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Wellness Realness | Ep. 069 ft. Annya Santana
42:13 | Feb 18th
Founder of the gender fluid skincare brand Menos Mas, Annya Santana, joins me to talk about her wellness journey; growing up as the middle child of a family who emigrated from the Dominican Republic to the Bronx, high school days (bullying, acne, act...Show More
Pushing Past The Internet's Expectations Of Us | Ep. 068 ft. Alex Wolf
57:26 | Jan 29th
Writer and digital anthropologist Alex Wolf joins me for her second time on #AIATLA (she first came on three years ago!). Since then, she left the company she started to become an artist. She catches me up on the process of publishing her first book,...Show More
The (Ongoing) Process Of Becoming A Better Writer | Ep. 067 ft. Jasmine Sanders
57:53 | Jan 14th
After a long break, #AIATLA is back — and writer Jasmine Sanders joins me. She writes for Jezebel and her work appears in the New York Times, BuzzFeed News, Catapult and New York Magazine. Jasmine talks to me about her to desire to continue writing s...Show More
Why Beauty Gets So Deep, So Quickly | Ep. 066 ft. Brooke DeVard
31:36 | Sep 26th, 2018
Brooke DeVard, host of the Naked Beauty podcast, joins me! Brooke is a marketing and strategy specialist formerly of Viacom and now Instagram. She’s had an amazing career in media two far, including working in London, where she met her now husband. W...Show More
Fashioned Through The Fire And The Foolishness | Ep. 065 ft. Tre'vell Anderson
42:53 | Aug 27th, 2018
On this episode, I sat down with Los Angeles Times reporter Tre’vell Anderson to talk about his work covering Black and LGBTQ Hollywood, growing up an military brat, and our current skincare faves.
+1 SEGMENT:
- Cardi B + Amara Le Negra
- My Jade Ro...Show More
Be A Force | Ep. 064 ft. Natalie James / NJinLA
1:10:40 | Jul 3rd, 2018
Natalie James (also known as NJinLA) is a Los Angeles native who I met when I moved to the city. She’s a creative producer & music, travel and food writer. She's a radio host on NTS, DJ and is just getting started in A&R. We talk about her journey th...Show More
The #1 Rule: Be Clear | Ep. 063 ft. Symone Sanders
44:42 | Jun 19th, 2018
Political strategist Symone Sanders is optimistic because most of the time, she has no choice but to be. She’s the former National Press Secretary of Bernie Sanders, and right now, she’s the youngest commentator on cable TV. We have a frank conversat...Show More
Music Saved Her Life | Ep. 062 ft. Cherrie
39:00 | May 7th, 2018
When I came across Somali-Swedish R&B singer Cherrie's breakout song 163 För Evigt, I needed to find a way to have her on my podcast. We talk about being a Black girl growing up in Finland and Sweden, how she and other artists in Sweden are putting R...Show More
#AIATLA LIVE at SXSW: The Glory Of Velour Suits | 061 ft. Sama'an Ashrawi
40:58 | Mar 30th, 2018
Live from SXSW in Austin, I interview film director and writer Sama'an Ashrawi about life growing up in Texas as a first generation Palestinian-American, working with some of Hip Hop’s legends, and the glory of velour suits.
Follow Sama'an on Twitte...Show More
We Are Figuring It All Out, HBU? | Ep. 060 ft. Lakin Starling
55:07 | Mar 7th, 2018
Writer Lakin Starling joins me to talk about life growing in the neo-soul capital, some of her proudest work at The FADER and the sacred space she's creating during her own interviews.
And! We talk about what we're using on our faces these days, (...Show More
Bully Me Off Twitter, I'm Begging You! | Ep 059 ft. Ira Madison III
46:46 | Dec 26th, 2017
Culture writer Ira Madison III blesses the show. He's at the Daily Beasts and hosts his own podcast, Keep It. We talk about the soaps he grew up watching, and dig into our favorite people, television and songs of 2017.
Follow Ira on IG: @kingirairai...Show More
An Energy That's Difficult To Match | Ep. 058 ft. Briana Owens
54:53 | Nov 27th, 2017
Founder of Spiked Spin and spin instructor Briana Owens graces the podcast to talk about how her mission goes beyond wanting to help people feel good or empower them, but creating a space for people who are left out of the very experience boutique fi...Show More
#AIATLA LIVE at Well-Read Black Girl Festival ft. Bernice McFadden + Numa Perrier | Ep. 057
36:00 | Oct 16th, 2017
Author Bernice McFadden, whose novel "Book of Harlan" was recently optioned as a film and filmmaker Numa Perrier, who is working on a film and book based on her life titled "Jezebel" join me at Well-Read Black Girl's first festival in Brooklyn! We ta...Show More
The Life of an Afro-Digital Immigrant | Episode 056 ft. André Singleton
1:07:43 | Oct 3rd, 2017
Artist and teacher André Singleton is in the studio! He’s the co-founder of Very Black — a project founded in unapologetic Black love and solidarity — and we talk about his life as an Afro-digital immigrant, his journey battling cancer, trips to Salv...Show More
#AIATLA LIVE: The Intersection Of Politics And Culture | Ep. 055 ft. Sopan Deb
1:07:32 | Aug 9th, 2017
New York Times culture writer Sopan Deb joins me to talk about the intersection of politics and culture, covering Donald Trump on the campaign trial and how his stand up comedy fits (or doesn't) into his work as a journalist.
+1 SEGMENT
For right n...Show More
The Highs and Lows of Being a Black Creative | Episode 054 ft. Melissa Kimble
50:41 | Jul 6th, 2017
Melissa Kimble is the founder of #blkcreatives, a platform known for their explosive Twitter chats that helps young, Black creatives work through their goals, insecurities and wins. I talk to Melissa about her upbringing, big moments of growth for #b...Show More
2 Sagittarius's Walk Into A Bar | Ep. 053 ft. Yaya Mazurkevich Nuñez
51:46 | Jun 20th, 2017
This week, Yaya Mazurkevich Nuñez joins me. We talk about the drastic life changes that came with moving to the Bronx after a life in the Dominican Republic, her days in NYC’s nightlife and working the door at clubs downtown, her job now as an experi...Show More
Having Plenty | Ep. 052 ft. Chenoa Maxwell
1:00:50 | May 29th, 2017
This week Transformation Expert and Self Love Specialist Chenoa Maxwell joins me. Chenoa discusses her transition from both acting (she's well know for her leading role in "Hav Plenty" and in "Girlfriends"!) and photography, growing up at an early ag...Show More
TFW The Internet Revives A Good Moment | Ep. 051 ft. Yohana Desta
25:23 | May 17th, 2017
Vanity Fair Hollywood Writer Yohana Desta joins me! I reached out to Yohana after wanting to know more about her work as a writer in NYC covering Hollywood. We talk about the films she’s seen recently that really hit a nerve with her, her music writi...Show More
Where Curiosity Will Lead You | Ep. 050 ft. Nicole Blades
51:00 | May 9th, 2017
Novelist, journalist and co-host of the podcast “Hey, Sis” Nicole Blades is here with me! Nicole and I talk about some of the cultural moments she remembers when coming up in the media industry. She’s getting ready to release her next book, 'Have You...Show More
Not The Bubbly Capitalist You Were Hoping For | Ep. 049 ft. Myles Johnson
1:07:09 | Apr 24th, 2017
Writer, editor, author and critic Myles Johnson joins me to talk about his work, his recent move to NYC + why it was time, Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DAMN’ and what winning looks like, for him.
+1 SEGMENT
Myles: Seamless
Darian: Instacart
Both of us: TIME
...Show More
A Tribute to Patron Saint Maxine Waters | Ep. 048 ft. Hunter Harris
48:58 | Apr 10th, 2017
This week, writer and Associate Editor at Vulture/NYMag Hunter Harris joins me! If that names sound familiar, it's because Hunter was the first #AIATLA guest! She comes back to update us on what she's working on. We talk a lot about movies and why it...Show More
Booked, Busy, #Blessed | Ep. 047 ft. Kéla Walker
1:03:12 | Apr 4th, 2017
6 x Emmy nominated TV host & producer, and style authority Kéla Walker joins me. I’ve known Kéla since I was in college, and on this episode, we talk about how we got to know each other, mentorship and what it takes for a mentor/mentee relationship t...Show More
Making Her Ancestors (And Beyoncé) Proud | Ep. 046 ft. Yvette Noel-Schure
36:13 | Mar 27th, 2017
So. About two years ago I interviewed Yvette Noel-Schure who is Beyoncé’s publicist (and has formerly repped Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, and Prince) for a project I never released. This week, I decided to release the interview on #AIATLA because s...Show More
On The Right Side of History | Ep. 045 ft. Lisa Lucas
34:03 | Mar 12th, 2017
Executive Director of the National Book Foundation Lisa Lucas stops by the show to talk about life growing up and the sort of work she was doing that led to her current role. We also talk about the ebbs of flows of reading and how books can serve as ...Show More
LEMONADE Gave Us More Than Any Grammy Could | Ep. 044 ft. Jasmyn Lawson
1:06:10 | Feb 28th, 2017
Culture Editor at GIPHY Jasmyn Lawson joins me to talk about some of the history making projects she's working on for Black History Month (and beyond.) Plus, Beyoncé and why LEMONADE gave us more than any Grammy could.
+1 SEGMENT:
- BET
- The motiva...Show More
Editor-in-Cool | Ep. 043 ft. Dodai Stewart
53:13 | Feb 10th, 2017
Dodai Stewart joins me! She's the Editor-In-Chief of fusion.net and formerly of Jezebel, where she served as Deputy Editor — and was also one of the first hires at the publication. Dodai talks to me about growing up in NYC, the inclusivity of teen cu...Show More
Skincare Status | Ep. 042 ft. Ashley Weatherford
54:50 | Jan 24th, 2017
Ashley Weatherford is the Associate Beauty Editor over at NY Mag's The Cut, and if you’ve been following her work you know she expertly writes about the intersection of makeup, skincare, culture, women of color, hair and celebrities. We talk very int...Show More
Who Are You Performing For? | Ep. 041 ft. Brittany Luse
47:41 | Jan 16th, 2017
Brittany Luse is the co-host and co-producer of the For Colored Nerds podcast with Eric Eddings and a host and producer at Gimlet Media, a podcast network. Brittany and I exchange survival tips for this ridiculous world we live in, talk about how we ...Show More
If I Ruled The World (2016 Edition) | Ep. 040 ft. Darian
38:30 | Dec 29th, 2016
What sense does it make to have a podcast about liking things and not do a year-end wrap up?! I talk about all of my favorite + most meaningful personal and cultural moments of 2016.
Footnotes: http://theseam.co/darian-2016-lit-lit-lit/
Follow me o...Show More
Our Time, Our Values, Our World | Ep. 039 ft Gia Peppers
55:40 | Nov 23rd, 2016
Entertainment journalist and on-air host Gia Peppers joins me. We're kind of on this career journey/figuring life out journey together. We talk about her work so far (NBA, Complex, Essence and lots of red carpet work), the entertainment industry and ...Show More
Tanzina Vega's New York City | Ep. 036
44:19 | Nov 23rd, 2016
I head over to CNN's NYC newsroom to meet up with CNNMoney Digital Correspondent Tanzina Vega. We talk about Netflix's 'The Get Down,' Tanzina's upbringing and life in NYC, and all of the feelings about diversity in media.
+1 SEGMENT:
- The Get Dow...Show More
"I'll Tell You How Free I Am" | Ep. 037 ft Carri Twigg
44:49 | Nov 23rd, 2016
Carri Twigg is a public engagement strategist. Lately she’s been working with media companies to show them how to engage with young people in ways that are authentic during a time when race, political and social justice are now a part of the American...Show More
Context Is King, and So Is Ms. Tina | Ep. 036 ft Jason Parham
42:13 | Nov 23rd, 2016
Writer and editor Jason Parham joins me. He's currently a Senior Editor at THE FADER and formerly of Gawker. We discover his Wikipedia page, talk about existing on the Internet, his literary magazine SPOOK and the times we met Ms. Tina Lawson.
+1 S...Show More
The Insane, Motivating Life of Elise Peterson | Ft. 035
45:45 | Nov 23rd, 2016
I stop by artist, teacher, writer Elise Peterson's crib in Brooklyn to talk about growing up in the suburbs (for better or worse), her days at Howard University, sex work, and of course, her writing and art.
+1 SEGMENT:
- Shout out to Elise’s girl...Show More
Food Over Everything | Ep. 034 ft Mayukh Sen
47:39 | Nov 23rd, 2016
Mayukh Sen writes about the intersection of food culture, race and heritage for Food52. He joins me to talk about his writing, his old gig at This, M.I.A., and HBO's 'The Night Of.'
+1 SEGMENT:
- to Nicole Scherzinger and her 2011 single 'Right th...Show More
This is How You Invest in Yourself | Ep. 033 ft Devi Dev
50:19 | Nov 23rd, 2016
I give Devi Dev a call at 93.7 The Beat, where she's Music Director and a host at the Houston station. We talk about the biz, her new business, Karma Bliss, and how everything she's doing right now, for her, is about finding ways to empower (and insp...Show More
Brittany Sky Is In Her Lane | Ep. 032
28:39 | Nov 23rd, 2016
Brittany Sky joins me! Brittany is a DJ, influencer and creative who went from wanting to be a lawyer to launching a career that lets her travel the world for a living. We talk about music, her college days and what we're using on our faces.
Follo...Show More
The Life Of a Local News Reporter | Ep. 031 ft Megan Mitchell
40:07 | Nov 23rd, 2016
Recording from Cincinnati, Ohio I meet up with journalist and TV reporter Megan Mitchell. We talk about her current gig as morning anchor at Cinci’s WLWT, storytelling, and some of the people and communities she’s covered so far.
+1 SEGMENT:
- Veget...Show More
From The Medical Field to Beyoncé's Dressing Room | Ep. 030 ft. Raquel Smith
26:37 | Aug 1st, 2016
Celebrity stylist Raquel Smith has been working with Beyoncé for the past 10 years. We talk about growing up in Georgia, tour life, making jewelry inspired by her father and motivational speaking.
+1 SEGMENT:
- Her styling career
- Healthier paths ...Show More
Sold On the Vision | Ep. 029 ft. Terron Moore
40:15 | Jul 13th, 2016
Teen Vogue's Social Media Director Terron Moore joins me! We talk about what it takes to run a social platform for young women and men (aka THE TEENS), representation, growing up black in white spaces, and Harry Potter.
Things we like:
- The message...Show More
The Risks Angela Flournoy Took | Ep. 028
31:22 | Jun 19th, 2016
I talk to novelist Angela Flournoy about her debut book, The Turner House, which has received wide recognition and accolades. Angela herself was nominated for a National Book Award and The Turner House was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2015....Show More
Blac Chyna's Revenge | Ep. 027 ft. Sylvia Obell
1:01:08 | May 31st, 2016
I talk to BuzzFeed's pop culture writer Sylvia Obell about her career so far in journalism, her upbringing, and her recent, explosive piece on Blac Chyna.
'How Blac Chyna Beat the Kardashians at Their Own Game' — by @SylviaObell: http://bzfd.it/25w...Show More
The Cultural Tax | Ep. 026 ft. Eve Ewing
1:18:29 | May 23rd, 2016
Scholar, writer, artist and teacher Dr. Eve Ewing joins me to talk about her hometown of Chicago, growing up around art, the significance of nick names in Black communities, and the importance of the intentional, pervasive dialogue around education i...Show More
Drinking Beyoncé's Lemonade | Ep. 025 ft. Taj Rani Chrisp, Bené Viera, Clover Hope
47:24 | May 2nd, 2016
Three guests join me to talk about their experiences with Beyoncé's latest project, the visual album LEMONADE.
Bené Viera - @beneviera - is a journalist and writer who covers pop culture, gender and race.
Clover Hope - @clovito - is a Senior Write...Show More
We Can't Short Change People | Ep. 024 ft. Brandon "Jinx" Jenkins
1:05:39 | Apr 15th, 2016
On this week's episode, I have Brandon "Jinx" Jenkins of Complex News on the show with me. We take stock of self, and everything we have been loving — The FADER's artists features, Blink 182, Grime in the UK, and keeping it 100.
+1 SEGMENT:
- Ultim...Show More
Reminder: There's Power In Vulnerability | Ep. 023 ft. Ericka Pittman
30:20 | Apr 4th, 2016
I talk to Ericka Pittman, who is currently serving as the VP of Combs Enterprises Chairman's Office. We talk about her early days working on marketing and media, money and her new book coming out, "What Mommy Never Told You".
+1 SEGMENT
- United Ai...Show More
Food Is The New Hip-Hop! Everyone Has An Opinion. | Ep. 022 ft. Nicole Taylor
46:58 | Mar 29th, 2016
Southern food and Soul food continue to evolve though the hands of Black cooks, chefs and those a part of food culture. I talk to Nicole Taylor, author of 'The Up South Cookbook'. Nicole is an amazing cook, a podcast host and food culturist. We discu...Show More
Rethinking New York Fashion Week | Ep. 021 ft. JJ Maxwell
41:33 | Mar 22nd, 2016
JJ Maxwell is an accomplished creative and art director who has worked on both the agency and media side of the crazy fashion world. We talk about what he's working on now, and this week, we've got high- and low-brow +1's.
+1 SEGMENT:
- Bitch Sesh ...Show More
Saada Ahmed Wants You To Focus On Her Heart | Ep. 020
27:51 | Mar 15th, 2016
For the 20th episode of #AIATLA, I talk to Saada Ahmed who is the Co-Founder of one of NYC’s biggest Everyday People. We talk about how the party has evolved over time, our travels through Kenya, Ethiopia, Bali & Bangkok, plus running; and how we c...Show More
The Black Millennial Impact | Ep. 019 ft. Donovan Ramsey
43:35 | Mar 7th, 2016
Donovan Ramsey is a writer and journalist from Columbus, Ohio. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, BuzzFeed and Gawker. He is a Fellow at the public policy organization Demos Action. We talk about what it's like to be a young,...Show More
What It's Like to Follow Your Own Advice | Ep. 018 ft. Alex Wolf
34:02 | Feb 9th, 2016
Alex Wolf is the founder of #BOSSBABE, "a lifestyle brand teach ambitious millennial business-minded women how to take full personal responsibility over their lives and put their happiness first." It's huge. We talked about Spice Girls, Brooklyn, ent...Show More
We Have No Chill, and That's OK! | Ep. 017 ft. Ella Cerón
47:39 | Jan 31st, 2016
For today’s episode, I brought on Ella Céron, one of the funniest people I follow on Twitter. Ella is the Digital Entertainment Editor at Teen Vogue. We talk about what having no chill means for us, Kanye West, Amandla Sternberg and our shared love f...Show More
Buffalo Is Still Home | Ep. 016 ft. Simone Webb
26:06 | Dec 29th, 2015
This week I'm in Buffalo, NY, my hometown, for the holidays. I interview entrepreneur and stylist Simone Webb who I've known since I was 16-years-old. Even back then, she was brilliant. We talk about the balance of using social media to promote your ...Show More
A Concept: Using Fashion To Empower Women | Ep. 015 ft. Tai Beauchamp
29:25 | Dec 23rd, 2015
Tai Beauchamp is a former Beauty Editor at Seventeen, O Magazine and media veteran who is now running The Tai Life. She uses fashion to empower women. We talk about working in media, interviewing Oprah, freezing your eggs, our favorite places to expl...Show More
In Education? The Stakes Have Always Been High. | Ep. 014 ft. Nadia Lopez
59:36 | Dec 13th, 2015
I took the train to Brownsville, Brooklyn to visit Mott Hall Bridges Academy and interview Founder and Principle Nadia Lopez. Many became familiar with the school through an interview one of her students, Vidal, did with with Brandon of Humans of New...Show More
Yung Media, New Rules | Ep. 013 ft. Tasbeeh Herwees
29:21 | Nov 11th, 2015
Recording from Los Angeles, I stop by the GOOD Magazine office to talk with staff writer Tasbeeh Herwees about the highs and lows of being a journalist of color.
+1 SEGMENT:
- iZombie tv series
- LA's Mohawk Bend
Find Tasbeeh on Twitter @THerwees |...Show More
It's Time To Call Ann Friedman | Ep. 012
51:32 | Nov 1st, 2015
Recording from Los Angeles, I talk to journalist Ann Friedman. We discuss Mike Erskine's "The Middle Ages Millennials, you literally cannot call yourselves adults until you take this pledge", and Ann's op-ed response. Both appear in the LA times. The...Show More
A Real Branding Muse | Ep. 011 ft. Emmelie De La Cruz
28:39 | Oct 19th, 2015
Emmelie De La Cruz is a social media strategist and founder of The Branding Muse. She's is someone who has found cool ways to teach people how to make money doing what they’re good, and finding jobs they like.
Things we like:
- Monetizing your mind...Show More
The Process Of Self Selection | Ep. 010 ft. Danyel Smith
1:00:47 | Oct 5th, 2015
Danyel Smith is a journalist, music critic, novelist and editor from California. She’s interviewed music's most influential artists and covered Hip Hop before it was an acceptable, mainstream genre of music. She’s widely known for her position as for...Show More
Remove Yourself, and Remove Your Ego | Ep. 009 ft. Casey Gerald
37:27 | Sep 21st, 2015
Casey Gerald is the co-founder and CEO of MBA’s Across America — an organization that gets MBA candidates out of the classroom and working with entrepreneurs in cities and towns across the country. You’ll quickly learn that he is so much more than hi...Show More
This Is How To Be Happy. | Ep. 008 ft. Maritza Alarcón
27:32 | Sep 16th, 2015
Maritza Alarcón has been a Dream Director at The Future Project and is the Co-Creator of M.O.V.E., a youth organization that worked to increase college enrollment rates in NYC public high schools. She’s been honored as one of Glamour Magazine's 20 Am...Show More
HIPHOP101: Patience & Realness | Ep 007 ft. Soleil
37:00 | Sep 7th, 2015
Soleil Grant joins me! Soleil is a Hip-hop DJ and visual artist who works with artists to develop their brand and image. We talk about growth as a DJ, hip-hop (what it was, what is it and what it always will be), REALNESS, patience, how to stay up in...Show More
Voice Your Opinion — But You Better Be Clear. | Ep. 006 ft. Michael Arceneaux
43:39 | Aug 31st, 2015
This week's guest is Michael Arceneaux. Michael is a culture writer whose contributed to the New York Times Magazine, BuzzFeed, Gawker, VH1 and Complex and appeared on MSNBC, NPR and HuffPost Live. We talk about our love for Janet Mock to the importa...Show More
PEAK Teenage-ness! | Ep. 005 ft. James Harness
41:01 | Aug 24th, 2015
This week's guest is James Harness. He’s a Social Media Editor over at BuzzFeed - we met in college and became fast friends. I consider him a student of pop culture. We cover a lot of ground this week: love for the @Buzzfeed's news team, being happy ...Show More
Print Isn't Dead for Us Yet. | Ep. 04 ft. Danielle Howe
48:05 | Aug 13th, 2015
This episode, I talk to my good friend, Danielle Howe, a staff writer at STASHED.com and Editor-in-Chief of The Library. We talk about STASHED, HRDCVR's HRDlist, writing, print mags, going to college in Boston, and Mike, Trayvon & what they've both t...Show More
Black + Gravity = BLAVITY | Ep. 002 ft. Morgan DeBaun
39:04 | Aug 6th, 2015
I speak to Entrepreneur and Founder of Blavity, Morgan DeBaun, about the making of Blavity, living in San Francisco, loving our 20's, and all the parts of the internet we are actually enjoying.
Footnotes: www.theseam.co/aiatla-podcast-morgan-debaun-...Show More
Who's Going to Archive "The Culture"? Syreeta Gates. | Ep. 003
30:33 | Aug 6th, 2015
Culture Curator and founder of the Gates Preserve, Syreeta Gates, and I talk about how much we love exploiting the internet, who really won Drake vs Meek Mill, failure, digital archiving and showing gratitude.
Footnotes: http://theseam.co/aiatla-po...Show More
This Deserves a Hennessy Moment. | Ep. 001 ft. Hunter Harris
24:38 | Jul 14th, 2015
Writer, college friend, and magical Black girl Hunter Harris joins me for the first ever episode of #AIATLA. We talk about the BET Awards, LA Times announcing they'll hire someone to "cover" Black Twitter, and yes. There's Hennessy involved.
+1 SE...Show More
