Mandy spends some time catching up with her friend Cortlyn Kelly. They talk about their experiences as biracial black women who grew up in different times, in much different hometowns. Cortlyn tells Mandy all about working for Gertie, a new organization that Mandy affectionately names “The Creative Illuminati.” 

Cortlyn Kelly is the creator of The Art Idiot, a substack you’re going to want to read if you’re a film enthusiast, or aspire to be one. She also co-hosts Kaveh and CK’s Screening Room, a podcast also centered around film. When Cortlyn isn’t working on her personal projects, you can find her all over the city doing more creative work as the Director of Partnerships & Programming for Gertie!

Get an inside look at a friendship that all started with a DM on Instagram! Mandy sits down with her friend Mireya and they talk about how Mireya juggles her insanely busy schedule all the while looking fabulous and drenching her face in oils.

Mandy sits down with longtime friend, Deandra Daviston! They talk motherhood, play a round of Would you Rather, and tell all of the crazy stories of working the overnight shift at the 24hr IHOP on Halsted, in the Boystown neighborhood of Chicago. Also, listen to Mandy and Deandra’s thoughts about Saint X, (a book turned Hulu series).

This week Mandy sits down with David Roberston, MA, LMSW. She gets to know a little bit more about David’s background and his journey in being a mental health resource through the years.They discuss several tools that can be utilized to support our mental health needs and improve and develop our emotional quotient.

This episode Mandy interviews Andrew Micheal Francois. He is a classical musician, currently a violist in the St. Louis Symphony and avid chamber musician, teacher, and performer.  Mandy and Andrew met in junior high and have been friends ever since. This episode is about catching up with old friends and having the conversations that we wouldn’t have dreamt of having as kids.

Melissa Gardner-Bilek is a mother, wife, and Licenced Clinical Social Worker. She takes us through her career journey in social work; from her inspiration to switch her major to psychology in undergrad, to her current role as an elementary school social worker. Mandy and Melissa discuss some of the family responses to discovering Melissa was gay and how hard it can be to extend grace to the people who are trying, but miss the mark.

Welcome to your new favorite podcast, One Point For Humanity! Host, Mandy Kochan, is on a quest to grow, learn, and connect with all of you beautiful humans. We hope you enjoy listening!

Want to be on the pod? Email [email protected]

Be sure to follow the show on Instagram @1p4humanitypod