It's Personal Podcast

It's Personal Podcast

By Gary R. Gray JrArts
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It's Personal Podcast episodes

  • #ItsPersonal III 74. Vanessa Brantley Newton shares advice to parents, hobbies and faith
    Vanessa Brantley Newton shares a little bit of everything. We start with how Art came to be in Vanessa's life, and who influenced her along the way.
    Later we chat about her hobbies. Apparently, we should be called her Chef Vanessa because she is mean in the kitchen. We talk favorite dishes and how Vanessa the foodie came to be.
    Vanessa digs into her past and how school has influenced her today. She talks specifically about the trauma and pain that it caused. Where it came from, and what helped her get through this time in school (that is supposed to be safe).
    Lastly, Vanessa talks about her faith, and how it is something she relys on more and more as she continues her journey as a illlustrator/author.
    Website: https://www.vanessabrantleynewton.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VANESSABRANTLEYNEWTON/
    7 min
  • #ItsPersonal III. 73. Tyler Simmonds shares insights on mental health, meditation, film and family
    Tyler is one of my favorite cousins! Why? He is humble beyond many, and his heart for others is bigger than the stars. I remember watching Tyler growing up, and I noticed a very talented young man (though I'm not that much older). He is the definition of "following your dreams" because that is what he's done for his entire life.
    Tyler is an advocate around the world for mental health and wellness. He is often asked to speak at conferences or panels or work with youth, based on his expertise. His thoughts on how one can start living a balanced life are important and should be listened to by everyone.
    I wanted to use this podcast as a way of catching up, but his voice is so valuable to this world. Please take the time to listen to this very important chat with Tyler.
    Website: https://www.tylersimmonds.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetylersimmonds/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylersimmonds
    32 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 72. Jade Yasmeen talks about movies, sports and staying connected
    Jade Yasmeen is one of a kind. Her work touches your heart with every detail on the canvas. When first introduced to her work, you would guess that it is a photograph, based on the details and realism, Jade is that good of a creator.
    Jade stops by to chat about her favorite movies and a new love for cooking (when time permits in her busy schedule). She chats about the bloodline of artists in her family, who have motivated her to keep going and follow her dreams. Jade shares how she stays connected with her siblings during these unconventional times.
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadeyasm/?hl=en
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jadeyasm/
    24 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 71. Mike Curato tells how it started, private school and ICE CREAM!
    I want to be Mike Curato's best friend! Not only does he draw extremely well, but he also loves ICE CREAM. Mike breaks down his love for ice cream with his top 3 favorites, and how they should be made. He also shares a tip on where to find the best scoops in Massachusetts!
    Mike talks about his different experiences in private school vs public school. He shares moments of bullying and how this has influenced his future and how he sees the world today. He also talks briefly about his first basketball experience and why it was not something he enjoyed growing up.
    This is a podcast you definitely do not want to miss. Mike is simply a joy, and his story is worth listening to.
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike_curato/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikecurato
    Website: https://www.mikecurato.com/
    33 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 70. Dulce-Marie Flecha chats puzzles, twitter culture and educational blood line
    Dulce-Marie Flecha is one of my favorite people/educators online. Why? She is as real as they come. She is often sharing resources or exploring her own writing through her medium page.
    In this episode, Dulce-Marie talks about her love/hate for puzzles and the educational twitter world. We chat back and forth about the idea of "family" online, and if it truly means what people believe for it to mean.
    We chat about life and teaching during a pandemic. What our classrooms currently look like, and some of the struggles teachers may have today while teaching online.
    We find out about Dulce-Marie's long line of educators in her family, and how they've influenced her along her educational and writing journey today.
    Twitter:https://twitter.com/DulceFlecha
    Medium: https://medium.com/@dulcemarie.flecha
    20 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 69. Jessica Kim writing journey, hot cheeto's and 2nd Gen American's
    Jessica Kim spends time talking about a variety of topics. We start with Stand Up, Yumi Chung, a middle-grade novel you NEED to read right now! Jessica talks about the characters in the book, and who's personalities do they match up with from people in her family.
    Jessica also talks about her writing journey and how rejection letters never got in her way from following her dream to be an author. This is definitely a gem of a podcast. Jessica holds nothing back and shares so many insights on a variety of topics.
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jesskimwrites
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesskimwrites/
    Website: https://jesskimwrites.com/
    Stand Up, Yumi Chung: https://jesskimwrites.com/books/
    31 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 68. Christina Hammonds Reed talks private school and representation in text!
    In this episode of ItsPersonal Podcast, Christina, author of The Black Kids, chats about her love for reading. We dive into her inspiration behind pursuing writing, and her family's thoughts on her journey.
    Christina shares memories of her childhood in private school, and why its important that publishers continue to share stories for Black and Brown kids.
    Christina is a happy soul. This is a podcast you definitely do not want to miss!
    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/christinahammondsreed/
    Website: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Christina-Hammonds-Reed/165949641
    22 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 67. Gordon C. James & Derrick Barnes chat children, partners and legacy
    Derrick Barnes and Gordan C. James have been working together for some time now. You might know one of the two New York Times best-selling picture books Crown: Ode to the Fresh CUt & I'M Every Good Thing.
    In this chat we get personal. Both creators share thoughts about raising Black children, spending time with their partners, and what Black Joy means to them. Not only do both Gordan and Derrick talk about art, yet they dig inside their lives outside of the amazing work they do for literature.
    This is definitely a podcast you do not want to miss.
    Gordon C James:
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/GordonCJamesArt
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gordoncjamesfineart/
    Website: https://www.gordoncjames.com/
    Derrick Barnes
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_DDB
    Website: https://derrickdbarnes.com/
    CROWN
    I AM EVERY GOOD THING: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/594506/i-am-every-good-thing-by-derrick-barnes-illustrated-by-gordon-c-james/
    CROWN: https://www.amazon.com/Crown-Fresh-Denene-Millner-Books/dp/1572842245
    49 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 66. Mahogany L. Browne talks childhood in California and NO guilty pleasures
    Mahogany L. Browne is easily one of the best in the game. You may know her for titles such as WOKE, Black Girl Magic, Woke Baby & most recently Chlorine Sky, but she's been writing for years now. She has paved the way for so many Black writers doing it today.
    On ItsPersonal, Mahogany chats about her family and being raised by a community. She speaks about her grandmother and the influence she's had on her growing up.
    We spend a significant amount of time talking about her activism/organizing work. How all this came about and what continues to drive her today to keep going.
    Lastly, find out why Mahogany has no guilty pleasures and what she does for joy.
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/mobrowne
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobrowne/
    Website: https://mobrowne.com/index.html
    BUY Chlorine Sky: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625333/chlorine-sky-by-mahogany-l-browne/
    19 min
  • #ItsPersonal III 65. Ben Philippe chats being the Black Kid, family relationships and screen writing
    Ben Philippe is special. Not only is he hilarious, but amazing writing. On this episode, I truly do not know if I've laughed more with anyone. Ben keeps the listeners on their toes with every experience he shares. He is open and honest about everything.
    Ben talks about his relationship with his mother and father, and how even though they are divorced, he sees a lot of both of them in him. He also chats about growing up in Canada and being the only Black kid in school, and the community.
    Ben wastes little time, sharing his story, and it is a great one. This is one you do not want to miss.
    Website: http://benphilippe.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benphilippe/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/gohomeben
    42 min

About It's Personal Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits.…