Next Big Thing

Today's episode is with Nigerian-American actress, Karen Obilom. Karen currently stars as Roni Evers in DC Universe's Doom Patrol. She also stars in the Alicia Keys produced Netflix film Resort to Love alongside Christina Milian and Jay Pharoah. Karen Obilom chats with Camryn Patterson. 

Today's episode is with Jessica Morris who plays Martha in the movie 'Danger in the Spotlight' that premiered on the Lifetime Movie Network in August. Morris will also bring her talent to the upcoming Lifetime original movie, 'A Mothers Terror'. Things are not slowing down for Morris as she recently wrapped up production on the film 'Web of Deceit', which she co-wrote and starred in alongside her One Life to Live co-star Melissa Archer. Jessica speaks with Camryn Patterson. 

France, Portugal, England, and the United States have done similar initiatives over the last four centuries, but this project is especially important. China, and its power, has the ability to change the global order. This episode features Giada Messetti, an Italian with expertise in the China's New Silk Road project, otherwise known as the “Belt and Road Initiative.” The Chinese government adopted this plan in 2013. Giada Messetti and Camryn Patterson speak about the initiative and how other countries feel about it.

In 1897, the British invaded the Kingdom of Benin in pursuit of the Benin Bronzes that symbolized the Kingdom’s royalty and history. By ordering nearly 1,500 soldiers for the war, the British looted the Kingdom and its King stealing many of the bronzes to Europe, resulting in the mass destruction of the Benin Kingdom. This episode features Barnaby Phillips, London-based journalist and author of the book, Loot: Britain and The Benin Bronzes. Phillips argues that more attention to return these artifacts could lead to eventual action from both the Western and the African world. Barnaby Phillips speaks with Perushka Gopalkista. 

Unlike Canada, the Irish don’t want the remains of these children exhumed. The difference being that the Canadian children are being brought “home”, and the Irish children are being brought to a lab to be studied. This episode features Maureen Considine and Catherine Coffey O’Brien,  both a part of the Cork Survivors and Supporters Alliance Group in Ireland. Considine is an academic and works as a representative, whereas Coffey O’Brien’s role is more personal to her experience as a survivor of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home and industrial schools. Both Maureen and Catherine chat with Camryn Patterson. 

The action to boycott the Grammys indicates that there is now an urgency from the music industry to provide a transparent voting process to give artists the recognition and promotion they deserve, but will it be enough? What else still needs to change? This episode features Deanna Brown, former President Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group shares her insight as to where the music industry might be headed if these changes are made, as well as what more is still left to be done. Deanna Brown speaks with Perushka Gopalkista. 

Throughout the years, U.S. presidents have always brought forward different approaches to politics, but the important thing to remember is that we can’t confuse politics with marketing. In this episode, Political scientist, Dr. Lara Brown, and Camryn Patterson discuss the Presidential Character and the Question of Leadership, which is also the title of the published book authored by Dr. Lara Brown [Amateur Hour]. 

With appearances in big budget music videos that cost $1.4million, such as Jay-Z's Big Pimpin’, Jadakiss' Knock Yourself Out, including other flamboyant music videos, Ford’s success made her incomparable and unstoppable as the pioneering crowned model to set the tone in the music video industry. This episode features Melyssa Ford, a well-known model and entrepreneur from Canada as she takes listeners on her journey on how she built her 'Gold Throne' - battling stages of depression, anxiety, doubt, mental breakdowns, loss, a fatal accident... and surviving through it all. On the throne that Ford built, Melyssa speaks with Perushka.

Tiffany is the definition of the modern-day Hollywood multi-hyphenate as a popular host, actress, and in-demand web personality. As an actress, she showcased her beauty and talent as a spot-on Meghan Markle in Lifetime’s “Harry & Meghan Becoming Royal” and has been featured on hit TV shows such as The CW’s Supernatural, NCIS Los Angeles, The CW’s Jane The Virgin, FOX’s Behind Enemy Lines and films like Sony Pictures’ House of Demons. Tiffany has additionally lent her vocal chops as the voice of ‘Hawkgirl’ in Lego DC Super-Villains video game. Tiffany Smith has recently taken on a role in Sci-Fi in the Netflix x Kevin Smith He-Man re-imagining, Masters of the Universe: Revelation as Andra (the “Universe’s” first Black Character to be introduced to the series). Camryn Patterson chats with Tiffany Smith. 

It was June 2015 when members of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) presented 94 calls to action, and Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau confirmed his governments' commitment to implementing each call to action. 6-years later, only 13 of these calls to action have been implemented. In this episode, Laura Nelson is joined by Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island Powell River in the Province of British Columbia. Blaney is the Deputy Critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Service.