When Success Feels Overwhelming | Loren LoRosa Gets Vulnerable

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "When Success Feels Overwhelming | Loren LoRosa Gets Vulnerable"

Podcast: The Latest with Loren LoRosa
Host: Loren LoRosa (The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts)
Date: July 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode of "The Latest with Loren LoRosa," Loren gets deeply personal about the emotional toll that comes with navigating professional success, fast-paced media, and constant personal expectations. The discussion centers on vulnerability, anxiety, and spiritual grounding while managing a public profile and ambitious goals. Special inspiration and acknowledgment are given to Coco Jones for her open approach to career ups and downs, with supporting insights from producer TaylorMaded.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Processing Overwhelm and Self-Awareness

[04:10–10:27]

• Loren opens up about her internal struggles, describing feelings of anxiety and questioning whether these stem from a lack of discipline or genuine burnout.
• She recounts an incident of driving while distracted, illustrating the mental overload she’s under, noting both external pressure and self-imposed stress.
• Quote:

  "I'm feeling like I just need to get more like, disciplined... is it my discipline and me needing to take accountability for that, or am I like burnt out by certain things?" — Loren LaRosa (04:20)

• Loren reflects on parallels between moments of life change—such as caring for her mom and now career elevation—and recognizes that sometimes change is so incremental it's hard to detect.

2. The Fast Pace and Pressure of Media Careers

[08:24–10:27, 22:54–27:38]

• Loren touches on the hectic pace of media—especially with major platforms like The Breakfast Club—where staying "ready" is non-negotiable, yet constant readiness can diminish the joy of accomplishment.
• The idea of making it through, but not feeling it, is a recurring challenge.
• Quote:

  "I just get through them and I execute it. Well, I get through it, but I don't want to just get through it. Like, I want to get through, and I want to be able to, like, really feel it and experience it." — Loren LaRosa (08:25)

• Producer TaylorMaded echoes the anxiety of needing control, the difficulty in delegating, and the stress of career accountability.

3. Vulnerability, Privacy, and the Public Eye

[14:09–18:05, 25:46–28:55]

• Loren debates whether or not to be fully vulnerable on her platform, concerned about the impulse to appear strong versus the personal relief and social value of sharing struggles.
• She praises Coco Jones, whose career vlogs about hardships inspired Loren to embrace vulnerability, even at higher levels of recognition.
• Quote:

  "I've gotten away from just even doing that because I'm in the thick of it, and I'm just wanting to do well at work and perform. It's not about me right now. It's about work and putting up the point. So this can mean something. But I'm like, but, Lauren, that means something too." — Loren LaRosa (16:34)

• Both Loren and Taylor voice concerns about being perceived as ungrateful or complaining when discussing the challenges of success, conscious of the blessings they've received.

4. Faith, Spirituality, and Grounding

[18:45–22:45]

• Loren shares how pausing for Bible study helped her to recenter during an overwhelming period, relaying her pastor's wisdom about discernment, staying true to one's purpose, and not veering from the spiritual path after attaining what one has prayed for.
• Quote (Pastor Jerome Lewis):

  "God will warn us about some things, and then we have to deal with the consequences of our choice."
  "Lot didn't discern that his level of success came from his association... you don't want to let other people push you away from them." — Pastor Jerome Lewis (20:25–22:45)

• Loren relates this wisdom back to her career, noting the importance of equipping oneself and recognizing the role of faith in handling new responsibilities.

5. Career Ownership and the Weight of Leadership

[23:06–27:38]

• As Loren's career advances, especially under her own name and with personal branding, the weight of accountability grows more personal and direct.
• TaylorMaded recognizes the empowerment that comes with moving from contributor roles to owning one's brand.
• Loren expands on the stress and reward of driving her own "ship," learning to own mistakes and constantly self-reflect.

6. Coco Jones on "Almost" and the Struggle for Clarity

[27:40–28:55]

• A clip from Coco Jones highlights her candid thoughts about feeling "almost there" in her career and the draining process of searching for artistic identity and recognition.
• Quote (Coco Jones):

  "I feel like we're at the final hour of all of this almost. It either has to click or it's gonna be over. And, like, I'll always be like, damn, what could have been..." — Coco Jones (28:28)

• Loren expresses gratitude to Coco, noting how her vulnerability gives permission for others—including Loren herself—to be public about the struggle behind success.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• "Why do you feel like that? So I was like, you're just being dramatic. You're not at a breaking point. You're fine." — Loren LaRosa (06:20)
• "At every level, there's a new devil." — Loren LaRosa referencing Coco Jones (17:36)
• "I never want God to hear me and think I'm complaining." — Loren LaRosa (17:54)
• "You can also fumble it if you're not equipped with the right things." — Loren LaRosa (19:44)
• "Even if it was someone else's fault, it's like I am literally the leader and. And I'm driving my own ship so much... now I'm like, okay, girl, you really doing it now?" — Loren LaRosa (24:45)
• "I always can be like, God, I see what you did. Like, I was prepared for this. Like, I'm not here by chance..." — Loren LaRosa (25:47)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:10 – Loren details her recent struggles with discipline and anxiety
• 06:20 – Describes a near driving accident as a metaphor for mental overload
• 14:09 – Discussion on control, pressure, and the stress of delegating
• 16:34 – Debate about vlogging and public vulnerability, inspired by Coco Jones
• 18:45 – Loren’s church Bible study and the value of spiritual recentering
• 20:25–22:45 – Clip of Pastor Jerome Lewis: discernment and sustaining purpose
• 23:06–24:47 – The responsibility and exposure of running her own brand
• 27:40–28:55 – Coco Jones’ candid "almost there" struggle

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Conclusion

This episode offers listeners an unfiltered look at the emotional and psychological turbulence that can accompany levels of professional success, especially in media. Loren LaRosa’s honesty about overwhelm, coupled with spiritual reflection and mutual support with her producer, creates a space where listeners can relate to and find validation for their own challenges. The integration of Coco Jones’ journey further humanizes the experience of striving for success, showing that even those at the top face doubt and exhaustion—but sharing those experiences can be empowering for others.

For anyone feeling the weight of “making it” or unsure if they’re allowed to admit when it’s hard, Loren’s vulnerability and insight in this episode will resonate.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Perry Wilson]

Hey, what up, y'?

[TaylorMaded]

All?

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's DJ Envy and I'm at the

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Perry Wilson]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Perry Wilson]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now let me go catch the premiere.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes, it's me again. We prepped. Prep, prep. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. Oh wow. It's the time for empowerment. And I've got a message for you. You gotta think about sexual health no matter what, when, when, or with who.

[TaylorMaded]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

To all you lovers out there, ain't no judgment. This is your cue.

[Coco Jones]

Guess who. Guess who's back.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah. It's time to talk about pre special prophylaxis, a part of HIV prevention. Talk to a healthcare provider and visit care for the culture.com to learn more. I'm the home girl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody exclusive.

[Coco Jones]

You know she don't lie about that, right?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Lauren came in hot. Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is Another episode of 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. So today we are first, of course, as always, going to check in behind the scenes of the grind. So let's get on into it. So checking in behind the scenes of the grind today. How am I feeling? I feel like this is a reoccurring conversation or feeling I have within myself. I'm feeling like I just need to get more like, disciplined. Like, honestly, there's been a few things over the last couple of weeks where I've been trying to figure out is it my discipline and me needing to take accountability for that, or am I like burnt out by certain things? Yesterday, actually, when I got off of work, I sat in my house and I mean, it wasn't dark because it was daytime. So like I had the sunlight, but I sat in my house, I didn't turn on the tv, I put my phone down. I didn't answer phone calls for about an hour. And that's very different for me. I'm like glued to my phone. I feel like I'm always going to miss something and if I miss something and I can't deliver well at work, I feel like I'm always going to miss a phone call from my mom and my grandmother. And if I miss it, it could be emergency life or death type of thing, like, but I don't know. I was, I was riding in the car yesterday and my grandmother called me to talk through some bill pay information. And I mean, you're not supposed to be talking on the phone while you drive anyway. But I was just so distracted by everything else I was already going through in my mind for some reason. Because I told you guys within the last episode, if you didn't get a chance to take a listen to that, go back and take a listen to the episode prior to this one that I've been like, really trying to figure out this like anxiety feeling that comes over me sometimes when I feel like I'm not performing the way I think I should be performing. And it trickles down into everything. Not just career stuff, but it trickles into my personal life. It trickles into my relationships, friends, my man. Like, it trickles into everything, in my opinion. So yesterday, in real time, I saw that happen. She called me and she was just going through things and going through things. And she asked before she started, she was like, can you talk right now? And I was like, yeah, I'm good. I'm just Driving home, and before I answered the phone, I was like, should I answer the phone right now? Or should I just take the time I know I need? Like, I felt it. Like, I felt like I was like, at, like, a breaking point, but I was like, you can't be at a breaking point because nothing happened, Lauren. Like, why do you feel like that? So I was like, you're just being dramatic. You're not at a breaking point. You're fine. Answer the phone. So I answer, and she's talking to me about, you know, what she need to talk to me about. And while I'm driving, I'm listening to her, I'm thinking about all this stuff. And sometimes in New York, there are, like, cars that will be, like, dead stopped in the middle of a lane, and you have to, like, go around them, but they're, like, right outside. Like, they're double parked, basically. And I'm driving, and there's a truck double parked in front of the lane that I'm in, and there's another truck on the side of me. And I'm literally looking at the truck. But, like, my mind didn't say, lauren, that truck isn't moving. Switch lanes. I literally got right to the point where I was like, oh, shoot. And I, like, went to switch lanes and a truck next to me, like, was blowing the horn all crazy because now I'm coming over into their lane. And my grandmother heard the. The, like, the truck, and she was like, are you driving? I was like, yes. I was like, my mom, can I just call you back? Like, I just need to get home. Just let me call you back. So then she hung up. She called I have an admin, like an assistant that I work with that helps me out, just balance everything. And she called her and was like, hey, I'm calling you to talk about this. Because she got too much going on. So I went home and I just, like, sat for a second and I was like, I don't know why I get to the point where I feel like this. So I've been trying to figure out is that, you know, just anxiety that comes with, like, high pressure stuff and having high pressure on you from things, or am I really putting myself in a position where I'm feeling the pressure because I'm rushing to get everything done because I'm not disciplined or as disciplined as I know I need to be. And I can't really determine it. Some days I can identify clearly, like, no, your discipline could be tighter here, here, and here. And that would take a lot of Pressure off of you. Other days, I'm like, today went smooth, and you still feel like this. Like, you still feel like you're missing something. You still feel like every call is about to be a phone call that's going to, like, end it all. Like, it's such a weird feeling. And I've never. That's not true. I was gonna say I've never experienced this, but I think the last time I was feeling like this was when I was going through that whole transition of, like, I wasn't at work anymore and I was home, at home taking care of my mom. And it was the first time where, like, there was, like, a big change. Like, I had never not been at work. Like, I've always been, like, a very, like, get up, go to work, like, always. That was the first time in my life where I was, like, not doing anything but taking care of my mom, and I had to just be okay with that. So I don't know. I'm trying to find the parallels between the two times in my life, and maybe it's change, but I feel like the change was so clear during that season of my life where my mom needed me to be there and help her through her, you know, medical stuff. In this season of my life, I feel like change is it. It happens so frequent and so often, and I don't feel it all the time, so I don't know that it's happening. Like, I know, and I feel elevation when it hits me, but, like, because, I mean, Breakfast Club as a vehicle is huge. And this just the.

[Coco Jones]

The.

[Lauren LaRosa]

The nature of the job and the nature of the career industry that I'm in, things move so fast. Sometimes I feel like things are coming my way, and I'm just, like, used to staying ready so I don't have to get ready. So I just get through them and I execute it. Well, I get through it, but I don't want to just get through it. Like, I want to get through, and I want to be able to, like, really feel it and experience it. Like, I was literally driving the car and I'm looking at the truck, but my mind was so somewhere else that I didn't even think about switching lanes until it was like, boom, you gotta switch lanes or you about to crash your car. And I think I've experienced that a lot more recently where I'm in the moment, but, like, I'm thinking about so many other things because I don't want to mess something up. I don't want to miss something at work. I don't want to miss something in life that it's created this, like, I'm always in this, like, frazzled, but I'm making it through, and I'm making it look good state. And I'm trying to figure out what is the cause of that for myself and if it's even, like, a serious enough thing to, like. Because I've been saying, like, all right, I want to start therapy, but I. And I know therapy will help me across the board, but I know people who, like, take medicine and stuff for, like, anxiety. So I'm like, oh, my God, am I, like, a person that needs to do that? But I don't feel like that all the time. So I've just been, you know, in my mind, I'm like, all right, what's the problem? And let's work backward to a solution. I project, manage everything. So I've been trying to do that with myself, and it's landed me in a place where, like, I came up with a whole plan today for, like, you know, to make my life easier as far as, like, you know, making sure we deliver the episodes to you guys and other content that I want to build out across social. Don't really have a full plan in place yet for everything outside of work, but I. I do. I've been working to really build a stronger team into. To really run and operate as a business internally. Like, so I think that that's going to help me as well. I don't know what I'm feeling. We've all been there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm Emily Oster. I'm an economist and data expert.

[Perry Wilson]

And I'm Perry Wilson. I'm a medical doctor.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And this is our new podcast, Wellness

[Perry Wilson]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Perry Wilson]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

What's the deal with creatine?

[Perry Wilson]

What's the deal with cupping?

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Perry Wilson]

So join us for a weekly dose of sanity. Might actually be just what the doctor

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Perry Wilson]

Listen to wellness actually on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Coco Jones]

Bill, why is my eye twitching? Does this mean I'm in perimenopause? Maybe I have adult adhd. I need to look this up. Where's my phone?

[Perry Wilson]

Juliana, your phone is hot to the touch. I think it's asking you for a break. You know what?

[Coco Jones]

Maybe I should just ask ChatGPT.

[Perry Wilson]

Or maybe we can ask an actual human.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes, like a couple sex therapist.

[Perry Wilson]

Whoa, that escalated quickly.

[Lauren LaRosa]

But okay, because I have questions.

[Perry Wilson]

We have questions.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And I bet everyone has questions like,

[Coco Jones]

is it normal to sleep in separate bedrooms? We do that.

[Perry Wilson]

How about this one? Is bribing your kids bad parenting or just negotiating?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Oh, and I still do need to

[Coco Jones]

know, why was my poop green that one time?

[Perry Wilson]

Hypothetically. Right? Okay, well, instead of letting the Internet guess, we've got actual people answering these

[Lauren LaRosa]

exact questions and laughing with us has gotta be better than spending three hours

[Coco Jones]

down a rabbit hole online.

[Perry Wilson]

Listen to Bill and Juliana, the podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You said to me, yo, you know, keep at it. Cause you let me rap for you. It was magical for all of us.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Ah, we made it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We made it. Yeah. I'm like, we. You know, I'm like, I know these, but who are you? I'm MC Jen. And this is last but not least, I'll be chatting with guests from all walks of life about the power of humor when it comes to facing difficult times. Like the co founder of Rough Riders, Darren D. Dean, talking about as a kid. Do you remember that we met even way before that?

[TaylorMaded]

Let me think.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Did you walk up to the gate?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That was me, Dean.

[TaylorMaded]

That was you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That was me. The day we found out that you and the whole crew was at Hit Factory. The mission was to get me to go to the gate, start freestyling, and see if I could get in the studio. I'm rapping and then suddenly I hear a voice. Hey, open the gate.

[TaylorMaded]

Let.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Let him in the gate. Slowly went. They all there watching this, and they watch me walk into there. And that is a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. Listen and last but not least, with MC Gen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lauren LaRosa]

TaylorMaded is here with us, y', all, who you guys know produces the podcast. But I really don't know what I'm feeling, but I know I'm in the

[TaylorMaded]

thick of it, but I think it's

[Lauren LaRosa]

overwhelming or overwhelmed feeling.

[Coco Jones]

Yes.

[TaylorMaded]

Like, and then it's some part of anxiety. Just how you were saying that you are used to just always working.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[TaylorMaded]

And then you had to have it. It changes too, like, because I'm going through the same thing. Don't always give yourself grace is what I'm trying to learn. And what I was going to say is, I think also you probably like to be in control. And that's the same with me, though.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So I like to be in control, and I don't like to mess up.

[TaylorMaded]

Yeah. But then at the same time, to delegate the work and then rely on someone, that gives you anxiety, too, because you want it to be.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah. And you know what else yesterday I wanted to do? And I was like, I'm not gonna do it. Because, like, now with the platform, everything picks up, and I don't really feel like dealing with, like, people's thoughts about this. I want to figure out what this means for myself first. But talking to you right now, I'm like, no, I think I want to talk about this. I was going to record a vlog yesterday and shout out to Coco Jones. She's been vlogging recently about her experiences of just, like, getting to the point where she wants to get to in her career. And when I first discovered Coco Jones, it was because she would do these vlogs. She was just the girl who had this big Disney career, and then it just wasn't a career anymore. And she would do these vlogs about how she was, like, really going through it. So when I moved to la, I started vlogging about really going through it. And you get platform and you get, you know, a couple little followers, and you feel like you want to keep things private because you don't want to deal with other people's opinions. And yesterday I was like, I'm gonna set my camera up and just vlog and talk about how I feel, because that helps me. It releases me a lot. But then I'm like, then it's the. This. The whole counter effect, though, of, like, once I post it, you got people calling you. People want to talk about it, but I'm like, I've always the. The man, the reason why, like, people always ask me, like, where my bug for, like, the entertainment industry came from, or, like, fashion or, like, just the arts in general. And yesterday I realized, like, I normally answer that question by saying, well, I came up in it. Like, my mom, fashion designer from forever, then designed our home, my family. There's a lot of people who've worked in entertainment in major ways in my family or sports or whatever. And yesterday I realized, like, yeah, all of that is true. But, like, my bug has always come from, like, this has always been able to be my, like, escape. But once I realized I didn't need to escape anymore, that that wasn't a good thing, it became like, my, like, vessel.

[TaylorMaded]

Okay.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And I feel like. I still feel like I'm using as a vessel. You know, I'm very vulnerable. I don't mind talking about things at all, ever. But I am learning where the protection line is drawn. But yesterday I was like, man, like, I've gotten away from just even doing that because I'm in the thick of it, and I'm just wanting to do well at work and perform. It's not about me right now. It's about work and putting up the point. So this can mean something. But I'm like, but, Lauren, that means something too. Like, people are. It's like, okay, you got the stories and you're breaking news, and, like, you know, people are watching you along this journey. But, like, there's a lot that, like, I don't let people know talk about, because I sometimes feel like it either has to be more protected or I'm battling with, like, does that even really matter? And when I yesterday decided to pick up the camera or was thinking through, should I? I was like, this really does matter, though, because I just again, remember how I felt feeling seeing Coco Jones this time around, with all her big platform, big celebrity, big career, just, you know, got the fiance about to get married. She has all these things going on where people would be like, I know you not complaining, and she's still there. Like, I understand that. But let me tell you all, at every level, there's a new devil.

[TaylorMaded]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And that's another thing, too. I never want God to hear me and think I'm complaining.

[TaylorMaded]

Yo. I literally, literally do. I was coming in today, and I was like, I'm not. I'm not trying to complain or nothing like that.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And just.

[TaylorMaded]

And I don't want to feel like I'm taking things for granted at all, because I feel like I've been blessed with all the Things that came to me, but at the same time, like,

[Lauren LaRosa]

just like, I try to just go through the route of like this.

[TaylorMaded]

Please continue giving me strength. Keep me protected from anything that may cause like, anxiety. Like, or just knowing how to. Just give me strength and knowing how to deal with it. Like, this is life at the end of the day. And just give me the guide of. Just in the faith of myself to like, get through it. Like, this is just. I've just been trying to talk to myself more and there's a.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So yesterday I also. That's why. Okay, let me say this first and I'll say the second thing. My thoughts can conflict sometimes. Yesterday I was. I pushed our producer meeting that we do the night before the show for the Breakfast Club. We always prepare for the Breakfast Club the night before and normally we meet every night at 8pm I pushed that meeting until 9 o' clock yesterday because I was like, I need to like, just center and ground myself a bit. And my. I forgot that my church does Bible study every Wednesday. So. But I'm. I'm subscribed to the YouTube, so it popped up on my phone. So I was like, let me watch this. My pastor yesterday was talking just a lot about like, veering away from like, how people get what it was that they was like on their knees praying for. And then you veer away from God and his messaging and just certain things

[Coco Jones]

and

[Lauren LaRosa]

what you had, like, what's for you is for you is a saying that a lot of people say, yeah,

[TaylorMaded]

but like, to work towards that, you

[Lauren LaRosa]

can also fumble it if you're not equipped with the right things. Like if you're not leaning into certain things the right way. And yeah, like, you know, just. And my pastor talked so much yesterday about a lot of what we're talking about right now with just like understanding what's happening, knowing what you need to do to fix it, but also realizing that, like, sometimes it's a bit above you. You got to kind of just allow the. Not just allow things to happen. But. I don't know, he can say it better than I can. I think we shouldn't insert the clip here. This is my pastor. It's a Pastor Jerome Lewis from Seeds of Greatness Church in Delaware.

[Perry Wilson]

Understanding Discernment. And we've been talking about people whose life got off track because they didn't discern the will of God. And we talked about quite a few people. We talked about Sansom. You remember that? How he was strong and he had a. He had a prophecy over his life that he didn't fully fulfill because he allowed himself to start pursuing things that God had warned him about. God will warn us about some things, and then we have to deal with the consequences of our choice. Can you say Amen to this? We also talked about King Saul. Very interesting. He prophesied and spoke prophetically, but he got off track because he was filled up with himself. Sometimes you read the Bible, you can see almost like history is repeating itself. Saul was made king. He was given instruction. Imagine. Imagine having Samuel the prophet. Prophet as your mentor. And this is the young boy whose mother dedicated him to the Lord. And God said, I'm going to do some things in Israel that's going to cause the ears of everybody here at the tingle. He said, God said to Samuel. God said to Saul's mentor, when you speak, I won't let your words fall to the ground. How would you have, how would you like to have somebody like that mentoring you? That's pretty awesome. And this dude was given instruction and he did his own thing, built a monument to himself. History repeating itself. And I'll drop that right there. Okay, so listen. And then there was Lot. Lot didn't discern that his level of success came from his association. And when you're around people that have influenced your life and have brought things into your life that would have never come, you don't want to let other people push you away from them.

[Lauren LaRosa]

But yeah, I don't know. Shout out to Coco Jones for inspiring. Spiraling. Basically, that's what's happening. Spiraling. No, I'm not spiraling, y'.

[Perry Wilson]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's not that. It's not that at all.

[TaylorMaded]

This is adjustments, man.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[TaylorMaded]

I don't think people understand how fast paced our, our, the media is and just the career of what, what we're trying to also get out to all you guys.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I feel like growing up in life.

[TaylorMaded]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Like, yes. Even if you don't work in media. Like, no. Like getting to that point where it's like you have to make decisions that could, like, define what the rest of your like, month, year, six months look like.

[TaylorMaded]

I've never been in. I've always been in like day to day.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[TaylorMaded]

Planning now with a one year old. Oh, my God.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I thought I was like a grown up. Honestly. I will say, like when I was, when I was living in LA and I was working in the newsroom and I was doing all these things, I was like, all right, you know, I'm, I'm young, I'm, I'm in my career, I'm doing well. And I was. Don't listen. I was doing well up until this point. Like that. Yes. I've had really great jobs prior to tmz. TMZ was, you know, great for what it was great for. But when I. I remember when I was going to quit, I called Van and he was like, how old are you? And I was like, I think it was 32, maybe 31. 31. And he was like, girl, go. Yeah, go start your career. And when he said that to me, I'm like, what does he mean? Like, I've started my career. Like, I'm like, I'm in la. I'm working for tmz. But now I understand. Like, I feel like being with Breakfast Club and just doing anything outside of Breakfast Club too. Right. Like the podcast, like, you know, the Latest with Lauren LaRosa and the Lowriders. Like, all you guys that are listening, this is like a real commitment, as everything in my career has been. But it's different because my name is. Yeah. Like. Like, if something goes wrong, I have no choice but to take accountability for what I could have possibly done better in that or what I did not recognize in that.

[Coco Jones]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Even if it was someone else's fault, it's like I am literally the leader and. And I'm driving my own ship so much. And. And I thought I was doing it until this era of my career hit. And now I'm like, okay, girl, you really doing it now? And I think back about so many of the other times. Like, that's why it's so fire to watch Coco Jones, because it's like, what she's doing naturally right now, which is sharing her story, sharing her behind the scenes, it's driving her music. And I always feel like with Coco, even when she was on the Breakfast Club, I told her, like, I feel like she don't get a lot of what her talent deserves, but I think this is what was missing. Like, we needed to, like, we needed to, like, get connect and get with her. Like, she's been our girl. Like, Coco Jones is our girl. We love her. But, like, this, I think, is connecting with her fans and even people that are not her fans even more because people understand what you're going through. So her taking it back to, like, something she's already experienced and done, it's like, I know she's like, God, I see what she was doing.

[TaylorMaded]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Because I'm think I look back right now at the time where, like, literally I was just thrust into certain things and it was like, oh, it's all on you now. And I'm like, God, I see what you was doing. Because even though, yeah, like, anybody else would be, like, spiraling with all of this at once, and I feel, like, the pressure be on me. I might slip. You know what I'm saying? I'm not perfect when I'm dealing with the pressure or just dealing with wanting to be better or just dealing with not wanting to mess up and messing up and having to learn how to just eat that and be like, yeah, I messed up, but I always can be like, God, I see what you did. And I, Like, I. I'm prepared. I was prepared for this. Like, I'm not here by chance, and I'm not here without resources or without real foundation. Cause, like, God, like, yeah, you making

[TaylorMaded]

me realize, like, the things, like, coming into this media. Because I met a lot of people. I could really only just talk for our careers. Like, I met a lot of people in media where they are literally just shooting and see where it lands in a sense. Like, they know they want to be in this space, but it's a lot of juggling. Like, I went from so many positions in this. In this show itself, but, like, it's just. It's finding your. Your niche and, like, knowing what. At least for me, like, I definitely found, like, what I need to be doing now.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You think so?

[TaylorMaded]

Yeah. Like, at first, I just. I knew what I like to do, and I'm just doing it for the show. But now, like, creating my own brand and, like, having ownership in my own self instead of, you know, just delivering for another company. Like, you're building your own self up too.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Let's actually take a look at that Coco clip.

[Coco Jones]

I never came into this game knowing exactly, like, what I do. Like, I knew I could sing my ass off. Like, that was pretty clear. That was kind of, like, the only consistent. But, like, I didn't really have, like, a thing, you know, I don't. I don't think I really have, like, a thing. Personality, sure. Like, relatable, I guess. I don't know. Anyway, I think that is biting me in the ass right now. Like, with this album, I feel like the reception that I'm getting out in the world is, like, confusion. Obviously, I get that. Because in the inner world, it's confusion. Not specifically about, like, what I stand for, what I'm trying to talk about, things of that nature, but really more like, how does it sound? How is it supposed to sound? What is the sound? I'm so drained, actually. I'm so drained of this process of, like, trying to figure this. This shit out because just feel like. Like the. The thing with me is like, dang, she's almost there. It's, like, almost clicking. Like, what the hell is the almost almost? And why is there always an almost? How long is there gonna be the almost? I feel like we're at the final hour of all of this almost. It either has to click or it's gonna be over. And, like, it'll. I'll always be like, damn, what could have been that ain't it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Shout out to Coco Jones for inspiring all of the girlies in the right way. Impact is, like, important, and I hope. I mean, I don't know if she'd ever hear this episode, but, girl, if you do hear it, I want you to know that. Yeah, like, we see you, we see you, we hear you. And I know it's not easy to be vulnerable when you or on platform of any sort, but you literally have made me realize where. Where things sit, what I should be doing, what I should not be afraid to do, and how to go about it. You know, everything in due time. But, yeah, y', all, this has been another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa, your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room. Baby, I tell y' all every episode. Y' all could be anywhere with any old body having all of these conversations. But the fact that y' all choose to be right here with me, my low riders, I appreciate y' all catch you in my next episode.

[Coco Jones]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.