Welcome back to another episode of 'Just a Conversation' our spotlight series!

Today I'm joined by OG Mambo, a Zimbabwe-born, Seattle-raised hip-hop artist who's been grinding in the Pacific Northwest music scene for years. This conversation gets real about the journey, the struggles, and what it actually takes to build something lasting in music. As well as how the Puget Sound Regions music landscape is growing with more potential than ever before!

Whether you're an artist, creator, or someone who believes in the power of consistency and community, this conversation will resonate with you.

What We Cover:

02:47 - OG Mambo introduction

07:23 - Background and journey into music

12:10 - Zimbabwe heritage and cultural identity

20:15 - The importance of consistency in music

25:01 - Opening for major acts and industry recognition

32:39 - Being students of the game

41:30 - Highlighting Seattle hip-hop artists

49:07 - Building community through music

54:04 - Making a difference vs. making a point

Eight years. March 31st, 2018 to March 31st, 2026.

In this special anniversary episode, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together. From those early days in a little room to the platform we've built as a community - this one's for everyone who's been part of the story.

We're sharing our gratitude for the day ones, the guests who trusted us with their stories, and every listener who chooses to spend their time with us. Plus, we're giving you an exclusive audio preview of our 8-year anniversary film.

To our podcast family who aren't on social media - this episode is especially for you. You'll get to experience our visual anniversary piece through audio, capturing the essence of what these eight years have meant to us.

Thank you for believing in this vision. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Keep your vision intact. Keep moving forward. And keep it on The UpNUp.

Welcome to the first episode of our 2026 season and the launch of our 'Just A Conversation' series!

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Carlos Banks, Regional Director for iUrbanTeen Northwest, to discuss how his organization is transforming the lives of Black and Brown youth by exposing them to career pathways in STEM, arts, and skilled trades.

Carlos brings a unique global perspective to youth development work, having spent seven years in South America where he became fluent in Spanish. Now he's channeling that experience into connecting young people with industry professionals right here in the Pacific Northwest.

What We Cover:

01:26 - Introduction of Carlos Banks and iUrbanTeen mission

08:17 - What makes iUrbanTeen different - connecting youth to industry professionals

14:06 - AI hackathon announcement for high schoolers

15:22 - Paid work experience program - $25/hour opportunities

19:04 - STEM+Arts+Trades approach and why it works together

31:42 - Seattle gala April 4th - "Illuminating Futures" event details

39:23 - Success metrics - 20,000+ youth served, 86% to college/trade school

40:15 - Travel as education and opening doors for youth

44:39 - Carlos's original poetry - "Awakening"

Whether you're a parent, mentor, educator, or someone who cares about youth development, this conversation offers valuable insights into programs and opportunities that could change a young person's trajectory.

Connect with iUrbanTeen:

Website: iurbanteen.org

This isn't just another artist interview. This is 90 minutes of pure transparency from someone who just lived the dream most people only fantasize about - and he's breaking down exactly how it happened.

"Yonny" didn't just "make it." He strategically built something from nothing in Seattle, turned down major label offers, and chose his own path to Warner Records. The decisions he made will challenge everything you think you know about the music industry.

WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT:

Most success stories skip the real parts. The declined credit cards. The self-doubt. The moments when quitting felt easier than continuing. Yonny doesn't skip anything.

Key Moments:

10:57 - The Busta Rhymes moment that started everything

17:28 - Meeting his core team in Seattle

23:23 - The show that changed his career

29:00 - Getting signed to Warner Records

44:17 - The story behind "Rich in Melanin"

46:42 - Real advice for upcoming artists

52:12 - Seattle's hip-hop renaissance

54:58 - His mom's inspiration

59:27 - Music industry secrets

1:02:47 - What drives him every day

Jesse Johnson isn't just talking about change - he's building the future of work. His new revolutionary Pre-Apprenticeship Program has a maxed out waitlist because students are seeing 6-figure career potential without crushing debt.

This episode reveals the blueprint for workforce revolution that's happening RIGHT NOW.

THE GAME-CHANGING WORK HAPPENING NOW:

• Federal Way Pre-Apprenticeship Program with 50+ person WAITLIST

• Kids graduating ready for $65/hour electrical work at Boeing

• 1.5 MILLION in funding secured for trades training

• Students painting the NEXT AIR FORCE ONE

• Breaking the "college or bust" mentality that's crushing families

REVOLUTIONIZING YOGA: How One Woman Created Space for Black & Brown Communities

This is the story of how Jasmine RaShae' transformed the yoga industry by refusing to accept that wellness spaces weren't meant for people who look like her. From googling "where are the black people in Seattle?" to training 200+ diverse yoga teachers globally, she's proving that representation isn't just important—it's revolutionary.

THE REVOLUTION HIGHLIGHTS:

• First class: 90% Black & Brown attendance in Queen Anne (unprecedented)

• Global impact: Teachers trained from New York to Spain

• Cultural bridge-building: Merging Erykah Badu with ancient practices

• Accessibility mission: $10 classes when industry standard was $20

• Leadership pipeline: Training Black & Brown teachers to lead

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Franchesca "Fancy" Vargas—CEO of Elevate PR Management, serial entrepreneur, community organizer, and art curator who's changing the game in Seattle's creative economy.

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

• How a children's protest during the BLM movement sparked a PR empire

• The "mothership" business model: Managing 6 interconnected impact-based businesses

• Why collaboration over competition is the key to sustainable success

• How to use art as a tool for social change and community healing

• Navigating tokenization and maintaining authenticity in corporate spaces

• The power of generational mentorship and learning from community elders

• Self-taught grant writing strategies for creatives and organizers

• Balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship (4 kids + 6 businesses!)

📍 ABOUT FANCY VARGAS:

Fancy is the founder of Elevate PR Management, Events by Elevate, CULTIVATE the Collective, and Black Love Market. As an Afro-Latina entrepreneur and first-generation American, she's dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices through strategic PR, art curation, and community-driven events. Her work has impacted hundreds of local artists and transformed how Seattle approaches cultural programming.

Join us for an incredible conversation with Philip "Sharp Skills" Jacobs - a hip-hop artist, author, racial equity consultant, and entrepreneur who's redefining what it means to build a creative empire.

In this episode, Philip shares his journey from community college to founding Rebel Firm, a creative consultancy that spans music production, book publishing, and racial equity work. Discover how he's using innovative tools like his board game "Reveal the Elephant" to help Fortune 500 companies have difficult conversations about race, why he released three vinyl records in one month, and how 10+ years of stock market investing changed his relationship with his art.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- How to build a product ecosystem that generates multiple revenue streams

- Why mental toughness is the most important skill for the next decade

- The psychology behind using games to discuss racism in the workplace

- How to balance artistic integrity with business strategy

- Investment strategies for creatives and entrepreneurs

- The evolution from idealism to battle-tested wisdom

Welcome back to another episode of "Just A Conversation" - where we highlight and amplify the incredible work happening in our community.

Today I'm joined by Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seattle-based journalist and author of the new book "The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks - A Curated History of the Legion of Boom Era." This is his first book, and the stories he uncovered will give you chills.

Mike spent two years researching this era, conducting countless interviews with players, coaches, and staff. He literally maxed out Google Docs' character limit with his research (1.3 million characters!). The dedication shows in every page.

In this conversation, we dive deep into:

• The real brotherhood that made the Legion of Boom special

• Why Super Bowl 49 hurt so differently than a regular loss

• Brandon Browner's essential role that fans don't know about

• How Doug Baldwin's endorsement gave him confidence to tell these stories

• The writing process during paternity leave (midnight to 4am sessions)

• Why research is the cure for writer's block • How this era put Seattle on the global sports map

This isn't just a sports conversation - it's about commitment, brotherhood, research, fatherhood, and the power of storytelling.

📚 Get "The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks" wherever books are sold

Michael Huang is the founder of Milli Agency, Vice Chair of the Seattle Film Commission, and a former professional breakdancer who's revolutionizing how creative agencies operate.

Learn how this Taiwanese-American entrepreneur built a social impact agency using hip-hop culture principles, why he left Madison Avenue success to start over in Seattle, and how he's helping transform the Pacific Northwest into a major film destination.

This interview covers:

- Entrepreneurship

- Social impact business models

- Creative industry insights

- Seattle Economic Development

- Film production incentives in Washington

- Hip-Hop culture in business and leadership strategies