I've Been Thinking

A mistake was made in the introduction, in naming Soyini as the Founder of City Safe Partners. She is the owner.

A conversation with Founder and Business Designer, Nagela Dales about the journey to not grow her start-up but support the start-up journey of other founders. Join us for a conversation with Nagela, a first-generation Caribbean founder and Brooklyn girl who leads with curiosity and uses humor as a tool for real connection. Her ability to use imagination for healing, liberation, and community intimacy is to be admired. She is a designer and strategist dedicated to building things designed to reallocate time, social, financial, and health wealth to Black and Brown people in their everyday lives. She is a strong advocate for the dignity of the work, ideas, creative expressions, innovations, and opportunities of Black and Brown people here in America and throughout the diaspora.

Learn more about Dr. Taniqua Miller's Boundless Midlife™ Burnout Recovery ProgramFollow her on InstagramAbout Taniqua Miller, MDDr. Taniqua Miller received her undergraduate degree in psychology at Yale University. After completing her medical degree at Harvard Medical School, she completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. As a 1st generation college graduate and physician, she is a committed educator and advocate for underrepresented medical students and physician trainees. She has been recognized by the Emory School of Medicine and the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics for her teaching excellence and innovative curriculum development. After 14 years of practice, Dr. Miller took a step back from clinical care to center herself and her journey of burnout. She tells her own story of professional burnout to empower other women over 40 to live a boundless midlife. She is a wife, mother of three children, and the founder of TaniquaMD, an educational platform for women in midlife. In her spare time, she loves to sleep, visit the beach, and hang out on the couch with her family.

Just in time for Liver Cancer Awareness Month, we interview Donna R. Cryer, JD Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Global Liver Institute. GLI is the only patient-driven liver health nonprofit operating across the US, EU, and the UK. GLI convenes the NASH, Liver Cancer and Pediatric and Rare Liver Disease Councils, as well as the Liver Action Network, collectively more than 200 organizations. In the episode we chat with Mrs. Cryer about how she has channeled her personal experience as a patient with inflammatory bowel disease and a liver transplant recipient into professional advocacy across a career in law, policy, consulting, public relations, clinical trial recruitment, and nonprofit management. At GLI, Mrs. Cryer has raised more than $10 million for liver health initiatives. Among her many accomplishments with GLI, she developed a program featured by the White House on Solving Organ Shortage/Transplantation. She has launched numerous other successful programs at GLI, including the Cure Campaign, Advanced Advocacy Academy (A3), Liver Matters Blog, Liver Matters Health Policy Memo, the NASH Council, the Liver Cancers Council, and the Pediatric and Rare Liver Diseases Council.

With tech layoffs and job offers being rescinded, all against the backdrop of an impending recession and a never-ending pandemic, career anxiety is at an all-time high. We're talking all about professional anxiety, career fear, and work worry with Clinical Psychologist, Author, and Content Creator Dr. Jessica Borushok, Ph.D., C.Psych. Dr. Jessica helps busy minds get unstuck, out of their own way, and back to their best selves. Through one-on-one work in private practice and her popular course, Busy Mind Reboot: 30 Days to Your Best Self, Dr. Jessica has helped hundreds of productive procrastinators, overwhelmed high-achievers, recovering perfectionists, and self-proclaimed "control freaks" transform their relationship with their thoughts and optimize their world. As an award-winning author and recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dr. Jessica has co-authored numerous books and self-growth tools, including The ACT Deck. She has been featured in The List TV, Art of Charm Podcast, Thrive Global, and The Good Men Project. Follow Dr. Jessica at any one of the links below. Therapy: https://www.busymindreboot.com Website: https://www.busymindpsychologist.com instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theacttherapist tiktok: @theacttherapist youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU32xZFYYe0D2CQD9g4AawA

One of my favorite guests to date, Tia Fowlkes joins the podcast to share how she navigates bringing her authentic self to every space she occupies. Tia is a recent Computer Science graduate of Michigan State University. While her minor was in business, she entered the tech industry to explore her passion for customer satisfaction and fostering a culture of diversity & inclusion. Tia joined Google in February 2021 as program manager for the Beta Testing team within Google Hardware. As a Detroit native, she spends her free time making websites, sewing, and raising her french bulldog, Zeus! Tia is also a freelance website designer who helps students and professionals improve their resumé by transferring it to their personal website. She also helps small businesses that are looking to establish their website before an upcoming launch. You can receive a free consultation at www.tialeefowlkes.com.

Season 2, Episode 2 brings a conversation about Black Female Artistic Vision with artist Stephanie Gowdy also known as Alyrical. She is a visual artist born and raised in South Florida. As an artist, Alyrical works with acrylic on canvas along with mixed media graphite and charcoal on paper for portraits. Despite her many struggles in life such as being diagnosed with epilepsy, divorce, and literally losing sight, and becoming legally blind Alyrical continues to use her inner vision to live out her purpose. Alyrical's vision is that art can be for everyone, using it to not only create awareness for multiple topics but bring society together. One of her favorite bible verses is Proverbs 29:18 "where here is no vision people perish." Alyrical refuses to allow her life setbacks, health issues, or the loss of her sight to stop her from sharing her vision and inspiring others to follow their dreams. Website: www.alyrical.com IG: @alyrical

We sit down for a candid conversation with CEO and Founder of The Boreland Group Inc.,  JENNEFER WITTER Jennefer Witter is the chief executive officer and founder of The Boreland Group Inc. (TBG – www.theborelandgroup.com), an 18-year-old boutique public relations firm headquartered in New York City. The agency specializes in women-led and minority-owned businesses as well as grassroots non-profits. It was selected by TheStreet.com as one of five national, Black-owned businesses “making a buzz”. Jennefer was named one of the nation’s “10 most successful black CEOS and entrepreneurs” by MadameNoire Magazine, and her company was recently recognized as one of 12 black-owned businesses to be “loved by its community and beyond” by ThriveGlobal (https://tinyurl.com/y7k4a6hw).Jennefer is an active public speaker, with presentations to military, trade and academic organizations on implicit bias; gender-based workplace conversation; and public relations, communication and professional growth topics. Venues include TedX Albany: The Pentagon; The Brookings Institution; Pennsylvania Conference for Women; the Virginia Business Conference; The Sea Service Leadership Association’s Annual Symposium; Vital Voices Global Ambassadors Program; The Durst Corporation; Ellevate Network; Columbia University; American University and Fordham University. Jennefer was the keynote speaker at Brown Brothers Harriman’s “Women’s Summit” and Women in Cable Telecommunications DC/Baltimore Chapter. She is a featured speaker with Never Stop Learning, a boutique speakers bureau. Jennefer is the author of “The Little Book of Big PR: 100+ Quick Tips to Get Your Small Business Noticed,” published by HarperCollins. She has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, the Associated Press, TheStreet.com, Bloomberg Radio, MarketWatch Radio Network and WJLA. Her articles have appeared in Forbes, Business Insider, Medium, HuffPost and numerous small business publications. Previously, she was the public relations expert for Inc.com TV and a contributor to AOL Small Business. Jennefer is a passionate advocate for women in the workplace. She is an active member of Ellevate Network, a global networking organization for professional women, and serves on the advisory board for Women inPower, a 92nd Street Y-led venture that seeks to support and promote senior-level professional women to C-level positions. She is a mentor to many women in various professional fields. Jennefer was formerly a vice president at Ketchum, an award-winning global communications firm. There, she launched a sub-practice that generated one million dollars in revenue in its first year. She represented numerous corporations from Silicon Valley start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, including IBM and FedEx. Jennefer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications (Print Journalism) from New York City’s Fordham University. While at Fordham, she worked at WFUV Radio, which was then student-run. She produced and hosted the weekly black public affairs program, “Out Front.” Jennefer received a Regents Diploma from Brooklyn Technical High School, one of the country’s premier STEM schools, graduating with an A average.  

When we chose November 7, 2020 as the date to have this panel discussion, Lessons Learned, I knew we would be post-election and that it would inform a conversation with fellow Women of Color. What I did not anticipate is that just a few hours before recording, we would find out that we would be living through the knowledge that the First Woman of Color would be named to Vice President-elect.With a global pandemic, massive changes in the dialogue around race and equality, and industry on the verge of collapse, 2020 brought many painful inflection points for many. For Bryetta Calloway, Actress, Singer, Producer, and Storyteller, it also gave birth to a podcast, I've Been Thinking..., that would be a place of painful, fun, cathartic, and necessary conversations. With these conversations spanning issues such as arts and advocacy, diversity in theatre and Hollywood, and how to navigate an ever-shifting global economy, she has built a tribe of amazing Black and Brown voices that are engaging, exciting, and empowering. With less than two months left in what is a historically painful year, she is bringing together a group of Black and Brown women who have challenged her, inspired her, and encouraged her. This FREE event is a must-attend for anyone looking to attach language to the lessons this year has brought and, more importantly, to share how these lessons, painful, powerful, and positive, will inform the way we show up in 2021.Listen to a very special episode featuring:Artist and Founder of Jalloh Studios, Mariama JallohActress and Founder of Black Girls Do Theater, Renee HarrisonActress, Brennyn LarkActress, Ashley Versher, andActress and Activist, Nikita Chaudhry

Maggie Bera is an NYC-based actress with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas State University. Regionally she's performed at the Fireside Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars, and Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Maggie has also guest-starred in Showtime's The Big C starring Laura Linney, and has appeared in numerous commercials, print and radio ads. She is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. In 2017, Maggie created Actor Aesthetic - a blog, podcast, and online learning community - to continue educating artists pursuing a career in the theatre industry. She currently has four online courses available, including The Essential Guide to Instagram for Actors, Build Your Audition Book, How To Successfully Submit To Casting Directors (Without An Agent Or Manager), and The Ultimate Guide To Preparing For Musical Theatre College Auditions (In 5 Steps!). In early 2020, she wrote her first e-Book, Marketing 101 For Actors: An Actor’s Guide To Successful Branding, and has since taught her workshop, An Actor’s Online Presence, to college programs in the United States.

Navigating the experience of being a Woman of Color in business can be difficult and not always easy to explain. Kaylan Clemons brings to our platform a shared experience with many other women of color in trying to navigate the unspoken but often career-defining challenges of being incorporated into the corporate culture but not necessarily included. How does one navigate showing strength but not being labeled difficult or showing leadership without being called controlling? How does one bring their authentic self to their work when that is not often understood or appreciated? Kaylan and I chat about this unique path.

An essay for White folk and un-edified Black people in America - Written by Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson is an artist, storyteller, and facilitator who has dedicated much of her career to helping artists dig deeper into their own stories and leverage them for social change. As one deeply connected to spaces and places where social justice is being actively discussed, Nicole brings a unique perspective about how Black actors and artists can be more comfortable claiming their authentic creative space while holding the systems we navigate accountable. During this episode we discuss her production company and the M.O.V.E. initiative she founded which helps young artists learn how to move for the causes they care about artistically; the reckoning of our creative industry; and why now more than ever the need for honesty and transparency is critical for healing our creative sector. About M.O.V.E: In her junior year of high school Nicole Javanna Johnson established Javanna Productions a non-profit 501c3 organization that presents a yearly effort entitled M.O.V.E. (Motivation Opportunity Vision Entertainment). In this effort, members are given the resources, encouragement and platforms needed to creatively raise funds and awareness for social issues and causes. Through M.O.V.E Practical Learning curriculums and artistic production activities, members of all ages participate in civics, artistry and community service in after school, summer programming and week-long traveling intensives year round. Website: https://www.proudtobeamover.com/ Instagram: @proud2bamover

You may not know her name but Myunique Ferguson is the woman behind a popular Christian Instagram account @instagramforbelievers. She is a blogger, youth pastor and reluctant social media influencer who has created a space where more than 80,000 believers access inspiration, hope and community. However, as the country reeled from the heightened focus around race and justice, Myunique discovered that balancing her desire to highlight social justice with her commitment to creating a space for believers to be connected more difficult than anticipated. How does one navigate the desire to show-up fully in the spaces and places where they are called. Myunique is a woman whose love of God and faith has pushed her to be honest about the things and causes she believes are at the heart of a nation at the cusp of change. She shares with us how she navigated showing the Black face behind the popular Instagram account, the difficulty navigating those who don't want their faith tainted by "politics" and why she believes that her mission and purpose hasn't changed despite the ever-changing times.

Sammetra Daniels joins the I've Been Thinking...platform to share a candid conversation about the nuances of being Black in business. We discuss how the current focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace is shifting the conversations around perceived equity in business; what sustainability in diversity and inclusion work looks like for Black people; and why doing the "work" of educating within the spaces we occupy is a balancing act that must be navigated carefully. Sammetra shares her history growing up in East Palo Alto, CA, a predominantly Black community just outside the tech epicenter on the West Coast and how she has grown comfortable occupying more spaces as her most authentic self.

Pursuing a career in the arts can be riddled with heartbreak, restarts, and tons of self-reflection. The ability to tenaciously pursue your creative path while navigating the specific challenges of being a woman of color can be even tougher. Luckily, there is a community of amazing Black actresses and performers committed to uplifting and facilitating space for their fellow sisters. Ashley Versher is an amazing film, tv, and stage actress who spent time with me chatting about the unique sisterhood of Black Actresses and why this is a moment to be even more committed to authenticity of self, experience, and expression through our craft. Speaking with Ashley was a bit like coming home. She's that rare mix of thoughtfulness, genuineness, and love of the industry. We discuss how to be a part of the change of the industry we love all while taking care of ourselves emotionally and mentally.

Somewhere at the intersection of Black femme art, creative and personal agency, and Black Womxn wellness you'll find visual artist and Brand owner Doriana Diaz. Doriana spent some time chatting with us on the I've Been Thinking platform. Her assuredness in who she is as an artist and a womxn is an example of the space many Black female creatives are finding themselves. With newfound agency as the collective affirmation around the Black experience continues to grown Doriana shares her insights on how to be rooted in your creative work, how to stay true to your authentic voice, and the power of never questioning the audience and communities you serve. She is an absolute shining jewel in the Black digital creative space. Instagram: Website:

While much of the country grapples with racial justice, equity in the business space, and a shifting narrative around diversity and inclusion, Black and Brown women are creating and holding space for the amplification and the affirmation of their experiences in life and in business. Guest Kastoory Kazi shares with us her experiences as a Bangladeshi-American woman navigating the business world. We discuss the unique challenges women of color face when navigating career growth, authenticity in their work lives, and the nuances of being a Brown versus Black woman in business. Kastoory is a skilled marketer working at the intersection of creative and growth marketing for many years in NYC. She's an amazing businesswoman and a friend.

Resources for Actorshttps://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/coronavirus-covid19-actor-performing-arts-news-resources-70497/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/coronavirus-actor-remote-jobs-coronavirus-70327/https://www.actoraesthetic.com/blog/remote-work-for-actorsFun Reads:https://www.simplemost.com/famous-celebrities-work-normal-jobs/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/job-skills-can-learn-acting-2321/Tool for Scraping:LinkedIn: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/skrapp/gklkbifnmojjpmbkojffeamiblineife?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon 

Is your mind clamoring with all the stimuli from the world around you? As creatives our minds are fertile ground for imagination and innovation but, has your busy creative mind been in overdrive lately? Dr. Jessica Borushok, The Busy Mind Psychologist, stops by the I've Been Thinking podcast to help us get unstuck from our busy minds so we can live our best and most authentic lives. A registered clinical and health psychologist, award-winning author, and trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dr. Jessica works one-on-one with clients and through her popular course, Busy Mind Reboot, to teach adults how to break unhelpful patterns of avoidance and develop healthier relationships with their busy minds. Website: www.busymindreboot.com Instagram: @busymindpsychologist LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/busymindpsychologist

We have musician and actor Edwin Aguila (EA) on the podcast sharing his journey to being an authentic artist. In middle and high school, Edwin used writing as a way to channel his feelings of being bullied. However, it was near his graduation that he discovered the love for performing which has led to his work in an off-Broadway production and the release of his very own full-length hip hop album. Edwin shares how his love of New York and his heritage fuel him to be authentic in his art. Mixtape: https://soundcloud.com/jabir-farooq/sets/the-new-yawwk-experience Most recent work: http://www.pingchong.org/nocturne_remix2020

Today we sit down for a conversation with Carolina Vazquez. Carolina discusses how she is viewing the current momentum around diversity and equity within the entertainment industry as a Chicane/Chicanx cinematographer living in LA. Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, Carolina grew up with a wild imagination and extremely visual gift of oral storytelling. She decided to take her skill of scaring kids with haunting tales at Halloween to New York City where she attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Since graduating in December 2014, she has been an assistant camera, gaffer, and director of photography for many features, commercials, new media, and shorts. After living in New York City for five years, she moved back home to Los Angeles, CA where she currently resides and works as a camera operator and director of photography. P.S. She is available for freelance projects! Instagram and Twitter: @CaroVazquezDP Website: www.CarolinaNVazquez.com

During our conversation with the amazing Jess Glazer on this episode of I've Been Thinking, Jess offers our audience free access to some of her most successful business coaching principles and amazing content.Reading vault (speed reading & monthly book list)https://www.jessglazer.com/readingvaultGoogle Calendar Guruhttp://bit.ly/googlecalfreePost it to Profithttps://www.jessglazer.com/postittoprofitfreeHow to price with confidence https://www.jessglazer.com/priceyourofferfre

We have an open and honest conversation with California-based performance artist Melissa McDonald about how to navigate the difficulties that come with non-people of color trying to understand and address systemic racism and oppression. Melissa is an Irish/Salvadoran American who's personal work confronting race and culture has her facing her own privileges as a white-presenting person while working to navigate the sharp learning curve of being an ally to Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color. She shares how she is embracing the unknown, showing up in her life, relationships, and industry all while working to educate herself to become the best ally and advocate she can be. You'll be moved by her honesty and transparency.

Actress and Activist Nikita Chaudhry joins the I've Been Thinking Platform. Nikita Chaudhry is an artist, activist, and educator currently based in Los Angeles. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a major in Drama, minor in Performance Studies, and honors certificate in Theatre Studies, her work has expanded from stage to screen. She is most passionate about creative work that uplifts underrepresented voices and stories, and work that directly gives back to the community. Nikita shares her perspective as an artist that has also dedicated her efforts with social justice organizations, most notably the Women's March National team for the Women's Convention in Detroit in 2017. We discuss the balancing of identity politics and performance. Nikita can most recently be seen on ABC's Station 19. Instagram: @Nikita.Chaudhry Twitter: Nikita_Chaudhry Website: nikitachaudhry.com

We have the great privilege of chatting with Mariama Jalloh, a NYC based community strategist and digital curator. As the founder of Jalloh Studios, she is also creating safe spaces for Black women artists and creators to cultivate sisterhood, share resources, and collaborate. In this episode of I've Been Thinking Mariama shares her commitment to collaboration, increasing access to creative, emotional, and personal resources and knowledge for Black women creatives, and fostering relationships that go beyond the surface to make creative spaces more enriching and beneficial for creative growth. Instagram: @jallohstudios // @seeking_sabr Website: jallohstudios.com

Maya Richardson (she/her) is an actress, singer, writer, and activist using the digital space to explore racial identity and artistic expression. We sat down with Maya to discuss how she is navigating her goal to be an unrelentingly authentic artist all while championing the communities and causes that matter most to her. You'll love her beautiful soul and genuineness. Instagram: @mayarichardsun

We have the chance to sit down with producer, writer, and actor Patrick Ladonis, a multi-hyphenate in his own right. He is the creative mind behind the new hit web series, SCALES, a show about three friends who continue to face the struggle of balancing their lives with their careers and relationships with those they love. Patrick shares his creative journey, how he has embraced his unique and authentic voice in his work, and how he has cultivated a tribe of creatives to bring his visions to life. Instagram: Scales Web series - @Scalestheweb // Patrick- @Iampatrickladonis YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SCALESthewebseries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scalesvol1/ Website: IamPLS.com

Renee Harrison, actor and the founder of Black Girls Do Theater has lovingly created an online community and curation of culture and resources for black identifying women in theater with her digital platform @blackgirlsdotheatre. In this episode of I've Been Thinking we grapple with the questions of sisterhood, community, and a reckoning about racial equity in our current global terrain. Join us as we explore the intersectionality between art and civic engagement. Instagram: @blackgirlsdotheater // @reneechanelharris Twitter: @BlkGrlsTheater #blackgirlsdotheater https://linktr.ee/BlackGirlsDoTheater

What does doing the work to be a white ally to BIPOC artists of color feel like? What are the small steps non-people of color can take to be more conscious and empowered as we look towards a new future for theatre? Actress, friend and beautiful soul Suzi Weisberg discusses her commitment to embracing the discomfort of creating a more equitable theatre experience for all actors/actresses and the steps she's taking to be a better ally in the community she loves so much!

Actress, Singer, sister, and friend Brennyn Lark joined the I've Been Thinking platform to share her beautifully hopeful perspective about the future of theatre, race, and community. Maybe we aren't in a period of discovery but rather remembering who we are as artists, especially artists of color. Is it possible that the future of theatre is filled with hope and freedom for all involved? You'll leave this conversation both inspired to believe and fight for more.

Imagine being an artist graduating from University in the midst of a global pandemic and on the cusp of racial reform in an industry long overdue. My friend and beautiful soul, Actress Sarah Windfeld Nandola (@sarahnandola) spent some time with me over on Instagram Live chatting about what the future of the theatre, television and film industry looks like from her perspective.

Ah…creatives. We’re a fun little group, aren’t we? Creative people tend to have a veritable treasure trove of amazing personality traits. We'll discuss creative energy, artistic intelligence, and the dogged discipline to innovate. Some call it audacity and some would call it downright naivete but, let's chat about what it really FEELS like to a creative person.

Typecasting refers to the practice of categorizing (and auditioning) actors or actresses based on their perceived appropriateness for a role. This is typically based on their appearance i.e. height, body shape, age, and yes, race. In light of the recent refocus on the issue of systemic racism and oppression and with online movements demanding accountability and change in the way business is done (like #broadwayisracist or #pulluporshowup) can we have an honest discussion about the role race and yes, racism has played in the way actors and actresses of color do (and don't) get roles?

With the Black Live Matters protests taking place all over the world we are having more conversations about race, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. This is highlighting some of the ways businesses are coming up short in helping their black and brown employees feel like they truly belong.