A Bright Idea

On this week’s episode, I sat down with rising comedian - Nassir Saleem Nassir Saleem is a Philadelphia-based comedian and creative known for his dry, laid-back delivery, observational humor, and ability to find comedy in everyday situations. His style often combines a slow, understated delivery with sharp observations about relationships, social interactions, Black culture, and the awkward moment...

In this week’s episode, I sat down with journalist, photographer, educator, hip-hop historian, and now author of Raps of Resistence: How Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole Reignited a Hip-Hop Tradition , Earl Hopkins. Earl Hopkins is an award-winning arts, culture, and entertainment reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer , focusing on the cultural institutions and trailblazers shaping the region’s identity...

On this week’s episode, I traveled to Waldorf, MD to interview the husband and wife team behind Quince Blossom Ridge, Alex and Dan Till. What happens when the life you built no longer feels like the life you want? For Alex and Dan, both trained chefs who spent years working in restaurants and bakeries, the answer began with a pandemic, a backyard garden, and a desire to escape the windowless kitch...

On this week’s episode, I traveled to Baltimore Harbor to interview the husband and wife team behind Vibe and Wave Charters: Caption Kay and D. What started as one man’s unexpected connection to the water has grown into a business built on joy, perseverance, partnership, and purpose. From a first boat that didn’t quite go as planned to creating unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors ali...

On this week’s episode, I sit down with Issac Alicea and Joshua Hughes - founders of ARTIVISM, a creative production company and cultural movement based in Washington, DC. What started as a shared vision at Howard University has grown into a community-driven space where artists can create, collaborate, and build real infrastructure around their ideas. The two founders met at as freshman at Howard...

In this special crossover episode of A Bright Idea and It’s Sommer Time, we sit down to talk about how she went from NPR producer to building her own media company—and the bigger transformation happening across the journalism industry. We’re talking about what first drew Sommer to the media, how she built her personal brand while working in traditional media, the moment she knew it was time to lea...

On this week’s episode, I sat down with Shenarri Freemen, also known as Chef Greens. As a  2x James Beard Award Nominee, Freeman graduated from New York City’s Institute of Culinary Education, specializing in their plant-based Health-Supportive Culinary Arts program.  Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Shenarri is committed to creating innovative plant based dishes that highlight local and seasonal...

On this week’s episode, I'm joined by Isabella Brooks, the co-founder and managing partner of LVC Partners, a healthcare consulting firm dedicated to helping medical practices streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and create sustainable growth so physicians can focus on what matters most: caring for their patients. Drawing on more than 30 years of combined healthcare experience, Is...

On this week’s episode, I sat down with Jen Austin, a three-decade radio veteran who's been heard on over 100 stations across the U.S., reaching over 10 million listeners, and has held virtually every role in the business, from music director to producer, and executive. After 30 years of watching the same story unfold everywhere she went, reduced staffs, shrinking budgets, and communities going wi...

Yes, you read that correctly. 43 Interviews later, I am back employed!! In this episode of A Bright Idea Podcast I’m giving you all my tips and tricks to make your job search a little easier!

In This week’s episode I chat with Nate Revolus - of Motus Crucis the one and only Parkour academy in Washington, DC Nate’s training program and gym is dedicated to teaching movement, discipline, and community through parkour. His journey began as a teenager after discovering parkour online and quickly becoming obsessed with mastering the craft. What started as hours of daily training evolved into...

This week’s episode is a really special one for me—because it’s not just a conversation, it’s a full-circle moment. Before A Bright Idea was what it is today… before the studio setup, before the growth… I was just a college student with a mic and a curiosity about people building something of their own. And one of the very first people I ever interviewed was today’s guest. Fia Thomas is the owner...

On this week’s episode, I sat down with Jordan Polk, founder and CEO of M.I.A. also known as missing in action - a Detroit-based hair and scalp care brand on a mission to make the outdoors more accessible. A former investment banker and software private equity investor , Jordan left Wall Street to build the category she couldn't find — protection-first haircare for textured hair experiencing damag...

In this episode of A Bright Idea Podcast, I share my personal experience with being laid off and emphasize the importance of having a backup plan. I discuss mindset shifts, the value of side hustles, and practical tips for financial resilience during career transitions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 02:52 Personal Experience with Layoffs 06:13 The Importance of Backup Plans 08:48 Refr...

On this week’s episode, I sat down with Justin Shiels, a creative futurist, author, and founder of SoCurious. He creates joy-centered art, analog experiences, and creative practices rooted in self-love and nervous-system care. His work helps people slow down, feel safe, and reconnect with what it means to be human in a digital world.  In this episode - Justin shares how he went from being a creati...

In this episode of the Bright Idea Podcast, Amber Key interviews Alex Perez, the founder of Papi Cuisine, a unique food brand that merges cultures through Afro-Latin fusion cuisine. Alex shares his journey from humble beginnings in Baltimore to building a successful restaurant and product line. He discusses the importance of storytelling, social media, and community engagement in growing his brand...

In this episode of A Bright Idea podcast, Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew shares her inspiring journey as the first black woman to buy a block in Baltimore. She discusses the importance of financial literacy for creatives, the myths surrounding entrepreneurship, and the significance of building a legacy through education and community engagement. Dr. Vonnya emphasizes the need for creatives to understand the...

In this conversation, Amy Huser discusses her journey as an entrepreneur in the healthcare sector, focusing on her innovative product, SpigotGuard, designed to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). She shares insights from her nursing background, the challenges of developing a medical device, and the importance of patient safety. The discussion also covers the impact of ho...

n this episode of A Bright Idea Podcast, I help your business be the best it can be in 2026 by sharing the transformative power of podcasting for business growth. I cover why every business should consider starting a podcast, learn efficient editing tips for busy entrepreneurs, and understand the importance of building a strong podcast team. I also highlight podcasting as an important marketing to...

In this episode, we chat with courtney about what led her to photography, emphasizing her polished style and the importance of capturing joy, particularly among Black women. She discusses her dual career as a federal contractor and photographer, highlighting the challenges and rewards of balancing both. Courtney reflects on the influences of the strong women in her family and how they shaped her u...

On this week’s episode - I sat down with Annie Leverich - founder of First Light Coffee. a Maryland-based coffee company rooted in connection, community, and giving back. Before launching her business, Annie led the press team for USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and held communications roles with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the UN World Food Program. Annie worked for USAID for ove...

On today's episode, I spoke with Cornelius Weaver - the Fund Manager of the Baltimore Flip Fund , managed by Lola Capital Group —a real estate investment firm on a mission to breathe new life into Baltimore’s neighborhoods. With more than fifteen years in construction management and engineering, Cornelius has overseen over half a billion dollars in commercial projects—everything from university bu...

On today’s show, I’m joined by Octavia Carson — an attorney, advocate, and the founder of The Black Bar Applicant Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing Black representation in the legal profession by helping aspiring lawyers overcome the financial barriers of bar admission. A first-generation attorney and valedictorian of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Octavia created the Fund af...

On this week’s episode - I sat down with Quincy and Tara Tucker, the founders of Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge. The Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge goes beyond the traditional brick and mortar setting by bringing an upscale cigar lounge experience directly to you! From Chesapeake, Virginia through the DMV and all over the east coast, Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge’s sleek and sophisticated mobile lounge...

This week I'm bringing you a solo episode highlighting my recent speaking engagement with undergraduates at American University. Turns out I learned just as much from them as they learned from me. Here are 5 questions they asked me during Q&A that I think could benefit all of you. Enjoy!