Planet Noun Podcast

So my sister and I met up for Essence Fest during the summer…it was the event’s 25th anniversary. And we had a BALL! We mainly went there this year for the music and the marketplace that showcased all of these black-owned and produced products. While meandering through one aisle, a gentleman approached us and started talking to us about our skin. We were both satisfied with our current products bu...

Welcome to Planet Noun where it’s all about the People, Places, Things and Ideas that teach us, prompt us to make a difference and do more with what life presents. Life can abound with various challenges, but it’s up to us to take that stuff and make it into something better. There are some folks in this universe who, despite challenges, imagine how they’d like life to look. Then they plan and mov...

It's always exciting when a new episode drops…this one is no exception. It’s the second of two collaboration episodes with Liliana and Tamara of Barely Bougie Mamas—a podcast that was released during the summer. If you haven’t heard last week’s episode, take a listen after you get through with this one. So Barely Bougie Mamas is a podcast featuring Liliana and Tamara—two moms who grew up in povert...

I’m always excited when a new episode comes out…this one is no exception. It’s one of two back-to-back collaboration episodes we’re dropping today and next Thursday. Planet Noun’s first collaboration ever—and it’s with Liliana and Tamara of Barely Bougie Mamas—a podcast that was released during the summer.. A capsule-sized explanation of their show—it’s about two moms who grew up in poverty—but ha...

Sometimes romantic relationships suck. Especially when they run off the rails...whether it be from growing differences between relatants or if someone just up and decides they don’t want you anymore, but they don’t bother to tell you about it. Basically—when someone ghosts you. Today’s guest experienced ghosting...she was the ghostee—if you will. Old boy turned her loose, but didn’t verbally commu...

When you know what you do best, sticking to your guns—as artist PJ Morton writes and sings—is how to get your life’s work done. Today’s guest is N’Namdi Olufemi Bryant, a singer-songwriter and host of the podcast “For the Love of A Cappella.” We get into some themes of his latest album during this episode. So N’Namdi and I had been talking about doing a podcast together for MONTHS, but as usual, l...

So…who likes to talk about death? Put your hands up. Yeah, I don’t know many people who love the topic, especially when they’re the subject. But death’s a certainty. You won’t have a thing to worry about after you transition from this life, but your stuff isn’t going with you. What about the things you leave behind? Well, that’s what attorney Suren Adams specializes in—helping folks get their fina...

What’s in a name? In this case—a LOT. In this episode of Planet Noun, a chat with an up-and-coming…award-winning jazz musician Jazmin Ghent. When she’s not belting smooth tunes from her saxophone, she’s in the classroom teaching music to children in Polk County, Florida. We talk about her pathway to jazz music, the saxophone, and how names and other language used with children can affect the traje...

WARNING: This episode contains cussing. And it’s not all bleeped out. So govern yourselves accordingly, with earbuds and such. The Glow Up. Been hearing a lot about that lately. First of all—what the F is that? Well, intuitively, I know what it is…but I had to consult a reputable source… So…the Urban Dictionary tells me the Glow Up is when you go from wack-looking to gorgeous… another definition i...

Do you wish your money were more intelligent? Well, that’s what Jason Thomas specializes in—making money work smarter for his clients. Thomas is co-founder and president of The PILL Method, a financial counseling company that uses education and technology to show their clients ways to more astutely use their dollars and cents to move toward their financial goals and debt freedom. “It can begin wit...

Well, any day is a good day to profess affection… so—I admit—I’m in love. With books written by today’s guest! There’s this character named Elouise Norton who has captured my heart! Why? Because she’s so human… It’s like I know her. So I’m stoked that I got to interview her creator during a visit to Los Angeles! Critically acclaimed crime fiction writer Rachel Howzell Hall is the author of several...

February is Black History Month in the United States…a time to focus on the contributions and achievements of African Americans not only in the past, but to hear stories of those who are still with us, still writing their stories. George O. Davis is such a person. Part of his work involves helping to expose museum visitors to the stories of others. Part 1: 00:43—From broadcasting and entertainment...

Have you ever talked to someone at work and you knew there was something more to their story? That’s what I started finding out after we got to talking and I found out she has a yoga business. It’s also no secret that business owners fascinate me…One day, I’ll have one of my own. After starting this podcast, I asked her to be on the show to talk about the benefits of yoga. It’s a New Year and, no...

What’s the value of a can of Ensure? Or Spam? Or a pack of Doritos or other snack you can pick up during a Target run or at the corner store? Well, if you’re a member of the Filipino diaspora, everyday items, snacks and other treats can have additional meaning attached to them if they’re shipped to the Philippines from abroad in a Balikbayan Box. It’s a tradition I had no idea of until about a yea...

Thanksgiving is almost here! That means it’s almost time to throw down on all those bounties that’ll grace our holiday tables this week! Thanksgiving is also Family Health History Day… A time to discuss and learn more…. Diseases or health events that tend to run in your family… Yeah… I know THAT is NOT a sexy discussion to have while passing the lamb, ham, turkey, chicken, greens, potatoes, tomato...

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and our guest for Episode 11 has a compelling story about how she learned about the disease. Elle Cole is a writer and founder of CleverlyChanging.com, a lifestyle blog that focuses on “Empowering the Total Person.” Elle and her husband have two daughters—twins. One of them has sickle cell disease, so the ups and downs of this genetic disorder are well kno...

Our guest for Episode 10 is a person who does a LOT of the things well. Her name’s Stacia D. Wright, an event and media strategist and owner of B. Reel Media Management, LLC. As I’ve said in previous episodes (see Episode 8) small business owners fascinate me because of the risks they take and lessons they’re open enough to learn in order to keep progressing along the business pathway. Through her...

The best pad bags are hidden in plain sight… Cute. Jazzy. Snazzy… with a little bit of flair or not—depends on what floats your boat and makes your heart sing. Because your uterus isn’t singing during your period. It’s weeping blood. In this bonus episode of Planet Noun, Liz and her guest, Lea pick up with their discussion about stuffing the perfect Pad Bag. That’s just another name for a to-go sa...

So this time it’s a thing we address on Planet Noun… Or, depending on how bad you’ve got it, it’s a whole bunch of things…. It’s also about a place that all people encounter during life’s dawning days. The human uterus. So it’s the last day of Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month… My sister Lea and I know about these benign tumors very well because they’ve been our fairly constant companions—for some Y...

Small business owners fascinate me. Why? Because of their courage. Or what I perceive as courage. Who knows, maybe some are faint of heart. But I doubt that. Why? Because when anyone ventures to go against the grain of employee-dom (did I just make up a word?) there’s a risk of failure. Yes, there’s a risk with being an employee, but in my mind, it seems the risk is greater for business owners. If...

What’s your assignment? That’s something you may hear at school or at work, and some other places. Another way to ask this question is—what’s your purpose? Sometimes folks learn it at a young age. If you’re like me, you figured it out while fairly young, but maybe it took (and is still taking) a circuitous path to get there. Our next guest didn’t figure out this particular “assignment” or purpose...

Life is filled with so much artistry. From word play… To picture play, painter’s creations—whether they be a portrait, landscape, still life.. or walls. To tapestries hung on a rod or fine linens clothing the insides of a room. Food—also art. So is drink. That’s where my next guests come in. I learned about their business…. On my Facebook. Full disclosure—I went to school with them… lost track aft...

There’s nothing like good talks with longtime friends. Those conversations between decades-old pals can sometimes get pretty personal and... adult. So here’s the warning: THIS ISN'T FOR YOUR KIDS. Go-on ahead and put the little ones. Doesn’t matter where. Try else. Or the den. Or the living room. Listen after you drop them off at school or shoo them out of the house. Why? Because we’re talking to...

Meet two ladies who saw a void in the hair community and decided to fill it—with an app! Yes hons, finding a solid stylist is tops for their clients. SWIVEL BEAUTY aims to take you from looking for a hair stylist to booking one in just a few minutes. Oh, and I also booked an appointment through this app. My hairdo is scheduled for next week. I’ll have to tell you how it goes!

Greetings! Merry post-Christmas, pre-New Year! Here’s a bonus episode of Planet Noun to end the year! It’s an interview I found so interesting and relevant to the holidays, I couldn’t wait! Question: What are some of YOUR favorite holiday traditions? When my siblings and I were younger, my parents would always pack a brown paper lunch sack with natural treats…. an apple…an orange… unshelled walnut...