Ordinary Thoughts

We're talking to Harlem-native artist and poet, The Bee. Tune in to learn more about how they turned personal struggles into powerful performances, winning their first competition, and navigating the complex world of professional poetry. Moments: 1:32 Meet The Bee  4:26 Learning poetry and finding inspiration  7:20 Challenges as a young person in poetry  10:12 Balancing personal vulnerability and...

We're talking to Priscilla Agyeman, the visionary behind Saddie Baddies®, a platform dedicated to reshaping mental health discourse for young Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and multiracial communities. As a creative entrepreneur, thought leader, and mental health activist, Priscilla founded Saddie Baddies® in 2019 to address the gaps in digital conversations about mental health. Since then, the...

Leisly Ann Roman is a writer and poet whose work explores the intersections of cultural identity, mental health, and personal resilience.  Born and raised in New York City as the eldest daughter of Dominican-immigrant parents, Leisly has been shaped by her experiences and the diverse cultures around her. A passionate advocate for mental health, Leisly Ann's poetry addresses themes like cultural ex...

Everyday at the crack of dawn, Zhane’l Speaks enjoys sipping her chamomile tea as she writes about the one thing that intrigues her the most - love. For as long as she can remember, she has always been fascinated by love. Love enthralls her soul and pulls her closer to her purpose. Though love is a concept she follows, she does not keep her work within bounds. She enjoys writing tasteful erotica a...

ShakinDaWorld is a rapper, singer, guitarist, and poet from Queens, New York. We’re talking to him about his introduction to poetry and music, his experiences as a mentor and teacher in those spaces, and what’s ahead for Troublemakers Collective . Moments : 1:06 meet ShakinDaWorld 8:03 writing techniques across slam and paper poetry, rapping, singing, and beyond 16:08 trauma poetry and themes in w...

Today we’re talking to Gabriel Ramirez, a Queer Afro-Caribbean poet, activist, and teaching artist whose powerful work serves as a catalyst for healing and social change.  Their work has been featured in Huffington Post , VIBE Magazine , Blavity , Upworthy , and in renowned publications like POETRY Magazine and The Breakbeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNEXT , and more.  Gabriel’s writing and performance shi...

Join us in supporting @chantelleadanna and her Free Mind campaign with @ifundwomen! Together, we can create space for Black women writers to share their stories, heal, and inspire. Your participation can make a real impact! Contribute here: [ https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/free-mind ]  –– Chantelle Adanna is a Nigerian-American literary artist, self-published author, spoken word poet, and sel...

Aley Arion is a true multi-hyphenate and multi-passionate creative, who calls herself a 'creative hope-dealer.' From her roots as an OG blogger to becoming a lifestyle and wellness writer, Aley shares stories that inspire through fashion, advice, and everyday life.  Her work has been featured on platforms like xoNecole, Essence, and her Substack community, Creative Girl Check-In . As the f...

Patricia Encarnación is an Afro-Dominican visual artist and scholar whose work critically engages with colonial legacies and the socio-cultural layers within Afro-diasporic communities. Focusing on the Caribbean, Latin America, and its diaspora, Patricia explores material culture, collective memory, and cultural identity to challenge and recontextualize tropes of Caribbean and tropical aesthetics....

Bonafide Rojas is a poet, musician, and proud Nuyorican Bronx native. Bonafide is the author of four collections of poetry, including Pelo Bueno: A Day in the Life of a Nuyorican Poet, When the City Sleeps, Renovatio, and Notes on the Return to the Island, and most recently, Excelsior: New & Collected Poems .  A former slam champion and Def Poetry Jam performer and lead guitarist of the rock g...

Nicol Varona Cancelmo is the co-founder and Marketing Lead of Ocoa , a premium hair care brand dedicated to helping Latinas embrace their natural curls. Inspired by the beauty of the Dominican Republic, Ocoa offers high-end curly hair products with clean, nourishing ingredients, empowering women to love their natural texture with confidence. Founded in 2021 by Nicol and her sister Cory, Ocoa emerg...

We have the honor of kicking off Season 2 with poet, educator, event curator, and artist JRose.  Hailing from Queens, NY, JRose was Inspired by her love for Hip Hop, she began writing poetry at just 16, developing a profound and relatable style that transcends genres, from love and heartbreak to mental health, sexuality, women's empowerment, trauma, and more. JRose has headlined iconic venues...

Alejo A. Rodriguez, hailing from Dyckman, New York, is a published author, poet, and former professional basketball player. In 2022, Alejo made a notable debut with *Bad Poetry Vol. 1: Tumbleweed*, a collection that explores vulnerability and the human experience through raw and unfiltered poetry. His work has been praised for its authenticity and emotional depth. Alejo's highly anticipated se...

Alyssa Rivera is a poet and entrepreneur whose work centers creatives on a mission to change the world with their art. Our conversation is about overcoming obstacles and choosing the life you want. Moments : 1:15 Meet Alyssa 12:00 Redefining herself 15:10 Healing through writing 17:50 Being a creative person 19:30 Stepping into her authentic self 32:00 Do artists need notoriety to be artists? 46:0...

Happy Juneteenth, fam! We’re bringing you a very special episode today. Our guest is journalist, poet, educator, and artist, Daniel C. Haynes . From Guyana to New York City, Daniel uses his words and creativity to make sense of the experiences of the Black diaspora.  Our conversation is a tour through his migration experience, navigating racism in America, writing in the wake of the murder of Geor...

We had the pleasure of getting to know Yariana Torres, a Bronx-based writer, with roots in the Dominican Republic. Her work focuses on identity, love, and culture, ultimately using her voice to illuminate the adolescent experience. She has worked with platforms including the Dominican Writers Association, Dreamyard, Letras Latinas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more. Our conversation is a jo...

Mariah Espada is a Zillenial nuyorican journalist whose works have been seen on the cover of TIME magazine, Axios Latino, and more. We discussed her journey from growing up in Brooklyn public housing to sitting with some of our culture’s elite. We had a blast learning more about Mariah, her family, her sources of inspiration, her passion for storytelling, and bringing more Latine representation to...

In this episode, we’re talking to writer, poet, speaker, and mental health advocate, Sandra Bittar . In our first international interview, this Egyptian-born, Ottawa-based creative powerhouse gives us the inside scoop on her creative inspiration from her culture through her faith.  We learn about her journey from her first open mic to hosting open mics of her own – and how she’s growing to merge h...

Y’all are not ready for this! In one of our warmest conversations yet, we’re talking to Dr. Andrea Jacobo – a multi-lingual spoken word artist, storyteller, and community health organizer. She is first generation Afro-Dominican American, and her creative expression stems from her cultural roots and upbringing. Her writing is a tool to connect bridges across communities, disciplines, borders, and c...

This episode is a masterclass for early entrepreneurs. We have the pleasure of talking to Valerie Diaz and Gelly Guzman, the founders of Raices Media - two Dominican women based in Miami by way of Rhode Island. Their story– from early-life creatives to entrepreneurs in multiple joint ventures– is nothing short of inspiring.  As you’ll hear, Raices Media sets out to empower creators to share their...

We're so happy to be in community with Massiel Alfonso, a Dominican writer, poet, and author of the soul-stirring book, "Handful of Poems." Her book was awarded First Place in the Poetry Collections category of the  30th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.  Massiel's verses delve into the complexities of love, scars of trauma, and the profound journey of self-love....

In a world built to break Black women down, Jen’s commitment to collective healing is an act of resistance.  Jennifer Myers wears multiple hats as a life coach, certified women’s circle facilitator, owner and host of the Open Heart Raw Story podcast, and seasoned yoga teacher and movement motivator.  With her certification in women's circle facilitation, Jen orchestrates transformative experie...

Cybele and Isaiah had the pleasure of talking to Shakira Hunt, the Owner and Chief Creative Director of Philly-based Shakira Hunt Creative Studio Shakira is an interior designer by training, graduating from Moore College of Art & Design, with a BFA in Interior Design, and a photographer by trade. After side hustling in photography while working a full design job, Shakira decided to take a leap...

Our first guest on Ordinary Thoughts is poet, mentor, community facilitator, and author Dhayana Alejandrina!  She began her literary journey at 9 years old in Santo Domingo, continuing to write as her family migrated to the United States in 2009. Her work explores the transformative power of words, delving into inner growth, culture, identity, and healing. Alejandrina recently assumed the role of...