Shows
The Risking SpaceJoy to the Pod!On this final episode of the season, Roxie and Karla discuss twelve highlights from the pod giving you the 12 Gifts of The Risking Space! Huge thanks to all of our guests, who are truly the gifts that keep on giving! And to all of our listeners...we RISK you a Merry Podcast! We'll be taking an undetermined break after this episode, so please follow us @ @theriskingspace on Twitter and Instagram to get all the latest updates! Rate, review and stay connected! Thank you for all of your support!2021-12-2334 min
The Risking Space360 Degree Directing with Storyteller Keith PowellKeith Powell (Toofer on NBC’s “30 Rock,” “About A Boy,” “Connecting”) might be best known for his acting, but he has always considered himself to be artistically more than that. Keith graduated from NYU with a degree in directing and has never stopped using directing and writing as a way to tell the stories he wants to tell. From stage to screen, his acclaimed web series “Keith Broke His Leg” and most recently Hallmark’s “A Holiday In Harlem,” Keith is committed to expressing his creative vision authentically, no matter the container. We dive deep into rejection, playing the long game, and creating...2021-12-0940 min
The Risking SpaceMusic Medicine, The Imposter Syndrome and Letting Go of Labels w/ Musician Stevvi AlexanderStevvi Alexander has certainly put in her 10,000 hours as a working vocalist having worked with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand, Raphael Sadiq and currently St. Vincent and The Roots for Jimmy Fallon. Additionally, she is trained as a music therapist and was featured in the documentary “20 Feet From Stardom." But, these past three years have challenged her steady climb as she recovered from a debilitating back injury only to find live music disappear during the pandemic. We go deep with Stevvi on self worth, especially in what we have to offer as artists, the healing po...2021-11-2541 min
The Risking SpaceAttacking the Funny with Actor/Comedian Leonard RobinsonLeonard Robinson is most recently known for his work as Taurean on HBO’s hit “Insecure.” He also performed on every episode of the first four seasons of Nick Cannon’s Wild N’ Out, has appeared as a series regular on numerous shows, is a standup regular at The Comedy Store and a Main Company member at the Groundlings where he writes, performs and directs. We talk to Leonard about the discipline and drive it took for him to get from Howard’s school of business to Hollywood and how his martial arts training has guided him along the way. Other t...2021-11-1139 min
The Risking SpaceArt After Brain Surgery with Actor-Writer Thomas MejiaJust as actor/writer/creator Tommy Mejia was finding his stride in the film and TV industry, his doctor discovered a potentially life-threatening mass in his brain. Since then, Tommy has had to undergo several surgeries which have completely changed the way he lives his life. In this beautifully honest conversation, we talk to Tommy about the frustration of not being able to make the art you want to make, how it felt to watch a play inspired by him and why he's still committed to staying creative. Other topics include accepting a slower pace, identity and (on the...2021-10-2835 min
The Risking SpaceYour Clothes Tell The Story with Costumer Carmia MarshallCarmia Marshall is a storyteller first, costumer/stylist second. Carmia - "Coming To America 2", "Ma Rainy's Black Bottom", "Sex and the City" - landed in NY not knowing what she would end up doing, but committed to a creative life. Years later, she has worked as a costumer on countless major motion pictures and television shows and even co-authored three DIY style books. We talk about how she fell into (or flowed into!) her career in costuming, the feelings attached to our bodies, and how we tell stories with our clothes - whether we know it or not. Other...2021-10-1447 min
The Risking SpaceTurning Anger Into Art with "Angry Little Asian" Creator Lela LeeGirls get angry. But in a culture that portrays and celebrates docile images of girls and women, they often don’t feel empowered to express their anger. Actor, writer and cartoonist Lela Lee has been on a mission to change that with her cartoon "Angry Little Asian" and comic strip “Angry Little Girls,” which has garnered fans for 25 years and is currently being developed for TV. As the 4th daughter of Korean immigrants who was raised in what she refers to as “obedience culture” with a gender preference toward boys, Lela talks to us about how she turned her wound into an asse...2021-09-3036 min
The Risking SpaceAnalyzing with Empathy with "The Curvy Critic" Carla RenataCarla Renata is a working actor and singer...who is also a critic! As an actress, Carla currently recurs on NBC's "Superstore," starred on Broadway in "Avenue Q," and is the only actress to have recurred on four different shows during one episodic season...TWICE! But during a creative transition, Carla took a risk to follow her love of movies and began reviewing them. Since then, she has been featured in the LA Times and launched her successful YouTube show "The Curvy Critic." We talk about representation in film criticism, how NOT to be a hater, and how we...2021-09-1633 min
The Risking SpaceSustaining Your Practice with Visual Artist Alexandra HammondFor many of us, making art is synonymous with being busy, pushing, "making things happen." But for Alexandra Hammond, a visual artist with an MFA from the School of Visual Arts, art goes hand in hand with consciousness, meditation and creating community. From her Boa's Repair Shop Menditation- a recent interactive piece where participants mend torn clothing as an act of healing, to her years long focus on painting with a specific shade of blue, Alex is making an art of following her bliss, leaning into the unknown and liking what she likes. We discuss accessibility in art spaces, the...2021-09-0238 min
The Risking SpaceArt, Alzheimer's, and Answering the Call with Roxana OrtegaRoxana Ortega (Groundlings Sunday Company, Frida on "The Casagrandes", Moth Grandslammer, Co-Host of The Risking Space) is RISK AVERSE! And yet, she has chosen one of the most unpredictable professions. As an award winning actor, storyteller, voice over artist and producer, Roxie decides on a daily basis to run towards the things that scare her most...and she generally succeeds. On this episode, we talk about the importance of making a strong decision, following messages from the universe, and the necessity of self care. We also discuss why, in her 30s, she chose to be her mother's care taker...2021-08-1940 min
The Risking SpaceTo Serve, With Love with Actor-Activist Karla MosleyThis week’s episode spotlights our very own Karla Mosely! Karla is an actor, songstress, producer and activist who made history playing The Bold and The Beautiful’s Maya Avant, the first series regular transgender character in American television. We dive into her creative upbringing, her deep love of service, and the vulnerability and healing that came from playing Maya. Other topics include saying yes, self-actualization as activism and the battle for balance. Karla is the co-creator of 1:1 productions, an award-winning production company championing women of color in front of and behind the camera. http://www.1to1prod...2021-08-0532 min
The Risking SpaceDefying the Odds with Olympian & Actor Jamie NietoTwo-time Olympian, actor, writer and producer Jamie Nieto is a case study in defying the odds. He not only went to the Olympics twice (2004/2012) as an American high jumper and jumped his personal best there, but, after suffering a severe spinal cord injury, he defied the doctor’s prognosis and walked his wife-to-be 150 steps down the aisle. Jamie takes us through his athletic journey, the accident, and the pursuit of his artistic dreams as an actor (Away, The Encounter), writer (Family Time, In the Cut) and producer (Blood Brothers). We get deep into the passion, dedication and mental toughness th...2021-07-2240 min
The Risking SpaceBefore and Beyond Jar Jar Binks with Ahmed BestJar Jar Binks will go down in history as the first CGI character in a motion picture. What you might not have ever thought about is the person behind Jar Jar. Our guest, Ahmed Best, provided all the movement, voice and acting that was used to create Jar Jar in the Star Wars movies. Without his contribution, CGI would not be what it is today. And yet, as a young artist, he had to endure surprising and fierce backlash for what was seen as racial stereotypes in Jar Jar’s portrayal. Ahmed talks about his incredible journey from performing in...2021-07-081h 02
The Risking SpaceInclusion, Solidarity & Telling Your Own Story with Trans Actor/Activist Scott Turner SchofieldFor Actor/Activist Scott Turner-Schofield opportunity and success in Hollywood has come as a surprise. A Transgender artist, Scott assumed there was no direct path for him and instead created a one man show “Becoming A Man in 127 EASY Steps”, which has since been made into a film and is currently enjoying its 2nd year screening at Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, Scott has been featured as an actor on “The Bold and The Beautiful”, received an Emmy Nomination for his work on “Studio City”, and is a consultant on HBO’s “Euphoria” and “The Craft Movie”. We talk with Scott about inclusivit...2021-06-2446 min
The Risking SpaceThe Latinx Superpowers of Writer Fernanda CoppelHappy Pride! We begin the month talking to Queer, Latinx play and screenwriter Fernanda Coppel (Queen of the South, How To Get Away With Murder, Atlantic Theater Company, Second Stage). She gets real about her journey from Mazatlán to making art in commercial spaces, the pressures she feels as a woman of color and the Latinx superpowers she calls upon. Other topics include getting stuck on a professional “track,” confidence and creatively thinking about career moves. For more on Fernanda, follow her @fer_coppel10 on Instagram. Follow us @ @theriskingspace. And check out more about Ammun...2021-06-1052 min
The Risking SpaceRepresentation, Asian/Muslim Pride & Being Multi-Faceted As F**k with Zehra Fazal Actor and voice-over artist Zehra Fazal (Halo in Young Justice, Nadia in Voltron) gets real about representation — on both the progress and the pitfalls in achieving equality in the entertainment industry. As the proud daughter of Pakistani & Indian Muslim doctors, Zehra shares her road from Indiana to LA, the freedom she finds in voice-over, and the stories she’d like to see told. Celebrate AAPI heritage month with us and this multi-faceted bad ass! For more on Zehra, follow her @zehrafazal on the socials. Follow us @ @theriskingspace. And chec...2021-05-2750 min
The Risking SpaceFreedom Is Her Kind of Crazy with Artist Ginger GonzagaWhen Ginger Gonzaga "came out" publicly about her bipolar 2 diagnosis in a Medium article, some close to her feared she might be stigmatized, but it’s Ginger’s mission to chip away at the shame associated with mental health diagnoses. In addition to being an incredibly successful actor, writer and director (Togetherness, Kidding, Space Force, I'm Dying Up Here, Your Day), she is a fierce mental health advocate. We talk trauma, the outrageous double standards around mental health and creative expression for men vs. women, and how, for her, art is the answer, the escape and her soul's purpose. For mo...2021-05-1356 min
The Risking SpaceMoney, The Starving Artist Myth and Joy with Comedic Writer Michael FeldmanMichael Feldman is an incredibly successful comedic writer who has written for television's Kevin From Work, The Neighbors, Deadbeat and is currently staffed on AP Bio. He's also the writer, creator and producer of the wildly popular “Fairytale Theater: 18 and Over” which traveled to Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has been enjoying sold out audiences in LA for over 10 years. AND YET he still feels anxious about money. Roxie and Karla talk to Michael about his personal pitfalls with money and the business, his inherited beliefs and why choosing joy over profits works for him. Other topics include faith, heat lamp...2021-04-2952 min
The Risking SpaceRadical Honesty, Adventure and the American Dream with South African Comic Tumi MorakeSouth African comedian, actor, writer, mom and all-around super star Tumi Morake joins us to talk about her wild success and the decision to leave it all for America. As the first African woman to have a Netflix stand up special and host a late night talk show, Tumi shares the importance of living her truth, her drive for artistic expression and her commitment to living a life with no regrets. Enjoy this powerful conversation with this super mom and super wife who deeply believes that risk-taking breeds joy and success. For more of Tumi, check out...2021-04-1549 min
The Risking SpaceCelebrating the Fool, Psychedelic Therapy and Rewriting the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Writer Elna BakerElna Baker is a master storyteller, comedian and producer for This American Life. We talk to Elna about her current journey back to self through ayahuasca therapy, her willingness to rewrite narratives about her body, her family, the Mormon faith she grew up with and why she chooses to walk the Fool’s path. Other topics include gas lighting yourself, embarrassing moments in the boudoir and breathable fabrics. Here's a link to Elna's book "The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance" https://bit.ly/3sH65U7 We also discuss "The War of Art" by St...2021-04-0158 min
The Risking SpaceFears, Firsts & Modern Warfare with Actor Claudia DoumitClaudia Doumit is no stranger to risk! She's an exuberant talent with a "just do it" attitude whose move from Australia in her early 20s has lead to starring roles on NBC's Timeless, Amazon Prime's The Boys, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, for which she was the first playable female protagonist! We talk about walking through fear, saying yes no matter what, and booking roles in languages you don't actually speak! Other topics include theatre (Claudia is an Ammunition Theatre Member), daring to dig deeper into all of your creative impulses, and Sleepy Time Tea. So, snuggle up...2021-03-1841 min
The Risking SpaceImprov & The Wonderful Weird of Edi PattersonThe hilarious improviser, actor and writer Edi Patterson (Righteous Gemstones, Vice Principals, Knives Out) joins us as we celebrate Women's History Month. A self-proclaimed "improv nerd," Edi talks about improv as "everything" -- life, God, spirit. We get into what still gives her terror and how she finds the courage to "let it rip." Other topics include weirdness, writing and women. For the epic Edi clip from The Righteous Gemstones, click here: https://bit.ly/3qm0DEt Follow her on the socials @edipattersonhi and join our community @theriskingspace on Twitter & Instagram! For more on Ammunition Theatre Company, check out www.ammun...2021-03-0438 min
The Risking SpaceCelebrating Blackness & Knowing Your Worth with Visual Artist-Actor Jill Knox PowellVisual artist and actress Jill Knox Powell (NBC "Connecting") joins us as we celebrate Black History Month! We talk about her journey of leaning into her black identity and unique visual expression, her path back into acting and self-acceptance. Other topics include worth, lineage and lipstick. To check out Jill's work, go to www.jillknoxart.com and www.youngrebelsstudio.com. For more on Ammunition Theatre Company, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com Join our community @theriskingspace on Twitter & Instagram! Send your guests pitches to theriskingspace@gmail.com2021-02-1840 min
The Risking SpaceFrom Fairytales to Stability with Artist-Therapist Bobby SteggertRoxie & Karla dive into the risks artists face in maintaining relationships with Tony-nominated actor-turned therapist Bobby Steggert. Specializing in artist couples, Bobby shares his insights on creating healthy boundaries, embracing solitude and accepting the more mundane part of what it is to be alive. We also talk relationship myths, intimacy and the unique opportunity artists have to create a different kind of stability. It's almost Valentine's Day, so let's go to therapy! To stay connected with Bobby Steggert, follow him on in Instagram @bobbysteggertmsw or email him at bobbysteggert.msw@gmail.com. Check out this beautiful article he wrote, "An Op...2021-02-0437 min
The Risking SpaceKimrie Lewis on Choosing YouActor/Comedian Kimrie Lewis (Scandal, Single Parents, Kenan on NBC) talks with Karla & Roxie about her journey from doing improv in South Central to finding her comedic voice and starring in multiple comedies. They discuss finding the funny in pain and having the courage to quit to find your own way. Other topics include divorce, intense massage and ear plugs.2021-01-2134 min
The Risking SpaceMichaela Watkins On Embracing the Unknown & Getting WitchyKarla and Roxie talk to actress, comedian and writer Michaela Watkins (SNL, Transparent, Brittany Runs A Marathon, Casual, CBS’ The Unicorn). They discuss setting goals (or not), the lack of mentors as you age & following your instincts. They also dive into harnessing lady power, banishing people pleasing and vie for the title of “Most Woo Woo.” Other topics include politics, empaths and improv. To keep up with Michaela Watkins, follow her @michaelawat on Twitter and Instagram. For more on Ammunition Theatre Company, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com Join our community @theriskingspace on Twitter...2021-01-0749 min
The Risking SpaceTina Huang On Being A First Generation ArtistKarla and Roxie talk with actor, writer and producer Tina Huang (Rizzoli and Isles, Arrow, The Bold and The Beautiful, Days of Our Lives) about the decision to become an artist when your family doesn't support it. Other topics include bravery, the importance of slowing down, and the effects of capitalism on art. You can follow Tina Huang on Instagram @tinahuang381 and on Twitter @tinahuang. Follow @theriskingspace on Twitter and Instagram and rate us wherever you get your podcasts. The Risking Space is produced by Karla Mosely and Roxana Ortega in conjunction with...2020-12-2435 min
The Risking SpaceReimagining the Past with Actor/Writer Chene LawsonKarla and Roxie talk with actor/writer Chene Lawson about her riveting narrative podcast "All Things Undone" that reimagines slavery from a sci-fi perspective and asks the question-- what if Black people had a superpower which made them "unkillable?" Other topics include spirituality, following your bliss and overcoming fears. 2020-12-1029 min
The Risking SpaceWeaving Spells with Actor Brandon Victor DixonPowerhouse Emmy, Grammy and Tony nominated actor, producer and advocate Brandon Victor Dixon talks about playing historical figures, unpacking American mythologies and the responsibility of artists and all humans to become more socially conscious. His past works include Simba in The Lion King National Tour, Aaron Burr in Broadway's Hamilton, Berry Gordy in Motown, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Ray Charles in Ray, and Harpo in The Color Purple. Other topics include Thanksgiving, Epsom salt and bunnies. Follow @theriskingspace on Twitter and Instagram. The Risking Space is produced by Karla Mosely and Roxana Ortega in...2020-11-2628 min
The Risking SpaceTaking On Dictators with Randall ParkFirst of all, we know we're releasing our October-recorded episode in November! We were kind of busy saving the world from a dictator. You're welcome. On that note, Randall Park talks to us about taking on the role of another living dictator-- Kim Jong Un. Other topics include cancel culture, the comfort of closets and cleaning with rags. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @theriskingspace. The Risking Space is produced by Karla Mosely & Roxana Ortega in conjunction with Ammunition Theatre Company. For more on the company, check out https://www.ammunitiontheatre.com/. 2020-11-1223 min
The Risking SpaceWelcome to The Risking SpaceKarla and Roxie, two multi-hyphenate working artist urban hippies, introduce themselves and welcome you into The Risking Space! Enter...if you dare! They talk art, risk and popsicle sticks. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @theriskingspace. The Risking Space is produced by Karla Mosely & Roxana Ortega in conjunction with Ammunition Theatre Company. For more on the company, check out https://www.ammunitiontheatre.com/. 2020-11-1110 min