What does it take to build a dessert empire while navigating the hardest trials life can throw at you? Host Leigh LaRie is joined by the "Cupcake Queen" herself, Damala Badon, owner of DB Dessert Company. In this moving and transparent episode, "Cupcakes & Comebacks," Damala shares her journey from self-taught home baker to a powerhouse entrepreneur with multiple locations in Portland.

Damala opens up about the "thug thistle" of the hustle—from expanding to three stores and dealing with vandalism to the difficult decision to consolidate for the sake of her family. The conversation takes a deep dive into the reality of Black motherhood and entrepreneurship, as Damala discusses the tragic loss of her oldest son and how she continues to move forward for her two living children.

From the "cracker pie" that inspired her grandmother to the technical challenges of shipping cupcakes in jars, Damala embodies resilience. They discuss the myth that women can't raise men, the importance of therapy, and navigating a public divorce while maintaining your grace. This is a story of legacy, survival, and the sweet taste of a well-earned comeback.

• [00:00] Intro: Welcome to Season 7, Episode 8
• [01:05] Meet Damala Badon: The myth, the legend, and the Cupcake Queen
• [01:59] The Beginning: How a 2-year-old’s birthday cake sparked a 16-year career
• [03:49] Legacy over Bills: Why Damala chose the path of a brick-and-mortar business
• [05:25] The Expansion Journey: From Gleason and Alberta to consolidating back to one
• [06:55] Trust and NDAs: How to build a team without losing your secret sauce
• [08:46] Finding the Niche: Transitioning from custom 3D cakes to high-volume cupcakes
• [10:44] Business Fails: The story of the "lost cake" and how to apologize like a boss
• [12:54] Favorite Designs: Letting her sons test her skill set with Minions and basketball courts
• [14:44] Representation in Portland: The heavy weight of being a Black woman in business
• [16:03] Inspiration: Cracker Pie and the "Apple Pie" survival mode of the 1930s
• [18:19] Mentoring the Youth: Giving young people their first jobs and operational support
• [19:32] Community Service: Supporting the community through SNAP benefit cuts with free bread
• [21:00] Cupcakes in a Jar: The trial and error of shipping logistics
• [23:12] The Snowstorm Rebuild: Coming back after a collapsed ceiling and a flooded bakery
• [25:15] Navigating Grief: Moving forward after the tragic loss of her son
• [28:08] Self Care & Therapy: Leaning on a core group of friends and professional support
• [30:50] Parenting Black Men: Autonomy, natural consequences, and the myth of the single mom
• [36:46] Public Figures & Private Divorces: Staying silent when "hurt people hurt people"
• [41:00] Choosing Yourself: Why staying "for the kids" isn't always the best decision
• [45:51] Reintroducing Yourself: Finding peace in the quiet moments of the "soft life"
• [48:43] The Dating Scene: Introverted dating and avoiding the "piss in the pool"
• [51:19] Leigh’s...

In this highly anticipated episode, host Leigh LaRie and guest co-host Charlisa "Chadowboxx" Harris bring their man behind the glass to the front of the mic. Joining them is none other than Kenny X. Hamlett, the Emmy-award-winning producer, filmmaker, and the visionary behind Better Days West.

Known for his professional eye and " шоколад" (chocolate) demeanor, Kenny sits down to dismantle the stereotypes of what Black folks "don't do." From his upbringing in the historic Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma to his career filming high-stakes sports and outdoor expeditions, Kenny shares how he found his identity as a Black man who loves hunting, fishing, and rock climbing.

The conversation gets deep and hilarious as they discuss the "Junior" twin dynamic, the necessity of code-switching as a survival mechanism in the PNW, and why Kenny creates films to heal his "inner little kid." Plus, things take a wild turn as they revisit the "preservative" power of crack and Chadowboxx pitches an OnlyFans for her warehouse workers.

Tune in for a masterclass on designing your own life, staying true to your passions, and breaking every box society tries to put you in.

• [00:00] Intro: Welcome to Episode 7 – Black Folks Don’t Do What?!
• [01:15] Nik B.’s Pre-Op Journey: Protein drinks and Homecoming dedication.
• [02:44] Meet Kenny X. Hamlett: The producer, filmmaker, and "professional handsome man."
• [03:10] The Twin Dynamic: Kenneth Xavier vs. Kendale Wayne – The "Split Junior" story.
• [04:45] The Orchestra Switch: Why the violin and saxophone swap only lasted 15 seconds.
• [05:50] Bad Uncle energy vs. Grandma at 40: A family breakdown.
• [09:30] The White Girl Joke: When a prank about parents goes too far.
• [10:45] Marriage & The Table: A male perspective on long-term commitment and Ghana citizenship.
• [13:20] Growing Together vs. Evolving Apart: Seeing people in all their seasons.
• [16:10] Strip Club Dates: Why Kenny’s girlfriend is the ultimate "outside" partner.
• [17:30] Better Days West: Building a film production empire since 2019.
• [19:50] Healing Little Kenny: Dismantling "monolith" Black identity through the outdoors.
• [21:10] Cowboy Boots & Sweater Vests: Making everything "hella Black."
• [22:54] Tacoma Roots: Life on the Hill in the 90s and the Jheri curl era.
• [27:45] Finding Community: Surfing and drinking whiskey on the Oregon Coast.
• [30:15] The "Coastal Elites" Assumption: Struggles in the Northwest.
• [31:00] Seasonal Passions: Duck hunting with the dog and blanks in the bushes.
• [34:30] The "Whitewashed" Rebuttal: Navigating the box of Black masculinity.
• [36:45] Fly Shops & Bow Shops: Dealing with passive-aggression as an "outsider."
• [38:25] The Code-Switching Struggle: Placating for success vs. being your true self.
• [41:10] DMV Origins: Why East Coast Black folks talk the same everywhere.
• [43:05] Customer Service Kinship: Making Facebook friends on an Apple Care call.
• [45:45] The "Normal People Attractive" Model: Modeling for REI, Carhartt, and Cro...

What is it really like to navigate the "whitest city in America" as a Black woman? Host Leigh LaRie and guest co-host Charlisa "Chadowboxx" Harris sit down with the vibrant Alexis McKinney—better known as Lex in the City—to discuss the reality of being Black and bougie in Portland, Oregon.

Alexis, a Milwaukee native and professional content creator, shares her journey of moving to the PNW for work and the "culture shock" that came with it—not because she wasn't used to diversity, but because she was used to Black excellence being the norm. From experiencing microaggressions at a Jesuit college to navigating the "transplant bubble," Alexis gets real about the elitism that exists within the local community and why "where the Black people at?" is a lazy question.

They dive deep into the Portland dating scene, the "resentment spirit" in ambitious relationships, and why Alexis isn't afraid to shoot her shot. Plus, stay tuned as Alexis curates the ultimate Portland guide, sharing her favorite "Black & Bougie" spots, the best hiking trails, and why following DJs is better than following venues.

Whether you're a Portland native or a new transplant, this episode is a masterclass in building community, maintaining boundaries, and living your best "Black Girl Magic" life in the Rose City.

• [00:00] Intro: Welcome to Episode 6 – Black & Bougie in Portland
• [01:10] The Small Community Reality: Understanding Portland’s 6% Black population
• [02:55] Meet Alexis McKinney: The "Lex in the City" Origin Story
• [04:20] Milwaukee vs. Portland: Growing up in one of America's most segregated cities
• [05:40] The Awakening: Dealing with microaggressions at a PWI
• [07:15] Blackness is not a Monolith: From Anime nerds to Creative musicians
• [09:20] Spike Lee and Cinematography: Leigh’s high school awakening
• [11:00] The "Transplant Bubble": The Class of 2017-2019 Yearbooks
• [12:30] Swiping for Friends: Using apps to build community pre-pandemic
• [14:15] Pivot to Curation: Throwing events for Black women in Washington County
• [16:15] Defensive Natives: Why transplants should stop complaining about their new city
• [18:15] Regional Segregation: Why you only see Black people on the North Side
• [19:15] The Soul Food Debate: Why restaurant soul food rarely hits like Sunday dinner
• [21:00] The Mediocrity Trap: Professionalism and feedback in Black-owned businesses
• [23:15] Following the DJ: How to find your vibe in the Portland nightlife
• [24:10] Generational Spaces: Why we need more 30+ clubs in Portland
• [25:35] Shooting Your Shot: Alexis’s different experience with dating in the PNW
• [26:50] Hair Narratives: How different styles attract different types of men
• [28:10] The "Spice Intolerant" Ex: A pandemic dating cautionary tale
• [30:50] The Resentment Spirit: When men struggle with ambitious, career-driven women
• [33:15] Living Alone: Why having your own space is a dating non-negotiable at 30
• [36:40] Content Creation Burnout: Moving from corporate marketing to personal branding
• [39:2...