Expressions

The first episode ever recorded for Expressions is finally here. After months of delays and unexpected tech challenges, including some audio imperfections, this raw and reflective conversation with Abbie Langmead feels even more meaningful.

Together, we explore grief—not just as loss, but as a force that shapes art, community, and identity. We discuss the intersections of academia and art, and the complexities of care: for others, for community, and for ourselves.

We also reflect on the lives reshaped by circumstance and how we are often taught to believe we can only be one thing at a time: academic, creative, nurturer, or dreamer.

This conversation is deeply personal, full of wisdom and introspection, and a reminder of grief’s power to not only break us open, but also rebuild us with intention and care.

Welcome to the first solo edition of Expressions! This week it’s just me, Leeah, diving into the story behind the podcast and the experiences that have shaped my perspective on cultural expression.

I reflect on what it means to be a creator and curator of culture, my journey growing up across 5 countries, and the lessons I’ve learned from embracing failure, building my own culture, and finding strength in showing up authentically.

Tune in for a personal and reflective conversation about culture, identity, and the stories that inspire us to create lives that feel uniquely our own.

Theater changes lives. It’s happened to me, and it’s happened to my guest this week, Jacob Pelzman-Kern, an award-winning actor and one of my very good friends.

We dive into the magic of theater—how it creates safe spaces for people to be their full, unfiltered selves and inspires audiences in life-changing ways. Jacob’s take? “If you have the chance to be in front of an audience, it is your job to find one person in that audience and inspire them."

Tune in to hear how the stage has shaped us, the joy of creative risks, and what happens when what happens when you put two people with ADHD in a room and tell them to record a podcast. (Spoiler Alert: chaos, but the good kind.)

To kick off the new year, we're diving deep into the concept of belonging. In this episode of Expressions, I sit down with Erisse Peterson—an incredible brand marketer and storyteller in the beverage industry.

Erisse shares her journey of breaking down barriers in the beverage industry and wine world, leading programs that open doors and creating spaces that truly embody belonging. We talk about the work it takes to make traditionally exclusive spaces more accessible and what it means to intentionally invest in connection.

Whether it’s over a glass of wine, a conversation, or something as simple as showing up for someone else, as you settle into the new year, think about what you can do to intentionally invest in, and create, connection. 

Connect with Erisse on LinkedIn

In this episode of Expressions, I’m joined by Ananya Dutta, a writer and tech PR strategist, to explore how technology shapes our daily lives and personal identities. From growing up as an not-so-tech-enthused creative kid in the Bay Area to building a career in the tech world she once resisted, Ananya reflects on the invisible rituals tech creates, the challenge of redefining ourselves offline, and how—just maybe—our parents were right... it was the phone all along.

Connect with Ananya on Linkedin.

Check out Hot Literati and read the series that had me so captivated—The Alive Girl Diaries.

This week, I sat down with Mayan Benedicto, an incredible community builder and the visionary behind La Casa in Medellín—a space dedicated to fostering authentic connections and collaboration. We dive into Mayan’s journey to becoming a cultural connector, her philosophy of the "three C's", and how she’s turned vision into reality with sheer *relentlessness.*  Whether you're wondering how to build a community from scratch, overcome the ever-present imposter syndrome, or just keep pushing forward when the going gets tough, give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Learn More About La Casa & the Medellin Community here and dive into Mayan's Personal Development Coaching @TheRelentlessWoman_ on Instagram.

In this episode of Expressions, I’m joined by Nichimyo Rich, a storyteller and social impact PR strategist, to explore the art of amplifying voices and creating authentic connections. From her campaign “Girlhood,” highlighting the experiences of young women in the shelter system, to her philosophy of meeting culture where it is, Nichi shares insights on community-building, personal branding, and making a meaningful impact on culture without being performative. Tune in to discover how storytelling can ignite change and shape the world around us.

CONNECT WITH NICHI:

Linkedin

Instagram

In this episode, Moumi and I chat about cultural expression and building community across different places and identities. We explore her journey from Senegal to New York and now DC, and how her multicultural background shapes her work in digital marketing and copywriting. Moumi shares insights on creating real connections, whether through networking at events like CultureCon, finding community online, or building friendships in new cities. She reminds us of the power of putting ourselves out there, embracing who we are, and making a difference in the communities around us.

Connect with Moumi on Instagram at @mimivirtual__ and learn more about her copywriting work at @notforcopy.