More Than A Pretty Face

It's been a while but MTAPF is back and with an amazing guest! A force to be reckoned with - the Jackie Carter, creator of the Not Reaching pouch. This past April, I wrote an article for NBC News talking about Jackie creating the pouch and the impact of police traffic stops on minority communities. Graciously, Jackie agreed to sit down with me again for this in-depth conversation about the Not Rea...

This week on the pod, I get to chat with the delightful Katina Mountanos! Katina is a kick-tush lady entrepreneur. She is a graduate of NYU Stern School of Business. Katina knew within the first few weeks of her finance career in New York, that it wasn't her passion. She started by sending a newsletter to her friends and family and they said 'girl we love you but...' She quickly grew her blog foll...

On this episode of More Than A Pretty Face, I get to talk to the beautiful soul that is Zhaklina! Zhaklina is a 26 year old singer-songwriter from New York but who has found her home in Nashville. She has a soulful voice with a powerful message. We talk about her faith journey and how it's influenced her incredible music. Dropping her latest EP, 17 Reasons Why, in January, was meant to make people...

This week on the pod I get to talk with the incredible multi-hyphenate professional, Kemi Adegoroye! Kemi is the Co-Founder and CEO of Indicoe - an artist based website and company promoting, uplifting and providing tips and tricks to and from emerging and veteran creatives. She, herself, is an accomplished singer. She is also the founder of her own production company. And if that wasn't enough -...

This week on More Than A Pretty Face I'm joined by the sweet bb angels that are Laura Orsi and Clara Mitchell. These incredible young ladies are the masterminds behind the Pass the Skirt movement at their high school. However, this movement quickly spread beyond their Arkansas school and has reached as far as some parts of Europe and Singapore. Clara shares how she was "dress coded" and how that i...

This week I'm joined by my dear friend, the pepper to my salt, Kelsey Clary. Currently, Kelsey is a Research Coordinator at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. (But she's also on her way to becoming Dr. Kelsey!) In her line of work she focuses on mental health specifically in minority communities and those who are or were formally incarcerated. In this episode we talk about her forged...

And we're back! In the season two premier, I get to chat with the one, the only, the roommate extraordinaire Lydia Cardona! Lydia is an all around bad ass lady. We discuss our origin story - becoming roommates, close friends and to now. In this episode we dive into our feelings about identity and family. Lydia talks about what it's like to be a white-presenting Latina and still trying to be a voic...

In the season one finale of More Than a Pretty Face, I get to talk to the incredible Celina Caesar Chavannes, MP! Celina is a member of the Canadian Parliament for the riding of Whitby. In this episode learn how she turned failure into success and how she uses her platform to be a voice for the voiceless. As one of six black members of Parliament and only one of two black women, Celina knew it was...

On this week’s episode, I had the utmost pleasure of speaking with former Naval Officer, current Reservist and all around kick butt lady, Kaitlin Smith. Kaitlin served our country as a Naval Officer for several years before separating from the military to pursue other career goals. She is currently finishing up her graduate degree in public policy at the George Washington University and previously...

On this week’s episode I get to talk to the amazing ladies of the podcast She’s All Fat - April K. Quioh and Sophia Carter- Khan! They’re all about body positivity and chill vibes only. These ladies are champions for body positivity. They understand that no matter your gender, size, race or anything else, you and your body deserve nothing less than respect. We cover everything from self love to th...

This week I have the pleasure of speaking to self proclaimed internationalist, Johanna LeBlanc. She is a Domestic Policy, Foreign Affairs, and National Security Professional. Emigrating from Port-au-Prince, Haiti at the young age of ten, Johanna knew that education and the pursuit of professional happiness was her main focus. She achieved this goal through getting her BS in Political Science, MS i...

This week I have the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Susannah Wellford. Susannah is the President and Founder of Running Start, a nonprofit and non partisan organization that trains young women to run for office. Susannah has had an amazing career from working on health care issues in the Clinton White House to becoming a lawyer. She also started the Women Under Forty Political Action Com...

On this week's episode I have the utmost pleasure getting to speak with the delightful Yaerin Park. Yaerin is More Than A Pretty Face's first international guest! She is getting her PhD is Public Policy and Public Administration from the Trachtenberg School at the George Washington University. Coming from the nation of Korea, Yaerin discusses what it was like stepping into a new culture and all th...

This week I have the pleasure of talking with lawyer, activist, and writer Jennifer Blemur. Heavily involved with the DNC's and Women's Congressional Black Caucus initiative "A Seat at the Table", Jennifer is also a writer for our parter, 82Tabs of Policy. In this episode we dive in discussing everything from black excellence to representation of black women. In this episode we call out...

This week Natalia is joined by dear friend, fellow Women's Leadership Fellowship Program alum and former Americorp vista - Shanise Williams! This week the talk about what's it's like to getting fired, the unique struggles black women face in life and the workplace, and our "progressive friends". This episode gets real, it gets deep. Shanise talks about knowing who she is and what it's li...

This week I get to talk with the incredible Sarah Scarcelli. Sarah is currently the Deputy Director of the Office of Analysis, Planning, Programs and Learning in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations at the Department of State. Yes, her and I both agree her title is way to long. But any who, listen as Sarah tells about her interesting past of joining the AirForce, having an epiphany,...

Hey pretty face listeners! This is a mini-sode. I really wanted to take a moment to talk about Dr. Ford and all survivors of sexual assault. I wanted to highlight the ways in which we can lift up women through different organizations and support. Below are incredible organizations working to end sexual violence and sharing their stories. Share with your friends - lift each other up! Resources:End...

This week on More Than a Pretty Face, I get to talk to the lovely Juliana Cardona!! Juliana is the founder and CEO of Street Entrepreneurs. Street Entrepreneurs is an amazing organization helping people take back control of lives by starting their own businesses. Juliana believes that all who aspire to work hard should be given a chance to succeed - she believes in a grit based economy. As a Latin...

This week I talk to the amazing Jessica Hogle. Jessica is the Senior Director of Federal Affairs for PG&E Corporation, the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She is an Air Force brat and having moved around a lot, doesn't like to stay in one place for too long. Jessica needs her skills to match the mission of whatever organization she's working on. We talk about her very...

This week on More Than a Pretty Face, I talk to the delightful Emily Denny! Emily has many titles - writer, playwright, comedienne, performer, podcaster, higher education professional and all around sunshiney spirit. Emily and I went to undergraduate together and gush about our love of our school's Thanksgiving dinner and our theatre obsessions. She talks about her transition to being a writer to...

This week I talk to the incredible Charlotte Clymer. Charlotte is currently the Press Secretary for Rapid Response at the Human Rights Campaign. It was truly an honor to hear her story. We discuss her coming out story, her service in the military and how she always knew that she was a little bit different. Hear Charlotte's story of standing up for herself while kicking but and taking names! Follow...

This week I talk to the incredible Becky Johnson. For one so young she's accomplished so much! Becky began her career working in the Bush Administration under the Secretary of Commerce. Now she is the Executive Director of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation. In this episode we discuss how she transitioned from working as a political appointee to working with both parties for a common goal. Y...

Today, I'm joined by the one and only Caroline Ely from the very funny podcast Good Christian Fun! On this episode we reminisce about going to Christian camps and asking do those summer romances really last? Caroline talks about her life as a podcaster and as a full time working lady. And how she's managed to navigate her new found space on quest to making sure her voice is heard. She delves deep...

This week I get to talk to the awesome lady that is Catherine Wemette!! Catherine wears many hats - or in her case shoes. She's started not one but two businesses on her own while still maintaining a full time hustle. She is the Director of Employee Learning and Engagement at AIA. At her two companies, Good for the Soul and Good for Her Soul, she is the Chief Goodness Officer. So listen this week...

This week I talk to Cory Lancaster. She is a coder, writer, emerging media mogul and all around amazing human. We talk about what it means to stand in your power, dismantling the patriarchy, black womanhood and giving a shoutout to YouTube University! This episode my be a little long but Cory offers such a wealth of knowledge and honestly can't wait to have her back on the show! Cory has recently...