Planet Noun Podcast

When you know what you do best, sticking to your guns—as artist PJ Morton writes and sings—is how to get your life’s work done.

Today’s guest is N’Namdi Olufemi Bryant, a singer-songwriter and host of the podcast “For the Love of A Cappella.” We get into some themes of his latest album during this episode.

So N’Namdi and I had been talking about doing a podcast together for MONTHS, but as usual, life takes on its own plans. We were going to have him on before an album release earlier this year, then tech difficulties took over his project.

But the idea was still in both of our orbits. So—lookie here—I saw on Instagram that N’Namdi was in Washington, D.C. I said to myself—GIRL…..let’s make this happen! If you don’t ask him if he’ll have time for an interview—it’s an automatic no!

I asked if he had an hour to chat. He said yes, and here it is! It all worked out.

So we met up at the Mansion on O Street. It’s a tourist destination located just off the bustling Dupont Circle, and has a fascinating trove of history tied to it. It’s also where N’Namdi sometimes performs.

There are so many themes to this podcast, and to preserve the integrity of the conversation flow, I tried not to do too much lifting and pasting of interview parts. We talk about negative self-talk, and what N’Namdi does to overcome that hurdle. Also—a discussion on imperfection and about the different ways he stretched his vocal range.

During our talk, I learned something I didn’t know in the decades since we last saw each other.

There was a period in time when N’Namdi was homeless.

So let’s get right to the conversation, where we start talking about his podcast “For the Love of A Capella,”and where he got the idea for his program.

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07:55-Why it took him more than 10 years to complete one particular song arrangement

11:05—The makings and stories behind his current project “If We Could Only Talk”

21:30—How Kermit the Frog came up in our conversation

26:06—The road to vocal range

31:51—The time we talked about skylines and smog

33:39—Homeless in Huntsville, Ala. and Nashville

49:59—The part about albums, hilarious singing telegram and touching ride-share driver stories

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Read more at https://planetnoun.com

So…who likes to talk about death?

Put your hands up.

Yeah, I don’t know many people who love the topic, especially when they’re the subject.

But death’s a certainty. You won’t have a thing to worry about after you transition from this life, but your stuff isn’t going with you. What about the things you leave behind?

Well, that’s what attorney Suren Adams specializes in—helping folks get their final wishes in order before death ushers them to the exit—stage left.

Let’s start with her pathway to helping folks wrangle up their loose ends BEFORE the end.

Even if you don’t possess a trove of dollars, jewels, land or vacation homes, Adams recommends that anyone age 18 or over have an estate plan in place.

Take a listen to learn more!

What’s in a name? In this case—a LOT.

In this episode of Planet Noun, a chat with an up-and-coming…award-winning jazz musician Jazmin Ghent.

When she’s not belting smooth tunes from her saxophone, she’s in the classroom teaching music to children in Polk County, Florida.

We talk about her pathway to jazz music, the saxophone, and how names and other language used with children can affect the trajectory of their lives.

Well, let’s get to it…Jazmin Ghent…winner of the 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album—right here on Planet Noun.

Planet Noun is all about the People, Places, Things and Ideas that teach us, prompt us to make a difference and do more with what life presents.

Get all Jazmin’s social media handles and website links to learn even more about her albums and performance dates at https://PlanetNoun.com.

WARNING: This episode contains cussing. And it’s not all bleeped out. So govern yourselves accordingly, with earbuds and such.

The Glow Up. Been hearing a lot about that lately. First of all—what the F is that? Well, intuitively, I know what it is…but I had to consult a reputable source…

So…the Urban Dictionary tells me the Glow Up is when you go from wack-looking to gorgeous… another definition is to rise to the top from the bottom of whatever aspirational ladder a person is climbing. The Free Dictionary’s idioms section says something similar—Basically, it’s a fantastic transformation—that’s very real.

Who doesn’t want the Glow Up? I mean, who isn’t fascinated by someone’s rise from out of nowhere?

Thing is—I’ve learned—it’s hardly EVER from nowhere. The folks you love and adore today—famous folks or maybe other folks—have likely been working their tails off for YEARS in order to get the results that are now visible to lots of people.

A lot of more time-established shows and podcasts interview folks AFTER their glow has started, and there’s everything RIGHT with that.

But what about the folks who are somewhere in the middle, folks who are not quite at the top or at the bottom, but somewhere in between?

Well, today’s guest took time off of his grind to talk to me.

His name is Patrick Fenison. He’s one of many people committed to meeting their aspirations.

We start our conversation with the time Pat started recognizing his glimmer—when he KNEW he was born to be a performer.

3:45—When Pat knew performing was for him

5:42—Pat ain’t got no sense! His path to becoming a comedian

8:10—I’m going for it!

14:09—Creating a fanbase, then a move upsets hometown momentum

23:43—Everyone’s not going to believe in you; the importance of guarding curating your energy spaces with like-minded people

34:13—A story behind his video “Drop It”

46:30—Where to find Pat on social media

More at https://planetnoun.com.

Do you wish your money were more intelligent?

Well, that’s what Jason Thomas specializes in—making money work smarter for his clients.

Thomas is co-founder and president of The PILL Method, a financial counseling company that uses education and technology to show their clients ways to more astutely use their dollars and cents to move toward their financial goals and debt freedom. “It can begin with simply having a checking and a savings account,” He told Planet Noun. “It does not require you to go get [a] loan, it doesn’t require anything else. What we can basically really show you—how to make your money smarter.”

Thomas joined Planet Noun for a conversation from his home in Jamaica, that’s where he and his wife Carmen [http://carmenhopethomas.com] and two sons moved recently from the United States.

This episode dives right in with no breaks.

The conversation begins with information about his family and partner-run companies and flows from there.

1:03—More about the PILL Method. What it is, how it got started, and how it works.

2:26—Interest rate vs. interest cost. What’s the difference?

28:17—How Thomas got into financial counseling/what led him to become passionate about helping people get out of debt

32:16—Why some folks leave Thomas’s seminars angry

38:05—Thomas conducts free seminars to introduce folks to The PILL Method. So how does he make money?

For social media links and more, go to https://planetnoun.com.

Well, any day is a good day to profess affection… so—I admit—I’m in love. With books written by today’s guest!

There’s this character named Elouise Norton who has captured my heart! Why? Because she’s so human… It’s like I know her.

So I’m stoked that I got to interview her creator during a visit to Los Angeles!

Critically acclaimed crime fiction writer Rachel Howzell Hall is the author of several books, including the Lou Norton series, and another title, They All Fall Down, which will be released on April 9.

We discuss a range of things from her origins as a writer, how she explores through her characters, the dualities and unexpected realities of her page people (her characters), and more!

Take a listen to Rachel Howzell Hall, critically acclaimed author and guest for Planet Noun Episode 15!

Read more at https://planetnoun.com.

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Part 1—00:00-08:10

Where it all started

Part 1a—08:16-17:07—How a character, Detective Elouise Norton, was a tutor to Howzell Hall

Part 2—17:04-29:02

Characters you don’t expect… dualities and unexpected realities.

Part 3—29:05-36:20

Rachel’s journey toward crime fiction

Part 4—36:28-42:37

Reconciling characters and subject matter with a churchy upbringing

Part 5—42:40-end

Most gratifying moments as an author, and maximizing her time as an author who also has a family and a full time job

February is Black History Month in the United States…a time to focus on the contributions and achievements of African Americans not only in the past, but to hear stories of those who are still with us, still writing their stories. George O. Davis is such a person. Part of his work involves helping to expose museum visitors to the stories of others.

Part 1:

00:43—From broadcasting and entertainment executive to the California African American Museum

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Part 2:

22:23—Rundown of the museum’s features and a some current exhibits.

By the time this episode drops, a couple of those will be on their last days. Find links with more information on those dates at PlanetNoun.com.

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Part 3:

24:56—Davis talks about:

• The importance of expanding the knowledge of black history among and beyond black folks

• Acknowledging the facts of history and reckoning with that information to grow beyond our country’s ills…past and present

Have you ever talked to someone at work and you knew there was something more to their story?

That’s what I started finding out after we got to talking and I found out she has a yoga business.

It’s also no secret that business owners fascinate me…One day, I’ll have one of my own.

After starting this podcast, I asked her to be on the show to talk about the benefits of yoga.

It’s a New Year and, no doubt, you might be reviewing resolutions to be fitter, healthier, and/or vowing for better self care this year.

What better way to do so than to get your yoga on?

I’ve done so sporadically through the years, and one thing, and quickly noticed that I was one of a few faces that looked like mine among the student population. I definitely didn’t notice any black instructors.

But now I know one! Only one. Yes, I know there are more out there—but she’s the only one I know.

I introduce to you Stephanie Gaines-Bryant—radio news anchor at a local D.C. station. She’s also owner and operator of Radio Yogi Health and Fitness.

Part 1

• 01:30 — What Radio Yogi is all about

• 02:38—Stephanie’s journey to meditation; then yoga practice and instruction

• 16:41—Thoughts about Christians and yoga practice

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Part 2

21:10—Stephanie’s advice on starting a new habit this new year—whether it’s yoga or something else.

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Part 3

39:44—In addition to being on the radio and running her yoga business, Stephanie also runs a non-profit—Sisters for Fitness, and talks about the concerns that led her to start the organization. This segues into a discussion about mental illness in the African American and church communities. If Jesus can fix it, why can’t that fixin’ be done via a therapist?

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Read more about Stephanie, Radio Yogi Health and Fitness and Sisters 4 Fitness at https://planetnoun.com.

What’s the value of a can of Ensure? Or Spam? Or a pack of Doritos or other snack you can pick up during a Target run or at the corner store?

Well, if you’re a member of the Filipino diaspora, everyday items, snacks and other treats can have additional meaning attached to them if they’re shipped to the Philippines from abroad in a Balikbayan Box.

It’s a tradition I had no idea of until about a year ago…. And it was then that I realized that—among all the groups of color I grew up around in Los Angeles—there are some I know about more than others. I didn’t know much about the Filipino diaspora, but I’m learning more.

This interview was so interesting I wanted to share it again this year!

So if you’ve heard this before—welcome back—and stick around… If you’re hearing this for the first time, let’s dig into this holiday repeat of Planet Noun Episode 3—Balikbayan Boxes: Care Packages in Reverse…. With Illinois-based artist, photographer and author Jason Reblando.

Thanksgiving is almost here! That means it’s almost time to throw down on all those bounties that’ll grace our holiday tables this week!

Thanksgiving is also Family Health History Day… A time to discuss and learn more…. Diseases or health events that tend to run in your family…

Yeah… I know THAT is NOT a sexy discussion to have while passing the lamb, ham, turkey, chicken, greens, potatoes, tomatoes—YOU NAME IT.

But if you’re family is gathering for this holiday or any other one—could be an opportune time to consider easing in those not so appetizing discussions about your family health portrait…. Just try to time it when Cousin so-and-so is NOT about to fork a piece of sweet-tater pie in their mouth.

My guest today is Doctor LaKeischa McMillan… she hosts the Housecall with Dr. Mac Podcast… In addition to doctoring, she also mothers and wifes (It’s my podcast, I can make up words). The cast is a joint venture with her husband, Wendell.

So Dr. Mac joins us with the skinny... or the fat—depending on how you throw down in the kitchen—on having unsexy conversations about family health—during Thanksgiving or any season when family gathers.

Read more at https://planetnoun.com