Rev. Ron beams a light and love that sees the good in everybody – even racists. His 12-step program, Racist Anonymous (yes, you read that correctly), helps people exorcise the prejudice that (apparently) is inside us all. Racist Anonymous is helping people around the US (and beyond). Rev. Ron Buford and I actually go back -- we connect to discuss sex, community, coming out, my time with the United Church of Christ, blended families to interracial barbershops and LGBTQ. 

Hallelujah! -- it’s #conversationforadults.

Resources:

• Racist Anonymous Website: rainternational.org

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

By the time you finish this episode, it's highly likely that Latoya Davis has already evolved into something else. Here is a woman who lives life on her watch (which, FYI, needs an upgrade). She likes to keep things moving – and if you're not here for her growth, well... then she's not here for you. Period. 

Latoya kindly tolerated me in her crystal-adorned home as we explored the circadian rhythms of life and what it means to outstay your welcome in relationships – and get-the-fuck-out-season needs to become a thing. It’s #conversationforadults

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

Antwoine Washington is a Michigan-born artist with a mission to create a collaborative platform for black voices. The Museum of Creative Human Art is a safe space for local artists to empower themselves and find solutions to the entrenched problems plaguing the community.

For a long time he silenced himself, spending years slogging away at a post office like a black Buckowski, before stepping into the role as a full-time artist.  We talk about his creative drive, why he can’t find funding within the black community, and his plans to independently scale his project to get more kids off the street and onto canvas. 

Resources:

• Website. Antwoinewashington.com + creativehumanart.com
• Instagram: @antwoinewashington

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

I discovered Andy Kindler as the other funny guy on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Currently, he voices Mort the mortician on “Bob’s Burgers,” which I don’t fuck with, but I may now on principle. In this episode, we dig deep: why he's been in bed with me a lot lately, his OCD, his writing, traditional Jewish humor, my crush on Kristen Schaal, the omnipresent H. Jon Benjamin  (who I’ve loved since “Dr. Katz” and “Hey Monie!”, but enough already, with the this, the THAT, the ARBY’S and the jock-itch cream-- yeesh) and his fond memories of summer camps (mine, notsomuch). But he takes me on his journey, and we talk comedy, my adopted Jewish grandfather, writer Harvey Pekar, and the artistic merit behind everyone’s favorite sitcoms and films. What -- I should say more? It’s #conversationforadults.

Resources:

• Twitter: @AndyKindler
• Instagram: @andykindlersuperstar
• Album: “Hence the Humor”
• Website: Andy Kindler.com

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

Mark E. Howard’s work is everywhere, particularly in Cleveland. He’s done murals, garbage cans and other public art that is all over the city, from Hopkins Airport to the Federal Building to 55th and Euclid and beyond -- but finding him? That’s another matter. Somehow, I do and we explore his creative projects – past and present – and discuss how religious themes express themselves in his work. Plus: why he has taken an intentional hiatus, away from the art scene. Also, and exclusive on his foot -- doesn’t get any deeper than this. #conversationforadults 

Resources:

• Instagram: 
• Facebook: 
• CAN Journal: Mark E. Howard Paints Religiously
• Artist Mark Howard's public art projects shine across Cleveland, elsewhere

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

Film producer, Effie Brown, lifts the lid on Black Hollywood, recalling her experience navigating LA-LA land as a strong, black female who isn’t here to sell cookie cutter, white savior, black poverty porn narratives. 

We pitch and fantasize about Black people getting funky on-screen, educating, entertaining by elevating marginalized groups – on and off-screen, the time and place to pitch to producers, and the crucial difference between fuckable dudes and marriageable guys. 

Resources:

• Website: gamechanger-films.com
• Instagram: @gamechangerfilms

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

Cindy likes to swing -- she’s in The Lifestyle. She’s a swinger: polyamorous and all that. For CFA, we disguise her voice because, hello? (and MY voice sometimes gets caught in the wash) as she speaks up for the thriving, pulsating Black kink community. Cindy talks about married life, her Five Guys (not the burger place), her favorite gangbang, bondage and Shabari ropes, double penetration and spanking. Yup. She recounts the highlights from her archives and reveals her biggest taboo: intimacy.  

This is #conversationforadults.

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

For Patrice Hampton, 2020 was a sticky stew of endings and beginnings. 

We discuss death from a position of equal and profound loss and we delve into widowhood and life after death for the living. The Patrice of today is a woman who knows who she is, what she’s looking for in a partnership, and where she’s going – and it sure as hell ain't an Applebees. We talk about being too picky and her life in cigars, and why women smoke them in the first place.

Resources:

• Instagram: @aladyandhercigar

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

Liz Burr and I go back -- we met online when the Internet was young. 

Today, we talk offline. From blended families and absent fathers to (toxic) male/female characteristics and our collective connection to tech, be it swiping dating apps, calling someone out online, or understanding the interpersonal dynamics of POC-founded start-ups. Also, Very Smart Brothers and Bossip.

Resources:

• Website: lizburr.com
• Instagram: @calinative
• Twitter: @lizburr

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media

Craig Serluco is a gamer and story wizard who ran to Russia in pursuit of employment and ultimately, love.

In this episode, he shares his tale as an American in the land of Putin and perogis and gives his insights into the cultural fabric of a country most of us only see through our TV screens. We talk Trump, weed, whiskey, #popcorn and Black Russians.

Resources:

• Instagram: @heyheycraig
• Twitch: @heyheycraig
• Facebook: @heyheycraig

Let’s Talk:

• Website: conversationforadults.com
• Instagram: @conversationforadults
• Facebook: facebook.com/conversationforadultswithjimiizrael
• Twitter: @convoforadults

Conversation for Adults is a production of Crate Media