Stop Drop and Rawle

It was an honor speaking with singer-songwriter, actor, philosopher, and all-around great artist, Cat Wilson.

Have you ever had one of those friends who seems to have undergone a shift—a change, a boost in confidence so profound that you can’t quite explain it? You don’t notice a specific physical difference, yet somehow, they appear taller, more poised, more at ease in their own skin. You can’t put your finger on exactly what’s changed, but you know you want some of that magical elixir for yourself.

Cat Wilson is one of those rare people who has transformed into an elevated version of herself, and she was kind enough to stop by my podcast to eloquently share the life events that sparked such powerful shifts. Cat takes us on a journey through her metamorphosis—one infused with wisdom, self-discovery, and inspiration.

Doug E. Doug and I "chop it up," as they say, about Hollywood, the media, and the entertainment industry as a whole. This is a world that holds deep fascination and mystery for the layman—but from the inside looking out, this Tinseltown neighborhood can be quite costly to the soul.

It’s an exclusive place, often filled with unfriendly neighbors frolicking through the streets as if nothing ever goes wrong on these cutthroat cul-de-sacs. In this hood, morals often go missing, ending up on milk cartons like back in the late ’90s… except, since we’re in Hollywood, they’d be almond milk cartons, of course.

Doug has traversed the streets of the entertainment industry for over 30 years, so it's no surprise he came armed with a wealth of experience and insight into the social psychopathy of the various character types that keep this town spinning. Perhaps his sharp perspective comes from his multi-faceted journey as a comedian, writer, actor, director, and author.

Whatever the case, Doug didn’t hold back. He brought an arsenal of truth about the entertainment game and showed no hesitation in shooting his mouth off—in the kindest of ways—still managing to find an empathetic path through his words. He was definitely on a roll, and my job was simply to let him cook.

In this episode, I’m joined by my longtime friend and world traveler, Nzingha Clarke . Nzingha offers a sharp and succinct reflection on the last five years of political complexity in America. With her verbal eloquence, she shares a deeply personal account of her experiences with gentrification in New York City—specifically through the lens of her life in Harlem and her efforts to protect her family home.

Nzingha is one of my favorite thinkers. Her global travels have given her a multidimensional perspective on almost every subject, which consistently brings a refreshing take and an engaging listening experience.

One thing is certain: Nzingha’s words in this episode sound like a heartfelt love letter to Harlem.

I have a fantastic conversation with writer, actor, comedian, and all-around great guy Samba Schutte. Samba recently became a U.S. citizen, and this shift in his immigration status opened the door to a heartfelt and sincere discussion about ICE, immigration, and what American citizenship truly means to those who choose it.

While chasing the American Dream, Samba was also pursuing the Hollywood dream—a dream shared by many who arrive with stars in their eyes but no stripes on their shoulders. Remarkably, he seems to be realizing both. On the Hollywood front, he has starred in several television series, including NBC’s Sunnyside and HBO’s Our Flag Means Death. His versatility has landed him roles ranging from romantic leads to memorable guest appearances in film and television.

Listening to Samba’s impassioned, emotional reflections in this episode, it's hard not to feel his deep gratitude, love, and respect for the American Dream. He shares a strong kinship with fellow immigrants who are striving toward that vision and offers inspiring words of encouragement. He also delivers thoughtful reminders to those born in the U.S., who may have grown distant from their sense of national pride, encouraging a renewed appreciation for the country they call home.

My friend Erika Enggren and I have both experienced the profound loss of people near and dear to us. In Erika’s case, it was the death of her stepdad, whom she had known for most of her life. For me, it was the loss of an extremely close friend I had known for over twenty years.

These unfortunate, simultaneous events sparked a meaningful conversation between us — a conversation about grief and the day-to-day coping mechanisms we use to move through the pain of loss.

Erika Enggren is an artist through and through. She’s an actress, a painter, and an incredibly expressive poet. During our conversations about our recent losses, I found her to be insightful and astute, offering comfort and helping to normalize the experiences of birth and death. Given how universal these experiences are, we realized these are conversations that need to happen.

So, we brought our discussion to this podcast episode. And wouldn’t you know it — we managed to have a conversation about grief and loss that wasn’t depressing. Personally, I found it to be a helpful step in my healing process. Hopefully, it will be the same for you.

Mike Hale recounts his life of a child actor with fondness and joy. The way most children talk about summer camp. Even though his short stint as a child in show-biz in retrospect wasn’t very long lived, he still managed to have a more robust career than most adult actors who have been in the game for years. But don’t hate the kid playing , hate the game. Even though he survived Hollywood as a child, Mike Hale still warns parents of the potential perils when signing their kids up for the Hollywood Shuffle.

Join us this episode as we sit down with the remarkable Lucy Odessa Elliott, a vibrant 95-year-old who brings a lifetime of stories and wisdom from her roots in Harlem, NY. Raised in a time of change and challenge, Lucy has lived a colorful life filled with love, resilience, and an indomitable work ethic that began when she was just five years old, hustling on the streets of Harlem.

In this candid conversation, Lucy reflects on her vibrant love life and the marriages that shaped her journey, sharing heartfelt anecdotes and the lessons learned along the way. Her spirit and tenacity shine through as she discusses the realities of her upbringing and the hustle that defined her early years.

My “Cool Runnings” costar Doug E Doug and I play catch-up as we discuss a myriad of topics. Nothing is off the table as we traverse through subjects like Fatherhood, Fame and Beyoncé. We even get around to talking about the movie “Cool Runnings” and the effect it had on our young lives.

Doug is a great conversationalist who maneuvers through sensitive and or complexed subject matters with humor and ease. His insights are very noteworthy and I often leave these conversations feeling enlightened and enriched. They usually spark some of my own insights and helps me to gain several new perspectives.