Magic Unfiltered

[Originally aired on: December 16, 2019] Nia Franklin aka Miss America 2019 had an awesome convo with Sophia and Rechelle about all things self-esteem, beauty pageants, and faith in this inspiring sit-down! All your misconceptions about beauty pageants will be shattered and you can grab some of the best advice about building your self-confidence like the queen that you are and encouraging others around you too! Get ready to adjust your crown, sis! Use #MagicUPodcast to tell us what you think of the episode!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis, Sophia DennisExecutive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh) Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

Life is too short for us NOT to do what we really want to do! That’s Ashlee Wisdom’s (@ashleejwisdom) story. She pivoted in her career path (against what her family wanted her to pursue - shout out to first geners!) and is now a leading Black woman in public health technology as founder of HealthInHerHue and she’s not even 30 yet! What does it take to do that? Ashlee breaks down her passion for what she does and what it took for her to bet on herself. Also? She drops MANY gems about healthcare that EVERY Black woman and girl needs to know! Use #MagicUPodcast to let us know what your dream career path is!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis, Sophia DennisExecutive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh) Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

[Originally aired on 12/2/2019] We ignore glass ceilings over here. We're all about cutting our own path and rejecting anything that boxes us in. At ESSENCE's own Fashion House - Rechelle and Sophia chopped it up with singer Justine Skye ( @justineskye) about everything from finding yourself as a young artist to smashing the boxes and labels that hold so many of us hostage. Jump into this convo and let us know what you think using #MagicUPodcast!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Have you ever felt like everyone else in the room knew something you didn’t? Have you ever been interested in a field that seemed completely unrelated to what you knew or where you were? Do you feel more disconnected from people than ever even with so many social media platforms? Most people stick near and dear to their comfort zones but then there are others who break free from comfort to create the life they want. That’s Isa Watson’s story. With a background that spans finance, engineering, and music, she’s broken through her comfort zone to live life on her own terms - and she’s not even 30 yet! She’s the founder of Squad -a platform that allows young people to make genuine connections regardless of job title, location, etc. She's also a classical pianist, and multi-degreed engineer with lots of gems to share with Gen Z. Get into it. Use #MagicUPodcast to let us know what you think of the episode.Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis, Sophia DennisExecutive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh) Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

[This episode originally aired on 10/21/2019] Gen Z is tired of being silenced politically and no one represents this truth better than today’s guest, Nupol Kiazolu (@nupol_justice). She’s Miss Liberia 2019-2020; listed on Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21; the President of Black Lives Matter Greater New York; Founder/CEO of Vote 2000, and a Hampton ℅ 2022 student. On this episode, Nupol gets all the way real about the trauma and triumphs of putting action into activism. She details how the death of Trayvon Martin pushed her into activism and what it was like to be on the front lines of the historic Charlottesville protests. She also gives the best advice to other young people who want to get involved and stand up for what they believe in. Check out Nupol on @bet’s CopWatch America. Use the #MagicUPodcast hashtag and @ us: @essencegu_ to let us know what you think of the episode!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis, Sophia DennisExecutive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@harmonys.touch)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh) Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

[This episode originally aired on 11/18/2019] It's taboo to talk about periods but guess what. We're going to talk about it today! They shouldn't hurt as badly as they do and many of us are suffering in silence. How do we make sure that every girl and woman who needs menstrual products get them?How do we make sure we're armed with the information we need to make good decisions about our menstrual health? Ileri Jaiyeoba (@ileri_jaiy14), NYU student and founder of Code Red Co., stopped by Magic Unfiltered to talk about the importance of breaking the taboo and the important work she's doing to provide menstrual products to homeless women and girls. Let us know what you think of the episode using #MagicUPodcast and follow ESSENCE's Girls United platform on Instagram: @essencegu_.Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

What do you do when you don’t see yourself in ANY of the books you read? 14-year-old Marley Dias (@iammarleydias) created the #1000BlackGirlBooks hashtag and is making books with Black girl protagonists! Rechelle (@rechellealyse) and Sophia (@phiadennis) kick back with Marley and learn all about how she created a social media movement that has gained international fame! Listen to the episode and hit us up using #MagicUPodcast to let us know your favorite Black Girl Book! We’ll feature our favorites on our social media!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@harmonys.touch)Bookings: Ashley Hobbs, Rechelle Dennis, Sophia DennisAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

[This episode originally aired on 10/11/2019.] Young Devyn (@youngdevyn) is the 17-year-old Brooklyn-born rap phenom who is very clear on where she comes from and where she’s headed. Having BODIED the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, Devyn visited Magic Unfiltered to rap (no pun intended) with Rechelle (@rechellealyse) + Sophia (@phiadennis) about her career as a young M.C., how she got the nickname “Baby G.O.A.T.”, and that time Nicki Minaj shouted her out! And she's got a new video dropping this week for her single, "Drip Ain't Free". She’s #GOALS. Listen to the episode and hit us up on social media to let us know what you think using #MagicUPodcast! Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Do you love makeup but you’re not really sure how to do your own? Do all the YouTube beauty gurus intimidate you and you don’t know where to start with a beauty routine? Well, Tiara Willis (@MakeupforWOC)is the 18-year-ol esthetician with over 200,000 followers who is schooling ER’BODY on how to look and feel beautiful the RIGHT way. No more glue masks, and you BETTER be using sunscreen! Tiara joins Rechelle and Sophia on this episode to blow up the beauty myths that are ruining skin and to drop some gems on how to get glowing, beautiful skin and awesome makeup techniques. You do NOT want to miss this episode! Let us know what makeup tips have been saving your skin lately using #MagicUPodcast! And Apple listeners: Don't forget to leave a review!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellalyse), Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@harmonys.touch)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh) Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

Ebonee Davis (@eboneedavis) is a POWERHOUSE. At Essence Fest 2019 we chatted her up the model, businesswoman, mother, activist, and friend-to-the-brand about creating space for ourselves and girls and women who look, think, and live like us. Ebonee gave a gooooood word about how she learned to accept herself as a Black woman and how she decided to make the modeling industry accept all her features - including her beautiful Afro. She also has words of affirmation for Black girls everywhere! Visit her organization: Daughter Org (daughterorg.com) to learn more about about her amazing initiative to mentor and bring girls to Ghana. What do you love most about your Blackness? About your natural hair? Let us know on social media using #MagicUPodcast!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

What makes you different and how to do you celebrate it instead of being ashamed of it? Entrepreneur, Franci Girard, founder of The Sixes (@thesixes) knows all too well how to take what's made her stand out her whole life and use it to make space for those like her. At well over 5'10" feet by the time she was in the 4th grade, Franci has been very tall for most of her life. And she’s recently stepped into the role of founder at The Sixes, a brand that specializes in clothing for women 5’9” and taller. Get into this interview to learn the not-so-straight path that led her to her passion. Use #MagicUPodcast to let Rechelle and Sophia know what you think of the episode.Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

You’re not crazy. You’re not weird. There’s nothing wrong with you. Everyone needs someone to talk to and you, Black girl, do too. In order to help give all of our Black Girl Magic a little more room to shine through, we had an awesome convo with Marline Francois-Madden (@marlinefrancois) who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and author of ‘The State of Black Girls’. Her insight is right on time as we dance out of one decade right into a brand new one. We want to be at our best, right? We talk about everything from vulnerability to getting over breakups to how to cope with not getting into your dream school. Chime in on social with your thoughts using #MUPodcast!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Nia Franklin aka Miss America 2019 had an awesome convo with Sophia and Rechelle about all things beauty pageants and it was EYE-OPENING! All your misconceptions will be shattered and you can grab some of the best advice from a young queen to all the Young Queens listening! Get ready to adjust your crown, sis! Check out the episode and let us know what you think using #MagicUPodcast!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

We ignore glass ceilings over here. We're all about cutting our own path and rejecting anything that boxes us in. At ESSENCE's own Fashion House - Rechelle and Sophia chopped it up with singer Justine Skye ( @justineskye) about everything from finding yourself as a young artist to smashing the boxes and labels that hold so many of us hostage. Jump into this convo and let us know what you think using #MagicUPodcast!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Whether you have 2.2 million followers or 200, you're an influencer. If you've ever impacted the way someone lives their life, you've INFLUENCED them. On this mini episode of Magic Unfiltered, Rechelle (@rechellealyse) breaks down the ways we're all influencers and how you can why it's silly to only look at social media following. Be sure to let us know what you think of the episode using #MagicUPodcast and engaging with us on Instagram: @essencegu_!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

On this minisode, Sophia aka Phia (@phiadennis) breaks down the reasons why confidence is so important for young women and a few ways you can start to build your confidence and impact others!Check it out and use #MagicUPodcast to join the conversation!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Women and girls around the world experience having their period but in 2019 it's a topic that remains hush-hush. How do we end the taboo? How do we make sure that every girl and woman who needs menstrual products get them? Ileri Jaiyeoba (@ileri_jaiy14), founder of Code Red Co., stopped by Magic Unfiltered to talk about the importance of breaking the taboo and the important work she's doing to provide menstrual products to homeless women and girls. Let us know what you think of the episode using #MagicUPodcast and follow ESSENCE's Girls United platform on Instagram: @essencegu_.Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Ebonee Davis (@eboneedavis) is a POWERHOUSE. At Essence Fest 2019 we had the incredible opportunity to chat with the young model, businesswoman, mother, activist, and friend-to-the-brand about creating space for ourselves and girls and women who look, think, and live like us. Ebonee gave us a good word about how she learned to accept herself as a Black woman and how she decided to make the modeling industry accept all her features - including her beautiful Afro. She also has words of affirmation for Black girls everywhere! Visit her organization: Daughter Org (daughterorg.com) to learn more about about her amazing initiative to mentor and bring girls to Ghana. Check out the episode and let us know what you think using #MagicUPodcast!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

College is an interesting experience. It can be the most fun time in your life but it can also be frustrating. Making decisions on your own, making new friends, and learning what works for you (and what doesn't) can't be hard. Co-host of Magic Unfiltered and recent college grad, Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse), shares her top lessons she learned during her time away from home at college in this first minisode of Magic Unfiltered!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Being young doesn’t mean you don’t have a voice. Gen Z is full of people who refuse to be silenced and are standing up for what they believe in. No one represents this truth better than today’s guest, Nupol Kiazolu (@nupol_justice). She’s Miss Liberia 2019-2020; listed on Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21; the President of Black Lives Matter Greater New York; Founder/CEO of Vote 2000, and a Hampton ℅ 2022 student. On this episode she gets all the way real about the trauma and triumphs of putting the action into activism. She details how the death of Trayvon Martin pushed her into activism and what it was like to be on the front lines of the Charlottesville protests. She also gives the best advice to other young people who want to get involved and stand up for what they believe in. Check out Nupol on @bet’s CopWatch America Use the #MagicUPodcast hashtag and @ us: @essencegu_ to let us know what you think of the episode!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

Young Devyn (@youngdevyn) is the 17-year-old Brooklyn-born rap phenom who is very clear on where she comes from and where she’s headed. Having just BODIED the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, Devyn visited Magic Unfiltered to rap (no pun intended) with Rechelle (@rechellealyse) + Sophia (@phiadennis) about her career as a young M.C., how she got the nickname “Baby G.O.A.T.”, and that time Nicki Minaj shouted her out! She’s #GOALS. Listen to the episode and hit us up on social media to let us know what you think using #MagicUPodcast! Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share!Magic Unfiltered Hosts: Rechelle Dennis (@rechellealyse) and Sophia Dennis (@phiadennis)Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)Senior Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)Bookings: Ashley HobbsAudio: Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)Music: Kontrabandz (@thekontrabandz)

For girls who don't believe in glass ceilings. ESSENCE Podcast Network presents Magic Unfiltered - the official podcast of ESSENCE’s Girls United platform. Hosted by sisters, Rechelle and Sophia Dennis, Magic Unfiltered is an adventure into the lives of today’s young, Black, and gifted. We talk about everything unapologetically with some of Gen Z's most inspiring go-getters. Magic Unfiltered serves up motivation, inspiration, and connection from some of today's dopest young people doing BIG things! Let's go!