.

[A]

We're gonna do all this.

[B]

I'm like, how did you end up doing that?

[A]

How did you end up in the courtroom, though, brother?

[B]

Cause, like, she drove me there. I'm out there about to cry in the whip. Like, hey, just gonna jump to the side. I know you, dumbass.

[A]

She has you.

[B]

Like, she ain't had. To be honest. I don't like her ass, like, to keep it a band. It's just like, how the hell did that happen? How that? I don't know. I don't have that. She put that file on you, boy? Not even that, bro. I don't even know she had you locked up. She was lying and a whole bunch of bad.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, look, it gets sticky all around my. I guess we got here because I was trying to big up Michael B. Jordan for just wanting to be intentional, whether you won't be with the. The mom or not be with the mom or women. If you going to Be with the dad or not be with the dad. I think when we are as at certain big grown ages, we got to understand that there are accountability. And you lay down, you know, what's about like, hello, like, we know how to get there. We know 1 plus 1 equals 2 at 38, 35, 20, you know how to make a kid. And if both of you guys that are doing that, regardless of what happens, the baby didn't ask to be here is like my whole point of everything. Nothing is guaranteed in this world but life and death. Yeah. Like, I think about that all the time as well. Like, you know, and honestly, that's been one of my, like, struggles. Accepting, accepting. But because I watched my mom be a single mom for so long and just figure it out. I've always been so intentional about my career. I feel like I've been more intentional about my career than anything else in my life. Like, I'm intentional about dating in like, the person that I'm with now. But I wasn't really that for, you know, after when I was single, I. I didn't. That wasn't. I wasn't doing anything. But that wasn't a focus because I was like, regardless of whatever, me and my kid gonna be straight. Right. And I didn't realize until I got with a person who like, like, even seeing my kid, like, he'll be like, you mean, it's like if. If we have kids, they're our kids. And I'm like, dang, I didn't even realize how much I'm programmed to just be like, well, if you got dip, go ahead. Cause I'm straight. We straight over here. Yeah, but do you think it's.

A control factor too, though? That's the only thing you can control? Yeah, yeah, yeah. 100%. Like, the only. The only thing you're promising life is life and death. Like, the little bit of, like, career progression that you have, you can't really control that. You try to. You try to do, you know, everything you can, but, like, you can't control certain things. Like, you can't control a person, their feelings, their actions, like, whatsoever. And that vulnerability is scared, especially as a woman, like I said, who I've always been like, I'm gonna make sure I'm super independent so that just in case, in my vulnerable is moment, I'm disappointed. I'm good. And that's a sad way to have to think, but I ain't really seen much of anything else. You know what I mean? So I've always been that way. And Actually, that takes me to our next conversation. You can go anywhere and find clothes, but at JD Sports you can discover your style. Like I needed a pair of Nikes so I stopped by JD's and I know what I like and I don't just like anything. So I found a brand new pair of Nike shocks that was actually exactly what I was looking for. I'm always able to find my style at JD Sports. Cultivate your look at JD Sports. Discover your latest gear to elevate your style. JD Sports, where the latest global sportswear lives.

[B]

Woo. What a vibe we've got y'.

[A]

All.

[B]

As always, it's classic HBCU energy. Nonstop action. The band is rockin and the crowd lit. Chants echoing, drums beating, Everybody showing that school pride. Moments like this, yeah, they call for an ice cold Coca Cola. Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

[A]

Mmm.

[B]

Yeah, that taste always hit the right note. Just like the band at halftime. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the place, no matter the moment. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going. What's up? It's big long from It's Up There Podcast. On this episode, we're unpacking the difference between toxic love and a real bond. How so many of us were taught to survive love instead of experiencing it. A lot of men think being solid means being silent. I'm good. I got it. That's the script we memorize before we even know ourselves. Because somewhere along the line, expression got labeled weakness. So now we perform composure while we're falling apart. You share your body but not a conversation. And that's not intimacy. But what if being a man really means you care enough to communicate? Real love isn't loud. It's consistent. It's the small things. The small check ins, the shared accountability, the honesty that feels awkward but keeps everyone safe. Stop confusing numbness with dependability. We gotta break the cycle and break the pattern. This special episode of It's Up There podcast with Lone brought to you by Healthy Sexual from Gilead sciences on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

So you're telling me that the AI that's meant to make everyone's job easier to manage just adds more to manage on top of the thousands of apps.

[A]

The IT department already manages? Funny how that works.

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Any business can add AI. IBM helps you scale and manage AI.

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To change how you do business.

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Let's create smile to Business IBM.

[C]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, A medicine company.

[A]

I know we talked about Jeezy on yesterday's episode of the podcast, but there was one part that I think would really fit right now in this conversation as we end the episode. So Jeezy was on Next chapter with Bishop T.D. jakes, and they talk about everything from life, love, career, health struggles, just a lot. When they got into the conversation around Jeezy's divorce from Jeannie Mai, one thing that Jeezy said that struck me. Jeezy says that he doesn't want to be traditionally married. He wants a life partner. Let's take a listen.

[B]

What would you do differently if you.

[A]

If the choice comes up again?

[B]

If I ever did it differently, I think that even in the dating stages, like, even like the date, like, we could be friends, but even in the dating stages, I would want to do like some premarital, like counseling. Absolutely. You know what I'm saying? Just to have somebody so kind of. But I will say this. My heart and my spirit tells me, like, now the space I'm in, I just see life partner. If two human beings can come together and come to some type of understanding and build this bond that doesn't need a piece of paper to validate it and say, hey, look, we're going to do life together. We're going to make this work. But I also want you to be okay if this doesn't work. What does that look like for you? Let's talk about that. Let's get that together. Okay? You good with that? I'm good with that. We sign that, you sign. We do whatever. We get the ring, we do all that. What I never want to go through again, I don't want that from anybody. Because I know a lot of brothers that's been going through the court cases is seeing these people take your money and send their kids to college with your money because you're fighting, because it becomes adversarial. Well, let's just Decide what it's going to be and if you're good with that. If I'm good with that. If it doesn't work, which we want it to work, but at least we gotta understand and we can part ways and we can still be okay.

[A]

It sounds to me like he's a little traumatized from all the money he had to spend. Cause I know. So, okay. When Jeezy and Jeannie Mai divorced, when their divorce was settled and their divorce was finalized in June of 2024. So following their divorce being finalized, Jeannie Mai went back to court and she said that Jeezy owed her money.

For several different things that were okayed in their divorce settlement. Some of the things included a $500,000 payment to, like, an account that would, like, grow interest for their daughter.

She was asking for, like, over $90,000 for reimbursement for, like, rent. And then she was, you know, talking about, like, some cars that ownership or something like that was supposed to be transferred for. And there was a whole back and forth about it. I know Jeezy at one point was saying that, like, there was a lot of frivolous claims that were coming her way that they were having to go back to court for, and he wanted her to pay the lawyer fees for that. So it seems like that whole part of it, like, yo, we couldn't agree on things that we had already agreed on. There was still a lot to be ironed out. Because if you're separating and you're dividing things, regardless of how long they'd been together, they began building a life together. That kind of traumatized him a bit. So Jeannie Mai said that their divorce called for Jeezy to pay for her daycare costs. The baby's daycare cost school tuition for the child, deposit at least $500,000 in an interest bearing account for their. Their daughter, transfer the Title 2 cars, and cover four months of her rent. The thing is, Jeannie. Jeannie claimed that Jeezy failed to follow through on these things. And she says he's ghosting her and hanging her out to dry. Now, in the docs, Jeannie claims that Jeezy already owed her $4,000 for tuition and childcare costs. And she says that she hasn't got access to the $500,000 account he was supposed to set up for the daughter. Like that. That $500,000, like that stuff was ironed out in their. Whatever their agreement was going into the marriage and saying, in case we split, right? But she was going back and forth to court and saying that it wasn't happening. Yeah, it wasn't happening. I know a lot of the claims like Jeezy had fought back against and were saying that certain things weren't true or it seems like their communication in their timelines just weren't there. Because even when she had brought up the fact that like he had like guns in his home or whatever to and in. And he was like, she was claiming that he was like careless with him and his side was claiming like, yo, like he's Jeezy. He has and does things to protect himself. But everything is legal.

Their kid is good when the baby's over the house and things of that nature. And then there was like a timeline. Not timeline, but like a basically almost like a. A stock sheet that. That was supposed to be given to Jeannie Mai about like, here's everything that he has in his home, self protection wise. And here's where everything will be stored, especially when your daughter is there. And his side has some issues with providing that because he was accusing her leaking things to media. The. The communication just seems all over the place. I just wonder what happened, like, what made them just stop. I don't. Nothing is guaranteed in this life but life or death. Taylor, that sounds so morbid. But, like, that's just how it is. You luck up if you find a person who makes you want to grow through whatever happens. Exactly. You know what I mean? And that's what I'm saying. It's like, regardless if it's a Michael B. Jordan type who is like, I'm practicing right now because I'm intentional and I want my kids. It's LiAngelo Ball who is going through, like, whatever it is he's going through and figuring it out and got, you know, now he got his other baby with the whole other girl who she's claiming that her baby hasn't seen her kid at all yet. I mean, her baby hasn't seen LiAngelo Ball at all yet. And then you have, you know, Jeezy, who's been through these things and who is now a lot more accountable and understands more of what he wants. But it might not be traditional. It's like, you gotta really figure out, like, where do you want to be in all of this? I don't know. I just hope all these people figure it out. I hope Michael B. Jordan and his plants are well and doing well and very watered and, you know, all of the things. So, yes, this has been another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. I'm your host, Lauren The Rosa and I tell y' all every single episode. My lowriders. Y' all could be here with anybody or anywhere with anybody talking about all these things, but every episode you guys choose. Y' all are intentional about me. I know that's right. Y' all choose to be right here with me. And I appreciate you guys for it. Taylor, thank you for joining us again. Now y' all know who was doing all the editing. You know, with the audio side, shout out to Patrick Narie on the editing of the video, but Taylor is on the editing of the audio. My girl in the intro of the podcast. Yeah. And all of the translations into the set. Everything. Yep. Yes, y', all. Period. And she is a Mamiana. Thank you for joining us. Of course. Thank you guys for tuning in for another episode. I'll catch you in the next one.

[B]

Woo. What a vibe we've got, y'.

[A]

All.

[B]

As always, it's classic HBCU energy. Nonstop action, the band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chants echoing, drums beating. Everybody showing that school pride. Moments like this. Yeah, they call for an ice cold Coca Cola. Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

[A]

Mmm.

[B]

Yeah, that taste always hit the right note. Just like the band at halftime. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere. And an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the place, no matter the moment, Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[A]

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[C]

This is Sophie Cunningham from show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing if anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company.

[A]

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