Ep. 46 Wise Soul Mesa by Barbie Kong

Today I sit done with Jane Bolles. Jane became a New York City Teaching Fellow after graduating from the University of Richmond and has been teaching ever since. She is in her 7th year of teaching at a public school in Queens. She has a MS in Math Education from St. John's University and a MA in Education Policy from Teachers College at Columbia University. We talk everything from funding to class sizes to "No Child Left Behind" and more. Jane has some amazing insight and words of wisdom. It is a must listen! Thanks Jane!

Dr. Ibby Cizmar is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Franklin & Marshall College and an Associate Faculty member at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She holds an MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School/New School for Drama. Her Ph.D. in Drama from Tufts University focuses on acting theory during the Black Arts Movement. As a published scholar, her work intersects with Africana Studies, Performance Studies, Theatre History, and Queer Theory. Today we talk about Afrocentric acting, Malcolm X, Tupac, Spike Lee and much more. Throughout the episode Ibby mentions a lot of really great artists and work, see below:

Ernie McClintock (Afro-American Studio for Acting & Speech, 127th Street Repertory Company, Jazz Actors Theatre in Richmond)

Ronald Walker

Marc Primus

A. Peter Bailey (critic & historian)

N.R. Davidson's El Hajj Malik

ntozake shange spell no. 7

Ed Bullins Goin' a Buffalo

Richard Wesley The Mighty Gents

Sonia Sanchez's Uh; Uh, but how do it free us?

Dereck Walcott's Dream on Monkey Mountain

Alejandra Parrilla is a New York based actor. She got her B.F.A in musical theatre from the "The Boston Conservatory". Her favorite credits include Rose in "Dogfight", Women 2 in "Songs for a New World", and Daniela in "In the Heights". Today we talk about body image, eating disorders, Frida Kahlo and much more!

Today I sit down with the amazing Nikaline McCarley. Nikaline is a former executive assistant at CNN and is currently freelancing with US weekly. Nikaline talks candidly about her battle with breast cancer, fertility and plastic surgery. Nika has so much insight and positivity about her journey that I really urge all women to listen and learn. "it will all be okay in the end.... but its not the end". Thanks Nika! Love you so much. If you would like to donate to New York Cares, go to newyorkcares.com link in bio

Today I talk with the fabulous Sanja Danilovic. Sanja has been on "Orange is The New Black", "Law and Order", and has tackled many amazing roles in her career. Originally from Croatia, Sanja made her way to America where she became New York savy! We have a great convo, give a listen! Thanks Sanja!

****Correction: Olivia Colman did not play Queen Mary, it was Queen Anne! So sorry! Today I hop on the pod solo to give you my top movie roundup of 2018! Thank you again to all of the wonderful women who have come on and all the amazing guests who are lined up in the New Year! You guys have made this one hell of a year for me! Happy New Year!

Today I chat with Lauren Berger, founder and CEO of Intern Queen and Career Queen, which matches young professionals with internships and careers. Lauren has written three books: : "All Work No Pay", "Welcome to the Real World" and "Get It Together". We talk about her latest books which includes great chapters on being busy, starting a new project, goal setting, support systems, social media, content, influencers and much much more. Thank you so much Lauren for you time!

Today we talk to Raye Levine! Raye is an actor, architect and figure skater! Raye is a newlywed and brought her beautiful new puppy with her when we sat down to chat. We talk about Raye's journey in all these different parts of her life and how they intersect, which is a really interesting aspect to her life. We also talk about how she approaches characters and her self produced projects. Raye is such an amazing person and fun fact: after the interview my elevators were down in the building and we walked up 30 FRICKIN flights of stairs! But Raye's positivity helped me do it and now I am climbing stairs daily now! Thanks girl!

Today I sit down with Valerie Lonigro. Valerie is a personal trainer, actor, and most importantly mama! Valerie has been seen on All My Children, Math Warriors and soon The Blacklist. We talk about acting classes, soul cycle, producing your own work, manifestation, Moulin Rouge, Venus and Fur and much much more! Check it out! Thanks Val!