A Song Called Life

In Episode #258, rapper Drizzy Tae returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation with Osi about the artistic process. How do you find inspiration when you feel tapped out? How does a young artist navigate the industry without losing themselves? They dig into these questions and more.

In Episode #257, Osi is joined by humanitarian and firefighter Amanda Ainsworth to discuss her evolution from an everyday citizen into a frontline responder supporting major humanitarian crises across Europe. They discuss the experiences that compelled her to take action independently, her time in refugee camps and how it has profoundly changed her perspective, how the growing nationalist sentiment in the UK is fostering public apathy toward people seeking refuge from life-threatening situations, and more.

Amanda Ainsworth is a dedicated humanitarian and firefighter whose work has supported several major European humanitarian crises. Her efforts began in 2014 during the refugee crisis, when she traveled to the Calais camp to assess conditions firsthand. Moved by the needs she encountered, she made multiple return trips, independently fundraising, collecting donations, and delivering essential supplies. In 2017, while completing her teaching degree, Amanda volunteered in Greece at the Olive Grove camp beside the Moria site, further expanding her field experience. Her ongoing commitment to crisis response later led her to join Children of Ukraine, founded by Steven Holland, where she now contributes to the organization’s fundraising and media initiatives.

In Episode #256, Osi sits down with visual artist and illustrator FRKO RICO for a wide-ranging conversation. What does getting your big break as an artist look like in real time? How do you balance creative freedom with family life? What does “selling out” actually mean? And is AI something artists should be worried about? Osi and FRKO tackle these questions and more.

FRKO, also known as Freako Rico, is an Atlanta-based visual artist whose work bridges street culture, hip-hop, and fine art. His vivid, often irreverent illustrations have defined album covers for artists like Action Bronson and Gucci Mane, while his gallery shows and merch lines push his creative vision beyond music. He grew up in Atlanta during the 1990s, absorbing the city’s art, skate, and hip-hop scenes before studying painting and sculpture at Howard University. FRKO’s art feels like a visual mixtape: loud, funny, raw, and honest. He calls it “hysterical, belligerent art,” a reflection of life as he’s seen and lived it. His story is one of self-definition, building a career from pure originality and hustle without waiting for validation.

In Episode #255, Osi sits down with renowned epidemiologist Michael Osterholm to talk about why it’s so important to start preparing now for the next pandemic. How did politicians and the scientific community fall short during COVID 19, and what lessons do we need to take with us moving forward? When might the next pandemic happen? Osi and Michael dig into these questions and more.

Link to The Big One - https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-t-osterholm-phd-mph/the-big-one/9780316258340/

Michael Thomas Osterholm is an American epidemiologist, Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, and director of the University’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. He is the author of several books, including his latest, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics (2025).

In Episode #254, Osi talks with philosopher Charlotte Blease about how artificial intelligence is disrupting and redefining the future of healthcare. They ask the questions everyone’s wondering about: Could AI eventually replace doctors? Are physicians already turning to tools like ChatGPT to help diagnose patients? And what ethical concerns come with relying on machines to make decisions about human health?

Link to Dr. Bot -https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300247145/dr-bot/

Charlotte Blease is a Northern Irish philosopher of medicine whose work explores the ethical, psychological, and social dimensions of healthcare innovation. Her research focuses on how digital and artificial intelligence technologies are reshaping clinical practice and the doctor–patient relationship. She is the author of Dr Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives, a groundbreaking look at how artificial intelligence could transform the future of medicine.

In Episode #253, Osi sits down with journalist David J. Lynch to unpack how globalization reshaped the lives of American workers. They revisit the 1990s, a pivotal decade when policy decisions and global market shifts set the stage for today’s economic and cultural divides. Lynch explains how political missteps and a lack of support for displaced workers left entire communities struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

David J. Lynch is the global economics correspondent of the Washington Post. The recipient of the National Press Foundation's Hinrich Award for Distinguished Reporting on Trade in 2021, Lynch has reported from more than sixty countries for the Post and earlier in his career with the Financial Times of London, Bloomberg News, and USA Today. He lives in Vienna, Virginia. 

In Episode #252, Osi sits down with Gary Tyler, who shares his remarkable story of survival and hope after spending 41 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. They revisit the day everything changed, the shooting that led to Gary’s wrongful conviction, and the unbearable weight he carried as a 17-year-old sentenced to death. Gary also reflects on how he found purpose, forgiveness, and freedom after losing so much of his life.

Link to Stitching Freedom - simonandschuster.com/books/Stitching-Freedom/Gary-Tyler/9781668097328

Gary Tyler, born on July 19, 1958, in St. Rose, Louisiana, is an African American man who spent much of his life imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. At just 17 years old, he was convicted of the 1974 shooting death of a 13-year-old white boy during a day of racial unrest outside Destrehan High School in St. Charles Parish. Tried as an adult before an all-white jury, Gary was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, as required by state law at the time. When he arrived at the Louisiana State Prison in Angola, he became the youngest person on death row.

In Episode #251, Osi sits down with author and consultant Bree Groff for a wide ranging conversation about work culture in America. The discussion touches on generational differences in attitudes toward work between Boomers and Millennials, how corporate culture has shaped small businesses, how artificial intelligence is poised to transform the future of work, and more.

Bree Groff is a workplace culture expert and author of “Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously).” She was a partner at SYParnters and previously CEO of NOBL Collective, and guided executives at companies including Microsoft, Pfizer, Calvin Klein, Google, Atlassian, and Hilton. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MS in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University.

In Episode #250, Osi sits down with music mogul Jimmy Kang, one of the most influential executives in the hip hop and music industry. Jimmy shares his journey from his Korean roots to becoming a powerhouse in the entertainment business, offering unique insights into what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive music scene. He breaks down the realities that independent and up-and-coming artists face, the hard truths about the record label system, and the often unseen dark side of the music industry.

Jimmy Kang is the CEO and founder of Str8Up Entertainment Group Inc., with more than 20 years of experience in the music industry. A respected hip hop music producer and artist manager, he currently serves as Vice President of Wu-Tang Management and oversees operations at Protect Ya Neck Records. Through Wu-Tang Management, Jimmy also leads Protect Ya Neck Distribution, Wu-World Radio, and the Wu-World DJ Coalition, expanding the legendary Wu-Tang brand across multiple platforms.

Since then, Jimmy has managed and collaborated with a wide range of iconic and rising artists, including Junior Reid, Spliff Star, Young Dirty Bastard, KrumbSnatcha, Edo G, Slaine, Jaysaun, Rich Gates, and Breje. He is currently working with Cappadonna of the Wu-Tang Clan, CORE of 36 Chambers, Inspectah Deck, Kurupt, Roscoe, Onyx, Raz B, Big Nate Allstar, Scott Isbell, and PBS Skinz, further solidifying his influence in hip hop and entertainment.

In Episode #249, Akinola Pedro returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on music. They discuss the importance of having support at a young age to pursue a career in music, the recent decline in hip hop popularity, the challenges of being a multi-genre artist, and more.

Akinola Pedro began his career in 2016. Born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian parents, he carries a rich heritage of West African and Afro-Brazilian roots that shapes his artistry. In 2019, he released his demo album SURREALISM, and later that year was named one of ten winners of the inaugural 2K Beats Contest, created by Steve Stoute’s UnitedMasters. His breakout single Traffic.jam {BARGAIN} was hand-picked by Kevin Durant and Stoute for the NBA 2K20 soundtrack. In 2021, his debut album Children of Immigrants! earned him back-to-back placements with 2K Sports. Most recently, on February 10, 2025, Pedro released his sophomore album POMEGRANATE?, followed by a tour to bring the project to audiences across the country.