In this episode of Let's Talk: Passion & Purpose with Nicole Thomas, Nicole sits down with award-winning, Guyanese-born, Bajan-heritage award-winning author and columnist Yolanda T. Marshall to explore the power of storytelling, the importance of representation in children's literature, and preserving Caribbean culture through books.

Yolanda shares how writing poetry at just eight years old evolved into a career as the author of more than 20 children's books, inspired by her desire to create stories that reflected her son's Caribbean and East African heritage and the communities she loves.

In This Episode, We Discuss:
• Growing up between Guyana, Barbados, and Canada
• The inspiration behind Commence First Carnival and A Piece of Black Cake for Santa
• Balancing motherhood, work, and a prolific writing career
• Why representation in children's books matters
• Preserving Caribbean culture through storytelling
• Creating opportunities for Caribbean and Black writers
• Encouragement for aspiring writers to embrace their voices and share their stories

This Episode Is For:

• Writers and aspiring authors looking for encouragement to share their stories
• Parents and educators who value diverse and inclusive children's literature
• Anyone passionate about Caribbean culture, identity, and representation
• Creatives balancing their passions alongside work and family responsibilities
• Anyone who has ever wondered if their voice, story, or experiences truly matter

Memorable Quotes

"My son introduced me to who I was. He took a poet and made me write a picture book for him."

"I didn't see myself in books growing up in the Caribbean—and I refused to let my son grow up with that same absence."

"People think writing a children's book is easy because it's short. It's not."

"I know what it's like to be excluded from platforms. That's why I'm intentional about creating space for other writers."

"Don't ever count yourself out. This world has a billion people, and you have a book to sell."
"Before the book is published, you are a writer. Act like it."

Key Takeaway: Your story matters. There is room for your voice, and the stories we tell today become the legacy we leave for future generations.

In this episode, Nicole Thomas sits down with independent filmmaker Jason Hayes, also known as Jay D. Hayes, for a powerful conversation about creativity, purpose, resilience, and protecting your dream. Jason shares his journey from a quiet child growing up in Mississippi to becoming a filmmaker whose work has been featured on HBO, PBS, BET, and film festivals around the world. He opens up about overcoming a childhood stutter, navigating racism and rejection, trusting intuition, and staying committed to his calling even when the path wasn't clear.

Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, artist, filmmaker, storyteller, or someone searching for greater purpose, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for pursuing your passion and staying true to yourself.

Topics Discussed

• Protecting your dream when others don't understand your vision
• Following your purpose and trusting your intuition
• Overcoming fear, self-doubt, rejection, and adversity
• Growing up in Mississippi and lessons from early life experiences
• How a childhood stutter shaped Jason's voice as a storyteller
• The connection between acting, listening, and effective communication
• Creativity, filmmaking, and the art of storytelling
• Balancing artistic integrity with commercial success
• AI, creativity, and the future of art
• Building resilience and staying committed to long-term goals
• Personal growth, self-belief, and finding your authentic path
• Creating work that helps people feel seen, heard, and understood

Memorable Quotes

"Don't ever stress about anything, because it's always okay."

"Confusion only happens when we refuse to accept the truth of a matter."

"What is really for you is always downstream."

"I don't think I chose filmmaking—I think filmmaking chose me."

"You're not supposed to be anybody but you."

About Jason Hayes (Jay D. Hayes)

Jason Hayes, professionally known as Jay D. Hayes, is an independent filmmaker whose work has aired on HBO, PBS, and BET and screened at film festivals worldwide. With experience in writing, directing, producing, and editing, Jason is passionate about telling stories that help people feel seen, heard, and understood.

Connect With Us

If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who is pursuing a dream, creative passion, or purpose-driven life.

What dream are you protecting right now?

Guest: Ashley Cowger is an award-winning author whose short story collections include On the Plus Side (Galileo Press) and Peter Never Came, winner of the Autumn House Press Fiction Prize.


What makes someone a writer?

In this episode, Nicole Thomas sits down with Ashley Cowger to discuss writer identity, creativity, rejection, revision, and the habits that help writers stay connected to their craft. Ashley shares how she embraced the title of writer from an early age and why publication isn't what determines whether someone is a "real" writer.

Together, they explore the inspiration behind her books, Peter Never Came and On the Plus Side, the realities of social media and mental health, ADHD and creativity, morning pages, reading like a writer, and how thoughtful feedback helped shape her path to publication.
Ashley also shares practical insights on revision, overcoming perfectionism, and building a sustainable creative practice rooted in curiosity, consistency, and persistence.

This episode is for:
•    Writers who struggle to call themselves writers
•    Aspiring and published authors navigating rejection and self-doubt
•    Creatives looking to build a sustainable writing practice
•    Anyone interested in creativity, storytelling, and personal growth
•    Writers seeking practical insights on revision, routine, and the creative process
•    People who want to create with more confidence and less perfectionism

Memorable Quote
"You're a writer if you write. You don't have to publish what you write."

Guest: Emmanuel Senaya Fianu, Ghanaian Craftsman
Host:  Nicole Thomas 

Emmanuel Senaya Fianu’s journey from carving scrap wood as a young boy in Ghana to exhibiting his work on international platforms is a powerful story of perseverance, purpose, and dedication.

In this conversation, he shares how he discovered his passion for carving, the challenges he faced from family and friends who questioned his path, and the sacrifices he made to remain committed to his craft.

Emmanuel reflects on his years learning from master craftsmen at Accra Art Center, the cultural significance behind West African masks and carvings, and the discipline required to develop artistic talent. He discusses the importance of humility, surrounding yourself with positive influences, and staying focused on your goals despite obstacles and distractions.

The episode also explores how persistence and hard work opened unexpected opportunities, including participation in international art initiatives such as Global Art for Peace in Switzerland. Emmanuel’s story serves as an inspiring reminder that purpose often requires patience, sacrifice, and the courage to keep moving forward even when others do not understand your vision.

What does it take to cross the bridge from storyteller to finally calling yourself a writer?

In this episode, Nicole sits down with award-winning author Annell López to discuss her debut short story collection, I’ll Give You a Reason. Together, they explore identity, immigration, imposter syndrome, rejection, and the creative courage it takes to fully commit to your voice.

Annell shares her journey from oral storytelling in the Caribbean to taking a massive leap of faith—leaving a stable teaching career and moving to New Orleans to pursue writing full-time. They also dive into the emotional and technical power of short fiction, making creative work feel truly substantial, and learning to see “no” as “not yet.”

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

• Claiming the identity of “writer” after years of self-doubt
• Reframing rejection and overcoming imposter syndrome
• Why short fiction is one of the most demanding art forms
• The emotional weight that makes stories stay with readers
• Balancing creativity, deadlines, and real life responsibilities
• Taking risks and trusting your creative voice

If you’ve ever struggled with fear, rejection, or believing in your creative path, this conversation is for you.

In Episode 51 of Let’s Talk: Passion & Purpose with Nicole Thomas, host Nicole Thomas sits down with Bronx-born abstract artist and visual storyteller Bleu Pablo (Elijah Wrighton) for a powerful conversation about creativity, resilience, and building legacy through art.

Bleu opens up about the mental and emotional realities of the creative journey—from battling imposter syndrome and self-doubt to navigating rejection, institutional gatekeeping, and creative burnout.

The conversation explores the mindset behind his mantra, “We do not lose,” and how reframing failure as information—not defeat—helped shape both his art and career.
As co-founder of Scott Bleu Studios and editor-in-chief of Bleucalf Magazine, Bleu is committed to creating spaces that amplify underrepresented artists and foster real community impact.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Bleu Pablo transformed self-doubt into creative purpose
• Practical ways to navigate imposter syndrome as a creative
• Why community and collaboration matter in creative careers
• How institutional gatekeeping impacts underrepresented artists
• The importance of building your own opportunities and platforms
• What legacy means beyond money and recognition

Exhibitions & Projects Mentioned

• Bleu Pablo: Feng Shui Series — on view through June 28 at Rivaa Gallery
• A Song of Blue Part III at Scott Bleu Studios
• Don’t We Just Exhibit, curated by Akeem Duncan in collaboration with Mr. Moda

This episode is for the creative who has ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or shut out of the room—and is ready to own their voice, create their own opportunities, and commit to the long game of building a meaningful life through art, purpose, and community.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Passion & Purpose with Nicole Thomas, host Nicole Thomas sits down with abstract artist Damon Mescudi to explore how art becomes a mirror, a coping mechanism, and a form of service. Damon shares how he moved from corporate graphic design to a purpose-led art practice, why he believes “your art exposes you,” and how community, not celebrity, drives his work.

If you’re a creative battling self-doubt, distraction, or fear of being seen, this episode offers honest insight and encouragement for your creative journey.

What You’ll Learn

• How art can become a tool for healing, emotional processing, and self-discovery
• Why Damon says, “Your art exposes you,” and how creativity reveals truth
• The difference between manifestation and choice in a creative journey
• How he transitioned from corporate graphic design to embracing life as an artist
• Why community matters more than fame in his work and mission
• Mindset shifts for overcoming insecurity and external validation
• Why relevance and impact matter more than celebrity or sales
• How creativity reconnects us to joy, humanity, and childlike freedom

Key Quotes

“Your art exposes you. Art exposes truth.”
“I don’t want to be famous. I want to be relevant.”
“If you’re not creating, life gets louder.”
“Whether I’m rich or poor, I’m always going to be an artist.”

In this episode, Leslie Short – Author, Founder of The Cavu Group, and Culture & Brand Strategist – sits down with host Nicole Thomas to explore what it really means to lead with courage, culture, and purpose. They discuss her journey from ballet to global business, being “the first” in rooms not built for her, and the movement behind her memoir Someone Has to Be the First—a call to stop waiting for permission and start stepping into possibility.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to lead when you’re “the first” or “the only” 
• How to get unstuck in your career without losing yourself – how to reframe job loss and transition, ask “What do I really want?”, and build a path aligned with your values.
• How leaders can close the gap between culture and reality at work – the difference between transparency and visibility, and what it takes to create workplaces where diverse talent can actually thrive.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re a high-achieving woman, creative, or leader navigating change or feeling stuck in your career
• You’ve ever been “the first” or “the only” in a room and questioned your value there
• You care about leadership, workplace culture, and creating space for others coming after you

In this episode, Nicole Thomas sits down with Keisha-Gaye Anderson — award-winning poet, author, visual artist, and educator — for a grounding conversation on creativity, purpose, and authenticity. Keisha shares how she moves through different “seasons” of creativity, from poetry to visual art, while balancing work, grad school, motherhood, and everyday life. Together, they explore a more holistic approach to creating — one rooted in discipline, self-trust, and spiritual alignment, not hustle or perfectionism.

If you’ve been feeling blocked, behind, or hesitant to share your voice, this episode is your reminder: your creativity hasn’t left you — it’s waiting for your attention and courage.

In this episode we discuss:

•    Navigating different seasons of creativity 
•    Balancing art with a full, demanding life 
•    A compassionate take on writer’s block and creative fear 
•    Why discipline and boundaries support creativity 
•    Letting go of perfectionism and finding your rhythm 
•    Handling rejection in publishing 
•    The stories behind Keisha’s books and creative work 
•    Why authenticity and self-belief matter most 

Key Takeaways
•    Creativity is always within you — nurture it with time and focus 
•    Discipline creates space for creativity to thrive 
•    Authenticity is your greatest strength 
•    Rejection is part of the process — keep going 
•    Your voice matters more than you think 

This Episode Is For You If…

You’re a creative navigating self-doubt, burnout, or a full life and you’re ready to reconnect with your voice and create on your own terms.

In this episode, Bakare Mubarak, Founder and Creative Director of BILARTERAL, Global Culture and Youth Ambassador, and Co-founder of Expedition 54 Ltd, joins Nicole Thomas to explore how art functions as soft power and a universal language. He shares how African art, culture, and the creative economy can shift the global lens on Africa, unite the continent and its diaspora, and inspire a new global African renaissance.

This episode is for creatives, culture shapers, and members of the African diaspora who want to use their gifts, stories, and collaborations to create meaningful impact across borders.

Key Takeaways

• Art is a universal language that reaches the spirit beyond words
• Africa is a source to be tapped, not just a place to be helped
• A vision for a global African renaissance through art, business, and diplomacy
• Leadership as service: opening doors, building community, and collaborating
• Encouragement for creatives to start now—your unique frequency is needed

Quotes from the Episode

“Art is the only language that doesn’t need a translator to be felt.” 
“Africa is not just a place to be helped, it’s a source to be tapped.” 
"We may be scattered around the world, but it’s not acceptable for us to be disconnected.”