Surprise, lovers! We’ve got a bonus episode for you. We actually had to record this one twice after the first taping ran into video transfer issues, but the amazing audio survived and we’re excited to finally share it. What you’re about to hear is the original, unedited conversation with Jerrie Johnson and Dria Brown.

This cut goes deeper, with more nuance, extra stories, and moments that didn’t make it into the public release. We also added about twenty minutes from the second recording, including the story of Jerrie meeting Dria’s dad for the first time and their advice for couples wondering if they’re truly friends with their partner.

Enjoy xo

Are you and your lover really friends? Try this relationship check in to find out
https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/relationship-checkin

NAACP - Vote for Jerrie's nomination
https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/8f53f295-6f7a-42f1-a40f-08de2c5a3e90/entrants

Follow Jerrie Johnson
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jerriejohnson/
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@jerriejohnson
Official Website → https://www.jerriejohnson.com
Substack → JerrieJohnson.substack.com

Follow Dria Brown
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/driabrown/
Official Website → https://www.thecreativedoulastudio.com/ 

Want more Lover?
Receive the weekly Love Letter → http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter
Join the Lovers Community → https://www.loversbyshan.com/community
Explore quizzes and worksheets → http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes 

If you haven’t subscribed to Lemonada Premium yet, now’s the perfect time → lemonadapremium.com

Surprise, lovers! We&rsquo;ve got a bonus episode for you. We actually had to record this one twice after the first taping ran into video transfer issues, but the amazing audio survived and we&rsquo;re excited to finally share it. What you&rsquo;re about to hear is the original, unedited conversation with Jerrie Johnson and Dria Brown.
This cut goes deeper, with more nuance, extra stories, and moments that didn&rsquo;t make it into the public release. We also added about twenty minutes from the second recording, including the story of Jerrie meeting Dria&rsquo;s dad for the first time and their advice for couples wondering if they&rsquo;re truly friends with their partner.
Enjoy xo
Are you and your lover really friends? Try this relationship check in to find out <a href="https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/relationship-checkin">https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/relationship-checkin </a>NAACP - Vote for Jerrie's nomination <a href="https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/8f53f295-6f7a-42f1-a40f-08de2c5a3e90/entrants">https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/8f53f295-6f7a-42f1-a40f-08de2c5a3e90/entrants</a>
Follow Jerrie Johnson Instagram &rarr; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jerriejohnson/">https://www.instagram.com/jerriejohnson/</a> TikTok &rarr; <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jerriejohnson">https://www.tiktok.com/@jerriejohnson</a> Official Website &rarr;<a href="https://www.jerriejohnson.com"> https://www.jerriejohnson.com</a> Substack &rarr; <a href="http://jerriejohnson.substack.com">JerrieJohnson.substack.com</a>
Follow Dria Brown Instagram &rarr; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/driabrown/">https://www.instagram.com/driabrown/ </a>Official Website &rarr; <a href="https://www.thecreativedoulastudio.com/">https://www.thecreativedoulastudio.com/</a>&nbsp;
Want more Lover? Receive the weekly Love Letter &rarr; <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter">http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter </a>Join the Lovers Community &rarr; <a href="https://www.loversbyshan.com/community">https://www.loversbyshan.com/community </a>Explore quizzes and worksheets &rarr; <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes">http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes</a>&nbsp;
If you haven&rsquo;t subscribed to Lemonada Premium yet, now&rsquo;s the perfect time &rarr; <a href="http://lemonadapremium.com/">lemonadapremium.com</a>

Lovers by Shan is an education-first space where listeners come to better understand their own intimate lives through the life lessons and expertise of others. Shan Boodram’s mission is to empower everyone to be their own intimacy expert in the bedroom and beyond by treating guests of the podcast as educators in their own right.

Past guests include Kelly Rowland who taught us about being a sensualist. Becky G who shared the importance of healthy love in an unhealthy body. Kerry Washington who warned about the dangers of keeping secrets. Kamie Crawford who taught us about the joys of breaking up. Jesse Reyez who reminded us that it's alright to admit you're the one who let a good one get away.

When we paused in 2023 we had 5.1 million listeners and 8 million YouTube views. Excited to see how many lives we can impact in 2025 with our fresh look and approach.

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Lovers by Shan is an education-first space where listeners come to better understand their own intimate lives through the life lessons and expertise of others. Shan Boodram&rsquo;s mission is to empower everyone to be their own intimacy expert in the bedroom and beyond by treating guests of the podcast as educators in their own right. Past guests include Kelly Rowland who taught us about being a sensualist. Becky G who shared the importance of healthy love in an unhealthy body. Kerry Washington who warned about the dangers of keeping secrets. Kamie Crawford who taught us about the joys of breaking up. Jesse Reyez who reminded us that it's alright to admit you're the one who let a good one get away. When we paused in 2023 we had 5.1 million listeners and 8 million YouTube views. Excited to see how many lives we can impact in 2025 with our fresh look and approach.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

LOVERS by shan

Bonus: Are You Actually Friends With Your Lover ft Jerrie Johnson and Dria Brown

In this episode of Lovers, Jerrie Johnson (NAACP-nominated actor best known for role on Harlem) and Dria Brown (the creative doula) share the story of how they fell hard, broke up, and then made a conscious decision to rebuild their relationship differently the second time.

The first time around, their connection was intense, passionate, and undeniable. But intensity alone wasn’t enough. Before getting back together, they chose to start over as friends, and in doing so, they realized something uncomfortable: they weren’t actually as strong of friends the first time as they thought.

This conversation explores what it truly means to be friends with your romantic partner, why passion can mask incompatibility, and why many couples confuse chemistry for foundation. If you’ve ever considered getting back together with an ex, or if you believe you’re “best friends” with your partner, this episode will challenge you to define what that actually means.

Because sometimes spinning the block only works when something fundamental changes.

Are you and your lover really friends? Try this relationship check in to find out
https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/relationship-checkin

NAACP - Vote for Jerrie's nomination
https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/8f53f295-6f7a-42f1-a40f-08de2c5a3e90/entrants

Follow Jerrie Johnson
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jerriejohnson/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@jerriejohnson
Official Website → https://www.jerriejohnson.com

Substack → JerrieJohnson.substack.com

Follow Dria Brown
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/driabrown/
Official Website → https://www.thecreativedoulastudio.com/ 

Want more Lover?
Receive the weekly Love Letter → http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter
Join the Lovers Community → https://www.loversbyshan.com/community
Explore quizzes and worksheets → http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes 

If you haven’t subscribed to Lemonada Premium yet, now’s the perfect time → lemonadapremium.com

In this episode of Lovers, Jerrie Johnson (NAACP-nominated actor best known for role on Harlem) and Dria Brown (the creative doula) share the story of how they fell hard, broke up, and then made a conscious decision to rebuild their relationship differently the second time.
The first time around, their connection was intense, passionate, and undeniable. But intensity alone wasn&rsquo;t enough. Before getting back together, they chose to start over as friends, and in doing so, they realized something uncomfortable: they weren&rsquo;t actually as strong of friends the first time as they thought.
This conversation explores what it truly means to be friends with your romantic partner, why passion can mask incompatibility, and why many couples confuse chemistry for foundation. If you&rsquo;ve ever considered getting back together with an ex, or if you believe you&rsquo;re &ldquo;best friends&rdquo; with your partner, this episode will challenge you to define what that actually means.
Because sometimes spinning the block only works when something fundamental changes.
Are you and your lover really friends? Try this relationship check in to find out <a href="https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/relationship-checkin">https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/relationship-checkin </a>NAACP - Vote for Jerrie's nomination <a href="https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/8f53f295-6f7a-42f1-a40f-08de2c5a3e90/entrants">https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/8f53f295-6f7a-42f1-a40f-08de2c5a3e90/entrants</a>
Follow Jerrie Johnson Instagram &rarr; https://www.instagram.com/jerriejohnson/
TikTok &rarr; <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jerriejohnson">https://www.tiktok.com/@jerriejohnson</a> Official Website &rarr;<a href="https://www.jerriejohnson.com"> https://www.jerriejohnson.com</a> Substack &rarr; <a href="http://jerriejohnson.substack.com">JerrieJohnson.substack.com</a>
Follow Dria Brown Instagram &rarr; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/driabrown/">https://www.instagram.com/driabrown/ </a>Official Website &rarr; <a href="https://www.thecreativedoulastudio.com/">https://www.thecreativedoulastudio.com/</a>&nbsp;
Want more Lover? Receive the weekly Love Letter &rarr; <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter">http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter </a>Join the Lovers Community &rarr; <a href="https://www.loversbyshan.com/community">https://www.loversbyshan.com/community </a>Explore quizzes and worksheets &rarr; <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes">http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes</a>&nbsp;
If you haven&rsquo;t subscribed to Lemonada Premium yet, now&rsquo;s the perfect time &rarr; <a href="http://lemonadapremium.com/">lemonadapremium.com</a>

Spinning the Block Doesn’t Work Without This ft. Jerrie Johnson and Dria Brown

In this episode of Lovers, Abby De La Rosa returns three years after our first conversation to reflect on what time, motherhood, and public scrutiny have actually taught her.

When Abby first joined the show, she was pregnant and navigating intense speculation about her relationship with Nick Cannon, who now has 12 children with multiple partners. That episode sparked massive conversation and debate about alternative relationship structures, belief, and who society decides to trust. Now, years later, Abby comes back with clarity, boundaries, and lived experience.

In this follow-up conversation, Abby opens up about what it’s been like raising children within a highly publicized family dynamic, how her understanding of love and partnership has evolved, and why she remains grounded in her choices despite ongoing judgment. She addresses the assumptions people make about women in nontraditional relationships, what outsiders often get wrong about consent and agency, and how motherhood reshaped her sense of self.

This episode isn’t about defending a headline or convincing anyone of a particular relationship model. It’s about autonomy, growth, and what happens when a woman is given time to live inside the decisions she once had to justify.

If you’ve ever wondered what comes after the internet forms an opinion, this conversation answers that.

Right now, Tonal is offering our listeners $200 off your Tonal purchase. Just go to tonal.com and use promo code LOVERS.

—

Thank you to Evvy for sponsoring today’s episode! Check out Evvy here: https://evvy.yt.link/SVTTsvO and use code LOVERSBYSHAN10 for 10% off your first purchase (up to $25).

In this episode of Lovers, Abby De La Rosa returns three years after our first conversation to reflect on what time, motherhood, and public scrutiny have actually taught her.
When Abby first joined the show, she was pregnant and navigating intense speculation about her relationship with Nick Cannon, who now has 12 children with multiple partners. That episode sparked massive conversation and debate about alternative relationship structures, belief, and who society decides to trust. Now, years later, Abby comes back with clarity, boundaries, and lived experience.
In this follow-up conversation, Abby opens up about what it&rsquo;s been like raising children within a highly publicized family dynamic, how her understanding of love and partnership has evolved, and why she remains grounded in her choices despite ongoing judgment. She addresses the assumptions people make about women in nontraditional relationships, what outsiders often get wrong about consent and agency, and how motherhood reshaped her sense of self.
This episode isn&rsquo;t about defending a headline or convincing anyone of a particular relationship model. It&rsquo;s about autonomy, growth, and what happens when a woman is given time to live inside the decisions she once had to justify.
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what comes after the internet forms an opinion, this conversation answers that.
Right now, Tonal is offering our listeners $200 off your Tonal purchase. Just go to <a href="http://tonal.com">tonal.com</a> and use promo code LOVERS.
&mdash;
Thank you to Evvy for sponsoring today&rsquo;s episode! Check out Evvy here: https://evvy.yt.link/SVTTsvO and use code LOVERSBYSHAN10 for 10% off your first purchase (up to $25).

Do We Believe Her Now? | Abby De La Rosa Returns to Discuss Her Alternative Relationship

In this episode of Lovers, therapist Kier Gaines shares a personal and professional reflection on how resentment builds when men are taught to silence their emotional truth.

Kier opens up about a pivotal moment in his own relationship, when he realized that his partner’s tone was hurting his feelings, and that his fear of naming it, out of concern that he would sound “effeminate” or not man enough, was quietly turning into resentment. What started as self-protection slowly became emotional distance, until he reached a breaking point where honesty felt less risky than staying silent.

Together, we unpack how masculinity norms shape emotional expression, why unspoken hurt often masquerades as resentment, and how learning to articulate emotional impact can transform intimacy rather than threaten it. This conversation explores the cost of swallowing feelings, the courage it takes to speak before resentment hardens, and what becomes possible when men allow themselves to be emotionally legible in their relationships.

This episode isn’t about blame or tone-policing. It’s about emotional responsibility, relational repair, and the freedom that comes from finally saying the thing you were afraid would make you sound weak. 

If you wished this episode is longer and you could hear more about Kier Gaines

 

Is My Relationship Healthy Quiz
https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/the-relationship-check-in 



Follow Kier Gaines
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kiergaines 

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@kiergaines 

Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/kiergaines 

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@KierandNoemie 

Official Website →https://www.kiergaines.com 

Course Words That Connect →https://kier-gaines.mykajabi.com/wordsthatconnect

Want more Lover?
Receive the weekly Love Letter → http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter
Join the Lovers Community → https://www.loversbyshan.com/community
Explore quizzes and worksheets → http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes

In this episode of Lovers, therapist Kier Gaines shares a personal and professional reflection on how resentment builds when men are taught to silence their emotional truth.
Kier opens up about a pivotal moment in his own relationship, when he realized that his partner&rsquo;s tone was hurting his feelings, and that his fear of naming it, out of concern that he would sound &ldquo;effeminate&rdquo; or not man enough, was quietly turning into resentment. What started as self-protection slowly became emotional distance, until he reached a breaking point where honesty felt less risky than staying silent.
Together, we unpack how masculinity norms shape emotional expression, why unspoken hurt often masquerades as resentment, and how learning to articulate emotional impact can transform intimacy rather than threaten it. This conversation explores the cost of swallowing feelings, the courage it takes to speak before resentment hardens, and what becomes possible when men allow themselves to be emotionally legible in their relationships.
This episode isn&rsquo;t about blame or tone-policing. It&rsquo;s about emotional responsibility, relational repair, and the freedom that comes from finally saying the thing you were afraid would make you sound weak.&nbsp;
If you wished this episode is longer and you could hear more about Kier Gaines
&nbsp;
Is My Relationship Healthy Quiz <a href="https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/the-relationship-check-in">https://www.loversbyshan.com/resource/the-relationship-check-in</a>&nbsp; 
Follow Kier Gaines Instagram &rarr; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kiergaines">https://www.instagram.com/kiergaines</a>&nbsp;
TikTok &rarr; <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kiergaines">https://www.tiktok.com/@kiergaines</a>&nbsp;
Twitter/X &rarr; <a href="https://twitter.com/kiergaines">https://twitter.com/kiergaines</a>&nbsp;
YouTube &rarr; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@KierandNoemie">https://www.youtube.com/@KierandNoemie</a>&nbsp;
Official Website &rarr; <a href="https://www.kiergaines.com">https://www.kiergaines.com</a>&nbsp;
Course Words That Connect &rarr;<a href="https://kier-gaines.mykajabi.com/wordsthatconnect"> https://kier-gaines.mykajabi.com/wordsthatconnect</a>
Want more Lover? Receive the weekly Love Letter &rarr; <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter">http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter </a>Join the Lovers Community &rarr; <a href="https://www.loversbyshan.com/community">https://www.loversbyshan.com/community </a>Explore quizzes and worksheets &rarr; <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes">http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes</a>

Bonus: Are You Actually Friends With Your Lover ft Jerrie Johnson and Dria Brown

LOVERS by shan

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips