In My Shell

What does it actually mean to live a creative life? In this episode, Samuel Garza Bernstein reflects on his career across theater, film, acting, writing, and biography, and how each experience has shaped the way he understands art and creativity. We talk about the artists who have influenced his work, his experience writing about the lives of artists like Roddy McDowall, and what studying their ca...

Youness El Fehdi is a polyglot, author, motivational speaker, and host of the YE show. His content focuses on positivity and self-improvement, autism advocacy, health and wellness, and language mastery. El Fehdi’s mission is to help you achieve your goal by offering simple and actionable steps. In this episode we discuss Rewiring a negative mindset  Entrepreneurial lifestyle  Being a parent to a c...

Some of the hardest decisions you'll ever make don't look brave. They look like anxiety, exhaustion, and quietly questioning everything you've ever believed. In this episode, Audra Phelps (Mama Audra) shares what it took to leave the Mormon church, rebuild her identity, and learn to trust herself again. We explore grief, motherhood, self-worth, and why becoming yourself is often the ha...

What happens when your darkest chapter becomes someone else's reason to keep going? After surviving her own mental health struggles, Kyah Springs turned her pain into purpose by founding Six Feet Above, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. In this episode, Kyah opens up about the moments that changed her life, how faith transformed her healing journey, why as...

What happens when your darkest chapter becomes someone else's reason to keep going? After surviving her own mental health struggles, Kyah Springs turned her pain into purpose by founding Six Feet Above, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. In this episode, Kyah opens up about the moments that changed her life, how faith transformed her healing journey, why as...

This week, I sit down with Model Emma Burg We talk about how modeling first entered her life, what the industry has taught her, and her experience working internationally, including Milan Fashion Week. Emma shares the moments that challenged her most, the growth that came with them, and what life is really like behind the scenes of creating the 'perfect' image. Follow Emma IG: @emmakatebur...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with artist Paul Schexnayder as we explore his journey through illustration, storytelling, and children’s literature. He shares how his unique perspective has shaped both his creative voice and his work. In this episode, we dive into: What led him to pursue a career in art The inspiration behind his children’s books How his creative process blends words and vis...

The experience of walking alongside her mother through cancer changed the course of Jessica Piglia's life—and ultimately inspired the creation of When Dragonflies Appear, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families facing serious illness feel supported, seen, and less alone. In this episode, Jessica shares the story behind the dragonfly sign that became a lasting connection to her mom, her exper...

What does it actually take to turn creativity into a business? Ligia, founder of Justina Belle Events, shares the unseen side of event planning — undercharging, creative risk, emotional labor, and the pressure behind creating meaningful experiences for other people. The episode also explores grief, healing, and how personal experiences shape the way we create. ⁠Follow Ligia ⁠ ⁠Instagram: @justina....

Ludovica sits down with Gibran Nassif, founder of House of Lens, a New Orleans–based company creating luxury real estate and business video content. Gibran shares his path from music to film, including touring with Awolnation and Imagine Dragons, the philosophy behind his work, and what it takes to build a creative brand with intention. Gibran is also the creator of Keyed Up and founder of EnableC...

Faith is often presented as certainty—but for many people raised in it, the lived experience is far more nuanced. David Mawson, co-host of Pursuit of Truth and raised around ministry through Victory Baptist Church, reflects on what it’s like to grow up in belief while navigating the natural questions that come with it over time. We discuss:
 ◼️Why faith can feel different in lived experience than...

Nicholas Sciambra, owner of Nicky's Nice Plants joins In My Shell to talk growth in every sense- building a landscaping business in New Orleans, finding purpose through plants, and rebuilding life through sobriety, running, and community. This episode explores how tending to something living can become a form of healing, discipline, and self-trust. A conversation about patience, resilience, an...

This episode is really about what it means to see—and what it means to be seen. We talk about how photography starts, how it evolves, and how you eventually find your own voice through it. From creating in New Orleans to the influence of culture and identity—shaped in part by his early move from Cuba—this conversation moves between instinct and intention, between technical skill and just feeling s...

Mikey Ricks is a filmmaker and creative director at Koda Collective, and the founder of Boring Run Club. His work spans visual storytelling and endurance, shaped by discipline, repetition, and a commitment to process over time. This conversation explores the realities of building a creative career developing a voice, sustaining momentum, and producing work that resonates beyond the surface. Mikey...

In this episode, Jerry Parker shares a deeply personal look at her journey through endometriosis and cancer, and how those experiences have shaped her life and creative work. We discuss the realities of diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of strong support systems throughout that process. Jerry also reflects on navigating her own experience and what is often misunderstood about living thro...

In 2019 Ludovica listened to her first podcast which transformed how she viewed entertainment and the art of interviewing. It's a monumental moment when your passion becomes a career. The transition of replacing a previous passion with a new hobby can be difficult. Ludovica shares her insight on this topic. In this episode you’ll learn more about Ludovica and the inspiration behind why she sta...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with artist Paul Schexnayder as we explore his journey through illustration, storytelling, and children’s literature. He shares how his unique perspective has shaped both his creative voice and his work. In this episode, we dive into: What led him to pursue a career in art The inspiration behind his children’s books How his creative process blends words and vis...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Mauricio Pedroza, Mexican sports commentator for ESPN, as we explore his journey from winning ESPN Deportes’ Dream Job: El Reportero in 2006 to covering major global sporting events today. Mauricio shares his insights on sports journalism and the ways sports bring people together across cultures. We dive into:His early steps and preparation as a sports jou...

In this episode, I sit down with designer DeAndre Beverly to explore the power of fashion as cultural storytelling in New Orleans. We discuss leadership within the New Orleans Fashion Council, the meaning behind personal style, sustainability in modern design, and what it takes to build both confidence and community through clothing. From mentoring the next generation to redefining staple pieces a...

In this episode of In My Shell , I sit down with New Orleans singer and founder of Hemenway Relations, Marigny Hemenway, to explore what truly makes someone an artist. We talk about the sacrifices behind pursuing music, the pressure women face in the industry, nostalgia’s influence on our taste, and how her dual perspective as both performer and PR professional has shaped her understanding of succ...

I took a solo trip to Missouri to visit a university I’ve been considering for grad school — and it turned into so much more than a campus tour. In this episode, I talk about what it felt like to travel alone for something that could shape my future, the unexpected moments that shifted my perspective, and what Missouri taught me about independence, intuition, and the kind of life I actually want t...

In this conversation, Jay Abbasi walks through his journey from working at Tesla to becoming a keynote speaker and host of the Unstuck podcast, and the inner shifts that made that transition possible. We talk about how he prepares talks for different audiences, the role visualization plays in his work, and how he approaches speaking today. Jay reflects on the mentors who shaped his thinking, inclu...

Nicholas Sciambra, owner  of Nicky’s Nice Plants joins In My Shell to talk growth in every sense — building a landscaping business in New Orleans, finding purpose through plants, and rebuilding life through sobriety, running, and community. This episode explores how tending to something living can become a form of healing, discipline, and self-trust. A conversation about patience, resilience, and...

This week, I sit down with  Emma Burg  for a  special bonus episode  of  In My Shell , closing out the month with an extra conversation. We talk about how modeling first entered her life, what the industry has taught her, and her experience working internationally, including  Milan Fashion Week . Emma shares the moments that challenged her most, the growth that came with them, and what life is rea...

Ludovica sits down with Gibran Nassif, founder of House of Lens , a New Orleans–based company creating luxury real estate and business video content. Gibran shares his path from music to film, including touring with Awolnation and Imagine Dragons, the philosophy behind his work, and what it takes to build a creative brand with intention. Gibran is also the creator of Keyed Up and founder of Claryn...