Mad Valid Podcast

In the season finale of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Max Forman-Mullin—a director, producer, and advocate for using art to create social change. 🎙️✨ Max dives into what it means to take action, both in life and art. From leveraging social media as a tool for impact to believing in theater’s ability to reimagine our world and our role in it, this episode reminds us that...

In this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika catches up with Nicholas Ryan Gant—the voice and talent behind the MVP theme music. 🎙️✨ Nicholas opens up about finding joy in the little things—whether it’s roller skating, stepping outside, or rocking a vintage fit—and why celebrating small wins can keep you grounded in a chaotic world. From creating music to teaching the next generat...

In this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with AriDy Nox—a multi-disciplinary Black femme storyteller—whose work is rooted in radical imagination, liberation, and joy as resistance. 🎙️✨ Trigger Warning: This episode includes a discussion about suicide between  25–35 minutes . Please take care of yourself while listening. 💛 AriDy opens up about breaking big tasks into...

In this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Andrea Negrete—artist, storyteller, and community-builder—to talk about positive self-talk, mindset shifts, and interrupting negativity before it spirals. 🎙️✨ Andrea shares how small shifts in mindset can create big waves in how we show up for ourselves and others. From learning to replace negative thoughts with love to a...

In this episode of  Mad Valid Podcast (MVP) , host  Reyna Erika  connects with her mentee,  Ashley Thomas —a theater scholar, writer, and creative powerhouse—about the importance of prioritizing your physical health. 🎙️✨ Ashley breaks down why  “self-care is not a metaphor”  and how taking care of your body is just as critical as nurturing your mind and soul. From overcoming fear to playing bigge...

In this episode of  Mad Valid Podcast (MVP) , host  Reyna Erika  sits down with  Dreeemy —an indigenous Egyptian interdisciplinary artist and healer—whose work bridges sound, spirituality, and activism. 🎙️✨ Dreeemy dives into the art of slowing down, re-centering, and moving from multi- to interdisciplinary thinking. From navigating the noise of modern life to building meaningful connections, thi...

In this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Brisa Areli Muñoz—a director, facilitator, and community builder whose work centers connection, healing, and transformation. 🎙️✨ Brisa opens up about the power of reaching out when you’re feeling low and how maintaining community is essential to wellness. From vulnerability to resilience, this episode explores what it mea...

In this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Modesto “Flako” Jimenez—a Dominican-born, Bushwick-raised poet, playwright, and director whose art is rooted in activism, storytelling, and honoring community. 🎙️✨ Flako opens up about the importance of practicing gratitude, leaning into your roots, and letting your ancestors guide you—even when the world tries to pull yo...

In the season opener of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with CAFFETTI, a Queens-born artist who’s redefining what it means to turn failure into growth. 🎙️✨ Blending art, mental health advocacy, and raw storytelling, CAFFETTI opens up about using his creative platform to tackle tough topics while inspiring self-reflection and healing. From pushing boundaries to finding joy in d...

Welcome to  Mad Valid Podcast (MVP) —where real talk meets big energy. 🎙️✨ Hosted by  Reyna Erika , this podcast is your go-to for bold conversations, unfiltered truths, and deep dives into the moments that shape us. From mental health and identity to art, culture, and community, we’re breaking it all down—loud, proud, and with that unapologetic New York big sister vibe. Season 1 introduced you t...

Welcome to episode #5 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview the always gracious and way too humble Shamilia McBean. Shamilia is Black and a creator.  A mother, theater, music and equitable space-maker, director, facilitator, herbalist, birth-keeper, wife, challenger friend and then some… You can follow @_shamilia on IG Hosted by: Reyna Erika Produc...

Welcome to episode #8 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview the multi-talented Claro De Los Reyes,  an actor, theater & film storyteller, playwright, entrepreneur, oral historian, educator, foodie, & decolonizer. Contact Links: Website: www.atlanticpacifictheatre.org   Instagram: @atlanticpacifictheatre @clarodelosreyes Hosted by: Reyna Eri...

Welcome to episode #7 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview Amy Sawyers-Williams,who uses she/her pronouns and is an applied theater artist-practitioner, a college arts programmer, an improv comedienne and a new mom. She lives in Raleigh, NC where she founded a community-based theater company, See Saw Projects in 2017.  You can follow what's ha...

Welcome to episode #6 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview another graduate school gem, Sara Morgulis, an educator, theater maker, nonprofit leader, new mother, and is now the Executive Director of TYA/USA! Which stands for Theatre for Young Audiences/USA! Folks can find her on Instagram- @smorgulis or www.saramorgulis.com Hosted by: Reyna Erika P...

Welcome to episode #5 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we continue with our Los Angeles adventure and interview our guide and editor, Ben Weber. Ben is an Artist, Improviser, Teaching Artist, Arts Administrator, and Director of Education at the Museum of Neon Art (MONA).  You can find Ben https://www.benweberprojects.com Instagram @benweberprojects MONA on...

Welcome to episode #4 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP,  we travel all the way to Los Angeles to interview the magical and undeniable Ramy El-Etreby who is a writer, performer, storyteller, & educator. Social media: @dramarams on IG and Twitter Website: ramyeletreby.com Hosted by: Reyna Erika Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz Edited by: Andrea Negrete Spec...

Welcome to episode #3 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP,  we interview my oldest and dearest friends, Karen Jimenez,  an Afro Latina, Mother, Wife, Daughter of the World, Magic Maker, Multilingual, Poet, Event Whisperer, Problem Solver, Jefa, & Art lover. Follow her on IG: @daliasun Hosted by: Reyna Erika Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz Edited by: Andrea...

Welcome to episode #2 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP,  we interview Brisa Areli Muñoz, our producer and the Artistic Director of Musical Theatre Factory, an organization that develops change-making new musicals in a joyous, collaborative community free from commercial pressures. Brisa is an inaugural Artistic Director of New York City’s first-ever All-Inc...

Guest: Laura Nuchow Vural Welcome to episode #1 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this first episode, we interview Laura Nuchow Vural, the Founder/President of Listening and Visioning, a full-service youth development and community arts consultant. Join us on this rollercoaster of being HUMANS.  Email: vural.laura@gmail.com  Hosted by: Reyna Erika Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz...

Welcome to the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid! Hosted by your giiiirl, Reyna Erika. Here, we explore the complexities of being human and navigating the world as a multi-hyphenate artist, parent, New Yorker, HUMAN. In each episode, we dive deep into topics like identity, relationships, representation, and personal growth, featuring insightful conversations with guests who share their MA...

Welcome to. the Mad Valid Podcast! Here's a little dive into two conventions that will be present for every episode! 1. Fishbowl Phrases: Our producers have sent both the guest and our host Reyna Erika phrases/keywords they must find a way to work into the conversation. They must use it as many times as they can! 2. Central Question Time : When the timer goes off, we stop everything. nd answer...

Welcome to the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid! Hosted by your giiiirl, Reyna Erika. Here, we explore the complexities of being human and navigating the world as a multi-hyphenate artist, parent, New Yorker, HUMAN. In each episode, we dive deep into topics like identity, relationships, representation, and personal growth, featuring insightful conversations with guests who share their MA...