In this episode, we explore how religion was introduced to us as children in the Catholic Church, and how we interpret, redefine, and carry faith forward as adults and parents.

From CCD and first communion to long church services and fear-based teachings, we reflect on how discipline, family expectations, and cultural perspectives shaped our understanding of God.

We discuss:

• The difference between faith and religion
• Fear-based vs faith-based teachings
• Generational beliefs about church and obedience
• Community, judgment, and acceptance
• Parenting and teaching faith outside traditional structures
• Personal growth and finding spirituality beyond pressure

This is an honest conversation about moving from inherited religion to intentional faith and deciding what we pass down to the next generation.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Why Dressing for Church Still Matters (Faith, Culture & Presentation)

02:08 Growing Up Catholic: Early Experiences with Church & Religion

06:02 Childhood Church Memories: Long Services, Discipline & Pressure

09:45 Understanding the Sacraments: CCD, Confession & First Communion

12:30 Religious Upbringing: Fear, Obedience & Church Expectations

14:26 Parenting & Church Attendance: Do We Force It?

18:44 Fear-Based Religion vs Faith-Based Belief

22:45 Deconstructing Religion: Finding Personal Faith as Adults

25:15 The Role of Church Community in Spiritual Growth

29:37 From Tradition to Personal Belief: Redefining Faith

36:25 Church Acceptance & Judgment in Faith Communities

36:54 Struggling with Church Attendance as Adults

38:27 The Meaning of First Communion for Boys vs Girls

40:10 Teaching Children About Faith Outside of Church

41:40 Faith vs Religion: What’s the Difference?

44:59 Generational Beliefs About Faith & Community

51:12 Raising Kids with Faith: Pressure or Purpose?

56:23 Finding God in Everyday Life (Not Just Sunday Service)

59:24 Rapid Fire: Fear-Based or Faith-Based Teachings?

01:01:03 Obedience in Religion: Discipline or Devotion?

01:02:30 Navigating Fear, Guilt & Faith

01:05:22 Does Suffering Strengthen Faith?

01:07:55 Cultural Expectations: Dress Code & Worship Standards

01:11:30 From Fear to Faith: Healing Religious Pressure

01:14:12 Discipline vs Devotion: Structure in Religious Upbringing

01:17:58 The Impact of Fear-Based Religion on Children

01:21:01 Passing Down Faith: What We’re Teaching the Next Generation

01:26:21 Final Thoughts: Inherited Faith & Generational Growth

Thank you for tapping into Roots 2 Realities, where we talk about the things that shape us, challenge us, and connect us.

If something in this episode made you pause, reflect, or feel seen, that’s the point.
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs the conversation.
We’ll see you next time, same roots, realer conversations.

✨ Culture. Legacy. Real Talk. ✨

What does it really mean to be Haitian American in today’s world?

In this episode, Shou and Kevin B. the Brand unpack the layered reality of navigating cultural identity, heritage, and expectations while living between two worlds. From Haitian food traditions that take hours (and generations) to prepare, to the unspoken rules of code switching, community pressure, and parenting through generational trauma. This conversation is honest, reflective, and deeply relatable.

Together, they explore how upbringing, language, appearance, and cultural norms shape identity, especially for first-generation Haitian Americans. The discussion also dives into mental health, the realities of Haiti today, and how misrepresentation, distance, and diaspora complicate the way culture is preserved and passed down.

This episode isn’t about choosing between cultures, it’s about understanding your roots, honoring where you come from, and learning how to build your own table in a world that doesn’t always make space for nuance.

If you’ve ever felt “too Haitian” in one room and “not Haitian enough” in another, this conversation will feel like home.

Why You Should Listen

Because identity isn’t simple and this episode doesn’t pretend it is.

You’ll want to listen if you:

• Are Haitian American or part of the diaspora navigating cultural expectations
• Grew up code switching between home and the outside world
• Feel the weight of generational trauma while raising the next generation differently
• Care about preserving cultural heritage without repeating harmful cycles
• Want real conversations about parenting, mental health, and community
• Believe culture is lived not just inherited

This episode offers reflection, validation, and perspective without sugarcoating the challenges. It’s a reminder that embracing who you are is a journey, not a checkbox.

If that resonates (even if it doesn’t, lol), press play.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 What It Means to Be Haitian American (Identity & Roots)

03:23 Growing Up Haitian American in the Diaspora

06:08 Haitian Food Traditions & Cultural Expectations

09:21 Living Between Two Cultures (Haitian vs American)

12:18 How Haitian Culture Shapes Parenting Styles

15:16 Feeling “Too Haitian” or “Not Haitian Enough”

18:22 Code Switching as a Survival Skill

21:25 Reflections on Identity & Cultural Belonging

26:10 Language Barriers in Haitian American Families

29:18 Generational Differences in Cultural Assimilation

32:19 Food, Family & Preserving Haitian Traditions

35:50 Childhood Memories That Shape Cultural Identity

38:52 When You Realize You’re Different

50:46 Guilt, Legacy & Carrying Cultural Expectations

55:51 The Reality of Haiti Today (Beyond the Headlines)

58:20 Dance, Expression & Haitian Cultural Pride

01:01:21 Music, Generations & Cultural Influence

01:07:21 Haitian Cuisine as Identity & Resistance

01:10:19 Mental Health in Haitian & Immigrant Families

01:15:26 Building Community & Protecting Cultural Identity

01:19:40 Final Thoughts: Building Your Own Table

Thank you for tapping into Roots 2 Realities, where we talk about the things that shape us, challenge us, and connect us.

If something in this episode made you pause, reflect, or feel seen, that’s the point.
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs the conversation.
We’ll see you next time, same roots, realer conversations.

✨ Culture. Legacy. Real Talk. ✨

Marriage isn’t just about love it’s about what you were taught, what you tolerated, and what real life forces you to confront.

In this episode of Roots 2 Realities, Shou and Kevin B. the Brand strip marriage down to the truths most people avoid. They explore how culture, family dynamics, personal history, and social expectations shape the way we love, communicate, and commit and what happens when those roots collide with the realities of modern relationships.

From navigating cultural expectations, in-laws, and divorce stigma to balancing marriage, parenthood, happiness, and accountability, this conversation challenges the idea that love alone can sustain a marriage. Instead, Shou and Kevin reframe marriage as a daily choice one that requires communication, boundaries, mutual respect, and self-awareness.

They also unpack how social media distorts our expectations of love, why therapy isn’t a failure but a tool, and how unlearning harmful myths about marriage can lead to healthier, more honest partnerships. Through personal reflections and real-life examples, this episode reveals how marriage often becomes a mirror exposing who we are and who we still need to become.

Whether you’re married, divorced, partnered, or questioning commitment altogether, this episode invites you to examine the roots you carry and the realities you face in love and relationships.

Why You Should Watch / Listen

This episode is for you if:

• You’re tired of fairytale conversations about marriage and want something real
• You’re navigating cultural expectations, family pressure, or in-law dynamics
• You believe love matters but know it’s not enough without communication and accountability
• You’re curious how therapy, self-awareness, and unlearning myths actually strengthen relationships
• You’re balancing marriage and parenting and want to lead by example
• You feel the pressure of social media’s version of love and want truth instead

This isn’t about perfect marriages it’s about honest ones.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro: Love vs. Reality
02:34 Culture Shapes How We Love
05:34 Marriage Lessons We Learned the Hard Way
08:30 Family Pressure & Relationship Influence
11:28 Marriage + Parenthood Balance
14:36 Divorce Stigma & Cultural Shame
17:44 Unrealistic Marriage Expectations
20:39 Growth Through Relationships
23:43 In-Laws & Boundaries
25:57 From Party Life to Commitment
28:17 Love, Boundaries & Emotional Safety
30:14 Unrealistic Love Standards
32:18 Therapy Isn’t Failure—It’s Growth
35:54 Building a Healthy Legacy
37:46 Communication Is the Foundation
43:28 When Marriage Becomes a Mirror for Self-Growth
52:21 The Truth About Love
55:11 Marriage as a Business Partnership (Love Is a Bonus)
59:09 Accountability Changes Everything
01:09:23 Unlearning Harmful Marriage Myths
01:18:55 Letting Go of Love Lies
01:21:17 Modeling Relationships for Our Kids
01:24:44 Managing Real-Life Expectations
01:27:31 Sex Talks, Parenting & Boundaries
01:27:48 The Marriage Reality Nobody Says Out Loud
01:30:43 The Daily Work of Love
01:34:01 Communication = Longevity
01:35:29 Knowing When to Walk Away
01:36:12 Final Reflections on Marriage & Growth

Thank you for tapping into Roots 2 Realities, where we talk about the things that shape us, challenge us, and connect us.

If something in this episode made you pause, reflect, or feel seen, that’s the point.
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs the conversation.
We’ll see you next time, same roots, realer conversations.

✨ Culture. Legacy. Real Talk. ✨