Oh Hey Best Fren

12: What Real Sisterhood Looks Like in 2025

After 21 years of sisterhood, laughter, lessons, and leveling up, Vernika and Monique are closing out the season of Oh Hey Best Fren with a tribute to the kind of friendship that feels like family. In this best-of episode, they revisit unforgettable moments that define what ride-or-die really looks like—through every baby, breakup, glow-up, and growing pain. From navigating relationships without losing the bond, to celebrating each other's wins (no jealousy allowed), and holding each other accountable with love, this episode is a masterclass in showing up and staying down. Whether you’re building your own girl gang or just reflecting on what it means to be a real one, this finale is a feel-good reminder that true friendship only gets better with time. KEY POINTS:  1: Hey Best Fren! Meet Vernika & Monique, Your New Besties 2: Are You Neglecting Your Best Friend for Your Relationship? 3: Love You, Mean It? Social Media vs Reality 6: A-List vs. D-List Friends: Some People Gotta Go 9: Different Types of Friends: The Real Deal on Your Circle Follow Us, Besties!  IG | @ohheybestfren [https://www.instagram.com/ohheybestfren/] Have something on your mind? Share your story or ask for advice!  Drop us an email at bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com [bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com]  Hey Best Fren is produced by EPYC Media Network [https://www.epyc.co/]

11: Know Your Worth: The Healing Journey Ahead

This week on Oh Hey Best Fren, Monique and Vernika are getting real real about knowing your worth, breaking toxic patterns, and not settling for the bare minimum—whether it’s in your job, your relationship, or your own damn self-esteem. From learning how to stop selling yourself short to navigating healing after trauma, the besties dive into those honest, hard conversations that most people are too scared to say out loud. They’re giving props to the new generation for flipping the script—quitting jobs that don’t serve them, choosing purpose over paycheck, and creating their own lanes unapologetically. The convo touches on everything from financial independence to self-worth in relationships, to unlearning what womanhood “should” look like. And just when you think the episode’s winding down, a letter from a listener opens the floor for a raw talk on therapy, healing in solitude, and the growing pains that come with choosing yourself. It’s a whole word, y’all. Healing ain’t always pretty—but the freedom on the other side? So worth it. KEY POINTS - Don’t settle, know your worth - Consequences of settling like missing out on desired goals - Realizing self-worth and independence - Choosing security over happiness? - Navigating “wifehood” and own identity - The importance of not losing one's identity within a marriage - Best Friend Mail: Challenges and benefits of therapy QUOTES “If we've learned anything this season is that too many of us are out here building someone else's dream—when we don't even know what our own dream looks like.” “Go beyond comfortability to get the things that you like or the things you love.” “Words really have power on things that you want for yourself in life. You have to speak those things over your life.” “I always saw myself being successful. I always saw myself as a high earner. I always saw myself traveling the world, having my dream house, [and] my dream car.” Follow Us, Besties!  IG | https://www.instagram.com/ohheybestfren/ [https://www.instagram.com/ohheybestfren/]  Have something on your mind? Share your story or ask for advice!  Drop us an email at bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com [bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com]  Hey Best Fren is produced by EPYC Media Network (https://www.epyc.co/ [https://www.epyc.co/])

10: The New Rules: Sex & Dating in Your 30

Whew! This one is for the grown folks. In this bold, honest, and hilarious sit-down, the girls are pulling back the curtain on what sex, dating, and relationships really look like in your 30s—and spoiler alert: it’s giving clarity, confidence, and zero tolerance for nonsense. They’re unpacking everything from why the 90-day rule might be outdated, to how your expectations and non-negotiables change as you evolve.  This convo dives deep into emotional maturity, communication in and out the bedroom, and why “doing the work” isn’t just therapy talk—it’s real life when you’re trying to build or maintain something meaningful. They touch on redefining intimacy, learning your needs, and owning your pleasure without shame or pressure. Whether you’re single and dating, in a situationship, or navigating something long-term, this episode will have you laughing, nodding, and maybe even rethinking your current standards. It’s grown-girl talk with heart, humor, and hella honesty—just how we like it. So light the candles, pour a lil’ something, and let’s get into it. KEY POINTS  - The new rules of sex and dating in your 30s - The concept of the 90-day rule - Preference? Quality and quantity in relationships - Balance between “waiting” and “trusting” in relationships - Shifting bedroom dynamics (and preferences) - The importance of reciprocity and non-negotiable in sex - Being in 30s – societal influences and pressure  - Post-intimacy behavior and hygiene  - Best Friend Mail: My friend seems to be changing…  QUOTES  “As I get older, you just kind of like, have a standard about things. You start having a standard, and you look at people like… ‘What are we doing? Like, this has got to be intentional.” “Confidence comes with age. Now that I'm more mature and I'm in my 30s, I'm very vocal about the things that I like.” “If it's truth, it's just truth. I'm going to just speak on it, and I'm not going to try to make her feel away – but I’m going to express my concern and try to prevent her from falling or making a mistake if I can.” Follow Us, Besties!  IG | @ohheybestfren [https://www.instagram.com/ohheybestfren/] Have something on your mind? Share your story or ask for advice!  Drop us an email at bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com [bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com]  Hey Best Fren is produced by EPYC Media Network [https://www.epyc.co/]

9: Different Types of Friends: The Real Deal on Your Circle

Not all friendships are meant to last—and that’s okay! Vernika and Monique get real about how life be life-ing, making some friendships stronger while others don’t stand a chance. Just because y’all were tight back in the day doesn’t mean it’s forever—and honestly, that’s just how the game goes. They break down the squad lineup—your ride-or-dies, work besties, and the turn-up crew—and why keeping boundaries in check is a must. Mixing personal and professional friendships? Risky. Outgrowing people? A hard but necessary move. And let’s not forget how major life changes (new jobs, babies, or even switching teams) can shake things up. But here’s the real tea—just because a friendship is different doesn’t mean it’s the end of an era. They talk about how to handle the awkward “we ain’t close like that anymore” phase, knowing when to rekindle vs. when to let it go, and why being intentional about new friendships is a game-changer. At the end of the day, the real ones show up. So, are your friendships thriving, or are y’all just holding onto the memories? Let’s talk about it! KEY POINTS  - Different types of friends - Challenges of maintaining friendships in various life phases  - The importance of maintaining secrets and confidentiality  - Disagreements, miscommunications, and misunderstandings  - History is key in friendships  - Childhood friendships, significant life changes  - Having trust in friends with different sexual orientations  - Career networking, maintaining personal-professional life  - Protecting yourself while being open in friendships  - The role of community and family in friendships - My best friend’s moving across the country for her dream job…  QUOTES  “Whether we want to admit it or not, some friendships just outgrow each other.” “Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Although they're out doing, you know, bettering themselves, when we come back, it's going to be just this.”  “We like to elevate. I think that helps our friendship a lot because it's not like we're just gonna be sitting in one place for a long time, period. I feel like we're always, constantly growing, evolving, and bettering ourselves.” Follow Us, Besties!  IG | @ohheybestfren [https://www.instagram.com/ohheybestfren/] Have something on your mind? Share your story or ask for advice!  Drop us an email at bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com [bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com]  Hey Best Fren is produced by EPYC Media Network [https://www.epyc.co/]

8: The Green-Eyed Monster: Owning & Shifting Our Jealousy

"You Hate Me?!" Let’s talk about jealousy—because we’ve all been there. Scrolling through social media, side-eyeing that vacation pic, and feeling some type of way. But the real question is: what happens next? Vernika and Monique break down the difference between jealousy and envy—one’s a quick emotion, the other runs deep and gets real messy. And let’s be honest, it's been out here ending friendships. It starts with a little side-eye, turns into low-key shade, and before you know it, your so-called bestie is acting funny every time you win. Social media just adds fuel to the fire, serving up highlight reels that keep us stuck comparing.  Instead of letting it take over, they’re flipping the script—own your feelings, use them as motivation, and stop letting fake perfection mess with your peace. Sometimes, the best move is to just hit unfollow, log off, and remind yourself that what’s online is just a fairytale version of reality. Clock your emotions, change your mindset, and protect your energy—because being inspired is way better than being bitter.  KEY POINTS  - Likes to lowkey jealousy: Comparison culture - Emotional reactions to social media  - Difference between jealousy and envy - The impact of social media on emotions  - How comparison leads to materialism  - The concept of “celebration blockers” - Being authentic on social media  - Navigating financial differences in friendships  - Self-validation practices like journaling and reading - Live in gratitude, be authentic, and own YOUR emotions QUOTES  “Gratitude is the antidote. If you want to move away from jealousy, live in gratitude.” “Social media is a fairy world. It is a highlight reel of my life. I'm only putting my good moments on here. You're not seeing my bad moments.” “Once you understand your value and worth, you'll never sell yourself short again.” Follow Us, Besties!  IG | @ohheybestfren [https://www.instagram.com/ohheybestfren/] Have something on your mind? Share your story or ask for advice!  Drop us an email at bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com [bestfrenmail@ohheybestren.com]  Hey Best Fren is produced by EPYC Media Network [https://www.epyc.co/]