NoseyAF Podcast

Ep 149: All That and a Bag of Chips: 31 Days of Black Business ReflectionsNo guest. No theme song. Just me, a cup of coffee, and whatever came out of my mouth.

Ep 148: Serious Training for Everyday People with Sean Armstead of Phenomenal FitnessPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 147: Vintage Is a Form of Luxury with Jennifer Kelly-Nichols of Vintage FrillsPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 146: Your Customers Are Doing Economics Whether You Are or Not with Dr. Kristi-Warren Scott Bishop of Verity ConsultingPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 145: Leadership Without Burnout with Janelle Alba Garner of Tanglaw AdvisoryPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 144: Ten Toes Down and Chasing Goals with Rob Marley of Stay Focus SocietyPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 143: Coaching Is Not a Meritocracy with Serena HicksPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 142: Sustainable Swimwear That Actually Fits with Tiffany Asamoah of BOLD SwimPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 141: Split Ends Are the Devil with Charita Golden of Golden TressesPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 140: Private Investing Is Not What You Think with Victoria Watkins of InrichmintPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 139: Your Credit Report Shows Your Stress with Cierra Michelle Jones of The Credit SchoolPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 138: Two Introverts Built a Wine Bar on the South Side with Charlette Stanton and Jacare Thomas of Park Manor 75Part of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 137: Not Everybody's Life Is a Movie Scene with Adrienne Randle of Evryday Blk MagazinePart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 136:Trades Aren't a Backup Plan: Building a Business With Your Hands with Shawn Ellis of Handyman Ellis, LLCPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 135: From a Craft Class to Ten Years in Business with Ticina Williams of Creativiti Custom Designs and EventsPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 134: Semoine Boyer of CocoaLuxe: Routine to Ritual, and Fragrance for When You Can't Get AwayPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 133: Type C Energy and Design With Soul with Sunni of Sunni Aesthetics.Part of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep # 132: Sun Food and Decolonizing What We Eat with Radius of RA's Natural Abundance (noseyAF Classic)Part of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 125: We Heal Together with Aya Nikole Cook of Haji Healing SalonPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 131: From Black and White to Living in Color with Alexis "Lexi" Williams of Aloha GlamourPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 130: Day 13 Explaining Investing Through a TJ Maxx Run with Nadia C. Vanderhall of Brands + BandsPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Episode # 129 Dark Fantasy, Black Authors, and a Toxic Hottie or Two with Cheryl Hodges of The Obsidian ArchivePart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 128: Neurodiversity in Black Families with Rosemary Sanders-Price of Rose in Bloom TherapyPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

EP # 127- Empowering Women Through Firearm Safety with Javondlynn Dunagan of JMD DefensePart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep 126: From CFO to Venue Owner with Nadia S. Anderson of Lavender HillPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep #124 — Closing the Health Literacy Gap with Dr. Madalyn McKnight of Project HealthvocatePart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep #123 — From Camera Gift to Creative Empire with Rhonda Nunn of Just Keep Smiling ProductionsPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep #122 — Building Community for Autism Moms with Sabrina Bonaparte of Monochromatic Mommies Part of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep #121 — From Coloring Books to Culture Trips with Tiffany Heard of Hues of AfricaPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep #120 — Building a Green Space for Youth with Ted Gloster of The Forgin InitiativePart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep #119 — From Loss to Home Care Business with Que Maxwell of Two Caring HeartsPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

Ep #118 — "Start With What You Have" Denzel Turner on Building Black Fridays PodcastPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series

This episode was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday, July 11, 2026Ep 117: More Than a Movie: Building Community Through Black Film with Troy and Chi of Black Film Club CollectiveWhat happens when a love of movies turns into a movement?This week, Stephanie sits down with Troy and Chi of Black Film Club Collective, a Chicago-based platform creating spaces for people to gather, watch films, and have the conversations that happen after the credits roll. From apartment screenings to citywide events, they share how film became a catalyst for community, connection, and cultural preservation.What We Talk AboutHow Black Film Club Collective grew from living room conversations into a thriving cultural communityWhy film creates a unique space for connection, dialogue, and deeper understanding across culturesHow screenings became a way to rebuild community after the pandemicThe power of discussing movies instead of just watching themWhat makes a film "Black" — even when people don't immediately think of it that wayHow their Fine Lines exhibition evolved into a larger storytelling and archival projectWhy community, memory, and family stories matter in preserving neighborhood historyThe unexpected joy of becoming artists, curators, and filmmakers along the wayIf you love film, culture, community building, or thoughtful conversations, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 - Introduction to noseyAF02:18 - The Origins of Black Film Club Collective20:23 - Exploring the House of the Collective25:56 - The Evolution of Screenings and Audience Engagement32:24 - Introduction to Fine Lines Project44:12 - The Journey of Artistic Discovery47:48 - Transitioning from Artists to Curators54:43 - Discussion on Black FilmsAll about Troy & ChiYou're gonna love Troy and Chi, they're thoughtful, joyful, and deeply committed to creating spaces where people can gather around Black storytelling. As the co-founders of Black Film Club Collective, they've built a Chicago-based platform centered on screenings, exhibitions, conversations, and cultural programming that celebrates Black film and visual culture. Their work brings together audiences, artists, filmmakers, and community members to engage with stories that inspire connection, reflection, and dialogue.Things We MentionedBlack Film Club CollectiveFine Lines ExhibitionChicago Film SymposiumLove JonesMississippi MasalaAtlanticsBanel & AdamaMy Father's ShadowLove BrooklynSinnersHouse of the Collective (gotta be picked for this link , i dont even have this plug yall) LOL!Connect with Black Film Club CollectiveIG: @blackfilmclubcltvWebsite: https://blkfilmclub.comStay Connected

Thank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!Join the noseyAF Dispatch

Introducing: The Art Biz with Alison StanfieldToday's feed drop comes from a podcast that has had a meaningful impact on how I think about building a sustainable art practice: The Art Biz with Alison Stanfield.If you've ever struggled to title your artwork—or wondered whether titles matter at all—this conversation is for you.In this episode, Alison Stanfield sits down with artist, writer, and educator Fran Gardner to explore why titling artwork is much more than an administrative task. Together they discuss how titles help artists understand their own work, deepen their connection to the creative process, and communicate more effectively with viewers.One idea that stayed with me is Fran's belief that a title is the first step toward a work's independence. Long after a piece leaves the studio, its title continues to carry meaning, offering viewers a way into the work when the artist isn't there to explain it.As someone who loves titles and thinks of them as containers that give shape to ideas, I knew I had to share this conversation with the NoseyAF community.In this episode:Why titling artwork is a creative practice, not an afterthoughtHow titles help artists better understand their own workThe relationship between writing and visual artDeveloping a personal process for naming artworkWhy artists should resist outsourcing titles to AI or social mediaThe role titles play in communication, marketing, and audience connectionHow thoughtful titling can strengthen an artist's professional practiceNotable Quotes"A title is the first step toward your artwork's independence.""The writing is your studio work.""Your artwork is going to have a life beyond you."About Alyson StanfieldAlyson Stanfield has spent more than two decades helping artists build sustainable, professional creative careers. Through coaching, classes, writing, and The Art Biz podcast, she helps artists develop the systems, confidence, and visibility needed to thrive.Links referenced in this episode:artbizsuccess.com/essentialsartbizsuccess.com/spotlightfrangardnerart.comFran Gardner's Artists Will Find a Way book series affliate linkChapters:00:08 - Introduction to the Podcast05:27 - The Importance of Titling in Art18:26 - The Process of Creating and Understanding Art28:20 - Understanding Personal Symbols in Art34:51 - The Importance of Titling in Art44:41 - The Interconnection of Creativity and TeachingConnect with Alyson:Website: artbizsuccess.comPodcast: https://artbizsuccess.com/podcasts/Connect with Fran:Website: frangardnerart.comInstagram: @frangardnerart

Ep #114: Sheri Rush — a life in art, big paintings, and staying creatively alive (noseyAF Classic)Summary This one's for every artist who's ever wondered how to keep the fire going — through decades, through doubt, through life just getting in the way. Chicago-based painter Sheri Rush has been making art since childhood, and she brings a rare honesty to this conversation. We get into what it actually looks like to sustain a creative practice long-term, the residencies that changed her, how nature shows up in her work, and what's coming with her enchanted forest exhibition.Chapters:00:39 - Introduction to Memorial Day Weekend10:33 - Exploring the Artistic Journey19:40 - Transitioning Artistic Perspectives28:06 - The Impact of Art Residencies on Artistic Growth40:15 - The Upcoming Art Show and Its Themes45:34 - Exploring Liminality and Transformation in ArtWhat We Talk AboutHow Sheri has kept a painting practice alive from childhood all the way through a full careerWhat artist residencies actually do for you — and why they're more than just a studio vacationHer upcoming exhibition centered around enchanted forests (yes, it's as magical as it sounds)The art of taking critique without losing your voiceWorking big: the logistics and the feeling of large-scale paintingAll about Sheri Rush You're gonna love Sheri — she's a Chicago-based painter and total force of nature who's been deep in her craft her whole life. Her work lives at the intersection of landscape, memory, and big feelings on even bigger canvases.Sponsor Shoutout

Thank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!Join the noseyAF Dispatch

Thank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!Join the noseyAF Dispatch

This episode is a quick update about what's coming next for noseyAF.In August, I'm launching a new series called 31 Days of Black Business — 31 conversations with Black business owners throughout Black Business Month. The idea came after hearing about the month from Denzell Turner of the Black Fridays podcast and getting inspired to try an everyday podcast challenge.Throughout August, I'll be talking with Black business owners about how their businesses got started, what they do, and how we can support them.If you're a Black business owner (or know one), applications to be part of the series are open through April 30.In the meantime, the feed may look a little different while I work on recording and producing the series. Expect a few solo episodes and occasional feed drops while I get everything ready.Thanks for listening, and I can't wait to share this series with you.Apply for 31 Days of Black Business HereCheck out Denzell Turners Podcast "Black Fridays'Chapters:00:13 - Season Seven Reflection00:30 - 31 Days of Black Business: A New Series01:07 - Launching a New Initiative for Black Business Month02:33 - Transitioning to New Content02:53 - Reflections and Feedback03:07 - Farewell and Future ConversationsMore ways to connect:Email: stephanie@missgraham.comSubscribe to the noseyAF DispatchCheck out my workFollow me on Instagram @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodes

Ep 110: What We Owe Each Other: Season 7 Reflections (22 Conversations Later)SummarySeason 7 of noseyAF is officially wrapped — and what a season it's been. In this reflection episode, host Stephanie Graham looks back on 22 conversations with artists, activists, filmmakers, educators, and community builders and the themes that kept showing up again and again.From redefining success and practicing care as infrastructure, to documenting the people and stories that matter, this season became something bigger than expected. In this episode, Stephanie reflects on the biggest lessons from Season 7, shares how these conversations sustained her through a difficult year, and explores why the season ultimately became a meditation on what we owe each other — in art, community, and creative life.What We Talk AboutThe five big themes that emerged across 22 conversations this seasonRedefining success and building creative lives on your own termsWhy care is structural — not softArchives, storytelling, and who gets rememberedEnvironmental grief, creativity, and community workThe messy middle of making art and showing up anywayWhat hosting Season 7 taught me during a challenging yearChapters: • 00:11 - Closing Season Seven • 01:24 - Reflecting on a Challenging Year • 10:50 - Exploring the Themes of the Season • 15:27 - The Importance of Care in Community • 24:52 - Theme Exploration: What We Owe Each Other • 26:59 - Reflecting on the JourneyThings We MentionedLumpen Radio — 105.5 FM ChicagoThe Change Collective FellowshipAvalon Park Film House (the micro cinema project I'm dreaming up)Black Business Month (coming up in Season 9

Ep #109 : Neighbors, Strangers, and the Stories Between Us with Ann RosenSummary:It's our season finale, y'all!

Ep # 108: Your Calm Calendar: Rest, Burnout Recovery, and Resisting Hustle Culture with Nicole HavelkaWelcome back to another episode of noseyAF on Lumpen Radio!! We have Nicole Havelka joing us, a burnout recovery coach, mindfulness teacher, former pastor, and host of the podcast Just Rest: Burnout Tips for Everyday Radicals — to talk about what it actually takes to stop running on empty. Nicole gets into how she went from a self-described "recovering grind culture addict" to building a whole business around helping high-achievers and everyday radicals reclaim their time and energy. She introduces her Calm Calendar Club, a program built around planning your life in a way that actually honors your energy — not just squeezes more out of it. If you've ever felt like you're dropping the ball, this conversation will remind you: you're not dropping balls, you're just carrying too many.What We Talk AboutOkay, so pull up a chair — this one goes places.How Nicole went from overachiever to burnout recovery coach (and what growing up in Omaha, Nebraska had to do with it)Why hustle culture is literally designed for you to fail — and why that's not your faultBurnout in ministry and why being "on call 24/7" is just not humanWhat COVID quietly taught us about the power of saying noThe seven types of rest from Sacred Rest by Sandra Dalton-Smith — sleep is just ONE of themHow planning your calendar with your values first changes everythingWhy ADHD and neurodivergent folks need planning systems that actually work for their brainsThe Calm Calendar Club: what it is, how it works, and who it's forWhy "you're not failing the system — you're just trying to do too much"The radical act of rest as resistance, especially for Black women (shoutout to Tricia Hersey's Rest Is Resistance)Doing your part in activism and community work — without burning yourself all the way downThings We MentionedCalm Calendar Club — Nicole's program for planning your life around your energy and values → defythetrend.com/calm-calendarJust Rest: Burnout Tips for Everyday Radicals — Nicole's podcastRest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey (affiliate link)Sacred Rest by Sandra Dalton-Smith (the seven types of rest: physical, mental, sensory, creative, social, emotional, and spiritual) (affiliate link)Artist Admin Hour — Stephanie's weekly co-working session for artists tackling the admin work that makes the work work → artistadminhour.comChapters: • 00:33 - Introduction to noseyAF Conversations • 04:36 - The Pressure of Hustle Culture • 13:21 - The Challenge of Self-Care in Ministry • 16:54 - Navigating Burnout and Community Engagement • 23:50 - The Culture of Exhaustion • 29:50 - The Importance of Rest and Reflection • 37:30 - Addressing Time Management Challenges • 44:55 - Planning for Success: Reflecting on Your Values • 47:03 - Exploring Priorities and Planning Strategies • 54:45 - Exploring the Importance of Rest • 01:01:21 - Finding Balance: The Importance of Rest and HobbiesAll About... Nicole HavelkaYou're gonna love Nicole — she's a burnout recovery coach and certified mindfulness teacher who spent years in ministry before turning her hard-won lessons into a whole business helping people resist hustle culture and build sustainable lives. Her whole thing is that rest isn't lazy — it's the foundation for everything.More about Nicole: Nicole Havelka is a burnout recovery coach, mindfulness teacher, clergy person, and recovering grind-culture addict who helps people and organizations resist hustle and reclaim rest. A clergy person turned entrepreneur, she brings bold honesty and a healthy dose of play to help changemakers prevent burnout and build sustainable lives and workplaces. Nicole hosts the podcast Just Rest: Burnout Tips for Everyday Radicals and leads a community of Rest Rebels on Substack. → defythetrend.com | defythetrend.substack.comSponsor Shoutout

Ep #:107 The Introvert's Guide to Speaking Up with Mahlena-Rae JohnsonSummary of the episodePublic speaking can be intimidating—especially for introverts. In this episode of nosey AF: conversations about art, activism, and social change, Stephanie talks with speaker, comedian, and author Mahlena-Rae Johnson, who calls herself the Professor X for introverted edtech CEOs with stage fright.For more than two decades, Mahlena has helped leaders learn how to communicate clearly and confidently, whether they're pitching ideas, presenting on stage, or navigating everyday professional conversations. In this conversation, we explore what it means to be an introvert in leadership, why public speaking is so challenging for so many people, and how preparation, self-awareness, and practice can transform presenting into something much more enjoyable.Mahlena also shares insights from her book Speak Anyway, which encourages people to use their voices—even when fear or self-doubt shows up.If you've ever felt nervous about speaking in front of people, this conversation will remind you that finding your voice is a skill you can learn.What we talk aboutWhat introverted leadership looks like in practiceWhy public speaking anxiety is so commonHow preparation and self-awareness improve communicationCultural identity, citizenship, and how they shape how we show upPersonal branding and navigating competitive job marketsRethinking genius, education, and how people learnChapters00:28 – Understanding Introverted Leadership09:12 – The Art of Speaking: Overcoming Fear and Finding Your Voice19:22 – Navigating Cultural Identity and Citizenship32:56 – Navigating Personal Branding in a Competitive Job Market46:09 – Exploring Genius and EducationThings We MentionedSpeak Anyway by Mahlena-Rae Johnsonhttps://mahlenaspeaks.blogspot.com/2023/11/speak-an.htmlAll about… Mahlena-Rae JohnsonSpeaker, comedian, and six-time author Mahlena-Rae Johnson describes herself as the Professor X for introverted edtech CEOs with stage fright. For more than two decades, she has helped leaders hone the superpower of public speaking and communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence.Her work focuses on helping founders and professionals—especially in the education technology space—develop communication skills that make pitching, presenting, and everyday leadership conversations easier and more authentic.Mahlena has been featured on CBC Kids, The Great Canadian Woman Podcast, BusinessBecause, and more.Connect with Mahlena-Rae JohnsonInstagram: @mahlenasguidetolife Website: https://mahlenaspeaks.blogspot.com/ Book: Speak AnywayConnect with StephanieJoin the Good Stuff Only NewsletterListen to more episodesSupport & FeedbackShare Nosey AF with friendsRate & Review the ShowBuy Pins & Prints | Shop ArtEpisode CreditsHosted by: Stephanie Graham Edited By Risha Brown Lyrics: Queen LexInstrumental: Freddie Bam Fam Cover Art: Emma McGoldrick

Ep # 106: Consistency Over Perfection: Briana Clearly on Making 12 Films in a YearThis episode was recorded live on Saturday February 28th, 2026 at Lumpen Radio.Summary of the episodeIn this live, unedited episode recorded at Lumpen Radio 105.5 FM in Chicago, I sit down with Chicago filmmaker Briana Clearly to talk about what it really means to choose consistency over perfection.Briana took on the ambitious challenge of making 12 films in 12 months — and then turned that experiment into a community-driven initiative called Filmmakers Mixtape. In this conversation, we unpack how committing to one film a month transforms not just your craft, but your mindset.We talk about creative blocks, releasing work before it feels “ready,” building artistic community without ego, and why making good films is actually a side effect — not the point.If you're an artist stuck in perfectionism, a filmmaker craving momentum, or someone who needs a reminder to just make the thing anyway, this episode is for you.What we talk about (you know… casually)Making 12 films in 12 months (and why you don't need money to do it)Why consistency beats perfection every timeBuilding Filmmakers Mixtape from a personal challenge into a cohortHow community makes better art (and better artists)Briana's journey from the Navy to film schoolMentorship, vulnerability, and learning to take feedbackThe dream of friendship-centered dramediesReleasing work publicly — even when it feels scaryThings We MentionedFilmmakers MixtapeLeague of Their Own ChicagoBrain StudiosLumpen RadioAll about... Briana ClearlyYou're gonna love Briana Clearly — she's a collaborative director, community builder, and the creative force behind Filmmakers Mixtape, a 12-month filmmaking challenge designed to help artists prioritize process over perfection.A former Navy sailor turned Chicago-based filmmaker, Briana is deeply committed to telling stories centered on Black women, friendship, and lived experience — always inviting audiences into conversation rather than spectacle.She believes filmmaking is a practice, not a performance. And honestly? That energy is contagious.Chapters: • 00:00 - Introduction to noseyAF• 09:02 - Exploring Filmmaking and Personal Storytelling • 20:54 - Exploring the Dynamics of Friendship in Storytelling • 31:56 - The Birth of Filmmakers Mixtape • 41:32 - The Importance of Vulnerability in Filmmaking • 50:41 - Exploring New Art Practices • 59:01 - The Art of FilmmakingSponsor Shoutout

Episode 106: Why Welcoming Everyone Gets Complicated with Garland FullerWhat this episode is about:What does it actually take to build a space where people feel like they belong? Garland Fuller — culture consultant and founder of Third Space Academy — has made it her life's work to answer that question. We get into the gap between what organizations say they value and how they actually operate, why "I want everyone to come" is a lot trickier than it sounds, and what intentional community building really looks like in practice.This one hit close to home — I share what I've been learning building my pop-up cinema project on Chicago's south side through the Change Collective fellowship, and Garland brings the strategic clarity to help it all click.Let's get into it:What is a culture consultant, actually? Garland breaks down the "people, place, program" framework and why culture is often the unseen force shaping how organizations actually operate — not just what's on the mission statementValues: aspiration vs. reality — Why integrity and service are on everyone's list, what it actually means to walk the talk, and when it might be time to update values that no longer fit who your org has becomeThird spaces are disappearing (or getting expensive) — From libraries to record shops to country clubs, Garland explains the spectrum of third spaces and who's really being invited inThe "I want everyone to come" trap — Why all-ages, all-inclusive spaces are aspirational but tricky, with real examples from Stephanie's micro cinema project (Poetic Justice vs. Disney night, anyone?)Building the Community Impact Collective — Garland's digital sanctuary for femmes who are done fitting into boxes, why she built it for community over solo learning, and the Show and Tell Mondays that keep it realAdapt or die: organizations that are going stale — A real talk about churches, legacy orgs, and what happens when your next generation isn't in your current membershipPractical strategies: surveying, focus groups, and why anonymous mattersLeadership advice that hits: People are watching you in the small moments more than the big keynotesChapters: • 00:08 - Introducing the Guest • 07:20 - Understanding Culture and Values in Organizations • 16:55 - Creating All-Age Spaces: Building Community Connections • 19:00 - Exploring Community Engagement • 31:27 - Building Community and Support in Creative Spaces • 36:14 - Facilitation and Empathy in Group Dynamics • 44:21 - Facilitation and Engagement in Education • 48:21 - Creating Third Spaces: Starting from Your WhyThings We MentionedThird Space Academy — Garland's coaching program for leaders building intentional community spaces Community Impact Collective — Garland's digital community for femmes and changemakers The Change Collective Fellowship — the civic leadership fellowship Stephanie participated in that sparked her pop-up cinema projectSoho House — referenced as an example of an exclusive, membership-based third spaceRay Oldenburg's concept of "third spaces" — the sociological framework underlying this whole convo (optional — confirm

Thank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!This Conversation was recorded live for Lumpen RadioEp #104: Joe Schupbach: Care Is the CurriculumSUMMARYWhat does care really look like — beyond Valentine's Day chocolates and heart-shaped cards? In this episode of noseyAF, Stephanie Graham sits down with Joe Schupbach, a mission-driven educator, theater maker, and instructional coach with over two decades of experience in public education, nonprofits, and community-centered theater. Together they explore care as a daily practice: in classrooms, in collaborative creative spaces, in our neighborhoods, and in ourselves.Joe shares how he stumbled into creative leadership, what trauma-informed teaching really means in practice, and why experiential learning matters more than ever in today's schools. The conversation moves through faith and identity, the joys of cooking as connection, and ends with a rallying call to get nosy about your local schools — and to support live, in-person art.WHAT WE GET INTO

Ep #103: Mental Health for Expats — Building Community Abroad with Moved With PeaceSummary of the EpisodeWhat really happens after you move abroad and the honeymoon phase wears off?In this episode of noseyAF, host Stephanie Graham sits down with writer and community-builder Stephanie Rubinato to talk honestly about mental health for expats, postpartum depression, and the emotional realities of building a life far from home. Living abroad is often portrayed as dreamy and effortless—but this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's usually left out.Stephanie shares her personal experience navigating postpartum depression after moving to Italy, the isolation many immigrants and expats feel, and why community care is just as important as cultural immersion. Together, they unpack slow living, creative burnout, friendship shifts, and what it really takes to build meaningful support systems abroad.This episode is a grounding, honest reminder that moving overseas doesn't magically solve everything—and that seeking help, sharing resources, and building community is part of the journey.What We Talk About(aka: the real stuff you don't see on Instagram

Ep #102: Getting Dressed Is Identity Work How Personal Style Opens Doors with Stylist KylaSummary of the episodeEver had a full-blown meltdown trying to figure out what to wear? Personal stylist Kyla gets it—and she's here to tell you that your closet struggles go way deeper than just "not having the right clothes." In this episode, we're diving into the psychology of personal style, why taking your image seriously is actually a power move (not vanity), and how getting dressed every single day is identity work in disguise.Kyla shares her journey from tech career to personal styling, breaks down why smart women absolutely DO care about their appearance, and explains how your closet might be signaling things about you that you didn't even realize. We talk about the "sexy Trinity," why you should only shop four times a year (yes, really), and how showing up ready to be seen has opened doors Kyla never expected. If you've ever felt invisible, stuck in leggings, or like your wardrobe doesn't match who you're becoming, this conversation is for you.What we're getting intoWhy correcting people on your name is actually about claiming your presence (and how Kyla turned it into a whole brand)The connection between personal style and leadership—and why the "charismatic guy" gets ahead while brilliant women stay in the backgroundHow your closet reveals your mental state (spoiler: if it's cluttered, your mind probably is too)The three S's of feeling sexy: skin, support, and subject (aka the sexy Trinity)Why you should NEVER shop more than four times a yearThe difference between transactional styling and transformational stylingHow to build a mix-and-matchable wardrobe that actually serves youWhy talent isn't enough—and how Kyla's style helped her land opportunities she never saw comingThe real reason you have a closet full of clothes but "nothing to wear"Chapters: • 00:18 - Introducing Kyla: A New Perspective on Fashion• 06:01 - The Journey of Identity and Image• 19:12 - The Psychology of Personal Style• 28:27 - Understanding Consumerism and Personal Style• 45:11 - The Power of Style and PresenceThings We MentionedKyla's Closet Essentials Checklist - $2 resource with styling lesson (available at kylanotkayla.com)Master Class on Feeling Sexy - Kyla's course on the three S's of sexy styleThe Sexy Trinity: Skin, Support, SubjectCapsule Wardrobe concept - Cyclical seasonal approach to your closetFashion Psychology - The real psychological impact of what you wear

Ep #101: Freedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book IllustrationSummaryIn this episode, I sit down with Melquea Smith, a children's book illustrator, author, and world traveler who's redefining what it means to build a creative life on your own terms. Fresh off five weeks in Belgium (with cats and a chicken!), Melquea shares how losing her nonprofit job became the catalyst for going full-time as an illustrator, why representation in children's books matters deeply, and how she's scaling her art through Brown Sugar Graphics—a clip art membership celebrating Black and Brown kids in all their beautiful diversity.We get into the nitty-gritty of how picture books actually get made, what authors should look for when hiring an illustrator, and why visual storytelling is so much more than "just drawing." Plus, Melquea drops gems on building a sustainable creative business, navigating perfectionism, and finding alignment between your work, your values, and your joy.If you've ever wondered what goes into those gorgeous picture books, dreamed of going location-independent as a creative, or just need permission to imagine a different way of living—this one's for you.Chapters00:19 - Introducing Melquea Smith: A Visionary in Children's Literature10:13 - Navigating Change: Embracing Freedom and Creativity20:00 - Transitioning to Children's Illustration35:06 - The Importance of Representation in Children's Literature56:41 - The Journey of Creating Diverse Clip Art01:02:01 - The Creative Journey of Brown Sugar GraphicsWhat We Talk AboutHow Melquea networked like a pro at the American Library Association Conference with custom postcards and a manuscript wish listLosing a job in the nonprofit world and choosing full-time illustration instead of going back to corporateLiving and working abroad: five weeks in Belgium, falling in love with the Netherlands, and becoming a global citizenThe actual process of illustrating a children's book—from thumbnails to color scripting to final artWhy illustrators aren't just "drawers"—they're visual storytellers, marketers, and business ownersThe severe lack of diverse, high-quality clip art featuring Black and Brown kidsHow Brown Sugar Graphics is filling that gap with joyful, authentic representations of kids with different skin tones, hair textures, body types, abilities, and moreWhat authors should know before hiring an illustrator (hint: it's not just about the art)The power of email lists, the exhaustion of social media, and showing up where it matters mostThings We Mentioned

This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio in Chicago on Saturday, January 10, 2026.Ep # 100: Chicago Artist Deirdre Fox on Turning Plastic Waste into Environmental Art & Visual PoetrySummary of the episodeChicago-based artist Deirdre Fox joins noseyAF for a live, unedited conversation from 105.5 FM Lumpen Radio about art, plastic waste, and environmental consciousness. Deirdre's practice transforms discarded consumer packaging into drawings, fiber works, and installations that challenge how we think about disposability, permanence, and material value.In this episode, host Stephanie Graham talks with Deirdre about her artistic journey, the idea of visual poetry, and how mindfulness—both in making and consuming—shapes her work. Together, they explore the tension between organic and synthetic materials, the limits of recycling, and the role artists play in addressing environmental responsibility through creative practice.This conversation invites listeners to slow down, look closer, and reconsider the materials that move through their everyday lives.What we talk aboutTransforming plastic consumer packaging into drawings, fiber works, and installationsVisual poetry and storytelling through materialMindfulness, consumption, and environmental responsibilityThe evolution of Deirdre's artistic practice from representational to abstract workMaking art that lives in the tension between permanence and disposabilityChapters: • 00:00 - Introduction to noseyAF• 02:30 - Deirdre's Artistic Journey with Plastic Waste • 15:20 - Reflecting on Pouch Cove • 29:36 - Finding One's Voice in Art • 42:56 - Balancing Time and Creativity • 52:13 - Exploring Artistic Processes and Sustainability • 58:43 - Exploring Artistic CollaborationsAll about… Deirdre FoxYou're gonna love Deirdre they're a Chicago-based artist turning everyday plastic waste into visually refined, quietly radical works of environmental reflection.Deirdre Fox crochets and weaves plastic consumer packaging into drawings, fiber pieces, and drawing installations. Her work functions as personal gestures of environmental consciousness, rooted in the understanding that plastics made for convenience—like single-use bags—last far longer than intended, and that recycling alone is not an adequate solution.Her practice questions systems of built-in obsolescence and accumulated waste, while creating visual poems that hold time, care, and material awareness. Deirdre has exhibited at FlexSpace Riverside Art Center, Hyde Park Art Center, Boundary Chicago, Evanston Art Center, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Koehnline Museum of Art Gallery, and the Swedish American Museum, among others. She has received multiple grants from the City of Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council and maintains her studio at Mana Contemporary Chicago.Sponsor Shoutout

EP# 99 The Rise of Women's Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete with Angela Hollowell✨ Episode SummaryWomen's sports are having a moment — and it's about time.In this episode of noseyAF, Stephanie Graham sits down with filmmaker, writer, and Melanin MVP founder Angela Hollowell to talk about the rise of women's sports, the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money, and why the idea of the “everyday athlete” might change how we think about movement altogether.We get into how women athletes, especially women of color, are finally getting visibility, how branding and social media have reshaped college and pro sports, and why athleticism doesn't have to look one specific way. From glam on the court to cycling for joy, this conversation explores how creativity, confidence, and culture show up in sports — and in life.If you've ever thought “sports aren't really for me,” this episode might change your mind.