The UpNUp Podcast

What happens when someone takes their darkest chapter and turns it into a lifeline for an entire community? In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' we sit down with Hussein Ugas — Executive Director and Co-Founder of Rahma Recovery Center in Federal Way, Washington. Hussein's journey from homelessness and addiction on the streets of Minneapolis to founding two Washington state firsts is one of the...

Welcome back to another episode of 'Just a Conversation' Today Robel is joined by three incredible brothers from 'Acts On Stage' - Jeremy Rubin (writer), Isiah Anderson Jr. (director), and Josh Webb (actor) - representing three different generations of Black men who've come together for their powerful production "Black Man Goes to Therapy." This conversation gets real about mental health, vulnerab...

Welcome back to another episode of 'Just a Conversation' our spotlight series! Today I'm joined by OG Mambo, a Zimbabwe-born, Seattle-raised hip-hop artist who's been grinding in the Pacific Northwest music scene for years. This conversation gets real about the journey, the struggles, and what it actually takes to build something lasting in music. As well as how the Puget Sound Regions music lands...

Eight years. March 31st, 2018 to March 31st, 2026. In this special anniversary episode, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together. From those early days in a little room to the platform we've built as a community - this one's for everyone who's been part of the story. We're sharing our gratitude for the day ones, the guests who trusted us with their stories, and e...

Welcome to the first episode of our 2026 season and the launch of our 'Just A Conversation' series! In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Carlos Banks, Regional Director for iUrbanTeen Northwest, to discuss how his organization is transforming the lives of Black and Brown youth by exposing them to career pathways in STEM, arts, and skilled trades. Carlos brings a unique global perspective...

This isn't just another artist interview. This is 90 minutes of pure transparency from someone who just lived the dream most people only fantasize about - and he's breaking down exactly how it happened. "Yonny" didn't just "make it." He strategically built something from nothing in Seattle, turned down major label offers, and chose his own path to Warner Records. The decisions he made will challen...

Jesse Johnson isn't just talking about change - he's building the future of work. His new revolutionary Pre-Apprenticeship Program has a maxed out waitlist because students are seeing 6-figure career potential without crushing debt. This episode reveals the blueprint for workforce revolution that's happening RIGHT NOW. THE GAME-CHANGING WORK HAPPENING NOW: • Federal Way Pre-Apprenticeship Program...

REVOLUTIONIZING YOGA: How One Woman Created Space for Black & Brown Communities This is the story of how Jasmine RaShae' transformed the yoga industry by refusing to accept that wellness spaces weren't meant for people who look like her. From googling "where are the black people in Seattle?" to training 200+ diverse yoga teachers globally, she's proving that representation isn't just important—it'...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Franchesca "Fancy" Vargas—CEO of Elevate PR Management, serial entrepreneur, community organizer, and art curator who's changing the game in Seattle's creative economy. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • How a children's protest during the BLM movement sparked a PR empire • The "mothership" business model: Managing 6 interconnected impact-based businesses • Why coll...

Join us for an incredible conversation with Philip "Sharp Skills" Jacobs - a hip-hop artist, author, racial equity consultant, and entrepreneur who's redefining what it means to build a creative empire. In this episode, Philip shares his journey from community college to founding Rebel Firm, a creative consultancy that spans music production, book publishing, and racial equity work. Discover how h...

Welcome back to another episode of "Just A Conversation" - where we highlight and amplify the incredible work happening in our community. Today I'm joined by Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seattle-based journalist and author of the new book "The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks - A Curated History of the Legion of Boom Era." This is his first book, and the stories he uncovered will give you chills. Mike spent tw...

Michael Huang is the founder of Milli Agency, Vice Chair of the Seattle Film Commission, and a former professional breakdancer who's revolutionizing how creative agencies operate. Learn how this Taiwanese-American entrepreneur built a social impact agency using hip-hop culture principles, why he left Madison Avenue success to start over in Seattle, and how he's helping transform the Pacific Northw...

Join us for a powerful conversation with two community change makers who are literally transforming lives in the Puget Sound region every single day. Jimmy Brown, Executive Director of Build to Lead (serving 1,800+ students and community members since 2021), and Anthony Curtis, Founder/CEO of Black Equality Coalition, share raw insights on grassroots organizing, youth empowerment, and building sus...

Discover the inspiring journey of Tyrah Majors, morning news anchor at KOMO-TV Seattle, as she shares her path from San Diego child model to major market television success. In this in-depth conversation, Tyrah reveals the strategies behind her career progression from market 125 to market 12, her approach to work-life balance with a 2:30 AM schedule, and how she built multiple revenue streams as a...

When teachers wrote off Ivery Rhodes as "just another Black misguided kid with no future" they had no idea he'd become the change agent our schools desperately need. Ivery's story isn't just about overcoming obstacles—it's about becoming the mentor he needed, creating the village that raised him, and proving that when you lead with love and high expectations, transformation is inevitable as he ser...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Matt McAlman, drummer for Marshall Law Band and the cinematic folk-pop band OK Tiger, as he shares the real truth about making it in the music industry. Discover how Fremont Fridays transformed from a pandemic necessity in an empty parking lot to one of Seattle's premier music festivals, attracting 650+ artist applications! Key Topics Covered: - What it r...

Building Champions: The Donald Watts Jr. Method Ever wonder why Seattle consistently produces elite basketball talent? If you look at the Watts family - you'll find three generations who've helped contribute to the culture of Pacific Northwest basketball from the SuperSonics era to today's college stars. Why This Matters for Basketball Development: Donald Watts Jr. isn't just the son of SuperSonic...

From Puerto Rico to Pacific Northwest Hip-Hop Royalty - This is the "BeatsByCotto" Story In this episode, we sit down with Cotto (BeatsByCotto), the producer behind hits for 'BigXThePlug', Afroman, 03 Greedo, LaRussell and many more. Discover how he transformed from a college soccer player to accumulating 850+ production credits in just 5 years. What You'll Learn: - How the 2020 pandemic became hi...

Join in on an in-depth conversation between Robel and LexScope, Seattle's newly appointed Film Commissioner (Position 8) and founder of 'Scope Screenings', Seattle's premier film festival. In this conversation, we dive deep into his journey from videographer to city leader, the evolution of Scope Screenings from 50 to 300+ attendees, and his mission to bridge the gap between grassroots creators an...

Ernest Kelly III went from struggling to find Black-owned businesses in Seattle to founding the Seattle Black Business Network - one of the most influential community organizations in the Pacific Northwest. In this powerful conversation, Ernest shares the exact blueprint he used to build a thriving business community from scratch. 🔥 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ How to build a business network with zero...

Season 2 kicks off with a powerful conversation about balancing entrepreneurial ambition with personal well-being! Join host Robel Andmicael as he sits down with Chase Linder (Acre Media) and Patrick Smith (Graduated Money) to discuss: - The real cost of grinding without boundaries - How fitness transformed their business mindset - Breaking the cycle of burnout culture - Building sustainable succe...

"I don't compete in the same arena as everyone else. I run my own track." Meet Jaebadiah Gardner, the force behind 'Gardner Global' who's redefining what it means to develop real estate with purpose and cultural integrity. In this powerful conversation, Jaebadiah shares the wisdom gained from his remarkable journey—from humble beginnings to becoming one of Seattle's most innovative developers. Wha...

From cutting hair in 7th grade to owning Seattle's 'J Styles Barbershop' for 20 YEARS, Jameel Shabazz's journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship. In our latest episode, Jameel shares how his father, the legendary Brother Benjamin Shabazz's lessons shaped his path. Also he speaks on how barbershops should be treated as community centers and serve everyone from "the grandmother br...

In our latest episode, we sit down with LaTaunya Witherspoon, founder of 'Spoon Fed Training' @spoonfed_training and one of the less than 3% of Black women who own fitness facilities nationwide! From competing on American Ninja Warrior to training NFL stars like Richard Sherman, LaTaunya shares her journey of building a fitness empire that was voted "Best Gym in Renton" in 2023. In this powerful c...

Resilience, creativity, and purpose define Seattle artist Creative Lou's remarkable journey. In this episode, Damon Brown opens up about: • His transition from corporate design to becoming one of Seattle's most impactful public artists • Overcoming a life-altering health crisis that temporarily left him paralyzed • Creating the first Black-themed marathon running shoe for Brooks • Designing Starbu...