We Thought That Was Normal

In this episode, we talk all things North Carolina A&T in the 90s, GHOE, and Greensboro. Unlike our usual 15 minute episodes, this special edition is one hour. We share what we thought about the game, halftime, the yard, and more. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/IneCURd5XF0 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

What do childhood habits, 80s TV, getting in trouble, and leadership have in common? More than you think.In this Chat and Bother super episode, we bring together some of our favorite conversations exploring culture, nostalgia, and the lessons that shaped us. From the things we grew up thinking were “normal,” to the shows that taught us right from wrong, to the moments that got us in trouble—we’re reflecting on how those experiences still show up in our lives today.We also sit down with a special guest author to talk about leadership and how its roots are deeply connected to the traditions of the Black church.If you’ve ever looked back on your childhood and thought, “Wait…did everybody grow up like this?” — this episode is for you.In This Episode:* The everyday habits and cultural norms we thought everyone shared* Lessons learned from 80s TV, including Schoolhouse Rock! and “very special episodes”* The most trouble we got into as kids—and what it taught us* A conversation on leadership, faith, and the influence of the Black church with L. Michelle SmithWhy ListenThis episode blends humor, honesty, and reflection—connecting childhood experiences to adult perspective in a way that’s relatable, thoughtful, and real.Join the ConversationWhat’s something you grew up thinking was normal—but later realized wasn’t?Follow & SupportIf you enjoyed this episode:* Follow Chat and Bother* Rate and review on Apple Podcasts* Share with someone who grew up like you didGIFs - https://giphy.com/chatandbotherYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@chatandbotherWebsite - http://chatandbother.comInstagram - http://instagram.com/chatandbotherFacebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/chatandbother/Get Audible (affiliate link) - https://amzn.to/3WgFQ5XSubscribe on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@chatandbother?sub_confirmation=1 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

Have you worked for your parents before? What was it like? Were you going to get cheesecake from Juniors like you were on Making the Band? Possibly trying not to get fired like you were on The Apprentice? In this episode, Don and Eva discuss what it was like working for their parents.00:00 Previously on Chat and Bother01:00 Welcome to this episode of Chat and Bother01:34 What is it like working for your parents?01:54 Don's Narrow Escape: Spider-Man05:00 Eva's Sawdust Dreams06:12 Eva's Epic Legal Typing Fail07:39 Don's Near-Death Run Alongside the Car10:32 Eva's Worst First Assignment: You’re Fired!15:27 In closing...16:07 Coming Up: Eva’s Battle with Big WordsGet the GIFs!https://giphy.com/chatandbotherGET EMAILS FROM CHAT & BOTHER:http://eepurl.com/igYlfvWHERE TO LISTEN:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chat-bother/id1661142823Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Chat-Bother/dp/B0BQJQ3G7BAudible - https://www.audible.com/pd/Chat-Bother-Podcast/B0BQJNTNXXSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1g3i3XdoHqriUKVWkJs0KnDeezer - https://www.deezer.com/us/show/5543607iHeart Radio - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-chat-bother-106117684/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@chatandbotherWebsite - http://chatandbother.comOTHER LINKS:Instagram - http://instagram.com/chatandbotherFacebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066858006394YouTube Page - https://www.youtube.com/@chatandbotherGet Audible (affiliate link) - https://amzn.to/3WgFQ5XGIPHY - https://giphy.com/chatandbotherSubscribe on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@chatandbother?sub_confirmation=1 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

We told you we would talk about church one day! This chat with best-selling and award-winning author L. Michelle Smith did not disappoint. In this episode, we talked with L. Michelle Smith about our experiences with the Black Church, how it has influenced us personally and professionally, and how her new book, Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, has helped leaders and aspiring leaders advance their professional goals.The book is available from all major outlets, including Amazon.00:00 Sneak peek at the episode00:44 Introduction01:09 Guest Introduction: L. Michelle Smith01:28 L. Michelle Smith's Book02:18 L. Michelle Smith's Experience as an Executive and Personal Coach03:33 L. Michelle Smith's Experience Speaking on Stage04:09 Speaking Style and the Church05:08 Acquiring Editor's Reaction to the Book Title05:55 The Church Experience: Good and Bad07:49 The Bus Story 09:06 Racism on the Corporate Ladder10:01 Dealing with a Troublesome Colleague 12:46 Leadership Lessons: Perseverance and Accountability13:20 HBCUs and Howard Law's Gospel Choir14:23 Black Litigators and the Black Church15:19 Call-and-Response in the Black Church16:44 Conflict in the Church (Fighting Over Mama)18:50 Exclusive Church Stories23:56 Closing and Final Thoughts on the BookThank you to the ‪DC Public Library for the space and equipment to record this podcast.About L. Michelle Smith:L. Michelle Smith is a bestselling, award-winning author, Fortune 100 C-Suite advisor, certified global executive and personal coach credentialed by the International Coaching Federation, and CEO/founder of No Silos Communications LLC, a media and consulting company that develops high-performing executive leaders. With more than 25 years as an elite strategic communicator at global agencies and at AT&T, she was named VP before 30, SVP before 40, and led her own agency as Chief Executive for nearly a decade.Through a positive psychology and neuroscience-informed approach, she transforms executives and organizations by fusing culture and applied sciences in leadership development. She is the author of No Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Just Include Myself (2nd edition), which received the Outstanding Book Award (2021) from the National Association of Black Journalists; Yes Please! 7 Ways to Say I’m Entitled to the C-Suite, listed by BLAVITY as one of “15 books by a Black woman that you should not miss”; and her forthcoming fourth book, Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church (Amistad/HarperCollins/JVL Media), set for release in winter 2026. She is also the creator, executive producer, and host of The Culture Soup Podcast®, heard in 70+ countries with 350+ episodes.A highly sought-after speaker featured in local, national, and international media, she serves on global arts and academic boards, including at Texas Christian University Bob Schieffer College of Communication.About Call and Response:In collaboration with JVL Media -- A captivating exploration of why many high-performing Black business leaders attribute their transformational leadership qualities to their experiences growing up in the Black Church and how we can foster these skills in younger generations despite waning church attendance.The Black church in the U.S. has long been a “one-stop shop” for developing Black leaders, teaching them many of the qualities required to lead effectively in today’s ultra-competitive, digital, and swiftly transforming corporate world. Many high-performing Black leaders benefited from their experiences growing up in this cultural institution steeped in rich history.Merging cultural study with applied neuroscience and tenets of positive psychology, L. Michelle Smith dissect how these qualities are demonstrated by leaders across industries, from resiliency to their sense of undeniable purpose, their ability to build community and collaborative environments, the delivery and language of their speaking style to their unique leadership flair. She reveals how this historic institution has served as a timeless wellspring of leadership development, empowerment, and cultural preservation and ultimately, is Black leaders’ “secret sauce.”Call & Response also explores whether the Black Church will be able to continue to ingrain these skills in future generations. Smith examines how cultural shifts have resulted in a decline in church attendance, how online attendance has risen since the Covid pandemic, and finally, how Black leaders may—or may not—be passing these traditions down to their children. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

We know this is shocking, but we both got into a bit of trouble when we were kids. We can't tell you the worst of it, but 🎶 "these are our confessions!"🎶 00:00 Previously on Chat and Bother Podcast00:43 Welcome to Chat and Bother01:14 The Most Troublee You Ever Got Into01:37 Not Feeding the Dog01:50 Fighting a Sister03:50 Dealing Laxatives at School08:25 Getting a C in Fifth Grade11:29 Community Service12:24 Speeding and Picking Up Trash14:40 Next Time on Chat and BotherGet GIFs from this episodeWhere to find us:Instagram - @chatandbotherFacebook Page - @chatandbotherYouTube - @chatandbotherTwitter - @chatandbotherTikTok - @chatandbotherThreads - @chatandbotherEmail List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfvPodcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

Do you remember when everything from sitcoms to commercials to Saturday morning cartoons had some sort of lesson buried in it? We do! In this episode we talk about some of the fictional role models like Bill sitting on Capitol Hill and Smokey the bear, as well as several of our favorite sitcoms that were full of lessons.00:00 Previously on Chat and Father00:52 Welcome to Chat and Bother01:20 Lessons from 80s TV for Gen X - Big Fun with the Wretched02:01 ABC After School Specials02:41 Smokey the Bear02:58 McGruff the Crime Dog03:19 The Indian with the Single Tear Commercial03:57 "It's 10:00. Do you know where your kids are?" Commercials04:26 Anti-Drug Commercials, referencing "This is your brain on drugs"05:01 Starving Children in Africa Commercials and Child Sponsorship06:44 "Hankering for a Hunk of Cheese"07:11 The Balanced Breakfast08:18 Unbalanced Breakfasts on 80s/90s TV09:03 Schoolhouse Rock: "I'm Just a Bill" and "Conjunction Junction"10:04 Public Service Announcements and the Ad Council10:30 Sitcoms with Lessons - The Facts of Life11:04 Shows with "Misbehaving" or "Mouthy" Children - Facts of Life, Different Strokes, Webster, Punky Brewster12:52 The Gooch - Different Strokes13:14 Eddie Murphy 14:10 Red Foxx and Whoopi Goldberg 14:49 The Lesson from Whoopi Goldberg's Special16:07 Lessons from MacGyver16:56 Gen X - The Perfect Generation?17:02 G.I. Joe and Captain Planet17:30 He-Man and Cringer19:47 Next Time on Chat and BotherGet GIFs from this episodeWhere to find us:Instagram - @chatandbotherFacebook Page - @chatandbotherYouTube - @chatandbotherTwitter - @chatandbotherTikTok - @chatandbotherThreads - @chatandbotherEmail List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfvPodcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

In this episode, we ask the question, "Black, white, everybody, or just me?" As we navigate these stressful times of political drama, division, and well - blatant racism - we thought we would see what little things we might have in common. You know, a starting place for us to have a laugh over the things that make us more the same than different. 00:00 Previously on Chat and Bother01:12 Is it a Black thing, a white thing, an everybody thing, or just me?01:50 Adding water to the dish soap03:27 Using dish soap in the bathroom soap dispenser04:26 Adding bleach to various things for various reasons06:07 Keeping plastic bags, gift bags, basically all bags08:29 The different sizes of towels10:01 The idea that white people don't use washcloths13:05 Having multiple things in the sink to wash dishes16:01 Killing bugs with cleaning products17:14 The special occasion items that go in a curio cabinet19:20 Different types of clothes that you wear at home24:38 Next time on Chat and BotherGet GIFs from this episodeWhere to find us:Instagram - @chatandbotherFacebook Page - @chatandbotherYouTube - @chatandbotherTwitter - @chatandbotherTikTok - @chatandbotherThreads - @chatandbotherEmail List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfvPodcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

If you ever look back at your childhood and think, “Wait… that was normal?” — this episode is for you.In this super-sized Chat and Bother episode, Eva and Don bundle four of your favorite conversations into one hilarious, nostalgic, and slightly unhinged trip down memory lane. From growing up without today’s essentials, to questionable song lyrics, to food that should’ve come with warning labels — this is a full-on Gen X reality check.Because let’s be honest… how did we survive?0:00 Welcome to the Chat and Bother Podcast1:52 Carob: The "Fake Chocolate"3:27 Licorice4:33 Whoppers and Malted Milk Balls5:08 Steak-umm: A Controversial Snack7:02 Health Lies in the 80s: Sizzlean8:08 Pepperidge Farm Broccoli and Cheese Pastries11:00 SlimFast Shakes13:10 Jell-O Pudding Pops17:43 Stalking in Music19:43 Underage Dating in Music20:18 Destroying Possessions in Music21:59 Cheating in Music26:37 Rick James and Inappropriate Themes32:16 Pressure to Follow Parents' Careers34:04 Eva Works for Her Mom37:41 Don Works for His Dad40:55 The Career of Composer John Williams42:20 Joseph Williams, Son of John Williams44:11 Gummy Bears Theme Song45:25 Nepotism in Hollywood49:37 Things We Didn't Have Growing Up51:17 The Rise of Personal Water Bottles52:40 Hand Sanitizer and Clorox Wipes54:21 Foaming Soap Theory55:26 Band-Aids That Match Brown Skin Tones56:52 Neck Pillows for Travel57:48 TV After MidnightEpisode 8 - We Grew Up Without These Things and Honestly… How Did We Survive? - https://youtu.be/W9VhTxexFXwNo Google. No Uber. No water bottles with emotional support handles. We break down the modern “must-haves” we lived without — and how we somehow made it.Episode 7 - What Happens When the People Who Raised You Are Legends? - https://youtu.be/VnMbcEtGjLwThe pressure of living up to iconic parents, family expectations, and the weight of being “so-and-so’s kid.” Eva and Don unpack what it’s like when your parents’ reputations walk into the room before you do.Episode 6 - “Backstage, Underage…” Why Didn’t We Question These Lyrics? - https://youtu.be/GDuOQJzuQZIWe revisit the songs we screamed at the top of our lungs… and realize how wild, creepy, and problematic some of them really were. Stalking, underage references, and red flags we all ignored.Episode 5 - Sizzlean, Steak-umms, SlimFast & More Fabulous Foods from the 80s - https://youtu.be/GH3ExJO3LWIThe microwave meals, diet culture, and mystery meat that raised us. If it came in a box, pouch, or can — we probably ate it. No questions asked.This super episode is funny, nostalgic, honest, and just messy enough to feel like a group chat with your favorite people. It’s the perfect reminder that we didn’t just grow up — we survived.Get GIFs from this episodeWhere to find us:Instagram – @chatandbotherFacebook Page – @chatandbotherYouTube – @chatandbotherTwitter – @chatandbotherTikTok – @chatandbotherThreads – @chatandbotherEmail List – http://eepurl.com/igYlfvPodcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

In this episode of Chat and Bother, Eva and Don compare the world they grew up in to the one we can’t imagine living without today. From walking around without water bottles to surviving long road trips and flights with no neck pillows, they break down just how much daily life has changed, and how quickly we got spoiled by convenience.0:00 Previously on Chat and Bother0:37 Welcome to Chat and Bother0:59 Things We Didn't Have Growing Up1:19 Water and Water Bottles3:59 Hand Sanitizer and Wipes5:38 Foaming Soap6:45 Band-Aids that Match Skin Tones8:12 Neck Pillows9:05 TV after Midnight9:54 Taxis and Uber10:42 Google and Encyclopedias13:19 Cable and Bootlegging Videos15:00 The Evolution of TV and Streaming17:49 Next Time on Chat and BotherThe conversation jumps from simple upgrades to full-on lifestyle shifts. They talk about how Google replaced encyclopedias, how Uber made getting around effortless, and how things like reusable water bottles went from nonexistent to absolutely essential. Along the way, they reflect on what it meant to be bored, lost, thirsty, or uncomfortable, and how those experiences shaped a generation that had to “figure it out.”As always, the heart of the show is the question: Did these changes make life better, or did they just make us less patient?Get GIFs from this episodeWhere to find us:Instagram - @chatandbotherFacebook Page - @chatandbotherYouTube - @chatandbotherTwitter - @chatandbotherTikTok - @chatandbotherThreads - @chatandbotherEmail List - http://eepurl.com/igYlfvPodcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com

In this episode of Chat and Bother, Eva and Don discuss the pressure of growing up in the shadow of your parents’ success — whether that success comes from family reputation, career expectations, or worldwide fame.00:00 Previously on Chat and Bother00:40 Welcome to Chat and Bother01:13 Living up to Your Parents’ Legend02:18 Not Following in Parents’ Footsteps03:59 Gender Expectations04:31 Growing up as a Doctor’s Child07:27 Growing up as a Plumber’s Child09:31 Pressure on Celebrity Kids10:07 Will Smith’s Kids10:52 John Williams’ Resume12:38 Joseph Williams’ Career (John Williams’ Son)13:58 Nepotism14:32 The Gummy Bears Theme Song18:03 LeBron James’ Son18:48 Magic Johnson and Steve Harvey’s Kids19:45 Next Time on Chat and BotherThey talk about how early we’re labeled, how often we’re pushed toward paths we didn’t choose, and how hard it can be to figure out who you really are when everyone already has a version of you in their head.From everyday families to celebrity dynasties, the conversation explores: - The weight of inherited expectations - Why some kids feel trapped by their parents’ success - How fame multiplies pressure - The difference between honoring a legacy and losing yourself to it - Why carving your own identity is harder than it looksEva and Don compare their own upbringings with the public scrutiny faced by the children of famous icons, and unpack what it means to grow up with a name that comes with built-in assumptions.As always, Chat and Bother isn’t here to give you all the answers — it’s here to start the conversation.Were you expected to become someone specific?Did your family’s history shape your future?Did you break away and build your own path?Get GIFs from this episodeWhere to find us:Instagram – @chatandbotherFacebook Page – @chatandbotherYouTube – @chatandbotherTwitter – @chatandbotherTikTok – @chatandbotherThreads – @chatandbotherEmail List – http://eepurl.com/igYlfvOfficial Website - ChatandBother.comPodcasting Help: Learn about how we make the Chat & Bother podcast and get podcasting tips This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatandbother.substack.com