Identified with Nabil Ayers

In this episode of Identified , host Nabil Ayers speaks with  Bandsplain host Yasi Salek , who shares a moving, honest account of growing up Iranian-American in 1980s Los Angeles. Yasi discusses her family’s immigration story post-Iranian revolution, her experience being the “other” in a predominantly white community, and the identity conflict that shaped her early life &mda...

In this episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers speaks with Massima Bell —music producer, model, activist, and co-creator of Transa—about her journey through gender, place, and chosen family. Massima grew up between two vastly different worlds: a 100-year-old farmhouse in rural Iowa and a life on the move with her mother, a PhD who brought her to urban and suburban spaces from Maryland to...

In this episode of  Identified , host  Nabil Ayers  is joined by  Jad Abumrad —artist, musician, journalist, and creator of  Radiolab ,  Dolly Parton’s America ,  More Perfect , and  Fela Kuti: Fear No Man —for a conversation about grief, family history, and what it means to belong to a culture you weren’t fully given. Jad shares stor...

Nabil Ayers is joined by writer  Casey Kahn , who opens up about her personal journey through adoption, identity, and ancestry. Casey was adopted at two days old, raised by a deeply loving family in a tight-knit home—but everything changed when she had her own children and began searching for answers about her origins. With the help of 23andMe , private investigators, and a handful of u...

In this deeply personal episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers is joined by Dani Shapiro , the bestselling author and host of the podcast Family Secrets . Dani shares the stunning revelation that changed her life: learning through a DNA test that the man who raised her was not her biological father. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish family with deep cultural and religious roots, Dani takes us through...

In this episode of  Identified , Nabil Ayers is joined by  Devi Mambouka , the artist and producer behind  Masma Dream World , for a reflective conversation on  ancestry, spirituality, and chosen family . Born in Gabon and raised by her mother’s  Bengali side of the family, Devi opens up about the early disconnection from her father’s culture and how she set on...

In this episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers sits down with David Cross — Emmy-winning comedian, writer, and actor , best known for Mr. Show with Bob and David , Arrested Development , and The Ben Stiller Show . Over the course of his career, David has earned multiple Emmy and Grammy nominations and shared three SAG Award nominations for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Behind his sha...

In this episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers talks with Youngmi Mayer —comedian, author, and host of the acclaimed Feeling Asian podcast—about growing up biracial in South Korea, the long shadow of generational trauma, and the unresolvable contradictions that shape our identities. Youngmi, who was born in Korea to a Korean mother and white American father, opens up about the deep stigma...

In this standout episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers sits down with EGOT-winning artist, activist, and cultural icon John Legend to talk about family, race, ancestry, and the stories that shape who we are. John opens up about growing up in a tightly knit Black church community in Ohio, being surrounded by music, and taking piano lessons from age four—learning gospel by ear from his grandmoth...

In this episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers is joined by Laura Lee, founding member and bassist of the globally acclaimed band Khruangbin, for a vulnerable and wide-ranging conversation about family, ancestry, identity—and what it means to raise a child while on tour. Laura shares the emotional story of her parents’ abrupt separation when she was just six years old, a rupture that left...

In this episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers sits down with acclaimed artist, author, and entrepreneur, Chase Jarvis, for a candid and deeply reflective conversation about family, memory, and the evolving nature of connection. Chase talks about growing up as an only child in a tightly knit but unusually small family—no cousins, no siblings, and early exposure to adult conversations. He reflec...

In this profoundly personal episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers speaks with musician, actor, and visual artist Tunde Adebimpe —best known as a founding member of TV on the Radio—about identity, ancestry, and surviving deep personal loss. Tunde traces his journey from growing up between Pittsburgh and Nigeria, through his family’s expectations, to building an unconventional artist...

In this episode of Identified , Nabil Ayers is joined by acclaimed musician and author Neko Case for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation about inherited silence, cultural disconnection, and what it means to choose your own family. Neko shares the experience of growing up with emotionally unavailable parents—her mother absent by choice, her father quietly burdened by trauma—and the de...

In the premiere of Identified Season Two, Nabil Ayers speaks with musician and activist Tom Morello about his extraordinary upbringing and journey toward understanding his identity. Tom shares stories about his trailblazing mother—an adventurous white teacher from a small Illinois town who raised him alone as a Black child in a segregated suburb—and the complex legacy of his absent Ken...

That's a wrap on Season One of Identified. In this final recap episode, Nabil Ayers revisits memorable conversations with guests. Highlights include Ione Skye's poignant connection with her musician father, Geoff Rickly's stories of family legacy and rebellion, Dawn Richard's reflections on the impact of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina on her identity, and Foo Fighters bassist Nate Mendel's evol...

In the season finale of Identified Season One, Nabil Ayers interviews activist Nelini Stamp. In their conversation, Nelini reflects on her upbringing with a large but disconnected network of half-siblings from her father's side in Belize, contrasted with a close-knit Puerto Rican family on her mother's side. The conversation delves into cultural and political histories of Belize and Puerto Rico, a...

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers talks with musician and record label founder Mac McCaughan. They discuss the various ways McCaughan defines family, from his upbringing in South Florida to his influential music career with Superchunk and Merge Records. Mac shares personal stories about performing music with his father and son, the impact of moving to North Carolina, and the evolutio...

In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with graphic novelist, tattoo artist, and filmmaker, James Spooner. They delve into the nuances of family dynamics, the complexities of growing up in non-traditional households, and the unexpected bonds formed with both family and friends. Spooner shares stories about his diverse family background, his journey discovering over 20 siblings, and t...

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews Ukrainian chef and food writer, Olia Hercules. Olia reflects on her efforts to document family history and the challenges faced due to lost records from the Soviet era. She shares poignant family stories of displacement, survival, and the strong sense of community that characterized her upbringing. The conversation touches on the importanc...

In this episode of Identified, host  Nabil Ayers  interviews Ahmed Gallab, the musician behind  Sinkane . Ahmed shares his multicultural upbringing, spanning London, Sudan, Boston, and Provo, Utah, and how these experiences shaped his understanding of family. He recounts his first encounter with music through his grandfather's religious chanting and his journey into hardcore music in Ohio. Ahmed d...

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with Fabi Reyna, founder of She Shreds Media and musician behind Reyna Tropical. They discuss Fabi's upbringing in Mexico, her complex relationship with her father, and her journey to amplify the voices of women and non-gender conforming people through her art. From childhood memories to her love for touring, Fabi shares how movement and mu...

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers explores the deep familial connections and musical journey of the brothers Alejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez, known collectively as Hermanos Gutiérrez. The Gutiérrez brothers share insights into their childhood, the influence of their cultural heritage, and the profound impact of their sibling bond on their lives and music career. The episode delves in...

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews the accomplished musician and broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal. Nabihah reflects on her family history, untold stories from World War I and the Partition of India, and her own experiences growing up in a large immigrant family in London. She discusses the impact of the pandemic on her family connections and highlights the challenges faced by non-...

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with musician Norman Brannon to explore his complex journey of identity and family. Norman delves into his difficult upbringing, his departure from home at 16, and his connection with Hare Krishnas. Following a life-changing accident, Norman experienced a breakthrough with his mother, leading to a deeper understanding of his indigenous Mapu...

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers speaks with Lisa Lucas, a prominent figure in the publishing world. They explore Lucas's diverse upbringing in a multicultural New Jersey suburb, the intellectual legacy of her family, and how her understanding of family extends beyond traditional biological ties. Lisa shares touching stories about her grandparents, the impact of her father's early d...