Things I'm Thinking About Vol. 003

Teyana Taylor, The Diddy Doc, Media Layoffs, Eddie Murphy's genius, Meg's Lover Girl Era, and perfection being the enemy of progress.

Anyone else feel like 2025 is moving like it has somewhere to be? Time truly feels like it’s flying, and I’m not mad at it because whew, this year has been hard. I’m more than ready to turn the page to 2026. But more on that in my end-of-year reflection, which I’ve been (slowly but surely) working on.

I didn’t mean to go the entire month of November without sending out newsletter, but it was one of those months where life kept throwing me curveballs, my energy was low, and some new opportunities were requiring my full attention. And it being pitch black by 5pm each day does not help. They’re challenging everything except daylight savings time, someone take that to the Supreme Court please!

During a recent conversation with friends I also had a realization: I often let the scale of how I want to do things get in the way of actually doing them at all. I’m a recovering perfectionist in many ways, but the toughest area by far is the work I put out publicly. Winston Churchill was right—perfection really is the enemy of progress. So one of my goals for 2026 is choosing progress over perfection, especially when it comes to this newsletter. The aim is to publish at least two editions a month. No grand promises, just intention. Let’s see how I do.

With that in mind, I decided to share another round of Things I’m Thinking About. A Q4 Edition if you will. It’s not an exhaustive list, but rather a collection of thoughts on a few of the trending topics that have been swirling online since my last newsletter.

Some of these blurbs can also be found in a new weekly series called Currently that I started along with my friends Kevin Stuckey and Maya Watson over on Follow The Leaders. Each newsletter includes our takes on the moments and moves in culture that reveal the patterns of greatness and what might get in the way. If stories about greatness, leadership, and becoming interest you subscribe and follow along. We’re cooking up some great content over there for next year.

Things I’m Thinking About…

I need to put Teyana Taylor’s preparation on my vision board…

Teyana is having an absolutely iconic year. She’s starred in one of the top films of the year (One Battle After Another), released one of the year’s standout R&B albums (Escape Room), and is being widely celebrated for both. She’s earned Grammy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice nominations – and it feels increasingly inevitable that an Oscar nod is on the way. She’s been honored at ABFF Honors, Essence Black Women in Hollywood, the Ebony Power 100, Elle’s Women in Hollywood (to name just a few), and has graced the covers of countless magazines throughout the year. The cherry on top? She’s dating Aaron Pierre, aka That’s Mufasaaaa, aka one of the sexiest men alive (according to People Magazine, myself, and anyone with eyesight).

But what makes Teyana’s 2025 so compelling isn’t just the accolades — it’s the evidence it provides in the importance of trusting the timing of your life. She has been in the zeitgeist for literally half my lifetime, dating back to her iconic My Super Sweet Sixteen episode in 2007. Over the years, we’ve seen flashes of brilliance and moments that hinted at her full range, but rarely anything that matched her depth of talent. In large part, that’s because she was mismanaged and undervalued by the very systems meant to support her. Her former label failed to grasp the full scope of her creative vision, particularly her desire to direct and act. The toll became so heavy that she “retired” from music in 2020 to exit her record deal and protect her mental health. Staying in a place that only saw her as one thing would’ve cost her too much.

What’s remarkable is that she never let the delay derail her design. Instead, she kept working in the wait. She founded her production company, The Aunties, creative-directed live performances and music videos for artists like Latto, Summer Walker, and Monica, while also sharpening her acting chops in films like A Thousand and One and The Book of Clarence. It wasn’t all flashy – but all of it was foundational.

I had the honor of being in the room as she accepted the Entertainer of the Year award at Ebony’s Power 100 gala, where she gave a glimpse at how God has been fueling her life. Here’s what she shared:

“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

And that one hits differently for me tonight cause God… He is the author, and He is the mediator. The one who wrote my story before I even knew I’d be standing here tonight. Father God in the name of Jesus, you gave me the strength when I was tired, you gave me the strength when I was scared, you gave me the ability to check myself when I doubted myself, and through all you made me victorious, more than a conqueror. Thank you for consistently showing me that your love doesn’t come with conditions. Thank you for covering me in every form that I’ve come to you in. And thank you for placing the right people around me… God, in the name of Jesus, gets all the glory.”

— Teyana Taylor at the Ebony 100 Gala

The more I think about the diligence to craft Teyana displayed during her waiting season, the less surprising it is that she’s finally experiencing the momentum she’s been chasing her entire career. Her preparation opened the door for career-defining opportunities. This isn’t a comeback, it’s the fruit of alignment. She’s at the height of her career, seemingly clearer, freer, and more intentional than ever about who she’s becoming. She’s released the emotional weight of relationships that no longer served her, including a very public divorce, and stepped fully into an understanding of God’s love and favor in her life.

The Diddy Documentary…

There’s a lot that can be said about Sean Combs: The Reckoning, but what struck me most is how clearly the documentary illustrates this truth: Whoever the founder is, the company becomes.

Across the four-episode docu-series, former Bad Boy artists, staff, and producers recount the many ways they witnessed Puff’s abusive behavior long before it reached them directly. They saw the red flags, justified them in pursuit of opportunity, and ultimately learned how deeply that decision would cost them. Destinies were altered, dreams were deferred or abandoned, and lives were irreparably harmed—people were abused, traumatized, imprisoned, assaulted, and even killed.

For those on the path to greatness, let this documentary be your reminder not to get in business with morally corrupt leaders. Whoever sits at the helm determines the direction of the ship, and whatever drives them—good or bad—will impact your work. No amount of talent or “staying out of the way” protects you from the culture you choose to align with. As Mark Curry shared, it became a constant fight-or-flight reality, and even those who made it out still carry visible scars.

Most of us have to learn under someone else’s leadership before stepping into our own. Don’t let the lure of fame, access, or money blind you to the character of the people you entrust with your purpose. The price of choosing wrong is far too high.

On the flip side, Eddie Murphy’s doc is a masterclass on properly stewarding your gifts…

I knew there’d be plenty to glean when Eddie finally let someone tell the story of his greatness, and Being Eddie does not disappoint. If you watch celebrity docs for gossip or scandal, this isn’t that. But for those of us who appreciate a breakdown of brilliance, Murphy offers plenty of free game and sharp insight through the lens of his journey to becoming a trailblazer in entertainment. What’s striking is how clear Eddie is on the impact of his work and the uniqueness of his gifts. You see that he identified his gifts and the vision for who he needed to become from very early on: a kid obsessed with watching TV and impersonating voices; a teenager who dreamed of being “funny as Richard Pryor, cool like Elvis, and as big as the Beatles.” SNL was his Harvard, and his transition into movie stardom came from recognizing that he could—and should—be more than one thing. That his expression could be as expansive as his imagination. Breaking barriers and opening doors became his work. He put the “leader” in leading man for the generations of comedic actors who came after him, and credited him as the first possibility model of boundless creativity they saw from someone who looked like them.

“What I wound up doing changed the perception of Black actors. They saw me, and they saw worldwide success, and realized Black could be worldwide… I was the psychological soil that was required for everything that happened after me.” — Eddie Murphy

The doc is also a masterclass not just in becoming great, but in maintaining greatness. Dave Chappelle notes that surviving being Eddie Murphy may be Eddie’s greatest accomplishment. Everyone else in his class of pioneers who broke the glass ceiling on Black superstardom — Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston — is no longer with us. A sobering reminder of the mental discipline required to sustain greatness. On that, Eddie says, “The best thing to pray for, more than money or anything, is a peace of mind. You got that, you got it all.”

Meg and Klay’s relationship…

I love that Megan Thee Stallion has chosen a man who does not play about her. The photos and TikToks of Meg and her new boyfriend, Klay Thompson, have been cute, but what’s really sealed the deal for me was watching Thompson defend his rapper girlfriend as the public once again tried to blame her for the actions of a grown man. This time, the men in question include former NBA players Patrick Beverley and Jason Williams, who made lewd comments about Megan on their podcast while insinuating that she was somehow responsible for Klay’s rocky performance this NBA season. Unlike Tory Lanez, who had no problem trying to shift his own guilt onto her, Klay wasn’t having it. The four-time NBA champion commented under an Instagram clip of the segment, writing: “How would y’all feel if I referred to your wives in such a way? @patbev21 … Do better fellas. Very disappointing.”

There’s something genuinely heartwarming about seeing Megan experience this kind of protection and covering from a man after everything she’s been through. And honestly, her decision to be with someone like him feels like evidence of her growth and an increased sense of self-worth. It seems she let the pain of her assault and the trial that followed sharpen her clarity about the kind of people she should allow into her life. Klay comes across as kind, humble (he drives a Toyota lol!), and absolutely head over heels for our girl. And the feeling seems very mutual because only a happily in love millionaire takes the time to cook an entire Thanksgiving meal for her man’s family, okay?! Anyone who has watched Meg’s doc on Amazon knows just how beautiful it is that she is being so embraced by the Thompson family after losing both her parents and grandmother all before the age of 25.

Whether they last forever or simply enjoy a beautiful chapter together, the respect and care he’s shown her is a bar I hope she keeps moving forward. Shoutout to the hot girl captain for showing the girls what it looks like when you choose a softer place to land.

My fellow journalists as our industry gets torn apart by billionaires, conglomerates, and a POTUS that doesn’t respect the First Amendment…

The casualties continue to rise as the media industry, as we knew it, continues to crumble. CBS News, Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, Essence – the list is endless, and there are no signs of letting up. I’ve been on both sides of layoffs, and I know how they leave everyone – those kept and those let go – scrambling to navigate an ever-shifting landscape with fewer resources and less hope. It’s a disappointment many of us have carried since the death of print journalism. At this point, it’s clear: the system was never built to protect us. And the way I see it, we can keep lamenting over that truth or figure out how to keep operating in our assignment anyway.

We made these brands, not the other way around. Our gifts come with us. We are both the juice and the squeeze. To everyone laid off or struggling in this ruthless economy, feel the pain, yes, but let it also be a portal. Let the suffering squeeze out your ingenuity and reveal new parts of your design you might never have discovered otherwise. Take advantage of the dismantling of old media structures and become the answer to the problem. I truly believe the future of journalism is independent, driven by creators who’ve earned their audiences’ trust. Whether that means building your own platform, joining forces with others, or finding new ways to share your work, don’t let your creativity sink with a ship that was never built for us in the first place.

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Last but not least, some rapid takes on what I’ve been watching…

• The Diplomat (Netflix) – I savor every episode of this fantastic political drama like a meal prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. Every season is better than the last. The Wylers are absolutely chaotic and brilliant, and I cannot help but stan. Also, as a West Wing fan, watching Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford play husband and wife is such a treat!

• All Her Fault (Peacock) – Best plot twist I’ve experienced from a tv thriller in a long time! I spent most of the finale episode with my mouth AGAPE. Try to just sit back and enjoy the ride instead of picking apart the case — all questions will be answered by the end. Also, the thrill of it all aside, I enjoyed the examination of the inequality that exists within parental gender roles.

• The Morning Show (Apple TV) – Continues to be one of my favorite workplace dramas. This season was slow to start, but when it gets going, it GOES! Lots of great performances. Billy Crudup continues to prove why he deserved his Emmy win for his performance as Cory Ellison. Karen Pittman and Nichole Beharie deserve some hardware next!

• The Beast In Me (Netflix) – Another psychological crime thriller. Not as great as All Her Fault IMO, but a great cool down after watching it if you’re feigning for another thriller hit. Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys’ chemistry makes the show.

• Reasonable Doubt (Hulu) – Season 2 is still my favorite, but I love and am rooting for this show, its characters, and creators. S3 was full of shocking turns. You’ll be guessing who the killer is til the very end, and that season finale is a wild ride. On edge til that cliffhanger is resolved!

• Bel Air (Peacock) – So sad this is the final season. This show was so well done. One of the best reimaginings of a classic sitcom ever. I love that they put on an entire new class of talent. Jabari Banks especially did such an amazing job in his role as Will. I hope his career has the same longevity as the OG Fresh Prince. Bravo to everyone involved.

• All’s Fair (Hulu) – All I have to say is Ryan Murphy is never beating the white Tyler Perry allegations smh.

I might do a favorite shows of 2025 post if enough of you want that list from me. Let me know!

Sincerely, Sylvia