In today's episode I'm in conversation with Filmmaker Lucas Pelizaro.  Lucas discusses how his love for cinema began his passion for filmmaking at a young age.  We also delve into the deeper meaning to why he describes himself as a 'self-proclaimed film guy', and what filmmaking has taught him so far in his career and life.   We also get to play our own version of his '20 Questions' game format.  Lucas also talks about his heritage, his inspirations, and of course the quote that continually inspires him.

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with culinary anthropologist & food explorer and fellow Nigerian Ozoz Sokoh, to talk about her new recipe book 'Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria'.  Ozoz shares her food journey with me , celebrating the cuisines of Nigeria, her heritage, what cultural hospitality means to her, and why it was important for her to create her new book.

We also talk about the extraordinary journey of the humble 'Àkàrà  (bean fritter) to other parts of the world, the real pronunciation of the word 'Salad' according to Nigerians; another interpretation to Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart', and of course, Ozoz shares the quote that continually inspires him. 

'Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria' by Ozoz Sokoh can be bought at all good bookstores including online purchases.  You can also find out more about Ozoz on her website, Kitchen Butterfly:

https://www.kitchenbutterfly.com/about-2/

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with Dauda Jammeh, Head of Finance Operations at a specialised insurance company.  We talk about aspects of money including generational wealth, financial injustice, the importance of real financial education, and theories as to whether the system is rigged to the benefit of a few at the expense of many.  Dauda is also a great advocate about diversity, equality and inclusion, mentoring and we also discuss his faith and heritage, the inevitable discussion about Jollof rice and of course, he shares the quote and saying that continually inspires him. 

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with Criminal judge and author, Nicola Wililams.  Nicola talks about how her love for debating set her on a path of law.  We chat about her legal career including being a barrister in private practice specialising in criminal law and police misconduct; her time as a Service Complaints Ombudsman for the UK Armed Forces; her role at the then IPCC (known now as the  Independent Office of Police Conduct).  Nicola shares the challenges and prejudices she has faced as Black woman within her chosen profession, and addressing issues of bias.  We also discuss her career as an author and talk about her novels including her latest work, 'Killer Instinct'.

'Killer Instinct', published by Penguin Books, is now out.

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with former wrestler, entertainer, geek and creator of 'Lucha Britannia', Garry Vanderhorne.  Garry shares how he was influenced by wrestling during his youth, including being introduced to Lucha Libre wrestling from Mexico, and how this encounter has shaped his life.   Gary also talks about the power of storytelling in the ring in Lucha Libre, why masks are important to a Luchadore & Luchadora (male and female wrestlers), and the legends within the sport.  

We also talk about his other project 'Lucha Britannia', a comedy cabaret wrestling show set in an Orwellian near future called the RetroFutureVerse.  We geek out over John Carpenter movies, WWF & WWE legends, and of course, Garry shares the quote that continually inspires him.

Garry Vanderhorne has been instrumental in making lucha libre more of an understood art form in the UK, both as the creator and head coach of the internationally renowned London School of Lucha Libre, and through his long running successful hybrid of comedy, cabaret, British & Mexican wrestling show, Lucha Britannia, has helped change the perception of professional wrestling across the world. Now celebrating 18 years of outrageous, high-flying, irreverent Lucha Libre wrestling madness, the show continues to defy expectations. Most recently, Lucha Britannia performed to its largest-ever audience — 10,000 people — at the legendary Download Festival at Castle Donington... The rest of the RetroFutureVerse is yet to be written.

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with Dr. Clare Anyiam-Osigwe, a skincare scientist, holistic wellness advocate and filmmaker.  Clare talks about her new book 'Clarity' and shares stories of the successes of her life including her businesses as a successful entrepreneur in skincare, but also the challenges in life that have included Bell’s Palsy and mental burnout.   We also chat about the film 'Ìrèké', which she co-produced, her Nigerian heritage and upbringing in Islington, how her faith is important to her and of course, Clare shares the quote that continually inspires her.

Clare Anyiam-Osigwe is a multi-award-winning wellness expert, allergy specialist, and master educator, whose pioneering work spans over two decades of transformative care, clinical research, and curriculum development. She is internationally renowned for her visionary approach to whole-person health, combining scientific rigour with soulful healing.

'Ìrèké'  hits UK and Nigerian cinemas from Fri 25 July, and her book 'Clarity' can be bought via her website.

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

In today's episode I chat with award-winning chef Kanthi Thamma. Kanthi shares how his passion for cooking started and how it has taken him around the world. We talk about South Indian cuisines and Kanthi gives a breakdown and the historical origins of where certain ingredients originated from various countries and how they have influenced Indian cooking.  

Kanthi also talks about his other cooking ventures, his love for his rich Telegu heritage, why music is very important to him and of course he shares the quote that continually inspires him.

Kanthi Thamma is an Indian chef based in Brighton, UK.  His previous ventures have included Curry Leaf Cafe, Easy Tiger, Palmito, and currently The Spice Circuit Kitchen.  Kanthi also runs bespoke chef-led tours to countries including India and Sri Lanka.

For more information, please check his website: https://www.chefkanthi.com/

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

In today's episode, I'm in conversation with broadcaster journalist & radio presenter Jim Davis.  Jim shares how he started his journey in the industry and why he is passionate about radio.  We talk about how the Global pandemic and lockdown transformed his life and career; what he believes it takes to retain and engage listenership and audience in a competitive digital world, and the art behind a great conversation.  I also ask Jim about memorable guests he has spoken with, and his immense love for musical theatres.  And of course, Jim shares the quote that continually inspires him.

Jim Davis is currently a presenter with Magic Radio with a range of shows including Magic at The Musicals’ 4-7pm weekdays. He is also a freelance presenter with BBC Radio London.

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

On today's episode, I'm in conversation with Husband and wife duo Anthony & Teanne Andrews, founders of We Are Parable.  We talk about the powerful importance of storytelling from a Black perspective & using various platforms of reaching wider audiences across the globe.  Teanna and Anthony share why it was important to them to name the company 'We Are Parable', and how it came into existence out of a shared love of cinema, and how it has evolved over the years to also include supporting filmmakers and new voices.   We also discuss culture and heritage, take a dive into Black Cinema and television, geek out over their favourite films, and also have time to discuss most things Mr Spike Lee. And of course, Teanne and Anthony share their quotes that continually inspire them. 

To know more about We Are Parable and upcoming events, please go to https://www.weareparable.com.  

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!

In this episode, it's all about (mostly) Black films and I'm in conversation with professional film critic & film producer Shawn Edwards about The Black Experience within film, including the importance of a good distribution network to showcase Black cinema to the wider global audience.  Shawn discusses what Black cinema and content making means to him; his honest views about the OSCARS; how the role of the film critic has evolved within the age of Social Media & influencers.  Shawn and I geek out over 'Star Wars' and have an in depth chat about one of our most favourite films recently released, 'Sinners'.  I also ask Shawn about his upcoming book 'Little Black Sambo's Revenge', what led to the creation of the African American Film Critics Association, and 'Celebration of Black Cinema and Television' with the Critics Choice Association.  And of course, Shawn shares the quotes that are continually shaping his life and career.

Shawn Edwards is a journalist, TV and film producer and marketing and event consultant. As a nationally recognized film critic for Fox 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri for the past 25 years he has won numerous national awards including Best TV Film Critic twice by the LA Press Club's National Entertainment Journalism Awards. 

Edwards co-founded the African American Film Critics Association in 2003. He is also currently serving his second term on the Board of the Critics Choice Association. Edwards created and executive produces 'Celebration of Black Cinema and Television' in conjunction with the Critics Choice Association which premiered in 2014 in Los Angeles at the House of Blues Sunset. The annual awards show airs nationally each February.

Edwards began his producing career producing numerous TV shows and documentaries for FGW Productions and BlackTree TV, both based in Los Angeles in 2008. Edwards worked for Hidden Empire Film Group (“Traffik,” “Black and Blue,” “The Intruder” and “Fatale”), based in Los Angeles, as a Senior Marketing Specialist from 2016 to 2021. Edwards is overseeing plans to build a Black Movie Hall of Fame which will be based in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District in Kansas City, Missouri. The Hall of Fame, an idea Edwards created, will open in 2026 in the Boone Theater with Edwards functioning as its executive director.

Edwards is a life-long lover of movies who began making his own films in the 7th grade. His passion for cinema, particularly the history of black film, is extraordinary. And his cinematic journey continues…

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!