Podcetera

What does it take to find your voice and hold onto it?

In this episode, we sit down with writer, filmmaker, and former executive director of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, Erica Vanstone. From growing up in rural Massachusetts to helping shape the modern era of roller derby, Erica’s journey is anything but conventional.

She shares how curiosity led her from announcing bouts to skating, refereeing, and ultimately leading a global organization through one of its most challenging moments. Along the way, she reflects on the explosive growth of the sport, the realities of building something community-driven at scale, and the tension between staying authentic and gaining mainstream visibility.

We also dive into her new book, Don’t Let Them Eat the Baby, a deeply personal and wide-ranging look at roller derby, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive and grow. Through vivid storytelling and hard-earned insight, Erica explores what it means to carve out space for yourself in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.

This conversation blends humor, honesty, and sharp perspective, touching on derby culture, unforgettable moments on the track, and the deeper truth at the center of Erica’s work: the cost of being yourself is high, but the cost of not being yourself is even higher.

Learn more at: ericavanstone.com

Joy Clark writes songs that feel lived in, guided by emotion, faith, and instinct. The Louisiana-born singer-songwriter and guitarist joins Podcetera for a personal conversation about music, identity, and learning to fully inhabit your own life.

Sug Daniels is a Delaware-born, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter, ukulele player, and producer whose music blends folk, rock, and soul into heartfelt stories about love, identity, and connection. In this episode, she reflects on her journey from singing in church and forming bands in Delaware to finding her voice, and her purpose, in the thriving Philadelphia music scene.

Sug opens up about the challenges and triumphs of being a full-time independent artist, the influence of her upbringing and identity on her songwriting, and how meditation and introspection ground her creative process. She also shares the inspiration behind her debut studio album, I Believe in You, and what it means to build community through her ever-evolving “Chosen Family Band.”

Sug shares stories from the road touring with The Black Opry, and what she’s learned from sharing stages with artists like The Indigo Girls, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, and Molly Tuttle. Plus, she shares a live performance of her uplifting song “Brand New Day.”

Sug’s music is as vibrant, heartfelt, and magnetic as she is, leaving an imprint long after the song ends.

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In a heartfelt and candid conversation, singer-songwriter Jill Sobule reflects on the intersection of music and politics, her unique songwriting process, and the evolving challenges artists face in the music industry. Sharing candid stories from her remarkable career—including the groundbreaking ’90s hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” her collaborations with legends like Neil Young and Cyndi Lauper, and her theatrical work, Jill offers rare insight into the life of a fiercely independent artist and storyteller. She also shares her thoughts on her iconic protest anthem “We Want Our America Back” and its enduring relevance today.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Jill’s three-decade career spans a dozen albums tackling topics from LGBTQ rights and mental health to social justice, all delivered with wit, intelligence, and emotional depth. Known for blending humor with pathos, Jill’s songs invite listeners to engage with complex issues through vivid portraits of human experience.

This interview was recorded shortly before Jill’s passing, making it one of her final interviews. We celebrate her enduring legacy and the powerful voice she leaves behind. Her music will continue to give us the courage needed to speak truth to power and to live authentically.

Every iconic TV moment owes something to the editor’s eye — the pacing of a breath, the cutaway that lands just right, the silence that says everything. Editors Timothy A. Good, ACE, and Emily Mendez know this better than most.

Tim and Emily open up about the choices and challenges behind some of television’s most talked-about episodes, unpacking everything from emotional restraint to the delicate choreography of cutting between performances. Whether they’re building battle scenes or slow-burning love stories, they approach every frame with intention, care, and trust in their collaborators.

This is also a tale of creative partnership, blending Tim’s experience with Emily’s distinctive voice to shape powerful storytelling in the editing room.

What happens when music becomes more than just melody and lyrics? For Italian pop/folk singer-songwriter Erene Mastrangeli, it’s a force for healing, activism, and connection. Erene shares her journey from growing up in a musically rich Italian home to becoming a voice for change in the U.S. music scene. She opens up about the personal and social themes that drive her songwriting.

A key theme in her work is the fusion of personal and social issues, particularly in her latest album Love, Shine. Erene discusses the inspiration behind the album, especially the title track, which was written in response to the 2016 Pulse nightclub mass shooting. As an LGBTQ+ artist, the tragedy left an indelible mark on her, and Love Shine has since become a powerful statement against hate and inequality.

From collaborating with Brad Roberts of Crash Test Dummies to helping singers heal their voices naturally, learn how music can be both deeply personal and a powerful tool for change.

Blending influences like Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Erene crafts songs that address equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and healing. From performing at NYC’s Rockwood Music Hall to sharing the stage with the Italian Prime Minister, Erene uses music to connect, uplift, and inspire.

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Clocking out for the last time isn’t the end of the story—it’s just the start of a new chapter. Meet A. Benae Colbért, a woman who has built a career (and a life) on passion, persistence, and just a little bit of Texas grit. In this episode, Benae takes us on a journey from her days in marketing and officiating weddings to the brand-new world of retirement, where the only meetings she takes are around a fire pit.

As Benae steps into retirement, she reflects on the growing concerns surrounding Social Security and Medicare, questioning what the future holds for retirees in an era of economic and political uncertainty. With shifting policies and rising costs, she discusses how these changes could impact not just her own plans, but an entire generation of Americans looking to retire with security and dignity. She also shares her thoughts on what it truly means to be a Texan, the memories of Ann Richards that still inspire her, and why she’s starting the Fyre Wimmen podcast to bring bold, unfiltered conversations to the world.

Benae’s journey has been anything but ordinary. With a career spanning marketing, merchandising, project management, and writing, she has navigated industries with a sharp strategic mind and a deep understanding of human behavior. As an ordained wedding officiant for over 20 years, she has guided countless couples through one of the most important moments of their lives. Now, as she embarks on retirement, Benae is embracing new passions—from hosting candid conversations on her podcast to tackling hands-on projects that fuel her adventurous spirit. Whether leading a team, officiating a wedding, or wielding a chainsaw, Benae has always found a way to leave her mark.

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What happens when life hands you more than just lemons? You find purpose through adversity.

We’re joined by the inspiring Siobhan Mondesire, an award-winning marketing leader, podcast host, and cancer survivor. Siobhan shares her incredible journey from growing up as a first-generation Canadian to becoming a marketing force who has spent over a decade shaping both B2B and B2C landscapes. She opens up

Siobhan’s resilience, humor, and steadfast determination to live life to the fullest, despite her diagnosis, highlight her incredible strength. She reveals how her diagnosis ignited a deep desire to create Give Me Lemons, a podcast designed to support and inspire others dealing with life’s toughest challenges. Siobhan encourages her podcast followers to find strength not in silver linings, but in the determination to persevere through hardship and live with purpose.

Known for her innovative strategies and passion for inclusivity, she’s empowered businesses to grow while fostering environments where creativity and collaboration thrive. Siobhan’s leadership is grounded in her commitment to uplifting others, from her mentorship of women+ entering tech to her involvement in community initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

When she’s not transforming businesses or inspiring others through her podcast, Siobhan dedicates time to pro-bono marketing consulting for small businesses and supporting youth through her work with BlackMINT.

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Fred Thomas Jr., actor, director, and producer skyrocketed to fame as one of the original stars of Budweiser’s legendary and iconic "Whassup?!" commercial campaign. With the 25th anniversary of the viral ad fast approaching, Fred shares captivating stories from his career, reflecting on his iconic role in pop culture and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From his time as an Army Reserve combat medic to navigating the evolving entertainment industry in the era of AI and streaming, Fred offers a unique perspective on fame, fatherhood, and the future of Hollywood.

Fred is a three-time NAACP Theatre Award winner for his play 12’ X 9’, he is an alumnus of Lincoln University and Temple University’s Masters in Film and Media Arts program. He founded Temple University’s Black Media Collective and received accolades as a Film Independent Screenwriting Fellow and a Writer’s Guild of America Veterans Writer Program Recipient.

Fred directed the award-winning short film 22 Years, which screened at 76 film festivals and garnered numerous accolades. His film credits include 24 Hour Love and Ladies Book Club, available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Additionally, he has worked as a production coordinator for E! Entertainment’s red carpet events and has spent 15 seasons as a robotic camera operator for CBS’s Big Brother. Currently, he plays Detective Caine on the ALLBLACK Network's Kold x Windy and continues to pursue innovative projects that challenge and inspire creativity.

Self-love involves the courageous act of embracing every part of yourself, flaws and all, and recognizing your inherent worth despite imperfections. Navigating this journey can be challenging, a truth that Alethea Crimmins knows all too well.