The Culture of You

This live conversation was recorded in August. Yes, that matters. Because by the time this video reaches you, all of us have already evolved. Growth be growing. In this episode, I’m joined by Varsey Laurelle and Rachael Pinckney of Columbus, Ohio for a real, unscripted conversation about becoming our favorite versions of ourselves; not the marketable kind, but the honest, embodied, still-unfolding...

Take some time and enjoy this vibrant conversation with Lindsey Alice; Author, Yogi, Mother, Wife, Poet, Professional, Creative. We discuss her new book F*ck It, Thankfully. In Lindsey's words, this book is not about fixing you, it's about freeing you.  Our conversation takes many turns around the emotional landscape of being committed to personal growth and shadow work, creating healthy boundarie...

This conversation is with some of the most talented, creative, rigorous, discipline, loving group of women. Qamil is the founder and CEO of SoulDope Entertainment amongst plenty of other things. Dear Ms. Stevi is a corporate baddie who is finding her niche is stepping forward as an incredible hostess, poetess, and event producer. Tiffany Mariie is a corporate administrative dream as well as a song...

We are live recording Season 3 of the Culture of You at our beloved Zora's House. Take a look at this episode with three powerhouses in Columbus, Ohio; Erin Upchurch Hewitt (my wife), Letha Pugh, and Siobhan Nelson-Boyd. You don't have to look very far to find lots of information on each of these fantastic women. This is a wealth of stories that you don't want to miss. Enjoy!!

Leslie Battle is a pioneer in the local Columbus comedy scene. She is a mother, poet, veteran, culture curator, dreamer, storyteller, poet, wife, friend, and so much FUN! Enjoy this final episode of Season 2 talking about building community, marriage, relationships, connecting across difference, and all the random subtleties you can imagine. On March 20th, Leslie launches her own podcast with Jami...

Join me and Jocelyn Armstrong, Esq. in a conversation about law, justice, civic engagament, this election year, community education, advocacy and protecting your peace. Jocelyn is currently an attorney, practicing JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) advocacy. We muse well about challenges and our strategy for engaging meaningful conversations across difference. Take a listen as this e...

I really love connecting with my friends in community. I also love when we can have open, honest, difficult and real conversations. Tune in to this episode of The Culture of You with Sangeeta Lakhani. Sangeeta’s story is a dynamic and brilliant one and I guarantee you will want to listen. Below is some information about Sangeeta’s story, but you definitely want to tune in and hear all the wisdom t...

As we wrap up 2023, I got a chance to check in with my dear friend Chiwan Choi. We talked about what we are doing currently, how we are dealing with the impacts of personal, local, and more national and global conflicts, and some stories you will surely want to hear. Tune in! Chiwan Choi is a poet, writer, publisher and lifelong seer of ghosts. He is the author of four books— The Flood and the Dau...

On this episode of the Culture of You, join me and my wife as we explore polyamory in our relationship. We unpack all of the beliefs we have about love and relationship and the ways it shows up in our relationship. We explore the deep desires of our hearts and what that means in the space of polyamory. We talk about all of the communication required and all of the lessons learned. This is quite a...

LC Johnson is a Columbus transplant building community in Columbus, specifically for Women and Gender Expansive People of Color. Many of you may know her as the Founder and CEO of Zora's House. She is also an activist, writer, facilitator, author, public speaker, mother, caretaker and dynamic friend. We talk about so many things in this episode: calendars and no meetings days, rest and recover...

Welcome to this episode of the Culture of You with Columbus' own Scott Woods. He is most notably held as the last election's write in and unofficial Mayor. In this episode, we discuss culture bearing, event production, balance professionally and personally, creating the microcosms of the world you want to see in community, and more art. It is a beautiful and fully authentic conversation th...

Join me on this episode of the Culture of You with none other than Javier Sanchez. I consider him a dear friend, chosen family, co-collaborator professionally, and a co-curator artistically. Javier is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in developing effective strategies for youth and community engagement and mobilization. He has written two books, a children’s book for fath...

Join Tyson and I as we discuss his story, his why and the reality of being a Black, Trans man in today's society. Tyson works daily to create safety in the LGBTQ+ community. Especially for those within the community who are Black, Indigenous/Native, and people of color. We talk generational challenges, history, wisdom, creating safety in our community and so many other wonderful topics in our...

Join me and Docta E as we talk about creating a culture of love from the streets to the university classroom. We talk about love, curating festivals and conferences, writing books, social justice building community with the ones we love...and sing just a little bit. Join us for some church, a little protest, and a for sure kickback. Dr. Elaine Richardson is Professor of Literacy Studies in the Col...

Erica Butler M. Ed. is the founder and sexuality educator at Happ E. SexTalk and also the creator of Happermations. Erica has spent her life unlearning and unpacking socialized messages to find the way towards freedom in her work, friendships, marriage, and especially in mothering. The message of humans are messy and AND we can become healthy communicators around our feelings and what we are worki...

What if we looked at death as the one sure thing that we all would experience? How could that support our living-ness? Join me and Karen Austin as we discuss the one topic that many avoid, fear, or haven't recovered from. Karen Austin is an author, editor, ghost and copy writer, emotional intelligence and transformational leadership coach, and grief counselor. Her gift of vulnerability and sha...

In this episode, I sit down with Culture Bearer, Barbara Fant. Barbara Fant is a Columbus legend and what some may call an OG in the poetry world. She is a griot, the voice of so much here in Columbus, a curator, an educator, a healer, a visionary, an affinity space creator, and so much more. In this episode, I get to sit down with Barbara, during National Poetry Month and talk all things art, cul...

This episode takes a very deep dive into the state of DEI and LGBTQ+ affairs in Ohio and nationally. Ken is my favorite Gay Jewish Man to talk to about intersectionality with. We get into being in right relationship, power dynamics, legislature, fear, journalism, and building community. We also discuss what it means to show up in a time such as this. This episode is a bit longer because we allowed...

Stephanie Starks, LISW-S is a therapist and clinical director, consultant, TedX Speaker, training and workshop facilitator, and this year's Ohio NASW Social Worker of the year! This episode talks through why Stephanie shifted her career to pursue becoming a licensed trauma therapist and start her own private practice. We talked sisterhood, Black womanhood, parenting, the pandemic and how it ha...

On this Women's History Month and Social Work Appreciation Month, join me with my favorite Social Worker and woman (and also my wife), Erin Upchurch as we discuss all the things. We explore friendships, dating, marriage, Black womanhood, Queerness, visioning, Beyoncé and more. If you ever wanted an in into our relationship and just how quirky we are together, this is your chance to experience us a...

Suzanne Roberts (They/Them) is my polarity mentor, a beloved comrade in the work of racial and social justice, and family to me. Suzanne has created a culture of radiance and LIFE and I am so grateful to be on this journey with them at this time in my life.  It's a different vibe; but a whole vibe, nonentheless.  Get into it!   I practice polarity as a dedicated path for myself. Whi...

In this episode Tori and I talk friendship, growing professionally, late in life autism and ADHD diagnosis, social media, clients, mentoring and mentees, tools for self exploration and processing, boundaries, and getting underneath the surface to the root of it all.    Tori is a writer, mentor, coach, educator, and mindset junkie who loves processing through the lens of parts work and at...

This is the first Culture of You episode with a guest! I had the chance to sit down with Corey Williams, also known in the Columbus, Ohio Community as Anisa Love and get very real and deep about being Black, Gay, Pastor's Kids and an overall Bad Mama 'shut yo mouth'. I loved this conversation and getting to know Corey much more. Find some time to sit with this episode and really let it marinate. P...

I talk to you directly about where this idea came from and what we will plan to do over the course of this podcast. If you're willing to have hard conversations while coming from the desire to find the common grounds, the way we are all connected and similar, while celebrating how our differences influence our individual and collective experiences...then this is for you. 

In this episode, I briefly discuss what this podcast is about, why I am here in this platform and what to expect from the Culture of You podcast. I am so excited to take this journey with you all! Join us at cultureofyou.com to learn more and stay connected.