Giant Step - A Journey into Music and Culture

Guest Ivan Wicksteed Chief Growth & Revenue Officer at Aspiration Bank in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. They discuss his career in marketing and advertising and how he became CMO of brands like Old Navy, Cole Haan and Oscar Health. Ivan talks about his philosophy and insights in marketing, the new category he is working on called “Clean Finance,” crypto currency, and the future of the office and retail in a post cover world. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on April 9th, 2021. 

Guest Camella Ehlke, the founder of the iconic streetwear brand Triple Five Soul in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. She led the charge of a new wave of young designers in the early 90s New York, Camella successfully infused fashion with a downtown lifestyle of music, art, and hip-hop culture. It was built on a passion for creativity, expression and community. Created in 1989, Triple Five Soul originated as a humble storefront/apartment in New York City's Lower East Side on Ludlow Street. It went on to open stores on NYC's Lafayette Street, Los Angeles, London, and Japan influencing many of today's leading streetwear fashion brands.

We discuss how she built the brand and her relationships in culture, her life after leaving the company. The importance of raising a family and her creative endeavors like setting up a BnB in the Catskills and starting a home goods business called Goodgood Community. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on February 26th, 2021.

Guest Lisa Cortés, the Academy Award nominated and Emmy-winning producer and director and the Founder of Cortés Films in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. She is renowned for creating challenging, visionary stories and empowering inclusive voices. We discuss her early career in music in iconic hip hop labels like Def Jam and rising to be a female executive at Mercury Records. Her shift into movies and documentaries like All In: The Fight For Democracy which chronicles the battle against voter suppression waged by Stacey Abrams. The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion tracing the impact of street fashion and African American creativity on global cultural trends. 2019’s Emmy-winning HBO documentary, The Apollo explores African American cultural and political history through the story of the legendary Apollo Theater. Her work with Director Lee Daniels on movies like Monsters Ball and Precious. We also discuss the art of storytelling in music and films. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on March 11th 2021.

Guest Gilles Peterson award-winning broadcaster, author, label & radio honcho at Brownswood & Worldwide FM, BBC Radio 6 DJ , masterful DJ, festival producer, curator and all around tastemaker in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. They talk about Gilles' early career in London as a club and pirate radio DJ. His influence on Giant Step, our many collaborations including the groundbreaking Nuyorican Soul album. Plus what he has been doing over lockdown in London.  Gilles is always an inspiration and a wealth of knowledge in music and culture. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on March 5th, 2021.

Guest Ben Pundole is former VP of Brand Experience at EDITION, founder of A Hotel Life and Stay Plastic Free in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. Ben shares his incredible story from his humble start in London at legendary venues like Groucho and Met Bar. Coming to New York and getting introduced to famed hotelier Ian Schrager through Madonna, and his work with Ian at Morgans Hotel Group iconic hotels like Delano, Royalton and Mondrian to name a few. He then followed Ian to EDITION opening hotels in Shanghai, London, Barcelona, NY, Miami, West Hollywood etc. Ben also discusses his passion for a plastic free world, his thoughts on the future of travel and hospitality in a post cover world and his love for culture. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on February 11th, 2021

Our special guest is TK Wonder, an activist, rapper, singer, writer, model, and illustrator. As a musician, she has opened for artists like Sting, Nas, Erykah Badu, and Franz Ferdinand to name a few. As an activist, TK and her twin sister Cipriana have stood up to police brutality/inequality and the rights of BIPOC women. She has also graced the runways and covers of fashion's finest. Our conversation goes deep into her challenging early upbringing in Maryland, coming to New York, being a twin,  music, the fashion industries lack of diversity, her advocacy work , and hair. This is a not to miss episode!

Guest Bebel Gilberto is the world-renowned and multiple Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. She joins us from Rio De Janiero to  discuss growing up as Brazilian music royalty with her famous parents Joao Gilberto and Miucha. Her illustrious music career including the 20th anniversary of her breakout album, Tanto Tempo, and her new album, Agora. Plus, we will talk about what she’s been doing since lockdown and her plans when she can start touring again. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on December 21st, 2020.

Guest Brian Brater in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. He is a by-product of classic NYC Pop and underground culture and work ethic. Brian co-founded the legendary Rawkus Records label, digital media company UPROXX, YouTube multi-channel network Big Frame as well as AuDigent, the premier data partner and platform for Entertainment, Sports and Lifestyle. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and electronic musician and producer. Brian talks about his knack of identifying what is next in music, technology, media and the role of data. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on January 22nd 2021.

Guest Pablo Henderson, VP of Marketing at Equinox Hotels in conversation with Maurice Bernstein. Pablo discusses his incredible journey as a mixed race kid growing up in London in the 1970s, his work in Africa and coming to America. His work in nightlife in Atlanta and how he became Global Brand Director at W Hotels leading to working with Giant Step on W Records project. Pablo is also a health fanatic and discusses the importance of wellness in hospitality. This interview was originally recorded as an IG Live on December 16th, 2020.

Giant Step Podcast: A Journey into Music and Culture- Award-winning marketing agency and legendary brand Giant Step gives unique insight into its world of music and community. Hosted by Co-Founder and CEO Maurice Bernstein, each episode features guests who bring an array of thought leadership and knowledge giving listeners a deep dive into topics including music, fashion, technology, business, and cause.