My Friends Are Fresh

I am excited to have my uber-talented friend, Amanda Adams-Louis, on the show! We talk about her work in street dance culture from documenting through her photography to her educational programs that continue to bridge the generational gap in street dance in NYC. I always learn new things in our conversations and it's important to have someone like her in the culture to always shine a light on our beautiful culture. This is My Friends Are Fresh featuring Amanda Adams-Louis.

Happy New Year! This month's guests are Tony Riggins and  Marta Riggins who are in executive recruiting and employer/talent brand, respectfully. We chat about the importance of the human side of "Human Resources" and how crucial it is to have empathy with the people you work with. Those in the workforce are pulling 40-50 hour weeks and understanding how to have a rapport with your fellow co-workers is key. A lot of good stories were shared and I hope you enjoy the conversation. This is My Friends Are Fresh featuring Tony Riggins and Marta Riggins.

My latest conversation is with Akinwole "Aki" Garrett GM of the newly launched REVOLT Podcast Network. We met through chance back in my freelance days in NYC and he was one of the first external critical/constructive feedback of my previous podcast, The Table of Truth. Now, having launched his second podcast network, he is excited about providing a space for black creators, support, mentorship, and resources. We also spoke about focusing on helping the black community in a micro way to combat the doom scrolling of the macro. This is My Friends Are Fresh featuring Aki Garrett.

Great conversation with writer and spirits enthusiast Rashaun Hall aka Bar Time Stories. We talk about his journey from the music industry to the spirits industry and what led him there. The common thread is the stories these great people have and highlighting them. We also work together on The Whiskey Lifestyle along with other amazing black creatives. Specifically on our Women in Whiskey series shining a light on inspiring women in the spirits industry. This is My Friends Are Fresh featuring Rashaun Hall.

I met Tim Grae, founder of Grae Wellness,  in New York City circa 2005 first as a client but later became a friend and close homie. He shares with me his journey from nightlife promoter to DJ to massage therapist to health and wellness champion for the Black Community and POC. Throughout, his goal has always been to heal people mentally through experience or music and physically through health and wellness. This is My Friends Are Fresh featuring Tim Grae.

My conversation with Mycs Villoso was illuminating. She is an Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer, and Educator from Manila, Philippines who collaborates with other Dance community leaders in different islands of the country and develops hip-hop dance programs in the academic community that centers on community building, cultural sensitivity, and professional responsibility. This is My Friends Are Fresh featuring Mycs Villoso.

Quick update: I was part of an amazing pool of up-and-coming podcasts that won a Podca$h competition put together by Racket & Stir. I am very thankful and humbled. Look for new episodes this month!

Had an amazing conversation with the brothas Terrence Moline and Dave McClinton from the African American Graphic Designers (AAGD). We talked about black mentorship, shared experiences in the design world, and the importance of community amongst black designers with veterans and the up-and-coming new designers. This is My Friends Are Fresh featuring AAGD.

I'm very excited to have a good conversation with my friend Gordon "Geo" Neill the host and founder of the Digital Artcast. We talk about pivoting from his unfulfilling 9-5 to a creative career that led to being a 3D Artist in the video game industry. His journey led him to create Digital Artcast, a podcast where he has interviewed some of the heavy hitters in the industry from Concept Artists, 3D Artists, Character Designers, Audio Designers, and UI/UX Designers. My Friends Are Fresh featuring Gordon Neill.

I sat down with Artist, Educator, and all-around amazing human Sophia Domeville. We talked about her time as an Abstract Expressionist artist and the hustle and grind that it was. Being a Haitian immigrant and the differences in how they view the arts as a profession. She then transitioned into education through the arts and learned new skills on the job. How our parents did the best they could and the grace of remembering they are human as well. My Friends Are Fresh featuring Sophia Domeville.