The feds finally crawled back to work after a 43 day shutdown, and somehow the world is still wild. We got Kristi Noem tossing TSA workers ten thousand dollar “my bad” bonuses, Epstein emails flying around with Trump’s name all in the mix, Kim catching heat because North got a finger piercing at twelve, and a man ordering a forty-dollar drill set but getting a photo like Amazon is trolling for sport. Vine is rising from the dead, Klay Thompson is calling out Pat Bev over Megan, Ariana Grande got ran up in Singapore like Wicked turned wicked, a TikToker now owes 1.75 million for messing up a marriage, Cardi B and Stefon Diggs had a baby boy, Charlamagne and Roland Martin are beefing, and Rory from that podcast got exposed for talking spicy about Beyoncé. A mess. A cute mess. A delicious Friday mess. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

Zorhan Mamdani is officially NYC’s new mayor, Nancy Pelosi is finally clocking out of Congress after 40 years, just in time for the youth to start taking over. Flights are getting cancelled thanks to the shutdown. The government might actually pay SNAP this month (miracles happen), JD Vance is out here talking about converting his wife, hugging other women, and still somehow trending, and Nicki Minaj is entering her political era?? Plus, layoffs are wild, a teacher wins $10 million after being injured by a student, Offset is dissing Cardi and Stefon Diggs, and Starbucks apologized because y’all broke the internet over bear cups. Yeah… it’s been that kind of week. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

This week’s episode is a certified circus. The government said “figure it out” as SNAP benefits vanish but DoorDash said “we got you” with free meals. Paramount’s restructuring again by cutting jobs, China wants influencers to have diplomas now, and Luigi Mangione is a Lil Durk fan. Drake and Stake are getting sued for “deceptive gambling”. A couple robbed a bank on their first date, love that for them. Oh, and Diddy’s got a release date and Stefon Diggs allegedly has twins on the way, because apparently everyone’s making headlines but the government. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

This week’s episode is a hot mess buffet. Trump’s turning the White House into a luxury event space, the government’s playing games with people’s groceries, and the Louvre apparently lost more than art—it lost security. The NBA’s looking more like Vegas after a few players got caught up in a gambling mess, Cardi B’s dragging Armon Wiggins, and there’s another blackout protest coming (are y’all actually participating this time?). Meanwhile, Nicki’s got sheriffs at her mansion, and Keyshia Ka’oir is offering mental health consultations without a medical degree… maybe we all need one after this week. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

Buckle up, because this week’s episode is a wild ride through chaos and couture. We’ve got a possible Thanksgiving travel nightmare thanks to a looming government shutdown, SKIMS launching faux fur panties (the bush is back, baby), and UPS saying “return to sender” by literally throwing packages away. Nicki Minaj might lose her $20M mansion, a beloved website is now blocked in Arizona, and we say RIP to legends Diane Keaton and D’Angelo. RHOP’s Wendy Osefo got arrested, NBC News cut their diversity teams, and buying a new car now costs a casual $50K. America’s running on delusion and iced coffee, and we’re here to talk about it. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

Everything is wild this week: the government has officially shut down leaving chaos in its wake, Letitia James got indicted after Trump’s pressure campaign, a man in Florida is facing serious charges for allegedly starting a massive Palisades blaze, and the last of the New Orleans escapees was finally caught after nearly five months on the run. Meanwhile, Diddy is headed to federal prison with lawyers trying to keep him in a low-security facility, some peopler are having full-blown meltdowns over Bad Bunny performing at the Super Bowl, and Taylor Swift’s new album dropped to reviews that are… all over the place. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

This week, it’s a hot mess express: the government can’t keep the lights on, Kash Patel is firing folks over Pride flags, and there was a tragedy in Michigan. Eric Adams tapped out of the mayoral race due to low funding, while Michelle Obama is reminding everyone that marriage isn’t #CoupleGoals 24/7. Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are divorcing, Cardi and Nicki dragged each other’s kids into the beef, and JT and Santana added even more spice to the rap girl drama. Meanwhile, Kai Cenat’s stream had the internet glued, and Diddy wants sympathy from the court while prosecutors want him sitting for 11 years. A mess from top to bottom. IG: Itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: Words With Wista

This week is a buffet of foolishness: the TikTok deal is still a hot mess, James Comey’s name is back in drama, and Trump has beef with the UN. The White House warns of mass firings if the government shuts down, Dallas ICE goes sideways, and “Alligator Alcatraz” detainees vanish. A dentist allegedly admits to turning down laughing gas based on patients’ political views, and Jay-Z’s casino dreams get blocked while Nas’s move forward. Diddy’s friends and family are begging for his freedom; Cardi B and JT go back and forth over whose man is more effeminate, Metro Boomin won a lawsuit, and Rihanna gave birth to a baby girl because even in a world full of twists and turns, RiRi wins. IG: Itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

This week, we’re spiraling through everything from Trey Reed tragically discovered hanging from a tree at Delta State University in Mississippi to Kash Patel showing us what not to do as FBI director. Jimmy Kimmel got booted from ABC, Trump’s UK visit came with an Epstein jump scare, D4vd's alleged disturbing connection to a missing teen, and Chris Brown rage-quits social media after colorism allegations. Jay-Z and Beyoncé were seen sitting at the same table as Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at the Reform Gala, prompting some to raise an eyebrow. Jaden Smith is now the face of Christian Louboutin, and Cardi B’s got a new baby and a new album. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

The job market’s a nightmare, Charlie Kirk news, and D4VD's Tesla holds a creepy surprise. Paramount might merge with Warner Bros., Miguel quietly welcomed a baby with Margaret Zhang, and Tabitha Brown caught heat for telling entrepreneurs to “just get a job” to fund their business. NBA fans roasted Adam Silver for his “highlights-only” streaming advice for folks who can’t afford the service, and Le’Andria Johnson spills tea on Beyoncé having her back through her battle with alcoholism. IG: Itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

This week was a mess! We’re saying RIP to icons Rolling Ray and Giorgio Armani, talking about how America officially has more people without jobs than jobs to give, and Trump wanting to send the National Guard to Chicago and Baltimore like it’s SimCity. Epstein survivors are making their own client list since the courts are playing games, while a Texas dad sold his company for $51M just to build a free amusement park (bless him). New York schools are serving free breakfast and lunch, Gunna is running 5Ks for a cause, and the Caribbean Day Parade brought some culture and a little ethnocentrism drama. Add in an NBA player trying to make Charlamagne his “play friend,” August Alsina catching heat for being in love, Anna Wintour passing the Vogue torch, Cardi B winning in court, and me almost running over a gopher! IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @wordswithwista Substack: @wordswithwista

This week is pure headline whiplash: a tragedy at a school in Minneapolis, Denmark is calling out America over Greenland. RFK Jr. is making bold health claims again, and the CDC higher-ups are getting the boot. E-retailer Ssense is filing for bankruptcy protection, Europe won’t send us packages, and Drake’s OVO store got smashed. Meanwhile, iLoveMakonnen’s flipping plates instead of beats, Dame Dash’s wallet might be lighter than his label, and Cardi B’s on trial for allegedly putting hands on security while pregnant. SNL is letting go of cast members, and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged. IG: @Itswista Podcast IG: @wordswithwista Substack: @wordswithwista

This episode is pure chaos in the best way: Instagram might start counting your messy screenshots as “engagement,” Dr. Umar is out here charging $500 for lunch dates (charity or scam, you decide), and Lil Nas X is fighting the law instead of trolls. Meanwhile, DDG and Halle Bailey are legally gagged from posting about each other, Serena slimmed down with GLP-1s, and the FTC is finally dragging LA Fitness for trapping people in gym contracts. Target’s CEO is tapping out, Nearest Green’s founders are losing their distillery, and someone in California just caught the actual plague. Trump’s DOJ wants trans kids’ medical files and the Smithsonian to stop talking about slavery, Popeyes managers are throwing hands (and hot chicken), and Tyla partied so hard in Brazil she had to be carried out. Let’s just say things have been unhinged, but entertaining. Personal IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @wordswithwista Substack: @wordswithwista

In this episode, I unpack Cardi B’s beef with influencer Samyra. give Clarissa Shields a memo that its fine to take a social media break, and pretend I’m Chloe Bailey’s A&R for her new Caribbean single. We breeze past Taylor Swift’s new album, sip on why Americans are drinking less (is it health or the recession), and side-eye a Food52 exec who treated the company card like her own Sugar Daddy. We dive into layoffs hitting 300k Black women, Spirit Airlines’ “may not be here next year” energy, the Smithsonian’s history rewrite orders, and Trump’s doing… well, Trump things. Buckle up, it’s a lot. IG: @itswista IG Podcast: @wordswithwista Substack: @wordswithwista

This week’s episode is a whole buffet of wtf. From tariffs being as high as they were during the Great Depression, to Sweden’s Prime Minister a using ChatGPT/AI like it’s his chief of staff. We’ve got Legionnaires’ disease lurking in NYC, Diddy claims they're feeding him maggot infested meals and is also begging Trump for a pardon (his lawyer confirmed it ). BET is shelving the Soul Train and Hip Hop Awards, and Instagram wants to show your exact location now? Yeah, this is a hot mess. Personal IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @WordsWithWista

There is no way we woke up to student loan interest restarting and tariffs, can we breathe?!?!?! Kamala’s is dropping a book and not running for Cali Gov (y’all had your chance, remember?). Ghislaine Maxwell won’t be getting immunity, but folks still want the Epstein files. American Eagle’s ad with Sydney Sweeney is a hot mess. NYC had a mass shooting, and Texas is in the middle of a flood scandal. Shannon Sharpe got the boot from ESPN. Carl Crawford is offering BBLs with his record deals (I wish this was a joke). Justin Timberlake says he’s got Lyme disease, and Katy Perry might be cozying up with Justin Trudeau. Oh, and Giveon dropped something new, but can he unseat Fridayy? Let’s unpack the mess. IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @wordswithwista

E News is going digital (because who watches TV anymore?). Meanwhile, a dentist’s protein shake poisoning scandal unfolds like a dark soap opera, Jay-Z’s paternity case quietly drops, and Shannon Sharpe’s drama cools off. Cardi B’s sued for a Vegas incident involving a fan, Glorilla arrested recently, and astrology is somehow tied to celebrity passings—because why not? Laverne Cox spills tea on dating a cop, Candace Owens gets sued by the French President and his wife, and the Astronomer CEO gets caught cheating at a Coldplay show. Trump’s suing media with lawsuits, CBS axed Colbert, and he’s throwing shade at Obama and Jerome Powell while Epstein files lurk in the background. Grab your popcorn, this episode’s a wild ride! Personal IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @wordwithwista

From topping podcast charts to dragging billionaires, we’re covering all this weeks mess and news. Interest on student loans is returning on August 1, Nicki Minaj is back at it with Jay-Z (and somehow Beyoncé), Diddy’s fate gets sealed this fall, and Texas + New Mexico are underwater with zero help. Philly’s sanitation workers said nope, Big “Beautiful” Bill ain’t foolin’ nobody, and the Trump circus continues. BTW Words With Wista just hit the Best 100 Black Pop Culture Podcasts (#27, thank you very much!) and the Top 70 Gossip Podcasts (#55)! Thank you Wista Gang! Personal IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @WordsWithWista TikTok: @Wistah

From world war rumors to Vogue shaking up the front row, this episode is a rollercoaster. Zohran Mamdani just made history in NYC's mayoral race and folks are pressed, People are using AI to push stereotypes. Companies are robbing us in broad daylight, and the medical system continues to fail Black women (this time in Georgia with a horrifying case). Meanwhile, Anna Wintour finally takes her bob and glasses and exits Vogue—but who's snatching the throne? Justin Bieber keeps crashing out, Simon Guobadia was deported but is living life in Dubai, Cardi B says September is finally the month (again), and a tragic influencer story leaves us speechless. Rico Love allegedly accepting $3k for some… extracurricular activities with Diddy. $3k? That can't even cover rent in NYC. IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @WordsWithWista

It’s Pride Month, and while the world’s out here voguing, Elon Musk and Trump are busy pulling each other’s wigs. I share my thoughts on the L.A. protest against ICE, break down the tight NYC mayoral race, and side-eye Kai Cenat for not knowing who Wale is (???). Plus: BET Awards, a breaking strike, and a PSA on why I don’t mess with Virgos—y’all know why. IG: @itswista Podcast IG: @Wordswithwista