Dope Interviews

Award-winning filmmaker Misha Calvert joins Dope Interviews for an unforgettable conversation following the Tribeca premiere of her short film Fault. Guest host Kayla Gayle takes over for Warren Shaw in this special Season 10 finale. Misha discusses the realities of independent filmmaking, the emotional weight of telling stories about abuse and survival, and how Fault explores the complicated bond...

The cast and creators of The Tropic Sun and His Eyes join Dope Interviews for a heartfelt conversation about one of the year's most moving independent films. Director Elisée Junior St. Preux explains why filming in Haiti was essential to telling an authentic story, while actor Stevenson Jean discusses portraying grief, trauma, and rediscovering family. Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Two Lewis, and Calixto...

This episode of Dope Interviews features a thoughtful conversation with Asante Blackk, Malia Pyles, and director Ty Molbak about their Tribeca Film Festival short film You Tryna Say You Love Me. The trio discusses the emotional themes at the center of the film, including grief, love, vulnerability, identity, and the ways people struggle to communicate what they're truly feeling. Ty explains the in...

In this powerful episode of Dope Interviews, Warren Shaw sits down with author, wealth management executive, philanthropist, and leadership strategist Ashley Varnado for one of the most transparent conversations we've ever had. Ashley shares her journey from a small town in Mississippi to managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios, becoming one of the few Black women in wealth management, and naviga...

Tribeca Festival Director Cara Cusumano joins Dope Interviews for a deep conversation about the evolution of one of the world’s most influential storytelling festivals. Cara talks about Tribeca’s 25-year journey from its roots after 9/11 to becoming a cultural hub for film, TV, music, gaming, podcasts, and immersive media. She breaks down the year-round process behind programming thousands of subm...

Celebrity interviews meet authentic storytelling: Dancehall legend Shaggy sits down with Warren Shaw to discuss why longevity beats trends, his new album Lottery, and why belief in yourself matters more than outside opinions. Shaggy reflects on navigating the entertainment industry, honoring reggae culture, and why genuine music still wins. Essential listening for entrepreneurs, creatives, and pop...

Daniel Wolf and Dana Hobson join Dope Interviews to talk about their journey from indie creatives to the stars of The Poly Couple on ElectricNow. They unpack the realities behind polyamory, the challenges of sharing personal stories online, and how their background in film helped them craft content that connects. The conversation isn't just another celebrity interview; it goes deeper into internet...

What happens when the things you ignore come back to haunt you? Host Warren Shaw welcomes David Lipper (Writer/Director/Actor) and Elena Sanchez (Detective Keys) to discuss their new thriller movie, Neglected.  In this special review edition, we dive into the creative process of building a modern serial killer mystery. David reveals how he rewrote the script to elevate the tension and what it was...

Lauren Cohen, Director of Programming for the Miami Film Festival, joins Dope Interviews for a deep conversation on film, culture, and the evolving entertainment landscape. She breaks down her journey from Miami native to leading one of the country’s most respected festivals, and explains what really goes into selecting over 150 films from thousands of submissions. Lauren also talks about the impo...

Dr. Karen Diaz Meaike joins Dope Interviews to talk entrepreneurship, leadership, and launching the first Blushington franchise in Boca Raton. Host Warren Shaw sits down with Dr. Karen to discuss her unique journey from social worker and philanthropist to beauty entrepreneur. She shares how years of being a Blushington customer turned into an opportunity to become the brand’s first franchise owner...

Daniel Benhamu didn’t just open a barbershop — he built an experience. In this episode of Dope Interviews, Daniel shares his journey from working in film production to becoming a franchise owner of Hammer & Nails in Davie, Florida. After navigating SBA loan rejections, industry uncertainty, and a major career pivot, he created a premium men’s grooming space centered on community, self-care, an...

Paris Berelc and Asher Angel join Dope Interviews to talk about their new film, Kissing Is the Easy Part, on Tubi and why romance movies are finally bringing nostalgia back.  They discuss first love, high school nerves, rom-com chemistry, adapting a book for the screen, and why communication is the real challenge in relationships. Paris and Asher also reflect on working together, creating an authe...

Keldamuzik joins Dope Interviews to talk hip-hop, hustle, and redefining power as a woman in entertainment. From touring internationally, landing film placements, building her TAMZ fashion brand and hosting Diva Talk on Tubi, Kelda breaks down how she’s turned creativity into ownership.  She speaks honestly about rejection, mental health, the freedom of hip-hop, and why being a “diva” is about dis...

In this Season 10 debut of Dope Interviews, Warren Shaw welcomes corporate leader and author Beverly Vanterpool for a powerful discussion on career navigation, ambition, and building influence beyond traditional corporate ladders. Beverly shares her journey from the Caribbean to London, unpacks the hidden dynamics of corporate leadership, and explains why women, especially women of color, must foc...

The world of Spartacus is back — and Dope Interviews brings you an exclusive behind-the-scenes talk with the stars of House of Ashur, the brand-new STARZ series expanding the iconic franchise. Host Warren Shaw sits down with: Nick Tarabay on returning to Ashur after a decade, the character’s emotional complexity, and why the “villain” label never fit. Tenika Davis on portraying Achillea with stren...

In this episode of Dope Interviews, host Warren Shaw sits down with two legends shaping the game from the inside: Dallas Stokes, lead designer for ANTA and Kyrie Irving’s sneaker line, and Rob Purvy, veteran product developer for Reebok, Adidas, and Vans, now leading innovation at Algenesis. Together, they unpack the real craft behind sneaker design and product development. Topics Covered: • How s...

Will Crown joins Dope Interviews for a powerful conversation about music, legacy, and going viral in today’s creative world. Hosted by Warren Shaw, this episode digs deep into Crown’s journey from Brooklyn hip-hop ciphers and Air Force service to becoming the voice behind Burger King’s iconic “You Rule” jingle. Tune in for inspiring stories about breaking into the music business, landing big syncs...

This special Dope Interviews/Reviews episode dives into the supernatural thriller Stay, from Disney’s Andscape — starring Megalyn Echikunwoke and Mo McRae, directed by Jas Summers.   Host Warren Shaw gets exclusive press junket access, talking to the cast and director about how Stay blends love, pain, and supernatural tension into a story about vulnerability, spirituality, and the Black experience...

Rising rap star Lady London is in a historic run right now — a three-part Tubi docuseries Always, Lady London and a debut album To Whom It May Concern that captures her journey from medical-minded student to one of hip-hop’s sharpest pens. Tubi+1 In this episode of Dope Interviews, Warren Shaw sits down with Lady London to unpack: How Always, Lady London takes fans inside the making of her first a...

In this episode of Dope Interviews, host Warren Shaw sits down with Hollywood trailblazer La Faye Baker — the first African American woman to coordinate stunts on a major project. From doubling for legends like Angela Bassett and Regina King to launching the Action Icon Awards, Baker has spent decades breaking barriers in Hollywood and beyond. Now, she’s shifting her impact to the next generation...

In this episode of Dope Interviews, Warren Shaw sits down with Teflon Young King, one of reggae and dancehall’s most powerful voices, to break down his new album Life Scriptures. From his early days clashing in high school to becoming a global artist, Teflon shares his journey, the inspiration behind his music, and why staying rooted in culture and consciousness matters now more than ever. We dive...

Step inside an honest, powerful conversation with actress and comedian LaNisa Frederick on "Dope Interviews." In this episode, LaNisa opens up about her upbringing in a doomsday church, her journey into acting, and the creation of her podcast "Black and Cultivated." Hear firsthand how she navigated religious trauma, why she centers Black and Brown voices in cult survivor spaces, and how humor and...

Unlock the secrets of podcasting success with Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson! In this episode of Dope Interviews, host Warren Shaw dives deep with Dave about his journey from the early days of podcasting to becoming the Head of Podcasting at Podpage. Discover actionable tips on audience engagement, the evolution of podcasting tech, why every podcaster needs a website, and how to stand out in...

Go behind the scenes of NBA sports marketing and player branding with Dan Rohme, founder of Rohme Sports and Entertainment, in this episode of Dope Interviews! Host Warren Shaw sits down with Dan to unpack his journey from Queens, NY, to working with NBA stars like Kristaps Porziņģis, Kyle O’Quinn, Myles Turner, and Kyle Lowry. Hear untold stories about player activations, the grind of sports agen...

Join us for an exclusive interview with Garry Pastore, the legendary actor known for his roles in The Irishman, Wolf of Wall Street, Donnie Brasco, and The Sopranos. Garry shares fascinating stories about portraying mob characters, his experiences in independent filmmaking, and his latest project, Silent Partners, which premiered at the Miami Film Festival. Discover behind-the-scenes anecdotes, ac...