Podcast Summary: We Talk Back – "For The Love Of Tam Bam"

Release Date: February 13, 2025

Hosts: Tam Bam & AJ Holiday
Produced by: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the Valentine's Day special episode titled "For The Love Of Tam Bam," hosts Tam Bam and AJ Holiday set the stage for an engaging and heartfelt discussion aimed at helping women navigate the complexities of relationships. The episode kicks off at [02:38], where Tam Bam warmly welcomes listeners:

Tam Bam ([02:38]): "Welcome to We Talk Back, where we encourage you to hustle hard, laugh louder, and always keep it cute. So grab your coffee cocktail and crown. Cause it's about to go down."

Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl Experiences

The conversation quickly delves into personal anecdotes surrounding Valentine's Day and the recent Super Bowl festivities. AJ shares her solo Super Bowl experience, highlighting an encounter with a friend who offered her edibles:

AJ Holiday ([03:20]): "I might around and get me some dick in 2025. 2024 was real slow."

Tam Bam contrasts her experience by attending a lively Super Bowl party, complete with upscale appetizers like crab legs and oysters:

Tam Bam ([05:02]): "We actually went to a Super Bowl party. My guy, one of his childhood friends, had, like, a really nice setup outside. Crab legs, oysters. I did bring a plate. Also these little appetizer little things I be making out of King Hawaiian rolls, child."

Super Bowl Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake

A significant portion of the episode centers on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar. Tam Bam expresses her admiration for Kendrick's performance and critiques the role of Drake in the current music landscape:

Tam Bam ([11:37]): "I feel like it speaks to a lot more, just like, you know, for black Americans, period. You know what I'm saying? These people ain't like us, but they be borrowing from our culture all the time. But when it actually comes time for y'all to stand up for black people, y'all be MIA, right?"

AJ adds her perspective on Drake's influence and the dynamics between the two artists:

AJ Holiday ([14:15]): "That's who Drake is. He studied hip hop like a college course. You know what I'm saying? And this is what I'm. This is why I feel like 'They’re Not Like Us' is bigger than the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef."

Celebrity Relationships and Cultural Appropriation

The hosts transition to discussing high-profile relationships, specifically focusing on Serena Williams and LiAngelo Ball. Tam Bam expresses her disapproval of LiAngelo's public romantic gestures:

Tam Bam ([21:31]): "They already have another child together, right?"

Harley Quinn Smith critiques LiAngelo's actions and raises concerns about cultural appropriation:

Harley Quinn Smith ([23:30]): "What is Black love to you?"

Dating Contest Segment: For The Love of Tam Bam

The highlight of the episode is the interactive dating contest where three contestants—Jordan, Nico, and Willie—vie for Tam Bam's affection. Each contestant is introduced with their backgrounds and aspirations.

Contestant 1: Jordan

Jordan, a 37-year-old entrepreneur from the Midwest, shares his business ventures and family life:

Jordan ([38:04]): "I have a daughter. She's 10."

He emphasizes his desire to be a great husband and father:

Jordan ([48:29]): "My goal in life is to be a great husband and an even better father."

Contestant 2: Nico

Nico, hailing from the Bronx, presents himself as a hardworking forklift driver and aspiring chef:

Nico ([60:16]): "I drive forklifts. When trucks pull up to big construction sites, I'm the guy that pulls all the wood, all of those heavy materials that come off the truck for big skyscrapers."

He discusses his views on traditional gender roles and his passion for cooking:

Nico ([65:36]): "I do think that we have to grow as a society, and if women want to be considered equal and want equal pay, then we have to change the tradition."

Contestant 3: Willie

Willie Williams, a 40-year-old from Georgia and a former military member, talks about his commitment to family and personal growth:

Willie ([82:04]): "I'm out of Georgia. I'm in it prior military. I have one child, you know, right now just living, enjoying life, looking for my lady."

He emphasizes the importance of communication and emotional intelligence in relationships:

Willie ([83:27]): "If somebody can just being kind, you know, like, I guess, like, because everybody's having a different kind of day. So if I'm walking with you and we're out somewhere, and I've been with people that just got a little like, like, little snap to them all the time, talking to people, you know, I don't like that."

Listener Engagement and Voting

As the contestants present their best traits and intentions, Tam Bam and AJ encourage listeners to participate in the decision-making process by voting for their preferred suitor via social media. The hosts provide humorous and candid feedback on each contestant, ensuring an entertaining experience for the audience.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the contestants and a playful tone about potential future dates:

Tam Bam ([99:32]): "Go ahead and slide in the DMs and tell us, who is it? Is it Jordan? Is it Nico? Or is it Willie?"

Harley Quinn Smith ([101:37]): "Even if I don't love any of these guys, I love y'all. I love y'all."

Listeners are reminded to tune in next week for the results and to participate in shaping the show's direction.

Notable Quotes

• Tam Bam ([11:37]): "I feel like it speaks to a lot more, just like, you know, for black Americans, period."

• Jordan ([48:29]): "My goal in life is to be a great husband and an even better father."

• Nico ([65:36]): "I do think that we have to grow as a society, and if women want to be considered equal and want equal pay, then we have to change the tradition."

• Willie ([83:27]): "If somebody can just being kind, you know, like, I guess, like, because everybody's having a different kind of day."

Key Takeaways

• Navigating Relationships: The hosts provide insights and personal experiences to help listeners maneuver through the complexities of modern relationships.

• Cultural Discussions: There is an ongoing dialogue about cultural appropriation, the influence of prominent artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and the dynamics of celebrity relationships.

• Interactive Dating Segment: The introduction of contestants seeking Tam Bam's affection adds an interactive and entertaining layer, engaging listeners to participate in the show's outcome.

• Emphasis on Communication and Growth: Across discussions and contestant interviews, the importance of communication, emotional intelligence, and personal growth in relationships is consistently highlighted.

Listen to "We Talk Back" every Thursday on the Black Effect and iHeartRadio app, or wherever you get your podcasts.