Current Mood

On the first episode of Season 2 of Current Mood, I sat down with Natasha Mascarenhas at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn to learn about her journey as a journalist and the mental mathematics that come along with it. Natasha is an incredible reporter who started writing human interest stories and moved into the business world, niching down to report on early stage startups and venture capital. Mascarenhas is a reporter at The Information and prior to that–and when we did this interview–she was a Senior Reporter at TechCrunch with a resume that spans Crunchbase, San Francisco Chronicle, USA TODAY and Boston Globe.

In this episode of Current Mood I had the honor of dissecting the complicated topic of mental health in the music business with multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and innovative producer Mr. Carmack, who has a deep-rooted love for community. As an advocate for suicide prevention through a simple mantra of "letting people know that they are loved and that they are still part of a greater whole," we get very transparent about the role of self-care for creatives – specifically folx in the music business and the industry at-large. We get to know the real Mr. Carmack, digging into the role of his multi-racial background and upbringing in San Francisco, the evolution of his personal journey coming up on Soundcloud and how he holistically monetized his art over the past decade. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I chat with entrepreneur, DJ, and activist Jasmine Solano about pivoting fear into fuel. We talk about momentum and redirecting energy towards positive outcomes, the challenges and hidden benefits of transitioning a DJ career online in 2020, and how to recruit the team you want and need around you. Through the lens of hip hop, we look at the intersections of music, technology, and reclaiming social equity. Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"

DJ and Artist Relations Manager at Twitch, Allyson Toy (@tigermom.toy), and I dive deep into the intricacies and implications of being a woman in the music business. We talk about reframing gender as a competitive advantage, how to navigate an antiquated music industry, identifying burnout and how to pivot, and the importance of smashing preconceived notions. Throughout this layered conversation, we get the chance to dig into how women internalize traits of toxic masculinity embedded in our hustle porn culture, why identifying as a bruh girl is a plus and we even get a special piano solo from Allyson – who used to be a competitive pianist. She is basically Chopin. Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Music journalist Sidney Madden (@sid_madden) from NPR Music and I dive deep into her background in the storytelling industry in this episode. We talk about navigating new spaces and personal boundaries, establishing self-confidence through mantras, managing your mental health in a corporate environment, and moving the ball to the next generation – particularly to women of color. Throughout this layered conversation, I really get the chance to understand Sidney's unique perspective and cultural mark as we speak super transparently about the foundational pieces of journalism, what goes into the production of news, and some of the do's and don'ts of working with journalists. Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the first episode of Season 2, I catch up with Rachelle Chua – a Physician's Assistant who has been on the frontlines of COVID in NYC. With a calm demeanor, excellent taste in music, and medical training with some of the best in New York, Rachelle and I talk about the structural side of healthcare during a pandemic and how to deal with anxiety around your health. Rachelle shares her first-hand experiences in the ER in recent months, opens up about some personal tricks for relaxation, and gives important insights on how to relate to your body. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC

In this last episode of Season 1 of Current Mood, I had the honor of speaking with New York-based photographer and Co-Creator of Street Dreams Magazine (@streetdreamsmag), Steve "Sweatpants" Irby (@stevesweatpants). As a pioneer of the Instagram street photography movement, complete with his own TED talk, Steve and has traveled the world documenting culture working with brands like Sony, Nike, Bleacher Report, The New York Knicks, and New Balance, and was recently honored by The City Of New York for his contributions in Arts and Culture. We talk about what it takes to turn your passion into your job, why keeping it simple is the best way to operate, and how to have tough conversations in business. We dug deep into family and how to deal with illness, grief, and loss, and what it takes to embrace hard times with loved ones. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, sound therapist Sara Auster (@saraauster) and I talk about the harm in catering to categories other people want to put you in. In a landscape of increasingly shifting professions for remote and creative workers, we often associate our identities with our work which negates our immense power as whole human beings. We cover self-inquiry, building connections and stronger bonds through community, and how deep listening can transform our relationships across the board. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I sat down with digital native Ashley Outrageous to talk about mental health during the era of Instagram. Ashley is a creative consultant, artist manager, and event producer who has been working at the intersection of music and technology since before MySpace was a thing. Her first big digital project was running social media for Kendrick Lamar's Section80 album which was the tipping point for the elevation of her career as a boss. We get to cover some fun stuff in this convo – music marketing during the internet's emergence, working horizontally, and incorporating your friends into your projects, how a simple thank you note can get you new clients, and of course, addressing social anxieties catalyzed by our digital lives. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I had the honor of speaking to Sahra Nguyen (@oneouncegold), Founder of lifestyle coffee brand Nguyen Coffee Supply (@nguyencoffeesupply). We covered so many important topics like immigration history of Asian Americans (that shit they don’t teach you in school), specifically from a first-generation, female perspective, what it’s like building a business in a new industry, why “hustle porn/culture” is trash and what recognizing the need to slow down looks like. More on Nguyen Coffee Supply: www.https://nguyencoffeesupply.com/ Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, artist and visual director Shawna-X (@shawnax) and I talk about trusting yourself and your work, the transitional path from 9-5 to full-time artist, motherhood and work – and how we're affected by the amount of content we're constantly overloaded with. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, artist, designer, and creative/art director, Julian Alexander (@slanginc) and I talk about the importance of staying connected to what you truly love. With 20 years of experience as an art director in music and culture, Julian shares insights on building a sustainable career around passion, how to protect your work as a digital creative, and how shifting the language around your achievements can propel stronger self-worth. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In part 2 of episode 4 of Current Mood, I dig into imposter syndrome with a leadership coach and global facilitator Bobby Lyle (@nsightout). Imposter Syndrome is that feeling that you're somehow not good enough or skilled in the thing that you actually are – a story that is often perpetuated or magnified by social media and digital living. We get into some "polarity work" where Bobby shares basic exercises and mental models to incorporate into your self-care toolbox. Throughout the conversation we touch on the creative benefits of curiosity, self-love, and wrap it up with how to end professional or personal relationships with a "clean ending". Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, leadership coach and facilitator Bobby Lyle (@nsightout) drops so many gems that you better bring your notebook with. We talk about our relationship to our thoughts, how to see and create an ideal scenario, working with self-doubt, recognizing triggers, and how child-like curiosity can propel creativity. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In Episode 3 of Current Mood, Nigel (@nastynigel.jpg) and I nerd out on music and he teaches me about the evolution of DJ and rave culture through a NYC lens. We talk about social etiquette in the club, drugs, and bad stuff we did as teenagers. Sorry, mom. Music: Nigel Rubirosa – "No Watermelon In The Mezcal" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I sit down with singer/songwriter Hollis Wong-Wear @wongweezy and singer/songwriter/producer Jarell Perry @stillmindco to talk about how to have productive collaborations in 2019. The three of us talk about establishing a baseline level of trust as a core tenant of collaboration, how to create intentional collaborations, ways to navigate mental preparation to collaborate with others, creating boundaries within collaboration, and the business side of artistic collaboration. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Produced and Edited by: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Artwork: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: Los Angeles --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the first episode of Current Mood, I sat down with Anthony Demby, Co-Founder of Humbleriot to talk about what showing up for yourself looks like. Key concepts we cover in this episode: self-care and why it's actually cool, redefining masculinity, checking your ego, meditation, how slowing down can help you speed up, opening up limited perspectives with new mental models, navigating spaces where you feel you don't belong and connections between mental and physical health. Music: Anik Khan – "Big Fax" Produced and Edited by: Jarell Perry Artwork: Julian Alexander, Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app