Friends Like Us

On Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin dives deep into critical discussions on black maternal health with the incredible Dr. Wylin D. Wilson and comedian Ashima Franklin. Empower yourself with knowledge, laughter, and inspiration!  Wylin D. Wilson is Associate Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School where she teaches Womanist Bioethics within the Theology Medicine and Culture pro...

Friends Like Us celebrates Malcolm X's  100th birthday! Join host Marina Franklin as she talks with Tamara Payne and Troy LaRaviere as they discuss the impact of his teachings and how they resonate today. Tune in and be inspired!   Tamara Payne sheds light on her father Les Payne's groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize-winning work, "The Dead Are Arising," and its revelations about his life.   Tamara Payn...

 This Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin and Hollie Harper chat with the incredible Sumer Strawbree, a 15-year-old CEO inspiring young girls with her empowering coloring books and confidence-building affirmations!   Sumer Strawbree, is a 15 year old speaker, author and affirmations authority. She helps girls unleash the power of positive "I Am" affirmations to improve their confidence and mental hea...

Discover the magic of community-driven cat rescue in our latest Friends Like Us episode. Join host Marina Franklin, Becky Wisdom from Green Point Cats, and comedian Subhah Agarwal as they chat about cat colonies, TNR, and the urgency to help communities in the over populations of cats.  Becky Wisdom is the founder of Greenpoint Cats, a leading Brooklyn-based animal rescue organization focused on T...

Dive into Friends Like Us as host Marina Franklin talks with veteran comedians Ralph Harris, Keith Robinson, and Charles Walden. They share stories, laughs, and insights on what keeps them thriving in the industry.  Keith Robinson:  Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic's comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He w...

Marina Franklin host comedy giants on Friends Like Us! Tune in as Ralph Harris, Charles Walden, and Keith Robinson share stories about their journey, friendship, and the comedic landscape today. It's a laughter-packed episode with comedy legends! Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic's comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with h...

Marina Franklin talks with guest Professor Marlene Daut and Nonye Brown-West. They dive into the incredible history of Haiti with Dr. Marlene Daut on the latest episode of Friends Like Us. Discover the power of education and representation in shaping our narratives.  Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column...

Dive into an inspiring episode, as host Marina Franklin talks with Mayor Randall Woodfin and Roy Wood Jr. on Friends Like Us! From community empowerment to leadership and Randall Woodfin's new memoir, "Sons of Birmingham,". Hear how these sons of Birmingham are making waves.  Randall Woodfin was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and after four years in Atlanta earning his degree from Morehouse College,...

You don't have to be perfect to find true love! Join host Marina Franklin as she and funny friend Von Decarlo dives in to finding true love with dating coach Francesca Hogi in our latest episode. Learn how self-love and authenticity lead the way to meaningful connections.  Francesca Hogi is a coach, speaker, and writer. She teaches people how to truly love themselves and find true love. She's the...

Marina Franklin talks with the first African American Rockette, Jennifer Jones and comedian Jenny Saldana. Jennifer Jones  shares her journey from a child to the first African American Rockette. Discover her inspiring story in 'Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience.'" #RockettesAnniversary #DreamBig Meet Jennifer Jones, who has her new memoir:  Becoming Spectacular :The Rhythm of Resilien...

On this Friends Like Us for Women's Month: Marina Franklin talks with Calise Hawkins and Mia Jackson, breaking down the impact of boycotts, the necessity of taking breaks, and sharing laughs with incredible women.  Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for "native"). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing nam...

Join Marina Franklin, Dr. Brittany Friedman, and Akeem Woods in an eye-opening discussion on Dr. Friedman's new book: "Carceral Apartheid. How Lies and White Supremacists Run Our Prisons." Learn about the systemic issues within America's prisons and how history repeats itself without intervention. Dr. Brittany Friedman is recognized as an innovative thinker on how people and institutions hide harm...

From laughter to resilience: Joanna Briley and Nonye Brown-West join host Marina Franklin to highlight the Black Women In Comedy Laugh Fest's mission of community building. Joanna Briley . Brooklyn born, Connecticut raised. Hilarity ensued. Joanna's worked for the MTA 34 years and it's made her one of the friendliest Token Booth Clerks. With her love of stand up comedy and outrageous subway storie...

In this episode, Marina Franklin hosts Shari Dunn, author of 'Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work,' and comedian Kenice Mobley. The conversation covers the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, competency checking, and the pervasive assumption of black intellectual inferiority. Shari Dunn is a polymath, an accomplished journalist, former attor...

Join Friends Like Us for a vibrant discussion with Lamar Woods & Charles McBee! We celebrate Black excellence, discuss mental health in hip hop, review the Black National Anthem and more.  Lamar Woods  Lamar grew up in Atlanta, Ga. where he got his BA in Religious Studies at Georgia State University. Once he graduated, he moved to Los Angeles and got his start in Hollywood studying improv and sket...

Discover the connection between Afrofuturism and prophecy with our latest episode featuring Vanessa Fraction and Hollie Harper. Hosted by Marina Franklin, we explore Black History Month and its significance today.   Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy...

Healing Your Financial Mindset:  Financial expert Kara Stevens, founder of The Frugal Feminista, joins Marina Franklin and Leighann Lord  to share invaluable insights on managing personal finances, healing your mindset, and building wealth. Kara talks about her own journey from financial dysfunction to becoming a money mentor, emphasizing the importance of understanding your relationship with mone...

In this podcast episode, Marina Franklin hosts Nilanjana 'Buju' Dasgupta and Nonye Brown-West for a discussion around cultural and social change. Nilanjana discusses her new book, 'Change the Wallpaper,' which advocates for a science-driven approach to achieving social change by focusing on local, situational changes rather than solely relying on diversity trainings and symbolic acts. This episode...

This week on Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin is joined by comedians Zainab Johnson and Subhah Agarwal to discuss hope amid the LA wildfires and how you can help. In tough times, community matters  Subhah Agarwal has brought an honesty to her comedy that will leave you saying "I didn't need to know that." Subhah has written for Netflix's "Arsenio Hall" limited series, the "Plan B" movie on Hu...

This "Friends Like Us", host Marina Franklin chats with Brandon Collins and Hollie Harper about Brandon's new "Drunk Black History" tour, the legacy of Jimmy Carter, and how artistry meets activism.  Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storyt...

In this New Year's episode, host Marina Franklin introduces new friend Bob Bordone and comedian Nonye Brown-West . The group dives deep into the complexities of having difficult political conversations, especially in the post-election and current societal climate. Bob Bordone, a Harvard Law School expert in negotiation and conflict resolution, discusses his upcoming book co-authored with Dr. Joel...

This is our Favorite Episode for 2024! Friends Like Us with host Marina Franklin features guests Dr. Donna J Nickel and Nonye Brown-West.  Dr. Donna J. Nickel, an academic from California, discussing her latest book on Claudia Hampton's  contributions to affirmative action and black education. The discussion extends to contemporary issues, including the repercussions of ending affirmative action,...

In this engaging episode, host Marina Franklin is joined by comedians Calise Hawkins and Jackie Fabulous for a lively discussion. They share their experiences of performing stand-up comedy in front of diverse audiences, talk about the unique challenges and laughter involved, and delve into personal and societal topics such as menopause and its impact on their lives and careers. Additionally, they...

Serene Cotter, and Violet Gray Join host Marina Franklin in a thought-provoking episode. They delve into critical topics including post-election sentiments, the challenges of modern feminism, especially white feminism, and the intersectionality in feminist movements. Violet shares her experiences in comedy, the importance of wit in roast battles, and her journey with Dungeons & Dragons. Make sure...

In this Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin welcomes Lonnie B. Supreme , a talented jazz musician and composer, and comedian Nonyé Brown-West. Lonnie shares his journey pursuing his doctorate in Miami, and discusses the significance of his family's historical legacy in jazz. He emphasizes the importance of education, resources, and perseverance in music, while reflecting on his latest album, 'Th...