Roots and Rhythm Podcast
At Roots and Rhythm, we are dedicated to sharing the rich tapestry of our lived experiences. Through heartfelt stories about marriage, relationships, and parenting, we aim to create a space where listeners can find connection, understanding, and inspiration. Our mission is to celebrate the diverse journeys that shape our lives, fostering a sense of community and belonging for all. Join us as we explore the rhythms of life, one story at a time.
Episodes
45 episodes
Are You Sure? | Are We Leaving Relationships Too Quickly? | Season 02 Episode 16 | Vlad & Angie
“Red flag.” 🚩“Toxic.”“Cut them off.”“Know your worth.”“Leave.”Spend enough time on social media and you’ll hear plenty of advice about when it’s time to walk away from a relationship. But what happens when normal relation...
Who’s Watching the Kids? Parenting in the Age of AI & Social Media | Season 02 Episode 15 | Vlad & Angie
Our parents worried about where we were when we left the house. Today, our kids can be sitting right next to us and still be somewhere completely different online.This week on Roots & Rhythm, Vlad and Angie ask a question ever...
When Love Has Conditions: Family Estrangement, Faith & the Cost of Being Right | Season 02 Episode 14
What happens when loving your family starts to come with conditions?Inspired in part by a recent loss in Vlad’s family, the conversation asks a difficult question: When is walking away from family necessary, and when are we allowing prid...
It Takes a Village… So Where Did the Village Go? | Chantell Ford of HomeTRYB | Season 02 | Vlad & Angie Episode 13
They say it takes a village to raise a child.But what happens when the village isn't there?In this episode of Roots & Rhythm Podcast, Vlad and Angie sit down with Chantell Ford, founder of HomeTRYB, for an honest...
GREEN FLAGS: 10 Signs You’re With the Right Person | Season 02 Episode 12 | Vlad & Angie
We spend a LOT of time talking about relationship red flags—but what about the signs that tell you you’ve actually found something healthy?In this episode of Roots & Rhythm Podcast, Vlad and Angie flip the conversation from 🚩 ...
Adult Loneliness: Misrepresented or Misunderstood? | Season 02 Episode 11 | Vlad and Angie
Is loneliness becoming the silent epidemic of adulthood?Despite living in the most connected generation in history, millions of adults report feeling isolated, emotionally disconnected, and without meaningful community.In t...
☀️ Summer Is NOT a Vacation for Parents | Surviving the Summer Load | Season 02 Episode 10 | Vlad & Angie
Summer break sounds relaxing… until you're the one responsible for keeping little humans entertained, fed, safe, enriched, and somehow finding time for yourself. In this episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast, Vlad a...
Fatherhood, Forgiveness & the Fathers Who Shaped Us | Season 02 Episode 09 | Vlad & Angie
Father's Day may have passed, but the conversations it sparked are just getting started. In this deeply personal episode of Roots & Rhythm, Vlad and Angie reflect on what it means to be fathered, what it means to become a...
Should You Cut Off Your Parents? The No Contact Debate Nobody Wants To Have | Season 02 Episode 7 | Vlad & Angie
"Go no contact."It's one of the most common pieces of advice on social media today—but is it always the right answer?In this episode, Vlad and Angie explore the growing trend of cutting off family members and examine it through a ...
The Rhythms of Marriage, Money & Mental Health | Season 2 Episode 06 with Vlad & Angie
Life has been LIFE-ing lately. In this episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast, Vlad and Angie sit down for a real and unfiltered conversation about marriage, parenting, finances, mental health, modern pressure, and what it means ...
Mental Health, Military Life & Finding Purpose 🎖️🧠 with Dhiny Mercedes (RCSWI, MSW) Season 02 Episode 05
In this episode, we sit down with Dhiny Mercedes, Army Sergeant and Clinical Social Work Intern (RCSWI, MSW), to talk about mental health, service, and purpose. We explore: Mental health in the military...
From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship 💼➡️🔥with Desiree Whitehead | Season 02 Episode 04
In this powerful episode of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast, we sit down with marketing strategist and entrepreneur Desiree Whitehead, who shares her journey from corporate America to building a purpose-driven marketing business ...
Healing Generational Trauma & Building Legacy 🌱 with Dr. Gayl Crump-Swaby | Season 02 Episode 03
In this deeply impactful episode, we’re joined by Dr. Gayl Crump Swaby, therapist, professor, and author, to explore generational healing and emotional legacy.We discuss: How trauma is passed down &n...
From Self-Doubt to 19 Books: Walking in Purpose ✍🏽🔥with Author Dorian Stewart | Season 2 Episode 02
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dorian Stewart, author, speaker, and founder of Dorian Inspires, who shares her journey from self-doubt to publishing 19 books.We also dive into: Her adoption journey as...
Addiction, Recovery & Redemption: A Real Conversation with Joshua Kephart | Season 2 Episode 01
In this raw and honest episode, we sit down with Joshua Kephart, a recovery coach and father, who shares his journey through addiction and what it truly takes to rebuild your life. We explore: What addi...
The Ingredients of a Long-Term Loving Relationship | 20 Years of Marriage, Trust & Real Love | Episode #30
Marriage doesn’t survive on vibes alone.In this Valentine’s weekend episode — and the final episode of Season 1 — Vlad and Angie break down the real ingredients that make a relationship last.As Angie celeb...
2016 in 2026: Pokemon Go, Bodybuilding, Pop Culture & Personal Growth | Episode #29
In Episode #29 of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast, Vlad and Angie take a deep, reflective trip down memory lane to revisit one of the most defining years of the last decade. From Snapchat, Vine, Pokémon Go, and iconic music, to personal t...
All is NOT Fair in Love | Navigating Healthy Conflict in Marriage | Roots and Rhythm Podcast | Episode #28
In this episode of the Roots and Rhythm podcast, hosts Vlad and Angie delve into the complexities of fighting fair in relationships. They discuss the inevitability of conflict, the importance of communication, and the foundational role of emoti...
New Year's Revolutions | The Problem With Resolutions and How to Make Lasting Behavior Change | Episode # 27
SummaryIn the 2026 premiere episode of the Roots and Rhythm podcast, hosts Vlad and Angie reflect on the holiday season, discuss the effectiveness of New Year resolutions, and explore the importance of sustainable change in person...
All I Want for Christmas is Peace | Navigating Holiday Gatherings, Conflicts, & Self-Care | Episode 26
The holidays are supposed to be joyful… but for many of us, they bring tension, grief, unresolved family dynamics, and unspoken expectations.In Episode 26 of the Roots & Rhythm Podcast, Vlad and Angie sit with the truth of the...
Runaway Love: Responsibility & Real Talk | Diddy, IPV, & Modern Relationships | Episode #25
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode contains graphic language and discussions of violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), and domestic violence (DV). Viewer and listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone y...
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Why Does She Stay? Life After Divorce, Why We Leave, & What No One Tells You | Episode #24
In this week’s episode of Roots & Rhythm, Vlad and Angie dive deep into the alarming realities of modern divorce: why people stay longer than they should, why they eventually leave, and what life looks like after the paper...
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Grief and Gravy: How to Embrace New Traditions While Healing Your Holiday Wounds | Episode 23
In this heartfelt post-Thanksgiving episode, Vlad and Angie dive into the complex emotions many of us carry into the holiday season—especially those who grew up in chaotic or unstable households. As the holidays approach, old wounds, unmet expe...
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It Takes a Village: How We Intentionally Created Our Family & Why It's Important | Episode 22
EPISODE 22: “From Acquaintances to Family — Choosing Our Village, Raising Our Kids, and Protecting Our Values”This week on Roots & Rhythm, Angie returns to join Vlad for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply grounding conv...
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Bloodline |Breaking the Cycle: Healing from Generational Dysfunction | Episode 21
This week on Roots & Rhythm, Vlad and Angie tackle one of the most important conversations yet — how to break free from generational dysfunction. From questioning faith and parental influence to learning empathy and setting ...
