Hosts: Yusuf & Vanetta

In this powerful and transparent episode of Relationship Status Podcast, Yusuf English and Vanetta shift the focus from romantic relationships to the most important one of all—the relationship you have with yourself.

From hilarious food debates (Chicago vs. everywhere else ) to deeply personal reflections, the conversation evolves into an honest exploration of self-awareness, growth, and what it really means to “become” who you’re meant to be.

Vanetta opens up about her journey from teenage motherhood to finally discovering herself later in life—after years of prioritizing everyone else. She shares how stepping into isolation, moving to a new city, and leaning into faith forced her to confront who she truly is outside of being a mother, wife, or provider.

Yusuf reflects on his own path—breaking free from comfort zones, learning to say no, and stepping into leadership by choosing himself, even when it meant making tough decisions and losing relationships.

Together, they unpack:

• Why growth requires discomfort
• The danger of being a people pleaser
• Learning that “no” is a complete sentence
• How environment impacts your evolution
• The challenge of choosing yourself without guilt
• What it looks like to redefine your identity outside of roles
• And the ultimate question: Do you love yourself in a way that others can see it?

This episode is raw, reflective, and relatable—perfect for anyone navigating change, healing, or personal evolution.

Join the conversation:

• What are you unlearning to grow?
• Who are you becoming?
• Do you truly love yourself?

Tap in, reflect, and start becoming the version of you that you owe yourself.

Follow, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this message.

Send advice letters to: relstatpodcast@gmail.com
Follow on all platforms: @RELSTATPodcast
Support on Patreon: Patreon.com/Relationshipstatus for bloopers, bonus content, and more

• (00:00:00) - Relationship Status
• (00:01:13) - Favorite Chicago-Style Food
• (00:04:47) - Black Men Selling Hoodies at the Mall
• (00:07:41) - No Society Hoodie
• (00:09:21) - No Society
• (00:09:34) - The Relationship With Yourself
• (00:14:38) - Growing Up Struggling
• (00:19:22) - Kiki On Being Uncomfortable In College
• (00:21:47) - What's Something About Yourself That You Had to Unlearn in Order
• (00:26:09) - Ashley Martin on Becoming Her Girl
• (00:30:30) - Why I Chopped My Hair
• (00:32:28) - Choosing Who to Love
• (00:35:11) - Joe Clark: I'm Becoming An Hnic
• (00:38:22) - You Do Everything The Way You Do It
• (00:38:58) - Vanetta on Becoming A Real Woman
• (00:42:37) - Kanye West: I Don't Need No Advice From People
• (00:46:31) - Kanye West: I Have No Competition
• (00:49:45) - Do You Love Yourself As A Person?

Hosts: Yusuf & Vanetta

In this candid and unfiltered episode of Relationship Status, Yusuf and Vanetta dive deep into the real meaning of intimacy. They break it down far beyond just sex. What starts as playful banter quickly evolves into a powerful conversation about connection, vulnerability, communication, and the realities of relationships as we grow older.

They explore how intimacy shows up in different forms...mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual...and challenge the common misconception that it’s only tied to sex. They unpack the importance of truly knowing your partner, being open enough to have uncomfortable conversations, and understanding how words, honesty, and connection shape the health of a relationship.

This episode also tackles topics many people avoid: aging, changes in sexual dynamics, body image, and the fears that come with them. From discussing erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness to asking the tough question—can a relationship survive when the sexual connection fades?—nothing is off-limits.

With real-life examples, humor, and raw honesty, the conversation highlights:

• The difference between sex and true intimacy
• Why vulnerability is essential for a lasting connection
• How communication (or lack of it) impacts relationships
• The role of attraction and sexual chemistry over time
• Why avoiding hard conversations can lead to disconnection or infidelity

Whether you’re single, dating, or in a long-term relationship, this episode challenges you to rethink what intimacy really means—and whether you’re truly experiencing it in your own life.

Join the conversation: What does intimacy mean to you?

Tap in for laughs, honesty, accountability, and a whole lot of perspective.

Send advice letters to: relstatpodcast@gmail.com
Follow on all platforms: @RELSTATPodcast
Support on Patreon: Patreon.com/Relationshipstatus for bloopers, bonus content, and more

• (00:00:08) - Relationship Status: You Can't Always Look Like Granny
• (00:02:09) - What Does Intimacy Mean To You? Drop It in the
• (00:06:06) - In the Elevator With Intimacy
• (00:06:55) - In the Elevator With Intimacy
• (00:12:03) - Is Intimacy More Important Than Sex?
• (00:14:44) - "I Can't Have Sex With Someone Without Intimacy"
• (00:16:36) - The Conversation About Sexual Hypertension
• (00:20:11) - African men talk of vaginal dryness after menopause
• (00:25:39) - Discussing Sex Early In A Relationship
• (00:27:58) - Can Relationships Survive When The Sexual Connection Fades?
• (00:30:25) - When Sexual Connection Has Diminished
• (00:33:56) - How To Start A Relationship With Someone You Don't Like
• (00:37:50) - Relationship Status Podcast

Seven years. Yup… SEVEN. Somehow we’ve been doing this long enough to qualify as a long-term relationship.

Welcome back to the Relationship Status Podcast. V is out today, but this episode is special. Like digging through the archives and finding something you forgot existed special.

To celebrate our anniversary, we’re taking y’all all the way back to the beginning—before the podcast had a name, before we knew what we were doing (arguably we still don’t), and before the many debates that would come over the years.

What you’re about to hear is the very first recording of the Relationship Status Podcast.

And here’s the crazy part:
This episode has never been heard before. Not by the listeners… not by Nique… not by CL… nobody.

So yes, we’re basically exposing our podcast baby pictures to the world.

Inside this throwback conversation, we somehow jump into topics like:

• Why men might actually be the problem in relationships (depending on who you ask )

• Whether men are allowed to cry or if society still says “man up”

• Why women always want “just a little more” (their words, not ours… kinda)

• If men and women can really be just friends after seeing each other naked

• Why people date someone thinking “I can change them”

• And the real question… who’s actually responsible when relationships fail?

It’s raw, unfiltered, hilarious, and honestly… it might still be one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us through seven years of wild conversations, real talk, and relationship debates. We appreciate every listener who has rocked with us along the way.

If you want bonus content, exclusive episodes, and behind-the-scenes conversations, join the Patreon family:

patreon.com/relationshipstatus

Happy Anniversary to the Relationship Status Podcast. Now sit back and enjoy where it all started. ️

• (00:00:00) - relationship status podcast: 7 years
• (00:01:15) - She Said Men Are At Fault When Their Relationships Fails
• (00:05:39) - Married Women Want More Attention
• (00:09:04) - What Is The Problem With Men Being Greedy Over Money?
• (00:11:47) - How Money Divides Men
• (00:15:40) - In Touch With His Ex-Girlfriend
• (00:19:16) - "A lot of Women Try to Change Their Guy"
• (00:23:00) - "Your Standards Are Too High"
• (00:26:24) - I Wouldn't Assist My Friend In Cheating
• (00:29:18) - Cheating Man: Don't Question My Wife
• (00:32:16) - How To Be Exclusively With Your Lover
• (00:34:21) - Are You Being Exclusive With Your Guy?
• (00:38:08) - Do Men Attract A Woman Who Does Drugs?
• (00:39:15) - A Very Special Goodbye To "