Sophisticated Ignorance

For EP. 101, we were joined in studio by a friend of the show. To hide her identity, we refer to her as T. T joined us to tell her story after she recently let the world know via social media that a majority of her life she participated in a religious cult. We discuss how the cult was constructed and operated, the common misconceptions that did not apply to her cult, we revisit her day to day life as a child and behavioral things that she has since pointed out. We transition into her teenage years and the rumors that would circulate about members and the pastor, the things that led up to her leaving the cult, her mental health, how she views society, religion & God, the cult's impact on her own family, whether she has considered therapy and much more. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios EMAIL: askus@sipodcast.com WEB: www.sipodcast.com INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/sipodcast www.i

THANK YOU!!!! Hitting 100 episodes is a milestone that many podcasters do not hit and we just want to thank everyone. We thank our studio, Dubway Studios, we take every single guest that has ever been on the show. But most importantly, we thank every listener who has tuned in every week, has given us feedback, shared the show with their coworkers, friends & family. Without you all, this show does not go as far as it has. I just hope yall know we appreciate you all as much as yall appreciate our sophisticated ignorance. Cheers to 100 more! No show notes for this episode, just reminiscing, appreciation, laughs and more. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios EMAIL: askus@sipodcast.net WEB: www.sipodcast.net INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/sipodcast www.instagram.com/Mr.Thesier www.instagram.com/Nieema_Simone www.instagram.com/Vixonj www.instagram.com/Yo.Bianca www.instagram.com/Leelu

For the second part of our installment, we continue with our special guest, Chris as he discusses how he became dependent and started abusing alcohol and how his previous experiences lead to domestic violence, he reveals the three separate suicide attempts, the positive aspects he focused on to get his life back in track, how beneficial therapy has been, where he stands now as an individual and how he takes in life on a daily basis. We wrap things up on why he wanted to share his story, what he hopes people take away from these two episodes and lastly, what the word redemption means to him. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @SIpodcast @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

For our first two part episodes ever, we were joined by Chris in studio this week. Chris reached out wanting to tell about his story in hopes of educating others who have fallen under similar circumstances. We delve into moving from Germany to the states, how bullying affected him and how the conditions at home affected his life, how he started to go down the wrong path that lead to crime, being sexually assaulted, stripping & prostituting and abusing alcohol. Make sure to tune in to hear the first part of his story, with Part II releasing this Friday. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @SIpodcast @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

For our very first episode of the new year, we are joined by Founder & CEO of Civically Engaged, Hailey Nolasco. Hailey discusses her upbringing and heritage & how some unfortunate events lead her to tumultuous times in her life. She follows that up with how one event steered her back in the right direction and what she does now professionally. We get into what made her start her non-profit organization, Civically Engaged and what the goal of the company is, the current state of NYC in terms of violence & our youth, the numerous programs out there for troubled youth, how important participating in politics is, her thoughts on how Civically Engaged stays true to women empowerment in comparison to other events and lastly her new role as a professor at Brooklyn College. Be sure to follow Hailey & Civically Engaged on Instagram: @civicallyengagedinc Here are the programs around NYC if you would like to volunteer, get more info or know someone it may benefit: https://www.cpnyc.org NeighborsInAc

For our final episode of 2018, we were joined in studio by Nieema's friend Ione. Ione is a mother and blossoming entrepreneur. We get into some of her cultural background, her traditions & values, the differences she sees in Caribbean & American ways of life. We then jump into her and when she decided to become a business owner, being a woman in the trucking industry, the process, how to deal with male employees and contemporaries. We jump into her next venture, Brunchin' With Ione & what inspired the new venture, the impact she is trying to make and how it differs from other brunches, whether it is a reflection of how she is as a woman, what she hopes to bring to the brunch attendees and lastly what is next for her. Make sure to get your tickets for the next Brunchin' With Ione event on February 8th: www.eventbrite.com/e/lay-it-all-on-the-line-tickets-54113731628 Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant F

On this week's episode we are joined by author and podcaster, Edafe Okporo. After a brief introduction, we discuss when he came to the states and what pushed him for the move, the immediate differences he noticed when in the states, previous thoughts about the U.S. that were proven to be false, his thoughts on the term "African-American", how African view Americans & vice versa, some of the disconnect between Black Americans and Africans, how the Black community has shifted their perception of Africa and Africans, & lastly his thoughts on how African culture can be appropriated. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @SIpodcast @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

We release a special episode this week as we were joined in studio by Daisha, 1/2 of The Wine Down Podcast, all the way from the ATL. We get into how Daisha and her co host Tori started their show and then we jump into this week's topic of zodiacs! We get into our birthdays and zodiac signs, what we know of our signs and how we feel about signs in other people, the stereotypes that match our personality, whether we feel connected to the same signs and share characteristics, whether we feel society truly cares about zodiacs, whether we believe in horoscopes and their significance in society, how close look at zodiac signs when it comes compatibility and dating, whether we attract a particular sign, some zodiac stereotypes that are completely false, mercury's retrograde fact or fiction, how we feel about psychic readings, tarot cards & etc and lastly a brief overview of how men and women look at the zodiac differently. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema

On this week's episode we were joined by Tori (@toriuptown) in the studio to discuss the growing world of cannabis. We get into her first experience with weed and why, her perception of people who smoke weed, the misconceptions of weed smokers, the social shift of weed, the roles social media and mainstream media play, white weed culture vs black/hispanic weed culture, whether weed is a gateway drug, the benefits of cannabis, how weed affects her, edibles, weed in politics, how crimes involving weed affect people of color, how legalization impacts the job market, her entrepreneurial background and what led her to including hemp oil in her business, the mission statement for Gleam NYC & the importance of being a female entrepreneur of color in the cannabis industry. Be sure to check out Tori on Instagram: @toriuptown And her beauty brand www.gleamnyc.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Stu

Nieema hosts the show solo this week as Steven & Vixon were out of town. Nieema is joined friend & co-worker, Colondra aka Co. They discuss her being born & raised in St. Louis, the allure of NYC, transitioning to NYC, the biggest differences between the cities, adapting to a new city, being in the beauty industry, whether NYC really has more opportunities, how the beauty industry works in St. Louis, dating in NYC, difference in the men between the cities, dating challenges, whether NYC more for single people, whether love can be found in NYC, other places to consider for living, the impact NYC has had on her, what has been revealed about herself, the best moments while living in NYC & much more. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @SIpodcast @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

For a special episode, we were joined in studio by Carla of Shit I'm 30 Podcast. After getting into a bit of Carla's backstory and how she came about her show, we focus on the societal impact of turning 30. We discuss turning 30, some of the anxiety that can be felt, how social media may have positive/negative influences, the outlook many have on their lives when facing 30, pressures coming from family & friends, looking back at your 20s, viewing relationships then & now, biggest accomplishments, biggest regrets, short term & long term goals, friendships & much more. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Anthony Careccia at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @SIpodcast @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

Tomorrow is Election Day, so for this week's episode we focus on why it is so important to vote. We get into why the powers that be try and stop our votes, the importance of voting for African Americans, Women & the LGBTQ community, what are the midterm elections and their importance, our views on politics in general, the major policies and laws that are being voted on & more. If you head to VoteSaveAmerica.com you will be able to locate the nearest places for you to vote in your area, the candidates on the ballot in your state and lots of more resourceful information. Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Diego Demarco at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @SIpodcast @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

On this week's episode we discuss the positive aspects of cheating. We get into the pros of cheating, our thoughts on open relationships, polyandry & polyamory, whether we have ever cheated, would we ever cheat, our views on hall passes, threesomes & more... Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Diego Demarco at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @SIpodcast @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

This week, Nieema was out as we were joined by friend of the show, Erin of Vital Information Podcast. We get into this week's topic of frenemies, first we define friendship and frenemies, whether we have any, things we've learned from those relationships, can they be beneficial, how to deal with frenemies, initial warning signs, if we have ever been a frenemy, how people secretly enjoy the drama and much more. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page: goo.gl/3XThSU Use the code: SI10 for 10% off your order at Scotch Porter www.scotchporter.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

Vixon is back in the studio this week as we discuss karma. We discuss what is karma, whether we believe in it, how does one bring good/bad karma to themselves, examples of karma we have seen, karma vs coincidence, whether bad people deserve good karma, whether karma should be fair, how we feel when karma doesn't come back around, whether good karma is worth waiting for and we round things off with the 12 Laws of Karma. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page: https://goo.gl/3XThSU Use the code: SI10 for 10% off your order at Scotch Porter www.scotchporter.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Grant Furton at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

Soooooo this week our friend Antoine joined us in studio and we were suppose to talk about bad habits... but what had happened was... Just press play Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page: https://goo.gl/3XThSU Use the code: SI10 for 10% off your order at Scotch Porter www.scotchporter.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Anthony Careccia at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

"I ain't afraid of no ghost!" This week we talk about ghosting in today's society. We first define what ghosting is, whether it is really a bad thing, what makes people go ghost, when did it become a thing, why does it happen more with online dating, ghosting after the first date, ghosting via text message, behavioral clues, where ghosting stems from, have we ever ghosted or been ghosted and lastly reasons why people ghost. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page: https://goo.gl/3XThSU Use the code: SI10 for 10% off your order at Scotch Porter www.scotchporter.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Anthony Careccia at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

Whether you've been here for episode one or episode eighty, you would know that we call everybody trash. So we figured why not really focus on the topic. So we get into whether people are really trash, what is the root cause behind it, the role social media plays, how the internet has skewed things, cyberbullying, the psyche of New Yorkers, who's worse between younger people & older people, have we lost our sense of humanity, how women still maintain a level of purity in comparison to men and lastly we read some trash testimonials from our listeners & fellow podcasters. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page: https://goo.gl/3XThSU Use the code: SI10 for 10% off your order at Scotch Porter www.scotchporter.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone w/ Vixon John Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Burgess Carleton at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

YERRRR! We back! And when we say we, we talking Steven, Nieema, Bianca & Vixon were all in the studio for the first time ever. In this episode, we discuss Nieema's The Rebirth event, why she's been gone from the show so long, her road to recovery & how things have changed for her, we reintroduce ourselves and what we do on and outside the show, we look back on our two years of podcasting, what's to come and some shoutouts & words to our supporters. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page: https://goo.gl/3XThSU Use the code: SI10 for 10% off your order at Scotch Porter www.scotchporter.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Anthony Careccia at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Simone @Vixonj @Yo.Bianca

This week we are joined in studio by 1/2 of @TheBlueprintLive & travel blogger, Ms. Devorah Walker. We discuss her first travel experience, how many places she been thus far, how many trips she goes on annually, how she goes about budgeting for trips, some travel do's & dont's, her favorite & least favorite places, most overrated & most accurately hyped, dopest thing & worst thing to happen to her, some of the racial embrace abroad, some tricks of the trade, how to make the most of your travel experience, the stigma put on women who travel a lot, what made her start her travel blog Walk with Ms Walker & some words to potential travelers. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page: https://goo.gl/3XThSU Use the code: SI10 for 10% off your order at Scotch Porter www.scotchporter.com Hosted by Steven & Nieema Simone Executive Produced by Steven, Nieema Simone & Bianca Bey Engineered by Chris Burkins at Dubway Studios Email: askus@sipodcast.net Instagram: @Mr.Thesier @Nieema_Si