In this episode, Zaya sits down with the radiant Jaycie O’Day to explore the strange, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying side of happiness. Together, they unpack what it means to finally experience joy after seasons of survival — and why that joy can feel unfamiliar, even frightening.

From chasing dreams to confronting the fear of losing what you’ve longed for, Zaya and Jaycie dive deep into how self-worth, love, and healing redefine what happiness looks like. This conversation is raw, reflective, and full of light — a reminder that joy doesn’t always come easy, but it’s always worth choosing.

JAYCIE O'DAY INFO:

Jaycie O’Day (@jaycieoday) • Instagram photos and videos

In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Zaya takes listeners on an intimate journey through the lives and legacies of the people who have shaped him most — the icons who’ve inspired his creativity, resilience, and sense of self. From legendary trailblazers in entertainment and queer history to personal heroes who guided him through defining moments, Zaya shares how their stories became the blueprint for his own. Blending heartfelt storytelling with nostalgic reflection, The Icons of My Life is both a love letter to influence and a reminder that our idols can ignite the courage to become icons ourselves.

You ever have one of those days where you’re smiling for everyone else, but deep down you’re just… tired? In this clip, Zaya gets real about that exact feeling — the side of happiness no one likes to talk about. He dives into what it’s like to wear a smile that doesn’t quite fit, to perform joy for the world while silently dealing with your own mess behind the curtain.

It’s honest, it’s raw, and it’s the kind of moment that makes you stop and think about how often we hide behind “I’m fine.” Zaya reflects on the pressure to appear happy — especially when the world expects you to be the strong one, the positive one, the one who has it all together. But what happens when that version of happiness starts to feel more like a mask than a mindset?

If you’ve ever struggled to balance how you feel with how you want to be seen, this clip will hit home.

🎧 Listen to “The Dark Side of Happiness,” then dive into the full Scripted Smiles episode for a deeper conversation about authenticity, healing, and learning to find joy that isn’t performed — but lived.

In this warm and reflective mini episode, Zaya invites listeners to take a breath and welcome the light back in. “When the Sun Comes” is all about rediscovering joy after the storm — that quiet, hopeful moment when you start to feel like yourself again. Through heartfelt reflections and gentle storytelling, Zaya explores what it truly means to find happiness not in perfection, but in progress.

Whether you’re chasing a new beginning or just trying to get through the day, this episode reminds you that even the smallest rays of light can guide you forward.

✨ Tune in to When the Sun Comes (Mini Version) and begin your Journey to Happiness — because sometimes, the sunrise is just the start of something beautiful.

In this inspiring and unfiltered episode of The Zaya Show, Zaya sits down with Kristen — co-host of the A Little Bit A Lot Podcast and two-time Black Podcast Awards nominee — for a raw conversation about what it means to be perfectly unfinished. Together, they dive into the ups and downs of mental health, the beautiful messiness of growth, and the way pop culture mirrors our own journeys of becoming. Through laughter, vulnerability, and personal stories, Zaya and Kristen remind us that being unfinished doesn’t mean we’re incomplete — it means we’re evolving.

The party’s over—but the music is just getting started. On this episode of The Zaya Show, I sit down with the powerhouse duo Dec Serrano—Dyl Travers and Anthony Jakobs—to peel back the curtain on their debut EP, No More Parties. From the electrifying rush behind creating Smile to the raw emotion pulsing through Vices, we journey into the heart of their sound and the stories that shaped it. Expect bold laughs, unfiltered truths, and a backstage pass into how two artists are rewriting what it means to chase the music and live the dream.

In this episode of The Zaya Show, Zaya unpacks what it really means to put on a smile when life feels heavy. We’ve all had those moments where we laugh along or keep a cheerful face, even when it doesn’t match what’s happening inside. Scripted Smiles is an honest conversation about why we do it, how it affects us, and what it looks like to move from masking our emotions to embracing them. This episode is about finding authenticity, letting go of the pressure to always “be okay,” and reminding ourselves that it’s perfectly human to feel more than we show.

Season 9 of The Zaya Show kicks off with a heartfelt reminder that happiness is always closer than we think. In this premiere, Zaya reflects on what joy looks like in everyday life and how we can welcome it, even during life’s tougher moments. He also shares a glimpse into the exciting themes and conversations coming this season, from creativity to community, and everything in between. When the Sun Comes is an open invitation to start fresh, sip your coffee, and join Zaya on a journey of finding light, laughter, and meaning together.