Stella Podcast

NOTE: This interview was conducted in February 2025

00:18: On getting an NAACP Image Award nomination for  Outstanding Directing on “James Brown: Say It Loud”

2:02: Breaking down what being a filmmaker entails, and the work being done at Deborah’s production company, Coffee Bluff Pictures

4:05: Doing the research and getting necessary buy-in to make a movie happen (including funding)

14:13 On being adaptable and needing to pivot with projects—and how a background in advertising prepared her for this

16:42: Reflecting on past career as advertising executive before plunging into filmmaking full time

21:16: On why her second film “Olympic Pride, American Prejudice” was the film the propelled her full-time filmmaking career

25:42: Learning to write and direct for film

28:03: What can people expect with Coffee Bluff Pictures?

31:23: Telling Black stories that are universally enjoyed and appreciated

NOTE: This interview was conducted in January 2025

00:39: Who is Imani both professionally and personally?

1:31: Work at the intersection of travel and social justice

4:41: The move that started it all: Booking a one-way ticket to Cairo in 2015.

9:04: How travel writing and influencing came into play in 2017

12:45: The value of self-publishing to kickstart your career and experience

14:50: Launching The Paid  Passport Initiative and why it’s needed

27:22: Temperature check on greater travel industry—where has progress been made? What still needs to be done?

NOTE: This interview was conducted in December 2024

00:37: Who is Bree Flemings right now?

1:09: The value of being Jem’s chief product officer, in addition to CEO and co-founder

3:31: The impetus for building Jem and why it’s a much-needed community and job platform for creatives

9:04: Temperature check: Where are we at right now in the media/creative industry?

12:26: Relinquishing some control to build Jem’s team

17:56: The value of forming relationships and bartering (and how it’s being done with Jem)

21:33: Strategies in seeking the right investors and funding

26:37: Biggest learning lesson in first year of being a founder

32:12: How are you defining Jem’s success?

37:21: Moving to Houston and its impact on the business

NOTE: This interview was conducted in November 2024

00:19: Early life in LA + moving across the country to New York to propel media career

4:39: The journey to making history as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Barnard College of Columbia University—and why higher education is so important

7:05: How does and should DEI fit into the broader media landscape?

9:52: Diving into Gabrielle’s role as  Chief Communications Officer and Senior Vice President at Hachette Book Group

17:22: On top of a C-suite publishing role, navigating a marketing and consultant agency

22:02: Strategies in working a full-time executive role while running a business

26:52: The role networking played in getting the agency off the ground

30:51: The importance of setting boundaries

34:53: Why leaning into transferable skills and leaning out of self-sabotage are important considerations in the industry

40:00: Guidance in self-promotion and branding

NOTE: This interview was conducted in November 2024

00:13: Who is Remel London?

1:13: Diving into a vast background before achieving broadcast journalism success (including a past life as a semi-pro athlete and a hunger for on-stage performing) and recognizing the need for media representation early on.

5:06: Overcoming the challenges of breaking into broadcast journalism

10:46: Breaking down “the rise of the influencer” of the impact this has had on media and broadcast journalism

15:32: The motivation behind starting “The Mainstream,” a creative platform for interviews, live events and podcasts as well as networking opportunities and workshops to support rising creatives.

17:12: On the importance of having a mentorship component to The Mainstream—and vital considerations for this kind of model

22:35: Does the “crabs in a barrel” mentality in the industry still exist?

28:08: On what we need more of in order to get to a place where there’s greater opportunity and representation in the industry

31:59: Advice for rising journalists and other rising creatives in the field

37:55: When it comes to growing The Mainstream’s team and reach, how do you navigate relinquishing control and building a like-minded team?

41:31: Story behind the name “The Mainstream”

45:05: UK media meets US media at CultureCon

NOTE: This interview was conducted in October 2024

00:37: Lessons learned from building a writing career from a very young age, including the importance of nurturing an identity separate from this professional success. 

8:49: Establishing a niche as a freelance writing, and how a past career in social work came into play

13:08: The path to securing two book deals, starting with identifying gaps within media coverage 

18:16: Demystifying the process of landing a book deal, including tips of seeking the right literary agent 

27:08: The process of goal-setting—what does figuring out what you want for yourself look like?

31:47: How another book proposal lead to Taylor’s soon-to-publish Coronation Of The Queen 

34:29: The divinely aligned way Girl, Please, Taylor’s second book, entered the mix. 

35:39: On celebrating and reflecting on the journey (including Taylor’s biggest inspirations)

NOTE: This interview was conducted in September 2024.

00:37: On forming genuine connections in the industry—and bringing out the best in people

3:53: Who is Tai and what is her role in the media industry? (Including finding purpose with Morning Mindset with Tai)

6:48: Taking an unexpected career path that deviated from the plan to rise the corporate media ranks

8:32: Identifying feelings of work-related burnout and anxiety that present in various forms

10:22: The value of pivoting—and the common misconceptions associated with it 

13:49: Advice for people seeking to elevate in the corporate world

17:50: How do we go about identifying our purpose?

21:59: Navigating feeling like an outsider

23:54: “The toughest decisions can often be made for you”—what does this mean? 

24:45: What is Morning Mindset with Tai and who is it for?

29:57: Strategies in strengthening self-awareness and self-understanding 

36:32: How do you celebrate success?

NOTE: This interview was conducted in September 2024.

00:10: Who is Amber the Conduit? 

5:08: The evolution that paved the way for her current work as a Spiritual Consultant + Psychic Trend Forecaster, including a re-brand and ancestral influence.

11:37: On ignoring the naysayers, the buzz of spirituality, and leaning into other leaders in the space. 

17:21: Navigating working and collaborating within the media industry—and the important lessons learned 

20:40: The competitive advantage of having such a niche offering within the industry 

22:52: How can spirituality play a role in helping to understand what's in alignment and what isn't?

26:01: On negotiating rates for new work opportunities, setting necessary boundaries, and creating a sustainable lifestyle 

29:04: Navigating energy burnout

31:49: On protecting personal peace after a day of interaction overload, factoring in astrological energies

NOTE: This interview was conducted in September 2024.

00:18: Who is Imani Ellis these days?

1:42: Viewing feedback as a good thing

5:43: Reflecting on the early days of The Creative Collective and the value of starting the brand while also navigating a full-time job

7:33: The thought process behind leaving her full-time job

8:54: Dating your dreams—what does this mean in a business sense?

11:13: The value of accountability and articulating your dreams out loud—not just to others, but also to yourself

12:48: Using discernment in pursuing new growth opportunities 

14:57: More on the concept of a Creative Residency 

17:35: Scaling with integrity, including building a strong, aligned team

19:42: Feelings leading up to the next (imminent) edition of CultureCon, and what to expect 

22:45: A big creative outlet (that’s not connected to work)

NOTE: This interview was conducted in August 2024.

Key moments:

1:11: The journey that led to full-time freelance writing career—and why this wasn’t her initial intention 

4:16: The realities of making full-time freelancing sustainable 

6:05: Setting necessary boundaries

8:52: Normalizing being vocal and transparent in media communications 

12:02: Dealing with pitching burnout and editor relationships 

14:21: Navigating media invitations and press trips

16:04: Being wary of how tech impacts the industry

18:10: Developing genuine relationships with industry professionals—but separating work from friendship

20:41: Showing the full person behind the bylines 

23:20: The value of being a generalist (lifestyle) writer

26:35: Using a personal newsletter to supplement other published work and to speak to a more specific audience 

28:02: The importance of celebrating and amplifying the work of industry peers 

31:09: Conversations around pay transparency and negotiating rates