The Amani Experience Podcast

Alejandro discusses how a breakup was a breakthrough in his career, our mutual love for the film 'Chasing Amy' and why patience was the hardest lesson for him to learn in this episode. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

7:40 - Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, Broken Social Scene and others.

9:23 - The play "Braveheart"

13:57 - The T.V Show "Atlanta"

18:42 - How a breakup woke up Alejandro and caused him to work harder.

20:52 - What experiences did Alejandro draw upon to create "Low/Fi"

22:17 - "Chasing Amy"

24:21 - "If I don't do film, I have failed in life ..."

31:48 - "You have to appreciate the bitter to appreciate the sweet ..."

33:02 - "A heartbreak is fuel for future projects ..."

35:28 - How Alejandro has learned to write female characters so accurately.

39:00 - Patience was the hardest lesson to learn.

42:50 - The ending of "Shawshank Redemption"

44:30 - "500 Days of Summer" (special scene) and the impact of that movie on Alejandro.

50:02 - Reading is the newest habit that is most beneficial for Alejandro.

53:02 - "You get one life ... "

How to reach Alejandro: Website | Instagram | Youtube

Book Recommendations:

Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Extras:

Monday Trailer

In this episode, Ninette talks to us why you shouldn't look back, her 14-year law career, why there is no need to hurry and why "what you do is not who you are ...". Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

7:14 - How did Ninette decide that practicing law was no longer for her.

10:58 - "Law school did not teach me how to be a lawyer ... "

14:10 - Ninette has been spinning for more than 20 years.

18:07 - The story of how Chrome Cycle Studio and it's genesis.

23:42 - From 2014 -2017, it was a long, long journey.

27:50 - "Go big or go home ..." - advice from her dad.

28:50 - "I don't have to lose for you to win ..."

36:26 - "What you do is not who you are ..."

38:55 - "Do not hurry ..."

42:49 - "You literally saved my life ..."

53:28 - Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner

57:53 - The importance of networking within Ninette's business.

66:25 - "Don't look back once you make your decision to start a business ..."

How to reach Ninette: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Instagram

Book Recommendations:

Lean In by Cheryl Sandberg

Extras:

Christina Aguilera - "Fighter"

In part 2 of his interview, our host Amani Roberts discusses how an instant message changed his life forever, why you can't change people and how a Grammy Award fits into his future. Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

5:01 - My brother sends me an instant message at work.

10:56 - "I admire your resilience..."

13:56 - How anxiety stops Amani right now.

19:47 - Celebrating the little wins as much as possible.

22:11 - How Mariah Carey helps Amani.

25:52 - "Don't wait 12 years to pursue your DJ career ..."

27:34 - "You can't change people ..."

32:13 - Amani's first podcast - The Mirth Nadir Show.

36:35 - What was some of the most common life advice given on the podcast.

38:05 - Amani is stuck on a deserted island with which albums?

43:19 - DJ Jazzy Jeff

46:35 - Where does Amani see himself personally and professionally in 2023?

49:18 - A Grammy Award in the remix category!

55:27 - What questions are Amani's favorite to ask guests.

61:55 - "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right."

69:07 - "Once bitten, twice shy ..."

71:04 - Australia, Tokyo and Cape Town.

74:40 - How will Amani give back and continue to inspire and develop younger DJ's.

77:44 - Think BIG!!

How to reach Amani: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

Book Recommendations:

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Tools of the Titans by Tim Ferriss

The Power of Purpose by Les Brown

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

Grit by Angela Duckworth

Extras:

Motivation Youtube Playlist

Les Brown - "Be Courageous" Speech

Amani's Quote Board on Pinterest

In this episode, we learn about our host Amani Roberts!! In part 1, he shares why he started this podcast, the impact his experience at Scratch Academy had on his life and business and why the most beautiful people in the world have scars.

Photo by Carissa Woo Photography

Show Notes:

5:00 - How road trips led to Amani getting into the meetings & events industry.

8:00 - Where is the fourth plane?

10:16 - DJ Biz Markie at Quigley's Nightclub (DC)

13:58 - "One of the best decisions of my life ..."

18:00 - "It's not what you know, but who you know ..."

24:17 - Why Amani started this podcast.

28:47 - The power of handwritten notes.

33:00 - Advice from author Soman Chainani

35:50 - "DJ's can make or break your party or event."

36:50 - The Scratch Academy experience and how it was the turning point of Amani's career.

41:02 - How Amani's piano practice helps him to stay motivated.

44:45 - What kind of impact the podcast has had on Amani's life.

48:13 - "The most beautiful people in the world have scars ..."

50:26 - "Growing old alone ..."

56:57 - "Keep your feet on the ground"

Extras Mentioned:

Amani's motivation playlist on Youtube.

Design Matters Podcast with Debbie Millman.

Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss

Alistair Tober joins us this episode and discusses why the human ego scares him, why Frank Sinatra is his biggest influence and why all creatives need to know their numbers. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

5:45 - When did Alistair first begin to sing.

6:40 - "A Fish Outta Water"

15:15 - How did Alistair get into acting.

20:15 - "There is no one right path ... "

24:35 - How did VIP's Entertainment get started.

37:00 - When did Alistair realize his business was going to work.

40:41 - "You have to know your numbers ..."

48:04 - The human ego scares Alistair.

61:28 - Frank Sinatra is his biggest musical influence.

66:10 - "It's ok to be flawed ..."

67:50 - "Life is easy, people make it hard ..."

79:50 - Gareth Bale fan!

How to reach Alistair: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Linkedin

Book recommendations:

The One Thing - Gary Keller

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover - Robert L. Moore

Extras:

Fish Outta Water Trailer

Ashley Jones discusses "Ballet Kanye", why she is completely in love with dance and how she has developed her resiliency muscle over time in this episode. Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

8:48 - Why Ashley chose Political Science & Business Administration as her major at USC.

11:35 - Where does her strong work ethic come from.

16:56 - What skills did Ashley learn at Northrop that she uses in her current life.

20:40 - "When you don't make the right decision in life, the decision is made for you."

21:49 - "Ballet Kanye"

25:12 - Why it is important to be flexible as a creative.

32:53 - What did Ashley's family and friends say when she told them she was leaving her corporate job.

38:10 - How does Ashley take care of her body and stay healthy as a dancer.

45:10 - "My only fear is not pursuing my passion ... "

49:10 - How has Ashley developed her resiliency muscle over time.

62:20 - "No matter how tall the mountain, it cannot block the sun ..."

How to reach Ashley: Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin

Book Recommendations:

The Last Lecturer - Randy Pausch

Shoes Off Mommy - Alison Rose & Kathleen Vaslett-Carr

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Vinay Shah discusses performing with Phillip Bailey, why you should be creative and not competitive and the importance of "keeping your feet on the ground."Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

4:08 - Why Vinay selected Berklee School of Music

7:20 - When did V-Fresh start Dj'ing.

8:31 - Performing with Phillip Bailey.

10:20 - Teaching at Scratch Academy.

11:51 - "I am always a student ..."

14:27 - "Be creative and not competitive ..."

20:10 - How did VFresh learn how to DJ.

29:31 - "The criticism happens when you are doing something right ..."

32:03 - "There is more people out there to work with ..."

35:45 - Why family was the longest lesson to learn.

46:40 - "Finding the magic in creativity is obscure right now ..."

49:17 - "Keep your feet on the ground ..."

How to reach Vinay / VFresh: Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | Facebook

Book Recommendation:

The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone

Songs Mentioned:

Bruce Lee by Illmind

Fly Kicks by AC Slater & Lorenzo

Knucklehead by Grover Washington Jr.

Liz Zeigler talks to us about her leap from being a lawyer at a big firm to her own mobile dog grooming business, her perspective on competition and why you shouldn't follow the expected path.

Show Notes:

6:50 - Why Liz decided to take the leap from a successful law career.

8:11 - Crying on the train every morning.

10:47 - What was the draw/attraction to mobile dog grooming.

19:45 - How Liz sticks to her prices and the lessons learned about pricing.

24:40 - How does Liz manage the dogs that are anxious when they visit with her.

30:30 - Fear of being elderly and homeless.

35:58 - Liz's perspective on competition and how she acquired this outlook.

43:31 - "Don't follow the expected path ..."

44:48 - "Trust Yourself ..."

47:38 - Why manual record keeping is the most important habit Liz has learned in the past year.

How to reach Liz: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Book Recommendations:

Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

The Ladies Paradise by Emile Zola

Shrill by Lindy West

Podcast Recommendations:

Fresh Air

This American Life

Lisa Aihara talks to us about the valuable lessons she learned while working in corporate America, why love is earned every day and what the quote "If want beautiful eyes, look at beautiful things..." means to her. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

5:42 - Why Lisa decided to get her MBA.

10:09 - The most valuable lessons learned at Sirius XM, Disney, and Hulu.

14:18 - Lisa learned photoshop at age 10!

17:58 - Where does the name Fiber & Dye come from.

27:54 - "a jack of all trades who is a homebody ..."

36:02 - Mom and sister.

39:05 - "You are perfect the way you are ..."

40:31 - "Love is earned every day."

43:49 - "I want to be your designer friend."

47:19 - "If you want beautiful eyes, look at beautiful things ..."

52:00 - Baby gender reveal.

54:09 - "Know your personality"

How to reach Lisa: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Book Recommendations:

The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Cindee Rood discusses her non-profit Formidable Joy, how she gained the trust of the people in Malawi and how she is "the balance of opposites". Enjoy!

Show Notes:

5:21 - Cindee's first job in Los Angeles

8:00 - "The balance of opposites."

8:37 - The beginning of Cindee's non-profit journey.

11:24 - How did Formidable Joy come to fruition.

14:10 - What did Cindee do to gain the trust of the people in Malawi.

17:12 - Why it was important for Cindee to see a refugee camp.

21:10 - Where the name "Formidable Joy" comes from.

23:09 - How did Cindee become skilled at fundraising.

29:01 - "What If??"

33:23 - "Nobody can do anything alone ..."

33:58 - What happened when Cindee started her own fashion line.

39:14 - "Follow her bliss more ..."

40:21 - "If only ... "

47:46 - Educate, Advocate, and Fundraise.

How to reach Cindee: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Book Recommendations:

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr

The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu

A Fraught Embrace by Ann Swidler and Susan Watkins