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Chef Darius J is BACK! And what better way to kick off our annual Thanksgiving episodes than bringing a familiar face back to the table?

This time around, Chef DJ joins us to talk about his latest venture: Sage & Citrus! We get into his new restaurant, the grand opening, and what it's been like stepping into this next chapter of his culinary journey.

But you know every business owner isn't going to please everybody. Chef DJ has already found himself with a crowd that doesn't agree with his stance, and we get into that conversation, too. When you're building something of your own, standing on what you believe in can come with its share of opinions.

Of course, we couldn't kick off our Thanksgiving series without talking about the holiday itself! We switch gears and answer some Thanksgiving questions, including one that gets right to the heart of the season:

What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

And let's be honest - you can't have Chef DJ back on Creative Roots without FOOD!

We all ordered the same thing: the short rib bowl. So we got to enjoy some good food while catching up, sharing laughs, and having another dope conversation with a guest who's continuing to make moves in his industry.

We're excited to have Chef Darius J back with us, and we're kicking off this year's Thanksgiving series the right way — with good conversation, good food, and a reminder that everybody has a story behind what they're building.

Check out Sage & Citrus:
https://www.sagecitrus.com/

What does Thanksgiving mean to YOU? Let us know in the comments!


CREATIVE ROOTS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIVE — HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

We're bringing the family together again! Join us on December 12th from 2 PM–5 PM at Charlotte Podcast Studio for our annual Christmas LIVE event.

This year's theme is Home for the Holidays, so come ready to get comfortable, share some laughs, and spend time with your Creative Roots family at your favorite cousin's house!

🎟️ RSVP for the event:
https://www.creativerootspodcast.com/home-for-the-holidays

✨ Want the VIP experience? Get access to us one hour before the event begins, plus a limited-edition sweatshirt made specifically for this year's LIVE!

VIP passes:
https://www.creativerootspodcast.com/vip/p/home-for-the-holidays-vip-exclusive


Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories — unfiltered and unscripted. We sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to others who may be dealing with the same things.

New episodes every Thursday at 9 AM.

#CreativeRoots #ChefDariusJ #SageAndCitrus #Thanksgiving #CharlotteFoodScene #CharlotteNC #ChefLife #RestaurantOwner #FoodAndCulture

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

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Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

Surprise! This week, Tae isn't on camera, and Deana G is taking over!

That's right! Deana takes the lead as we welcome Harry, owner of Carrie's Floral Designs, for a conversation about business, flowers, friendship, and the connections that bring a community together.

Harry shares the story behind his business, the journey that brought him to where he is today, and some of the events he's been part of, along with what's coming up next. We also get into a conversation about gatekeeping, sharing knowledge, and what it means to create opportunities for others instead of keeping everything to yourself.

Of course, we can't have a conversation with a florist without talking about flowers! But as you'll see, this episode is about much more than what Harry creates. It's about the relationships built along the way, the people who support you, and the role community plays in both business and life.

With Deana leading the conversation, the two share plenty of laughs, stories, and moments that remind us how powerful it can be when genuine connections bring people together.

Learn more about Carrie's Floral Designs:
Website: https://carriesfloraldesigns.com

Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories — unfiltered and unscripted. We sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to others who may be dealing with the same things.

New episodes every Thursday at 9 AM.

#CreativeRoots #CarriesFloralDesigns #Florist #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #CharlotteNC #CommunityConnections #CreativeBusiness

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

What if the biggest thing holding your business back…is you?

Today on Creative Roots, I sit down with Emi Kirschner of Ceraluna Consulting, an intuitive strategic advisor who helps service-based founders pursue profit without sacrifice and leadership without burnout. We also get a surprise visit from Dyme Witherspoon of Dyme Digital Media, a returning guest, friend to both of us, and the person who brought us together for this conversation.

We get into the realities of running a business, the personal traits that shape how we lead, and what happens when the person responsible for building the business becomes the very person standing in the way of its growth.

Why is it so difficult to trust someone else to handle your business? Why do we sometimes feel like nobody can do things the way we do them? And how much of that comes from our past experiences, the things we've been told while growing up, and the people who made us question what we were capable of?

We explore how those experiences can follow us into adulthood and entrepreneurship, influencing the way we make decisions, build relationships, delegate responsibilities, and view ourselves as business owners.

We also talk about the negativity and doubt that can come from the people around us - including those who eventually circle back and realize we were capable of more than they thought.

And this conversation got personal.

As we shared some of our own business experiences and challenges, I found myself reflecting on my own journey and realizing that maybe I'm not doing as bad as I sometimes think. There's always room to improve, but recognizing where you are right now is just as important as knowing where you want to go.

Whether you're already running a business, trying to grow beyond where you are today, or considering taking that first step into entrepreneurship, this conversation might have you looking at yourself a little differently.

Because building a business isn't just about what you know how to do. Sometimes, it's about recognizing what you need to unlearn, where you need to grow, and when it's time to stop trying to do everything yourself.

Join the conversation: What's one thing you've struggled to let go of, delegate, or trust someone else to handle in your business?

Drop it in the comments. Your experience might be exactly what another entrepreneur needs to hear.

Connect with our guests:

Emi Kirschner: Ceraluna Consulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emikirschner/

Dyme Witherspoon: Dyme Digital Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisdyme/

Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories — unfiltered and unscripted. We sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to others who may be dealing with the same things.

New episodes every Thursday at 9 AM.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

We were supposed to have a little one-on-one conversation… but Shamar and Deana made it to the studio, so you already know how that went.

This week on Creative Roots, the three of us sit down for a conversation about where we've been, what's still coming in 2026, and where we could take Creative Roots in 2027.

We start with a quick look at how Creative Roots has been going since the beginning of the year and some of the conversations that have helped shape the podcast along the way.

Then we get into what's still ahead for the rest of 2026 - including our Thanksgiving episodes, the Creative Roots Christmas LIVE on December 12th, our Christmas episode, and our New Year's episode.

From there, we start looking ahead.

What could Creative Roots look like in 2027? More community events? Meetups? New ways for creatives to connect? Different types of conversations? We have ideas, but nothing is set in stone.

And that's where YOU come in.

We're asking our audience for honest feedback about the podcast. Are the episodes too long? Too short? What do you enjoy? What would you like to see more of? What guests should we have on? What topics should we explore? And if you could change, add, or create ONE thing about Creative Roots in 2027, what would it be?

We're listening.

So while this episode started as a simple update, it turned into something a little more important - a conversation about the future of Creative Roots and the community we're building around it.

Have some feedback? We want it.

Use the feedback form linked below and help us shape where Creative Roots goes next.

https://www.creativerootspodcast.com/shape2027

And don't forget to mark your calendar:

Creative Roots Christmas LIVE
December 12th | 2 PM–5 PM
Theme: Home for the Holidays
Charlotte Podcast Studio

Come comfortable. Come ready to laugh. Come hang with your favorite cousins.

Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories - unfiltered and unscripted. We sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to others who may be dealing with the same things.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

Let's Talk About This Live! | Creative Roots Christmas LIVE

It's that time again! We're getting ready for our Creative Roots Christmas LIVE, and this year, we're bringing it back with a little more holiday spirit!

Deana G., Shamar, and I sit down to talk about our upcoming Christmas LIVE, happening December 12th from 2 PM–5 PM at Charlotte Podcast Studio - aka your favorite cousin's house!

We take a trip back to last year's live, reminisce about some of the people, moments, and things we'd love to bring back, and start talking about what we want to see this year. But this isn't just about what we want. We want to hear from YOU, too!

What did you enjoy about last year's event? Who would you love to see again? What should we bring back, add, or do differently? Chime in and let us know, because we're building this experience with our community in mind.

Somewhere along the way, this conversation turns into an open discussion - almost like a planning meeting with the family. And honestly, that's exactly what it feels like.

This year's theme is “Home for the Holidays,” so come ready to relax, get comfortable, and share a whole lot of laughs with your Creative Roots family.

And for those who want a little extra time with us, we're offering a VIP Pass that gets you access to us one hour before the live begins, along with a limited-edition sweatshirt created specifically for this year's event.

So mark your calendars, start thinking about what you'd love to see, and get ready to spend the afternoon at your favorite cousin's house!

Creative Roots Christmas LIVE
December 12th | 2 PM–5 PM
Theme: Home for the Holidays
Location: Charlotte Podcast Studio

We can't wait to see y'all there!

#CreativeRoots #CreativeRootsPodcast #ChristmasLive #HomeForTheHolidays #CharlottePodcastStudio #CharlotteEvents #CharlotteNC #HolidayGathering #CreativeCommunity

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

I sat down with Shaleiah Sanders, founder of Life For The Hopeless Foundation, for a conversation about what it really means to show up for your community.

For more than five years, Shaleiah has been advocating for people in need and working to raise awareness around mental health, behavioral health, and access to resources-particularly within underserved communities. Her organization has created community events, wellness initiatives, and opportunities to connect people with support.

We talked about her journey, what keeps her serving the community week after week, and the realities of doing “boots on the ground” work. We also got personal, diving into trauma, therapy, and how those experiences have impacted both Shaleiah and me.

Deana G joined us from behind the desk for this one, and together we went as deep as we could into something many people don't see: how nonprofits actually get the funding to do the work.

From smaller organizations trying to make an impact with limited resources to larger nonprofits with more established funding structures, we talked about the challenges, realities, and questions surrounding nonprofit funding.

And if this conversation moves you to do more than watch, Life For The Hopeless Foundation is always looking for people who want to get involved and serve the community.

Visit www.lifeforthehopeless.org, learn more about their work, and find out how you can volunteer, support, or get connected.

Sometimes helping doesn't require having all the answers. Sometimes it starts with simply showing up.

Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories—unfiltered and unscripted. We sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to others who may be dealing with the same things.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when your own life becomes a documentary?

In this episode of Creative Roots, I sit down with Brian Daye, writer of By Any Other Name: An Opus to James Baldwin.

We spend time diving into the play, the inspiration behind it, and the many layers of James Baldwin’s life and work. But the conversation goes beyond the stage. We talk about how the different aspects of Baldwin’s life connect, how his story continues to resonate, and why there is still so much to learn from the life he lived and the work he left behind.

Brian brings his own perspective as a writer and creator, giving us a deeper look at what it takes to bring a story like this to life.

By Any Other Name: An Opus to James Baldwin runs September 23–27, and tickets are on sale now.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/by-any-other-name-an-opus-for-james-baldwin-tickets-1310741586369

If James Baldwin’s words, life, and legacy have ever made you stop and think, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories - unfiltered and unscripted. We sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to others who may be dealing with the same things.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

Sometimes you have to stop and celebrate the wins.

I sat down with Ollie Crooms again, but this time, we weren't talking about what could happen.  We were talking about what DID happen.

Eight Ball has been award-nominated and award-winning multiple times, has surpassed 15,000 views on YouTube alone, and is now available on OMNI TV Plus!

In this conversation, we talk about what it took to get Eight Ball from an idea to where it is today, the people who helped make it happen, and the importance of taking a moment to recognize the cast and crew who poured their time, talent, and energy into the project.

And, of course, we had to talk about what's next… including the possibility of Eight Ball Part 2.

One of the best things about this experience has been the relationships created along the way. There's genuinely nothing bad to say about the experience, the people, or what this project has become. It's a reminder of what can happen when creatives come together, believe in the work, and actually see it through.

So this episode is a celebration.

A celebration of Eight Ball.
A celebration of the wins.
And a celebration of the people behind it.

Shoutout to the entire Eight Ball crew!

Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories—unfiltered and unscripted. Every Thursday at 9 AM, we sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to creatives who may be dealing with the same things.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

What if we told you there's more to a maple tree than maple syrup?

Nicole Bentler from Pocono Maple Water reached out to Creative Roots as a potential guest, and we're so glad she did!

Nicole introduces the Creative Roots team to something that may be new to many of us: maple water.  The naturally occurring sap collected from maple trees before it becomes maple syrup.

She takes us through the story of the farm, its history of producing maple syrup and other products, and how those experiences eventually led to the creation of Pocono Maple Water.

And throughout this entire conversation, Tae can't help but be amazed at just how much can come from one tree.

From the roughly six-week process of collecting and producing the water to bottling, customer reactions, and the journey of bringing a new product to market, Nicole gives us a look at the work, creativity, and possibility behind something that starts in nature.

It's a conversation about agriculture, entrepreneurship, health, and recognizing opportunity when it's right in front of you-or, in this case, growing right above you.

Sweet, unexpected, and full of possibilities.

This one is definitely worth a listen.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios

Send us Fan Mail

Marcus Scott is in the building!

Award-nominated actor, award-winning Best Male Lead, producer, and an all-around great guy to be around, Marcus joins Tae on Creative Roots and gets right to it.

We talk about the realities of pursuing a career in the film industry, what it means to remove compassion for the industry, and the importance of continuing to sharpen your craft. Marcus opens up about his experience taking acting classes, his desire to keep growing as an actor, and the lessons he's picked up along the way.

Of course, we had to pay homage to the person who brought us together: Ollie Crooms. Marcus and Tae previously worked together on Eight Ball, a short film directed and produced by Ollie, who has also been a guest on Creative Roots.

But somewhere along the way, this conversation takes an unexpected turn.

Tae opens up about things he hasn't said out loud before, creating a moment of honesty that goes beyond the film industry and into the heart of what it means to be a creative.

What keeps you creating when the road gets difficult? What happens when the passion is still there, but the journey starts testing you?

If your urge to create is as strong as ours, this conversation is for you.

New episodes of Creative Roots drop every Thursday at 9 AM as we sit down with creatives, explore their journeys, uncover the challenges along the way, share solutions, and have the conversations that help us take better care of ourselves mentally.

Tap in.

Recorded exclusively at Charlotte Podcast Studio

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey. 

Where to find us:

Website:

www.creativerootspodcast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast

IG/TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast

Tae-@taewiththeedits
Shamar-@alanluxstudios