Not Vanilla Podcast

Not Vanilla Podcast

At the Not Vanilla Podcast, hosted by the dynamic mother-daughter duo, Roxana and Dominique, our mission is simple yet powerful: Cultivating meaningful connections and promoting wellness, both mental and emotional every episode. We're here to dive deep into the intricacies of relationships, exploring topics that resonate with both the wisdom of age and the freshness of youth. From navigating life's milestones to dissecting the latest trends, we cover it with humor, a touch of sass and lots of love . But we're not just about talk; we're about connection. Through our engaging discussions and diverse guest lineup, we will bridge generational divides and spark moments of shared understanding and healing. Together, let's make every conversation a little less vanilla and a whole lot more vibrant! Listen to the Not Vanilla Podcast wherever you get your favorite podcasts! 🎧✨

Episodes

January 4, 2026 • 88 mins

A real end of year convo on letting go, choosing intention, and moving forward

Christmas is behind us, Hanukkah has passed (we don’t celebrate it, but we appreciate the Festival of Lights), we’re in the midst of Kwanzaa, and New Year’s is right around the corner and this “in-between week” has us reflecting in real time.

In this episode, Roxana and Dominique talk about how fast the year flew by, how the constant flood of bad news can ...

Mark as Played

Layoff Lemonade (Part 2 of 2): AI, Upskilling, and the Truth About “Replacement”


From barber clippers to bots — using tools without losing your mind (or your rights)

In Part Two of Layoff Lemonade, Roxana and Dominique bring in Anthony (Tony) for a real, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about what it actually looks like to move from scarcity to success. We unpack the origin of “Not Vanilla” (butter pecan + making somethi...

Mark as Played

Layoff Lemonade (Part 1 of 2): Sipping Success From Scarcity
Turning layoffs, furloughs, and frustration into clarity, skills, and next steps


Episode Summary:
In Part One of Layoff Lemonade: Sipping Success from Scarcity, Roxana and Dominique explore what happens after the shock of layoffs, furloughs, and workplace instability. From the emotional rollercoaster to the first mindset shift, this episode reframes job loss as a...

Mark as Played

Holiday Joy vs. Holiday Blues: How to Show Up Either Way
Navigating Friendsgiving, Family Gatherings & Feelings

Episode Summary:In this vibrant, honest, and hilariously real episode of Not Vanilla, your favorite mother–daughter duo, Roxana and Dominique, explore the emotional mix that comes with Friendsgiving and the full “Thank-mas” holiday season.

Whether you’re thriving and full of joy, or moving through grief, burnout, and hol...

Mark as Played

Mastering De-Escalation: Avoid Your Joseline Hernandez Era
Mindfulness, maturity, and avoiding emotional regret


In this episode of Not Vanilla, Roxana and Dominique get real about emotional roller coasters, unhealthy coping habits, and what it actually takes to de-escalate in real life — not just in theory.


They talk about “de-escalation options” (A: alcohol, B: coffee, C: casino, D: shopping) and how those quick fixes can feel good i...

Mark as Played

New Year, Same You? Tackling Blue Monday, MLK’s Legacy, and Life’s Potholes

Podcast Show Notes:
Welcome to Season 2 of the Not Vanilla Podcast with your favorite mother-daughter duo, Roxana and Dominique! 🎙️ We’re kicking off the new year with a blend of reflection, motivation, and real talk.

In this episode, we’re diving into a few things that might be on your mind:

✨ Happy New Year: Is it really “new year, new me”? Or can we embrace...

Mark as Played

Not Vanilla - After Dark Edition: The Power of Sibling Bonds


In this engaging episode of Not Vanilla, Roxy and Nique dive deep into the world of sibling relationships. Joined by special guests Anthony Feenster and Roxy's son, they explore the cherished memories and varied experiences that shape sibling bonds. From nostalgic childhood games to collaborative adult decisions like buying a car, this conversation captures the e...

Mark as Played
Not Vanilla Episode 5: Mom-Daughter Power: Evolving Together as a Dynamic DuoIn this episode of Not Vanilla, Roxy and Nique dive into the rich, complex world of mother-daughter relationships. They explore the unique dynamics that make these bonds so powerful, focusing on the critical role of trust, open communication, and creating a safe space for honest expression. Through heartfelt personal stories and experiences, they illuminat...
Mark as Played
Not Vanilla Podcast 4: Scrolling While Black: Race, Social Media, and Mental WellnessIn this episode of Not Vanilla, Roxy and Nique go deep into the heart-wrenching story of Sonya Massey's life and death, which seems to resonate with the tragic history of racial violence in America. We discuss the systemic issues that perpetuate these tragedies, the urgent need for change, and the effects on our mental health and wellness as we wat...
Mark as Played
Not Vanilla Episode 3: Scrolling into Sanity: Social Media + Mental Health with Therapist Nia JonesIn this episode of Not Vanilla, Roxana and Dominique dive deep into the complex relationship between social media and mental health. We chat with therapist Nia Jones about the potential benefits and drawbacks of social media, the impact of the curated highlight reel on self-esteem, the addictive nature of platforms, and how excessive ...
Mark as Played
July 24, 2024 • 65 mins
Not Vanilla Episode 2: Embracing Summer: Plans, Family Time, and Mental HealthIn this episode, Not Vanilla hosts Roxana and Dominique dive into everything you need to make the most out of your summer. From crafting unforgettable memories and planning joy-filled activities to staying mindful and managing social pressures, we've got you covered.Episode Highlights:Why Planning Matters: Roxana and Dominique discuss how planning enhance...
Mark as Played
In this episode of the Not Vanilla Podcast, co-hosts Dominique and Roxana tackle the challenges of managing life’s disappointments and expectations. We've all heard the saying about making lemonade out of life's lemons, but what does that really look like? Dominique and Roxana take a deep dive into discussing disappointments at work, in life, in friendships, and more.From real-life examples like Drake and J. Cole's beef to their ow...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics

    Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.