Marking The Path

In the final episode of Marking The Path, I am so grateful for you, listeners, supporters, and my team. I honestly couldn't have done it without you. In this episode, we talk about the importance of building a team you believe in and can trust, the importance of setting goals and defining success for yourself, highlights from all three seasons, and the legacy we hope the podcast leaves behind. So please continue to mark the path forward, knowing that authenticity is the way. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I'm going to borrow a line from Oprah when she spoke to Yara Shahidi and said, “Your future is so bright, it burns my eyes!” That is how I feel about our last guest on Marking The Path. Storyteller, choreographer, actor, performer, and my best friend, Jennifer Florentino. In this episode, we talk about Jennifer's upbringing and how her parents instilled the value of hard work and the pivotal moments and mentors that changed her life forever. We also talk about Jennifer's accomplishments, including being chosen out of 30,000 artists who auditioned to be in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story and her future as she continues to shine her light on the world. Follow her on Instagram @jenniferflorentino to learn more about her. Guest Bio: Jennifer Florentino, (Paterson, NJ) received her BFA in Dance from Point Park University. Upon graduating she had the privilege to perform and receive an honorable mention at The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts for a duet she co-choreographed called “Till The End.” Most recently was a part of the development in the creation of Moulin Rouge The Musical and Once Upon A One More Time. Jennifer's artistic career has granted her the opportunity to perform across the country. Musical Theater: On Your Feet (1st National), Moulin Rouge The Musical, Evita (Encores), Once Upon A One More Time. Television/Film: Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, Starling, Modern Love, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Isn't It Romantic, Kennedy Center Honors (Gloria Estefan), SNL.Concert Dance: Kidd Pivot, LA Opera, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and Sonya Tayeh's You'll Still Call Me By Name. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the first season of Marking The Path, I chose to interview my big sister. We shared stories of our upbringing and talked about how her priorities changed when she became a teen mom. So for the third and final season, I thought it was befitting to interview her daughter, my niece, Jailyn Alberto. We talk about this idea of discovery and finding yourself, growing up trying to live up to our parents' expectations while staying true to ourselves, and being grateful for your community and those that came before you. I am so proud of the young woman Jailyn is becoming, and I am pleased to be her uncle. Check out the episode with her mom, Jennifer Martinez: The Path of a Sibling. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For a long time, I have had a strained relationship with the Church. Years ago, I came out as a gay teenager and experienced lateral violence from adults who were leaders in the Church. Instead of doing what Jesus would do, they put me in a box and pushed me away. However, after years of therapy, I now know that people out there love me exactly as I am and align with my values. Andre Henry, a musician, singer, songwriter, author, and activist I met over a decade ago at a Church event, is this week's guest on Marking The Path. In this episode, we talk about showing up despite your past, the importance of sharing your trauma and triumphs, and gaining a stronger sense of self when you lose friends who don't align with your values. We also talk about Andre's forthcoming book, "All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep," the publishing process, and when to buy it. To pre-order his book, click here! Guest Bio: Andre Henry has a passion for making the invisible visible. In the summer of 2016, he began lugging a solid granite boulder around Los Angeles to show the weight of systemic racism on the black psyche. Months later, he walked around dressed for a funeral with the names of the victims of state violence written on his jacket; and in response to the police-involved death of his mentally ill neighbor, J.R. Thomas, Andre founded an activist collective called “Something Disruptive” dedicated to creative, nonviolent direct action. Together, “Something Disruptive” convened a group of community leaders, students, clergy, and civilians from around Los Angeles County for a year-long vigil in protest of police brutality in the wake of J.R. Thomas' death at the doors of the Pasadena Police Station called “A Subversive Liturgy.” Through this year-long action, the group raised financial support for J.R.'s family and local Black Lives Matter activists, as well as mobilized support for the Black Lives Matter Pasadena Freedom School serving the youth of Northwest Pasadena. Andre is a student of nonviolent struggle and social change, including studying leadership in nonviolent movements for social change through the Harvard Kennedy School. He specializes in using digital media to educate and mobilize audiences for racial justice and social progress. He has served as managing editor at RELEVANT Media Group and is currently a contributing editor for The Sider Center for Peace and Justice in Philadelphia, a Content Expert for the Fuller Leadership Platform, and a Research Assistant for the Innovation for Vocation Project. He has also earned theology degrees from both Southeastern University and Fuller Seminary. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The past few months have been difficult. I recently was laid off from my job, I made a cross-country move to Atlanta, and I've been heavily feeling imposter syndrome and uncertainty. So it's no coincidence that I have been interviewing spiritually grounded guests that own their connection to their higher power because I am on a journey back to mine. Today's guest is Caridad De La Luz AKA La Bruja! In this episode, we talk about her first time performing at the esteemed Nuyorican Poets Cafe, her love for her hometown: the Bronx, and the inception of her fantastic piece, Poor to Rico. We even get a snippet! I share my gratitude with La Bruja because, without poets like her, there would be no poets like me. Seeing her and other Puerto Rican artists share themselves so freely gave me a path to follow. To learn more about La Bruja, check out her website https://caridaddelaluz.com/ Guest Bio: Caridad De La Luz is a multifaceted performer known as LA BRUJA. She raps, acts, sings, hosts, recites, dances, does stand up comedy, writes plays/poems/songs/scripts and teaches others how to do the same. Winner of the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship 2020-2021 and The David Prize finalist 2021, she has been one of America's leading spoken word poets for over 15 years and has received the Puerto Rican Women Legacy Award, The Edgar Allan Poe Award from The Bronx Historical Society and was honored as A Bronx Living Legend by The Bronx Music Heritage Center. She was presented with a Citation of Merit from The Bronx Borough President and named “Top 20 Puerto Rican Women Everyone Should Know”. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For our third and final installment of #AskMark, we received various questions from our community, and I enjoyed answering every one of them! In this episode, I talk about advocating for yourself, cultivating a workspace that promotes authenticity, honoring the calling of your life, and so much more. I am so thankful for our listeners and everything I have learned on this podcasting journey. Be sure to follow @MarkingThePath on Instagram to learn more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Wade Davis is a writer, public speaker, and thought leader on gender, race, and sexual orientation equality. He is also the Vice President of Inclusion Strategy for Product at Netflix, a former NFL player, and my big brother in my head. In this episode, we have a fantastic conversation about defining success and excellence, learning to love through feminist thought, and the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of Black and Brown people, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition, Wade shares that he is a Black man on a journey back to himself! He is in transition, still learning love and acceptance, and his path forward includes more silence, stillness, and introspection. Learn more about Wade Davis on his website, http://wadeadavis.com/. Guest Bio: Former NFL Player Wade Davis is an educator and advisor on gender, race, and orientation equality, and is currently the VP of Inclusion for Product at Netflix. Wade was the NFL's first LGBT inclusion consultant, where he worked at the intersection of sexism, racism, and homophobia to build inclusive leadership strategies and engagement initiatives. Prior to joining Netflix, Wade consulted for Google, P&G, Viacom, and Bacardi, and others. Wade is a board member of the Ms. Foundation for Women, as well as a United Nations Women Global Impact Champion, and a founding member of VICE's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board with Gloria Steinem and others. Wade is also on the boards of Me Too International, the MAD Foundation, Promundo, the Peace Studio, and Sparks + Honey, and a Global Champion for Girl Up, a program of the United Nations Foundation. Understanding the importance of engaging men around gender equity and equality, Wade built a ‘Men's Gender Equality Development' leadership program that launched with the United Nations 2018. A former national surrogate for President Obama, Wade has been an Adjunct Professor at both NYU and Rutgers. Wade gave his first TEDx Talk at the University of Florida entitled: The Mask of Masculinity and works to engage men through a variety of vehicles to become more self-reflective and divest in patriarchal practices. He continues to lecture on the intersections of race, sexuality, gender, and sports at universities nationally and internationally. Wade Davis graduated from Weber State University and also received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Northeastern University for his leadership and ongoing efforts to eradicate homophobia and sexism in athletics. Submit your questions for #AskMark here! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Your life can change in an instant. One minute you are making plans, hanging with friends, and feeling invincible. The next minute you are hit by a drunk driver and paralyzed from the waist down. This is only a part of Marc Brew's story. He would find his way back to dance and become an acclaimed international choreographer and AXIS Dance Company's Artistic Director. In this episode we talk about Marc's life before and after the accident, how his stubbornness helped him heal, using dance as a vehicle to explore his new body, and finding balance to give himself the time and space to just breathe. Please note that since the recording of this episode, it was announced that Marc would be wrapping up his time as Artistic Director of AXIS at the end of 2021 and would be returning to the UK. Check out http://www.marcbrew.com/ to learn more about him. Guest Bio: Acclaimed International choreographer and AXIS Dance Company Artistic Director Marc Brew trained as a professional dancer at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and The Australian Ballet School. He has been working in the UK and Internationally for over 20 years as a director, choreographer, dancer, teacher and speaker; with the Australian Ballet Company, State Theatre Ballet Company of South Africa, Infinity Dance Theatre, CandoCo Dance Company and AXIS Dance Company. Marc was Associate Director with Scottish Dance Theatre, Associate Artistic Director with Ballet Cymru in Wales and was Associate Artist in 2015 at Tramway Theatre in Glasgow. Since 2008 Marc has been dedicating time to his own choreography with Marc Brew Company and his recent choreographic commissions include San Francisco Ballet School, Dancing Wheels, Scottish Ballet, Ballet Cymru (Wales), YDance (Scotland), AXIS Dance Company (USA), Candoco Dance Company (UK), Touch Compass (NZ), Amy Seiwert's Imagery (USA) and Scottish Dance Theatre (Scotland). Marc was presented with a Centenary Medal for Outstanding Contribution as a dancer and choreographer. His work Remember When was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Best Performance (individual) and his recent solo work For Now, I am… was listed in the Guardians Top 10 Dance Shows for 2016. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It is important for me to pay homage to those people who have impacted my life. The Audre Lorde's, the Oprah's, the Brene Brown's. Viewing their work and seeing them be honest and free, inspired my personal journey of finding myself and my voice. So this episode is extra special because today's guest is the one and only adrienne maree brown. She is a writer, podcast host, and organizer, and we have an amazing conversation about life, acceptance, and connection. adrienne describes how growing up in a biracial home, and splitting her time between the U.S. and Germany, opened her up to learning different cultures and ways of being. She talks about the interconnectedness of human nature, and how she manages her influence on others. And, she expresses the importance of listening to your body and making choices that will benefit you. Check out her website https://adriennemareebrown.net/ to learn more! Guest Bio: adrienne maree brown is the author of Grievers (the first in her novella series with the Black Dawn imprint), Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Meditation, We Will Not Cancel Us and Other Dreams of Transformative Justice, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds and the co-editor of Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements. She is the co-host of The Emergent Strategy Podcast, How to Survive the End of the World and Octavia's Parables. adrienne is rooted in Durham. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today's guest is Robyn Ochs, an educator, speaker, activist, editor of Bi Women Quarterly, and my auntie in my head. Robyn's work centers on identity and sexuality, and in this episode, we go there! We talk about why there is so much misconception and phobia against bi and pansexual people even from the queer community, the importance of representation in the media and in real life, and how finding your identity is a forever journey. I share the story of how I met Robyn and how I knew it was our destiny to meet. I also talk about how her work has affected me, as a gay gender-nonconforming man. It made me realize that sexuality is a spectrum and it isn't defined by body parts. It's about the romantic connection you have with the soul. Robyn's work isn't just for people who identify as LGBTQIA+. Her work liberates us all. To learn more about Robyn, check out her website at www.RobynOchs.com. Guest Bio: Robyn Ochs is an educator, speaker, grassroots activist, and editor of Bi Women Quarterly and two anthologies: the 42-country collection Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World and RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men. An advocate for the rights of people of ALL orientations and genders to live safely, openly, and with full access and opportunity, Robyn's work focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of complex identities and mobilizing people to be powerful allies to one another within and across identities and social movements. Robyn was named by Teen Vogue as one of “9 Bisexual Women Who are Making History.” --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Sean Dorsey was the first openly trans man on the cover of Dance Magazine. He is a talented choreographer, dancer, educator, writer, and activist, and he is the artistic director of Sean Dorsey Dance and Fresh Meat Productions. In this episode, we take you back to Sean's early childhood in a creative and loving family, full of leftist, and those passionate about social justice. Sean and I connect with our dance stories, and he talks about having parallel but separate lives; one in the arts and one in community organizing. He also describes the humble beginnings of Fresh Meat Productions, now celebrating 20 years! Towards the end of this conversation, I ask Sean why it's so important for him to speak up as a white, trans man. He admits that his skin color gives him certain access in the dance industry and opens up about his commitment to getting that same access to Black and Brown artists. Sean is a great possibility model and I know you will learn so much from this episode. Be sure to check out www.FreshMeatProductions.org to learn more about Sean's work. Guest Bio:  Sean Dorsey is an award-winning choreographer and dancer and the founder and Artistic Director of Fresh Meat Productions. Recognized as the U.S.' first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey has been named “San Francisco's Best Dance Company” (SF Weekly) and was named one of the nation's “Top 25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. He has been awarded five Isadora Duncan Dance Awards and the Goldie Award for Performance. Dorsey has been awarded major support from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Dance Project, New England Foundation for the Arts, National Performance Network, Creative Work Fund, Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, San Francisco Arts Commission, Queer Cultural Center (San Francisco), Bates Dance Festival (Lewiston), Dance Place (Washington DC), The Theater Offensive (Boston), 7 Stages (Atlanta), Links Hall (Chicago), Maui Arts & Cultural Center (Maui), and Highways Performance Space (Los Angeles). Dorsey has collaborated with artists including Lana and Lilli Wachowski (Directors, The Matrix, Cloud Atlas), and Anohni (formerly Anthony and the Johnsons) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Can you believe Season 3 is already here? It feels like just yesterday the pandemic broke out and I decided to start Marking The Path. I'm so grateful for everything I learned on this journey and I'm so excited to introduce our first guest of the season, Dana White. Dana is a speaker, facilitator, and program officer for True Colors United. We had an amazing conversation sharing stories about growing up and not quite fitting in. Through the feeling of being othered, we found our identities and the missing connection to the culture and homeland of our Puerto Rican ancestors. Dana shares how the instability of their early teen years led to homelessness and how those experiences inform their work. They share how being comfortable being disliked has helped them set healthy boundaries online and in real life. Tune in to the episode and enjoy learning more about the path of an influencer. Guest Bio: Dana White is a speaker and facilitator, residing in Washington D.C. As a Program Officer in Technical Assistance at True Colors United, a national youth homelessness organization centering LGBTQ+ and youth of color, they work to ensure young people are involved in decision-making and planning to end youth homelessness in communities across the country. White is non-binary, Black Puerto Rican, and has lived experience of both homelessness and HIV. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Check out the moments that didn't make it into the episodes. From train noises to awkward pauses, these are some of the funniest moments from season 2 that didn't make the cut. Be sure to follow @MarkingThePath on Instagram.

Season 2 was filled with rich conversations with some fierce people. In this final episode of season 2, I met with part of my podcast team to reflect on the journey we've been on and this past season in particular. Thank you for listening and thank you for supporting Marking The Path -- be sure to follow us on Instagram at @MarkingThePath. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

They often say you shouldn't meet people you admire because they may disappoint you. After over a decade of following slam poet, thespian, and organizer Mayda Del Valle's career and creative works, I have to say I was not disappointed. Despite being nervous to meet this Def Poetry Jam star, Mayda has a way of disarming you with her charm and contagious laughter. We spoke about her iconic poem, "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" which can be seen here, which is one of my favorite pieces from Mayda. We discussed her upbringing in Chicago, how hip-hop influenced her life, and the role that community organizing played in making her the storyteller that she is. Guest Bio: Poet and performer Mayda Del Valle has been described by the Chicago Sun Times as having “a way with words. Sometimes they seem to flutter and roll off her lips. Other times they burst forth like a comet streaking across a nighttime sky.” Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She is the author of A South Side Girl's Guide to Love and Sex , The University of Hip Hop and was a winner of the 2016 Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize from Northwestern University Press. She appeared on six episodes of the HBO series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, and was a contributing writer and original cast member of the Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. She began her artistic career at the Nuyorican Poets Café, where she was the 2001 Grand Slam Champion, and went on to become the National Poetry Slam Champion in the same year. She was the youngest poet, and the first Latinx person to do so. She has appeared in Urban Latino, Latina Magazine, Mass Appeal, The Source, The New York Times and was named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of America's Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences. Oprah's “O” Magazine selected her as one of 20 women for the first ever “O Power List”, a group of visionary women making a mark in business, politics, and the arts. She has performed at venues across the world, including the White House in May of 2009, by invitation of President Obama and the First Lady. She has also served as a mentor and educator in the non-profit world, teaching poetry and performance to incarcerated youth. She currently works in the tech industry at Snap Inc. facilitating talking circles and developing curriculum to support company wide DEI initiatives that scale empathy and understanding. Mayda had also been a devoted student of various healing practices and African Traditional Religions. She is a third degree Reiki Master, and completed a two year Indigenous African Spiritual Technologies program with respected Dagara elder Malidoma Some. Soon after she was led into the ancient Yoruba spiritual tradition of Ifa. She was initiated into the mysteries of the ocean deity, Olokun in 2017. Her initiated name is Olokuntumise, which means “Olokun has repaired my life.” You can learn more about her by visiting: https://www.maydadelvalle.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In episode 22 of Marking The Path, I had the opportunity to speak to Zellie Imani, a fierce activist, community organizer, and leader. While we never crossed paths during our time at William Paterson University of New Jersey, we would find ourselves connected through social media and grew up in the inner-city of Paterson, NJ. I have come to admire and respect Zellie's work as a community organizer but during this conversation, I got to see a different side of him that so many of his followers rarely get the chance to see, Zellie talked openly about his mental health journey and what some of his fears are about his organizing work. Note: since the time of this recording, my view on certain things I said in this episode have shifted. For instance, I said, "your zip code doesn't determine your life code, it doesn't determine who you will become or where you will go." My view on that perspective has shifted -- our zip code does impact who we are and where we can go in life. White supremacy and capitalism are designed to keep people of color in underserved communities and in poverty. While my initial thinking of saying that quote stemmed from aspirational ideals, it ignored the harsh reality that many Black and Brown people face in cities and towns across the United States. Guest Bio: Zellie Imani is a community organizer and educator living in New Jersey. Zellie has served in diverse K-8 settings as an English/Math teacher and curriculum developer. Most recently, Zellie has been organizing against anti-Black state violence with St Louis based Millennial Activists United and Black Lives Matter Paterson. He is also a co-founder of the Black Liberation Collective, a collective consisting of Black students who are dedicated to transforming institutions of higher education through unity, coalition building, direct action and political education that has initiated the #StudentBlackOut movement across campuses in the United States. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I am so excited about this conversation with the incredible organizer, writer, and healer, Yolo Akili Robinson. We had a great talk about everything from being an uncle, the healing journey, future books, the authentic self, to the intersection of male privilege, the patriarchy, race, and queerness. I particularly enjoyed how Yolo described his own healing journey and how he created what he needed and then shared it with the world through BEAM, as well as our discussion on what being gender non-conforming means to each of us. We ended with a fruitful talk about the scarcity mentality, and Yolo sharing what he is in the middle of reading! You can also check out Yolo's first book, Dear Universe wherever books are sold and read his essay in the new anthology, You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience, edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown. Guests Bio: Yolo Akili Robinson is an award winning writer, healing justice worker, yogi and the founder and executive director of BEAM (The Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective). BEAM is a national training, movement building and grant making organization dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black communities. Yolo has worked primarily in three areas: Batterers intervention/family counseling with Black men and boys, HIV/AIDS, and healing justice/wellness work. In 2018, Yolo was awarded the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Health Equity Award" for his work. He was also featured at the 2020 BET Awards for an "Empowerful spotlight", highlighting his work facilitating the vision of BEAM. His writings and work have appeared on Shondaland, GQ, Women's Health, USA Today, Vice, B.E.T, Huffington Post, Cassius, Ebony, Everyday Feminisms and much more. He is the author of the social justice themed affirmation Book "Dear Universe: Letters of Affirmation & Empowerment for all of us" and a contributor to Tarana Burke and Dr. Brene Brown's anthology "You Are Your Best Thing." --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this inspiring episode, I interview my friend, colleague and poet, Kristine Esser Slenz, who shares how being a survivor and being bisexual informs her work. Her new book “woman depose”, examines what its like to be in this world as a woman, dealing with themes surrounding sex, sexuality, and queerness. Kristine shares a huge artistic game changer with me— the routines of notebooks as a file of inspiration. After a fruitful conversation on making NYC feel like home, Kristine shares a poem live on the show! We end with Kristine sharing some great advice about how to grow as poet and describing her next book. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ask Mark, Vol. 2 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I am so delighted to have interviewed the incredible guest, Hari Ziyad in a conversation discussing their new book, abolition, cycles of grief, and their partner, a fellow writer. Hari shares how their book, “Black Boy Out of Time”, is a way of continuing their lineage, building off of their mother’s work and exploring the way time is not linear in regards to healing. Next, we delve into Hari’s frustration with the kinds of conversations that were being had in the world in 2015, and how that led them to start RaceBaitr, a space to have conversations catering towards a world outside of the white gaze. We then embark on a fruitful discussion about abolition, where Hari shares their rejection of the punitive binary ideas surrounding good and bad, instead moving towards a focus on healing rather than punishment. I share my own feelings around abolition rooted in a very personal example, which leads us to a discussion about grief. Make sure to tune in to the end to hear Hari read an excerpt from their book! Guests Bio: Hari Ziyad is a screenwriter, the editor-in-chief of RaceBaitr, and the bestselling author of Black Boy Out of Time (Little A, March 1). They are an esteemed 2021 Lambda Literary Fellow, and their writing has been featured in Vanity Fair, Gawker, Out, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Ebony, Mic, Paste Magazine, and AFROPUNK, among other publications. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this Marking The Path podcast first, I interview not one, but two wonderful guests! I’m extremely excited to feature two of my college professors and mentors that changed the way I live and love in this world. In the episode, Dr. Scala shares how her passion for reading as a child led her to becoming a teacher, and how she paved the path of the women’s and gender studies department, spanning an impressive 38 year career at William Paterson University. Dr. Davis explains how she was a child of the civil rights movement, and the path that led her to William Paterson University, and what she thinks is so special about it. I reminisce with my professors on what I was like as a college student, and the way the college experience is a time to create yourself anew. William Paterson has a truly special place in my heart, and it was a real honor to hear Drs. Scala and Davis’ perspectives on the way academia has evolved over many years. I end the episode describing a dream of mine that I’ve never shared publicly before. Tune in to hear about that dream. Guests Bios: Dr. Arlene Holpp Scala is a professor Emerita from the Women's and Gender Studies Department at William Paterson University in NJ. Dr. Wartyna Davis is the Dean of the College of humanities and social sciences and a full professor of political science. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I was so excited to interview Erin Pride, the inspiration for my professional career in dance and the vessel for my own path. In this episode, we discuss old memories of when Erin was my dance teacher, the intersection of disability and dance, and Erin’s own inspiring journey. Erin shares her personal practices in trusting the universe to guide her, which led her to discover her gifts for helping women build their dreams. Towards the end of the episode, Erin delves into her personal definition of integrity and some incredible business coaching tips that you don’t want to miss! Guests Bio: Erin Pride is an online business coach, teaching dancers how to make money using their gifts, embrace entrepreneurship, and build a sustainable online business. She is also the host of the “Dance Boss Podcast.” --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What happens when first loves reconnect 13 years after a fated movie theater run in? I absolutely loved reminiscing with my first boyfriend, sharing fond memories, old resentments, and unpacking what it means to hold your own in a relationship while still supporting each other. We talked about our conflicting feelings regarding the military, and Trey even shared some news with me live on the podcast. I was doing well not crying until Trey shared a very sweet sentiment, upon which I shed some serious tears towards the end of the episode. We finished with Trey sharing some beautiful advice on how to keep your first love in your life. Guests Bio: Trey Nichols is currently a service member in the United States Navy and has a degree in Cybersecurity Management & Policy. He currently resides in Washington, DC and is preparing for his separation from the military and move back to sunny Southern California. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode I delve into Dr. David K. Scheiner's quest in understanding how to be of service in the world. We discussed intersecting interests and how they come together to form a whole identity. Dr. Scheiner explains the path of self-forgiveness while I explain one of my core mottos, “authenticity is a daily choice”. Tune in to learn the three questions to ask yourself if you want to truly follow your heart. Guest Bio: Dr. David Scheiner is a spiritual guide, meditation teacher, author, doctor, transformational coach, and speaker, sharing tried and true ancient, heart-based methods to enlighten the world. David found himself hitting unexpected bumps-in-the-road both personally and professionally, feeling anxious, unfulfilled, and wanting more, which led him on a quest to further his knowledge and understanding of the human body, mind, and spirit, to fully uncover his heart. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I connected with an inspiring, award winning businessman, Hussain Abdullah, bonding over a few shared identities. We dove into a broad, wide-encompassing discussion that included insights on the influence of our upbringing, relationship to money, and the evolving definition of success. Hussain described his new book “F.E.A.R.” in detail, sharing about how the stories he carries have helped him become who he is today, and what it really means to “Forget Everything And Reset”. At the end of the episode, Hussain shares an exciting next step on his path! Check out his book here: https://www.fearworkshops.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My team and I wanted to take a look back at Season 1 of Marking The Path and show you a bit of behind the scenes footage that didn't make the episode. Whether it was because the train was passing by, or my sister kept making weird noises as she dealt with her nerves, this is meant to be a look behind the scenes. Special thanks to my Executive Producer and Editor Jasmine Gary!

We've come to the end of season 1 for Marking The Path and I just want to thank everyone who has listened, shared, and supported the podcast so far. In this episode, I reflect on the interviews we've conducted so far and share how these amazing people who were my guest shaped my understanding. I know your time is valuable and I appreciate you all tuning in to support Marking The Path! I also want to thank all the guests that made season 1 such a wonderful experience. We're taking a short break for the holidays but we'll be back in early 2021. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @MarkingThePath to stay in touch with us and get updates. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

You may remember this guest from season two of NBC's hit show, The Voice but I got to meet Jamar Rogers for the first time in Boston, at an LGBTQ Youth Conference for QTBIPOC. At first, I wasn't sure why he made the decision to be at a youth conference for queer folks of color, but as I would later learn from hanging out with him is that we had a lot more in common than not. We talked about Jamar's reaction to my gender nonconformingness, coming out, music, spirituality, and the power of love. Guest Bio: Music is his truest form of expression. From singing on the church stage as a child to performing on NBC’s highest-rated reality show, The Voice, music has always been a part of Jamar Rogers, as he found the art medium to be the most powerful unifier there is. Rogers uses music to tell stories and connect his heart’s broken pieces. After overcoming an addiction to crystal meth, he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2005 and have since used his story and newfound status to spread a message of love and awareness. In 2009, after receiving considerable TV time on American Idol, he became a contestant on NBC's show, The Voice, in 2012. Known as "The Comeback Kid”, he finished as a semi-finalist and hit the ground running. He has guest starred in: The Ellen Show, BET’s 106 & Park, The Tonight Show, SNL, CNN and The Expresso Show in South Africa. He has also been featured in USA Today, The New York Post and Rolling Stone. The Root named Rogers as one of their 100 Most Influential African-Americans. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I got to speak with one of my favorite professors who I never had the privilege of being a student of but was blown away by her guest lecture during my time in college. Dr. Brown-Dean is a thought leader, scholar, and she's disrupting what it means to be a professor who shows compassion and care for her students. In this episode we talk about mental health, COVID-19, her work as a professor, host of her show Disrupted and talk about today's current political climate. Guest Bio: Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean is Associate Professor of Political Science at Quinnipiac University, Host of the Connecticut Public Radio show, Disrupted, and nationally recognized expert on American Politics. She is the author of the book, Identity Politics in the United States. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I got to connect with someone very dear to my heart, storyteller, mentor, and amazingly gifted choreographer, Marinda Davis. I first came across Marinda's work on YouTube and instantly fell in love with her style of movement-- it is fierce to say the least. Marinda would later serve as the Resident Choreographer for my dance company's education program, The Movement Series. It would be her first experience working with a company made up of disabled and non-disabled dancers. Marinda opens up about her mortality--living with a variety of conditions that have left her terminally ill. One thing remains true about her, she is unbreakable despite the odds. Guest Bio: Marinda Davis is a world renowned, Capezio ACE Award winning choreographer known for her work on film, television, and stage. You may have seen her work on Dancing With the Stars, Julianne Hough, World of Dance, the Emmy Honored My Last Days, Tosh.0, Clouds, and Giordano Jazz Chicago. She is the Artistic Director of her dance company, marInspired ; the storytellers as well as her summer intensive, The Storytellers. Her self produced hit show “UNbreakable” continues to touch audiences across the country. A life changing master teacher and mentor to many, you can often find Marinda teaching on platforms across the world. She is on Faculty at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance, EDGE, Dancerpalooza, Dance Teacher Summit, WILD Dance Convention, Power Pak, and the in10sive. Battling eight different incurable diseases, one of them qualifying her as terminal, she is also a motivational speaker. Marinda is currently penning her first book to be released next year. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I took some time to respond to questions from my community of friends and loved ones and wanted to offer my first solo episode of Season 1 of Marking The Path. I have to admit, it's easier to just have a conversation with a guest than it is to be vulnerable talking to oneself. In this episode I share my spiritual practice, talk about mental health, and so much more. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this special episode, I got to talk with Jennifer Martinez; mother, daughter, friend and most importantly, my big sister. I was inspired to do a family episode after hearing former first lady Michelle Obama do an episode with her brother. In this episode, we dive into our upbringing, our move from Miami, FL to Paterson, NJ, and my sister's journey from being a teen mother and feeling like she grew up too fast due to the circumstances around our upbringing. This episode made me emotional and gave me a greater insight into my sister. Guest Bio: Jennifer Martinez wears many hats: mother, daughter, sister, friend, and manager. She has a 17-year old daughter who is at the center of her life and her driving motivation. Becoming a teen mom changed the trajectory of her life, having opted to drop out of school and receive her GED instead. Later she attended a vocational college for medical assisting, later working her way up to becoming an office manager for a medical company in Northern New Jersey. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I got to chat with Amanda Jetté Knox, author, journalist, and overall kick ass mom and wife. We talked about surviving a suicide attempt, thriving with self-love, and what it means to mother others. Amanda shared so generously with me and I hope you take away something special from this episode. Guest Bio: Amanda Jetté Knox is an award-winning journalist, writer and human rights advocate from Ottawa, Canada. She, along with her family, share their story about the power of acceptance, understanding, vulnerability and unconditional love in the hopes of normalizing the existence of LGBTQ+ families. Amanda’s work has been featured by several national and international media outlets, including the BBC, CBC, The Today Show, O Magazine, the Telegraph and Upworthy. She is a 2019 Chatelaine Woman of the Year and a 2020 Top 25 Woman of Influence. Amanda is the author of Love Lives Here: A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family which is a #1 bestseller. She lives in Ottawa, Canada with her wife, four children, too many pets and a coffee maker that never quits. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I got to connect with my friend and fellow writer Dr. Alysia Nicole Harris about faith and what it means to believe in a higher power, to be a Christian. It made me realize I still had a lot to heal from my experience with the church once I came out as gay. Alysia talks about her love for Jesus so beautifully and what it means for her to be a Christian. Guest Bio: Alysia Nicole Harris is a poet, linguist, and teaching-artist. She received her PhD in linguistics from Yale University and her MFA in poetry from NYU. Alysia’s debut chapbook won the 2015 New Women’s Voices Series Prize. Her work has appeared in dozens of publications and her poetry has garnered over 5 million views on Youtube. Alysia has spent over a decade performing nationally and internationally, including at the UN, the US Embassies in Jordan and Ukraine, and The National Theatre. She now lives in Atlanta where she serves as Arts & Soul editor for Scalawag Magazine and is working on her next book. She loves Jesus, theology, black tea, lemon tarts, and writing on whiteboards. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I spoke to Donja R. Love about what it means to thrive despite being a marginalized person. A prolific playwright who is Black, queer, and HIV positive who is passionate about telling the stories of Black, queer, HIV positive people. We talked about mental health, his marriage, and why he centers Black, queer, HIV+, in his works. He is one of the boldest writers I know and his stories will be proof that he lived a beautiful life. Guest Bio: Donja R. Love (he/him/his) is Black, Queer, HIV-Positive, and thriving. A Philly native, his work examines the forced absurdity of life for those who identify as Black, Queer, and HIV-positive – a diverse intersection filled with eloquent stories that challenge the white supremacist, heteronormative structures that exist in American culture. He's the recipient of the Antonyo's inaugural Langston Hughes Award, the Helen Merrill Award, the Laurents/Hatcher Award and the Princess Grace Playwriting Award. Other honors include The Lark’s Van Lier New Voices Fellowship, The Playwrights Realm’s Writing Fellowship, and the Philadelphia Adult Grand Slam Poetry Champion. He's the co-founder of The Each-Other Project, an organization that helps build community and provide visibility, through art and advocacy, for LGBTQ+ People of Color. Plays include soft, one in two (The New Group), Fireflies (Atlantic Theater Company), Sugar in Our Wounds (Manhattan Theatre Club, Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle Nominations), and The Trade. He’s a graduate of the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program at The Juilliard School. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I had the privilege of speaking to Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca, a queer, badass storyteller who is passionate about preserving our Black and Brown queer and trans history. We talked about the importance of preserving our stories, controlling our narrative, and how one overcomes hardships and copes with grief. Louie and I both lost our brothers to violence, and while we both grew up without our fathers around, Louie would later become a father himself. He talks about what it means to be a queer father to a Black son and the fears that stem from living under white supremacy. In this moving episode, we talk about envisioning a world where Black and Brown people are free from racism, homophobia, transphobia, and get to live a life filled with joy. Guest Bio: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca (He/Him) is Director of LGBTQ Health & Rights at Advocates for Youth, where he works community-based organizations throughout the country to strengthen their capacity in working with LGBTQ young people. He also works in partnership with young people living with HIV to combat stigma, and hosts a YouTube series for LGBTQ youth, Kikis with Louie. Outside of the organization, Louie is the creator of Gran Varones, digital project that highlights community storytelling and queer pop-culture history. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I had the honor of speaking to Imara Jones, a journalist and media maker based in New York City who tells trans stories to save trans lives. We talked about the importance of media representation of transgender people, the violence against Black and Brown trans women. and the controversy surrounding BET and the ad that Imara created that never aired although it was supposed to. At our core, we want to be seen as exactly who we are, sadly, living in our truth makes us a target for violence. In 2020 alone, we've had over 27 murders of transgender women in the United States, that is simply unacceptable. Guest Bio: Imara Jones, whose work has won Emmy and Peabody Awards, is the creator of TransLash Media, a cross-platform journalism, personal storytelling and narrative project, which produces content to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the US. She is also the first Journalist-in-Residence at WNYC’s The Greene Space where she hosts the monthly program Lives At Stake. In 2019 she chaired the first-ever UN High Level Meeting on Gender Diversity with over 600 participants. Imara’s work as a host, on-air news analyst, and writer focuses on the full-range of social justice and equity issues. Imara has been featured regularly in The Guardian, The Nation, MSNBC, CNBC, NPR, Mic, Colorlines, and is a frequent guest host of the In The Thick podcast. Imara has held economic policy posts in the Clinton White House and communications positions at Viacom. Imara holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Columbia. Imara is currently a Soros Equality Fellow and on the board of the Anti-violence Project, and the New Pride Agenda. She goes by the pronouns she/her. Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I had the pleasure of speaking to Joél Leon, a remarkable storyteller from the Bronx who has turned his influence and platform into a source of motivation for so many. We talked about the power of storytelling, mental health, growing up in an inner-city, and how despite our differences, we had some things in common. My biggest revelation from our conversation is that it truly is okay to reach out for help when you need it. If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal ideation, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Guest Bio: "Joél's words are where I go when I need some inspiration. And he never lets me down." - Lin-Manuel Miranda (Yeah, that Lin.) Joél L. Daniels, also known as Joél Leon, is a performer, author and story-teller who writes and tells stories for Black people. Born and raised in the Bronx, he specializes in moderating and leading conversations surrounding race, masculinity, mental health, creativity and the performing arts, with love at the center of his work and purpose. He is the author of "Book About Things I Will Tell My Daughter" and "God Wears Durags, Too". He’s worked with The Gates Foundation, HBO and the TODAY Show, and has been featured in Newsweek, Blavity, Medium, BBC News, Sirius XM, Forbes, The Huffington Post and others. His recent TED talk on healthy co-parenting has been viewed over 1.2M times, globally. To learn more about Joél, visit: msha.ke/joelakamag Episode Sponsors: Cognicare Psychological Services (cognicarepsych.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Marking The Path, a podcast by Mark Travis Rivera is about paving the way forward by sharing stories about finding one's authentic self. At our core, we need stories to foster human connection and this podcast is going to bring various perspectives into the light. Centered on wellness, we will talk to activists, artists, celebrities, and entrepreneurs who all embody what it means to live authentically. Mark believes it is a daily decision to show up as our authentic selves and he hopes this podcast gives you the courage to do just that.