The Real Connect – Details, episodes & analysis

Join host Tamika Carlton and special guest Portia James for an unfiltered and meaningful conversation on the Real Connect Podcast about the importance and value of relationships with Black women. They discuss the challenges and rewards of honing in on the dynamics between Black women, the significance of representation in business and mentorship, and navigating professional and personal spaces. This episode is a deep dive into the empowering connections that help Black women thrive, featuring real-life insights and experiences. Key Takeaways: 1. The Power of Black Women Supporting Each Other 2. Owning Your Space and Your Brilliance 3. Removing the Mask and Building Authentic Relationships 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 00:59 Meet Portia James 01:41 The Importance of Supporting Black Women 02:54 Challenges and Realizations 10:14 The Power of Black Women Mentorship 13:45 Reflections on Wicked and Personal Growth 18:27 Reflecting on Personal Experiences 19:00 The Silencing of Elphaba 20:53 Taking Credit for Others' Ideas 21:59 Challenges of Trust and Vulnerability 24:12 The Importance of Community 26:15 Navigating Relationships and Trust 34:44 The Power of Truth in Relationships 36:25 Final Thoughts and Farewell After you listen, let us know your thoughts—like, comment, and share! Follow Tamika on Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter Visit Tamika's: www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected. Connect with Portia on Instagram: instagram.com/missportiajames #BlackSisterhood#StrengthInSisterhood#BlackGirlMagic#SistersSupportingSisters#FriendshipGoals#WomenEmpoweringWomen#DiverseFriendships#BlackExcellence #ResilientConnections #PodcastLife#InspirationPodcast#StorytellingPodcast#RelationshipPodcast#SharedStrength#AuthenticBonds

Let’s be real—networking can feel awkward and a bit forced, like a game of small talk and swapping business cards or electronic exchanges you’ll probably never look at again. But what if it didn’t have to be that way?

In this episode, relationship pro Tamika Carlton and celeb hairstylist Vincent Tobias Bell keep it real on how to skip the fluff and make connections that actually matter. We’re talking real-deal relationships that go beyond surface-level chats and can genuinely change your career—and your life.

Takeaways:

1. Why being yourself is the ultimate networking hack.

2. Simple ways to build real connections that actually last.

3. How to turn those connections into real opportunities and career growth.

But here’s the million-dollar question—what’s the one mindset shift that completely changed how I approach networking? You’ll have to tune in to find out. It might just change everything for you, too.

After you listen, let us know your thoughts—like, comment, and share!

Follow Tamika on Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's: www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

Follow Vincent Tobias Bell on instagram: instagram.com/vincenttobiasbell

00:00 Intro to Vincent Tobias Bell

00:42 Vincent's Journey to the Top

02:47 Overcoming Challenges and Growing

05:56 Networking Tips and Strategies

08:45 Making Authentic Connections

12:53 The Importance of Intentionality

15:54 Final Thoughts and Advice

#NetworkingTips #AuthenticConnections #RelationshipBuilding #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalNetworking #NetworkingSuccess #BusinessConnections #GenuineNetworking #TamikaCarlton #TheRealConnect #VincentTobiasBell #NetworkingMindset #CareerSuccess #BuildYourNetwork #NetworkingForSuccess #NetworkingHacks

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it, and this one completely blindsided us. Logan and I have never shared this publicly before, but an unexpected struggle turned our world upside down—and taught us more than we could have imagined about love, resilience, and the power of true friendship. In this episode, we’re sharing an unexpected health struggle we faced together—one that tested our strength, our relationship, and how we show up for each other and the people we care about. It was one of those moments that makes you stop and reevaluate everything, including who’s really in your corner.

Takeaways: 1. How to navigate unexpected challenges as a couple and come out stronger. 2. The role real friends play during life’s toughest moments. 3. How to build and nurture a support system you can truly count on. But here’s the thing: what this experience revealed about friendship and resilience caught us both off guard. We'll share exactly what that was in the episode—you don’t want to miss it. After you listen, let us know your thoughts—like, comment, and share! Follow Tamika on Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter Visit Tamika's: www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected. 00:00 Introduction to the Real Connect Podcast 00:48 A Personal Story: The Struggle 02:21 What Really Happened 06:36 The Aftermath and Recovery 11:58 Reflections on Relationships 17:19 Evaluating Your Circle 24:21 The Importance of Vulnerability 25:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts #OvercomingChallenges #PodcastLife#RelationshipPodcast#InspirationPodcast#RealTalkPodcast#StorytellingPodcast#AuthenticConversations #ResilienceInRelationships#HealthAndHealing#SupportSystem#FriendshipMatters#LoveAndStrength#NavigatingToughTimes#LifeCurveballs#CoupleGoals

Tamika sits down with Riana Malia—a certified Evolved NLP Practitioner and trauma-conscious coach—to dive into the real work of forgiveness. Riana opens up about her journey from marriage to divorce and, ultimately, to a happy, healthy relationship, sharing her healing process and what it means to forgive. Key Takeaways: 1. How forgiveness helped Riana move past divorce and rebuild her life. 2. The role of NLP techniques in letting go of resentment and finding peace. 3. How healthy relationships can create a ripple effect, elevating every area of your life. This episode is packed with raw truths, personal stories, and practical tools to help you take that next step toward healing and growth. After you listen, let us know your thoughts—like, comment, and share! Follow Tamika: Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! tamikacarlton.com/newsletter Visit Tamika's website: tamikacarlton.com Connect with Riana Malia: Website: rianamalia.com Instagram: instagram.com/rianamalia Access a free gift from Riana: rianamalia.com/gifts/ #ForgivenessJourney #ToxicRelationships #HealthyRelationships #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #NLPTechniques #RelationshipHealing #SelfLove #SelfCare #EmotionalHealing #TamikaCarlton #RianaMalia #PodcastLife #TraumaHealing #LettingGoOfResentment #DivorceRecovery #LifeAfterDivorce

Do you ever feel like you're holding on to friendships just because of history, even though you know deep down they’re not helping you grow? Yeah, me too.

In this episode, I’m getting real about the hard truth of letting go of friendships that no longer serve you. Trust me, it’s not easy, but it’s necessary for your peace and personal growth. I’ll share my own experiences and some hard-earned lessons about how to know when it’s time to move on—and what comes after.

Takeaways:

1. How to recognize when a friendship is no longer aligned with your values and goals.

2. Steps to let go with grace and without guilt (yes, it’s possible).

3. The surprising benefits of making space for new, healthier connections.

So, what’s the one thing I realized after I finally let go of a friendship that had been holding me back for years? I’ll tell you in this episode—it just might change how you approach all your relationships.

After you listen, let us know your thoughts—like, comment, and share!

Follow Tamika on Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's: www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

00:00 Introduction to Real Connect Podcast

00:50 The Importance of Letting Go in Friendships

01:52 Personal Story: Ending a 25-Year Friendship

02:33 Signs It's Time to End a Friendship

05:42 The Friendship Assessment

08:18 Challenge: Assess Your Friendships

10:16 Conclusion and Next Steps

#ToxicFriendships

#LettingGo

#FriendshipBreakup

#HealthyBoundaries

#SelfDiscoveryJourney

#EmotionalGrowth

#RebuildingRelationships

#PodcastLife

#RelationshipPodcast

#InspirationPodcast

#SelfImprovementPodcast

#PodcastEpisode

#StorytellingPodcast

#PersonalGrowthPodcast

Relationship expert, Tamika Carlton, keeps it real in the FIRST episode of The Real Connect Podcast. In a short episode of just 20 minutes, Tamika opens up about how hitting rock bottom in a toxic relationship forced her to turn inward and rediscover herself. What started as heartbreak turned into a journey of learning to sit with her thoughts, find peace in her own company, and embrace solitude as a form of self-love.

Key Takeaways:

1. How walking away from the wrong people can help you reconnect with yourself.

2. Why solitude isn’t loneliness but a chance to rebuild and refocus.

3. Lessons from Tamika’s own messy relationship fallout and how she found strength in being alone.

Learning to sit with yourself isn’t always pretty—it’s raw, uncomfortable, and exactly what you need. Tamika’s story of going from heartbreak to healing will hit home, and she’s sharing the blueprint for how to turn solitude into your superpower. You don’t want to miss this.

After you listen, let us know your thoughts—like, comment, and share!

Follow Tamika on Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's: www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

(00:00) Introduction and Purpose

(02:31) The Importance of Quality Relationships

(04:24) Personal Story: A Toxic Relationship

(10:53 )The Turning Point

(16:02 )Rediscovering Self Through Solitude

(17:46) Final Thoughts and Takeaways

#SelfLoveJourney #HealingFromHeartbreak #EmbracingSolitude

#FindingInnerPeace

#StrengthInSolitude #PodcastLife

#StorytellingPodcast

#PodcastEpisode

#InspirationPodcast

#RelationshipPodcast

The Real Connect is your go-to podcast for building relationships that mean something. Hosted by Tamika Carlton, each episode goes beyond the surface to explore what it truly takes to connect—with yourself, with others, and with purpose. If you’re ready to create relationships that uplift every part of your life, this podcast has real talk, my personal stories, actionable insights, experts, and relatable stories to guide you.

You might think podcast guesting is an unlikely topic for The Real Connect Podcast, but let me tell you why it’s not.

Real connection is at the heart of building anything lasting, whether a brand, a business, or a legacy, and guesting on the right podcasts is one of the most powerful ways to create it.

In this episode, I sit down with podcast strategist, podcast booker, and my good friend Christina Lenkowski to discuss how podcast guesting can provide major wins for your personal brand without needing a massive following or flashy credentials.

We explore how being intentional with your podcast visibility strategy builds exposure and authentic relationships. Christina shares how she helps entrepreneurs avoid the common pitfalls in having a solid podcast strategy, getting booked on shows that matter, and turning every interview into a relationship-building opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Podcast success doesn’t come from appearing on the biggest shows.

2. A solid personal brand advice plan should include a podcast strategy rooted in authentic storytelling and meaningful follow-up.

3. Building relationships with podcast hosts opens doors to partnerships, speaking gigs, and mastermind invites.

This episode is packed with gems, from setting a visibility KPI to building your network through follow-ups and intentional outreach. If you've been hesitant about guesting on podcasts or unsure how it ties into your brand, friends, this is your sign.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more on visibility, connection, and the power of showing up real.

🎧 Stay Connected:Follow Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Follow Logan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/publicityxchristina

Take Christina’s quiz to find your perfect podcast guesting path: https://www.publicityxchristina.com/quiz-landing-page

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights! https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

🌍 Visit Tamika’s Website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

03:05 Christina's Role and Visibility Goals

05:18 Importance of Podcast Visibility

07:46 Networking and Event Strategies

11:26 Building Authentic Connections

20:37 Tips for Podcast Guesting

22:00 Finding the Right Audience for Your Message

28:17 Maximizing Podcast Appearances

38:32 Overcoming Podcasting Fears

41:12 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

#PodcastVisibility #PersonalBrand #PodcastSuccess #PersonalBrandAdvice #CommonPitfallsInPodcastStrategy #BuildingRelationshipsInPodcast #PodcastGuesting #TheRealConnectPodcast #ConnectionIsCurrency #VisibilityMatters #AuthenticBranding #EntrepreneurGrowth #RealConnectionsOnly

They say love conquers all… but what about when someone eats the last piece of chocolate? Or worse!

In this unfiltered, laugh-out-loud, and heart-filled episode, Tamika Carlton and her husband, Logan Bailey-Perkins, reveal what really makes a marriage work. Nothing is off limits, from silent treatments and stolen snacks to spiritual bonds and battle-tested loyalty.

Whether you're boo’d up, married for years, or navigating love in your own way, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Marriage is less about being right and more about being real.

2. Independent time isn’t distance—it’s strength.

3. True partnership means showing up, even when it’s inconvenient.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk and real connection.

Follow Tamika on Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's: www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

Follow Logan on Instagram: instagram.com/friendlyphilosophy

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Episode

00:47 Marriage Duration and Early Years

01:53 Evolving Together and Leadership

02:58 Challenges in Marriage

04:30 Support and Sacrifices

07:27 Living Together and Daily Adjustments

08:24 Conflict Resolution and Growth

12:06 Discussing Relationship Challenges

13:26 What We Love About Marriage

13:57 The Importance of Independent Time

16:08 Date Nights and New Experiences

20:39 Loyalty and Protection in Relationships

23:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#MarriageTalk #TheRealConnect #RelationshipGoals #BlackLove #HealthyLove #ModernMarriage #LoveLessons #RealConversations #MarriagePodcast #CouplesThatTalk #RelationshipGrowth #IntentionalLove #EmotionalIntelligence #PartnershipGoals #LoveAndGrowth

Dating ain’t always it, but there are options and things you can do to keep your sanity.

Sometimes, the frogs show up before the princes and trust me, I’ve been there! In this episode of The Real Connect podcast, I’m joined by one of my favorite guests, Vincent Tobias Bell.

We each spill some unexpected teas about our dating lives.

Thank goodness, I'm no longer single, ya'll.

You'll learn why I say this when you watch this episode.

I’m sharing stories from my messy dating past (frogs and all) while Vincent reveals how he has met the best partners, AND he makes an announcement I was not ready for!

Key Takeaways:

1. Red flags to spot before you waste your time.

2. How Vincent navigates dating with intention and success.

3. Lessons from my wild dating past and what finally worked.

Dating is a journey, but it doesn’t have to end in a dead end. Tune in for laughs, real talk, and maybe even a little hope.

After you listen, let us know your thoughts—like, comment, and share!

Follow Tamika on Instagram: instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships: www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's website: www.tamikacarlton.com, to stay connected.

Connect with Vincent on Instagram: instagram.com/vincenttobiasbell

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to The Real Connect

00:55 Vincent's Current Dating Life

01:47 Past Relationships and Lessons Learned

07:43 Red Flags in Relationships

11:31 Dating Stories and Ghosting

13:40 The Drama of Dating

14:06 Red Flags in Relationships

16:08 Deep Questions for Potential Partners

17:38 Personal Growth in Relationships

18:44 Navigating the Dating Scene

20:50 Hopes and Goals for Relationships

25:45 Concluding Thoughts and Advice

#DatingAdvice #RelationshipGoals #RedFlags #DatingDramas #DatingTips #HealthyRelationships #DatingPodcast #RelationshipPodcast #VincentTobiasBell #RealTalk #PodcastEpisode #PersonalGrowth #SelfWorth #AdultDating #RelationshipStruggles #LoveLife #DatingStories #TamikaCarlton #TheRealConnect #PodcastLife