Disruptors in the Culture

Another week, another episode of 'Disruptors in the Culture'. Our hosts Amira Smith and Joshua Meekins discuss their recent experiences, including networking with influential figures in film & TV, applying for grants, and reflections on media representation. We highlight some of our standout guests from previous episodes and share insights on upcoming projects. Of course, we share our creative tips all while battling some technical glitches!

We’re excited to welcome a prior guest back to the show (he's basically family at this point) as Will Toms joins us on this episode of Disruptors in the Culture. Over the past few years, Will has solidified his role as a trailblazer in the creative community, building a brand that reflects his passion for empowering others. While many recognize him as the Co-Founder of Rec Philly, Will has recently added “author” to his repertoire with the self-published book Uncommon Sense: Your Strategy Guide to Creative Freedom. He’s also been featured on Peacock network's show Culture Capital, where he emphasizes the significance of community-building for creatives.

In this episode, Will shares how he’s become the mentor he once wished for in his younger years. Guided by faith, he highlights the importance of maintaining the right heart posture in all endeavors. As always, Will drops invaluable gems that you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we sit down with Kristal Bush, a dynamic social activist and serial entrepreneur, to hear her powerful story. Her advocacy, deeply rooted in her personal experience of having grown up as the child of an incarcerated parent from the age of 3, motivated her journey to founding a prison van service, Bridging the Gap Transportation, that reunited over 3,500 families with their incarcerated loved ones. You see all of this in the documentary on her journey 'A Woman on the Outside' where she navigates vulnerability and trust with the filmmakers. In this episode Kristal shares the challenges she faced along the way and the toll it took on her mental health, emphasizing the importance of self-care amidst burnout.

But Kristal's journey doesn't stop there. She talks about how seeking self-care transitioned her into the cannabis industry and advocacy work with Free My Weedman, an initiative aimed at addressing the injustices perpetuated by the War on Drugs and the criminalization of marijuana through the power of storytelling, economic development, and community building, shedding light on the impact of cannabis legalization on Black and Brown communities.

Tune in for a deep, heartfelt conversation that explores how one woman built a community through transportation, fought for social justice, and continues to make waves in the cannabis industry—plus, a sneak peek into Black Cannabis Week. This is one episode you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, Nicodemus Reuben Madehdou, CEO of game design and animation company Jump Button Studio, shares his journey in the gaming industry, from early success to the challenges of building a diverse team and creating impactful games. He emphasizes the importance of diversity, quick decision-making, and embracing emerging technologies like augmented reality. Nicodemus discusses the power of game jams, owning intellectual property, and the need to shift negative perceptions about gaming while reflecting on how advisors and mentors have supported his leadership. Tune in to hear how he’s working to disrupt the industry and create new career opportunities for the next generation.

We got Marquise Davon Richards to share his journey as a dynamic educator and content creator committed to advancing community and mental wellness within the Black community. Most know him as the creator of the "Keepin' It a Bean" Podcast, where he fuses authentic storytelling, global perspectives, and social justice advocacy into a conversation. Learn how Marquise developed his passion, built a safe space to unpack it, and shared his gift with the world. 

We're back with a weekly episode for y'all and let me tell you, the message in this one is strong. We discuss who has been holding Amira back from achieving her true greatness and how extra chicken nuggets can be a sign from God. We also unpack the creativity of media during the Olympics and some ways we can all make our lives easier through outsourcing. Tune into another episode of Disruptors in the Culture. We can't wait to see you there.

In this special episode, we have the incredible honor of sitting down with Mr. Kenny Gamble, one half of the duo Gamble & Huff and one of the brilliant minds behind the legendary Mighty Three, consisting of Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell—the architects of The Sound of Philadelphia. Join us as we delve into an inspiring conversation with Mr. Gamble where we explore his beginnings in the music game, the music industry's evolution, and the transformative power of collaboration and teamwork.

Mr. Gamble opens up about the unique challenges African Americans have faced in the industry and the significance of preserving and honoring their rich cultural heritage. He also shares exclusive insights into what it really takes to create a timeless hit record.

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We've been gone for a while... we know! But we are back and better than ever! We missed our creative community and have so many updates for you. Come find out why we were missing for so long and hear about some of our recent projects. We share some of our struggles being working creatives and give some major updates about our lives. We hope you've missed us, because we've missed you all.

The Around the Way Curls podcast discusses everything from the profound to the profane. The hosts Antoinette and Shanti are childhood friends whose creative endeavors have evolved and grown as strong as their friendship. They utilize their space to be authentic and unapologetic and welcome their listeners to grow along with them. Listen as they share their growth stories, talk about their experience with the podcast, what they did before, and how they ended up on Jazmine Sullivan's album "Heaux Tales".