LiteVi

Big Monsters, Bigger Emotions: Why I Loved Godzilla Minus Zero

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:48:42 +0000

Godzilla Minus Zero is currently out in theaters and has already shattered Godzilla Minus One's box office opening weekend numbers. The returning cast includes Ryunosuke Kamiki as Kōichi Shikishima, Minami Hamabe as Noriko Ōishi, Hidetaka Yoshioka as Kenji Noda, Yuki Yamada as Shirō Mizushima, Kuranosuke Sasaki as Seiji Akitsu, and Sakura Ando as Sumiko Ōta.

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

It picks up two years after Godzilla Minus One, with Japan and the main characters still trying to rebuild their lives after the war and the Godzilla attack. Godzilla Minus One is currently playing on Netflix, and I highly recommend you watch it before Godzilla Minus Zero. So you will get a two-in-one review. Godzilla Minus One starts a little slow, but it establishes the characters and storyline. It gets really good about ⅓ way through. I do plan to watch both a second time. The acting was solid. The graphics, CG, special effects and cinematography were all amazing. At first I thought the pacing was off, but the more I think about it, the more I realize it was necessary to ease us into what was happening. We had to get a strong understanding of what they were going through and how devastating life already was. Godzilla Minus One currently has a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and it deserves it. I give it a solid 9.

Godzilla Minus Zero is sitting strong with the ratings as well, with 7.9 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 96% on Fandango. I have to agree and chime in with my own 9.5. I watched it in the theaters and eventually didn’t even notice I was reading subtitles. Once again, the special effects were amazing, and the acting was on point, especially from the little girl playing Akiko. She was amazing. Her acting reminded me of the little girl in Pacific Rim. They did a great job conveying emotions as a young child going through a difficult time. I also thought about Pacific Rim because of the whole kaiju situation. They built nuances into the film that draw on the conflict that was happening in Japan at the time and how the aftermath still lingers. Post-traumatic stress played a key role in advancing the story in the second installment.

Godzilla Minus One 9/10

Godzilla Minus Zero 9.5/10

Continue listening to the podcast for additional breakdown that will have spoilers

I Binged XO, Kitty, and Now We Need to Talk

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 22:02:18 +0000

XO Kitty

I Binged XO, Kitty, and Now We Need to Talk

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Finished Season three of XO Kitty. Let’s get caught up.

XO Kitty is a Covey sister spin-off. She is the youngest sister of Lara Jean Song from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, now streaming on Netflix. Released in 2018, To All the Boys is the first in a movie trilogy starring Lana Condor as Lara Jean. Kitty is her little, meddling sister who sparks off the drama in the first movie. Fortunately, the drama doesn’t end, as she gets her own spin-off series, which now has three seasons with a fourth promised.

XO Kitty Season 1

Season One follows Kitty as she embarks on her first year as a student in Seoul, where her mother used to attend. Her reasons for going are twofold: to learn more about her mother and her history, and to meet her boyfriend, Dae. At the end of the season, she and Dae are no longer together, and she has feelings for Yuri. On her way back home, she finds herself seated next to Min-ho, who confesses that he actually likes her.

XO Kitty Season 2

Season two finds her back at KISS, trying to navigate school and her crushes, particularly since Yuri is dating someone. There is a singing competition run by Min-ho’s father, and Dae loses out to his soon-to-be short-stint girlfriend. Kitty is also navigating family drama as she gets to know her family and attempts to reunite a broken family. The season ends with Eunice winning the competition. Yuri is broke after her family business loses a class action lawsuit in which Dae’s family gets a settlement, and Kitty realizes she has feelings for Min-ho as well, but does not get the chance to tell him how she feels.

XO Kitty Season 3

Season 3 Kitty is back to close out her senior year at KISS. She is ambitious about making it her best year ever. She has a list of things she wants to do to ensure that happens, and one of those things is finally getting together with Minho. We start season three off, though, right before summer break, where she is trying to get some alone time with Min-ho, but it fails epically as things turn into a group trip to Busan. Min-ho is working; Kitty is dressed like a sailor and ends up almost ruining things by changing into Eunice’s performance outfit. I felt more embarrassed than they made it out to be. Afterward, she and Min-ho part ways without telling each other how they really feel.

During the summer, Kitty spends time with Mary Jane as she and Peter are going through a rough patch in their relationship, in which they are trying to figure things out. So Kitty spends the summer with her, where she stalks Min-ho on socials, stressing herself out about what he’s doing and pretending to do more than she really is. Episode 2 is where we see Kitty in planning mode. She has a list, and she is going to make her last semester the best ever. However, this is also when she finds out that she has extra classes to take if she wants to actually graduate from KISS and where she meets Marius, whom she’s not feeling because he is sucking all the attention away from her. But she’s really bothered because she can’t seem to get some alone time with Min-ho. At some point, they do end up talking and forming a relationship. However, Marius is a hater and does not care for her and ends up calling in one of Min-ho’s former love interested with sets Kitty off. She enlists Yuri to help at the video shoot because she knows Yuri needs to job and she could also be her spy. Of course, Kitty being her neurotic self causes problems, but this allows Yuri to save the day and show her style.

Due to all of Kitty’s commitments, she also finds herself somewhat struggling in school and clashes his her cousin teacher, Jiwon, about her classwork. Meanwhile, she is also still trying to match-make her cousin teacher with Alex, especially while they are on a senior trip to an amusement park. She gets to hang out with Min-ho, but we also get to see some of the other student dynamics.

Yuri is now friends with Praveena, who is dating Juliana, but we can tell that Juliana doesn’t really like it. We can also tell that Juliana and Yuri are getting along really well.

Marius, who came back for Quincy, is realizing that his shady tricks aren’t working, and Quincy really likes his boyfriend, Jintaek, even though he is still trying to get under Quincy’s skin.

Quincy is struggling because Marius is getting under his skin and making him doubt his feelings for Jinteak.

Dae is still confused about why Eunice is giving him the cold shoulder.

Eunice is super popular and struggling and also tells Min-ho that she’s pregnant.

At the end of episode 4 even though Kitty has passed her midterms and checked off her to-do list by riding the same roller coaster her mom did, she is filled with insecurities after seeing Min-ho and Eunice share a hug, particularly because he was not fully honest with her about where he was going to be.

This unravels during Chuseok, like a Korean Thanksgiving minus the extinction of indigenous people but with the harvest, family and friends gathering. It is at Dae’s family restaurant, which they were able to open up with the proceeds from the class action lawsuit that caused Yuri’s family to go bankrupt.

Here Yuri overhears a conversation between Eunice and Min-ho that causes her to tell Kitty that something is up. In the bathroom, they find a pregnancy test. Kitty goes off on Min-ho, thinking he lied. Fed up with her lack of trust, he breaks up with her. During the same event, she also reveals to Jin that there was something more going on between Quincy and Marius, not realizing that Quincy never revealed that he had sent a risky photo to Marius over the summer while they were very much together. Quincy gets mad at her.

The aftermath is a sad state for Kitty, and the friend group is in tatters. Lara Jean comes to the rescue to support her sister. This is also when we find out that Eunice wasn’t actually pregnant. She was just stressed with all the fame. She realizes that she doesn’t want it. She and Dae talk and seemingly get back together. However, while Lara Jean and Kitty are having dinner with Jiwon, they realize that she’s the one who is pregnant and it’s for Alex. She is scared of telling her grandmother, but they eventally over come that. Min-ho gets fired because Eunice no longer wants to be a star. He turns his talents to Dae to create music together. So we basically see him and Kitty navigating their lives. Praveen breaks up with Juliana because she realizes she still has feelings for Yuri.

Yuri is about to give up on herself, but with some motivation from her friends, she enters to compete in a fashion show. At this point, the friend group is somewhat fractured, and Yuri, Dae, and Kitty are working to bring everyone back together. Little does Kittly know Yuri and Dae are working to bring her back together with Min-ho. The fashion show is a great success with all of Yuri’s friends participating as her models. Min-ho comes in to save the day with his music, and he and Kitty make up. Most everyone makes up. The last episode is a mix of them trying to surprise Kitty with a birthday party and her pretending not to know. Min-ho and she officially make up and get back together. Jinwon and Alex make amends with her grandma after telling her that she is pregnant and going to raise the child together. Kitty gets into NYU, and Min-ho makes a mad dash to catch up with her. They end up going to New York together, leaving us curious for what season 4 will bring.

Kitty is Kitty. They tried to make her look like the bad guy, but I disagree.

Marius. They did not redeem him.

Min-ho. Doing the most.

Juliana. Still wasn’t feeling her.

Quincy. Lucky Jin took him back after his shady behavior.

Jin. Self-confident

------------

Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

Casa Amor, Movie Night, Dumps, and Recoupling

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 04:48:27 +0000

Casa Amor, Movie Night, Dumps, and Recoupling

Love Island

Season 8 Episodes 24, 25 and 26

Movie night part one was packed with so many juicy clips that we all wanted. I do feel like it should have been three hours because I would have been sat. The music selection was trying to be a main character but fell a little short, a little cheesy in the selections, but did go great with popcorn, I guess. Let’s get into it because the clips were clipping and the aftermath ended with 5 people getting dumped from the island.

Couples

Aniya (23)- Started out single and ended up with Carl (28). Carl came back, and she is making her move or he is making his move. Moves are being made. I am excited for her and what’s to come. She had a time dealing with KC’s situation after he came back from Casa Amor, but she slept on it and was refreshed because that firepit scene was actually heartbreaking. I was also proud of her for handling that KC chat with dignity. No, I don’t want a hug. No, I don’t want to be friends. Glad you found what you were looking for, but stay the hell away from me. Now, when KC’s clips started playing, I was worried. I thought maybe she was going to break down again, but she held her own. We saw clip upon clip of KC talking so much trash about her. I wish they also would have included when he said he was glad Carl was back, so now she could get off of his D as well. Aniya kept it cool and was vindicated. I have to say, I hope everyone loved Carl’s recoupling speech as much as I did. It was so sweet and it seems as though he really likes her and vice versa.

Here’s the thing, everything leading up to Casa Amor made Aniya look annoying and needy and crazy. Even I, at one point, was like, she’s a little annoying because KC is telling her that he is locked in and doesn’t want to explore. However, her intuition was screaming at her. And the little inconsistencies of people coming back and telling her things that contradicted what he said weren’t adding up to her. So, in pursuit of her trying to make sense out of it, she looked crazy. But she was not because KC was holding out for Casa Amor. She was the safe option, and those clips proved that. This is what happens in real life when a partner has a different agenda. They will tell you everything you want to hear just to keep the status quo and not mess up their situation or their plan, and that is exactly what KC did. The clips exposed how he really did not care about her whatsoever and was just biding his time.

Now, when clips of her and Carl were played, the guys kept on squawking how it was a double standard because the girls were so excited for them. It was not a double standard because they showed Aniya getting close to Carl, not Aniya talking mess about KC. Now, did she say some stuff in comparison about him? Yes, but the point being they did not show those clips. At the end, the clips showing and the back and forth, things did get heated, and both stood up. Aniya stood up and walked him down. I thought it was a bit much, but I am not mad at her for standing up for herself. Later on, she came back after everything was done and apologized for getting in KC’s face. At first, I was annoyed because I wanted her to stand on business, but then I understood. It was the right and mature thing to do. Even after they conversed again and she ended up accepting his apology and hugging it out, I was bothered, but it was the right thing to do. It may have been strategic because she wanted Carl to know she’s not crazy and she is still on a reality show, but it was mature of her and classy. The petty me could have done without it.

KC (23) and Titi (25)- I still want them dumped from the Villa. Titi is nasty work. She is definitely faking the funk and playing the game. Honestly, KC finds her relatable and more compatible, which is great for them but she is fake. I know the casa girls appreciated her two cents, but again, she was jumping in to defend KC like she understood what they were talking about when she did not. In the end, they deserve each other. I mean, he called Melanie a dumbass for being in her feelings about Sincere when he probably wished the same from Aniya. Their vibe as a couple is just off to me. Now I will say that I agreed with whom they decided to boot off the island. On both accounts, they were right.

Caleb (21) and Jaiden (22)- I was rooting for Caleb. Jaiden attempted to shine or grab her 15 minutes when she got mad at Caleb for talking with the other contestants about the situation. She came on a little strong unnecessarily when they definitely could have just talked it out more civilly. That was more like manufactured drama. Now they definitely did need to clear the air about their lack of communication in the process of getting to know each other, and eventually they did, but it was too little too late because they were dumped from the villa. I don’t think that is a situation that will last outside of Casa, as they were the second couple dumped from the villa after the compatibility vote from the other couples. It was a fair and safe choice.

Corbin (22) and Parmida (27)- I just do not really care about Corbin or Parmida. He has been who he is the whole time. He and Parmida seem to be a compatible match, but are they a good match? Who knows. Kenzie and Dylan voted for them to be dumped from the island because their connection seems superficial and lustful. She is not wrong. Parmida’s little speech emphasized that point instead of derailing it. If anything, they believe they are the most beautiful couple in the villa. Movie night was lackluster. The only thing I appreciated was that he was part of the Kenzi exposure. I will say that he at least owns up to his mess and takes accountability for it. He has never put on a different face. Now that’s the only thing I can appreciate, but it’s still giving cyborg to me.

Kenzie (24) and Dylan (24)- I do not know if Kenzie really wants a man, but I do know she craves attention. I said this last time, and it still stands. Kenzie is a piece of work. She chatted with Gal and smooched him and did not give Jen, who is supposed to be her bestie, a heads up. Jen handled her beautifully and told her that they would not be friends in the real world, and I believe that. Then, when she told Dylan, he spazzed out. He was rightfully upset. I think things are a little different for the Casa Amor guys because they come in wanting to make up for lost weeks, and they have to speed things up a bit. It seems by this time, the exploring should be done. I am thinking that with everything Kenzie was telling Dylan, he thought the exploring was done, but there she goes kissing Gal. Kenzie maintains that she had to in order to know it was real. Now she’s locked in with Dylan. I am doubtful. She is only locked in because Jen and Dylan reacted poorly, and she probably realizes that it is not a good look and she needs to chill. I really think she would have moved on from Dylan to Gal if the reactions hadn’t tipped her off to how messing up her behavior was.

Then on movie night, she was really exposed. But not enough, in my humble opinion, as they could have included how she did the same thing with Gal. Kayda told her that she was the Sincere of the group, and she was not wrong. I think Kenzie got off lighter, and she could have gotten more smoke.

Jen (23) and Gal (29) turned into Gal and Amora (21)- Poor Jen. Gal came at her heavy talking about how she was being aggressive when she was just trying to understand and salvage the relationship. I am not surprised that she was dumped from the island after the recoupling episode because Gal already knew he wasn’t going to pick her. Now he only picked Amora because there were no other options. Amora was not really feeling him, but she wanted to stay on the show. When the compatibility voting time came, they received most of the votes from the other couples to get dumped from the villa, and it was fair. If anything, they were the easy choice.

Melanie (24) and Sincere (25)- Everyone was quiet after Sincere’s clips showed. Melanie reverted to a childlike state, and Aniya was projecting, talking about, “See, you are not crazy.” It was a mess. Then they played more of his clips the second night. The first ones are with Sol (Mama happy), and the others show him with Amora. Yikes, not even his boys could defend him. Melanie finally flipped when he told Amora that if they had more time, it would be her. The thing is, Sincere is a smooth talker. He is going to tell you what you want to hear and make it sound so sweet. He is going to tell you whatever you need to keep things cool and nice. I do not know if he really likes Melanie. I don’t think Sincere knows if he really likes Melanie. I do believe the whole villa feels duped by him, which was evident when Corbin picked him and Melanie to be dumped out of the villa because of the way he treated Melanie. It was also evident when Aniya, who’s his friend, told Melanie that he bamboozled everyone. She did talk to him about it, but again, I feel like he got off too easily. He has a lot of making up to do because Melanie won’t give up on him. I want to say it is because they are on the show and trying to win the money, but I don’t believe that’s it. She really wants to be with him, and who knows what it will take for her to be done with him. He is trying to show actions, but time will tell.

Trinity (22) and Bryce (29)- They are booed up now. Bryce asked Trinity to officially be his girlfriend during their jetski and catamaran date. Trinity was keeping it real throughout movie night, and I think that’s why America loves her. She and Bryce will definitely be in the final four. Bryce was solid in Casa Amor and, of course, picked his girlfriend in the recoupling.

Kayda (22) and Zach (26)- Would Zach have chosen Kayda if that girl hadn’t gotten kicked off? During movie night, Kayda realized that the girl Zach was “connecting” with was already off the show, and she had the same question. I think the producers purposely told him not to tell Kayda the truth so movie night could be more juicy. Zach says that he told her what was important, but that was an important detail to leave out. I do not believe Kayda would have been as upset if she had already been told by Zach that she ended up leaving before they could pick, but he had already decided he was not going back with her. The whole thing made for more television drama. To me, it just highlighted how Zach is still pretty shitty. I am on the bubble about how he really feels for Kayda.

Super Mario Movies and the Dissapointment of Super Mario Galaxy

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:59:51 +0000

Super Mario Movies

Can we talk about Super Mario movies? Well, no. I was going to do a longer review on them but decided against it because I was quite disappointed by the latest installment, Super Mario Galaxy.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Released April 2023
Starring Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, and Anya Taylor-Joy
Streaming now on Peacock

My rating 7/10

Nostalgia, cute, enjoyed it overall

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Released April 2026 Starring Donald Glover, Issa Rae, Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Brie Larson, Glen Powell, and Benny Safdie

My rating 4/10
Just bad. That is my review. It was just bad. Did not like. 🍅🍅🍅

@adropofhappypodcast #greenscreen ♬ original sound - LiteVi Entertainment

Casa Amor Recoupling: Don’t Let Your Insecurities Get the Best of You

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:52:38 +0000

Casa Amor Recoupling: Don’t Let Your Insecurities Get the Best of You

Love Island

Season 8 Episode 21

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

So I am still being held hostage on Love Island by my daughter. Honestly, I am not hooked like everyone else. Before I dive into the recoupling drama, I really was annoyed with Titi and Parmida because the girls were trying to be so respectful to them and not bring them into the drama, but they felt compelled to jump in and say something. You spent three days with this man, and now you think you have a right to save them from the wrath they deserved. Titi especially got on my last good nerve. So let’s get into the recoupling drama. And please, for the love of everything holy, bring back Carl.

Couples

Aniya (23)- Single. Aniya is now single, and yes, she was a dummy. Honestly, I really thought she was going to choose Carl. I really wanted her to choose Carl. I am really upset she didn’t choose Carl. I thought she was tired of doubting KC. Even though he was choosing her, I will give him that, and her doubts and insecurities had her in her head, like she said; clearly, his actions did not allow her to quell those doubts. So why would she continue to subject herself to that? She is a ridiculously beautiful woman, but is a perfect example of how insecurities can get in your own way. Strategically, she should have picked Carl because she still could have explored things with KC even if they both were coupled up. I really hope Carl comes back and she gives him a real chance. I need Carl to come back. KC showed that at the end of the day, he did not care about her enough. Actually, he showed that he ultimately did not give two shits about her.

KC (23) and Titi (25)- Sigh … just sigh again. I am not even mad that he coupled up with her because I was expecting it. I am mad that Aniya did not couple up with Carl and leave him in the dust. Again, he showed that he did not care about Aniya like he truly said, but at the same time, I respect that he said he had to do it for him. I wish it were someone else because I did not care for Titi from the start. I actually think, if it wasn’t for Aniya’s insecurities, that she was a better fit than Titi. There’s not really much else to say about them except good luck … I guess.

Caleb (21) and Jaiden (22)- I am happy that Caleb found someone who he can have a real chance at a connection with. I am not really invested in them at this point.

Corbin (22) and Parmida (27)- Sigh … just sigh again. Do I feel like Corbin deserved all the smoke that he got? Yes, yes, I do. Corbin has no depth to me. He is just playing the game, which he should. Kenzie was being dramatic, and she did not even hear everything Corbin had to say about her. I think that was indicative of the type of shallow bond that they had together. Corbin was waiting for the next best thing. Parmida walked in, and he was like yes. Now I don’t know about the longevity of this coupling because Parmida is 27 and Corbin is an immature 22-year-old. One thing is for sure: they are a beautiful couple. Parmida should have had a touch more class and kept her mouth shut when the Casa girlies were letting him have it. There was no reason for her interjection, especially when they were being nice to her. Now she has messed up the vibe for herself.

Kenzi (24) and Dylan (24)- I do not know if Kenzi really wants a man, but I do know she craves attention. She is another one who is definitely playing the Love Island game. She is a loose cannon, and I don’t know what she is going to do next. Right now, she is really pissed at Corbin. But you know, there is a thin line between love and hate. I hope she gives Dylan a fair chance because he seems like a nice guy. Although I am a little skeptical because she was also really into Gal.

Jen (23) and Gal (29)- Sigh again. I guess that’s Jen’s type. I guess. All I know is that she'd better hang on tight to him while Kenzie is around because we already know she has no issues with going after someone else’s guy, coupled up with a “friend” or not.

Melanie (24) and Sincere (25)- The one thing I will say is that I like how Sincere took his L. Melanie showed that she is still the emotional, feisty, unpredictable chick that he supposedly likes. She really cares for him, but she’s going to let him know when he’s out of pocket. She wears her emotions on her sleeve, and you can take it or leave it. Sincere is definitely going to have some making up to do because he pulled the same stunt he did with Sol. He was all kissing and cuddled up with that girl. The audience has the opportunity to bring one girl back, and it just might be her. If they do, he needs to stand on business because, from where I can see, he is a little flighty too. I wish she had chosen Corey instead.

Trinity (22) and Bryce (29)- A sliver of maturity wins. Bryce was not playing about Trinity and kept it real for the most part. He even tried to talk some sense into the rest of the guys at Casa Amor. I think it was successful with Zach. I still wonder if that girl had not been booted off, would the outcome have been the same?

Kayda (22) and Zach (26)- Would Zach have chosen Kayda if that girl hadn’t gotten kicked off? That question will stick with me, and if Kayda finds out what happened on movie night, she might have the same thought. That’s all I got.

Love Island S8 E11 Lessons: Just Tell the Truth

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:20:45 +0000

Love Island Lessons: Just Tell the Truth
Season 8 Episode 11

My daughter has me watching Love Island, and Season 8 is my first time watching more than one episode. I watched one episode from season seven but did not let myself get sucked in. She does tell me that season 6 is the absolute best one so far, and I should go back and watch it, which I just may. But let’s talk about season episode 11 of season 8.

Couples

Aniya (23) and KC (23)- I was rooting for them, and then KC is being a little shady. He can say he is feeling Aniya, but is intrigued by Sol and would like to get to know her rather than telling Aniya that he is not interested at all. It’s reminiscent of what Sincere did, though not as bad. It is apparent that KC is actually interested because he has attempted to shoot his shot on two occasions. He wanted to test the waters and see what Sol would say. I am not mad at her response. She basically said he would never know if he doesn’t shoot his shot, and she is not wrong. You can tell that Sol is still playing the game even though she is coupled with Sincere at the moment. Sol made it clear when talking to KC that she basically connected with Sincere because no one else was paying attention to her. I mean, Gabe did, but she clearly was not feeling him. So, it seems that she has given KC the green light to pursue her. My thing is that KC should be more transparent with Aniya. At this point, being honest would make things less messy in the long run. Melanie and Sincere are a perfect example.

Sol (24) and Sincere (25)- Sincere has fallen off for me. Even though America was the one who paired him with Sol, his lack of concern for Melanie showed me his true nature- selfish. I was with him until he started lying to Melanie right to her face in episode 9. In this episode, he did not even try to chat with Melanie to even check on her. From what we were shown, he has completely ignored her. This episode, he continued to show how much he was into Sol. I hope Sol continues to explore because, at the end of the day, Sincere is not a reliable partner.

Kenzi (24) and Caleb (21)- I do not even know where to start with Kenzi. Her kissing all up on Corbin is weird to me. I mean, she did not choose Caleb, and maybe she would not have if given the choice. The only issue I have is that she seems opportunistic. Now I know this is ultimately a game that you have to play to win. But the way she was all up in Sol’s face in episode 9, talking about come to me if you want to talk was a little fishy. But in this episode, if she really claims to be such good friends with Melanie, she should let Corbin focus on having a real shot instead of sneaking around kissing him. That just may be my bias rearing its head, though, because I want Melanie to have a fair shot after the whole Sincere debacle. Kenzie should at least give Caleb a fair shot, but how can she really do that, running around making out with Corbin?

Melanie (24) and Corbin (22)- Sigh … Melanie is an emotional rollercoaster to me. On the recoupling day, she was crying and sulking and didn’t sleep in the room with Corbin. I guess I cannot blame her, as it shows how much she really liked Sincere and was hurt by the recoupling of him with Sol. She needed some time, and by the next morning, she seemed to have pulled herself together. I do think when she went to sleep outside, Corbin should have offered to stay with her just to keep her company and in solidarity. That would have won him some brownie points if he were really interested in exploring things with her. But we see by the next morning, when he was all over Kenzi, that he probably is not so interested. I also cannot help but think that if he had received the reaction he wanted from Melanie, maybe he would not have been so pulled by Kenzi. To Corbin’s credit, at least he told Melani about his kissing session with Kenzi. I also have to remind myself that these are really young boys and the thought process may not be all there.

Trinity (22) and Bryce (29)- My daughter said that she was just a placeholder for Bryce, and I am starting to think maybe it’s true. They seem dull to me. Where are the sparks? And after Bryce attempted his shot with Kayda and got shot down again in the previous episode, I’m a little skeptical. I am also thinking that’s him trying to explore his options, but it would have made more sense if he had explored it with one of the new bombshells. This episode, I don’t think they really got any closer. It is more of the same with them.

Kayda (22) and Zach (26)- They do look good together. Zach told her that maybe they should slow down in the intimacy department, because what if someone else comes and they are interested in that person and have already done stuff together. Kayda didn’t get it, and even though he said it again, it’s giving I am waiting for something better. Nevertheless, they were selected to go to the secret room, a hideout room. The private room where they get to be all alone for the night. Kayda is revving and ready to go. She had let it be known that they are going to get down with the get down, but Zach does seem a little hesitant. We will find out in the next episode what goes down. They do seem to be the most solid couple at this point. Again, I thought it was Aniya and KC but not so much after episode 9.

Jen (23) and Gabrile (26)- Zzzzzzz wake me up when they get interesting. Ok, here’s the thing, they are new to each other, and Jen, I hate to say it, seems vapid. Gabe hasn’t really been interesting to me at all because all I really know about him is that he likes kissing everyone. They are trying to get to know each other, but it’s not cute. He definitely has more chemistry with Beatrice, but even then, I wanted more. Ultimately, I think I am just not a fan of his.

Your Peace Is More Important Than Your Response

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:47:51 +0000

Your Peace Is More Important Than Your Response

You don’t always need to react

You’re learning that not everything needs an immediate reaction—especially not from you.

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

It is alright to let things go. Sometimes, some people may feel the need to have a say, or win an argument or be right or have an opinion. In this current time, when everyone has a social media page, a podcast mic, a camera phone or access to an audience, it can be tempting to lend a voice to what goes on around you. Some are compelled to do it. Just because we have access does not mean that we should sound off. Likewise, just because we can react does not mean that we should.

I like to work on this concept particularly in altercations or disagreements, especially when one side of the party is getting significantly worked up, whether it is by displaying anger or strong emotions. We have to ask ourselves what the end goal of this argument is. When I walk away from this, what will either of us gain? Sometimes, I find it is not worth it to just be right.

There are times when the other party is purposely trying to get under your skin. They want to engage you, enrage you even. They want a reaction. Our current media landscape is like this. With the media economy set up the way it is, all that matters is the click and how long they can keep you engaged. That’s what pays the bills. That is what gets the brands to spend money and keep the lights on. Of course, that is serious business. So, clickbait and articles that serve to stir up our emotions are the most reactionary and what keep us around longer. It is usually something negative that is designed to trigger a part of us that compels us to engage.

That constant interaction can be exhausting. It requires a respite because we should not constantly have our buttons pressed and emotions fired. It is not healthy and can lead to ongoing stress reactions. When do we decompress? Between the news on television and the information on social media, our senses are always on high alert, and we do not even notice. Talk about being constantly in stress mode. Fight or flight never turns off, and that leads us to hormonal reactions that lead to chronic stress that leads to disease.

So it is okay not to react. It is okay to turn it off. It is okay to allow your mind some time to just be. Stare at the clouds, breathe, doodle, skip, or do whatever frivolous thing that makes your heart smile, even if it is just for a minute.

Is it easy? Absolutely not. Is it necessary? Absolutely yes! Beyond necessary. It is imperative.

Check out some of our related posts

Let Go of The Drama

Release What’s Weighing You Down: Today is a Good Day to Let Go of What No Longer Serves You

In This Moment: Three Steps to get There

Losing You: The Art of Letting Go and Finding Yourself Again

Stress Management in Five

------------

Rise of the Iron Empress on Pine Drama Recap

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:16:04 +0000

Rise of the Iron Empress

Pine Drama

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Rowan is supposed to pick from three men her father has selected for her to marry. On the day they return from battle, she finds out that the one she actually loves, Zane Kane, loves her servant and is secretly plotting against her. He only wants to marry her to get her title, dowry, and rewards. Then he will force her to accept Elara, and if she doesn’t, he will divorce her. The other two suitors seemed to hate her as well and are on Elara’s side. So even if she doesn’t pick Zane, they won’t marry her, leaving her with no choice. Hurt, Rowan hatches a plan that will turn their worlds upside down while getting her revenge on all of them for their betrayal.

Rowan, overhearing this and her heart breaking, decides to marry the crown prince instead. She secretly tells her father to make the arrangements. Her father objects at first, in fear that she will not be happy because he has heard the prince is cold and may not even like girls. He also says she will not live the life of the Prince’s wife and that he might be ugly because he never shows his face. She emphasizes that her life will not be any better if she marries one of the commoners he has chosen. Little do they know, the Prince is already in love with her. She saved him as a child, and he has loved her ever since.

Zane is rude to her, treating her like she doesn’t have a say in anything and expecting her to be. She comes in to talk to them while they are in the courtyard and we see how arrogant they actually are because they think she has no choice but to marry one of them.

They flash back to how they met Elara. She was a refugee in an enemy camp and was being attacked. Zane saved her, and she pledged her life to him. Ro didn’t agree, but he disregarded her. In the present day, she is doing the good old tactics of playing the victim and making it seem like Ro is abusing her when in truth she is the villain. But Zane believes her, prompting Ro to admit that she regrets ever letting her stay.

Another flashback where Zane is being arrogant and thinking he is saving Elara by taking her servitude document. But it was actually one that registered her to be a courtesan for life. At the time, Ro was trying to do the right thing and get rid of it, but Zane took it without being aware. Ro decided to let things go and see what happens.

Ro says she can’t stay, Zane says she will, and they fight. Zane kicks her.

Ro realizes that Elara was trying to get at her father, the Marshal, and because Zane doesn’t want to believe it, he accuses Rowan of being the promiscuous one. They go on to say that because Ro has been around men in battle, she is out there giving away her cookies instead of being a true troop leader. He believes women can’t truly lead.

The three of them are arrogant and ungrateful for the fact that the Marshal took them in and raised them. Ro tries to tell them that she isn’t going to marry either of them, but they don’t believe her. Zane confessed that he loves Elara and will marry her, and there’s nothing Ro can do about it. He then tells her that when he’s her husband, he will teach her how to behave.

The day of the announcement, they come to arrest Elara because of her true registrations. Elara, Zane and the others continue to spread rumors about her, saying that because she was in the Army, she is the one who has been sleeping around and that she’s jealous of Elara.

Once again, Zane fights her because of Elara. Just as he is about to strike Ro in the face, she is saved by the crown Prince. When the prince gets there, he is upset that they brought a courtesan to the capital. Zane says it was a setup; the authorities say it was not. The prince says fine; he will allow Elara to be Zane’s primary wife. Zane does not want that because he won’t get the same benefits from marrying Ro.

They still think Rowan has to marry one of them, so they continue to talk and act recklessly. They have sworn Elara as their sister, and Zane will be her husband. Ro lets them know in no uncertain terms that they will not get a head connected to a courtsean, especially after the public declarations.

After they officially announce that Rowan is marrying the Prince, everyone is shocked. Zane asks about her father’s army, and she’s like, they have been absorbed into the crown’s military, so the titles Zane, Nathaniel and Ryan have are no longer significant. Checkmate!

Zane is still trying to get his way even in front of the crown prince.

Nathaniel and Ryan have been stripped of their command as Deputy Commanders and will become regular guards. While Zane will retain his command, he will be in charge of security but not lead troops, which is an insult as well.

Prince flirts in the carriage with Rowan before they leave.

Marshall's angry at the three men and has them get 50 lashes. They still disrespect Ro though, and she tells them she is showing them mercy by keeping them alive

Zane still thinks Rowan loves him and is just being difficult to make them yield. Meanwhile, Elara is trying to make the best of her situation. She is showing her true colors as a user and courtesan.

Zane provokes the prince to remove his mask, getting the people involved thinking he has had the upper hand, but the prince is not ugly under the mask at all, like they thought. On the wedding night, Rowan tells the prince that she will keep his secret because she thinks he actually likes men. He clears it up.

Before they can do the do, Rowan gets hungry, and they go on a mission to find food. She changes clothes and looks like a man, so the three stooges think they are going to catch the prince with a guy. Meanwhile, he is basically confessing his love to Rowan and telling her that he will help her go for her dreams.

Prince’s mother is not happy with Rowan, thinking she is not good enough for the prince because there was a report of her talking with Kane. She also had other women select for the Prince to marry but he was never interested. In order to have Ro prove herself, she tasks her with putting on a banquet for her.

During the banquet, Rowan performs for the queen, and they insult her because she is dressed like a man. Zane antagonizes the mother, making her continue to go against Rowan and make disparaging remarks towards her. Rowan faints after her dance. The doctor comes and announces that Rowan is pregnant. Zane still believes that they saw the prince with a man instead of with his wife. His mother also thinks he was with a man, and the baby is not his. Prince tells her that ever since she saved him, he’s been in love with Rowan. And if he wants to cut ties, they can. We never see the mother again.

The three stooges are now plotting to have her miscarry. They get Elara to give her a tonic, and then they hear she was having a miscarriage. Then Zane said she lost the baby because she would mysteriously cause animals to die, and people were to stay away from her as a child. They said since it was her fault, she should be punished and banished. But in truth, she suspected they were up to no good, did not truly drink the tea and didn’t miscarry. They found out it was Elera. She didn’t admit to having accomplishments, and Zane never admitted his part in helping her out. When she realized he was not going to speak up for her, Elara changed her mind and told the truth that Zane was the mastermind.

Elara never really loved Zane. They are banished, and they are killed by bandits. Nathanial and Ryan are stripped of their post completely, became beggars, and ended up with fatal infections and died. Rowan and the Prince have a child together and make political headway by changing some of the old ideals about women in politics and the military. They rule together as a unit.

------------

When Cutting Your Losses Goes Wrong: Kristy and Demond Scott

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Sun, 31 May 2026 11:49:15 +0000

When Cutting Your Losses Goes Wrong: Kristy and Demond Scott

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

US Weekly recently published that Kristy and Desmond Scott agreed to divorce terms over two months ago. The terms include how they will split the assets, custody of the children, and even how they will communicate on the children’s education. I am sure their lawyers left no stone unturned in order to get the divorce done. However, the article also states from the court documents that, “Ten days after filing, Desomnd, 32, filed an answer to Kristy’s divorce petition with a general denial and requested attorney’s fees, expenses, and costs on March 27th. It appears a motion for trial on merits is scheduled for hearing in July.”

There have been a lot of internet discussions about this couple because those who have followed them were weirdly invested in their relationship. I think there was also a fantastical aspect to their relationship because it looked like they were living the American dream. They were high school sweethearts turned married couple turned popular social media influencers with two beautiful children, a beautiful home, and what looked like a loving relationship.

Our investment in them was the epitome of a “parasocial” relationship activity. So when the news of their separation became public, the internet went absolutely crazy with people picking sides. Some were Team Desmond because they felt that Kristy used him, did not allow him to be his authentic self, and would not let him leave the relationship. Some were Team Kristy because they related to being cheated on. I am team let go of what does not serve you. I am team truth, honesty and values.

They created this internet couple persona together. From many of the comments I read, it seemed that people do not fully understand that although we are seeing aspects of their true personalities, most of what we see is scripted, thought out, and planned. You are not going to get a true first-hand reaction when the camera happens to be strategically placed in the best spot, with the best lighting, every single time. Some of this was performance for their audience, which they agreed upon. At the end of the day, no one truly knows what happened behind those closed doors. However, we do know Kristy filed for divorce because after 11 years of being married, she learned of her husband’s infidelity and staying with him no longer served her well-being or their marriage.

Sometimes we have to know when to cut our losses and leave situations behind, because although we have a strong connection to them, staying in them may actually cause more pain. That is what both of them chose to do. Now, my opinion on this recent revelation from the court documents is: why would Desmond now change what was already agreed upon? They both have money. Kristy does appear to have more because she’s been the main one featured, and it was her social media page namesake. Desmond recently started his Instagram page and has 1.9 million followers, while she has 9.9 million followers, but they worked on her page together. So there has to be some community property asset splitting situation that happens with the money they earned as a unit. After the separation, I do not doubt that her bag did not stop rolling in. His reputation took a hit, but he also gained some traction for those who are Team Desmond.

Point being, his wanting to deny the terms of her petition to ask for “attorney’s fees, expenses, and costs” is only going to prolong the divorce and add to the costs. The only thing I can think of why someone would want to prolong this is because he genuinely does not have the funds to pay in comparison to her.

There’s also a messy part of me that is thinking he is over there with his 1.9 million followers, watching her live her best life on yachts, giving away cars, still being beautiful, and showing more of her authentic self as she travels through this healing journey, and he does not like it. It’s giving you were supposed to crumble, and you did not, so I am going to give you more problems. I am going to extend this divorce situation, ask you to pay these fees that I can’t afford, so you can be stressed out. It’s giving Mary J. Blige Kendu hateration. But that is just the messy side of me that loves a little not-my-drama.

At the end of the day, I do hope they both can amicably, for the sake of the children, go their separate ways and settle this whole thing sooner rather than later. This is an opportunity for Kristy to potentially pivot and grow into herself more and an opportunity for Desmond to do whatever the hell he’s doing over there. Yeah, I am biased. I picked a side in the divorce, can you tell? Lol.

US Kristy and Desmond Scbott Agreed to Divorce Term 2 Months Ago

Are Parasocial Relationships Healthy or Getting Out of Control?

Release What’s Weighing You Down

Let Go of the Drama

Losing You: The art of letting go and finding Yourself Again

Bounce Back Stronger: Five Resilence Tips When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

—------------

And that’s your drop. Take what you need, leave the rest, and move gently into whatever comes next. If you enjoyed this (entertainment, wellness, or shorts & stories) moment, share it with someone who could use a little (Calm, clarity, or joy) today.”

Like, share, subscribe and Live lite and happy

Are Parasocial Relationships Healthy… or Getting Out of Control?

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:29:43 +0000

Are Parasocial Relationships Healthy… or Getting Out of Control?

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

What is a parasocial relationship? I have to ask because lately, I feel that’s the new buzzword being thrown around. Everyone is talking about the detriment of parasocial relationships brought on by social media. Discourse is particularly intense on social media and reflects society's obsession with celebrities. And I am thinking Duh … are we new here?

So let’s take a look at parasocial relationships through two articles.

Psychology Today’s Parasocial Relationships

Key Highlights

What are parasocial relationships, and why do we form them

Health vs unhealthy parasocial relationships

Do Parasocial Relationships Fill a Loneliness Gap

Key Highlights

Why do we get into parasocial relationships

Pro and cons

Fostering deeper connections

—------------

Divorce Stress Is Real: Gayle King’s Story Hits Hard

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:14:05 +0000

Divorce Stress Is Real: Gayle King’s Story Hits Hard

Gayle at the Met Gala 2026

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

In the list of life's most stressful events, divorce ranks second, right behind the death of a spouse. Now, everything that leads up to that can ramp up the stress meter. In Gayle King’s case, catching her husband cheating red-handed definitely ramped things up a bit. She recently shared during her appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that she got home and caught her husband fresh out of the shower with someone she thought was a friend.

Not only was Gayle King dealing with the shock of this man, William Bumpus, cheating, but she also had to learn that it was with another person she had some level of trust. They had been married for 11 years and, eventually, they did end up getting a divorce. What got her through that ordeal was reaching out to friends and having people to lean on. Of course, she talked about immediately calling her BFF, Oprah Winfrey, which is what anyone in that situation would do. I am immediately phoning a friend because I may need someone to talk me down from doing something crazy that would only make matters worse.
Divorce can cause a huge impact and the most important thing is that we don’t ignore the effects and seek support like Gayle did to help us through it.

Mental Health America provides some practical tips to cope through seperation and divorce to help decrease stress in Coping with Separation and Divorce

Interestingly enough, these suggestions are what should already be in your toolbox. They are aligned with overall stress management.
Suggestions like:
Allow yourself to have different feelings. It’s OK.
Give yourself a break
Connect with your support network
Don’t let yourself go. Take care of yourself by remembering self-care
Explore your interests
Don’t (well, try not to) engage in power struggle arguments designed to get under your skin
Practice mindfulness
Talk to your children honestly if kids are involved
Maintain routine and stability, especially with your children, as much as you can

The other article from Psychology Today is How to Manage the Big Emotions of Divorce and Stay Calm
Another way to manage your stress is to learn to manage some of the emotions because you will have a lot of them. Losing someone in that way will also trigger grief stages because while they are not physically gone, the future you thought you would have with them is no longer and you will need to mourn that.

The article goes through some of the emotions people may experience, like shock, guilt, grief, anger, fear, and anxiety, to name a few, and makes some suggestions to help progress through them. I will add that you have to go through them. Please do not run away or try to mask them by engaging in habits that cause you to ignore them.

Other tips on what to do when dealing with these varied emotional ups and downs:
Stop, pause and breathe.
Focus on basic healthy habits
Learn to forgive yourself
Learn to love yourself
See a professional for help or counsel
Engage in positive self-talk
------------------------
Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

Disclosure Day Fast Approaches: Trailer Reaction

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:46:57 +0000

Disclosure Day Trailer

Disclosure Day
Release: June 12, 2026
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Coleman Domingo, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Wyatt Russel, and Josh O’Connor
Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

The trailer for this new Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi film has garnered over 31 million views since its release 2 months ago, and I am intrigued. Where are my science fiction movie lovers at? Better yet, where are my alien conspiracy theorists at? The fact that the cast is an ensemble of phenomenal actors who really commit to their performance is already exciting. I am trying not to have to high expectations so I do not get too disappointed. However, I have to say, the trailer is making it hard not to expect this movie to be phenomenal.

With the first piano note and then “What did you steal?” I am locked in. Then he says, ‘secrets!” Oh, I am sat. Then it cuts to a high-tech facility where you see Colin Firth’s character walking through. The accompanying music is a character in itself because it has already had me on the on the edge. Then it cuts to the “thief” in an alien crop circle forming around him. Then back to him and his girlfriend looking at a screen, and she asks, “Are they people?” Before he answers, there’s a tense pause, and he says, “No.”

This is all in the first 30 seconds. I am there. Next, the trailer highlights that this is a Steven Spielberg production, and we hear Emily Blunt’s character’s cheery voice as she reports on the morning weather. This is when I know she is going to bring it because she starts acting funny, like she is unable to breathe or speak and proceeds to speak in some alien-sounding language. It cuts to a scene of different people in the nation watching, wondering what’s going on. Back to the couple, and the thief is tells his girlfriend that he can understand the alien gibberish. Now, of course, you cannot have a good alien conspiracy cover-up movie without the reporter who’s trying to expose everything, enters Coleman Domingo, who is emphasizing how “people are starved for the truth.” The trailer goes on to show various intriguing scenes, including short action sequences where Emily Blunt’s character and the thief, a potential whistleblower played by Josh O’conner’s, are running from dangerous attempts on their lives.

Now what I found interesting was that although the “aliens” are naturally assumed to be the villain, it’s not blatant that they are. That, of course, could just be my warped brain. Additionally, I don’t know if everyone is starved for the truth. I think most people want to be oblivious and live their lives undisturbed. From what I have witnessed in our political climate over the past few years, people want what comforts them. So in this vein, the “aliens and evil government might not be wrong. Check out the trailer yourself and share your thoughts. I am ready for June 12th to come around to check this one out.

https://www.disclosuredaymovie.com/

-----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Shorts & Stories: Quick Escapes for Your Mind

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Wed, 27 May 2026 05:17:25 +0000

Welcome to Shorts & Stories: Quick Escapes for Your Mind

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Introducing Shorts and Stories

What are Shorts and Stories?

My new obsession

Books (audio and physical also featuring Pocket FM)

Micro-dramas aka Shorts

Get to the Library or use Libby

Pocket FM, Libby,

Ranks my least to most favorite

Galatea TV
GoodShort
Kalos TV
LiteTV
Sereal+
ShortMax
DramaBox
ReelShort

New player PineDrama TV

Subscribe to the show on your favorite streaming platform

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams Book Review

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Sun, 24 May 2026 20:37:36 +0000

Seven Days in June by Tia Wialliams Book Review

Author Tia Williams

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is a contemporary romance novel about two people who have seemingly successfully survived their dysfunction. It follows the life of Eva and Shane who have become successful writers after creating characters based off each other.

When you fall off your reading game

About Tia Williams

Perfect Find now a movie on Netflix starring Gabrielle Union

Book Summary: After a trauma bonding week of making love, Shane disappears from Eva’s life and shows up years later to shake everything up again.

Rating 7/10

Managing an invisible disability

Toxic mamma

Tia Williams Books

Love, Wine, and New Beginnings: My You, Me & Tuscany Review

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Thu, 21 May 2026 05:08:55 +0000

Love, Wine, and New Beginnings: My You, Me & Tuscany Review

You, Me and Tuscany

Will Packer Production

Released: April 2026

Director: Kat Coiro

Starring: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Aziza Scott, Lorenzo de Moor, Marco Calvani, Nia Vardalos (did a cameo), and Stella Pecollo

Available: Streaming

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

You, Me and Tuscany is now available to rent on streaming platforms. The romantic comedy theater debut met with a tepid reception in April. The box office performance was disappointing to say the least, with the charming rom-com pulling in 22 million worldwide as of early May.

I have seen it in the theaters twice, and if I had the time before it was out, I would have seen it more. I thoroughly enjoyed it because it was light and cute and funny and a pleasure to watch. Now, I am partial to rom-coms. I expect their predictability and appreciate the happy ending.

What do you do when your life is falling apart? That was the situation that both Anna and Michael faced after losing loved ones, and each faced it very differently.

You, Me and Tuscany follows Anna, played by Halle Bailey, as she navigates her life after losing her mother. The film stars Regé-Jean Page, Aziza Scott, Lorenzo de Moor, Marco Calvani, Nia Vardalos (did a cameo), and Stella Pecollo. I loved the chemistry the cast had together. They were fun and heartwarming.

Now, I loved this movie, but, again, I am extremely biased. First, I love anything with a romance spin. So this being a romance is right up my alley. I also am a big Halle Bailey fan. Some say there is nothing special about this movie compared to other romance films. It received 66% from Rotten Tomatoes and 6.2 from IMDb, which is pretty accurate. My rating is about an 8 because, to me, there was just something wonderful about it.

The pacing worked very well for me. The comedic timing of the cast was spot on, especially Francesca, played by Pecollo. The acting was romcom acting. I also loved the setting. It was bright and airy and inviting. Book me a flight to Tuscany!

Spoiler alert

The movie follows Anna, who, after losing her mom, gave up on all of her dreams, which included cooking and going to Tuscany. She is working as a house sitter and lost her most recent gig because she took liberties with the owner's clothes. She is floating. The only one remotely keeping her grounded is her best friend, Clair. One night after getting fired, she meets Mateo, and they kick it out. They talk all night and vibe. He tells her all about his home in Tuscany and why he left. He also tells her about his villa that is left unattended. She gets invited for a nightcap, but Mateo ends up falling asleep and nothing happens.

The encounter does inspire her, though, and she ends up spontaneously going to Tuscany without any plans. This is where all the shenanigans start. Listen for a full recap and discussion.

Today is a Good day to Renew yourself: A Fresh Mind. A Fresh Spirit. A Fresh Start

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:51:43 +0000

Today is a Good day to Renew yourself

Just as trees shed their leaves in winter and renew themselves, the mind can shed its prejudices, barriers and renew itself. - Radha Burnier

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Every day is a day to renew yourself, your thoughts, your behaviors, and your focus. Truth be told, I feel like I am doing just that regularly. Consistency and focus are my Achilles’ heel. I envy people who seem to have it more together than I do, but then I remember to turn that energy inwards so that I can work on myself. I have been writing about the need to stay focused and get refocused for as long as I can remember. It is not something that will ever go away.

The reality is, we have to be comfortable with the need to refresh and revisit. Just as nature goes through cycles, so do we, while some of us may have shorter refocus cycles than others, that too is alright. I think the thing that can easily get away from us is realizing that we actually need to take a step back, take that breath, and actually pause, reflect and refocus.

We probably do it in small doses on a daily basis, but sometimes we need to take bigger steps back. This is why practicing mindfulness and grounding activities and working on stress management is important because it all works together to keep us on the right course.

So, just revisit one of the articles or shows I have posted before that may help us.

When Doing IT All Goes Wrong: 5 Life Balance Tips to Get Back on Track

Finding Focus: Today is a Good Day to Believe in Yourself Again

Collect Experiences, Not Stress — That’s Where Living Begins

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Wed, 06 May 2026 03:17:00 +0000

Collect Experiences, Not Stress — That’s Where Living Begins

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. –Rabindranath Tagore

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

This is a beautiful way of saying enjoy the journey. This is a poetic way of saying count it all joy. This is saying seize the day. This is saying everything is a lesson. As I move through life and gain wisdom along with every strand of gray hair, I am learning to embrace this more and more. Really, I am learning to understand it more and more. As the world gets smaller through 6 degrees of separation and social media and avalanches of information from around the world and headlines meant to pull and tug at our emotions, the one thing that is unchanged, no matter where we are or what we are going through, is that the sun is going to rise and set. Life is going to keep on keeping on. Everything is going to keep on moving. Understanding and appreciating how everything contributes to the flavor of life will help us handle the ups and downs.

This quote is a lovely way of slightly altering a cliché that, when we truly think about it, hits home. When we take the time to try to change our mindset towards the things that happen to us, we may be able to better handle the things that happen to us. The universe and its workings are beyond our grasp at times. How everything, creation, destruction, and everything in between fits and somehow works, and where it doesn’t, the world shifts to make necessary adjustments that we cannot begin to fathom, is awe-inspiring. For many, this is where a deity (God or any other) comes in to help us pull it all together, from some of the marvels of science, and yet for some, simple acceptance. Nevertheless, putting this into perspective and realizing that no matter what, at the end of the day, experience is living, and everything contributes to our tapestry of life. How can we grow and live life to the fullest is to collect experiences and not stress. That’s where living begins.

Today is a good day to collect experiences.

The Magic of Learning From Your Experiences

Michael Absolutely Worth the Watch

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:12:00 +0000

Michael Movie

Released: April 2026
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Kendrick Sampson, Larenz Tate, Derek Lik, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller, Juliano Krue Valdi, and Keilyn Durrel Jones
In theaters
Loved it! The movie was over, and the whole audience in the theater just sat there waiting for more.
Great casting
Make-up artist
Rating 10/10

Headlines and Haters
The movie stopped in 1988
Black or White video 1991
1994 settlement after 1993 accusations
Court Case 2005
Why didn’t we get to see about the accusations and the settlement
GQ article Yes, Michael Really Ends Like That

Today Is a Good Day to Talk About Your Joys (Yes, Yours Matter)

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Today is a good day to talk about our joys!

Talk happiness. The world is sad enough

Without your woe. No path is wholly rough.

― Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Today is a good day to be positive. I am not talking about ignoring our problems or propagating toxic positivity. I am talking about thinking of the good things in life, having a different perspective and practicing gratitude.

I do love that quote from Ella Wheeler Wilcox because she is basically saying yeah life is rough but it’s not only rough. There are moments of joy and happiness that will carve out for ourselves. We have a habit of talking about our woes and pushing our woes. That’s why click bait is so popular because it tugs on our emotions and the more negative the better.

Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about our joys. — Rita Schiano

I really like to vent. No. I feel like I need to vent sometimes. The only times I talk about my joys are when I am praying and when I am venting because I preface my vent by saying I have all these great things but ... and I vent on. Talking about our joys makes better sense. It releases positive energy. So my goal is less venting and more joy talking. Seems simple enough. Speak out loud. What are you joyful for?

Originally Published April 16, 2025

Updated with new qoutes and thoughts.

The Drama Review: A Hard Lesson—Everyone Isn’t in Your Corner

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:32:00 +0000

The Drama Review: A Hard Lesson—Everyone Isn’t in Your Corner

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

The Drama starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Mamoudou Athie dropped in theaters, and to be honest, I was not too excited about seeing it. Zendaya notwithstanding. However, I am glad I did.

Lesson learned: Some people only care about themselves and do not always have your back

Rating 8/10

Spoilers 9:30 marker

America's Next Top Model Reality Check: Is Natalie Nunn better than Tyra Banks?

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 02:29:00 +0000

America's Next Top Model Reality Check: Is Natalie Nunn better than Tyra Banks?

After finally watching America’s Next Top Model documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, I have concluded that Natalie Nunn is better than Tyra Banks. Hold up, wait a minute. Let’s get into it before everyone attacks me from all directions.

7/10 for the three-episode documentary.

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Know your Values

Article: Stressed Out? Activate Your Core Values for Real Relief and Resilience

Is Trya Banks a crappy person?

Does she know who she is?

Natalie Nunn > Tyra Banks

Not another America’s Next Top Model Cycle

Wuthering Heights: A Bold Take on a Legendary Love Story

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:49:00 +0000

Wuthering Heights: A Bold Take on a Legendary Love Story

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Did you all know about the controversy?

Why I know nothing about the movies or previous adaptations

About the Movie: Release, cast, critic, Box Office

Review: Listen to why I gave it a 9.5.

Recap and Spoilers

You are Your Only Limit

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:26:00 +0000

Oftentimes, there are things we want to do. There are places we want to go. There are goals we want to accomplish that may seem unattainable. Sometimes, when we look at the situation we are in, all those things seem dang near impossible. I get that. How can we dream bigger when we are caught up in just trying to survive, or trying to get through the day or battling health concerns or consumed with worry about what loved ones are going through? Sometimes, it never seems like the right time.

Catalyst

All the

reasons we can

breath, light, night, fight, flight, foresight

surging through us, propelling us

forward

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

How do others do it? How do they overcome? How do they make it look easy? First, I think we should acknowledge that regardless of what success we think we see, everyone has their own personal battles, and although they make it look easy, for them it probably was not. Basically, let’s get out of their business and get back into our own because everyone has their own trials and burdens to bear. But what can we do for ourselves if we are in the pits?

The only limit is you. The only limit is ourselves. The only limit is how big or small we can dream. It sounds impactful, but I want us to take it a step further and make it impactful. I want us to translate that into positive action for our lives. The only way to do that is to change our mindset. To shift it away from all the reasons we cannot to all the reasons we can.

The Power of Mindset

Shifting Mindsets

Are You Ready for Matrix 5?

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 06:22:47 +0000

The Matrix movies are probably my all time favorite sci-fi movies. I was super excited when they announced a reboot, Matrix Resurrection. However, Matrix 4 was mid. Now they want to attempt a Matrix 5. Ugh ... I'm not feeling it. I want to feel it but sometimes well enough needs to be left alone. At this point I don't even remember what Matrix 4 was about. But I do remember giving it a 7 and if they bring back Wonder Man, I may still watch. I'm lying, I'll watch anyway. Are you ready for another Matrix?

Matric Resurrection Review

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2: Was It Worth the Wait?

WMTOBY@GMAIL.COM (Wanda Toby) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:43:00 +0000

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 was finally released on Netflix with four more episodes. After binging it, I don’t know how I feel about this season. It definitely did not dethrone Season 2 (Anthony and Kate) as my favorite, but I am not sure where it would land. I have to watch the season again to make that decision.

For now, my hierarchy remains the same:

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Season 2, Anthony and Kate).
The Duke and I (Season 1, Daphne and Simon).
Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Season 3, Colin and Penelope)
An Offer from a Gentleman (Season 4, Benedict and Sophie)

Listen below now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Anthony and Kate did make an appearance for season 4, but if you blinked, you would have missed them. In part 2, my favorite happenings were Hyacinth, Lady Danbury, and the Queen. It was a cute season but a little disappointing because Araminta seemed to have gotten off light versus how she was treated in the books. She did not catch enough smoke for my liking. Everything else was on point as usual. These are vets by now, so the acting was solid, and I enjoyed the other characters' subplots.

Let’s discuss, or if you have no intentions to watch, let me spoil it for you.

Spoilers ahead

Part one ended with Benedict making what he thought was a wonderful offer to Sophie for her to be his mistress. Part 2 starts with him being confused about how he went wrong. Mondrich clues him in that no woman wants to feel cheap and offering to keep Sophie as his mistress without any talk of love did just that. They do squeeze quite a bit of activity into this season. Penelope wants to stop being Whistledown, but the Queen says no at first. Francesca is attempting to come to terms with having Michaela around because it disturbs her and John's routine. The Queen is coming to terms with being alone since Lady Danbury wants to leave, and now Penelope wants to stop writing Whistledown. Araminta is stealing maids.

Benedict makes love to Sophie, and she immediately regrets it. She spends some time worrying about being pregnant, and when she finds out she is not, she makes a plan to leave for America, especially since her original plan to work for the new Lady Penwood, none other than Cressida, falls through, and she learns Araminta is close on her heels to get her arrested for “stealing” shoe clips. Before she can leave, Araminta finds her and has her arrested for not only stealing the clips but also impersonating nobility. Eventually, with the help of Alice Mondrich, they devise a plan to solve the situation. This is after the Bridgertons get Sophie released to their custody.

Sophie, with the help of Eloise (since Lady Penwood is Cressida and they had a friendship) visit the Penwood home to search for her father’s will. She finds it and learns that he did care for her. He left money for Araminta to care for her, and also left her and Posy and Rosamund a dowry, which she realized that Araminta had stolen. At the Penwood ball, Benedict, Violet, and Sophie corner Araminta and her daughters to inform her that they know she stole the money. They pressure her into making up a family relation to legitimize Sophie’s connection to nobility and negate her illegitimate status so she and Benedict can actually marry. Araminta begrudgingly agrees.

Benedict and Sophie- They finally end up together and are cute. Sophie is a tough cookie but not annoyingly so. She was justified in her feelings and actions. She realized that she had to look out for herself the best way she knew how.

Lady Violet Bridgerton- She and Marcus had a nice thing going on until they did not. There were a couple of moments when Violet started reminiscing not only about the love she and her husband shared but also about the girl she used to be. She decides that she does not want to marry Marcus right away because she wants to continue to enjoy that person. My thing with that is, I would have better understood it if she had recently been widowed, like a few years, but it has been ample time, and she has lived on her own. Sure, she has had the children, but when hasn’t she? Marcus would have allowed her to be who she is. I was actually proud of him because he did not waste time after peeping her game. He was not going to let her keep him as her plaything and then never follow through with getting married.

Lady Danbury and the Queen- I thoroughly enjoyed them together. I do not know if this is the last we will see of them together. Rumors and speculations hint that there could be another season of Queen Charlotte, which might be the only way to see them together again. The writers and the acting definitely made it feel like the end of an era.

Francesca, John, and Micheala- It was a little rough at first as Francesca was trying to adjust to having Micheala around. And I have to say that I did not blame her. They had just gotten to a good place, and here comes this cousin messing with their vibe. On the flip side, it was good for her as she got to see John in a different light and he got to see her lighter side, and Micheala had a way of bringing that out. Francesca was eventually able to build a friendship with her after trying to hook her up with a gentleman. Unfortunately, the happy time was short-lived as John passed away. I was not happy about how this was playing out in part one but feel as though they did it justice in part 2. They were able to show how much John and Francesca loved each other and how much that relationship meant to her. I am not sure what the ending means because in the book Micheala is Michael, and he and Francesca end up together for her own book. At the end of part 2, Micheala ends up leaving when things seem to get a little too cozy for her. Are they going to find a long-lost relative that’s actually a Michael?

Hyacinth and Eloise- Hyacinth had a recital where she got her first reality check that some guys are just clueless. Then, when John died, she totally lost it. Coming to terms with death at such a young age can be a hard thing, especially for someone who is not only naive but also so idealistic as Hyacinth. Some of that innocence died during this season. She was hopeful, but then destroyed at how people can find love and it gets snatched away without any rhyme or reason. Eloise, even though they had their differences, was there to support her and love on her the best way she could have. I also like how they touched on her releasing some of her jaded views on love, which is a nice setup for her story that may be the next season.

Lady Whistledown- Well, Penelope is out, but a new mystery writer has released a copy. Who could it be?

Listen to the show for more details.