SPNN Podcast

Len has been doing photography since they were old enough to handle their mom's camera — and now they're branching out into freelancing, documentary, and maybe even some zine-making. We talked about building communities in new places and the power of media to connect people.

You can check out Len's photo documentary project here. She keeps her Instagram up to date with her current work and freelancing availability. 

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns.

This is also the last episode of this season of the SPNN podcast! We'll be back soon with more conversations. Thanks for tuning in for the last few months!

Earlier this winter, SPNN hosted a series of artist panels: this episode is the first in that series.  For this panel, three early-career artists joined us to talk about their work so far and where they're going next. This panel is also available as a video. 

Nia Navarro is a community organizer and emerging filmmaker, and they focus their work on queer, Black, and working class stories. Kehinde Olumide Famule is a Nigerian-American filmmaker and photographer telling stories about groups and individuals who are making positive change in their communities. Pa Houa Xiong is a graphic designer looking to inspire curiosity and joy through her art. 

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here. 

This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns. Bennie and Mai co-hosted this artist panel. Intern Juan Rios co-edited this episode. 

Brian Few Jr. is a multitalented filmmaker, graphic designer, and photographer. He joined the podcast to talk about a couple of his projects — and his goals of traveling and expanding his work. 

You can find Brian’s work on his Youtube channel. He also works on Georgia Fort’s TV show, “Here’s the Truth,” which airs on the Twin Cities CW channel on Saturdays at 11 a.m. You can catch the old episodes on Youtube, too. 

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here. 

This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns.

UPDATE: The 2023 Film Score Fest screening will be on June 10th at 7 p.m. at the History Theatre. Selected films will be announced and tickets will go on sale on April 17th. Check out the Film Score Fest website for the info. 

Film Score Fest is pretty unique. The annual festival randomly pairs filmmakers and composers  to make a five-minute film and score, and selected films are screened with a live orchestra in downtown St. Paul. This year, five BIPOC creators earned scholarships to make films for the festival. Today, we’re talking to Katherine and Charlie about what it takes to pull off this event — and why it's so cool to have an accessible, collaborative celebration of film and music.

You can keep up with Film Score Fest at their website and Facebook.  

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here. 

This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns.

Joua Lee Grande is a filmmaker and community educator, and she’s a familiar face at SPNN — she used to work here! On this episode, we’re talking about a documentary she has in the works about shamanism among young Hmong Americans. We also heard about her short film in the works for Film Score Fest, a local challenge that pairs filmmakers with composers.

Joua’s website has the latest updates on her work and all of her completed projects. 

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here. 

This episode is co-hosted by Olivia, one of our youth interns. The music is by Bennie, another youth intern.

Alison Guessou is a local filmmaker with a big variety of work under her belt. She joined the show to talk about her most recent web series about a breakup between best friends, and her upcoming feature film, a very timely sci-fi inspired drama. 

You can find Alison’s work through her production company, Djini Productions. Her web series, “It’s Not You,” is available on Youtube. 

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here. 

Music by youth intern Bennie.

Kelly Huang is a Minneapolis-based documentary filmmaker, content creator, and actor. In this episode, she talks about her first feature-length documentary, called My Borrowed Name. It tells her family’s immigration story — a story that she hopes will get people thinking about their own names and identities. 

Learn more about Kelly’s work on her website. 

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

The music in this episode is by our youth intern Bennie.

Georgia Fort is an independent journalist working in TV, radio, and digital media. She’s on a mission to transform the media landscape, focusing on stories by, about, and for communities of color. 

Learn more about Georgia Fort and all her projects at her website. Georgia’s TV show premieres 2/25 at 4:30 on the CW channel. 

Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org. 

Interlude music composed by youth intern Bennie.

Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on January 31st and February 1st, open to any community members! Learn more here. 

It's time for a new season of the SPNN podcast! Starting now, we're posting new episodes regularly. In each episode, you'll hear from someone in the world of Twin Cities media. Tune in two weeks from today — January 27th — to catch the first episode. 

Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. 

To learn more about SPNN's programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org

Want to get involved in the podcast? We're hosting a podcasting class on January 31st and February 1st, open to any community members! No experience necessary. 

Music courtesy of pixabay.com 

Saint Paul STRONG hosted an on-air panel discussion about the court decision to identify Right Of Way (ROW) street assessments as property taxes rather than special assessments. The decision impacts all Saint Paul property owners – including non-profits.  Panelists include: Robert D. Ebel, Greg Blees, Peter Nelson, Ellen Brown, and Simon Taghioff.