Highly Melanated Podcast

We are back with our first episode of 2023, and what better way to begin the year than to talk about the foundation of our existence... PARENTS!!!

Based on Nick Cannon and the Akon comment, we talk about what it means to have a parent that does or does not support you as a child.  How does that impact you as an adult and what does it mean to truly feel seen as a child.  

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We are joined with actor, director, producer & teacher & writer Marishka S. Phillips to have an awesome conversation on the craft of acting!

Marishka S. Phillips was born into the entertainment business.  Her mother, Sandra Reaves-Phillips is an award-winning actress, in addition to being a writer and a singer.  Marishka grew up immersed in theater, film and television, so it was not surprising that she would follow in her mother’s footsteps. 

Ms. Phillips had been honing her skills as a dancer, taking classes at Alvin Ailey School of Dance and Broadway Dance Center, and had begun performing at a very early age.   She got her first major theatrical break at age 13 when she was cast for the European tour of RAISIN. This opportunity offered her a chance to explore the world and served as an important confidence builder.

Her career path has been anything but traditional, though it started off that way.  She landed on Broadway, cast as part of the ensemble, on the musical UPTOWN: IT’S HOT starring Maurice Hines, in which she also understudied for the female lead.  She continued amassing credits on Brodway with roles in BUBBLIN’ BROWN SUGAR, FAME: THE MUSICAL, THE WIZ and THE ME NOBODY KNOWS.  On television, she had re-occurring roles in the last two seasons of THE COSBY SHOW spin-off – A DIFFERENT WORLD.  

When she was not traveling the world with a musical or as a backup singer with recording artists like Sean “P Diddy” Combs and Cece Winans, she was developing and fortifying other aspects of her talents.  She never considered herself a one trick pony.  Like her mother before her, she began writing and eventually set her eye on directing, but not before fate would bring her together with the multi-faceted Susan Batson, who among her many other talents, was a world-renown acting coach who worked with some of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities.  

Though she did not abandon any of her other career goals, Ms. Batson did open up new possibilities which she embraced with the same passion that she has every chapter of her life’s journey.  Today, in addition to being known as a working actor, Marishka is also a writer and director whose credits continue to grow.  Her short film, Melinda: The Movie starring Tony Award-winning performers, LaChanze and Lillias White won numerous awards on the short film circuit.  Ms. Phillips directed the one woman play, DOWN TO EARTHA, written and starringDierdra McDowell, which was a tribute to the invincible entertainer/civil rights and social justice activist, Eartha Kitt.

Coaching other actors has become a central part of Ms. Phillips career development.  She has been an instrumental force in helping actors such as Kerry Washington (Scandal), Nicole Beharie (Miss Juneteenth) and Celia Rose Gooding (Jagged Little Pill) achieve some of their best performances, and has received credit for doing that, as a result, she has become a much in demand acting coach. (visit her on YouTube)  

The Marishka Method.  She currently coaches Nafessa Williams (I Wanna Dance With Somebody), Taja V. Simpson (The Oval) Shaquita Smith (Wicked City) and many more.  

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IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

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We are back with an awesome guest, E.C. Pizarro III to talk about TransTech Social, Marsha's Web and what it means to pay trans & queer folks for what they are worth.

Click all the links to get more info


E.C Pizarro III is an award-winning Brand Designer and Digital Artist. He is also the Creative Director of his design firm, 1Z2R, the Executive Director of TransTech Social Enterprises, and the founder of Marsha’s Web (a resource directory for TLGBQIA+ communities, that centers BIPOC Transgender, Intersex, and GNC business owners/organizations). Recently honored as The Out100, Out magazine’s greatest and most well-known tradition: a prestigious compilation of the year’s most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people.
 
E.C. has been in the design industry for over 12 years and works with entrepreneurs and fortune 500 companies, alike. For his clients - he creates timeless branding and seamless digital content that drives confidence in their brand and fosters a foundation for success. Passionate about his people and his purpose, E.C. is a professional that is dedicated to using his talent and voice to create a new temperature in the industry for emerging designers.

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IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @[email protected]

We are back with returning friend to the show Halima "Serene Stylez" Saadia to have an awesome conversation about giving back to the community.

Serene Stylez is back as a guest to talk about what she is doing with her Serene Scholarship for fem identifying young women in their senior year of high school to have the experience of a lifetime.

For more info email directly  @[email protected]

IF you would like to donate to the cause, click on this link and send your donation through PayPal 

If you are doing something great and want to be featured on our show as a guest, feel free to email us @[email protected]

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YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA

IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @[email protected]

The gang is back with another episode.

No major topic, just us chillin at the melanated lounge shooting the sh*t

feel free to answer any of the questions

Send us your answers @[email protected] or DM us

We will read your answers the next episode

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YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA

IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @[email protected]

Happy Turkey Day!!

We are just shooting the sh*t and talking about our levels of petty.

Question of the Week:
What's the most pettiest thing you have ever done or know that someone did?

Email us @[email protected]

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YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA

IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @[email protected]

***SPOILER ALERT*** ***SPOILER ALERT******SPOILER ALERT*** 

Spoiler begins @ 29:00   

We are talking about Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever!!!

NUFF SAID... 

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IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

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We have fun breaking down our childhood fears while discussing the difference between fear and anxiety.

Meaningful conversations about what fear means as an adult and how we address fear, anxiety and trauma now that we are older.

Question of the Week:
What are your fears, both rational and irrational?
How did you overcome your childhood fears?

Email your answers to @[email protected]

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Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA

IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @[email protected]

In this episode, we have a meaningful and of course fun conversation about what it means to set expectations that are based in reality.

Questions of the Week:

What is one thing that completely caught you off guard about someone you've dated (Positive or Negative)?

How do you set your expectations?
What are your expectations in relationships?
Are you setting realistic expectations or is a fantasy?

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Clips Added
Shout out to the "Know For Sure Podcast"
Song available on SPOTIFY

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Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod

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IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @[email protected]

This week, we discuss the topic of the many misconceptions we face in our personal lives as well as across the board within our individual community 

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IG:  https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast

Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA

email us @[email protected]

Follow US

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast

Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA

IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @[email protected]