Brunch with The Branches Podcast

Episode 16; Graduation

On this episode of Brunch with the Branches, Thomas is in charge of the drink of the day. Today’s drink is called Summer Breeze: Sprite, frozen strawberries, Strawberry Lemonade Juice, Coconut Rum. Kim shares how organizing and cleaning out her closet brings her joy, and Thomas talks about Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story for the branch recommendation this week. [5:05] We welcome and introduce our guest Jacob Branch our oldest son [6:34]. We kick the main topic off with discussion about college, our choices, and Jacob’s choice for college. We shift the conversation to the college selection process for us vs Jacob’s college selection process [14:48]. We touch on what we will probably do differently for Chris (our youngest), what we’re excited about, and Jacob’s perspective on our support through this process. [16:27] We move to advise for Jacob and our summer plans while we are on break between seasons [32:40]. We wrap up this episode with a season 2 reflection. [38:55] We share our socials [41:13]. We toast to the end of season and graduation [42:29], and that’s this week’s episode!
  
Follow Us at:
 @rcandyman850 & @RCandyman on twitter
 @Kimberly.branch.56 & @BranchKimberly on twitter
@brunchwtbranchspod & @BrunchBranchPod

Episode 15; Religion

On this episode of Brunch with the Branches, Kim is in charge of the drink of the day. Today’s drink is an Adult Capri Sun!! It’s made with a whole bag of frozen fruit, half a bottle of champagne, a cup of Rum, and Mango Pinaple Juice. You pour all the ingredients inside the frozen fruit bag, seal it back up and poke a small hole in the top center for your straw and you have yourself an adult Capri Sun!Thomas talked about being able to be a blessing to others is what brings him Joy: [3:00] Kim was responsible for this week’s Branch recommendation and she’s recommending everyone binge watch the Netflix show, Love is Blind. The show highlights her two favorite black couples: Brett & Tiffany Season 4 /  Iyana & Jarrett Season 2 [4:30]
The Branches introduce the Main Topic of Religion [11:27] and they jump right on in with Kim’s personal stance on church and religion. Kim speaks to how she does not feel that she has to be in the church building every Sunday and refers to Matthew 18:20
There is much discussion about relationship impact and church hurts [30:17] They close out the pod with their discussion on Mega Church vs. small church [55:44] The couple shares their socials [1:11:05] and Thomas does the drinking toast [1:12:53]. That’s a wrap!
Follow Us at:
 @rcandyman850 & @RCandyman on twitter
 @Kimberly.branch.56 & @BranchKimberly on twitter
@brunchwtbranchspod & @BrunchBranchPod

Episode 14; The Poly Lifestyle?

On this episode of Brunch with the Branches, Thomas is in charge of the drink of the day, and It was the Yeah Man: Frozen fruit, fruit ice pop, Bacardi Black Coconut Rum, pineapple and Mango juice. Kim shares how her drink brings her joy. [3:28] and Thomas talks about the book First, Break All The Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Don Clifton for the branch recommendation this week. [4:18] We welcome and introduce our guest Veronica, and she introduces Cliff [13:08]. We spice things up this week with our main topic as we talk about romantic  [17:12] and platonic [20:06] relationships. We shift into a discussion about Polyamory and Cliff shares a little about the polyamorous lifestyle  [49:22]. We wrap up this week’s pod with a conversation about doing what works best for your relationship [1:09:52]. We share our socials [1:32:00]. Our guest Cliff does the toast this week  [1:34:41 ], and that’s this week’s episode!
  
Follow Us at:
 @rcandyman850 & @RCandyman on twitter
 @Kimberly.branch.56 & @BranchKimberly on twitter
@brunchwtbranchspod & @BrunchBranchPod

Episode 13; Money, Money, Money!

On this episode of Brunch with the Branches, it’s Kim’s turn to provide the drink of the day. Kim goes with the old faithful mimosa with orange juice and Prosecco.
Thomas shares how his oldest son’s commitment and grit brings him joy, and Kim circles back to her recommendation from episode 7. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz [5:40]
We mix things up with our main topic this week by playing a funny TikTok clip about money [11:11], and dive in to some discussion on money and our relationship with money [16:41]. We have a little fun with a little money quiz that we think you should try [38:08]. We start the second segment with another TikTok clip that talks about the difference between how different classes of people handle money [44:55]. We hit on my time at the bank, the importance of credit scores [56:24], and how we have navigated one of the biggest threats to a relationship… MONEY! [1:07:18]
Thomas does the toast this week  [1:14:37 ], and that’s this week’s episode!
  
Follow Us at:
 @rcandyman850 & @RCandyman on twitter
 @Kimberly.branch.56 & @BranchKimberly on twitter
@brunchwtbranchspod & @BrunchBranchPod

Episode 12; Friendship & Reciprocity

On this episode of Brunch with the Branches, it’s Thomas’ turn to provide the drink of the day. It’s no surprise that it is Uncle Nearest Master Blend!
Kim talks about how choosing to be healthier is bringing her joy. [3:23]
Thomas provides the recommendation off of the day; Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. [5:18]
Thomas gives the producer Veronica a mic and introduces friend of the pod Joycelyn. [8:29]
Thomas kicks off the main topic by asking everyone’s definition of friendship. [10:14] The conversation shifts into the nonnegotiables to be a friend. [14:00] They talk about how they show up as a friend. [43:14] They later get into the sensitive topic of if it is offensive for friends to forget their birthday. [48:23] The main topic wraps up with Veronica asking if anyone keeps a internal tally of what they pour into friendships verses reciprocity [58:35]
Everyone provide their socials and Thomas toasts to friendships and the journey we all take. [1:11:13]
Follow Thomas: @rcandyman850 on IG and @RCandyman on Twitter
Kim: @Kimberly.branch.56 on IG and @BranchKimberly on Twitter
The podcast: @brunchwtbranchspod on IG and on BrunchBranchPod Twitter

Episode 11; Dig A Ditch

On this episode of Brunch with the Branches, it’s Kim’s turn to provide the drink of the day. Kim is drinking what she has named, the Sunrise Mimosa. The drink is made with crushed Ice, tequila, grenadine, Pineapple mango juice, Champagne or, prosecco and a cherry. But she forgot the tequila!!! Next it’s Thomas’ turn to talk about what brings him joy. Thomas announces that the charcuterie boards that Kim makes for brunch bring him joy.
Kim recommends that everyone go and follow an influencer on Instagram @the.holistic.psychologist. Kim talks about her most recent post on the page that talks about normalizing direct emotional communication.
They introduce the main topic, which is recapping Kim’s Birthday festivities.[10:50] They move on to discussing what dating as a married couple looks like [25:15] They also talk about nightlife as a couple. [35:55] Kim proclaims that nightlife is not her thing and would rather dig a ditch and DIE than hang out as much as Thomas does. [ 48:53] The couples give their Socials [56:01] and Kim closes it out with a Toast [57:00]
Socials:
IG: @rcandyman850
Twitter: @RCandyman
IG: @Kimberly.branch.56
@Standinyotruth
Twitter: @BranchKimberly
IG: @brunchwtbranchspod
Twitter: BrunchBranchPod
 

Episode 10; Single Men Takeover

On this episode of Brunch with the Branches, it’s Thomas’ turn to provide the drink of the day. It’s no surprise that it is made with Guidance whiskey and coke !
Kim talks about her most recent trip home to St. Louis bringing her joy. She talks about how nice it was to spend time with family an eat all her favorite foods. [4:04]
Thomas provides the recommendation of of the day. He decided not to recommend a book or television show this time. Instead, he recommended everyone take month and work on their own self development [9:32]
Thomas introduces the two guest speakers, Jabari Sellers and Professor Xavier. The guys have a fun time doing an Ice Breaker; in which they tell us about their Drunkest moment [20:53]
Kim takes over and introduces the main topic, being a single man! Kim asks the guests what are their non-negotiables.[26:10] They talk about what the end goal looks like for each of them. Then they step into the dating pool, no pun intended! It’s been said that the dating pool has piss in it. So the guys give their opinions. [50:20] Thomas goes on a non-negotiable rant, that can not be missed.  [1:28:58] Everyone provide their socials and Thomas toasts to being in good relationships. [1:40:56]
@co1d_phront & @justprofessorx__
@drknowgood_
@ms_larosa & larosa_healthylife
@rcandyman850 & @RCandyman on twitter
 @Kimberly.branch.56, @Standinyotruth & @BranchKimberly on twitter
@brunchwtbranchspod & BrunchBranchPod on twitter

Episode 9; Couples Takeover

Kim starts the episode by telling what we’re drinking; Tiffany Mimosa. This drink is simply champagne with blue curacao. Thomas talks about how hosting people at home brings him joy.
Time for the Branch Recommendation! [5:05] Today’s recommendation is provided by @Kim who recommends Shazam and SWARM as a must see. The guest couples are introduced to the pod, and they share their love story. [9:46] Kim and Thomas decide to try the newly wed game with the guest couples. [18.08] We get to the main topics for the day, beginning with the couple’s vision for marriage. [32:41] The podcast shifts to attachment styles, and how they impact their relationships. Socials are provided [1:28:50], and the the guests do the toast. [1:33:45]

Episode 8; The Branch Boys Takeover

The Branches are excited to have their two sons join them for this season finale episode! Christian, their youngest son provides the drink of the day, an Arnold Palmer 50% sweet tea & 50% lemonade.
 
Jacob, their oldest talks about what brings him joy. He mentions how living his best life brings him joy [3:00] how running makes him feel free and how he loves being himself.
 
Both Chris and Jacob provide the Branch recommendation: [3:57] Jacob is rewatching the Shrek trilogy, Attack on Titan, and Tyler Perry Madea movies. Chris recommends watching the Netflix show, Wednesday.
The Main Topics included Christian’s side of what happened on Christmas  [8:02] Jacob’s take on leaving for college [10:00]
Thomas asked the boys what’s something they (teenagers) think their parents should know, or do better? [16:55] Everyone plays a round of the Question Game: [22:18]
Chris and Jacob answer questions asked by Kim and Thomas. Then they switch to the parent side and the boys asks their parents questions [29:02]
Everyone reflects on what they are looking forward to[51:06]
Thomas and Kim provide their socials [52:36]
Thomas makes the Toast [54:0 ] and then Jacob rushes off for a date with his girlfriend!!

Episode7; Teenagers These Days

Kim starts today’s episode by sharing the canundrum of leftover champagne from NYE, and recommends a drink she would have been drinking if we didn’t have so much champagne left. The drink recommendation is a Vodka cocktail (1/3 Vodka 2/3 Cranberry Juice  with a splash of ginger ale).  Thomas shares how he finds joy in traveling, and specifically traveling with Kim and the boys. [2:56] Kim’s recommendation for today is a book called The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Migues Ruiz [4:37] The Branch’s shift to the main topic centered around raising teenagers, and they share an unforgettable Christmas story about their teenager. [13:45] To discuss part two of the main topic, Thomas introduces Dr. Jabari Sellers [19:30] Dr. Sellers shares a little about himself, and some of the biggest challenges and joys of his work as a child psychologist in the public school system. [20:12]The Branch’s pepper Dr. Sellers with some questions on the main topic. [35:40] To closeout the discussion, Dr. Sellers shares some advice to parents raising teenagers in the current environment, and a little about the shortage of black professionals in his field of work. [44:08] Dr. Sellers recommends that parents read The 1995  Consumer Report on Psychotherapy to better understand his work and their children. [51:44] We end the podcast with episode with social plugs and a toast by our guest Dr. Jabari Sellers. [ 1:06:47]
 
You can follow everyone at:
Dr. Sellers IG @drknowgood_
Thomas IG: @rcandyman3883 and Twitter: @RCandyman
Kim’s IG: @Kimberly.branch.56 Twitter: @BranchKimberly
Brunch with the Branch's Podcast IG: @brunchwtbranchspod and Twitter: @BrunchBranchPod