Welcome back to No Filter Femme, where we have real, unfiltered conversations about the lives of Black women over 40. In this episode, co-hosts Melia Arnett Archie and Kelli Mason take a deep dive into "Rebel Love" with a No Filter Flash Question edition. Through rapid-fire questions, they reflect on the lessons they’ve learned about love, evolving priorities, navigating intimacy, and redefining self-worth. Tune in to hear personal stories, humor, and thought-provoking insights that will empower you to embrace and redefine love on your terms.

Show Notes:

[00:00:00 - 00:03:30] Introduction to Rebel Love Edition

• Melia and Kelli welcome listeners, introducing today’s topic and explaining the No Filter Flash Question format.

[00:03:31 - 00:10:00] Lessons Learned in Love

• Both hosts reflect on how childhood and societal influences shaped their early views on love.

[00:10:01 - 00:15:00] Shifting Romantic Priorities

• Kelli shares how her priorities in relationships evolved from following traditional models to defining what works best for her.

[00:15:01 - 00:22:30] Navigating the Influence of Expectations

• Melia and Kelli explore how breaking free from external definitions has helped them find peace and fulfillment.

[00:22:31 - 00:30:00] Valuing Reciprocation in Friendships

• Kelli reflects on releasing friendships that no longer serve a mutual purpose, discussing the importance of reciprocal energy.

[00:30:01 - 00:36:30] Clearing Space for New Relationships

• The hosts discuss the emotional work of letting go and the peace that comes from freeing up “storage space” for new connections.

[00:36:31 - 00:45:00] The “Soft Girl” Era: What Does It Really Mean?

• Melia and Kelli discuss the nuances of the “Soft Girl” era and emphasize finding rest and ease in ways that feel genuine, debunking rigid ideas around what “softness” should look like.

[00:45:01 - 00:50:00] The Sandwich Years and Intimacy

• The hosts talk about the challenges of maintaining intimacy while balancing responsibilities to both parents and children.

[00:50:01 - 00:55:10] Embracing “I Don’t Know” Moments

• Kelli encourages listeners to sit with these moments of “not knowing,” reminding them that it’s okay to be in a place of discovery.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through love, intimacy, and self-discovery on No Filter Femme. We hope today's episode has inspired you to reflect on your own relationships and priorities, reminding you that it’s okay to define love on your terms. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, and share with friends. Follow us on social media @nofilterfemme for more updates, and stay tuned for our next episode as we continue to have real, unfiltered conversations by Black women, for Black women.

Welcome back to No Filter Femme, the podcast where we have real, unfiltered conversations by black women, for black women. This episode is Part 2 of “Rebel Love,” exploring the journey of redefining love and relationships for women over 40. Hosts Melia Arnett Archie and Kelli Mason dive deep into love, sexuality, and self-discovery, breaking down barriers and reshaping perspectives on romance at this stage of life. From navigating intimacy to overcoming societal expectations, this episode provides bold and empowering insights.

Show Notes:

[00:00:00 - 00:03:30] Introduction to Part 2

• Melia and Kelli welcome back listeners and recap Episode 4 Part 1, setting the stage for continued discussions on redefining love over 40.

[00:03:31 - 00:08:00] Exploring Sexuality Over 40

• The hosts reflect on conversations with previous guests who discussed how sex changes with age, both within and outside marriage.
• Kelli shares how open dialogue with others has helped her better understand her own needs and desires.

[00:08:01 - 00:13:00] Communication as a Path to Fulfillment

• Kelli and Melia emphasize the importance of honest communication with partners about intimacy and preferences.
• They share examples where simple adjustments in communication led to greater satisfaction in relationships.

[00:13:01 - 00:18:00] Freedom in Redefining Connections

• The hosts discuss how age brings freedom to define relationships based on personal needs rather than societal expectations.
• They explore the ability to separate physical and emotional connections, and the empowerment it brings.

[00:18:01 - 00:23:30] Hormones and Their Impact on Sexuality

• Discussion on the effects of menopause and hormonal changes on intimacy, including varying impacts on sex drive among women over 40.
• Kelli shares her personal experience with low libido and the relief in learning it’s a common issue that can be addressed.

[00:23:31 - 00:28:00] Breaking Generational Silence

• Reflection on how past generations avoided conversations about sexuality, creating a need for open dialogue now.

[00:28:01 - 00:32:00] Religion, Spirituality, and Sexuality

• Melia shares her perspective as a pastor on how religion has influenced views on sexuality, often leading to guilt or shame for women.
• They advocate for reframing religious teachings to support sexual freedom and fulfillment.

[00:32:01 - 00:34:30] No Filter Flash Q&A

• Melia and Kelli dive into a rapid-fire Q&A, answering spontaneous questions on their personal goals and experiences over 40.

[00:34:31 - 00:36:02] Closing Thoughts

• The hosts encourage listeners to embrace self-discovery, define love on their own terms, and seek out supportive communities.

Thank you for joining us for another unapologetically real episode of No Filter Femme. We hope today’s conversation has inspired you to redefine love, embrace your unique path, and connect with your desires without hesitation. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to our podcast, follow us on social media @nofilterfemme, and share this episode with friends. Your ratings and reviews mean the world to us, so please take a moment to leave one! We look forward to bringing you more unfiltered conversations that celebrate the beauty of being a black woman over 40.

Welcome back to No Filter Femme, the podcast where we have real, unfiltered conversations by black women, for black women. Today’s episode, titled Rebel Love, is all about redefining love, relationships, and intimacy for women over 40. In this unapologetic episode, Melia and Kelli explore how love at this stage in life often defies traditional expectations.

Show Notes:

[00:00:00 - 00:03:30] Introduction

• Melia and Kelli welcome listeners to the episode, introduce the topic: "Rebel Love," and share the purpose of redefining romance for women over 40.
• Both hosts introduce themselves, with Melia and Kelli explaining how they will explore the joys and challenges of love after 40, whether single, dating, or in relationships.

[00:03:31 - 00:10:00] How Love Changes After 40

• Discussion on how love, relationships, and expectations evolve in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
• Kelli shares her personal experience of being ministry and career-focused in her 30s and navigating relationships before marriage.

[00:10:01 - 00:15:00] The Impact of Life Stages on Love

• Kelli and Melia discuss the importance of open conversations around sex and intimacy over 40, along with navigating new relationship dynamics.

[00:15:01 - 00:22:30] The Quest for Healthy Connections

• Melia talks about the importance of staying true to oneself and redefining what a fulfilling romantic connection means after 40, including how self-awareness plays a role.

[00:22:31 - 00:29:00] Personal Stories on Love, Expectations, and Breaking the Mold

• Kelli shares her past assumptions of what her love life would look like, including once envisioning a life as the co-pastor of a traveling ministry couple. She reflects on how much her expectations have evolved as she’s grown.
• Melia reflects on her own relationship journey, explaining how she initially had a "list" for her ideal partner but found her husband outside of those rigid boxes.

[00:29:01 - 00:34:11] Letting Go of the Checklist

• Kelli talks about how letting go of superficial "checklists" (e.g., six-pack, six-figure salary) allowed her to experience a deeper connection with her husband.

Thank you for joining us on this bold and empowering journey in today's episode of No Filter Femme: Rebel Love Edition. We hope our stories and insights have encouraged you to reflect on how you define love after 40, whether you're single, dating, married, or somewhere in between. Remember, love at this stage is all about what works for you—without filters, without limits.

Be sure to subscribe and join us next time for more real, unfiltered conversations by black women, for black women. Like, follow, and share @nofilterfemme on all platforms if today’s episode resonated with you!