Podcast Title: The Read
Episode: Half On A Baby
Release Date: August 7, 2025
Hosts: Kid Fury and Crissle (Kristin and Fiyin)

Introduction to Black Excellence

The episode begins with Fiyin spearheading a discussion on Black Excellence, focusing on the illustrious career of Maya Campbell. Fiyin commends Campbell's contributions to film and television, celebrating her as an iconic entertainer and sex symbol.

Fiyin (02:47): "Maya Campbell has been that girl next door tease, high school crush, and love interest tease across multiple shows and music videos."

Kristin echoes these sentiments, expressing her admiration for Campbell’s beauty and her positive trajectory in the entertainment industry.

Kristin (05:53): "She really was, like, one of the first women I can remember being one of those it girls. She was so, so pretty."

Evolution of Celebrity Culture

The hosts delve into the shifting landscape of celebrity culture, contrasting the familiar faces from their youth with the new wave of influencers predominantly emerging from platforms like TikTok.

Fiyin (07:50): "Everything keeps moving regardless of what we have going on."

Kristin highlights the challenges of keeping up with the rapid pace of new celebrities and the dilution of traditional fame.

Kristin (11:20): "Communication is so different. I feel like I'm 20 years too old for this."

They discuss the fragmentation of fame, where anyone can achieve celebrity status, leading to a saturation that makes it difficult to follow or connect with new stars.

Critique of Reality TV Shows

A significant portion of the episode critiques the modern reality TV landscape, particularly shows on TLC like "90 Day Fiance," "Love After Lockup," and "The Biggest Loser." The hosts argue that these shows are exploitative and contribute negatively to societal perceptions.

Fiyin (19:04): "They're too exploitative in a way that hurts my feelings."

Kristin agrees, emphasizing the emotional toll and the unethical portrayal of individuals in vulnerable states.

Kristin (19:26): "It's not like this. They have to film themselves butt naked taking a shower and filming you eating and filming you having your fucking rage tantrums."

They express disdain for the lack of genuine support and the focus on sensationalism over meaningful storytelling.

Listener Letters: Relationship Advice

The hosts transition to addressing listener letters, offering advice on personal relationships. Two main letters are discussed:

1. Judy Winslow’s Letter (77:14): Judy shares her strained relationship with her parents, highlighting the abuse she endured and the recent visit her parents made to see her and her baby. Kristin offers empathy and encouragement, acknowledging the complexity of Judy's emotions.

   Kristin (76:05): "I'm glad they came to visit you and your grandchild. Thank you, Judy."

2. Ben’s Letter on Anxious Attachment (74:30): Ben confides in his anxiety within his relationship, specifically regarding trust and fidelity after discovering his partner was on a website like Sniffies. Both hosts provide thoughtful advice, emphasizing the importance of communication and self-work.

   Fiyin (82:25): "Addressing your issues with therapy is crucial. You both need to work on trust and communication."

   Kristin (85:38): "If you don’t manage your anxiety, reassurance won’t be enough, and the relationship might fall apart regardless."

Pop Culture and Current Events

The discussion then shifts to various pop culture topics:

• Nicki Minaj’s Public Feuds (34:11 - 63:26): The hosts dissect recent interactions between Nicki Minaj and Dez Bryant, analyzing the tension and the underlying issues related to mental health and public persona.

  Fiyin (34:11): "Nicki Minaj is still going and I'm still not sure what's happening."

  Kristin (36:43): "Does Shaq have CTE somehow? Why would she say that?"

• NFL and CTE Concerns (36:34 - 42:21): They discuss the defunding of smelling salts in NFL games as a response to CTE awareness, debating the sport's future and its violent nature.

  Fiyin (39:56): "The NFL is actually saying, let's not have you sniff harsh stimulants to continue playing."

  Kristin (40:24): "Full contact football is a horrible sport. It's very barbaric."

• Mortal Kombat Movie Sequel (42:21 - 45:18): Anticipation for the new "Mortal Kombat" sequel is discussed, noting casting choices and fan expectations.

  Fiyin (43:27): "They hired Carl Urban to play Johnny Cage. I don't understand why."

  Kristin (44:18): "I do know some of the black actors in the film are amazing."

Reality TV and Gender Issues

The hosts critique reality TV shows for their portrayal of women and the exploitation involved, particularly focusing on weight-loss shows and shows like "Love After Lockup."

Fiyin (18:30): "But they like paint them up for the promo where they look like hunty influencers. But then you watch the show and it's like, oh, people suck."

Kristin (20:21): "Love After Lockup is not Christ-like, and you know it."

They express frustration over the lack of genuine representation and the negative impact these shows have on viewers and participants alike.

Closing Thoughts and Final Segments

In the concluding segments, the hosts share anecdotes and personal reflections, including their experiences with Apple products and customer service. They also address updates from listeners, reinforcing the show's focus on community and personal growth.

Kristin (77:39): "Good luck to you, Ben."

Fiyin (90:48): "Look at them so lame."

The episode wraps up with calls to action for listeners to submit their questions and letters, fostering a sense of engagement and continuous dialogue.

Notable Quotes

• Fiyin (07:50): "Everything keeps moving regardless of what we have going on."
• Kristin (11:20): "Communication is so different. I feel like I'm 20 years too old for this."
• Fiyin (19:04): "They're too exploitative in a way that hurts my feelings."
• Kristin (36:43): "Does Shaq have CTE somehow? Why would she say that?"
• Fiyin (42:21): "The NFL is actually saying, let's not have you sniff harsh stimulants to continue playing."

Conclusion

"Half On A Baby" offers a robust exploration of contemporary celebrity culture, reality TV criticism, and personal relationship challenges. Through candid conversations and listener interactions, Kristin and Fiyin provide insightful commentary infused with humor and sharp wit, maintaining the show's signature style of "throwing shade and spilling tea."

For those interested in nuanced discussions on pop culture and personal growth, this episode provides a comprehensive and engaging listen.