The UpNUp Podcast

"Mr. Goopie" — real name Michael Kebede — is one of the most exciting young voices in comedy and content creation right now. In this episode of the 'The UpNUp Podcast', we sit down with the 23-year-old Ethiopian-American comedian, streamer, and emerging actor from Atlanta, Georgia to talk about the real journey behind the viral moments, the grind nobody sees, and the creative risks that have defined his rise.

From accidentally going viral with 18 million views his freshman year at UGA, to performing at the Atlanta Hawks halftime show, to building a multi-platform audience across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch — Michael breaks down exactly how he got here and where he's going next.

This conversation covers identity, immigrant family dynamics, the discipline it takes to build something real, and why taking bold creative risks is the only strategy that has ever worked for him.

If you are a content creator, comedian, aspiring entertainer, or anyone trying to figure out your next move — this episode is for you.

Topics covered in this episode:

How one dorm video changed Michael's life overnight (00:31:07)

Growing up Ethiopian-American in Atlanta (00:15:05)

Attending a PWI as a Black student & turning that experience into comedy (00:29:24)

Why he almost dropped out of college and what changed his mind (00:40:17)

The discipline and strategy behind his creative risks (00:51:40)

Performing at the Atlanta Hawks halftime show (00:52:47)

His 30-day New York City move and what it produced (00:53:58)

Building on Twitch from the ground up (01:03:07)

Stand-up comedy, acting ambitions, and what is next (01:13:42)

What happens when someone takes their darkest chapter and turns it into a lifeline for an entire community?

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' we sit down with Hussein Ugas — Executive Director and Co-Founder of Rahma Recovery Center in Federal Way, Washington. Hussein's journey from homelessness and addiction on the streets of Minneapolis to founding two Washington state firsts is one of the most powerful stories we've ever had the privilege of sharing on this platform.

In this episode we cover:

(00:46) The opening of House of Du'a — WA's first faith-centered recovery home for Muslim women

(8:09 & 28:31) How stigma and silence kill more people in immigrant communities than the drugs themselves

(9:16) The Recovery Farm, Narcan training, and what's next for Rahma Recovery

(30:09) How Hussein went from homeless and battling addiction to nonprofit founder

(38:21) Why there is no word for "addiction" in the Somali language — and how it affects an entire community

(45:50) The founding of Salaam House — WA's first accredited culturally responsive sober living home for Muslim and East African men

(53:29) What "culturally responsive" recovery actually looks like in practice

(1:14:17) Narcan training — how he's trained 400+ people to save lives in their own communities

Whether you've been touched by addiction, work in recovery, or simply believe in the power of community — this episode is for you.

Welcome back to another episode of 'Just a Conversation'

Today Robel is joined by three incredible brothers from 'Acts On Stage' - Jeremy Rubin (writer), Isiah Anderson Jr. (director), and Josh Webb (actor) - representing three different generations of Black men who've come together for their powerful production "Black Man Goes to Therapy."

This conversation gets real about mental health, vulnerability, and how the stories we carry can either hold us back or move us forward.

What We Cover:

• Why Black men struggle with seeking mental health support

• How theater creates safe spaces for healing and vulnerability

• The importance of multi-generational conversations about mental health

• Breaking down stigmas in the Black community around therapy

• The creative process behind bringing sensitive topics to the stage

• How community and brotherhood support mental wellness

Key Takeaway: "We put on these masks because we feel like we have to fit in. How exhausting is that? The hope is that people can start having conversations with loved ones and be okay being vulnerable."

Perfect timing for Mental Health Awareness Month - this conversation could save lives.

Acts On Stage - "Black Man Goes to Therapy":

Show Dates: May 21-31, 2026

Location: Acts On Stage Theater

Tickets: ActsOnStage.com

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.