The UpNUp Podcast

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', emerging media maven and on-air host for Seattle's #1 station for Hip-Hop, KUBE 93.3, Besa(@naybesa), shares a journey of creating a lane for herself to create lanes for others. From growing up in Seattle to working her way up the media ladder by taking on several entry level roles for various platforms, her willingness to use each on as a stepping stone all...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Owner/Creative Director of well established clothing manufacturing company 'This That'(@thstht), Eric Hodgins, shares his journey of highs and lows to bring his vision to life. From his early influence of fashion, he banked on himself to become a self-taught fashion manufacturer, but it didn't come easy. From being on his last dollar, to eventually getting a...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', emerging comedian/entertainer Filmon "Gergish" Yohannes(@gergish), shares an amazing journey to paving his own path while still bringing his culture with him. From his early years of skit comedy that went viral via Youtube & social media, he was able to launch a career in stand-up comedy and acting. From the business model he's been able to build off his com...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', community leader and candidate for Seattle School Board, Rebeca Muniz(@electmuniz), shares her journey to leading the charge of racial equity in our school systems. From growing up in Utah where diversity was no where to be found and eventually spending time doing community work in the Bay Area, her outlook was shaped with balance. Her work/mission to bring...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', young creative leader/artist, Lester Pearson(@les_is_more08), shares his journey of taking life's canvas into his own hands and leading the way for artists in his city. Starting with collaborating with close friends within the arts to build their collective known as the 'Fundamental Family'(@fun.d.a.mental) they aim to uplift their community using various ar...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', young designer and founder of 'Edlewetter' brand(@edlewetter), Tewelde Abraha, shares his journey to merging his creative pursuits with forming his growing apparel line. From early influences from the likes of Kobe Bryant and Kanye West, the Edlewetter brand embodies both the grit and innovative designs that will keep Tewelde and his brand moving forward. Wh...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', founders of fast emerging and growing platform 'Hip Hop Seattle'(@hiphopseattle), share the journey of trying to build a movement that will help preserve the Hip Hop culture of the Northwest for future generations to come. Growing up avid fans of Hip Hop themselves, the narrative of "you need to get out the city to be appreciated" compelled these young broth...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', talented founder of 'Sweetpeas Cakes' (@sweetpeascakes), Jennifer Jones shares her journey to fully committing to her cake artistry by investing in herself. From an early age of creating decorative cakes for friends and family, it was evident that it was more than possible for her to create her own lane and build a full fledge cake decorating company that wi...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we're back again with the 4th #ListenerAppreciationWeek episode. This episode is a chance for us to connect with YOU the listener but more importantly, giving our listeners the platform to drive topics, promote their projects and have great conversation around what’s important to them. For The Listener By The Listener This weeks guest is loyal listener & cul...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Creator and Founder of rising apparel/clothing company 'Make it Count'(@micbrandseattle), Deuce Porter(@deuceporter_) shares a journey of true elevation through sticking to your blueprint. Growing up in adverse conditions within his neighborhood/environment led him to want more for himself and furthermore for his community in the form of positive representat...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Tacoma native and founder of 'Inner Enso', Shaunte Nance (@shaunte_nj), discusses a journey filled with peaks and valleys. Overcoming many early losses in her life, she committed to the game of basketball landing a spot on the Harlem Globetrotters, but continued her drive after sports into the uplifting of the youth within her community through guiding the s...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', the dynamic duo on the mic, Sierra Stewart(@sierra2leone) and Makeda Critchlow(@bajan_baddie) share the journey of building their platform for the voiceless known as the 'Black in the City' podcast(@blackincitypod). As two young black women using their voice to provide the accurate representation that’s needed in the media space, their show brings listeners...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', professional basketball player and Seattle native, Tremaine Isabell Jr.(@otrillmaine), takes us on a journey of ups and downs that all started from the dribble. From his early success through the high school ranks to entering college, his path was unconventional and yet the perfect preparation for a long career in hoops. Whether it was enduring the naysayers...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' ultra creative and video/photo extraordinaire, Chase Fade (@chasefade), shares his journey of refocusing his lens for success. From early trials and errors of finding his lane in videography/photography, it was his dedication of keeping his head down grinding while building relationships that propelled him. From directing videos for up and coming artists in h...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Super Bowl Champion, NFL Pro-bowler, and former defensive end of the Seattle Seahawks(@seahawks), Cliff Avril(@cliffavril), shares a journey of being a late bloomer playing in his teen years to growing into a true champion on and off the field. From being apart of one of the most legendary runs in sports history to keeping his marathon going off the field wi...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' the city of Seattle's emerging and driven talent 'Mafi D' (@mafidklickup)of 'B.A.G Records', shares his powerful and transformative journey using hip hop to carve his own lane. From growing up facing the obstacles that came with being in the type of environment that presents challenges for young black men in communities nation-wide, it was the demonstration/o...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' positivity promoter and young media mogul in the making, Hannah Joy Gebresilassie (@hannahjoytv) shares an amazing journey of taking ownership into her own hands when it comes to her presence in media and storytelling. From working as a successful full time news reporter/anchor to leaving her job to start her own media company and her own lifestyle brand @pro...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' founder and visionary of 'The Collective Seattle', Anthony Kerr, takes us on a journey of how a simple group chat evolved into what is now a massive network of over 3,000 young professionals of color unified here in Seattle. The fragmentation that once existed amongst the black community in the greater Seattle area has been shifting over the past few years an...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we're back again with the 3rd #ListenerAppreciationWeek episode. This episode is a chance for us to connect with YOU the listener but more importantly, giving our listeners the platform to drive topics, promote their projects and have great conversation around what’s important to them. For The Listener By The Listener This weeks guest is loyal listener & cul...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' owner/visionary and the "Chef in charge' of 'Alcove'(@alcoveseattle) restaurant herself, Emme Ribero Collins(@chefemme_), shares her journey of cooking up her own recipe to success. From taking over her family's business and reigniting the space into her vision of a 32-seat dining room with four communal tables designed to accommodate a family-style service a...

In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’, dedicated and determined CEO/Founder of BAR Digital (@bardigital), Bobby Gay, shares his journey to building a platform that is helping professional athletes around the world see the many fruits of their labor for generations to come. From his numerous experiences starting out working as an understudy to some of the sports worlds best in business, to now hav...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Hip-Hop artist and community leader himself, 'Rell Be Free' (@rellbefree) shares how he found a way to marriage both uplifting his people while still elevating his musical trajectory to be a "peoples champ" that his community needs. From his early experiences being taught black literature to creating showcases at the early age of 15 years old, he was destine...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', creator, visionary, and host of 'Balanced Black Girl Podcast' (@balancedblackgirlpodcast), Lestraundra Alfred (@balancedles) gives an inside look at her evolution through building a platform that aims to guide women of color towards living their best balanced life. From investing in equipment and jumping into the game to building a following of strong passio...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', founder/owner of fast rising fitness and lifestyle brand 'Fly Above', Najee Ladd Ali, gives us a look at his journey through redefining what it means to go beyond just being an athlete. Facing obstacles navigating the "student athlete' balance of wanting a thorough education but being demanded to only have time for sports, he began educating himself and was...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', CEO/Founder of widely and culturally celebrated coffee cafe 'Boon Boona Coffee' (@boonboonacoffee), Efrem Fesaha, gives us an inside look at a journey of persistence to reaching the point of cutting the ribbon and opening the doors to his new cafe. He spent many years of doing finance work in the "corporate world" for large companies, eventually jumping off...