Cozy with Calinnah

Gigi Torres spent years navigating an industry with impossible standards — from body image expectations to pressure to fit a specific mold. Instead of shrinking herself, she chose to build her own lane.

In this episode, Gigi shares how she turned rejection into purpose, why she created her own dance company and mentorship programs, and how understanding your core values can protect your creativity and keep you from burning out.

We talk about:

• The audition that changed her life

• Breaking free from industry standards

• Reinventing yourself as a creative

• What makes a truly great student

• Why resilience matters more than talent

• Choosing not to have a backup plan

• How core values guide long-term success

Follow Gigi on Instagram: @geegtorres

New episodes of Cozy with Calinnah every Thursday.

In this episode, multidisciplinary artist Kiyomi Fukui Nannery opens up about her printmaking process, the natural pigments she creates from plants, and how growing up in Japan shaped her relationship with identity and belonging. She also shares how the passing of her mom transformed her art, her healing, and her purpose as a creator.

A conversation on memory, culture, loss, and the power of creativity to help us understand ourselves.

Follow Kiyomi: @kiyomimiz

Follow Cozy with Calinnah: @calinnah | calinnah.live

This special episode was filmed at the Butterfly Effect event — a gathering focused on how tiny actions can create massive transformation. I interviewed 7 attendees and artists, each with their own intention for being there: some came to observe, some to learn, some to step out of their comfort zone, and some were ready to take their next big step.

At the end, the tables turned and they asked me why I started Cozy with Calinnah and how this podcast began earlier this year. I challenged myself to release one episode every week… and I’m proud to say I’ve stayed consistent.

Posting this on Thanksgiving feels right — this episode reflects how gratitude and tiny steps have shaped my entire year. Trying something new opened doors I never expected, and this podcast became one of my greatest gifts.

Thank you to everyone who shared their story.

Keep growing, keep glowing — and stay cozy.

Dr. Arnel Calvario Ripkens has been a cornerstone of the dance community for over 30 years. From founding Kaba Modern to leading Culture Shock, managing iconic crews, and bridging artistry with occupational therapy, his impact spans generations.

In this episode, we talk about the evolution of dance, the rise of social media, Filipino representation, valuing yourself as an artist, and why great leaders stay lifelong learners. Arnel shares the wisdom behind three decades of service, creativity, and purpose.

Follow Dr. Arnel Calvario Ripkens

Instagram: @arnelcalvario

Website: drarnel.com

Follow Calinnah

Instagram: @calinnah

TikTok: @calinnah

YouTube: Cozy with Calinnah

Website: calinnah.live

In this episode, Calinnah sits down with professional skateboarder @kwamiadzitso — a Ghanaian American creative using his platform to represent his roots, inspire the next generation, and give back through skateboarding.

They talk about how COVID changed their mindsets, the business values that drive them, and the importance of representation in creative spaces. Kwami shares his story growing up in Ghana, the influence of Virgil Abloh’s Freedom Skatepark, and what it means to build a legacy that bridges continents.

🎧 Tune in on YouTube and all podcast platforms.

🌐 More at calinnah.live

📍 Follow: @calinnah | @cozywithcalinnah | @kwamiadzitso

In this episode, I sit with Dr. Deen Anbar to talk about what it means to show up — both in music and in life. We get into the art of being a supportive bandmate, knowing when to lead vs. when to step back, and how to create without trying to prove anything.

We also discuss his path through academia as a musician, the importance of choosing what genuinely brings joy, building better habits, and his journey with sobriety.

This conversation is about presence, intention, and listening deeply — to yourself and to others.

🎙 Deen’s Podcast — One Leg at a Time:

https://www.instagram.com/onelegpod/

📸 Connect with Deen:

https://www.instagram.com/anbar_guitar/

☕️ Stay cozy with me:

https://www.instagram.com/calinnah

She made 90s nostalgia cool again 💿

From viral skits to music lessons with her son, Maria Bone built a career out of pure personality — blending humor, motherhood, and culture into something completely her own.

In this episode, we talk about:

🎶 Meeting her favorite 90s and 2000s idols (like Xscape and Bone Thugz)

💡 How posting “just for fun” turned into millions of followers

💬 Why you should always ask — you never know who’s watching

☕ Balancing mom life, creativity, and self-care

❤️ And how sometimes your biggest haters become your biggest fans

If you’re chasing your creative dream or learning to balance passion and purpose — this one’s for you.

🎙️ Watch and listen every Thursday on Cozy with Calinnah

☕ Follow Maria: @mariaferrercurves

💖 Follow Calinnah: @calinnah

🌐 calinnah.live

What does it really take to look like an artist? 👀

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, I sit down with my stylist and creative collaborator Suzi Romero (@susyjromero) — the woman behind almost every look, show, and visual concept I’ve done since the beginning. Beyond styling, Suzi is a denim designer, photographer, and creative explorer, and together we talk about how style, design, and identity come together to create the artist aesthetic.

We dive into:

• How fashion shapes an artist’s image 🎭
• Suzi’s journey as a denim designer and creative mom
• The link between photography, fashion, and storytelling
• Building confidence in your look while finding your voice

🎧 Tune in and get cozy every Thursday on Cozy with Calinnah — where we talk passion, purpose, and everything in between.

Follow Suzi: @susyjromero

Follow Calinnah: @calinnah | https://calinnah.live

How do you make a film under $1,000 and get it screened at AMC? 🎥

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, I sit down with Kyle Waters Geller (aka @elprimobrand), a Long Beach filmmaker redefining what it means to create outside Hollywood. From shooting on iPhones to premiering his film Sorry World Premiere at AMC Marina, Kyle shares how grit, creativity, and building your own style can take you further than any big budget.

💬 We talk about:

• Making a film for under $1K
• Getting an indie film into AMC
• Building your own creative style
• Working with your partner in business and life
• Turning limitations into opportunities

🎧 Watch or listen to learn how Kyle proves that vision beats budget every time.

Follow Kyle: @elprimobrand

Follow me, Calinnah: @calinnah

New Cozy with Calinnah episodes every Thursday 🌙

What does it really mean to start over — to rebuild your life, heal from trauma, and find your creative spark again?

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, designer and entrepreneur Liz Garibaldi opens up about the night a car crashed into Open Gallery — her home and place of business — and how she and her family had to rebuild everything from scratch. Liz also shares her journey through therapy, the tension between choosing stability and creativity, and how being a former nurse shaped the way she processes trauma.

We talk about:

• Rebuilding life after unexpected tragedy
• Balancing stability and artistry
• Healing through therapy and creative expression
• Unlearning desensitization from nursing to reconnect with emotion
• Redefining what it means to be an artist as we get older

This conversation is a reminder that even when life falls apart, you can always start over again — and find new meaning in the process.

Follow Liz & her work: @opengallerylb

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/calinnah | https://calinnah.live