Phillip J. Wallace joins Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on politics, power, and purpose. As a government affairs leader and founder of MVP Strategies, Phillip breaks down what lobbying actually looks like, how corporations navigate Washington, D.C., and the role policy plays in shaping everyday life.

The conversation also explores Phillip’s journey from Louisiana to the national stage, his experience working with major companies like Walmart, and his transition into entrepreneurship. Beyond politics and business, the episode opens up into a candid discussion on identity, dating, divorce, and what it means to build a meaningful life and legacy.

Plus, in this episode’s Culture Catch Up, Greg and Elliott highlight Anthony Mackie’s investment in New Orleans East and the importance of reinvesting in community.

A smart, honest, and wide-ranging conversation at the intersection of politics, business, and personal growth.

In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with actor Philemon Chambers for an honest and inspiring conversation about his journey into Hollywood, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and the importance of staying grounded while pursuing creative dreams.

Philemon reflects on how his passion for acting began as a child after seeing The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, a moment that sparked a lifelong love for storytelling and performance. From performing in church and community theatre to building a professional acting career, he shares the perseverance required to navigate the entertainment industry.

The conversation explores his breakout role in the Netflix holiday romantic comedy Single All the Way, working alongside Jennifer Coolidge, and what it meant to be part of one of the first mainstream holiday rom-coms centered on queer love. Philemon also discusses his work on Tyler Perry’s Netflix drama Beauty in Black, offering insight into Tyler Perry’s fast-paced production style and the realities of working on major television projects.

Greg, Elliott, and Philemon also talk about faith, identity, and the pressure of finding purpose in an industry that can often feel unpredictable. As a preacher’s kid who grew up with strong spiritual foundations, Philemon shares how faith and perspective help him stay balanced while navigating fame, opportunity, and personal growth.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about perseverance, authenticity, and the long road to building a meaningful career in film and television.

In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with Nicholas Wiggins, founder and principal of NIW Design and Managing Director at Values Partnerships, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, strategy, and the importance of building spaces where culture and advocacy intersect.

Nicholas shares insights from his years working with the NAACP, including helping shape experiences around the NAACP Image Awards, conventions, and leadership gatherings that bring together activists, creatives, and decision-makers. He reflects on the challenge of keeping legacy organizations relevant for younger generations, the importance of combating misinformation, and how coalition-building across communities remains critical in today’s social and political climate.

The conversation also explores Nicholas’s work in narrative strategy and cultural storytelling through Values Partnerships, including projects like the PBS documentary Black and Jewish, which highlights the shared history and partnership between Black and Jewish communities in the fight for civil rights.

Greg, Elliott, and Nicholas also reflect on the legacy of leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois and Reverend Jesse Jackson, the importance of mentorship, and the often unseen work of people who build the rooms where important conversations and decisions happen.

This episode is a compelling discussion about leadership behind the scenes, the evolution of advocacy, and why thoughtful strategy, collaboration, and community remain essential for lasting change.

In this deeply moving episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with Wendy Rodgers, M.Ed, MPH, Director of Care and Support Services at the Lupus Foundation of America, for a powerful conversation about survival, advocacy, and purpose.

Wendy shares her journey living with lupus — a disease that began showing signs in her teens but went undiagnosed for years. After being dismissed by doctors and navigating medical bias, her lupus progressed to kidney failure at just 27 years old, ultimately leading to dialysis and a life-saving kidney transplant. She speaks candidly about the physical toll of autoimmune disease, the emotional weight of not being believed, and the financial devastation that chronic illness can bring.

The conversation expands beyond medicine into healthcare disparities affecting Black women, the importance of self-advocacy, and why participation in clinical research is critical for equitable treatment outcomes. Wendy also discusses faith, boundaries, mental health, and how learning to say “no” became part of her healing process.

With honesty and wisdom, Wendy reminds us that while lupus is unpredictable and often invisible, strength, community, and education can change outcomes. Her story is not just about illness — it’s about resilience, purpose, and fighting to live fully.

For lupus resources and support, visit lupus.org.

Welcome to At The Table!

Join hosts Elliott and Greg for an inspiring conversation with Trell Thomas, founder of the Black Excellence Brunch movement. From small-town South Carolina to the White House, Trell shares his journey of building community, stepping out on faith, and creating a global celebration of Black achievement.

In this episode: ✨ How Sunday dinners became a cultural movement ✨ From Obama campaign organizer to LA entrepreneur ✨ Creating the first Black Excellence Brunch at the White House ✨ The power of authentic storytelling and intentional design ✨ Never telling yourself "no" and making room for bigger dreams

Featured moments:

1. Alice Smith concert with Miles Canton & Stevie Wonder
2. Meeting President Obama and entering politics
3. Building community through brunch culture
4. Fashion inspiration from Marvin Gaye to Pharrell
5. Self-care rituals and the art of the bath

Hosted on Captivate - The podcast hosting platform built for serious podcasters who want growth, analytics, and monetization tools.

🎙️ Subscribe for more inspiring conversations at the table!

In this powerful and uplifting episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with trailblazing model, actress, and activist Isis King for an honest conversation about courage, growth, and stepping fully into your power.

Isis made history as the first openly transgender woman to compete on America’s Next Top Model, forever changing visibility for trans women in mainstream media. She opens up about navigating national television during a very different cultural moment, the pressures of transitioning publicly, and what it meant to carry representation on her shoulders at just 21 years old.

From her early days in ballroom culture inspired by Paris Is Burning, to acting roles in When They See Us, The L Word: Generation Q, and Amazon’s With Love, Isis reflects on how trans representation has evolved — and where there’s still work to be done.

The conversation shifts to confidence and self-protection as Isis shares how training in Taekwondo transformed her sense of safety and personal power, helping her reclaim control after difficult experiences. She also speaks candidly about dating in today’s culture, being demisexual, protecting her energy, and learning to choose connection over validation.

Throughout the episode, Isis reminds us that joy, strength, and manifestation are practices — not destinations. Whether discussing mentorship, Marvel superheroes like Storm, or building financial stability for herself and her family, her message is clear: true power starts from within.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, growth, and self-definition.

Follow Isis King: @msisisking

Subscribe, rate, and share At the Table with Greg & Elliott wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with Jeffrey T.D. Wallace, President & CEO of LeadersUp, to talk about what it really takes to build economic mobility—especially for young people who’ve been locked out of opportunity.

Jeff breaks down how LeadersUp began (and why “not in school, not working” doesn’t mean “lazy”), what he calls “power-building” with young people, and how mentorship, storytelling, and policy all connect to workforce outcomes. The conversation also hits big-picture questions: equity vs. equality, the “benefits cliff,” why financial success doesn’t solve your problems, and how the shift into an AI-driven economy could either widen gaps—or create new lanes—depending on who gets prepared now.

Plus: the crew connects the dots to what’s coming to Los Angeles—All-Star Weekend, the World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics—and why LA needs a real workforce plan so local communities aren’t left watching money flow right past them.

This week on At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with actor, producer, and entrepreneur Maia Modeste for a wide-ranging conversation about purpose, money, creativity, and building something that truly serves people.

Maia opens up about her journey from acting and producing to founding Kirabo, a financial wellness platform designed to help individuals and families build generational wealth without shame, jargon, or gatekeeping. She breaks down why so many high-achieving people still struggle with money, how financial literacy gaps persist across class lines, and what it looks like to meet communities where they actually are.

The conversation also explores faith, burnout, entrepreneurship, Hollywood survival, leadership, and why rest and discipline matter just as much as ambition. Plus, the group dives into culture, career pivots, the legacy of Black Panther, and wraps with Be Honest, Don’t Hold Back and Chef’s Kiss or Miss.

An honest, thoughtful episode about money, mindset, and building a life with intention.

In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, hosts Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with acclaimed playwright and director Dennis Williams for a thoughtful conversation about Black theater, cultural legacy, and the responsibility of storytelling.

Dennis reflects on the inspiration behind his celebrated work I Cried the Blues, sharing how history, music, and lived experience inform his creative process. The discussion explores the enduring power of theater as a space for truth-telling, healing, and preserving community stories, even as the arts face financial and institutional challenges.

Together, they examine the importance of honoring creative elders, building intergenerational connections, and protecting Black narratives from being diluted or forgotten. Dennis also opens up about his journey in theater, the realities of sustaining purpose-driven work, and why live performance continues to be a vital platform for connection and impact.

Blending humor, insight, and cultural reflection, this episode offers a compelling look at art, legacy, and what it truly means to create with intention.

In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper are joined by Camara Mathis-Webb and Ryan Webb for an honest, thoughtful conversation about marriage, parenting, and navigating modern life together.

Camara and Ryan open up about their journey from high school sweethearts in Detroit to building a life as parents of two daughters, sharing how their relationship has evolved through different seasons of growth. The conversation explores communication in marriage, balancing careers and family, and the realities of raising kids in a digital world.

The group also dives into topics like emotional intelligence, setting boundaries, co-parenting as a team, and how social media impacts relationships and parenting expectations. With humor, vulnerability, and real-life perspective, this episode offers a refreshing look at partnership, commitment, and what it truly takes to grow together.

This episode is a candid, relatable discussion for anyone navigating love, family, and long-term relationships — no filters, no clichés, just real conversation at the table.