Behind the Creative

In this episode of Behind the Creative , Dr. Kristelle ( https://www.instagram.com/drkristelle ) sits down with Jai Huntley ( https://www.instagram.com/jai.huntley) , founder of Protect Your Mental ( https://www.instagram.com/protectyourmental_) , clinical mental health counselor, therapist, and faith-led creative entrepreneur, for a grounded conversation on mental health, calling, and sustainabil...

In this episode of Behind the Creative , Kristelle ( https://www.instagram.com/drkristelle ) sits down with Chris Peay ( https://www.instagram.com/chris.peay ), co-founder of Cxmmunity Media, the Black-owned media agency reshaping gaming, entertainment, and culture, for a conversation you haven’t heard before. Chris opens up about his journey from collegiate athletics to sports marketing, music en...

In this episode of Behind the Creative, Dr. Kristelle ( https://www.instagram.com/drkristelle ) sits down with music artist and vibrant creative voice Gianni “BaeGii” Chatman ( https://www.instagram.com/baegii/ ) to explore what really happens when you stop people pleasing and start believing in your own voice. From turning heartbreaks into lyrics to injecting personality and vibrant storytelling...

In this episode, we explore the moment that forced corporate creative strategist Dior George to slow down and confront the pressure women face in both creative and corporate environments. Dior opens up about juggling motherhood, high stakes projects, and the invisible expectations placed on high achieving women, until a single moment made it clear that something had to change. What followed was a...

In this episode of Behind the Creative , Dr. Kristelle ( https://www.instagram.com/drkristelle ) sits down with creative strategist and sports marketing veteran CJ Simmons ( https://www.instagram.com/mr_cjsimmons ) to explore what it truly means to define the undefined — in life, in business, sports, and in creativity. From launching his career at NASA to shaping partnerships across all six major...

In this episode of Behind the Creative , Dr. Kristelle (@ drkristelle ) sits down with multi-talented artist, media personality, and rising musician Norman Wakefield ( @allayemusic ) to explore what it really means to build an authentic career in the entertainment industry. From reality TV appearances on Maury and Tyra Banks to hosting on Atlanta’s Power 104.9 and launching his music career as Al...

Musician, actor, model, and creative visionary Joseph Cox shares how his love for music and storytelling evolved into The Artistry Collective —a movement designed to bring creatives together through vulnerability, authenticity, and collaboration. We talk about navigating mental health as a creator, redefining leadership through empathy, and turning passion into impact. Joseph opens up about his jo...

What does it really take to build a creative business when your identity is part of the story? On this episode of Behind the Creative, Shahlayo Ranson, host of The Ultimate Blerd podcast, shares how his love and passion for anime, sci-fi, and content production turned into a business. We talk about tangibly building something from the ground up, finding the white space in a crowded market, and usi...

In this powerful episode of Behind the Creative , Dr. Kristelle dives deep into the real story behind the laughs as comedian FURG opens up about the unfiltered highs and lows of life on stage. From the heartbreak of divorce and the struggle of being broke to the thrill of big wins in comedy, this conversation reveals the resilience it takes to keep chasing the mic when life feels like a joke. At t...

Is there really such a thing as the right energy for your art, and who gets to decide? In this episode of Behind the Creative, Dr. Kristelle ( https://www.instagram.com/drkristelle/ ) sits down with actress, radio, and TV personality Myckell Harris ( https://www.instagram.com/prettymycki/ ). From her days in radio, to appearing in the critically acclaimed Beyond the Gates, rated100% Rotten Tomatoe...

Elliott McKnight joins us on Episode 5 of Behind the Creative to explore why the future of creativity depends on embracing technology instead of fearing it. From AI, music, to emerging tools we haven’t even imagined yet, Elliott makes the case for curiosity over hesitation. We dig into how innovation can open doors for accessibility, opportunity, and connection, and why this moment is a rare windo...

Your emotions aren’t just something you feel—they’re shaping every decision, every design, and every creative choice you make, often without you even realizing it. In this episode of Behind the Creative , Kristelle sits down with Liz Connelly , designer and creator of the ADIDAS SEED program, to explore how emotional framing impacts not just the work we do, but how we see ourselves as creatives. L...

In this powerful episode of Behind the Creative , former WNBA star Lynetta Kizer opens up, for the first time ever anywhere, about her deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and reclaiming her life on and off the court. Known for her strength, skill, and spirit, Lynetta’s story goes far beyond basketball. She shares what it took to confront her truth, fight her way back to herself, a...

What keeps you grounded when everything around you changes? In this episode of Behind the Creative , rising R&B artist Eric Penn shares how he stays rooted in his artistic cornerstone—through music, storytelling, and immersive performance. From navigating the ever-shifting industry to designing his own "American Fairytale Experience," Eric walks us through the moments that have shaped his jour...

In this episode of Behind the Creative , Dr. Kristelle Beecher sit down with Khadija Speer: international actress, creative director, and collaborator of Donald Glover — to unpack what it truly takes to scaffold your own path in an industry that often asks you to wait for permission. With her signature clarity and soul, Khadija shares how her global experiences, commitment to personal evolution, a...

What if your greatest creative block is actually your mindset? In this 2-minute teaser, host Dr. Kristelle Beecher introduces Behind the Creative — a bold and intimate podcast exploring the intersection of mental health, mindset, and creative careers. This isn’t your average podcast. Each episode dives beneath the surface to explore the emotional resilience, identity shifts, and psychological fram...