On this panel for Nice To Meet You, I talk to previous guests Marcus (Episode 016), Jewel (Episode 022), and David, better known as Cayan, (Episode 045) about how they got into creating music and what it’s like to be a self-sustaining artist. They talk about their goals with music, their dream performances, and where they want music to take them. We also discuss trends in music and the people they hope to inspire by creating it.

***Sorry about the sound quality***

Marcus's Social Media (IG: @TheShmoods, @MisterShmoody)

Jewel's Social Media (IG: @Jewel.Boss, Twitter: @Jewel__Boss)

Cayan's Social Media (IG: @Cayanaten, Twitter: @CayofCapLife

Garret and I talk about his journey to Gallaudet University by way of Colorado, by way of Missouri. He tells me about growing up on a farm in a small town and how he found his way to a Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at a University for the deaf and hard of hearing. We explore our shared interest and curiosity in understanding other people and also our shared love of bringing people together and flip cup.

Garret's Social Media (Facebook: Garret Bowtie Shelenhamer, Check out the Flip Cup League: www.flipdleague.com)

Shawn and I talk about how he got into stand-up comedy and he tells me about the first time he ever got on stage to do comedy. We discuss therapy, how it is viewed in the black community, and the benefits he reaped from going to therapy. He also shares his coming out story and he shares anecdotes about high school Shawn and how he became the person he is today.

Shawn's Social Media (IG: @Bankzzyyy, Facebook: Shawn Banks)

Renata returns to the show and we talk about the beginning of our year, our goals, and our reactions to the passing of Kobe Bryant. Since she’s in the business of matchmaking, she gives us some relationship tips and some interview/dating tips for when we’re allowed to leave our houses again. We also discuss perceptions through social media, the need for genuine connections, and presenting yourself accurately on social media.

Renata's Social Media (IG: @RenataRaee, Facebook: Renata Rae, LinkedIn: Renata Sandoval)

Teta and I talk about the ways she enjoys expressing her creativity including publishing her zine, @BuahZine, about the Indonesian diaspora in America and abroad to keep her culture close while being so far away from home. She tells me about growing up in Ithaca and experiencing the pressure of breaking stereotypes around her non-Muslim friends. We also chat about studying abroad, our shared love of ramen, and the importance of finding peace in solitude; which is completely accidental in light of recent events.

Teta's Social Media (IG: @DorianDad, @BuahZine, www.buahzine.wordpress.com)

*Sorry about the quality of this episode, recording remotely adds some issues sometimes*

Alanna and I talk about her journey growing up and accepting who she was instead of hiding behind her insecurities. She tells me about her platform, @_weareintheflesh, and her mission of bringing empathy back and offering a space to truly connect in person and through her website weareintheflesh.com, which has its own independent social media platform for users. We also talk about my favorite topics, our future goals, and what she has in store for We Are In The Flesh.

Alanna's Social Media (IG: @_weareintheflesh, www.weareintheflesh.com, Facebook/YouTube: We Are In The Flesh, Twitter: @weare_itf)

Michelle returns to the show and we talk about how much things have changed, and stayed the same, since the last time we talked on the podcast. We review the dating panel she participated in for Nice To Meet You and she tells me about her YouTube Channel, Astrology 101 with the 8th House Siren. We also discuss what we believe about God, the universe, and the afterlife.

Michelle's Social Media(Twitter: @8thHouseSiren)

This month's panel is on...dating! Four guests join me and discuss dating and relationships. We chat about our favorite first dates, how we set our intentions in dating, who should pay for the date, and what we receive from relationships. This panel features Michelle (Episode 004), Coye (Episode 013), Deondre' (Episode 057), and Shelby (Episode 061).

Dating and relationships have been redefined in many ways in the past couple decades, or even the past few years. The invention of dating apps and the shift away from monogamy are two commonly discussed ways that we can see those redefinitions. How many of us experience love, dating, and relationships has changed from the way our parents and their parents experienced them. Today we have with us four panelists from a bunch of different backgrounds and to explore different perspectives on the current culture around dating.

Steph and I talk about social media and the ridiculous lack of empathy shown to celebrities. Our favorites and least favorite parts of social She tells me about her comedic journey, from venting snapchat to performing stand up and starting her own podcast, Story Time with Steph, where she creates comedic stories about her life and the people that have tried her. We also chat about dating in DC and we both share our worst dating experiences.

Steph's Social Media (IG: @gangstaspice/@StoryTimeWithSteph)

JC returns to the show and we talk about the rest of her 2019 from releasing three books to starting a nonprofit support group for women. We chat about stepping more outside of our comfort zones and she shares her new goal of writing a screenplay for the I Am Rahab series and the new book she is working on. Lastly, we chat about the power of vulnerability and the importance of friendship and sharing our story with others.

JC's Social Media(IG: @AuthorJCMiller, www.AuthorJCMiller.com)