Awf The Record

Can confidence actually be learned?
In this Awf The Record segment, Jeannette Reyes and Mona Kosar Abdi unpack a surprising lesson from a posing class that completely changed how they think about confidence, presence, and what it means to feel sexy.
What started as a simple lesson on red carpet posing quickly turned into a deeper conversation about how women are taught to shrink themselves, move quickly, and seek validation. The hosts reflect on how slowing down, owning your space, and embracing vulnerability can transform the way you show up in photos, conversations, and life.
They also share personal stories about growing up in religious environments where being perceived as sexy felt shameful, and how those messages can follow women into adulthood.
If you have ever struggled with confidence, body language, or feeling comfortable in your own presence, this conversation might change the way you see yourself.

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi
IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes
IG |  @msnewslady 
Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com
Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

What does it actually mean to be sexy?
In the Season 4 premiere of Awf The Record, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes reunite in New York and quickly find themselves unpacking a bigger question than they expected: why does being sexy feel so uncomfortable for so many women?
What starts as a simple posing class meant to help them feel more confident in photos turns into a deeper conversation about religion, misogyny, body policing, and the shame many women are taught to feel about their own bodies.
From growing up in conservative households to navigating public careers in media, Mona and Jeannette reflect on the messages they internalized about modesty, confidence, and credibility. They also explore how women are often judged differently for the same behavior - and why reclaiming your confidence can feel rebellious.
Plus: 
 • Jeannette reveals why she almost moved to Chicago instead of New York
 • Mona opens up about nostalgia and the “highlight reel” trap
 • The two admit their shared struggle with chronic lateness
 • And the posing class that accidentally turned into a philosophy lesson
This episode is about confidence, identity, and redefining what “sexy” really means.
Because maybe the problem isn’t being sexy…
Maybe it’s the story we’ve been told about it.
KEY POINTS

Breaking news: Mona and Jeannette are finally living in the same city
Why Jeannette almost moved to Chicago before choosing New York
Their honest confession about chronic lateness and “time blindness”
The surprising downside of romanticizing the past
The posing class that unexpectedly turned into a confidence breakthrough
Why slowing down is the secret to confidence and presence
How religion and culture shaped their views on sexuality growing up
The moment Jeannette was labeled as “the girl who would corrupt the pastor’s son”
Why sexiness is far more complex (and powerful) than society makes it seem

QUOTES 

“Owning my sexy is uncomfortable.” – Jeannette Reyes

“Sexiness is more multifaceted than we give it credit for.” – Mona Kosar Abdi

“It's uncomfortable for me to be sexy. And if I happen to be sexy, that is not on purpose.” – Jeannette Reyes

“A sexy woman is sure of herself. She has this confidence that you can't control.” – Mona Kosar Abdi

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi
IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes
IG | 
Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com
Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

The girls are back… and this time they’re not going anywhere.

Season 4 of Awf The Record is officially here, and we’re going weekly.

Every Thursday, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes bring their newsroom instincts and group chat curiosity to the conversations everyone’s whispering about. From relationships and pop culture to trending headlines and the questions nobody wants to say out loud.

The honest conversations.
The uncomfortable questions.
The moments that make the group chat explode.

Awf The Record. New episodes every Thursday.

RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi
IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes
IG |  @msnewslady 
Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com
Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

Who are you when you’re no longer performing?

In this raw and reflective segment, Mona Kosar Abdi and Jeannette Reyes unpack the emotional identity shift that comes with leaving journalism. From unlearning their “news voice” to confronting the fear of truly being seen, they share what it’s like to go from messenger to message — and why stepping into your voice is one of the bravest things you can do.

If you’ve ever had to shed an old identity, this one will hit home.
RESOURCES: 

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi
IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes
IG |  @msnewslady 
Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com
Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG

In this powerful segment, celebrity stylist Yene Damtew and Jeannette Reyes unpack the emotional weight so many Black women carry about their hair — from childhood salon trauma to being conditioned to see certain textures as “unmanageable.” Yene breaks down how she helps her clients deprogram shame, why the natural hair movement has been both a blessing and a battleground, and how true hair confidence starts with unlearning.

If you’ve ever questioned your texture, this one is a must-listen.

GUEST RESOURCES:

Yene Damtew
IG | @YeneDamtew

RESOURCES:

Keep in touch with Awf The Record:

Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
TikTok: @AwfTheRecord

Mona Kosar Abdi
IG |  @monakabdi 

Jeannette Reyes
IG |  @msnewslady 
Keep in touch with Awf The Record:
Watch on Youtube: @AwfTheRecord
Follow us on Instagram: @awftherecordpodcast
Follow us on TikTok: @AwfTheRecord
Visit our website: www.AwfTheRecord.com
Follow Mona on TikTok and IG
Follow Jeannette on TikTok and IG