In this episode of If You Knew Better, Amber Grimes sits down with Justice Baiden for an honest conversation about relationships, purpose, and the lessons that come from committing before you're truly ready [00:00]. Justice explains why he initially avoided serious commitment [01:05] and reflects on how early success in the music industry changed the dynamics of his relationships [05:24], ultimately teaching him the importance of establishing purpose before partnership [07:49]. He opens up about avoiding difficult conversations in an effort to "keep the peace" [09:59], ignoring red flags while convincing himself everything was working [14:02], and expressing love by trying to fix problems for his partner [16:50]. Justice also examines how unspoken resentment and passive-aggressive communication eventually manifested as stress [18:19], leading him to recognize that healthy relationships require clarity about individual goals [22:24], reconnecting with the passions and interests that once gave you direction [24:34], and creating intentional next steps toward the life you actually want [25:46].

Justice goes deeper into why actions ultimately matter more than promises [27:59] and introduces the importance of defining "yours, mine, and ours" within a partnership [28:37], including honest conversations about sacrifice, expectations, values, and true non-negotiables [30:34]. He reflects on overcoming the fear, guilt, and concern about other people's perceptions that can keep someone trapped in an unhealthy relationship [33:27], while confronting remorse, infidelity, and the responsibility of breaking destructive patterns [35:46]. The conversation also explores how father figures and role models shaped his understanding of manhood and relationships [40:51], the healing that can come from reparenting yourself through honest conversations [42:29], and the biggest lessons he carries from past love [44:12]. Now with a clearer understanding of himself, Justice shares whether he's ready for love today [45:54], before closing with a powerful reminder that lasting relationships begin with transparency, self-awareness, purpose, and the courage to tell the truth—even when that truth is uncomfortable [50:19].

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In this episode of If You Knew Better, Amber Grimes sits down with actress Gail Bean for an honest conversation about love, loyalty, and learning to date with greater intention [00:00]. Gail reflects on why she stopped leading people on when she knows there’s no romantic interest [01:10], the importance of establishing clear boundaries with platonic male friends [04:18], and how to receive or give compliments without creating confusion [06:45]. She explains how her approach to relationships evolved toward intentional dating [08:18], distinguishing preferences from true non-negotiables while identifying the difference between red flags and undeniable “sirens” [11:17]. After taking a year to reflect on herself and past relationships [16:10], Gail revisits a serious relationship where love was sometimes used to overlook deeper problems, ultimately realizing that love alone isn’t enough without loyalty, character, accountability, and shared values [18:00]. She also discusses accepting responsibility for your role in relationships [19:40] and why healthy love should challenge both partners to evolve [21:30].

Gail then opens up about what changed when she chose a partner capable of leading with intention, consistency, and purpose [22:48], redefining what genuine support looks like beyond money or surface-level gestures [27:03] and sharing communication tools that help strengthen their relationship [29:04]. She takes Amber inside their origin story [31:04] and explains how dating intentionally [32:24] eventually became what she calls “defensive dating”—asking important questions early about monogamy, finances, exes, and other potential complications instead of discovering deal-breakers later [34:14]. Gail also emphasizes listening to trusted friends and family [35:51], creating accountability through honest relationship check-ins [37:39], and how greater stability in her personal life has coincided with elevation in her career, including becoming number one on the call sheet [39:07]. She closes with reflections on choosing relationships that encourage growth, provide emotional security, and prove that who you build with can influence who you ultimately become [40:24].

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In this episode of If You Knew Better, Amber Grimes sits down with singer-songwriter Naomi Sharon for a vulnerable conversation about childhood trauma, anxiety, rumination, and how unresolved experiences can follow us into adult relationships. Naomi sets the tone by opening up about her mental health journey [00:00] and explains how anxiety can turn into cycles of overthinking and rumination [00:53]. She traces many of those patterns back to her parents’ difficult divorce when she was 12 and the relationship triggers that developed from it [03:11], including fears around secrets, hidden truths, and a desire for radical honesty that can become its own emotional loop [04:49]. Naomi discusses building a greater tolerance for emotional discomfort instead of constantly searching for immediate peace [08:09], discovering relationship OCD and recognizing herself in its patterns [09:41], and learning how safety, self-awareness, and healthier coping mechanisms can interrupt behaviors rooted in childhood survival [13:31]. She also reflects on gratitude and transforming pain into art [20:16], balancing mental health with the demands of her music career [23:28], and how her parents’ divorce continues to shape her private life and family relationships [26:29], including hearing her brother’s perspective and confronting the absence of her father [27:00].

The conversation deepens as Naomi explores therapy and the process of finally meeting the younger version of herself who carried responsibilities far beyond her years [30:25]. She discusses learning to let difficult feelings exist without immediately trying to fix them [30:52], reparenting and comforting her inner child [31:26], and what she would tell her 12-year-old self today [33:07], leading to an emotional breakthrough symbolized by a powerful teddy bear story that Amber shares [33:41] and the release that comes from allowing herself to cry [37:25]. Amber and Naomi also explore choosing partners who create emotional safety, understanding different love languages [40:47], and the importance of centering yourself as you enter a new stage of adulthood [45:09]. Amber reframes ego as something that can be adjusted [46:34], reflects on discovering who she is when she's truly alone [49:22], and considers what real love looks like when two people continue changing and growing [52:38]. She closes by discussing the freedom of sharing her authentic self [54:05] and reflecting on a healing journey built around self-compassion, emotional honesty, and learning to give herself the safety she once searched for in others [55:36].

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