Str8Up Show Podcast

BOOK'EM WITH XEROPRIME 99 | STR8UP SHOW PODCAST | SEASON 10

Reading is fundamental, but are we doing enough to encourage the next generation to pick up a book?

The Str8Up Show Podcast introduces Book'Em, a new segment dedicated to celebrating authors, writers, poets, and the power of literature.

For our inaugural installment, Calvin welcomes back longtime friend of the show Dorsey, better known as XeroPrime 99, to discuss his transition from gaming enthusiast and storyteller to published fantasy author.

XeroPrime 99 takes us inside his creative process, explains why he wanted to develop fantasy worlds featuring characters who reflect Black culture, and discusses the importance of making literature exciting and accessible to younger generations.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why Calvin created the Book'Em segment to spotlight authors and encourage literacy.
• The growing concern surrounding reading proficiency and literacy in our communities.
• How an elementary school assignment inspired XeroPrime 99's lifelong passion for writing.
• The connection between video games, anime, fantasy literature, and original storytelling.
• The inspiration behind Dreadwake, a horror fantasy adventure blending online gaming, artificial intelligence, and real-world consequences.
• Exploring The Unimaginable Realm of Prime: Origins Volume One, a collection of six stories featuring superheroes, assassins, and fantasy adventures.
• Why Black representation, natural hair textures, cultural identity, and diverse characters are important in fantasy literature.
• Introducing How to Become a Thief: The Black Paw Method, a fantasy adventure featuring a goblin and a mysterious raccoon.
• Overcoming writer's block and learning to finish a story before worrying about editing.
• Encouraging aspiring writers and young creators to take positive risks and share their work.
• A special reading from Lyrical Flux, a space adventure described as Romeo and Juliet meets Bonnie and Clyde.

BOOKS DISCUSSED:

1. Dreadwake
   A horror-inspired fantasy adventure exploring what happens when an artificial intelligence begins influencing the direction of an online game.
2. The Unimaginable Realm of Prime: Origins Volume One
   Six interconnected stories set in the fictional world of Prime, featuring the cities of New Saint and Nocturne, with superheroes, assassins, and culturally inspired characters.
3. How to Become a Thief: The Black Paw Method
   A fantasy adventure set in Nocturne following a young goblin whose encounter with a mysterious raccoon leads him into the world of thievery.

BONUS READING: LYRICAL FLUX

Stay tuned for a special reading from Lyrical Flux, a science fiction adventure combining romance, danger, and space exploration.

FOLLOW XEROPRIME 99

TikTok: @XEROPRIME
Instagram: @BOOKS_BY_XEROPRIME99

BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Search for XeroPrime 99 and his published titles on Amazon.

CONNECT WITH STR8UP

Website: https://str8upshowpodcast.com

Catch up on previous episodes, discover more guest stories, and explore the conversations that make Str8Up a platform for culture, creativity, and authentic storytelling.

ABOUT BOOK'EM

Book'Em is a Str8Up Show Podcast segment highlighting authors, poets, and storytellers whose work deserves to be discovered. From emerging independent writers to established literary voices, Book'Em celebrates the imagination, culture, and experiences behind the stories we read.

Have a story to tell or a book to share? Connect with the Str8Up Show Podcast for future guest opportunities.

Remember, there's only one rule to our show. You gotta be Str8Up!

DJing is more than selecting songs. It's about understanding music, connecting with audiences, and mastering your craft.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• DJ IC3's journey from house parties to the FIFA World Cup
• Her friendship and professional relationship with Snow Tha Product
• Essential DJ equipment, Serato, and music pools for beginners
• Understanding BPM, musical keys, and seamless transitions
• Reading the crowd and playing across different genres
• Overcoming challenges as a woman in the DJ industry
• Perseverance, chasing dreams, and the emotional power of music

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Serato DJ: https://serato.com
• DJcity: https://www.djcity.com
• Shazam: https://www.shazam.com

FOLLOW DJ IC3

TikTok: @DJ_IC3_
Instagram: @DJ.IC3

CONNECT WITH STR8UP SHOW PODCAST

Website: https://str8upshowpodcast.com

On this episode of Str8Up, mother and daughter authors Jhordynn and Charity Grace join us for a powerful conversation about literacy, education, representation, and the importance of embracing our differences.

From America's literacy crisis and reading comprehension challenges to bullying, self confidence, and inclusion, we explore how storytelling can inspire meaningful change.

Jhordynn shares her experiences as an author, her perspective on literacy in Black and Brown communities, and the inspiration behind her writing. Young author Charity Grace discusses her passion for creating stories that encourage children to celebrate what makes them unique.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Charity Grace closes the episode by reading a portion of her children's book, I'm Different and I Love Me!

Jhordynn
Scrape It Out with a Spatula!

Charity Grace
I'm Different and I Love Me!
Come Play with Me!

Facebook: @JHORDYNN

Instagram: @JHORDYNN_WRITES

TikTok: @GHOSTWRITERJHORDYNN

YouTube: @JHORDYNN.WRITES

Facebook: @CHARITYGRACE

Instagram: @AUTHORCHARITYGRACE

TikTok: @AUTHORCHARITYGRACE

YouTube: @AUTHORCHARITYGRACE

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a parent, educator, aspiring author, or anyone who believes in the importance of reading and representation.

Subscribe to the Str8Up Show Podcast for more conversations that educate, challenge perspectives, and inspire change.

After living in the United States for 35 years, Danny's life changed when he was taken into immigration custody and spent 178 days in detention before being deported to Mexico.

In this episode of the Str8Up Show Podcast, Danny shares his firsthand account of life inside immigration detention, including the conditions he experienced, the physical and emotional toll of being detained, and the moment he learned he was being deported.

Danny also takes us beyond detention and into what happened next. He discusses being released at the border, arriving in a country he had not lived in since he was three years old, adjusting to life in Mexico, reconnecting with the culture and figuring out what starting over looks like after 35 years in the United States.

Day 179 represents more than the day after detention. It marks the beginning of an entirely different chapter of Danny's life.

FOLLOW DANNY

TikTok: @danny_darkooo

SUPPORT DANNY

CashApp: $Dannyortiz87

Goldiee joins the Str8Up Show Podcast for a candid conversation about living with albinism and the misconceptions that often come with it.

Goldiee opens up about growing up Black with albinism, the bullying she experienced as a child, and the assumptions people have made about her appearance, eyesight, abilities and identity. She also discusses representation of people with albinism in movies and television, dating, confidence, self image and why educating others about albinism is important to her.

Through the challenges, Goldiee shares how she learned to stop wishing she looked different and fully embrace who she is today. Her story is a conversation about albinism, but also about confidence, perspective and learning to love what makes you different.

FOLLOW GOLDIEE

INSTAGRAM: @GOLDIEE.X2X
TIKTOK: @GOLDIEE.X2X

SUPPORT GOLDIEE

CASH APP: $g0ldieex2x

Orlando Delcid left El Salvador at seven years old and grew up in Houston, Texas. Decades later, he returned to the country of his birth and is now seeking the presidency with Fraternidad Patriota Salvadoreña, or FPS.

In this episode, Orlando shares his experience immigrating to the United States as a child, the teacher whose kindness had a lasting impact on his life, and the role faith has played in shaping his path.

The conversation also explores Orlando’s vision for El Salvador, including creating jobs and investment, expanding opportunities for Salvadorans, strengthening the country so people do not feel forced to leave in search of opportunity, and encouraging Salvadorans abroad to bring their knowledge and experience back home.

Calvin also presses Orlando on current U.S. immigration enforcement, whether a seven year old Orlando arriving in America today would have the same experience he did, and how his years living in the United States influence his perspective on immigration.

Finally, Calvin asks a question Orlando may face throughout his campaign: after spending most of his life in America, why should Salvadorans trust him to understand and lead El Salvador?

Topics Discussed

Orlando’s childhood in El Salvador
Immigrating to America at seven years old
Growing up in Houston
Faith and public service
Returning to El Salvador
Why Orlando entered politics
Jobs and investment in El Salvador
The Salvadoran diaspora
U.S. immigration enforcement
Salvadorans returning home
U.S. and El Salvador relations
Why Salvadorans should trust his leadership
Orlando’s vision for El Salvador

On this edition of Music Monday, we turn the spotlight on RenRiot, a Black, queer, female alt-rock/grunge-punk band from Washington, D.C.

Blending the vulnerability of emo, the grit of grunge, and the energy of punk and alternative rock, RenRiot is creating music rooted in raw emotion, personal experiences, and a desire to make space for voices and perspectives that haven’t always been centered in rock.

IN THIS EPISODE

We talk with RenRiot about:

• The origin of RenRiot and how the band came together
• Developing a sound that blends alt-rock, emo, grunge and punk
• Their experiences as Black women making rock music
• Navigating intersectionality as Black and queer artists
• Representation and creating space within the alternative music scene
• Breaking expectations surrounding what a rock band is “supposed” to look and sound like
• Using vulnerability and personal experiences as inspiration
• How music can become an outlet for identity, emotion and self-expression
• Building RenRiot’s sound, chemistry and creative direction
• What’s next for the band

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE 

The conversation doesn't end with the interview.

RenRiot closes out this edition of Music Monday with a special performance of their new song, “Hunt You Down.”

ABOUT RENRIOT

RenRiot is a Black, queer emo soft-grunge band from Washington, D.C., blending raw emotion and vulnerable lyricism with influences from alternative rock, grunge, emo and punk. Their music combines nostalgia with a perspective and sound distinctly their own.

FOLLOW RENRIOT

WEBSITE: WWW.RENRIOT.NOISEYARD.COM
INSTAGRAM: @RENRIOT.WAV
TIKTOK: @RENRIOTBAND
BANDSINTOWN: @RENRIOT

Season 10 of The Str8Up Show Podcast begins with the return of immigration attorney Carla Casas for an important conversation about the changing immigration landscape in America.

With immigration continuing to dominate national headlines and the midterm elections approaching, Carla joins Str8Up to help separate legal realities from political rhetoric, misinformation, and social media speculation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Changes affecting U.S. immigration law and policy
• What immigrant families should know right now
• Immigration enforcement and ICE
• Detention and due process
• Understanding your legal rights
• Common misconceptions surrounding immigration
• How changing policies affect immigrant communities
• The importance of seeking accurate legal information
• Immigration and the national political conversation
• What could happen as the country approaches the midterm elections

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Carla Casas is an immigration attorney and returning guest of The Str8Up Show Podcast. Through Casas Immigration Law, Carla and her team work with individuals and families navigating the U.S. immigration system.

CONNECT WITH CARLA CASAS
Instagram: @immigration.attorney.carla
YouTube: @AbogadaCarlaCasas
TikTok: @AbogadaCarla
Facebook: Casas Immigration
Website: www.casasimmigration.com
Florida Office: 407-205-9358
Chicago Office: 312-971-7221