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Dr. Albert Bramante is a New York-based talent agent, psychology professor, certified hypnotist, and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) practitioner whose new book, Rise Above the Script, challenges actors to overcome imposter syndrome and self-sabotage.

Connect with Dr. Bramante:

• Albert Bramante's Instagram 
• Albert Bramante's Linked In
• Purchase Rise Above the Script

Mentioned: Grit by Angela Duckworth

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

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• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
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Host Thembi Duncan speaks with JT Dorsey, former professional soccer player and founder of the JT Dorsey Foundation, about how the game of soccer has become a powerful tool for guiding young people toward greatness.

Coach-Mentor JT shares how an elementary school teacher first introduced him to the sport, and how that moment evolved into a lifelong commitment to youth development. 

He reflects on lessons in discipline, fatherhood, and consistency, and how the Foundation’s programs create lasting change by helping young people grow in academics, character, and community engagement.

Learn more about the JT Dorsey Foundation here: https://www.jtdorsey.org/

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

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In this episode, Thembi sits down with Dr. Julie Donley, a leadership coach, award-winning author, and behavioral health expert with nearly three decades of experience helping people lead with empathy and purpose.

Dr. Donley shares insights from her latest book and opens up about how leaders can balance empathy with accountability, manage emotional labor, and navigate the rise of AI in the workplace without losing the human touch.

Dr. Donley's Books

Leading at the Speed of People: Strategies for Success in a Fast-Paced World

Does Change Have to be so H.A.R.D.? Eight Strategies for Making Change Easier

The Journey called YOU: A Roadmap to Self-Discovery and Acceptance

Get in touch with Dr. Donley

Dr. Donley's Linked In Profile

Dr. Donley's Website

Dr. Donley's YouTube Channel 

Online Course: Leading at the Speed of People

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us a text

In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with Karen Saxon, music educator, performer, and co-founder of Ansari Saxon Productions. 

Karen shares:

• Why she “tripped into” teaching and what keeps her in the classroom.
• The biggest lesson she’s learned from her students after over 25 years of teaching.
• What authenticity means in her work and in her life.
• The role of representation in her journey, from seeing Kathleen Battle on stage to co-founding a Black woman–owned production company.
• What freedom means to her...

...and so much more!

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us a text

In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with the brilliant and beloved Jefferson A. Russell, a powerhouse stage actor and resident company member of Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD, USA. Jefferson’s path has taken him from law enforcement to the footlights, and his reflections on joy, grief, resilience, and the evolution of his artistry are profoundly moving.

They discuss:

• How childhood experiences shaped his artistic lens
• Navigating the American theatre landscape
• August Wilson's impact on theatre and Black actors
• The founding and importance of Galvanize DC
• What it means to live your dream

...and so much more!

Click here to learn more about Jefferson A. Russell

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us a text

Host Thembi Duncan welcomes Victoria Forsman and Jessica Slayback, co-founders of The REALM (Redesigning Education and Living Meaningfully), a vibrant educational community in Santa Monica California that’s been changing the way kids learn for 15 years.

They share their inspiration for creating REALM and describe what it takes to create a thriving student-centered learning model in today’s world. They also cover:

• Why traditional school models fail so many kids (and adults)
• How Vicky and Jessie’s different life paths led them to a shared vision
• What it means to personalize learning for every student
• How The REALM balances structure, freedom, and innovation

...and so much more!

REALM Website: https://www.realmlearning.com/

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us a text

In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan talks with award-winning actor, director, and educator Deidra LaWan Starnes for an unfiltered conversation about her lifelong career in theatre. With honesty, humor, and heart, Deidra reflects on what it means to lead in the American theatre as a woman of faith.

We talk about:

• Her journey through the arts
• The role of her faith in her self-actualization and habits of mind
• The power of “getting ugly” onstage
• Navigating criticism and unfair reviews
• Mentorship, community, and the need for love and respect in the field

...and much more!

This conversation is for artists who are called to lead, creatives wrestling with ego and calling, and anyone learning to trust the voice within.

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us a text

Sharon Dunlevy shares her journey from special education to foster care advocacy, offering deep insights on trauma-informed education, caregiver collaboration, and what it takes to truly support vulnerable kids in school. We talk about:

• Why childhood trauma is a brain response, not just an event
• What teachers and schools often miss about foster care
• The importance of individualized education and inclusive classrooms
• How to build real, healing partnerships between educators and caregivers
• The emotional labor of advocacy and how she protects her well-being
• What gives her hope about the future of foster care and education reform

Sharon's Website

Free Manual: Improving the Educational Outcomes of Children in Foster Care

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us a text

In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with William Hollis (or just “Hollis”), a self-taught software engineer, real estate investor, and now the founder and CEO of Raise AI, a platform using agentic artificial intelligence to revolutionize how capital is raised.

He talks about growing up in Hollis, Queens, and how his environment shaped not just his worldview but his work ethic. Hollis also shares how a DIY spirit, curiosity, and a whole lot of trial and error led him from taking apart his family’s first computer to leading a tech company that changes how real estate deals are made.

William Hollis' Website: https://williamhollis.com/

RAISE AI's Website: https://theraiseai.com/ai-agents

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us a text

In this episode, Thembi sits down with Warren Wilansky, founder and president of Plank, a digital agency with more than 25 years of experience designing meaningful, accessible, and story-driven websites.

Warren shares how his background in history and storytelling shaped his approach to ethical web design and how Plank has remained a trusted partner for organizations in the arts, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. 

Warren's Website: https://warrenwilansky.com/

Plank: https://plank.co/en/

Ethical Web Collective: https://ethicalwebcollective.plank.co/

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast