Taking small talk to the next level with interesting guests doing big things! We explore their detours and roadblocks in the amount of time it takes to get through Atlanta traffic. Oh and we sprinkle in some retros that will surely take you back to a time
Meet Coach Phyllis Turner, the woman who joined Inga and me as we (all three) navigated through the reason why we said yes and why we kept peddling. Coach Phyllis was there from the beginning and has not missed a BRAG worth remembering! She is the legend and the best!
Introducing Solomon of the '05 Dream Team! From his humble beginnings in Memphis, smothered with love and bbq sauce, he is one of the most humble alums and expert accountant on in the Dream Team family!
Introducing the Legend, Mother Wu. First of her name, mother of Coach Phillip of the BRAG Dream Team. Daughter of her Father. Lady of the Mission of the American Virgin.
We're going to let our newest team member- Albert Ignetious, clean up our mess.
For over 30 years, the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia Dream Team has been introducing young riders to their strength, their resilience and their inner power, one stroke at a time. I am a proud rider and a proud lifetime supporter of all things Dream Team...and you should be too! Meet Coach Greg, Coach Eddie and Coach Andre, the Misfits that always seems to find a place in everyone's hearts, lol!!! https://www.bragdreamteam.org
A conversation about the journey of challenging the conditionality of what we call, love, to reveal the super power of unconditional love. This conversation may be difficult for some listeners to hear. Audience discretion is advised and listening through is highly recommended.
Meet Paul Bledsoe, the undisputed Bourbon Dojo of the SWATS. Thanks to him STBN has "Kissed Pappy, Laughed with Jim and Arm Wrestled Eric...all in one day." Listen in as he guides our palate through the untold journey of bourbon, the unnamed heroes of the craft and the Jim Bean that you won't find at the "li-ka-stoe", instead through relationships with the local storekeeper. He's brought along some friends to remind us- the best drinks are enjoyed with friends. This episode takes us from Top Shelf to Upper Shelves, we start with Pappy Van Winkle and end with Eric Church Single Barrel. Sit back and sip the day away. *We did it! First ever 4 person panel...excuse the audio misfires.
Introducing Dr. Eden Reff-Presco, Art Ethnologist and Founder of Global Art Speak! Listen in as the experts dissect, Embrace, a prominent public sculpture that is raising eyebrows and seems to have gotten caught up in the common refrain "first thing that comes to mind" interpretation and communication style. In this episode, along with art interpretation through the lens of an Art Ethnologist, you'll also get front row seats to the "you talking ‘bout my gumbo?" fight club. This and more,
Ellen Pratt, Dr. Winnella Peters and I muse about growing up in Liberia, the potential for Liberia's emerging industries and the immense opportunities the lie within one of the most beautiful countries in West Africa. Shoutout to the Liberian Artist(s) featured: Marvelous MC- (2015) Liberian Food.
In 2022, Glam and I had a pre birthday check in. She was turning 101 in a few months and we were in the midst of answering the question, "how do you top 100 years of birthday celebrations". Sadly, In 2023, we lost Glam at the young age of 102 years old. She hung out with us, just enough to have a plate of 4th of July fixings. On July 5th, 2023, she reunited with her main squeeze, James L. Green and boy is she missed. Listen in as she shares wisdom and serenades all the birthday babies out there.
Join me in a chit chat with the Blount Sisters, two of the original Greater New Light Missionary Baptist Church's "Sugar Babes"! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Coach Rob and Coach Teri of the Spelman College Speech and Debate team. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
When you meet Sean and Michelle, prepare to regain your playground credit and depending on where you grew up- your street cred! Sean and Michelle take us on the journey of how being broke led them to each other and the moment Sean and Neiger were the only ones in the conversation who knew...yep "y'all go together"! Double Dutch Aerobics is exactly what it says and it is fierce! Taking the world, internet and morning television line up by storm and yes, they are the creators of the 1st ever fully dedicated double dutch studio in the WORLD! So, keep yo' feet up!!! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Recorded at a busy Starbucks: Inspired by Glamo and so many questions, Montre' introduces us to the ballroom scene from his humble beginnings as a performer in his grandmother's house to a leader on one of the hottest youth dance teams in Ohio. Equipped with a yearn for the big city, Montre' ventured to the "A" and the rest is an adventure in perseverance, goal setting and endurance. Meet the artist and the barista- Mr. Montre'. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Audio apologies- please excuse the audio issues in this episode as connectivity and clarity was an issue (Guest interviewed while in Puerto Rico). Meet Dr. Khali Jones, one of the youngest battle tested veterinarians in the southeast with a killer forehand and a mom that has been credited for introducing and strengthening the Atlanta tennis community. Khali has been in the animal care business since...let's just go with single digits...no seriously, Khali's Kennel's has been around for a while! Join us as Khali shares the trials and challenges that for many would give them permission to quit, but for her, it energized her to find a different route. She teaches us about Gross Anatomy, leading a team in Puerto Rico, passing it on and why Tuskegee's Veterinary program should be on everyone's list. Ignore the audio, stay for the content and invite a young person- they might actually learn something! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Introducing a leader, a public health practitioner and one of the solution architects of all of the epidemics and pandemics that you can recall in your lifetime (okay...maybe the last 10-15 years), Dr. Maleeka Glover; one part social epidemiologist, one part proud mother and all parts backed by an entourage of ancestors that dare you to test their gangsta!! From her humble beginnings as a PK (preacher's kid), thespian and honor student to her lessons learned in email response etiquette and the time she became officially cool to Saleema's fiends. Dr Glover makes no excuses for why she has a seat at the table and always travels with a stack of chairs- make room, you may learn something! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Visionary and creator of “It's a Natural Thang” natural hair salon, Rayna Nash and its unrivaled and uncontested Employee of The Month, Mrs. Nash come together in their first ever, must hear, breakout interview. We discuss island life, the mystery of the fine “B” silver, the hidden vacancy sign and the wonderment of Ms. Raynbow. Join us for laughs, truths and aha moments. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Two years after arriving in the US and finding my way to McGhee Tennis Center, two ladies took an interest in me- and this is one of them; meet Shawn Polite-Bledsoe! From Tampa to Atlanta, Shawn takes us on a story of strength, resilience, navigating the green book, the flames that engulfed her home, and the moment during one of her first auditions where she...actually...just push play- she tells it best. Welcome to a conversation between a mentee and her mentor, between a sponsor and a student, between great-forever-friends. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Guided by the premise that cultural exchanges are the vehicle to human understanding and empathy- with food as the driver. Yohana Solomon of Chow Club Atlanta and the Atlanta Underground Market takes us on a journey that led her from Ethiopia to California and down to the "A". Listen as she shares the stories of refugees looking to be seen, understood and not stared at, the time her mother called the entire apartment complex for morning coffee and the one chef who...should know better (c'mon Matthew, everyone knows that there aren't any shortcuts to preparing Doro Wat...even we knew that!). Yohana and her co-founder are leading the way in curated food experiences that will both satisfy your stomach, your imagination and your heart. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Ever met someone who you knew would make a dent in the world and never change- meet Spree Wilson, the myth and legend! From his humble start in Nashville rocking out to his mother's hits while riding in the front seat to the crucial conversation with his grandmother that led to the drafting of "Twilight for the Weary" a short film- Spree is a complex and dynamic multi-hit recording artists and now, short film writer and producer with more stories left to tell. Join us as we discuss the formative years, the graduation myth, compliments from Nas and a compliment of Talib Kweli...The Talib Kweli. Prepare to hear his process and the memory of his first ever hit single, this man introduced me to Bob Dylan...The Bob Dylan. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Branding is not just for those with small businesses or expertise in a certain field, but branding is how you present everyday- in the office, at home, with your friends and on your errands- you are an experience! Meet Nick Nelson, the hottest brand management coach in the southeast! Born and raised in Ohio, a true Buccs fan and a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan (sorta, kinda, if he had to choose)- Nick shares his upbringing, the twists and turns that led him to his posse, the moment FAMU was the only choice, when he realized that coding was not for him, Liquid Soul and the perfect typo that led to the Brandprenuer Agency and empire. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Co-founders, life partners and leaders in the southeastern cycling scene, Chris and Michelle take us on a journey that began when her daughter and his niece became friends and has since blossomed into one of the most dynamic duos in the cycling business. Join us as we learn of their first date, that faithful tax day event and the pain caused by the banana laffy taffy (will make sense when you listen). While you're at it- if you're in the market for all things cycling- welcome to your neighborhood bike shop! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Growing up as the known unknown is something all too familiar to Dr. Naeema Olatunji. From humble beginnings with a loving and protective Italian mother, to purveyor of a thriving and must visit medical practice and now a published "Must Know" author, Naeema invites us to her childhood and her triumph in her debut memoir- “Raised As A Lie”. We discuss the adventures of Grace and how reinventing yourself is not a one-time-use experience but a reloadable option that allows us all to push forward and beyond. Join us and bring some kleenex. This episode, not sponsored by Kleenex. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Meet Spirits Consultant, Founder of “A Sip of Paradise Garden”and Creator of the Olympics' LIB Lion Cocktail (a collaboration with Telfar)- Keyatta Mincey-Parker, Liberian born and Banneker High alum. The twists and turns that took her from the runway to the bar and into the dirt, by way of the White House (checkout Pistol and Proper, dedicated to VP Kamala Harris) will leave you wanting a 2nd round! Keyatta shares her process, award winning cocktail recipes and Eve's Potlicker (we're adding collards y'all!). Enjoy this sip! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Meet Glamo, the closet maven! From humble beginnings in a baptist home to the stylistically iconic "strip" of the Atlanta University Center, Glamo has seen and lived a life that many can only dream of in their coloring books. We discuss the decisions to allow the ocean to own it (let go and live) and trust in the 20% that you have figured out, because the other 80% is the adventure. Lastly, we learn the top three things that you need to remove from your closet, how to access a personal stylist from your back pocket and of course, the GLAM HOUR!!!! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Lightly explicit content: Our first ever and probably the only rocket scientist to join the show! We introduce to you, NASAs finest, Dr. K. Renee Horton (Regular Ole Renee)! Despite a disability and being told "you're one of the dumbest students I've ever met, maybe graduate school isn't for you" Renee stayed the course all the way and is quite literally OUT OF THIS WORLD! We discuss her twists and turns to success, her first telescope and sneaking to the roof to use it, the thing that happened when Mr. Sperm met Mrs. Egg and lastly the team that held her to account for seeing graduate school through when walking away was just easier. At the "Small Talk, Big Names" podcast, Renee is a star (no pun intended; see what I did there!) but more importantly, Renee reminds us that anything is possible, when you simply decide to make it be! Special shoutout to our newest Research Interns: Annabel Marie and William Lawrence- without your research and hard hitting questions, we would not have been prepared for our first ever rocket scientist. Keep up the smart work! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Our first ever explicitly comical interview. This episode should be enjoyed in 75/85 traffic at the exact moment when you realize that the cause of today's traffic jam is a turned over chicken farm transport truck for reasons unknown (probably had to do with a dropped cellphone)- trust us, turn off the engine. Meet Spike Spielberg of Shibumi Media Group and the host of YouTube's Mercenary Edits channel- one of the hottest content creators and cinematographer in the southeast. From his humble upbringing in Orangeburg, South Carolina to the moment Serena Williams missed her chance to know a really cool guy- Spike takes us on his life's twists and turns in the form of transit- first he walked, then he rode, then he railed, lastly- he flew; today is the day that you realize, regardless of how you got here, every action is a contribution towards your success- learn from it. Enjoy and relax, its chicks gone wild (literally, chicken truck reference and Spike's early years)! Explicit content, not appropriate for all audiences. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Lucky you! Meet Nia Perry my podcasting coach, purveyor of the Gradient Global Collective and a one of the reasons I may have been considered cool at CAU. We discuss life before CAU and why the south, how following your interest to the highest level while leaving room to be wrong, or allowing yourself the grace to walk away is just as important as deciding to go left instead of right. Meet Nia Perry! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
With over 40+ years of winning programming, Melinda Pruitt is one of the original architects of quality childcare delivery in the southeast (though she doesn't do "throw up"). Proudly hailing from Hudson, NY with a sense of human and humor that's not only contagious, but insultingly refreshing and abusively reassuring. Melinda is fueled by her mother's grace and poise and powered by her Roc. Armed with a funny "did you know" for every ill and the ability to honestly empathize beyond the talking points, Melinda Pruitt is a pillar, a phenom and on the verge of her next big move. Meet the Real Pru Diddy, Neiger's first boss and her first international search and rescue survivor. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Special Episode: Last week, as discussed with our Resident Sociologist- Dr. Taura Taylor Last week was EPIC! The passing of the "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair" Act (C.R.O.W.N Act) in the House (now on to the Senate, then Executive) with all but 14 Republicans voting against the measure, calling it "unnecessary and a distraction", claiming that protections against hair discrimination already exist in several federal laws...clearly, the interpretation of those protections, at the discretion of the law, have proven to be ineffective, anti-purpose and plainly put- lacking. Also, (drum roll please!) the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (the first) to the highest court in the land; FOR A LIFETIME; the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) with a 53-47 vote (shout out to L. Murkowski (Alaska), S. Collins (Maine) and M. Romney (Utah)- didn't have to but you did; K. Harris was on standby (President of the Senate). Enjoy and ask questions- Dr. Taylor is here to stay! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
It was not a windy day when the apple fell from this tree as today's guests are the dynamic mother and daughter team. With roots that began in Nigeria to being one of the most requested and pronounced voices of the people on local radio station, WRFG - Mfon Ufot is the Original People's Champ, followed in closely by her dynamic and amazingly concise carbon copy- Nse. In 2020, 700K Georgians were convinced to participate in their democracy, to no longer sit on the sidelines and encouraged to understand and advocate for their interests. In 2021, 700K new Georgian voters ventured to the polls to historically elect the third pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church and a 30 something year old Jewish guy and a runoff ensued! Georgia promptly sent to Washington, Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff with a sign that simply read- "The South Has Something To Say!". Meet Nse Ufot, CEO of the New Georgia Project and architect of the movement that led 700K new Georgians to the polls and her mother, Mfon Ufot of WRFG, the Original People's Champ! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Atlanta's own Jordan Parker joins the show as the youngest guest ever! Jordan is the owner of Parkr The Brand (a fiercely "lit" yarn couture brand...our words, not her's) and the leader of the oldest and largest black women's speech and debate team in history- Spelman University's Speech and Debate team, formally the Wheatley-Fauset Storytelling Club. Jordan joins the shows to introduce and inform us on debate rules and protocol, experiences that contributed to the growth of Parkr The Brand and of course, her Day 1. Listen up audience, this young woman has something to say! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
Meet Murialist and Engineer Temika Grooms- you've seen her work throughout the city- at those pesky red lights (maybe a few roundabouts), on buildings at the corner of this and that and on your little one's bookshelf. From the West End of Atlanta to Little 5 Points and beyond, TeMika is redefining art and scale. As one of Atlanta's emerging premiere muralist, TeMika is a visionary that brings math to life through color. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
From Berkeley to Atlanta's West End, Dr. Taura Taylor is making waves among students and natural hair enthusiasts throughout the country. Join us as we discuss brown sugar, cognitive pluralism and the mystery of the delivered package. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/smalltalkbignames/message
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