Empowerment and Entertainment Jessica Labita and Ashley LaNeve Share Their Podcasting Wisdom

By Jessica Ross

In the ever-evolving landscape of podcasting, where authenticity reigns supreme and engaging content is king, the "Sisters Uncensored" podcast stands out as a beacon of genuine connection and unfiltered storytelling. Helmed by Jessica Labita and Ashley LaNeve, this podcast offers more than just entertainment; it provides a masterclass in balancing the multifaceted roles of professional life, motherhood, and creative entrepreneurship.

Jessica and Ashley, both hailing from diverse professional backgrounds, bring a refreshing blend of humor, honesty, and heartfelt discussions to their episodes. Their journey from recording in a kitchen with a makeshift podcast kit to producing high-quality content in a professional studio is a testament to their dedication and vision.

Photo credit: Sistersuncensored.co 

Their approach is rooted in authenticity and relatability. Jessica and Ashley’s candidness about the technical challenges they faced, the decision to hire an agency for professional production, and their continuous quest for improvement underscores the importance of quality and perseverance in any creative endeavor.

Fashion, an integral part of their brand, is seamlessly woven into their narrative. 

As hosts, they prioritize genuine conversations over scripted dialogues, ensuring that their audience feels the true essence of their personalities.

Their journey with "Sisters Uncensored" is about building a community, sharing laughter and lessons, and empowering others to pursue their passions. Offering invaluable insights into the realities of producing a successful podcast, Jessica and Ashley’s story is bound to resonate and inspire.

What equipment do you use to produce the Sisters Uncensored podcast, and how did you choose the right tools for your needs?

Jessica & Ashley: 

“We started trying to do this podcast out of Ashley's kitchen. Ashley won a podcast "kit" at a tricky tray, so we were like, why not? We really wanted to create a high-quality video podcast. We quickly realized we needed additional mics, a podcast recorder with inputs to manage separate voice tracks, and good lighting which we bought. That all led to us purchasing a new Macbook so we could edit the podcast A/V. Overall, we bought a lot of equipment but quickly realized how much work goes into production and editing. We wanted to really do this right, so we admitted we didn't have all the expertise needed to do this the way we really wanted to and decided to hire an agency partner. We launched shooting in Adapting Social's studio and left the editing and production in their expert hands. This saves us a ton of time. Podcast production is a lot of work! It's been quite the learning process, and we are still making improvements even working with an expert

What advice would you give to women who are looking to produce their own podcast, especially when balancing other responsibilities?

Jessica & Ashley: 

“If you're a busy woman with other responsibilities, we would recommend leaving it to the experts! Hire an agency to help as much as possible with all the technical stuff so you can focus on delivering quality content and being the talented woman you are. We know that's not realistic for everyone's budget, so if you can't hire an agency, it is possible to do everything yourself. A video podcast does require heavy investment in equipment and time to learn. An audio podcast is much more realistic to accomplish on your own. Regardless, if you have something to say and the passion to make it happen, trust your instincts, do what you love, overcome challenges, and go for it! The podcasting world is abundant, and we encourage anyone that has interest in doing so to follow their dream.”

As busy moms and professionals, what are your favorite fashion choices that help you stay stylish yet comfortable throughout your hectic days?

Jessica & Ashley:

“Jess is a huge fan of Rent the Runway! She has been a monthly subscriber for years and gets several pieces twice a month. "I love that they offer a variety of options that help me choose outfits for every occasion - from looking cute and comfy while working from home, to finding professional outfits for when I'm in the office, to the trendy outfits you see on the podcast. I really wanted to create a 'Bravo confessionals' image for my on-screen appearances and RTR really helps me do so and not spend a fortune on clothes that I only intend to wear once or twice."

In your opinion, what qualities make a great host, and how do you incorporate those qualities into each episode of Sisters Uncensored?

Jessica & Ashley: 

“Authenticity, 100%! You must be your true self, or your audience will smell the bullshit and change the channel. We're honest, harsh, crass, we curse, and we think we're funny as hell, but we are always just us. We also have similar views on certain things and different views on other things, so it keeps the discussions interesting. We plan episode topics well in advance but never script anything. We make bulleted notes to remind us of what we want to talk about, but never script it. Anything we discuss we are enthusiastic about so our authenticity shows through for every episode. Plus, we're just having conversations as sisters and best friends. It's really so easy. People have told us for years that we are hilarious together and that we needed a talk show, so when the time came around to do this, it was just so organic and natural.”

How do you connect with your guests to ensure they feel comfortable and engaged during the podcast, and what strategies do you use to maintain a strong connection with your audience?

Jessica & Ashley: 

“We plan what we want to speak about with guests beforehand, but again, never scripted. We ask them if there are certain things that they're passionate about so we can be sure they're leveraging our platform to get their message across to our audience. We want our guests to feel that their time with us is a win-win for all. We're also respectful that there are some topics that may be off limits for certain people. The most important things are for us all to have a fun time, find commonalities, to laugh, share, and learn from one another. Additionally, genuineness, relatability, and respect for our guests are what help us continue to connect with our audience. They know we're real and we're here to be vulnerable with them. It's so therapeutic for us, our guests, and our audience!”

Can you share any memorable moments or challenges you've faced while hosting Sisters Uncensored that have significantly impacted you both personally and professionally?

Jessica & Ashley: 

“In Episode 13, “Unbelievable Neighborhood Stories: Rebellion, Forest Fires, and Plenty of Nostalgia!,” we reminisced about some of the crazy stories of growing up in a small town in Northern NJ. When we went to research some of our long lost neighbors, we came across a story about Daniel Akers, a childhood friend and neighbor that we lost touch with over the years. Dan was an amazing kid (we had lots of insane experiences together growing up) and we wanted to see what he was up to now. Well, to our surprise we came across several news articles that indicated he was murdered by his wife in 2019 in Paulding County, GA! We were stunned. We immediately started researching what happened and learned that his wife, Lacy Boles was arrested and charged with his murder and has been out on bail for nearly 5 years raising their children. As we dug further we found that her attorney is also representing Young Thug in his RICO gang charges in Atlanta. Because the Young Thug trial has been ongoing for so long, the attorney keeps being granted continuances in Lacy’s trial. Meanwhile Danny’s family is still waiting for justice. This really hit close to home for us. Not only did we learn that our Dan's life was tragically cut short, but finding out his alleged killer still hasn’t been brought to justice is heartbreaking. We took it upon ourselves to use our podcast platform to bring awareness to this case and the mess within our judicial system. We shared a change.org petition to have Lacy’s bond revoked. We don’t believe murderers should be walking around free in society. This is an injustice to the family, Dan’s friends, his children, and the state of Georgia. We continue to use our Podcast platform to update our listeners about this situation in hopes that the state of GA will FINALLY set a trial date for Lacy so Danny’s family can have closure and peace.”

Tune in to the Sisters Uncensored podcast at

https://youtube.com/@sistersuncensored

Heart Of Hollywood Magazine Contributor Jessica Ross

Since August 2022, Jessica Ross has been a contributor at Heart of Hollywood Magazine. Recent work includes Hollywood Unexpected airing on the XOTV Network digitally and broadcast and a starring role in the upcoming suspense thriller, Mr. Smith. Recently, she was a lead and co-producer in "Chasing Stars", a comedic-drama with an all female cast and crew.

Center Stage, Vegas Unlimited, Indie Activity, Action Magazine, Voyage LA, Cinderella of New York, Juwai, Bizbooast, Heart of Hollywood, JAMO Magazine, Entertainment Network Live, It Can By You, Livein Style Magazine, BuzzFeed and CBS are just a few of the media outlets she has been featured on.

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