Taylor’d Takes

Join Taylor, Henry Woodrow and Nashwa Hamouda as they unpack what it really was like moving to a new city for love.

They get right to it and share their TAYLOR'D TAKES on:

• making plans on a Saturday with yourself in the mirror
• side-eyes from the judgement parade about this decision
• the truth behind adult friendships and shooting your shot including a story that gives ghosting a whole new meaning
• how to ensure this sacrifice doesn't lead to resentment or an epic battle about taking out the trash
• the opportunity to reinvent yourself and adopt new habits without completely catfishing on Bumble For Friends
• how many throw pillows is too many
• mourning the last chapter of your life and embracing change
• sliding vs. deciding to move in with your significant other
• navigating those awkward conversations about uprooting your life without the "ring"
• splitting rent 50/50 or based on salary??? Asking for a friend...

Ohhhhhh the conversations Taylor has had with both Nashwa and Henry about their moves...Thank you for bringing that same energy and honesty to Taylor’d Takes.

Take a listen and follow @taylordtakes on Instagram and TikTok.

Let Taylor know your TAKEaway from the episode by writing a review and rating the podcast!

Before sobriety and dry months were trendy, Tawny Lara, also known as The Sober S*xpert, was searching for the answers about sober sex and dating. Although, there was one question that held her back from officially ditching the booze.

"How will I date, let alone have sex without liquid courage?”

After Tawny wrote a hypothesis or two about her future with alcohol, she decided to bravely explore the uncharted territory of alcohol-free dating and intimacy...through a sober experiment. Spoiler alert! This sober experiment led her to being called The Sober S*xpert by Ruby Warrington, the woman who coined the term "Sober Curious", the author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, & Hooking Up Without the Booze (#1 in three categories on Amazon), writing a weekly advice column Beyond Liquid Courage about all things sober dating and relationships, a recovery advocate, award-winning podcast host and eight years sober.

I had the pleasure of learning about Tawny's sober journey and her book Dry Humping, a lighthearted and judgement-free roadmap on how to navigate the waters of sex and dating without relying on liquid courage.

The Sober S*xpert shares her TAYLOR'D TAKES on:

• booze-free outside the box (and the bar) date ideas
• ways to find pleasure outside of the orgasm
• why it's essential to crush on yourself before flirting with other people
• how to have those awkward conversations around not drinking in a society where alcohol plays the lead role in socializing and romantic encounters
• her passion to break stigmas associated with both sobriety and sexuality
• edible alcohol-free aphrodisiacs to enhance your sex life
• how growth can happen, and in some casesneeds to happen, INSIDE our comfort zone
• and so much more!

Follow Tawny Lara on Instagram @tawnymlara and check out her book Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, & Hooking Up Without the Booze

Let Taylor know your TAKEaway from the episode by writing a review and rating the podcast!

Israel Isaac shares his TAYLOR'D TAKES on: 

• his evolution becoming the person he desired 
• unifying lives he tried to keep separate until touching down in LA
• the reality TV phenomenon that continues to take over our social feeds - SCANDOVAL
• filming Vanderpump Rules and his relationships with castmates 
• not taking advice from people he doesn't admire 
• the origin behind the lyrics of his single Can I Be Me With You 
• uniforms at Schwartz & Sandy’s and being expressive through fashion
• inspiring others to accept themselves and be the person they desire 
• his powerful mantras like ‘friends over fans’ and ‘significance over success’, and so much more!

Taylor met Israel a few months ago in LA and was immediately drawn to his larger than life personality, conviction and contagious laugh. 

Let Taylor know your takeaway from the episode by writing a review and rating the podcast! 

"When I touched down in LA, I was adamant about loving myself and help others see that they can also be themselves. Go all the way with becoming who you desire to be. Don’t let anyone shun you from being your most authentic self.

I posted a picture of me in this blue dress and it blew up. And so that began the journey of me asking myself, ‘What’s it like being a Black queer Christian?’ These were lives I tried to keep separate. The more I accepted myself, the more the world accepted me.

I want to inspire people and if people feel inspired by me, I feel like I’ve won.” 

- Israel Isaac

Carson Goodale's entrepreneurial mindset and impatience for long lines were integral in the creation of his company, FanFood. Carson and his FanFood team believe fans should not miss a moment or big play waiting in lines. The ultimate fan experience created by the ultimate fans! Carson is an entrepreneur, co-founder, and Chief Strategy Officer of FanFood. The two get down to BUSINESS with Carson's insights on work-life balance, becoming a morning person, and why he enjoys proving people wrong. Carson and Taylor discuss their experiences with anxiety, being VERY impatient, and their cheerleading days. Taylor loves Shark Tank and was fascinated by Carson's many encounters with Shark, Daymond John. Carson is always pitchin' and humors Taylor with a hilarious pitch deck game. We hope you enjoy Carson Goodale!

Taylor and Oberon Sinclair bond over their curiosity of EVERYTHING and embracing being absolutely "ridiculous." Oberon is widely regarded and known as the Queen of Kale, and we learn how and why she made this superfood a phenomenon. Oberon is also the CEO and founder of My Young Auntie Creative Agency. Over the past 20 years, she has collaborated with and managed clients including Hermes, Vivienne Westwood, Jack Spade, Converse, Free People, and more! Oberon gives Taylor her pop culture fix with stories that include Harrison Ford and Richard Gere, iconic Jack Spade campaigns, and more. Oberon shares with Taylor why she feels like she has been a disruptor in her career. The two talk about the importance of happiness and why it's refreshing to try something new now and then. Oberon's daughter created "Oberon's Dream Capsule" for all of her wishes to come true, and we are eager to learn what else Oberon has up her sleeve! We hope you enjoy Oberon Sinclair!

Not even a year after pursuing comedy, Nick Smeriglio “made an impression” on his motivating comedian, Sebastian Maniscalco, on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Sebastian himself gave Nick the nod and an A+ for his notable Sebastian impression. Nick shares with Taylor other driving factors that pushed him, after MUCH resistance, to post his first video on TikTok. Nick quickly became a viral TikTok sensation, with over 150,000 people following his comedic skits and journey into comedy. Nick does several impressions for Taylor that have her on her a** laughing, including Christopher Walken, Donald Trump, Jack Nicholson, Sebastian Maniscalco, and many more! After a mid-episode tequila shot, the two get candid on putting themselves out there for public criticism and how one video can change your life. We hope you enjoy Nick Smeriglio!

A $10,000 check from a supportive friend and a relentless entrepreneurial spirit are two of many factors that led Michelle Mekky to where she is today. Michelle is the founder and CEO of Mekky Media, a cancer survivor, and a #GIRLBOSS. Michelle shares with Taylor how losing her job and surviving ovarian cancer were signs from the universe to start her own public relations company, Mekky Media. Before launching Mekky Media in 2016, she pursued her childhood dream of becoming a journalist. Growing up with immigrant parents, she was a first-generation college student at one of the most prestigious journalism schools, Northwestern University. Michelle spent over a decade as a senior producer and news writer for Fox-TV and then transitioned into PR and marketing, working at top agencies in Chicago. Michelle is candid with Taylor that she did not think she was “pretty enough” to be an on-camera reporter and that her confidence was a barrier she had to overcome. The two bond over their belief in the power of the universe, their fears of rejection, and their love for J Lo. Please enjoy, Michelle Mekky!

Are you ready for no bullsh** and a new mindset? Well, you came to the right place. Taylor's guest, Case Kenny, has made a name for himself as a prominent independent podcaster and mindfulness thought leader. His podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis?, has millions of downloads and honors as Apple Podcast's Top 30 Podcast, Top 100 Mental Health, iHeart Radio Top 10, and many more accolades. He references himself as "Dudebroguy" who enjoys working out and talking about his feelings...and these two sure did talk about feelings! Case shares with Taylor how to break down anxious overthinking, the healthy side of ego that leads to swag, the power of honesty and character-driven content, the qualities he seeks in a partner, and more! The two discuss the pressure to be successful personally and professionally in your twenties and why Case believes that is "ludicrous" and that you should create your own timetable. Case also answers hinge prompts and questions from T2U listeners so you don't want to miss those burning questions! Case Kenny is major swag alert and Taylor is all about her new mindset! Please enjoy, Case Kenny!

Card sharks, dating, an infamous college night at Sweaty Betty's, pre-game rituals, travel arrangements, people watching from the outfield are some of the antics on the pro baseball road... according to professional baseball player Danny Woodrow. Danny offers a behind-the-scenes look into his experience in the pro baseball world and answers Taylor's burning questions: Is he a boxer or a briefs guy? Do grown men cry when they get hit by a baseball? Are they partying on the road Dennis Rodman style? You will find out! Danny started as a preferred walk-on in college to a Detroit Tigers MLB Draft Pick in 2016. Danny has played in every level leading him to where he is now in AAA, just one level below the big leagues! Danny shares with Taylor that he almost quit baseball at a young age and the reason that kept him coming back to the sport, and now his career. Danny is honest about his hopes to play in the majors someday, but also his ability to close the door if needed. Please enjoy, Danny Woodrow!

Taylor has an honest and eye-opening conversation with Kisha Gulley, as Kisha says, “what you see is what you get.” Kisha is an Afro-Latina and advocates for autism, mental health, racial justice, and overall self-care. Kisha shared with Taylor the emotions she felt when her son was diagnosed with autism, her and her family’s experiences being called a racial slur, and how Facebook restricted HER account when she was standing up for herself. Mark Zuckerberg, this episode is Taylor’d to you! The two talk about the importance of mental health when experiencing anxiety or depression and Kisha’s deciding factor to share this aspect of her life being that “she can’t be the only one.” Kisha shares that she learned later in life to not just embrace her culture and herself, but to share it. Please enjoy, Kisha Gulley!