No Need To Ask with Amani Duncan

Welcome to another episode of No Need to Ask podcast. My name is Amani Duncan and I will be your host on this journey.

On today’s episode I had the pleasure of speaking with my good friend Jaclynn Brennan, Co-Founder of FYLi.

FYLi is a female master-mind group that focuses on bringing together female leaders, creating a tribe of diverse high level dreamers, thinkers and doers.

FYLi helps female leaders RISE (Renew, Inspire, Support, Empower) in all aspects of their lives. Fylí was created to bring together a room of diverse thinkers and dreamers who can shift conversations, contribute new opinions + feedback, and bring different perspectives with clarity and directness that moves the needle. Magic happens when you feel open, connected, present, vulnerable and safe.  Jaclynn and her co-founder Summer Yi learned early on that success is only limited by our mindset, habits and the people we have access to within our network. They believe when you UPGRADE your thoughts, daily disciplines/habits and relationships, you begin to upgrade your life.

Jaclyn shared with me her favorite book, “The Power of Intention” by Dr. Wayne Dyer and her daily self-care routine of mediations, exercise and journaling which is so important. I have committed to myself to give back by exercising every morning before I start my day and doing meditation before I go bed. I use the self-guided meditation app Headspace and Jaclyn recommended Inscape and Japa Meditation with Dr. Wayne Dyer.

I highly encourage you to visit FYLi’s new website and subscribe today. You can also follow Jaclyn on Instagram and her self-titled blog. If you are enjoying No Need to Ask podcast, please leave a review. Thank you! 

Until we meet again, please continue to be safe and be well. 

Welcome to Part 2 of “A Conversation with Music Industry Leader Tina Davis” for No Need to Ask podcast. Our conversation was so good I had to make it into two parts.

We ended Part 1 of the episode with a bit of a cliff hanger, so Tina takes us through her experience managing Chris Brown and single-handedly evolving him from a young teenager into a global superstar. Tina’s sheer determination to show the industry and the industry the greatness of her artist did not come with its challenges. But Tina’s angels were surrounding her and guided her safely to solid grounds. 

I remain inspired by Tina and I know she will have the same positive impact on you. There are so many learnings you can take away from our conversation and apply to your current position regardless of the industry you work in. 

Thank you for listening and if you enjoyed this episode, please write a review. It means a lot to me. 

Until we speak again, please continue to be safe. 

Welcome to another episode of No Need to Ask podcast. My name is Amani Duncan and I will be your host on this journey.

Today’s guest holds a great significance in my life. Tina Davis was the person who gave me my first job in the music industry; Tina Davis was my Day one. I owe so much to Tina as she was a shining example of a powerful woman in the male-dominated music industry. In my early days at Def Jam, she was the Head of A&R (Artist & Repertoire) and a person I wanted to be just like. 

On Part 1 of the episode you will hear her the story of her professional journey that spanned Def Jam, manager for one of today’s global superstars to Head of A&R for Empire Records.

Please make sure you have a pen and paper ready because there will be a lot of information shared and tips on how to be resilient and successful. 

The second part of the conversation will go live later in the week, so make sure to subscribe! Oh and please feel free to leave a review. 

Until we meet again, be safe and be well. 

Welcome to Part 2 of No Need to Ask podcast episode 9 with the amazing Lauren D. Williams of Pandora. 

We had such a great conversation - Sister to Sister - that I could not put it all into one episode. In this episode, we learn more about Lauren’s professional journey working in the agency world and finding her true passion at Pandora. 

I left the conversation feeling so inspired and motivated. That feeling is what I hope every listening experiences; the shared experience and storytelling brings us together. 

Welcome to No Need to Ask podcast. My. name is Amani Duncan and I will be your host on this journey. 

On today’s episode I had the pleasure of having a sister-to-sister conversation with Lauren D. Williams. I met Lauren when I was a guest on her Pandora for Brands’ sponsored podcast “Pass The Mic”. We immediately hit it off, learning that we have so much in common; from our early childhood to present day, 

We always assume we are “too busy” to have meaningful encounters. The internet and social media has turned us into casual friends, distant and often superficial. But when you actually have the chance to really bond with someone, it reminds you of what is missing - the human connection. I feel so grateful to be able to have this genuine connection with Lauren. 

So sit back and I hope you enjoy our candid conversation about life, careers and much more!

If you enjoy No Need to Ask podcast, please leave a lovely review and share with others. Until we meet up again, continue to be safe and be well.

Welcome to Episode 7 of No Need to Ask podcast. My name is Amani Duncan and I will be your host on this journey.

Erin Geiger-Smith is a journalist who has written for the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times among other leading publications, and has worked at Reuters covering legal news. She graduated from Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism, the University of Texas School of Law, and the University of Texas at Austin.

"Thank You for Voting" is straightforward about how long Black Americans, women, and Native Americans, among others, had to fight for the right to vote, and about our current problems with low voter participation and voting inequality.

But it also highlights how we can do better, and features a fascinating group of people -- some well known, some who just saw a problem and decided to do their part to fix it -- already doing the work to increase voter turnout. The young reader edition has most of the same information, just in an age-appropriate way.

Thank You for Voting: the Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth about Voting in America

Praise for Thank You for Voting

"If you want to celebrate your essential right as a citizen and encourage others to do the same, Thank You for Voting provides an engaging and concise tutorial of what it means to cast your ballot -- past, present, and future. Read this book! (And be sure to vote.)"
-- Ann Patchett

Geiger Smith's "handy owner’s manual to the democratic process removes any excuse for not showing up at the ballot box. ... Intelligent, spirited, and especially valuable to budding activists and first-time voters."
-- Kirkus Reviews

"Illuminating and accessible"
-- Publisher's Weekly

"Thank You for Voting serves up the context and concrete action items every registered and to-be registered voter needs to be part of ensuring … increased voter turnout."
-- Denver Public Library Friday 5 at 5

Welcome to Episode 6 of Not Need to Ask podcast "CEO Talk". My name is Amani Duncan and I am your host on this journey.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Karleen Roy, CEO The Vanity Group. Karleen and I have known each other for +10 years and she is truly an inspirational leader. Growing her business from an idea to a successful event planning company has been incredible to watch.

The Vanity Group is a highly sought after boutique agency that specializes in producing bespoke events and other worldly experiences for their elite clientele. All you have to do is watch pop-culture, velvet rope events in the news and on TV and can safely assume The Vanity Group is the brainchild producing the one of a kind event.

On this episode, you will hear Karleen's story - from the very beginning of her career to present day. Karleen is young, bright and a talented CEO. I know her story will inspire many. So make sure you have a pen and notepad ready to take notes that can be applied to your professional journey.

If you like what you hear, please feel free to write a lovely review here.

Until we meet again, be safe and be well. 

Welcome to another episode of No Need to Ask Podcast. My name is Amani Duncan and I will be your host on this journey.

On episode 5, we are launching a new series for No Need to Ask entitled "New Artist Spotlight". I am thrilled to be able to have on the show Madeline Nelson, the first female founder and CEO of the independent label and distribution company Heads Music. Joining Madeline is her newest signing Hannah Eggen.

If you appreciate discovery of new talent and music, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Be sure to catch up on previous episodes, including episode 5 "CEO Talk with Madeline Nelson".

If you like No Need to Ask Podcast, I encourage you to leave a review here. 

Thank you and until we meet again, be safe and be well. 

Welcome to No Need to Ask Podcast! My name is Amani Duncan and I will be your host on this journey.

I recently launched a new series for No Need to Ask entitled "CEO Talk". On this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking to one of the music industry's greats - Madeline Nelson, CEO of Heads Music.

Madeline is a seasoned music executive with years of experience, ranging from her work as manager of R&B supergroup Blackstreet to her A&R work with Michael Jackson, Marketing work for J. Cole and current management of Wyclef Jean.

After holding the role of Senior Vice President of A&R / Artist Relations across all 3 of the Major labels at Sony Music, where she served as a direct report to CEO Doug Morris, Madeline shifted back to artist management and also founded an indie label staffed entirely by Women. The experience at such a high level at Sony Music gave her a keen understanding of what products should go to market and best practices for organic entry of those products. It also fueled her determination to work towards equality for Women in the music industry.

Madeline’s business is an independent, boutique-style music company based in New York City, that focuses on services within management, brand strategy, record label, and publishing.

Madeline firmly believes in exploring new technology as a strong way forward for the music business and embraces digital streaming services as an opportunity for artists to take more control of their careers and be paid more fairly.

Learn more about Madeline Nelson at www.headsmusic.com.

If you enjoy No Need to Ask podcast, please leave a review here: apple.co/3drgU57.

Thank you and until we meet again, be safe and be well. 

Welcome to No Need to Ask Podcast. My name is Amani Duncan and I will be your host on this journey.

On this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Teddy Tinson to discuss the topic of "The Intersection of Blackness & Queerness".

TEDDY TINSON is a contributing reporter at the New York Times and a creative consultant for Academy award winning Director Steven Soderbergh. 

Previously, Tinson worked as a Fashion Assistant with the late designer Oscar de la Renta, then Vogue Magazine assistant to Mr. Andre Leon Talley, followed by contributing roles at Andy Warhol's Interview and Hello Mr. magazines.

One of Tinson's favorite articles is one he penned for the New York Times entitled "Breaking the TV Mold".

Teddy recommended the following books as suggested reading:
"Thick" by Tressie McMillian Cottom
"White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo
"How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram Kendi

This episode is one of my favorites. I learned so much from Teddy and I hope you do as well!

If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review. 

Happy Pride!

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