Carpenter's Daughter

In this bonus episode of The Carpenter's Daughters, hosts Alexis Confer and Ify Ike sit down with Iranian-American advocate and media literacy champion Maryam Mehrtash — recorded on Persian New Year, March 20, 2026 — for a conversation that stayed with them long after the mics went off. Maryam shares her family's story: parents who fled Iran after the 1979 revolution, a mother who got off...

In the Season 1 finale of The Carpenter’s Daughter, hosts Alexis Confer and Ify Ike reflect on feeling personally okay but existentially overwhelmed by current events, then spotlight “salt of the earth” leadership and community care. Alexis shouts out the Mosaic Collective and women Olympic athletes using their platforms for equity, while Ify highlights Nneka’s “Black Women Rising” network respond...

Hosts Alexis Confer and Ify Ike welcome Milly Tamarez—The Carpenter’s Daughter’s director and a Brooklyn-based comedian, producer, writer, and co-creator of Flex and the Diverse as F**k Comedy Festival, to discuss how community and in-person connection counter modern alienation. Milly shares how she and Alexis met at a creative retreat, then they unpack what “networking” really means as organic, i...

The discussion reflects on how the pain and plight of marginalized communities, including Jewish identity through religion and culture, can be politically used to other, divide, or dismiss other groups while also harming those within the community. The speakers explore overlaps between culture and “whiteness,” and describe a need to relearn how to hold antisemitism as an oppression that people sho...

On The Carpenter’s Daughter, hosts Ify Ike and Alexis Confer welcome Din Tolbert, founder of Dean Between the Lines, to discuss names, purpose, and the power of words. Din shares the meaning of his middle name and reflects on how parenting his daughters grounds him, including how to balance discipline with protecting a child’s voice and confidence. The conversation explores “salt of the earth,” hi...

Hosts Alexis Confer and Ify Ike open the episode by checking in on their “light” and noting Lunar New Year as a softer reset point. They then discuss why they started The Carpenter’s Daughter and focus on the role of artists and creatives in times of turmoil—art as healing, community-building, and resistance. Ify reflects on theater’s power to surface grief and hard truths, citing the play Marjori...

Hosts Ify Ike and Alexis Confer introduce The Carpenter’s Daughter, a weekly show about politics, culture, policy, and faith, and welcome guest Laura Kavanugh, the first female FDNY commissioner and former leader of the nation’s largest fire department. They discuss Laura’s career background, including her role overseeing 17,000 employees and a $2.3B budget through crises like pandemics, natural d...

In this episode of The Carpenter's Daughter, hosts Alexis Confer and Ify Ike sit down with Sasha Hutchings, a stage and television actress known for her work on Broadway and appearances in shows like 'Hamilton' and 'Damascus.' Sasha shares insights on the vital role of art in activism, the complexities of navigating different layers of identity on stage, and the importance of c...

In this thought-provoking episode of Carpenter's Daughter, Ify Ike and Alexis Confer dive deep into the complexities of Christian nationalism, community accountability, and the intersection of faith and activism. Join them as they discuss the importance of love, the challenges within white Christianity, and the critical need for honest conversations within our communities. From personal anecdo...

Welcome to The Carpenter's Daughter, hosted by Ify Ike and Alexis Confer! In this episode, we dive into the intricate intersections of politics, culture, and faith with special guest Amit Bagga. Amit shares his journey from his family's harrowing past as refugees to his distinguished career in public service and campaign strategy. We delve into the success of the 2020 Census amidst the cha...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:  Hosts Ify Ike and Alexis Confer dive deep into the intersections of faith, equity, and public service, reflecting on their journeys and the power of authentic conversation. From discussing the roots of white Christian nationalism to highlighting the unsung heroes in public service and creative spaces, this episode offers a raw and insightful take on modern social challenges a...

Welcome to The Carpenter's Daughter podcast, hosted by Ify Ike and Alexis Confer. In this show, the hosts delve into art, culture, faith, movement, policy, and various pertinent issues shaping our world through thoughtful and open conversations. The podcast stands out by engaging with listeners rather than dictating opinions, bringing in lived experiences, and fostering community. Ideal for th...