THE CHAIR

On this episode, I introduce you to Axel the dancer, choreographer,  videographer, sneaker head and reselling enthusiast. Axel shares what it is like being a lover of shoes and entering back into the reselling business. He shares where his love of shoes stem from, what has changed over the years in the shoe world, and what keeps him coming back. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Axel Lopez is a Boston-born dancer, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and creative currently based in Los Angeles, California. A graduate of Bentley University, Axel has built a career at the intersection of creativity and business, combining his passions for movement, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and visual media.

He currently serves as the Head of Film and Production at Movement Lifestyle, one of the world’s leading dance studios, where he oversees content creation, visual storytelling, and production initiatives. Alongside his work in film and media, Axel owns and operates a sneaker reselling business, turning his passion for fashion, footwear, and entrepreneurship into a thriving venture.

Throughout his career, Axel has had the opportunity to direct, produce, film, and edit projects for globally recognized brands including Red Bull, Peloton, and Gymshark, among others. As a dancer, he has trained under some of the industry’s most respected professionals and continues to teach and share his passion for movement throughout Los Angeles.

Driven by a belief that passion and purpose can coexist, Axel has dedicated much of his career to creating opportunities through the things he genuinely loves. Whether behind the camera, in the studio, or building a business, he is committed to growth, creativity, and inspiring others to pursue their own unique path.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep56) —Feeling Freedom

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, I introduce you to Axel the dancer, choreographer,  videographer, sneaker head and reselling enthusiast. Axel is an entrepreneur who loves to stay busy with an endless supply of creativity. He grants us access into his world of dance, video and takes us on a journey moving from Boston to LA pursuing all of his dreams along the way. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Axel Lopez is a Boston-born dancer, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and creative currently based in Los Angeles, California. A graduate of Bentley University, Axel has built a career at the intersection of creativity and business, combining his passions for movement, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and visual media.

He currently serves as the Head of Film and Production at Movement Lifestyle, one of the world’s leading dance studios, where he oversees content creation, visual storytelling, and production initiatives. Alongside his work in film and media, Axel owns and operates a sneaker reselling business, turning his passion for fashion, footwear, and entrepreneurship into a thriving venture.

Throughout his career, Axel has had the opportunity to direct, produce, film, and edit projects for globally recognized brands including Red Bull, Peloton, and Gymshark, among others. As a dancer, he has trained under some of the industry’s most respected professionals and continues to teach and share his passion for movement throughout Los Angeles.

Driven by a belief that passion and purpose can coexist, Axel has dedicated much of his career to creating opportunities through the things he genuinely loves. Whether behind the camera, in the studio, or building a business, he is committed to growth, creativity, and inspiring others to pursue their own unique path.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep55) —The Rumors Were True

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, I introduce you to Benito a white trans man working in the field of social services. Benito takes us on a journey of how he entered into the world of social services, how he started to unpack his whiteness, and what teaching intersectionality looks like to youth. He and I also dive into our thoughts surrounding empathy and conservative values. Enjoy! Happy Pride! 

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep54) —You Know A Trans Person

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, I introduce you to Sarah Spoto who is the founder of Badii a Swiss-inspired bathing community and my Tri Delta sister. She shares when she first started noticing her whiteness, what she learned about identity and privilege living in Shanghai, China, and her views on what it means to be American. 

Her Bio:

Sarah Spoto is a senior brand strategist with a track record of launching and leading premium brands like Cadillac, Aerie by American Eagle, and General Motors across global markets. She’s also the founder of Badii, a Swiss-inspired bathing community. Badii’s aspiration is to establish a bathing culture in America. One focused on healthy connection, building and supporting our community, connecting with nature, slowing down, having fun, and welcoming everyone. Sarah was living and working in Switzerland but faced health issues after burning out from the grind of corporate life. She knew it was time to bring the magic of the Swiss bathing culture back home with her to America, so in 2024, she quit her corporate job and left Switzerland for Connecticut. And Badii was born. She’s in the process of building Badii Bathhouse--a mobile sauna and cold plunge for the Hartford, CT community. Sarah also hosts a podcast called Badii Talk where she dives deep into the global bathing world. The podcast features expert interviews, spa and travel recommendations, bathing history and education, and science-backed tips on sauna and bathing. New episodes are released every-other-Sunday. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep53) —A white Foreigner

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, I introduce you to Sarah Spoto who is the founder of Badii a Swiss-inspired bathing community and my Tri Delta sister. She takes us on a journey into how a class in college changed her trajectory towards business, how entrepreneurship runs in the family, the origin of Badii, and its relationship surrounding accessibility and luxury. Enjoy!    

Her Bio:

Sarah Spoto is a senior brand strategist with a track record of launching and leading premium brands like Cadillac, Aerie by American Eagle, and General Motors across global markets. She’s also the founder of Badii, a Swiss-inspired bathing community. Badii’s aspiration is to establish a bathing culture in America. One focused on healthy connection, building and supporting our community, connecting with nature, slowing down, having fun, and welcoming everyone. Sarah was living and working in Switzerland but faced health issues after burning out from the grind of corporate life. She knew it was time to bring the magic of the Swiss bathing culture back home with her to America, so in 2024, she quit her corporate job and left Switzerland for Connecticut. And Badii was born. She’s in the process of building Badii Bathhouse--a mobile sauna and cold plunge for the Hartford, CT community. Sarah also hosts a podcast called Badii Talk where she dives deep into the global bathing world. The podcast features expert interviews, spa and travel recommendations, bathing history and education, and science-backed tips on sauna and bathing. New episodes are released every-other-Sunday. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep52) —A Love Letter to Slowing Down

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, Mariah takes us on a journey into her world of working with children in residential from the hospital setting. We learn through her stories how being a difficult camper and working with children with severe behavioral differences led to her pursuing her Master degree in Social Work. Mariah also dives into conversation on her white identity and how it shows up in her work and her advice to other white people in the helping profession. Enjoy!

Her Bio:

Mariah Barros

Bridgewater State University - Master of Social Work 

Goals and dreams are to continue growing within the social work field while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children/adolescents and families.  I hope to continue being a strong support system and advocate for the individuals I work with while also navigating the journey of becoming a new mom.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep51) —Not Just a Chart

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, Dr. Yvette, a first generation Mexican lets us in on her hair journey. She shares stories about what it means to keep a promise to herself and shaving her head, deciding on bangs, and educating family along the way. Enjoy! 

Her Bio: 

Yvette Ramirez is a first generation Mexican American physical therapist who lives in Chicago. She graduated from Lake Forest College with her degree in biology and received her doctorate in physical therapy from Rosalind Franklin University. She currently resides in the West Loop and when not working, enjoys weight lifting, baking, and exploring the city with her fiancé and friends. 

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep50) —Because I Said I Would

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, Dr. Yvette gives access into her world of physical therapy, how she defines being a person mechanic and helps us think about hardware, software, and why its important to have skills in both. Enjoy! 

Her Bio: 

Yvette Ramirez is a first generation Mexican American physical therapist who lives in Chicago. She graduated from Lake Forest College with her degree in biology and received her doctorate in physical therapy from Rosalind Franklin University. She currently resides in the West Loop and when not working, enjoys weight lifting, baking, and exploring the city with her fiancé and friends. 

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep49) — A Person Mechanic

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme. 

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship. 

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, Arielle shares how she sees her whiteness and what it looks like to be an activist and an advocate in the nursing realm. Enjoy!

Her Bio: 

I was born in North Carolina to a military family. I was raised in Medford, MA by my dad, my mom (who is actually my aunt but I call my mom because she raised me like I was her own child), and my god mother with my adopted sister. 

I grew up with a love for music, soccer, being outdoors and a love for animals. Growing up, I unfortunately watched my adopted sister struggle with mental health.  I grew up taking care of her even though I was five years younger. One year after coming home from camp, my sister voluntarily left the family. This was a pivotal point in my life as it shot my self esteem, increased my anxiety, and sent me into years of depression. 

Experiencing my sister is a huge part of why I decided to become a nurse, so I didn’t feel helpless when it came to medical emergencies, and I could make other people feel understood and heard. I graduated from Matignon High School with honors and completing my freshmen year  at Anna Maria College. My first day of my freshmen year, I found out my mom had endometrial cancer (she’s  cancer free now). I also experienced my first toxic relationship which led me into a really bad depression. I voluntarily admitted myself for a psychiatric hold and this is when I found out that I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2. 

An old friend thought I might like Florida so my sophomore year I moved  to attend the University of Tampa where I discovered a 4 year college wasn’t for me. I transferred to do an Associate program and focused on my mental health. I got a job at a level 1 trauma center during Covid as a transporter. I worked my way up to a nurse technician while in school. When I graduated nursing school, I took the first med surg job I was offered helping gastrointestinal patients including those with cancer. While working, I obtained my BSN through an online program. After, I transitioned to a Medical Intensive Care unit where I fell in love with caring for people in their most critical moments and even some of their end of life. It solidified my want to go into Palliative care. I am working on my Masters Degree in Nursing for Family Nursing Practice.

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, Arielle brings us into her world as an intensive care nurse, destimatizes what it means to live with bipolar 2, and helping us all think more critically about  mental health. Enjoy! 

Her Bio: 

I was born in North Carolina to a military family. I was raised in Medford, MA by my dad, my mom (who is actually my aunt but I call my mom because she raised me  as her own), and my god mother with my adopted sister. 

I grew up with a love for music, soccer, being outdoors and a love for animals. Growing up, I unfortunately watched my adopted sister struggle with mental health.  I grew up taking care of her even though I was five years younger. One year after coming home from camp, my sister voluntarily left the family. This was a pivotal point in my life as it shot my self esteem, increased my anxiety, and sent me into years of depression. 

Experiencing my sister is a huge part of why I decided to become a nurse, so I didn’t feel helpless when it came to medical emergencies, and I could make other people feel understood and heard. I graduated from Matignon High School with honors and completing my freshmen year  at Anna Maria College. My first day of my freshmen year, I found out my mom had endometrial cancer (she’s  cancer free now). I also experienced my first toxic relationship which led me into a really bad depression. I voluntarily admitted myself for a psychiatric hold and this is when I found out that I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2. 

An old friend thought I might like Florida so my sophomore year I moved  to attend the University of Tampa where I discovered a 4 year college wasn’t for me. I transferred to do an Associate program and focused on my mental health. I got a job at a level 1 trauma center during Covid as a transporter. I worked my way up to a nurse technician while in school. When I graduated nursing school, I took the first med surg job I was offered helping gastrointestinal patients including those with cancer. While working, I obtained my BSN through an online program. After, I transitioned to a Medical Intensive Care unit where I fell in love with caring for people in their most critical moments and even some of their end of life. It solidified my want to go into Palliative care. I am working on my Masters Degree in Nursing for Family Nursing Practice.

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer:  Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx) 

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
 https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3),  The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website -  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...