The Friend Zone

Season's Beatings - The 2021 Wrap-Up

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the 2021 wrap-up. Our last episode of the year! We look back at the work we created on the podcast this year and s...

Powered by Ethereum - Featuring Latashá

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we're joined by @CallMeLatasha - a black creative at the intersection of Music and the Metaverse. And a trailblazer in th...

Nommy Graminated

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourselves. Black Busi...

Change of Address - A Bonus Episode Sponsored By Target

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode of #TheFriendZone is brought to you by Target. Dustin and Assanté left their homes in their early 20s (Detroit + Atlanta) in pu...

Nut Bush City Limits

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assanté walks us through physical, augmented and virtual realities and what it means for the quality of o...

Love & Folk Music

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin walks us through the Amanda Knox true crime story in Italy. Black Business of the Week - Hey Fran H...

Alma Mater - A Bonus Episode Sponsored By Target

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode of #TheFriendZone is brought to you by Target. We discuss our college experiences; the pressures of standardized testing, colleg...

The Mobility Myth

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we discuss whether or not upward mobility is an illusion. Can you really ever “make it” in a system no...

AfroPunk Reimagined - A Bonus Episode Sponsored By Target

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A bonus episode of #TheFriendZone in partnership with Target. We discussed the best emerging artists at AfroPunk over the years. Favs we were excited ...

Just Add Water

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourselves. Black Busi...

Cast It Out

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, Assanté talks Jeff Bezos vs Elon Musk and the Billionaire Space Race. Black Business of the Week - https://goodfeetsclea...

Results May Vary

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin shares his favorite and most ridiculous #AITA (Am I The Asshole) posts from Reddit. Black Business ...

Her Ruched Neck

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourselves. Black Busi...

Walk The Cat

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourselves. Black Busi...

Cool Story, Bro

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assante takes us on a wild ride of what-ifs, as we re-imagine things in Black. Black Business of the Week ...

She Belongs To The Stream

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin takes us through a very random news cycle to get our opinions on the state of the world. Black Busi...

The Paradox of Choice - Featuring Sean Famoso - Co-Founder of LVRN

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by Sean Famoso, Co-Founder of Atlanta-based Music Label and Artist Management Company - Lov...

Highly Functional

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourselves. THE...

Keebler Momma

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assante is nice and settled into his new apartment, and asks us questions about our experiences with the d...

Toby Took Him

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we step into the Crime Zone. Dustin shares the story of Toby Dorr and her infamous Lansing Prison Break. T...

Slow Roll It

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we get into our psych bag. We tap into the public lives of Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles and Tiger Woods to di...

Bye, Tom Selleck

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourselves. THE...

The Listener Production - A Bonus Episode Sponsored By Target

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another bonus episode of #TheFriendZone sponsored by Target. This one is a listener production! You sent in the questions and we recorded the answers....

Second Line - Featuring Dawn Richard

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by the one and only - Dawn Richard. We talk about the challenges of being an independent ar...

Black Summer - A Bonus Episode Sponsored By Target

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A bonus episode of #TheFriendZone in partnership with Target. We share our favorite childhood memories of Black Summers in Harlem, Detroit and Atlanta...

Muck Ex Sees

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin tells us a wild ass story about a 19th century Scam Goddess named Big Bertha Haymen. THE FRIEND ZON...

Up Then It's Stuck - Featuring Kia Miakka Natisse of NPR's Invisibilia

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by Kia Miakka Natisse - co-host of NPR’s Invisibilia podcast. We discuss having deep fait...

Lie Like A Rug

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourselves. THE FRIEND...

Hi. Nice To Meet You. I'm Crazy.

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assanté pulls random ice breaker-style questions from a Reddit forum. Black Business of the Week - Enkel’...

Coconut And Biscuits

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin has a wild ride of a Crime Zone story for us. Black Business of the Week - https://www.mcbridesiste...

Kings Will Bow Before Her - Featuring CHIKA

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we’re joined by Grammy Nominated recording artist, CHIKA. We discuss how she got her big break, staying ...

Hey There, Tiger

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yoursel...

Use Your Inside Hands

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assante teaches us about black slang and culture within American Sign Language. THE FRIEND ZONE IS ON PATR...

Hearing Voices

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin brings up the science of our internal monologue and the fact some people don’t…have one? THE FR...

Cut The Cameras. Deadass.

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we jump into our mental health bag. Why are we able to speak up in certain boundary-crossing situations wh...

Preguntas On The Piso

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit. No Hot Button. No segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourself. THE FRIEND ZO...

The Son Is The Uncle

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assanté brings the mental health pros and cons of Reality TV to the Hot Button Segment. THE FRIEND ZONE I...

Sugar Papa

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we step into the Crime Zone. Dustin brings the Last Supper of Lucien and Olivier to the Hot Button. THE FR...

Get Good With Money - Featuring The Budgetnista

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we have New York Times Best Selling author and financial expert, Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, to ...

Munching And Hunching

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourselves. THE FRIEND ZONE IS...

But Then I Got High

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, Assanté brings NY’s Cannabis legalization to the Hot Button, where we discuss our highs and lows with Miss Mary Jane. ...

Seven Fingers On One Hand

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, Dustin shares a clip from Love & Marriage Huntsville to discuss the larger conversation of homophobia in the black co...

Compromise vs Sacrifice - Featuring Sean Garrette Skin

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss Compromise vs Sacrifice in love, family and business. Sean Garrette Skin joins us during the Wellness Segment ...

Blue Goo

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourself. Black Business of th...

Thanos And Angie Stone

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, Assante brings WandaVision to the Hot Button Segment. Black Business of the Week - A Hood Book Club For Grownups https:/...

Down To The Pearl Milling

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, Dustin brings Dr. Seuss gate to the Hot Button. Black Business of the Week - The Black Hair Experience https://www.thebla...

Nook And Frannies

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss HBO Max’s “Fake Famous” documentary - an inside look at the multi-billion dollar influencer industry. Bl...

Uhaul Y'all

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. Brace yourselves. Black Business of the Week - Black Owned Home Essentials Bundle https:...

Sarahrivera

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, Assante takes us down obsolete tech memory lane and makes us feel old af. Black Business of the Week - Oakland Yoga Studi...

I Don't Want To Be Blocked By You, Keyshia

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, Dustin brings the “Don’t F**k With Cats” true crime docuseries to the Hot Button segment. Black Business of the Wee...

Bali Broads

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss the viral Bali twitter thread. Were the young women finessing the system or simply looking for a more easeful ...

Denzel Baby

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re baaaaaack! Let’s ease into the new year with a catch up/shoot the shit episode. We have A LOT to cover, lord. Thank you to our Sponsors: Cri...

We Did It, Joe - The 2020 Wrap-Up

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we share our 2020 show stats, revisit our favorite episodes of the year and share what changes we’re looking forward to...

Quincy Baby

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante Smith takeover. We step into The Crime Zone with the unsolved mystery of Lester Eubanks. Black Busines...

Upper Krust Kocktails

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a Dustin Ross takeover. We discuss #twerkgate at the True Kitchen & Kocktails restaurant in Dal...

Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s another shoot the shit episode. Seasonal blues, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Grammy snubs and more randomnes...

A Good Time Girl

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Brace yourself. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sanvello - Tis th...

Twenty Twenty

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante Smith takeover. We share our 2020 highs, lows and expectations, with some stories and jokes in between...

Deity of Education

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the Dustin Ross takeover. We discuss the relationship dynamics (red flags) witnessed on Tamar Braxton’s latest s...

The Vow

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss the HBO 9-part documentary series, “The Vow” - about the NXIVM sex cult. What are the personality traits t...

Nursing School

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourself. Thank you to our Spo...

What Was The Reason

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante Smith takeover. We discuss purpose. Is it a concept you buy into? Black Business of the Week - http://...

4 Da 304's

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s the Dustin Ross takeover! We discuss open relationships and marriages. Black Business of the Week - Mandii B’s n...

Reclaiming My Internet

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss The Social Dilemma documentary on Netflix, racist algorithms and brands taking advantage of black creators. We...

Queen of the Northeast

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segment. In other words, brace yourself. 15% discount off The Skin Dee...

Break The Ice

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante Smith takeover. Remember when we would have random ass ice breakers during the show? Th...

5 Years of The Friend Zone

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode of #TheFriendZone, we look back at 5 years of The Friend Zone Podcast - the business lessons, personal development and the many...

The Reference Episode

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a Dustin Ross takeover. We finally created that reference episode we’ve been talking about. An in...

Sixty Seven Minutes

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever wants to come up. Brace yourselves. Black Busi...

Oh My God

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante Smith takeover. We discuss Cardi + Meg’s WAP and go down memory lane of the most sexu...

Showing Feet in Racial Chat Rooms

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Dustin Ross takeover. We step into The Crime Zone with the case of a missing Andrew Gosden. Bla...

Meemaw Has No Say

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we discuss Sobonfu Some’s, “The Spirit of Intimacy”. What role does spirit (if any), your life’s purpose and comm...

Episodes Keep Slippin' Away From Me

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode of #TheFriendZone, we're hanging out and shooting the shit. And sad af because we recorded a hilarious episode that was lost th...

Time Keeps Slippin' Away From Me

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assanté Smith takeover. We discuss whether or not 2020 has shifted our concept of time and how...

Williamson Hicks 2020

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Dustin Ross Pop Culture rundown. We discuss everything from Jada and August to Lil Wayne and 50...

The Covert Overt

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we share our experiences with overt, covert and systemic racism. Stories ranging from trying to get apartm...

Ol' Boy From Beale Street

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the shit episode. No hot button. No segments. Just whatever comes up. Brace yourselves. Bla...

Ol' Boy From Amistad

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante Smith takeover. We discuss the pros and cons of being social media entrepreneurs and ge...

Meginae McCain

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Dustin Ross takeover. We discuss Meginae McCain not knowing what she’s talking about, ever, a...

Keep It 2 Virgils

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on #TheFriendZone, we share our thoughts on looting vs peaceful protesting, police strategically placing bricks and hammers around the city,...

Digicel A Fi Mi Cell

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a shoot the sh*t episode. No segments. No hot button issue. Just whatever comes up as we go. Black ...

Corona Crushing

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assanté Smith takeover. We share stories of finding new love interests, hooking up and dating ...

End of the Road

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Dustin Ross takeover. He uses the Real Housewives of Atlanta Reunion Special as the backdrop to...

Good Kid Mad City

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we get into our psychology bag. A discussion around the dangers of being raised as the “good kid” in t...

Toosie Slide Out The UFO

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, there’s no hot button. No segments. We freestyle and talk about whatever comes up. Aliens, Robot popstar...

Groundhog Day

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante Smith takeover. Still thawing out from 4/20 festivities, brace yourselves trying to fol...

Shout Out To Barbara

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Dustin Ross takeover! Inspired by the recent release of The Clark Sister’s movie, we discuss ...

Nothing Was The Same

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we step into the Twilight Zone. In Psychology, a false memory refers to cases in which people remember eve...

Sitting Up In My Room

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a quarantine mental health check-in with each other and those of you listening. We also share the r...

Inside The Podcasters Studio

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s the Assante takeover! In honor of the passing of James Lipton, we answer “Inside The Actors Studi...

Love and Chilled Cow

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, it’s a Dustin Ross takeover. Listen as he walks us through an “end of days” style questionnaire. Is ...

The 30-Year-Old Secret

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we stepped back into The Crime Zone. We found an eerie story on a Reddit “confessions” thread about a ...

A Frozen Potato

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we take it easy, catching up on our 2020 thus far and discussing whatever random topics come to mind. Blac...

Radical Transparency

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin brings up Carlton + Diamond from #LoveIsBlind Netflix and whether or not radical transparency is ne...

Many Drops of Water - Featuring The Budgetnista

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“Many drops of water does a mighty river make”. On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we’re joined once again by the one and only, Tiffany...

Reasonably Straight

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assanté takes over and shares his tech research on the future of self-driving cars. Black Business of the...

Wash Your Hands

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, we talk about the Coronavirus, look through a timeline of outbreaks we’ve endured in our lifetime and di...

The Grandmama Is The Baby

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Dustin takes us on a wild Reddit ride. Black Business of the Week - Santana Caress’ La Clinica De Comida...

No Hemo, Yes Hemo

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode of #TheFriendZone, Assante does a tech roundup, Fran shares details of her terrible weekend and Dustin has some words for Nen...

Back In The Zone

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode of #TheFriendZone, we ease into the new year by sharing what we did over our month long break plus a few pop culture items that...