The RuggedAngel Cast

Original Air Date: Jun 15, 2017

"All of those things that take our voices away, I'm hoping to counteract." - Vivian Lee Croft  Writer, Finding a Voice for the Voiceless, Southern Gal

Original Air Date: May 26, 2017

"We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced." - Etta Cetera Artist, Activist, Advocate for Prison Justice

In this episode of The RuggedAngel Cast, host Kahmeela sits down with Etta Cetera, the visionary behind the Contraband art exhibit, a powerful fundraiser for prison justice showcased at Boom Concepts in Pittsburgh. Etta shares her journey from the suburbs of Maryland to becoming a passionate advocate for those incarcerated, detailing her experiences and the impact of her work.

We dive deep into the Contraband exhibit, which featured artists from both sides of prison walls and aimed to raise awareness and funds for the Let's Get Free: The Women and Trans Prisoner Defense Committee. Etta discusses the significance of the exhibit and the stories behind the art, revealing how creativity can emerge even in the most challenging circumstances.

Original Air Date: May 17, 2017

“I have a whole life list of things that I try to come back to and check in on.” - Kelsey Halling  Impacting the World, First Woman to Run Across Haiti, Serious Child

In this episode of The Rugged Angel Cast, host Kahmeela sits down with the inspiring Kelsey Halling, who is not only the Director of Impact and Sales at Thread, a company turning trash into fabric, but also the first woman to run across Haiti. Kelsey shares her journey from the suburbs of Philadelphia to her love affair with Pittsburgh, where she discovered herpassion for social enterprise and sustainable practices.

We dive deep into Kelsey’s experiences in Haiti, the challenges and triumphs of her groundbreaking run, and how her work at Thread is making a significant impact in developing communities. With a focus on creating sustainable income through innovative recycling methods, Kelsey discusses the importance of transforming waste into valuable resources while empowering local economies.

Original Air date: May 10, 2017

“I’m used to just doing whatever needs to be done.” - Theresa Fortier, Talent Career Strategist, Producer, Professional FanGirl

In this episode of The RuggedAngel Cast, host Kahmeela engages in an inspiring conversation with Theresa Fortier, a talent career strategist who has transformed her passion for fandom into a thriving career. Theresa shares her journey from a childhood filled with challenges to becoming a pivotal figure in the Buffy fandom, where she created Support Spike, a platformdedicated to advocating for the beloved character Spike and actor, James Marsters.

We explore Theresa's unique path through various careers, including her time in fashion design and her current role in e-commerce software. She discusses her self-taught skills in media outreach, website design, and social media management that have enabled her to support actors and projects in the entertainment industry.

Original Air Date: Apr 19, 2017

“We live right here in this universe, and are able to access ‘the other’” - Amber Epps  Lyricist, Entrepreneur, Hedge Witch

In this episode of The RuggedAngel Cast, we explore the multi-faceted life of Amber Epps, aka Hollyhood. From her roots as a computer information systems student to her evolution into a lyricist, producer, and entrepreneur, Amber's journey is as intriguing as it is inspiring. But there's

We delve into her writing process, the challenges of balancing a career with motherhood, and her thoughts on the ever-evolving world of hip-hop culture. Plus, don't miss Amber's top five songs by female artists—a personal playlist that's sure to get your head nodding. Whether you're tuning

Original Air Date: Apr 7, 2017

“Once you start changing and evolving into someone that isn’t you for the benefit of someone else breathing in the same space that you happen to be in, is offensive.” - Kezia Taylor Attorney, Social Engineer of Change, DIYer

Kahmeela welcomes attorney Kezia Taylor, a self-described "social engineer for change." Their conversation dives deep into topics of representation, self-advocacy, and the importance of embracing one's authentic self. Kezia shares her transformative experience at Howard University and how her family has influenced her career path.

Listeners will appreciate Kezia's insights on mentorship, the value of education, and her passion for empowering women. Join us for an engaging conversation that champions self-love, resilience, and the beautiful messiness of life.

Original Air Date: Mar 8, 2017

"I am not an expert in relationships, I am an expert inbeing single." - Monique Hamlett Vlogger, Dating Enthusiast, EmpoweringVoice

In this episode of The RuggedAngel Cast, host Kahmeela celebrates International Women’s Day with the vibrant Monique Hamlett, creator of the YouTube vlog series Super Syngle. Monique shares her insights on the modern dating landscape, providing a humorous and candid look at what it’s like to navigate love in 2017. From the complexities of texting etiquette to the art of planning the perfect outing, Monique's relatable anecdotes shine a light on the challenges of dating today.

Follow Monique on social media: Instagram and YouTube

Original Air Date: Feb 8, 2017

This week on The RuggedAngel Cast, we celebrate our first livepodcast episode, hosted at the vibrant Black Unicorn Library and ArchivesProject. Join me, Kahmeela, as I talk to just a couple of the incredible female artists associated with Boom Concepts.

This episode features the dynamic duo, Anqwenique Wingfield and Julie Malice, who sharetheir journeys as artists and community leaders in Pittsburgh.

We dive into Anqwenique's background as a classical vocalist and her work in community education through opera, as well as Julie's experiences in visual art and event production. Together, they discuss the importance of female relationships, the challenges and triumphs of being artists, and their contributions to the local arts scene.

Anqwenique and Julie's passion for their craft and commitment to uplifting marginalized voices shine through as they navigate the complexities of the art world and share their visions for the future.

Visit Boom Concepts

Original Air Date: Jan 26, 2017

“Making art, we think of it as being a luxury, but some people can’t help but make and create beautiful things.” - Kim Fox  Artist, Workerbird, Tom Hardy Enthusiast

Original Air Date: Dec 28, 2016

“That’s the basis of everything I do. Comes from that basic idea that we have this memory , this collective memory that does not exist within a linear time period.” - Alisha Wormsley Artist, Anthropologist, Sci-Fi Geek