QTPOC Talks

In the second episode of the third season I had the gift of spotlighting storyteller and photographer Coyote Park. Coyote describes themself as a shapeshifter from the Pacific diaspora. A 2Spirit, mixed person that tells stories through photo, film, performance and writing. Coyote Park grew up in the Kingdom of Hawai'i and then moved to Lenapehoking "NYC" for college, now living in Tongva Territory (LA) with their wife. Coyote is Indigenous to California, with their homeland being the Klamath River. Creating in honor of all of their relations, including and most preciously their queer/trans kin. "I am a lover and a friend." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/qtpoctalks/support

QTPOC Talks is back after a year long hiatus! I was Super excited to spotlight Tirrell Cherry after following them on the gram(IG) for sometime! Tirrell describes themself as a multi-dimensional modern mystic, Intuitive tarot reader, manifestation expert, and a community builder. The tools they use are a scared combination of magic and science. Offering hypnotherapy to shift subconscious mind programming and meditative breathe work to tap into the energetic body. Tirrell is here to help people tap into their inner strength in order to create a life they love. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/qtpoctalks/support

Episode 8 is all about the magic of connecting our thoughts, our needs, and our desires for change in the World with music. A few weeks back I had the opportunity to listen to the Ground shaking Hit "Stand up" and I felt straight chills from their sound and message. I had to learn more which lead up to an interview with Canadian artists Dizz and Khadija of rIVerse. rIVerse is a Toronto based POP/R&B quartet with a mission to represent the underrepresented; to offer & uplift voices of folx who walk in similar shoes. rIVerse is such a beautiful group because the members all represent different races, genders, sexual orientations, body types, and religions; showing that despite these differences, unity, and connection are inescapable! There is no other group like them that offers such a diverse lineup and also high-quality music, live performance, and online content. rIVerse is motivated to create competitive work and be on the widest platform possible, to show people who are similar to them that "We are ALL Beautiful, Worthy, Valued and Loved enough to see our dreams come true". To connect with rIVerse you can JOIN THE IV LEAGUE: @rIVerseLive Instagram | Twitter | Facebook BUSINESS INQUIRIES: riverselive@gmail.com PATREON IS OPEN! Please support us and help us keep creating the content you all love! As a thank you for your support, you can get access to exclusive live chats, behind-the-scenes footage, sneak peeks, personalized messages, and more! http://www.patreon.com/riverselive --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

Episode 7 is all about the magic of diving into the unknown.  A few months back I had the opportunity to interview with Rebecca Keel of Richmond, VA and TBH releasing this talk is well overdue.  Rebecca defines themselves as a Black freedom fighter with albinism and a big heart for social change. They are currently the VA statewide rep for Southerners On New Ground (SONG), however have been a member of the organization for 10 years. They are a yoga practitioner, psychedelic explorer, and political operative all in one!  This Talk really focuses on some important subjects like how do we find balance in our everyday lives? How do we pleasure ourselves during this time of pandemic? & What do Psychedelic medicines have to offer our Black and Brown bodies as forms of deep inner healing?  For more info on SONG and the work they do: https://southernersonnewground.org --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

 In Episode 6, I had to pleasure to interview with J. Nguyen from Brooklyn, NY. Although we are all stuck in  the gripes of quarantine,  J. seemed to have kept their light and beautiful energy.  J. describes themselves as a Multimedia maker who loves a good story. Whether that be poetry, stories, theatre, music performance, and design -  Caught between cultures, identities, politics, and much needed therapy-  J. tries to make sense of it all by experimenting with poetry, stories, theatre, music performance, and design.  In this episode we catch up on the latest with Coronavirus and touch on how to keep those creative juices flowing, even in a time of pandemic. You can find J. on IG (@bitten.exe) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In Season 2, Episode 5, I had the chance to interview Tyrell Blache Marie of Cause Reign for a second time! Tyrell currently resides in Arizona and is soon returning “home” to Africa for deep spiritual training. Tyrell works to offer the world deep healing through teaching folks how to dive into the subconscious of their dreams. Dreams can help to assist us in the waking realm when we connect deeper to our guides and ancestors. In this episode we talk about Tyrells upcoming New Mexico qtpoc retreat, dream divination tools, and Tyrell’s upcoming travels to South Africa for Spiritual training. You can support Tyrell or learn more about them by visiting their site : www.causereign.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

Episode 4 is packed with so much love! In this episode I got to interview with the magical Charli Haruhi of Northern Virginia. Charli describes themselves as an independent artist (singer/songwriter/producer) that is answering a calling to make music about love and light. Specifically, to explore love, space, earth and the elements, and consciousness using elements of funk, dance, and trance. In this episode we dive into the magic of resiliency and what it takes to stay soft when life gets hard. We start the episode off with a sample of Charli's music titled "Flow State".   Links to hear more are posted below!  Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/charli-chestnut Instagram: @Charli_haruhi --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In Episode 3, I got the pleasure to interview with the sexy and fierce Arazel Newman of Philadelphia. They are an organizer of HotBits film festival as well as a performer in Raspberry Royale, a Philadelphian QTPOC Burlesque troupe. Not only have I had the chance to witness the rising entertainer perform live at various events, but we also have developed a loving friendship as well. Arazel describes their self as A Non-Binary Cosmic Faerie and you can feel the magic that emanates from them in this talk. We dive deep into topics of sex positivity, seasonal depression, kink, burlesque, and forming healthy relationships. To support Arazel and the sexy work they do, you can find links posted below. IG: @thedevaarazel Website: http://patreon.com/Xerlina Hotbits: https://www.hotbitsfilmfest.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In Episode 2 of Season 2 We dive into Depression and its effects on QTPOC Performance arts! I got a chance to sit down with trans artist, activist, and academic, Sa'mantha Fotos aka Sa'mantha Sayten of Philadelphia ("Say ten" like Tens! Tens! Tens across the board!). A Former instructor of Writing for Social Justice at Rowan University, Sa'mantha has committed their life to activist work informed by critical race, feminist, queer, and anti-oppressive theories. Charged by a mission statement of queer liberation and reparation for the most marginalized peoples, Samantha produces celebratory, affirming, and often educational events, media, and training in hopes to enfranchise and protect trans people of color and thus, all human life. Find out more about Sa'mantha: http://samanthasayten.com/ IG @saytenstudios --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

Have you noticed that with the change in seasons comes a change in your mood? Or even a change in your energy levels? In the first episode of QTPOC talks season 2 I got to chat with Shesheena Bray, owner and mental health counselor of going inward wellness. Shesheena Bray is a Boston native who has taken up roots in the City of Brotherly Love & Sisterly Affection. Shesheena came to Philadelphia to attend Temple University and fell in love with the rich culture of the city. Shesheena dedicated over a decade to deepening her understanding of her community’s needs and actively working to create sustainable solutions as an educator and social justice advocate. In 2014, Shesheena realized her service to her community was best actualized through her passion, mental health counseling. Honing her focus and training, Shesheena earned her M.S.Ed in mental health counseling from The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education in 2016. Shesheena is currently a candidate for the Licensed Professional Counselor certification. Tune in to our first episode to hear firsthand what Shesheena has to say in terms to seasonal depression and its effects on mental wellbeing. To learn more about Shesheena check out her website: www.goinginward,com or find her on instagram @goinginward --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In our 10th episode I had the pleasure to interview with Xemiyulu or Xemi for short (Pronounced like "Shemi") from Washington, DC.  Xemi describes herself as a Nawat Two-Spirit Trans Womxn, Author, Playwright, and actor. She is the Artistic Director of Nelwat Ishkamewe, Director of Art & Culture of Trans-Latinx DMV, and has. received much recognition. A Lambda Literary Award Nominee and Awarded 2019 “40 Under 40: Queer Women of Washington” by the DC Mayors Office Capital Pride 2019’s Engendered Spirit Award. Xemi has also been Featured as part of Dove, Getty Images, and Girlgaze’s international beauty campaign, Project #ShowUs.  In this episode we dive deep into life as a native trans womxn and Xemi shares with us a writing from her book "My Womxn Card is anti-Native, & other Two-Spirit Truths" which is available for sale on Amazon!! After reading this book I had to get her on the podcast!  Find her on Patreon: XemiDaTwoSpirit. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In this episode I was blessed to interview with SM Rodriguez of NYC! SM is a scholar-activist and Assistant Professor of Criminology and Sociology. Their research interests, as well as organizing efforts, lie in justice movements that are by and for same-gender loving and gender non-conforming people of African descent. Their book, The Economies of Queer Inclusion , examines the dialectics of global and local culture and the effects of transnational financing on grassroots activism in Kampala. Dr. Rodriguez has also done extensive research on the legislative history of sodomy in Uganda, with particular interest in the postcolonial motivations to develop laws which control citizen sexuality. We touched on some current and past events. This is an episode you won't want to miss out on! Website/book purchase: https://www.smrodriguez.com IG: Dr_simplicity Like the podcast? your contributions and listens help to keep us sustained! Please share the podcast and if you'd like to contribute to our growth here's the link to do so: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In this Episode I got to really dive deep with Kasen Truth. Kasen is a black trans man, activist, photographer and YouTuber. He has spent the past 2 years or so advocating for trans people of color and speaking about experiences on YouTube! We touch deep on keeping a job, how tough it can be to live in Los Angeles, and what truly drives Kasen and his partner to share their stories! Want to check out more or follow Kasen and his partner? Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh4f7qVa8jJEujxXEMJSJSg Or (Search RenskaiseTV) Instagram: http://instagram.com/Kasen.Ariahn https://www.instagram.com/renskaisetv/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In this episode of QTPOC Talks I got to interview CoCo Alexa from Baltimore! Coco describes herself as a black conure woman, a mom to a beautiful daughter, a baddie healer, and a lightwkrker! I stumbled upon Coco on IG couldn't wait to get this magical person onto the podcast! We touch on deep subjects from religion to living a dual life to appease White America. Coco does awesome work! check out their website for booking and more info: https://zodianz.com/zodianz-earth-guide/coco-the-empress/ IG:coco_alexa_ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In this weeks Episode I got to spotlight,  Ana Corella from California, Ana is a filmmaker, DJ, music producer, event manager & promoter, VJ( video jockey). Ana graduated from CSULA in 2014 (w/a major in TV, Fim, & Media Studies & minor in English) & worked with Sony Electronics & Sony Pictures Entertainment then with Sundance managing marketing, PR, & distribution for the Navajo LGBTQ+ film "Drunktown's Finest." After that,  they started thier own production company, Moonlight Bend Productions.  We also dive into Anas love for festivals ( They prefer transformational) & recently started working with a company called Accessible Festivals which manages ADA @ events. Artist name is Velaluna -  they have tracks available for purchase on Bandcamp & a mix series called "Velaluna Radio" on Mixcloud link for accessible festivals:  https://www.accessiblefestivals.org --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

Episode 5- Deserts & Healing In this episode I got the opportunity to interview and spotlight Blache! Blache Marie is a teaching artist working and traveling in community to support healing and engage a global audience. Their art is a living collage of research, dreamwork, poetry, advocacy, herbalism, conscious booking and film created for and with community healing. They are a Pink Door Fellow and Cornell University graduate, co-founder and creative director of For Brown Bleeders. Their work draws from several healing traditions including herbalism, conjure/hoodoo, Southern Folk Medicine, Pachakuti Mesa (Peruvian shamanism), curanderismo, reiki, and rootwork. They were nomadically based, living on farms, couchsurfing, camping in wilderness, between upstate NY and the southwest, searching for their indigenous roots and connecting people of color to their ancestors and the land. They are currently based in Flagstaff, AZ. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

Episode 4 - Performance art & Intellectuality In this episode I had the honor of interviewing East bay native R. Shawntez Jackson, aka “Shawntez the Poet”. He is an award winning poet/ spoken word artist, dramaturg, creative director, producer, playwright, professional actor, community planner and educator; as well as, the father of Wordsi2i a community empowerment program utilizing creative expression for disenfranchised communities. Described as a vivid story-teller, unapologetically adjoining and dismembering words to creatively frame and display some of the best and worst details of life, biases of culture, relationships, religion and sexuality. Jackson’s work is vivid and has such a wide range from full length plays (School Me, Avon Lady Calling) to short story publications (Evidence of Heaven under a Tent). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In this episode I got to interview Astrid from Oakland, CA. She is a 23 year old artist, vegan cook, and dancer. Born and raised in an area thats rapidly gentrifying, Astrid shares with us what life is like as a brown trans femme, and a growing artist. With a love for all mediums of art, like dancing, make-up, and even room decor; Astrid has a passion for creativity and an eye for detail. Follow her on instagram @laputabae for all art based commissions. To donate to her directly: Venmo:Astridlovestofu Paypal:Astridlovestofu --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In the second episode of QTPOC Talks I got a chance to interview Celina (instagram: @celinanicolewrites) from Richmond, Virginia. Celina is a community organizer, big hearted Afro-Latinx, Avid poet, and librarian. Celina shares with us the ups and the downs of being a proud, black, fat, femme, and queer in the heart of the south. How do we survive as writers In a white America that devalues our creativity? How do we survive as writes when white America devalues our existence as a whole? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support

In this episode I had the pleasure to record live with Dom Chatterjee, The founder of QTPOC mental health! Here we discuss yoga and capitalism and the issues we faced as QTPOC folk working towards yoga certification. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/owl-rare1/support