Podcasts about cw network

Host Marina Franklin chats with the hilarious Ophira Eisenberg and rising star Sami Beason about Ophira's new comedy special, toxic positivity, AI hallucinations, parenting and more! Tune in now for laughs and insights!  Ophira Eisenberg is a Standup Comedian, Writer, and Podcast Host (NPR, CBS, CNN, The Moth, HBO, Comedy Central, iHeart) who headlines theaters and comedy venues across the world, tours regularly with the Moth Mainstage, and hosts the weekly parenting-comedy podcast Parenting is a Joke (Webby Finalist for Best Host). Her new comedy special, I Used to Be Nicer produced by Lewis Black/Stark Raving Black Productions, is streaming now. She also hosted NPR's trivia comedy show Ask Me Another for 9 years. Her breakout memoir Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy(Seal Press) has been optioned for a television series, and her solo show Leaving A Mark: A Comedy About Scarswon Women in the Arts & Media Award for Solo Show Scripts and just finished a successful European tour. Sami Beason is a rising comedy talent from Denver, celebrated for their quick wit, authentic storytelling, and constant giggle. In 2024, they took home the Best of Fest award at the Colorado Springs Festival and now has a special on YouTube called "First Gen" through open bar. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

A dive into the world of friendship with our latest "Friends Like Us" podcast episode! Marina Franklin host special guests Sharaé Nikai and David Lassiter as they talk about their incredible journey creating "The Other Gold" — a film about friendships' complexities. Watch it now on Apple TV and Tubi! Sharaé Nikai - Against industry odds, Jersey City native Sharaé Nikai wrote, produced, co-directed and starred in her very first feature film, "The Other, Gold." It is a heartfelt dramedy that follows a TV writer living in Little Tokyo as she navigates grief, isolation and the rekindling of a former BFF-ship. Out of 13,016 submissions, TOG was invited to world premiere as one of only 10 films in Tribeca's US Narrative Competition. This acclaim led to Nikai being in consideration for the 2025 Oscars, Spirit Awards and Emmys in the Outstanding Television Movie, Directing & Lead Actress categories. It also makes her the first Black female quadruple threat (sole writer/producer, director & star) to qualify for the Academy Awards with no studio or major production company backing. As a producer, Sharaé secured an exclusive Mental Health Awareness partnership for "The Other, Gold" at FOX-owned Tubi and sponsorship for its launch by Women in Film (WIF) and The Entertainment Community Fund. In March 2026, "The Other, Gold" was released worldwide in celebration of Women's History Month exclusively on Apple TV. In addition to TOG, Nikai appears in numerous ad campaigns, films and TV series including Grey's Anatomy and opposite Alison Brie in Sundance's "Horse Girl" (The DuPlass Bros/Netflix). Currently, she is the 2026 international voice of Nordstrom Rack all while developing her dramedy driven TV/film slate. In her spare time, Sharaé takes serious pride in the accent mark over her "e" and is the reigning (read: self-proclaimed) trap karaoke queen. David Lassiter is an American filmmaker, actor, writer, and musician from Jersey City, New Jersey. He co-directed and appeared in the feature film The Other, Gold (2024), which premiered at the Tribeca Festival before streaming on Apple TV+ and Tubi. Before transitioning into filmmaking, Lassiter worked as a fashion model and was signed to Wilhelmina Models, appearing in campaigns and editorial work for brands and publications including Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Vogue, GQ, Banana Republic, Swatch, and Levi's. He later studied acting in New York at HB Studio, Susan Batson Studio, and WB Workshops while appearing in national campaigns for Verizon, Macy's, and American Eagle. Lassiter also collaborated with Viacom on street-interview segments featured on MTV and MTV2. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch    

Dive deep into the hidden crisis of women's health with Dr. Kemi Doll on "Friends Like Us," hosted by Marina Franklin and featuring Nonye Brown-West. Discover the truth about the Black womb and survival strategies. Listen now for eye-opening insights! #Podcast #WomensHealth #MaternalMentalHealthMonth Dr. Kemi Doll is a gynecologic oncologist, uterine cancer scientist, and author of the upcoming book, "A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb & Your Survival Guide to Healing. She is is a physician, surgeon, researcher, advocate, and coach working at the intersection of health justice, reproductive equity, and personal empowerment. She is a Professor at the University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health, a double board-certified Gynecologic Oncologist and OB/GYN, and the Founding Director of The Gynecologic Research and Cancer Equity (GRACE) Center. Her groundbreaking research on racial disparities in endometrial (uterine) cancer has been funded by the NIH, PCORI, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and featured in The New York Times, NPR, BET, and Good Morning America. A sought-after speaker and public voice, Dr. Doll co-founded the national nonprofit Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African Americans (ECANA) and built KD Coach LLC, a coaching company that has supported over 200 women of color faculty in securing millions of dollars in grant funding while reclaiming joy in their careers. Her podcast, Your Unapologetic Career, has over 200,000 downloads and continues to uplift and challenge listeners through honest, witty, and actionable conversations. Dr. Doll lives, writes, and works with deep purpose—and is unwavering in her mission to create a more just and joyful world. Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Go to NonyeComedy to see where she is performing near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch    

Go to www.LearningLeader.com/Becoming for my new book, The Price of Becoming This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, leadership consultant, and New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. His titles include Boundaries, Integrity, Necessary Endings, and Trust. For three decades, he has worked with leaders, helping them close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. His newest book is Your Desired Future: The Five Essential Steps That Take You Where You Want to Go. Key Learnings Henry's five-step model for getting from here to there: Vision (clear and compelling) Talent (engaging the right people around you) Strategy and plan (how you'll win) Measurement and accountability (how you'll know) Fix and adapt (course-correcting in real time) At the age of 16, Henry's daughter asked, "Dad, how do people become singer-songwriters?" Henry went out to the garage and brought in his whiteboard. Lucy rolled her eyes. He gave her the five-step model. A couple years later, she published a song called "Crash and Learn" that got bought by CBS, the CW Network, and featured on Spotify and Apple Music. We tend to create departments and businesses in our own image. Of the five components, we're going to be good at two, maybe three. But the others still have to happen. That's where most leaders fail. Only humans can picture a desired future state. Finley is Henry's Doberman. When the FedEx guy comes to the door, she runs to it, and barks every time. Henry has never seen her stop and ask herself: "I wonder if that barking will help me get to where I want to be on Thursday." Most leaders are operating like Finley. Working hard. Doing what they've always done. Never stopping to ask if any of it is getting them where they want to be. You need an observing ego. The worst thing you can do is hit the accelerator harder when you're going down the wrong road and you don't even know where you're going. Tony Blair, while Prime Minister, spent half a day a week sitting by himself next to a pond in reflection. Warren Buffett spends an hour and a half a day at his desk staring out the window.  A revenue number is not a vision. The single worst vision statement Henry ever heard: "We want to be a $50 million company." It provides no clarity of what the company is going to do.   A vision is a compelling picture of a future state that makes people want to sacrifice for it. If your vision wouldn't inspire anyone to get out of bed early, it's a metric, not a vision. Will Guidara created a "dream maker" role at Eleven Madison Park. Their job: listen for clues from guests, then create a personalized, unexpected, memorable experience the guest will never forget and tell everyone about. Trust Fuels Investment. People invest in leaders who feel like they understand them. You're taking your team into a war. They've got to have deep trust with you. The first thing a leader has to do is develop deep, deep trust and let their team know that they understand the pressure they're under. "A vision can die without a plan or without people." Alan Mulally's weekly 7:00 AM Thursday meeting at Ford. Every VP had to give every project a red, yellow, or green status. When Mulally first arrived, the company was hemorrhaging money. Everyone was holding up green. He said: "How can you be holding up green when here's the reality over here? I need some reality in here." When one VP finally held up red, Mulally moved him to sit next to him. The wrong view of accountability is looking back to spank somebody for what they didn't do. The right view of accountability is a tool to make sure we reach our destination. You get what you create or what you allow. Henry was working with a global CEO whose team had cultural problems. Henry kept asking, "Why is that?" After a few rounds, the CEO finally said, "I guess I am ridiculously in charge, aren't I?" If you are the one actually in charge, you are ridiculously in charge. Either you're creating it, or you're allowing it. Accountability answers two questions: Did we do what we said we were going to do? If not, why not? Don't just tell people to "do better." Run a root cause analysis. Maybe they don't have the tools. Maybe you gave them competing goals. Maybe it's a leadership problem. If we executed perfectly, did we get the result we expected? If yes, pour on the gas. If no, go back up the model and adjust your strategy. Most leaders measure goals, not activities. Goals are lagging indicators. You can measure them after it's over. It's too late. Measure activities. Did we do this week what we said we were going to do? Micro drivers matter. Henry worked with a CEO who built multi-billions in valuation from a one-office company who was excellent with micro drivers. It's an atomic compression of the 80/20 rule. He knew the specific activities at each level of the business that actually moved the needle, and he made those objects of extreme awareness, focus, training, and deliberate practice. Peter Drucker said, "Nothing's worse than perfectly executing the wrong things." The number one thing the greatest leaders share: character. Not moral or ethical character. Your makeup as a person. How you're glued together. Integrity comes from the word that means wholeness. The great performers are drivers of tasks and relationships. The highest performers utilize coaching the most. Henry expected the disastrous leaders  to be the ones calling. It was the exact opposite. The ones crushing it are the ones who reach out. The struggling ones rarely do. The greatest leaders reverse the law of entropy: things get worse over time. But entropy only applies to a closed system. Open the system to a new energy source from the outside plus intelligence to organize it, and you can reverse it. That's what coaches, mentors, and advisors do. A leader is a closed system when the only voices they're ever listening to are the ones in their head. The greatest leaders embrace negative realities. They move toward problems. Not to nuke them, but to either resolve them or transform them into something better. Reflection Questions In how many areas of your life are you just barking at the door, working hard at activities without ever stopping to ask if any of it is getting you where you want to go? Is your current vision a metric, or a compelling picture of a future state that would make people want to sacrifice for it? Where in your life are you a closed system? Whose voices outside your head could open you up to new energy and intelligence? More Learning #229 - Dr. Henry Cloud: Be So Good They Can't Ignore You #050 - Dr. Henry Cloud: Integrity is the Wake You Leave Behind #682 - Will Guidara: Adversity is a Terrible Thing to Waste Podcast Chapters 00:00 The Price of Becoming – Pre-Order Now! 01:13 Meet Dr. Henry Cloud 02:40 The Leadership GPS: Where Are You Going? 04:54 Step 2: Building the Right Team Around You 06:09 Steps 3-5: Strategy, Measurement, and Adapt 10:45 Why the Best Leaders Carve Out Time to Think 15:50 Why a Revenue Number Is Not a Vision 18:20 Crafting a Vision People Will Sacrifice For 23:12 The HVAC Story, Joe Girard, and the Dream Maker 27:38 Trust: The First Thing Every Leader Must Build 30:04 Alan Mulally's Red-Yellow-Green Meeting at Ford 32:38 How to Run Status Reviews That Actually Work 34:26 Accountability Should Be an Immune System, Not Autoimmune 38:18 Measure Activities, Not Goals 43:10 Micro Drivers: The Atomic 80/20 Rule 45:14 The Voices Outside Your Head: Peers and Accountability 47:47 The #1 Trait of Sustained Excellence: Character 50:39 The Greatest Leaders Reverse Entropy 56:17 EOPC

Edgar and Tommy are back on Snug Wrestling with a full WWE NXT review for May 12, 2026, breaking down Naraku's highly anticipated NXT debut, Noam Dar's return to action, Kelani Jordan vs. Kendal Grey, and everything that went down live on The CW Network. This episode covers the biggest matches, storylines, results, and reactions from this week's WWE NXT. We discuss what worked, what missed, who stood out, and what tonight's show could mean for the future of NXT. WWE NXT Topics Covered • Naraku makes his WWE NXT in-ring debut • Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan • Noam Dar returns against Jackson Drake • Tatum Paxley & Lizzy Rain vs. Zaria & Nikkita Lyons • Sean Legacy, EK Prosper & Tate Wilder vs. BirthRight • Full WWE NXT results, reactions, and storyline breakdown • What this episode means for upcoming NXT feuds and title pictures • Edgar and Tommy's honest thoughts on the best and worst moments of the night What You'll Get In This Episode If you missed WWE NXT live, this podcast gives you a direct and easy-to-follow breakdown of the May 12, 2026 episode. Edgar and Tommy review the key matches, talk about the standout performers, and discuss where NXT may be headed after Naraku's debut and Noam Dar's return. We also look at the direction of NXT's women's division, the continued rise of Kelani Jordan, the impact of Nikkita Lyons and Zaria as a team, and how BirthRight's six-man tag match could shape the next chapter of NXT. Why This WWE NXT Episode Matters Naraku's debut is one of the biggest talking points from this week's WWE NXT, and Noam Dar's return adds another major name back into the mix. With new rivalries forming, returning stars stepping back into the ring, and multiple divisions gaining momentum, this episode could play an important role in setting up future NXT storylines. Snug Wrestling gives you a fan-focused review with strong opinions, real reactions, and a clear breakdown of the biggest moments from the show. Join The Conversation What did you think of Naraku's NXT debut? Was Noam Dar's return handled the right way? Who had the best match on WWE NXT this week? Are you more excited for Kelani Jordan, Kendal Grey, Nikkita Lyons, Zaria, or BirthRight moving forward? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know your grade for this week's WWE NXT. Follow Snug Wrestling X/Twitter: https://x.com/SnugWrestling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snugwrestling/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@snugwrestlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snugwrestlingg Merch/Website: https://tee.pub/lic/5RBm2m1Bhdo Business inquiries: snugwrestlingpod@gmail.com   Subscribe to Snug Wrestling for weekly WWE NXT reviews, WWE Raw reactions, WWE SmackDown breakdowns, AEW Dynamite talk, wrestling news, predictions, and live podcast discussions. Copyright Disclaimer This video is for commentary, criticism, news reporting, and entertainment purposes only. All WWE footage, images, names, logos, and trademarks belong to World Wrestling Entertainment and their respective owners. Snug Wrestling is not affiliated with WWE, NXT, The CW Network, or any related companies. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. #WWENXT #NXTReview #Naraku #NoamDar #KelaniJordan #NikkitaLyons #TatumPaxley #WWE #NXTResults #SnugWrestling  

Animal Hour + Will ACC Football Draw you to Watch the CW Network?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From Spirit Airlines' collapse to Megan Thee Stallion's breakup, Marina Franklin dives into all the drama with comedians Jackie Fabulous and Alexis Bradby. Plus, they chat with Jackie about her hilarious new comedy show featuring an all-female lineup at the new Brooklyn Improv. Don't miss out!  Jackie Fabulous is a stand-up comedian, actress and writer who's been featured four times on THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON and has appeared on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT ALL-STARS. Jackie was named one of Variety's TOP 10 TO WATCH in 2024. Jackie also received the honor of having her name added to the wall of legends at The Comedy Store in 2024. In addition to her television appearances Jackie's hilarious and affable stand-up can be seen across the country as well as internationally. Her special YOU CAN LEAVE is available on HULU now. Tonight check out her new show featuring all women at the Brooklyn Improv : That Time Of The Month - ticket links go to brooklynimprov.com Originally from East Tennessee, Alexis Bradby started her stand-up journey after moving to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. Since her start in 2015, she has become a beloved performer in both Los Angeles and New York City. Alexis is known for her contagious smile and youthful energy, which led to her being featured on Holey Moley (ABC), The Price is Right (CBS), and iCarly (Paramount+). In addition to stand-up, she writes for television and was the writers' room assistant for hit shows such as iCarly and Tab Time. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

This week on Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin has another hilarious and insightful conversation with Leighann Lord and Jenny Saldana ! We chat about the analog generation, social media realities, the Michael Jackson movie, and Caitly Jenner's Passport Rejection. Don't miss the laughs! Leighann Lord is a seasoned standup comedian who has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy All Star Jam, Comedy Central, The View, Netflix, and Showtime's Even More Funny Women of a Certain Age. She has performed for the troops and her Dry Bar Comedy special has had over one million views. And Jenny Saldaña is a writer, actress, and stand-up comedian and a Breast Cancer Rock STAR and all around hotness. She wrote, produced and starred in Happy Cancer Chick, a web series inspired by her own battle with breast cancer. She recently appeared in HBO's High Maintenance. Her video series, The Little Brown Girl Show can be found on Youtube and Facebook Live. See her show Digital Dating Diary at the Grisly Pear May 17th at the grisly pear midtown. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

Dive into the legacy! Join host Marina Franklin as she chats with Dr. Tamara Nall and Hollie Harper about embracing and celebrating matriarchal legacy. Tune in for insights on redefining generational traditions. Dr. Tamara Nall is the founder of The Junia Legacy, a cultural movement redefining generational naming traditions to intentionally honor daughters as legacy bearers. Through Junia, she introduced a feminine counterpart to "Junior," creating space for women to be recognized in lineage and identity. Her work explores the intersection of culture, naming, and generational pride, empowering families to build legacy with intention.  Hollie Harper is a South Jersey comedian/writer/actress. In 2021 she created and co-exec-produced Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV for which she was nominated for best actress at 2021's NYC Web Fest. She was a recent semi-finalist in the NBC Standup Competition, won Best Actress at 2024's Act One, One Act Festival and just earned a Best Actress nomination by Broadway World for her performance in Melanie Goodreaux's "The Popes Of Farragut Street". Her live, sold-out comedy show "F.D.K." with Emily Flake was recently chosen for the Knockouts Women's Comedy Festival, the New York Comedy Festival and the IO Comedy Festival in Chicago. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Host Marina Franklin talks with new friend Jenny Hagel and Nonye Brown-West as they talk about Jenny's new book, "Advice No One Asked For." It's a fun episode for these stressful times. Don't miss it!  Jenny Hagel is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and comedy performer in New York. She is a writer/performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers, where she created the recurring segment Jokes Seth Can't Tell – which New York Magazine called "the best segment in late night." Jenny also served as Head Writer/Executive Producer of The Amber Ruffin Show. Other writing credits include the Golden Globe Awards, Impractical Jokers, and Big Gay Sketch Show. Jenny has been nominated for two GLAAD Awards for her work addressing LGBTQ issues on TV. Her debut essay collection, "Advice No One Asked For" is available for presale now. Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Go to NonyeComedy to see where she is performing near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

In this conversation, Liv sits down with Aly French, co-founder of Courageous Wellness, to explore how vulnerability and intentionality can transform women's health. Aly shares her personal healing journey, insights on hormone and blood sugar balance, and why foundational wellness practices matter more than trends. Together, they discuss the power of advocacy, community, and listening to your body in building sustainable, long-term wellness.EPISODE TAKEAWAYSVulnerability creates connection and helps destigmatize health conversationsHormone health starts with blood sugar balance, stress management, and nourishmentListening to your body is a skill that can be strengthened over timeSustainable wellness is built through consistent, intentional daily practicesEducation and early awareness empower long-term health outcomes.CONNECT WITH ALYAly is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition with advanced training in hormone health, and works to educate people about eating to FEEL their best and to be their own health advocate.She was born and raised in NJ and NYC and is a graduate of Vassar College. She has a background in the performing arts and has lived and performed all over the world from New York to London to Tokyo. As a performer she was always interested in health and fueling herself properly, but her wellness journey was ignited when at 29 she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in the muscle lining of her back.After 3 surgeries, she was cancer free! The experience however, completely changed her relationship with her mind, body, and sense of self. It also channeled a passion for studying nutrition, after her body craved specific foods while healing! Through her company and podcast, Courageous Wellness, she also works to bring awareness surrounding food insecurity and food justice.ABOUT COURAGEOUS WELLNESSWe are Aly French and Erica Stein, Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches with advanced training in gut health and hormone health, wellness experts, and hosts of the popular podcast, Courageous Wellness on the Cloud10 Network. Courageous Wellness Collective is our extended community of like-minded individuals who have come together to learn, grow, thrive and work towards improved personal and community wellness. We recognize the wellness industry can be highly inaccessible and we are here to bridge the gap between individual journeys and community initiatives. Through Courageous Wellness, we have spoken at events supporting Covenant House California, The Wayfarer Foundation, The Westside Food Bank of Los Angeles, The Financial Women's Association (NYC), corporations across industries and in a variety of elementary school classrooms in Southern California. Aly and Erica have also been featured as wellness experts on the CW Network in Miami, FL and Austin, TX.Whether learning from the distinguished doctors, experts, and guests on the podcast, reading the helpful articles and recipes on our website, or working together 1:1 or in community, through our health coaching services – we are here to help you feel your best, love your body, and be equipped with the most up to date health and wellness knowledge for any stage of your health journey. After a cancer diagnosis and recovery (Aly) and a self-love journey (Erica) we created the Courageous Wellness Collective for real people to improve and advocate for their own sense of health and well being.Website: www.courageouswellness.netInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/courageouswellnessCONNECT WITH INA WELLNESS COLLECTIVEWebsite: https://www.inawellnesscollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inawellnesscollectiveWATCH FULL EPISODES ON YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@inawellnessWAYS TO WORK TOGETHERWell Within Membershiphttps://www.inawellnesscollective.com/wellwithinRise & Align Group Programhttps://www.inawellnesscollective.com/riseandalign

Apologize for Previous audio- We have updated and corrected so you can enjoy! This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with the insightful Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, discussing her new book "Rise and Resist"—a revolutionary take on workplace tactics! Plus, don't miss the dynamic energy of young comedian Sami Beason. The Pink Elephant Dr. Janice Z. Gassam Asare is a PhD-trained organizational psychologist, LinkedIn #1 Top Voice, award-winning Forbes senior contributing writer with 500+ articles, and 2x TEDx speaker, she equips workplaces with the tools and strategies to advance equity and accountability. She is author of: Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace, The Pink Elephant, and Dirty Diversity, with her 5th book available right now where books are sold: It's called "Rise and Resist": This isn't just about surviving the backlash. It's about reimagining workplaces where everyone thrives. Sami Beason is a rising comedy talent from Denver, celebrated for their quick wit, authentic storytelling, and constant giggle. In 2024, they took home the Best of Fest award at the Colorado Springs Festival and now has a special on YouTube called "First Gen" through open bar. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with the insightful Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, discussing her new book "Rise and Resist"—a revolutionary take on workplace tactics! Plus, don't miss the dynamic energy of young comedian Sami Beason. Dr. Janice Z. Gassam Asare is a PhD-trained organizational psychologist, LinkedIn #1 Top Voice, award-winning Forbes senior contributing writer with 500+ articles, and 2x TEDx speaker, she equips workplaces with the tools and strategies to advance equity and accountability. She is author of: Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace, The Pink Elephant, and Dirty Diversity, with her 5th book available right now where books are sold: It's called Rise and Resist: This isn't just about surviving the backlash. It's about reimagining workplaces where everyone thrives. Sami Beason is a rising comedy talent from Denver, celebrated for their quick wit, authentic storytelling, and constant giggle. In 2024, they took home the Best of Fest award at the Colorado Springs Festival and now has a special on YouTube called "First Gen" through open bar. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Dive into financial empowerment with our latest episode! Join host Marina Franklin, Bola Sokunbi of Clever Girl Finance, and rising star Nonye Brown-West as they share insights on building wealth, resilience, and mindset. Don't miss it! Bola Sokunbi is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), investor, finance expert, speaker, podcaster, and bestselling author. She is the founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance, a platform launched in 2015 that has grown into one of the largest personal finance media and education platforms for women in the U.S. From the best selling author of Clever Girl Finance, her new book: Clever Girl Millionaire is available right now! Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Go to NonyeComedy.com to see where she is performing near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch    

This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with funny ladies Chanel Ali and Hollie Harper about decline in city rats, comedy, and confronting uncomfortable truths! They share stories and laughs while addressing issues like family history and societal norms. Listen now!  Hollie Harper is a South Jersey comedian/writer/actress. In 2021 she created and co-exec-produced Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV for which she was nominated for best actress at 2021's NYC Web Fest. She was a recent semi-finalist in the NBC Standup Competition, won Best Actress at 2024's Act One, One Act Festival and just earned a Best Actress nomination by Broadway World for her performance in Melanie Goodreaux's "The Popes Of Farragut Street". Her live, sold-out comedy show "F.D.K." with Emily Flake was recently chosen for the Knockouts Women's Comedy Festival, the New York Comedy Festival and the IO Comedy Festival in Chicago. Chanel Ali -You know Chanel Ali from Netflix's Dash and Lily or her time on MTV's Girl Code. Originally from Philly, her storyteller-like style and commanding stage presence allowed her to conquer the NYC comedy scene as a crowd favorite. She boasts two Comedy Central specials, an album, and the fact that she drinks way more than you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

In this episode of Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with Vanessa Fraction and Kenice Mobley on  everything from winter sports to the wild world of reality TV. It's a lively discussion filled with humor, insight, and all the laughs you need!  Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. Kenice Mobley performs stand up comedy around the world and recently made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She appears regularly on SiriusXM and is a Finalist in the StandUp NBC Competition. She was named to Vulture's 2021 list of Comedians You Should and Will Know. Kenice's debut comedy album Follow Up Question, filmed at Union Hall in New York, was released in December 2022. Kenice worked on the BET Awards and By Us For Us, a sketch comedy series presented by Color of Change. She hosts Complexify on ViceNews, Love About Town, an interview and relationship podcast, and Make Yourself Cry, available on Planet Scum. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Ready to spice up your relationship and learn how to be the ultimate partner? Join Friends Like Us as Jordan Carlos shares his dad wisdom from his new book: "Choreplay." Laugh along with the brilliant Nonye Brown-West and hosted by the one and only Marina Franklin! Jordan Carlos is a stand up comedian and actor based in New York. He recently starred in and wrote for the first season of Phoebe Robinson's "Everything's Trash" (Freeform). He has also written for "Divorce" (HBO), written and performed on "First Wives Club" (BET) and written/performed for "The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore" (Comedy Central). He also appears in Black Mirror (Netflix), Nora From Queens (Comedy Central), Party Down (Starz) and the "Home Alone" reboot on Disney Plus. In addition, Jordan co-hosts the hit podcast "Adulting" on Exactly Right Media with Michelle Buteau. Other notable writing credits include "The White House Correspondents Dinner" (2016) as well as "The Not The White House Correspondents Dinner" with Samantha Bee (2017).  Jordan also recently starred in the Emmy nominated episode of "The Conversation Project" on Hulu (Andscape Studios), and in Mary Dauterman's debut feature, "Booger".  He also features in "After This Death" (Lucio Castro) opposite Lee Pace and Gwendoline Christie, as well as in the short film "Knead" by Timothy Michael Cooper (Indy Shorts, HollyShorts, Croatian International Film Festival). Jordan's debut comedy book, CHOREPLAY, for Hachette Book Group is available now. On top of this, Jordan hosts a new short-form series called "Elevated Moments" for AMC+ where he digs into insightful, entertaining conversations about iconic movies with his charismatic, also film-loving guests.   Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch      

This week on Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with comedic powerhouse Jackie Fabulous! Very funny lady Vanessa Fraction and I talk about her new special, "You Can Leave," now streaming on Hulu. Don't miss these laughs!  Jackie Fabulous is a stand-up comedian, actress and writer who's been featured four times on THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON and has appeared on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT ALL-STARS. Jackie was named one of Variety's TOP 10 TO WATCH in 2024. Jackie also received the honor of having her name added to the wall of legends at The Comedy Store in 2024. In addition to her television appearances Jackie's hilarious and affable stand-up can be seen across the country as well as internationally. Her special YOU CAN LEAVE is available on HULU now. Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Viewership Averaged More Than One Million Total Viewers Per Week for 33 RacesTotal Audience Increased 10 Percent Compared to Previous YearChampionship Race in Phoenix Drew 1,015,000 Total ViewersThe NASCAR Xfinity Series reached the finish line of its 2025 season on Saturday, November 1, with a thrilling championship race from Phoenix Raceway, wrapping its first full season on The CW Network as the most-watched in four years. Through 33 races, the NASCAR Xfinity Series averaged 1,034,000 total viewers per week, according to Nielsen, an increase of 10 percent compared to last season, as well as a seven percent gain in adults ages 18-49. The championship race, which saw Jesse Love emerge as the season winner, drew 1,015,000 total viewers and peaked at 1,191,000 total viewers from 9:30-9:45pm ET.The NASCAR Xfinity Series began its 2025 season on The CW at full speed, with the opening race from Daytona International Speedway delivering 1.8 million total viewers, the largest audience for any Xfinity Series race in almost three years. From there, the series never took its foot off the gas with the first 13 races each drawing over one million total viewers for the first time in nearly a decade. The network also introduced a revised graphic package for the series, highlighted by the horizontal standings board at the bottom of the screen, and utilized the new NASCAR Productions state-of-the-art studio facility to bring viewers closer to the on-track action than ever before. The CW also partnered with major sponsors and advertisers through integrations and initiatives throughout the season that elevated brands on both a national and local level.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Viewership Averaged More Than One Million Total Viewers Per Week for 33 RacesTotal Audience Increased 10 Percent Compared to Previous YearChampionship Race in Phoenix Drew 1,015,000 Total ViewersThe NASCAR Xfinity Series reached the finish line of its 2025 season on Saturday, November 1, with a thrilling championship race from Phoenix Raceway, wrapping its first full season on The CW Network as the most-watched in four years. Through 33 races, the NASCAR Xfinity Series averaged 1,034,000 total viewers per week, according to Nielsen, an increase of 10 percent compared to last season, as well as a seven percent gain in adults ages 18-49. The championship race, which saw Jesse Love emerge as the season winner, drew 1,015,000 total viewers and peaked at 1,191,000 total viewers from 9:30-9:45pm ET.The NASCAR Xfinity Series began its 2025 season on The CW at full speed, with the opening race from Daytona International Speedway delivering 1.8 million total viewers, the largest audience for any Xfinity Series race in almost three years. From there, the series never took its foot off the gas with the first 13 races each drawing over one million total viewers for the first time in nearly a decade. The network also introduced a revised graphic package for the series, highlighted by the horizontal standings board at the bottom of the screen, and utilized the new NASCAR Productions state-of-the-art studio facility to bring viewers closer to the on-track action than ever before. The CW also partnered with major sponsors and advertisers through integrations and initiatives throughout the season that elevated brands on both a national and local level.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

Marina Franklin host a brand new Friends Like Us with Jenny Saldaña and Kimberly Clark!  We spill hilarious and heartfelt dating stories, just in time for Valentine's Day! Jenny Saldaña is a writer, actress, and stand-up comedian and a Breast Cancer Rock STAR and all around hotness. She wrote, produced and starred in Happy Cancer Chick, a web series inspired by her own battle with breast cancer. She recently appeared in HBO's High Maintenance. Her video series, The Little Brown Girl Show can be found on Youtube and Facebook Live. She will be appearing as part of the Black Women In Comedy Laff Festival  live show at the Grisly Pear, Desperate Digital Dating Diary Kimberly Clark: Originally from Syracuse, NY. She's been seen on Netflix's Tiffany Haddish presents: They Ready, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Last Comic Standing. She was named one of Time Out L.A.'s Comics To Watch. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch    

This week, host Marina Franklin has a powerful conversation with Janus Adams and Sami Beason on Friends Like Us as we explore Harriet Tubman's entrepreneurial spirit and how it can guide us today. An episode you can't miss for Black History Month! Janus Adams: The creator of Harriet Tubman's "A Way Out of No Way" Day, Dr. Adams is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, historian, and the author of eleven books including Sister Days: 365 Inspired Moments in African American Women's History. Her work focuses on history, race, and courage; stories that heal and empower. She hosts public radio's The Janus Adams Show and podcast. Go to: https://www.wayoutofnoway.info/ Sami Beason is a rising comedy talent from Denver, celebrated for their quick wit, authentic storytelling, and constant giggle. In 2024, they took home the Best of Fest award at the Colorado Springs Festival and now has a special on YouTube called "First Gen" through open bar. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Wondering how dating apps compare to thrift shopping? So did we! Host Marina Franklin talks with Zainab Johnson and Kenice Mobley on our latest episode of Friends Like Us as we navigate the amusing world of dating, autism awareness, and everything in between. Listen now for your daily dose of laughter!  Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen.  Zainab is currently a series regular on the Amazon Original hit series titled "Upload" from Greg Daniels and stars in her very first One Hour Comedy Special "Hijabs Off" premiering worldwide October 24th only on Amazon Prime video. Kenice Mobley performs stand up comedy around the world and recently made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She appears regularly on SiriusXM and is a Finalist in the StandUp NBC Competition. She was named to Vulture's 2021 list of Comedians You Should and Will Know. Kenice's debut comedy album Follow Up Question, filmed at Union Hall in New York, was released in December 2022. Kenice worked on the BET Awards and By Us For Us, a sketch comedy series presented by Color of Change. She hosts Complexify on ViceNews, Love About Town, an interview and relationship podcast, and Make Yourself Cry, available on Planet Scum. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Tune in for an insightful episode where Marina Franklin discusses black men's health, comedy, and the power of community with guests Guy Torry and Nonye Brown-West. Guy Torry is an actor and comedian known for his role in the film American History X and as the creator of the acclaimed docuseries Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy.  Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch      

Today on What's My Frame, I'm joined by award-winning director and producer DeMane Davis. This conversation has so much heart, insight, and encouragement—it's the perfect start to our year. From the way DeMane creates a culture of kindness on her sets to the creative community that has supported her career, this conversation is a beautiful example of following your dreams, preparing for opportunities, and understanding how thoughts become things. Today, DeMane shares favorite stories from QUEEN SUGAR, BRILLIANT MINDS, and a few childhood laughs.DeMane Davis is an award-winning television director, producer, and commercial director who has an overall creative deal with Warner Brothers Television Group. Under this pact, Davis first served as co-executive producer/producing director of Ava DuVernay's DC Comics series "Naomi" for the CW Network. She helmed multiple episodes (including the series finale) and oversaw the show's directing team. Soon after, she directed the pilot and second episode of the NBC missing persons drama "Found" from Nkechi Okoro Carroll and Greg Berlanti. Davis received a Gracies Awards Honorable Mention for her work on "Found" and returned in their final season to direct the penultimate episode. She is now working as Executive Producer/Producing Director on the acclaimed drama series "Brilliant Minds," the TV series inspired by the work of neuroscientist and author Dr. Oliver Sacks, played by Zachary Quinto. In 2020, Davis produced and directed the last two episodes of the four-part Emmy-nominated Netflix limited series "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker." The period drama starred Octavia Spencer, Blair Underwood and won three NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding TV Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special. In 2020 and 2021, she was co-executive producer on the CBS drama "Clarice," the television sequel to the Academy Award winning film "The Silence of the Lambs," and directed the two-part season finale.Davis began her career writing and directing independent features. Both of her films premiered in Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival internationally at Edinburgh. She's best known for "Lift," the story of a "booster" or professional shoplifter, which was selected for the prestigious Sundance Director's and Screenwriter's Labs. It starred Kerry Washington in her first leading role. "Lift" was honored with two Spirit Award nominations before airing originally on Showtime.Davis was working on teleplays and freelancing as an advertising copywriter when the prolific director and producer Ava DuVernay ("ORIGIN," "When They See Us" literally "slipped into her DMs. DuVernay asked her to helm an episode of her groundbreaking series, "Queen Sugar" (OWN). Davis, of course, agreed and arrived at the "Queen Sugar " production office on crutches (who has time for a broken ankle?). Later that summer, DuVernay asked Davis to be Producing Director on the third season of "Queen Sugar." She directed the celebrated premiere where Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) learns he's not the father of his son, as well as two more episodes while overseeing DuVernay's all female, first-time-TV-directing sisterhood. She was also one of a handful of directors asked to return by DuVernay to direct two episodes of the final acclaimed season of "Queen Sugar" in 2022.Davis has directed the GLAAD Media Award nominated series, "The Red Line" (CBS), episodes of "You" and "The Girls on the Bus" for HBO/MAX. She also helmed "For the People," and multiple episodes of fan favorites "How to Get Away with Murder" and "Station 19"When not directing, Davis splits her time between writing and being involved with several philanthropic endeavors including ABCD Boston (an organization dedicated to eradicating poverty), The Innocence Project and the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism.

How do you handle winter blues? Join host Marina Franklin, Vanessa Fraction and Holie Harper as we talk holiday cheer, money-saving hacks, and controversial documentaries that will keep you talking. Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat "BlerdDating." Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stand Up Girls, two programs that empower young women by teaching them standup comedy. She was recently the talent coordinator and casting for "Blood Lassi" on Spotify, written by Pratima Mani, and moderated the panel for the Emmy Award winning, WOC editing team of Black Lady Sketch Show for The Black TV and Film Collective. She is also the Creative Consultant for the very successful Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest. Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

Marina Franklin reflects on a year full of incredible guests, heartfelt discussions, and important advocacy work. Whether you're a longtime listener or new, there's something here for everyone. Happy Holidays, and here's to a bright 2026! Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

Dive into a compelling discussion on embracing vulnerability, caregiving, and the complex relationships we have with our mothers. Join Marina Franklin and her incredible guests, Angela Nissel and Charla Lauriston, for a powerful episode.  Angela Nissel is an author and television writer-producer best known for her comedic memoirs *The Broke Diaries* and *Mixed*, as well as her work on TV shows like *Scrubs* and *Mixed-ish*. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before co-founding the music site Okayplayer with Questlove. After the success of her books, The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke and Mixed: My Life in Black and White, she became a prominent writer and producer. She has a new memoir, *Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom Is Dead*, focusing on caring for her terminally ill mother and the humor and heartbreak of grief. Pre-order sales available now. Charla Lauriston is a comedian, TV writer (Grand Crew, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Last O.G.), and ICF-certified life coach. She is the creator of the award-winning series Witchsters and the founder of The Werking Writer and Thriving with Mindfulness, platforms dedicated to helping creatives build their confidence, careers, and lives they love.  Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Friends have a powerful conversation about "The Cost Of Healing In Silence" with Marina Franklin and guests Ashley McGirt and Nonye Brown-West on the latest episode. Ashley McGirt is a psychotherapist,TEDxinternational speaker, author, and the founder and CEO of theTherapy Fund Foundation, a nonprofit focused on eliminating barriers to mental health care in Black and historically excluded communities. She specializes in trauma, racial trauma, leadership, healthequity, mental health, and self-care. Ashley holds a Master of Social Work from the University ofWashington and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology,operating a private practice where she addresses racial trauma, depression, and anxiety. Featured in Forbes, MSNBC, and HuffPost, Ashley also serves as the NAACP State Area Conference Health Chair. Through her speeches, workshops, and consultations,she empowers individuals and organizations to unpack emotional burdens, prioritize self-care, and foster healing and equity. Her forthcoming book, The Cost of Healing in Silence: Navigating RacialTrauma and the Call for Culturally Responsive Care(March 31, 2026, Wiley), blends research, personal narrative, and clinical insight to challenge systemic inequities and inspire collective healing. It serves as an effective roadmap for culturally responsive mental health care that acknowledges, understands, and begins to heal the ways racial bias and stereotypes infiltrate counseling. Connect with Ashley further at https://www.ashleymcgirt.com Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

This week, we detail the viewship stats from Amazon, ESPN, FOX, and Paramount for NBA and NFL games during the Thanksgiving holiday, as well as the changes we saw in Black Friday OTT discounts. We also discuss what we consider a bad decision by Netflix, removing support for casting shows from mobile devices to most TVs and streaming devices, thereby affecting users who stream Netflix in hotel rooms. We also cover NBC News' announcement that it plans to launch a new ad-free paid streaming service, live programming including CFL, PGA TOUR, Formula 1, and FIFA coming to Bell Media's streaming service Crave, and Fubo's carriage dispute with NBCU.Finally, we do a news roundup of Versant Media Group's financials, and its acquisiton of Free TV Networks, Bending Spoons' acquisition of Vimeo closing, HP and Dell removing hardware decode support for the H.265/HEVC codec in several business and entry-level models, and CW Network calling out Nielsen for "lacking credibility" and being "fundamentally flawed" with regards to their viewership methodology.Podcast produced by Security Halt Media

This Friends Like Us Podcast, Host Marina Franklin talks with Leeanet Noble  and Lauretta Noble about rich narratives and legacy embedded in their new book:  'BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America.' Join me in conversation with its passionate authors. Lauretta Malloy Noble is a critically acclaimed performer, writer, vocalist, musician, and producer. She studied psychology, music and liberal arts extensively at Howard University and holds a BSc degree. She is certified in Genealogy Research from the University of Strathclyde and in film making and script writing from The National Film and Television School. BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America (on sale November 18, 2025; Amistad) is an absorbing investigation into a little-known historical tragedy—an insurrection at the turn of the twentieth century which upended post-Reconstruction gains made by Black residents in a small North Carolina town. LeeAnét Noble is a critically acclaimed multifaceted artist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University with her BFA in Theatre and is certified in Organizational Behavior/Psychology from IESE Business School. She played in the award-winning shows Stomp and Drumstruck. She currently teaches Black history for George Washington University's MFA graduate studies program. BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America (on sale November 18, 2025; Amistad) is an absorbing investigation into a little-known historical tragedy—an insurrection at the turn of the twentieth century which upended post-Reconstruction gains made by Black residents in a small North Carolina town. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

In this episode: CW Network Expresses Frustration Over New Nielsen Ratings Method, TKO announces WWE and UFC partnership with DoorDash, Backstage news regarding the WWE return of Dolph Ziggler at RAW from Madison Square Garden, AJ Lee calls out wrestling fan that posted an altered video of them kissing, and Update on Brie Bella potentially making a wrestling comeback alongside her sister NikkiSupport Ridge Holland: https://gofund.me/4494299e3Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201Support Katie: https://gofund.me/cb2cdcb5Support Eastern Kentucky: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/stormreliefAmerican Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/wlky32-pub.html/The Dream Center: https://www.ekdc.info/donateKCTCS Disaster Relief: https://kctcs.edu/disasterrelief.aspxUniversity of Kentucky Flood Relief: https://philanthropy.uky.edu/kentuckyfloodreliefIf you like what you hear on the podcast, consider helping me out a little bit financially at: https://www.patreon.com/jamminjon

This week, host Marina Franklin is joined by Von Decarlo and Ant Pruitt, and we discuss life, faith and finding purpose at every age. Von's new book, 'Fine Over Fifty' is not just a book title; it's a vibe!  Von Decarlo is an introspective stand-up comedian and entertainment professional who has transformed a life of hardship into purpose. From Clairton, Pennsylvania, to a thriving career in New York City, she is known for her bold humor and unshakable authenticity. A graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Von uses her platform to inspire inner strength—often declaring that even in the hardest times, with faith, you will be fine.  With her new book Fine Over Fifty, she aims to reshape the narrative around aging from one of fear and shame to power and purpose. Ant Pruitt Ant Former IT guy from back in the day. Now a freelance photographer and content creator that has more recently spent more time in front of the camera as a model and commercial actor. antpruitt.com Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch    

Welcome back to The Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., where we celebrate strength, heart, and the connections that shape who we become. Today, we're joined by a voice you may already know — from ESPN's Hall of Fame show with WWE legend Booker T, from The Brad Gilmore Show, or from his hit Back to the Future Podcast. Brad Gilmore is a Houston-based TV host, radio personality, award-winning podcaster, and author — and now he's stepping into an entirely new creative chapter with his heartwarming new children's book, There's Something Really Great About a Grandma. This 42-page treasure is a nostalgic, joy-filled celebration of grandmas everywhere — the laughter, the treats, the wisdom, and the irreplaceable magic of bedtime stories. Blending childhood wonder with Brad's signature storytelling charm, the book is a love letter to family, memory, and the women who help shape our earliest dreams. In this conversation, Brad shares what inspired the story, how his own grandmother influenced his life, the creative shift from pop-culture author to children's writer, his collaboration with illustrator Timothy J. Marino, and what he hopes families experience when reading this book together. If you love stories that uplift, warm your heart, and celebrate the generations who raised us — you're in for a treat.

This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks to Nourbese Flint and Leighann Lord about the battle for reproductive justice and community building.  Nourbese Flint  is President of All* Above All and All* In All Action Fund, leading All* Above All's work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color.  She previously served as Vice President of Strategy. Prior to coming to All* Above All, she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood's relationships within existing racial justice, reproductive justice, Black serving and civil rights organizations. Before coming east, Nourbese served as the founding Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness Action Project, the first Black women's reproductive justice 501c4 organization in the country, and successfully led campaign efforts to get progressive candidates into office. She also served as policy director and led civic engagement efforts for Black Women for Wellness Action Project's sister organization, Black Women for Wellness. Nourbese is a founding member of Trust Black Women, a national coalition dedicated to increasing respect and support of Black Women, and is one of the founding members of the Black Women's Democratic Club. Leighann Lord is a seasoned standup comedian who has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy All Star Jam, Comedy Central, The View, Netflix, and Showtime's Even More Funny Women of a Certain Age. She has performed for the troops and her Dry Bar Comedy special has had over one million views. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch    

"Bring people onto your team that might have skill sets that you don't have, that complement the overall team. Bring them along with you. Don't be intimidated by their talents."In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Beth Feldman, the incoming 2026 President of NYWICI! As a leading network television communications professional, she's launched wide-reaching campaigns for Emmy-award winning shows on CBS including CSI, The Amazing Race, as well as Everybody Loves Raymond.  Listen to this episode for the benefits of being transparent about what you don't know, following what lights you up, and why writing is the foundation for everything. 

Host Marina Franklin and young star Nonye Brown-West talk with Allie Redhorse Young as they celebrate Native American Heritage Month. They discuss the siginficance of preserving cultural narratives like cowgirl culture!   Allie Redhorse Young is a powerhouse Diné organizer, storyteller, and founder of Protect the Sacred, where she's educating and empowering the next generation of Native youth and allies to lead with courage and sovereignty. Through Protect the Sacred, she's registered thousands of Native voters, mobilized young people to the polls on horseback and skateboards, and turned grassroots action into national movements with the backing of cultural icons. Her work shines a light on the ways Indigenous communities carry democracy and cultural survival when federal systems fall short. As both a storyteller and organizer, Allie is building Native power and representation that will last for the next seven generations. Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

October, we're spotlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with powerful stories of resilience and advocacy. Tune in to hear from Marina Franklin's incredible friends Jenny Saldana and Christina Bernard as we discuss survival, hope, and healthcare challenges. Christina Bernard, a stage 4 cancer thriver, chaplain, and motivational speaker, utilizes her global platform to convert pain into purpose and empowerment. She enables women to overcome adversity by embracing resilience, faith, and the healing power of love, advocating for emotional wellness, spiritual growth, and hope during life's most trying moments. Christina's life journey extends beyond survival, and she inspires others to thrive with purpose. Her book/journal, Conversations as We Pray for Your Healing, available on Amazon, features profound conversations and biblical principles to guide individuals through challenging times. Jenny Saldaña is a writer, actress, and stand-up comedian and a Breast Cancer Rock STAR and all around hotness. She wrote, produced and starred in Happy Cancer Chick, a web series inspired by her own battle with breast cancer. She recently appeared in HBO's High Maintenance. Her video series, The Little Brown Girl Show can be found on Youtube and Facebook Live. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

Join Marina Franklin on the latest Friends Like Us podcast with special guests Jon Laster & Marlon Nichols as they dive into the world of venture capital, diversity in tech, and the untapped potential in Africa. Don't miss this insightful episode!  Jon Laster is known for One Bedroom (2018), No More Mr Nice Guy (2018) and The 2019 ESPY Awards (2019) and check out his new series An Astute Woman Web Series. He is the Founder and C.E.O. of Blapp. Blapp is a Google-based, geo-located app that will tell you all the Black businesses that are right around you. Marlon Nichols is the co-founder and managing general partner of MaC Venture Capital, a leading seed-stage firm renowned for backing visionary founders who redefine industries. Under his leadership, MaC has grown into one of North America's largest seed-stage venture firms, surpassing $600 million in assets under management (AUM). In October 2024, the firm announced the closing of its third fund ($150 million), further solidifying its influence in the early-stage investment landscape. Marlon's portfolio includes industry-defining companies such as Airspace, Blavity, FINESSE, Gimlet Media, MongoDB, Pipe, Purestream, Thrive Market, and Shekel Mobility, among others. His keen eye for transformative opportunities has earned him widespread recognition, including consecutive placements on Los Angeles Business Journal's LA500 (2022–2025) and Business Insider's Seed 100 (Top Early-Stage Investors) for four years. Additionally, he ranks 25th on the Kauffman Fellows Fund Returners Index and has been featured in PitchBook's 25 Black Founders and VCs to Watch for six years. His expertise is frequently sought by top media outlets such as Axios, CNBC, Fortune, and more. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Marlon serves on the board of Kauffman Fellows, working to expand representation for underrepresented minorities in venture capital. With a unique blend of technology acumen and leadership principles shaped by his athletic background, he actively mentors CEOs, fosters strategic partnerships, and helps founders scale their businesses into market leaders. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

This Friends Like Us, join your host Marina Franklin, Shang Forbes, and Hollie Harper. They weave humor into today's most pressing topics - Like, is Marjorie Taylor Green not so Maga anymore? Tune in now for laughs and insights. SHANG, a transplanted New Yorker whose carefully nurtured evolution from stand-up comedy to socio-political satire gives heavy flight to the spoken and outspoken word. SHANG has been seen on CBS'S The Late Late Show 2X BET's Comic View Grand Stand Winner HBO 's Def Jam & Def Poetry, Gotham LIVE, STARZ 1st Amendment, Si TV, Mun2 Comics Unleashed, Comedy Central's Jamie Foxx Laffapaloolza ,Premium Blend &  Gotham Comedy LIVE. Shang Also Has Guest Starred On NBC'S “Heroes”, CBS'S “CSI” & NCIS & Shang recently Co-starred for Honda their Commercial Campaign & the Movie “Devine Intervention” & “Trunked!” Check out his Amazon Prime comedy special, 'SHANG is SHANGRY! LIVE IN NEW YORK'. It's the comedian That if you don't know, Now you know. Shang is not angry he's SHANGRY. Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stand Up Girls, two programs that empower young women by teaching them standup comedy. She was recently the talent coordinator and casting for “Blood Lassi” on Spotify, written by Pratima Mani, and moderated the panel for the Emmy Award winning, WOC editing team of Black Lady Sketch Show for The Black TV and Film Collective. She is also the Creative Consultant for the very successful Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch    

 Dive into comedic genius with Keith Robinson and Ian Edwards on the latest episode of "Friends Like Us." Don't miss their hilarious takes and Ian's new comedy special "Untitled" on YouTube! Keep those laughs coming!  Ian Edwards is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, recognized for his sharp wit, dark humor, and provocative content. His new special “Untitled” is available on YouTube. Untitled” is Ian Edwards at his sharpest — taking on everything from gender reveals and Michael Jackson to racism in tech, missing submarines, and why hotels will never be sh*t. Filmed with raw honesty and amazing timing, this special proves why Ian has been one of the most respected voices in stand-up for decades. Ian released a stand-up special titled IanTalk: Ideas Not Worth Spreading on Comedy Central, produced by Bill Burr. His television appearances include multiple spots on Conan, Bill Burr's Friends Who Kill on Netflix, and Friends From College on Netflix. Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic's comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He was a regular on Comedy Central's Tough Crowd; and the co-host of The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox), His first hour special; 2014's Kevin Hart Presents: Back of the Bus Funny can still be streamed on Amazon Prime, Peacock and Tubi. Keith has been featured in films such as Trainwreck and King of Staten Island. After two strokes, and an extended hospital stay, during COVID, Keith marched right back to the stage to create his latest and most personal work yet, Different Strokes; his second hour special, picked up and to be released in 2024 by Netflix.  Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch      

 This week on Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with Memo Salazar and Lorre Fisher.  We dive into the new, reimagined Hamilton! Discover the untold stories and truths behind the legendary figure through a powerful hip-hop lens. Tune in for insightful discussions and revolutionary perspectives!  Lorre Fisher is a Jamaican-born NY resident. She is an aspiring creative and community builder. She is excited to play the role of James Madison in this production.  She was a part of the October 2022 cast of A Sketch of New York as well as a cast member in a local production of The Vagina Monologues in 2019.  As an admitted attorney, she seeks ways to integrate her love of art with her penchant for human rights and liberation. Memo Salazar is a Mexican-born DGA director, writer, and activist… and a longtime resident of Queens, New York. As a director, his work ranges from Public Enemy music videos to Elmo tackling homelessness on Sesame Street. He has collaborated with theoretical physicist Brian Greene on a Ted Talk, won 3 Emmy awards, and produced an animated series for Rohingya refugee children exiled from their home country of Burma. As an activist, he is a recipient of Arena's Five Borough Future fellowship and the 2019 Queens Latinx leadership award for his community work. He is also the current co-chair of Western Queens CLT, which brings truly affordable housing and community-owned land to New York City.. Tickets to see Hamilton Oct. 22nd Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.

Dive into laughter as host Marina Franklin talks with Keisha "TK" Dutes and Kimberly Clark ! From game show antics to serious social talks, this episode brings both heart and humor.   Keisha “TK” Dutes is a multidisciplinary creative, audio veteran, and community builder. She is the founder of Philo's Future Media, where she helps producers bring stories to life with intention and authenticity, and serves as co-President of the board of the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR). A passionate educator and advocate for creative expression, TK's work centers on healing, truth-telling, and expanding the possibilities of what audio can be. Beyond the mic, she's an extreme hobbyist and visual artist—immersed in playful, ever-evolving creative pursuits that keep her rooted in joy. Her current project is The Secret Life Of TK Dutes Podcast.  Learn more at tastykeish.com  Kimberly Clark - Originally from Syracuse, NY. She's been seen on Netflix's Tiffany Haddish presents: They Ready, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Last Comic Standing. She was named one of Time Out L.A.'s Comics To Watch. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.  

On this Friends Like Us, I talk with both Erica Switzer and Nnenna Freelon about the improvisation of grief. Experience the powerful stories behind Nnenna Freelon's album "Beneath The Skin" and her upcoming book "Beneath The Skin Of Sorrow." Pre-order the book now and get the album today! Don't miss out on these soulful insights into art and grief.  Nnenna Freelon is a celebrated jazz vocalist, composer, producer, author and host of the award-winning podcast Great Grief with Nnenna Freelon. A seven-time Grammy® Award nominee, Freelon is a member of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. She has released over twelve solo albums, most recently, Beneath the Skin on Origin Records. She toured with Ray Charles. She performed at the inauguration of President George W. Bush in January 2001. In November 2011, The White House, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, asked Freelon to headline the Asia Pacific Economic Summit for 300 Presidents, Premiers, and Heads of State from around the world.  Dr. Maya Angelou was an admirer of her voice.  Married to Phillip Freelon, the lead architect for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History. Nnenna's book-  preorder it  now! : officially Oct. 21, is the companion piece to her lauded spring 2025 album ‘Beneath the Skin' (Origin Records), Beneath the Skin of Sorrow, is a new collection of essays, poems, lyrics, revelations, and explorations of jazz, shaped by Freelon's personal experiences with grief. It's also a love letter—to Phil, to her sister, and to anyone learning to live with loss. Erica Switzer: Chicagoland's Erica Switzer is a rising stand-up comedian; think “Your bougie jet-set auntie who twerks to NPR.” Since 2021, she has produced Fear Of A Black Cat Comedy, a platform highlighting diverse comedic talent. A 2020 Flappers Comedy Club Soup-or-Bowl winner, she has performed at major festivals such as the World Series of Comedy, Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest, and Burbank Comedy Festival's Best of Fest. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.    

This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with Hollie Harper and Chanel Ali about Chanel's new solo show 'Relative Stranger'! They dive deep into her story of triumph over adversity. Tune into today's podcast to hear her inspiring journey and get your tickets to see the show! You know Chanel Ali from Netflix's Dash and Lily or her time on MTV's Girl Code. Originally from Philly, her storyteller-like style and commanding stage presence allowed her to conquer the NYC comedy scene as a crowd favorite. She boasts two Comedy Central specials, an album, and the fact that she drinks way more than you. Her new Solo show, Relative Stranger is playing at the Soho House from Sept. 17th - 28th. Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stand Up Girls, two programs that empower young women by teaching them standup comedy. She was recently the talent coordinator and casting for “Blood Lassi” on Spotify, written by Pratima Mani, and moderated the panel for the Emmy Award winning, WOC editing team of Black Lady Sketch Show for The Black TV and Film Collective. She is also the Creative Consultant for the very successful Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.

We worked our tails off!" This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin is unpacking the power of black women in shaping democracy and communities with Mia Jackson & Dr. Christina Greer on. It's not just a conversation—it's a movement.  Dr. Christina Greer is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University, Lincoln Center (Manhattan) campus. Her research and teaching focus on American politics, Black ethnic politics, campaigns and elections, and public opinion. She is the author of "Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream", "How to Build a Democracy from Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams", and co-editor of "Black Politics in Transition: Immigration, Suburbanization, and Gentrification". Greer writes a weekly column for The Amsterdam News, is a frequent political commentator on several media outlets, and is the co-host of FAQ-NYC Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for “native”). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the Critic's Choice Best Stand-Up in the city. She has toured nationally with Amy Schumer and is a featured comic at festivals and clubs across the country. Her first stand up special aired in October 2018 as part of Unprotected Sets on EPIX. Mia has appeared on NickMom's Night Out, Viceland, Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Her Comedy Central half hour special debuted in November 2019  Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.    

Support our sponsors this week by using the links below for the exclusive Solomonster offers!MINT MOBILE ▶ Get your 3-month UNLIMITED wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at http://www.mintmobile.com/solomonster right now!FACTOR MEALS - Use code "solomonster50off" at http://www.factormeals.com/solomonster50off to get 50 PERCENT OFF your first box plus free shipping!Rumors are swirling that TNA may land a deal with The CW Network or A&E and may well shift its TV to Wednesdays to directly compete with AEW.  But make no mistake, this all ties into something far more than competition... WWE is on a mission to destroy AEW.  I'll explain it all, including recent news on WWE booking a main roster PLE with John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar to run opposite All Out, and potentially booking John Cena's retirement match to air opposite Worlds End.  TNA is just their useful idiot in a much larger game they're playing.  ALSO... thoughts on the Karrion Kross interview with Ariel Helwani and why it would make NO SENSE for him to land in AEW... thoughts on the Hulk Hogan TMZ special on FOX and Vince McMahon's first interview since resigning from TKO... my TRIPLEMANIA XXXIII REVIEW as even more WWE elements seep into the product and how the lucha libre scene is thriving right now... AEW FORBIDDEN DOOR PREDICTIONS with thoughts on Konosuke Takeshita and the G1 Climax... and ranking the greatest BABYFACE TURNS in wrestling history.  Plus, I saw WEAPONS in the theater and finally saw some other horror flicks, including Sinners, and have thoughts on that too!***Follow Solomonster on X (formerly Twitter) for news and opinion:http://x.com/solomonsterSubscribe to the Solomonster Sounds Off on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSolomonster?sub_confirmation=1Become a Solomonster Sounds Off Channel Member:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jcg7mk93fGNqWPMfl_Aig/join

Host Marina Franklin dives into a world of comedy, politics, and personal experiences with comedians Subhah Agarwal and Kaneez Surka. Get insights on egg freezing, political ebbs, Kaneez Surka's new comedy special on youtube and more.  Kaneez Surka - Check out her new special on YouTube: I Found My People. Kaneez has produced and performed in Netflix Special, 'Ladies Up', Netflix's 'Comedy Premium League,' and Amazon Prime Video's Improv specials, 'Something From Nothing' and 'Improv All Stars - Games Night.' Kaneez is also known for her comedic acting. Her short film, 'The Shaila(s)' was selected for the Voot Select Film Festival.  Subhah Agarwal has brought an honesty to her comedy that will leave you saying "I didn't need to know that." Subhah has written for Netflix's “Arsenio Hall” limited series, the "Plan B" movie on Hulu," and The Jim Jefferies Show"on Comedy Central, amongst others. You can also catch her jokes live at stand up comedy clubs across the country. If you don't want to leave your couch, you can see her late night debut on NBC's "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." She's also appeared on season three of HBO's "Westworld", "General Hospital," TruTv's sketch comedy "Friends of the People", and as herself on MTV2, Comedy Central, and Gotham Comedy Live. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.  

Dive into a fun thought-provoking discussions on race, gender, and the evolving comedy scene with the latest episode of Friends Like Us. Join Marina Franklin, Vanessa Fraction, and Pete Dominick for laughs and insights! Pete Dominick -For almost 12 years, Pete was the host of a daily three-hour live radio show on SIRIUSXM, “Stand Up with Pete Dominick”. The show welcomed 3-4 expert guests on a broad range of issues and ideas and cultivated a following of similarly curious and passionate people who wanted to learn, laugh, and grow together. This format eventually led Pete to start his own, independent daily podcast where he hosts two brilliant guests per day, along-side a comprehensive 20-30 minute news segment. He books, hosts, edits, and produces the entire podcast from his home in New York state. The podcast rivals any daily news podcast from major media companies. Pete loves creating his own content while speaking on a wide range of issues, performing stand up, and doing his best to continue learning how to make the world a better place. Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.    

Host Marina Franklin has an insightful conversation with Professor Tracie Canada and Ashima Franklin on the experiences of black college football players and their moms. Listen to our latest episode to understand the untold stories behind the sport.  Tracie Canada: Tracie Canada is the Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University. She is the author of Tackling the Everyday: Race and Nation in Big-Time College Football (University of California Press, 2025) and the founder and director of the HEARTS (Health, Ethnography, and Race through Sports) Lab. Her work has also been featured in public venues and outlets such as the Museum of Modern Art, TIME, The Guardian, and Scientific American. Ashima Franklin: Ashima Franklin is a comedian, writer and actor, born and raised in Mobile, AL. Recently, she was selected as one of the inaugural 2024 NETFLIX IS A JOKE… Introducing (New Faces) comedians. In addition, she was also selected “Best of Fest” at Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin. She also performed in comedy festivals like Flyover Comedy Fest, Laughing Skull and New York Comedy Festival. Previously, she toured the country for 5 years with Katt Williams on the Priceless, The Katt Pack and Katapocolypse tours. . As an actor, she also appeared in the movie THE AFTERPARTY on Netflix. Ashima recently appeared on the ALLBLK Network on the Kendall Kyndall show with Drew Sadora, as well as Season 2 of OWN's READY TO LOVE. In addition, she appeared on Kountry Wayne's COMEDY SHIT (Youtube), in which she is currently a recurring cast member. Ashima also headlined the Vivica Fox Funny by Nature Tour. Ashima was selected to be a part of the 2022 & 2023 New York Comedy Festival. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.