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Osi Atikpoh
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Consciousness Is All There Is
Dr. Tony Nader and Osi Atikpoh Discuss a Groundbreaking Perspective on Consciousness
Episode hosted by Osi Atikpoh of A Song Called Life Podcast.In Episode #215, neuroscientist Tony Nader joins Osi to discuss a groundbreaking perspective on consciousness, exploring how it serves as the essence of all existence and offering practical tools and methods to connect with our authentic inner nature.Tony Nader, M.D., Ph.D., MARR, is a medical doctor trained at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. in neuroscience), and a globally recognised Vedic scholar. As Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s successor, Dr Nader is head of the international Transcendental Meditation® organisations in ove...
2025-02-10
49 min
Consciousness Is All There Is
Dr. Tony Nader and Osi Atikpoh Discuss a Groundbreaking Perspective on Consciousness
Episode hosted by Osi Atikpoh of A Song Called Life Podcast. In Episode #215, neuroscientist Tony Nader joins Osi to discuss a groundbreaking perspective on consciousness, exploring how it serves as the essence of all existence and offering practical tools and methods to connect with our authentic inner nature. Tony Nader, M.D., Ph.D., MARR, is a medical doctor trained at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. in neuroscience), and a globally recognised Vedic scholar. As Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s successor, Dr Nader is head of the international Transcendental Meditation® organisations in over 100 countries. From the Americas to...
2025-02-04
49 min
Consciousness Is All There Is
Dr. Tony Nader and Osi Atikpoh Discuss a Groundbreaking Perspective on Consciousness
Episode hosted by Osi Atikpoh of A Song Called Life Podcast. In Episode #215, neuroscientist Tony Nader joins Osi to discuss a groundbreaking perspective on consciousness, exploring how it serves as the essence of all existence and offering practical tools and methods to connect with our authentic inner nature. Tony Nader, M.D., Ph.D., MARR, is a medical doctor trained at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. in neuroscience), and a globally recognised Vedic scholar. As Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s successor, Dr Nader is head of the international Transcendental Meditation® organisations in over 100 countries. From the Americas to...
2025-02-04
49 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #95: The Cleaning Lady
The Cleaning Lady is a crime drama TV series about a Cambodian doctor that comes to the United States for medical treatment to save her ailing son. As the system quickly fails her, pushing her into hiding, she resolves not to allow herself to be beaten down and marginalized, and becomes a cleaning lady for organized crime. Osi is joined by Miranda Kwok (writer/executive producer) and Melissa Carter (showrunner) to discuss the unique themes/subjects in The Cleaning Lady that are rarely shown on TV, how Miranda found the inspiration to develop the show, and what to expect as S...
2022-11-17
25 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #94: Dr. Idan Blank
Dr. Idan A. Blank is a UCLA Professor of Psychology. He is also a member of the Brain Research Institute (BRI) and and Neuroscience Inter-Departmental Program (NSIDP). He received his PhD (2016) in Cognitive Science from MIT. Idan's work is focused on studying humans' understanding of language. Osi and Idan discuss how language affects our ability to think, our judgment of others based on how they speak, the best time to learn a second language, and more.
2022-11-10
54 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #93: Dr. Aaron Blaisdell
Dr. Aaron Blaisdell is a UCLA Psychology Professor where he directs the Comparative Cognition Lab. He is also a member of the Brain Research Institute, the Integrative Center for Learning & Memory, and the Evolutionary Medicine program. Dr. Blaisdell joins Osi to discuss his work with comparative animal cognition, and the various ways animals build and use representations of their world. Listen to find out what your pet's really thinking!
2022-10-20
1h 16
A Song Called Life
Episode #92: Russia/Ukraine Part 2 with Steve Swerdlow
Steve Swerdlow returns to the podcast to give us an update on the Russia/Ukraine war. When the war began in late February of this year, many believed the Ukrainian army would be defeated in a matter of days. Now we're in October, and it's safe to say Ukraine has surpassed everyone's expectations besides theirs. But as Putin becomes more and more frustrated, fears grow over Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons. Steve Swerdlow is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights in the Department of Political and International Relations at the University of Southern California. A human rig...
2022-10-13
1h 41
A Song Called Life
Episode #91: Kasey Ma
Kasey Ma is a fashion/lifestyle blogger, an influencer, Twitch streamer, and business owner. Kasey joins Osi to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she had to overcome, and crucial lessons learned along the way. They also discuss some of Kasey's new business ventures, tips for new Twitch streamers, and more.
2022-09-22
1h 23
A Song Called Life
Episode #90: Ahmed Al-Kadri
Ahmed joins Osi to discuss how he got his start in stand up comedy, our thoughts on how comedy has changed over the years, his decision to quit his job and bet on himself, and more. Ahmed Al-Kadri is a stand up comedian and actor based in Los Angeles, CA. He's known for Warriors of Stone, Cat Caller, and Back to the 80s.
2022-09-15
1h 09
A Song Called Life
Episode #89: Butts - To Lift or Not To Lift?
Dr. Joubin Gabbay joins Osi to discuss how the “perfect body” has changed throughout history, the mental/emotional journey that patients experience throughout their plastic surgery journey and of course, the Brazilian Butt Lift. Practicing in the heart of Beverly Hills, California, Dr. Joubin Gabbay, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon who uses innovative techniques and a wealth of knowledge to ensure all his patients feel confident and beautiful. He received his medical degree from The Medical College of Virginia after completing his undergraduate education at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Gabbay then pursued a residency in general surg...
2022-09-08
1h 06
A Song Called Life
Episode #88: Malik Bazille
Malik joins Osi to discuss his journey as a stand-up comedian, working with Michael B. Jordan on the set of Creed, his experience as co-host of The Fighter and The Kid, and more. Malik Bazille is an actor, comedian, and writer, known for Creed, Burning Sands, and The Fighter and The Kid.
2022-09-01
1h 08
A Song Called Life
Episode #87: Reality Winner
Reality and Osi discuss her decision to leak a classified government document to the media, her time spent in prison, and more. Reality Leigh Winner is a former American intelligence specialist, charged with removing classified material from a government facility and mailing it to a news outlet. On June 3, 2017, Winner was arrested on suspicion of leaking an intelligence report about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections to the news website The Intercept. Prosecutors said her sentence was the longest ever imposed in federal court for an unauthorized release of government information to the m...
2022-08-25
46 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #86: "Yes, And..."
Miles joins Osi to discuss his experience both as an improv comedy performer and co-host of the 'May I Elaborate' podcast with JB Smoove. They also talk about how Miles was introduced to comedy as a kid, the similarities between music and improv, and Miles' new book, "The Tyrell Show: Season One." Question: Would you rather be the world's best tuba player or an okay guitar player? (you probably know our answer) Miles Grose is an experienced sketch and improv comedy performer. He i...
2022-08-18
1h 00
A Song Called Life
Episode #85: "You Think Pauly D and Mozart Would Get Along?"
Lukasz joins Osi to discuss his experience as a cast member in HBO's FBoy Island, what he learned from that experience, the effort and sacrifice required to be a concert pianist, and more. Lukasz Yoder is a concert pianist and reality tv star well known for being on season 2 of HBO's FBoy Island. To learn more about Lukasz, visit lukaszyoder.com
2022-08-11
46 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #84: Mato Wayuhi
Mato joins Osi to discuss his experiences both as an artist and composer, writing the music for FX/Hulu series Reservation Dogs, why it’s special for him to contribute music to indigenous film/tv projects, his creative process, and more. Mato Wayuhi is a multidisciplinary artist originally from South Dakota. He works in film/TV both as a producer and musical composer, as well as writing his own music, garnering critical acclaim from NPR, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. Most notably, Mato is the composer for the award-winning FX/Hulu ser...
2022-08-03
1h 34
A Song Called Life
Episode #83: Roe v. Wade Overturned - What's Next?
Sapna and I discuss the history behind Roe v. Wade, the impact we've seen on abortion clinics and reproductive rights organizations in just one month since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, who this will negatively impact the most, and more. Timestamps provided at the bottom -- Sapna Khatri is the Sears Clinical Law Teaching Fellow for 2021-2024 at UCLA School of Law and the Williams Institute. Her research takes an intersectional approach exploring the discriminatory impact of new technology and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare...
2022-07-28
58 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #82: Making Social Media Simple & Effective for Artists
Mark and I discuss the unique role that audio engineers play in music, his experience working with Jack Harlow, and EchoPunch - a social media tool designed to help artists spend less time marketing, and more time creating. Mark Abrams is a Producer and Mixer who has been involved with hundreds of records and has worked with artists such as Kanye West, Jack Harlow, Coldplay, Sam Smith, and more. He is also the creator of social media tool, 'EchoPunch.' EchoPunch helps musicians figure out what to post, when to post i...
2022-07-26
40 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #81: Florida Man
Comedian Corey Kang and I discuss why people from Florida are so... unique, how his first time ever doing stand up comedy was a 30 minute set, comedians taking jokes "too far," and our opinions on Dave Chapelle's controversial Netflix special, "The Closer."
2022-07-07
54 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #80: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Farzindar and I discuss the history of artificial intelligence, its impact on everyday life, how AI will impact the future of work, the ethics of AI, and more. Dr. Anna Farzindar is a faculty member of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Her expertise is in Artificial Intelligence, Predictive machine learning and Natural Language Processing. Also, she studied fine arts, painting, and sculpture at the School of Fine Arts of Versailles in France and the Ateliers Beaux-Arts de P...
2022-06-30
58 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #79: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Cheyenne and I discuss her experiences as an artist manager, the importance of an artist and manager working as a team, examples of successful teams in today's music industry, using one's personal brand to pursue other endeavors, and more. Cheyenne Chaves is the founder/owner of the music management company, Chey Management. Her passion for music and business inevitably led to managing talented artists such as Justin Sky and Mavryck. Cheyenne received a BA in communication with a focus in PR and advertising from California State University, Los Angeles. In addition to running her music management company, she currently works...
2022-06-08
1h 37
A Song Called Life
Episode #78: Tell Me a Joke
Davo Harris is an American comedian, actor, director and producer from Houston Texas. Davo has headlined at some of the top comedy clubs in LA such as The Belly Room, Flappers, Ha Ha Comedy Club and was also the opening act for Carlos Mencia. He has also produced and hosted comedy shows all across the LA region. Davo and I discuss the moment he decided he wanted to be a comedian, the creative process, the role of a comedian in today's society, and more.
2022-05-31
51 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #77: 'Is That ...a Tuba?!'
One of my favorite moments of 2022 (so far) was seeing social media's reaction to watching a tuba player play side by side with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and more. Devon Taylor joins the show to share what that experience was like for him, how he got into music at a young age, and more. I’m also joined by special guest and co-host Iona Pay, an interdisciplinary young professional based in Los Angeles, working as both a freelance musician and microbiologist. Devon Taylor is a muiti-instrumentalist and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. He made a name for himself playing with...
2022-05-26
54 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #76: A Composer’s Journey
Alexander joins me to discuss his journey to becoming an award winning film composer and the obstacles he faced along the way. We also dive into his experiences performing with artists such as Bob Dylan, Anderson Paak, Dave Grohl, and more. Alexander Burke is an award winning film composer, musician and actor. He was seen most recently accompanying Bob Dylan in his concert film Shadow Kingdom. He has produced records for Garfunke and Oates, Ben Lee and Jill Sobuel, recorded with Margaret Cho, Chrysta Bell, David Lynch, Dionne Warwick, Fiona Apple, Avril Lavigne, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dane Cook and Mr. L...
2022-05-24
1h 02
A Song Called Life
Episode #75: Trusting the Process
Pedro joins the show to discuss his career, the obstacles he's faced throughout his journey, lessons he's learned along the way, and more. AkinG Kalld Pedro, born in Washington DC is best known for his breakout single Traffic.jam, Which was featured on NBA 2K 2020. A song Co-signed by Steve Stoute’s UnitedMasters & Kevin Durant. In 2020, his single "INTERNACIONAL!” Which earned him a placement on NBA 2K21 gave Pedro back-to-back placements with 2k sports and In the following year, Pedro released his debut album “Children of Immigrants!” and became a brand ambassador with clothing company, Pendleton Woolen Mills in 2022.
2022-05-19
1h 36
A Song Called Life
Episode #74: Carving Your Own Path in the Music Industry
Sophie joins the show to discuss her experience both as a tour manager and an artist manager. We also dive into how she got into the music industry, the demanding lifestyle of a tour manager, and working with artists such as Frank Ocean, Skrillex, Kanye West, and more. Sophie Reeves has touched on many different aspects of the music industry in over a decade of experience including tour management, artist management, and executive producing large-scale events and shows. She’s worked with some of the biggest artists in the world including Foster the People, Kanye, Nas, Jack Johnson, Frank Ocean, Skr...
2022-05-17
1h 07
A Song Called Life
Episode #73: Dr. Jared McBride Understanding the History Behind Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
Jared McBride (Ph.D., UCLA, 2014) is a historian who specializes in the regions of Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe in the 20th century and whose research interests include nationalist movements, mass violence, the Holocaust, interethnic conflict, and war crimes prosecution. His research has been published in scholarly journals such as Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Journal of Genocide Research, The Carl Beck Papers, Kritika, and Slavic Review, and public scholarship in The Nation, Forward, Haaretz, and the Los Angeles Times, among others. McBride held post-doc positions at the USC Shoah Foundation; Columbia University; Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute; and the United St...
2022-05-12
1h 06
A Song Called Life
Episode #72: Kristen Klehr - Balancing Multiple Careers as an Artist
GRAMMY® Nominated percussionist+singer Kristen Klehr is an active musician in the Los Angeles and San Francisco scenes. She has toured internationally with Scrap Arts Music, performed live with Gryffin at Coachella 2019, and actively recorded in the Hollywood studio scene, most recently with The String Theory: The Los Angeles Suite. She has previously lectured in Music Business and Arts Entrepreneurship, building out the Music Industry track at Mount St. Mary’s University and the Arts and Markets major at Hawai’i Pacific University, and is the new Professional Development and Engagement Center Director at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A ser...
2022-05-03
1h 43
A Song Called Life
Episode #71: LaTerra McDaniels & Sabrina Elizondo - Sex, Sex, and More Sex
LaTerra McDaniels, the former board secretary and event coordinator for the Center of Sexual Positivity, and Sabrina Elizondo join the podcast today to discuss all things sex. We discuss body image, sex positivity, porn, sex education, along with our own personal experiences. LaTerra McDaniels - "My name “LaTerra” means the Earth and it always made me feel like my purpose on the planet must be more than just working my corporate job. I have a mission to save the earth and its occupants by any means necessary. My idea of saving the world is different than most and quite unconventional. I be...
2022-04-25
1h 02
A Song Called Life
Episode #70: Steve Swerdlow - Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis
USC professor and human rights lawyer Steve Swerdlow joins the show to discuss the Russia/Ukraine war, the complex history between the two nations, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and more. Steve Swerdlow is Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights in the Department of Political and International Relations at the University of Southern California. A human rights lawyer and expert on the former Soviet region, Swerdlow was Senior Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, heading the organization’s work on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and founding its Kyrgyzstan field office. Swerdlow has worked as a consultant with the Uni...
2022-04-21
1h 50
A Song Called Life
Episode #69: Dr. Magdy Guirguis - Mind Body & Soul
Dr. Guirguis and Osi discuss the importance of spiritual well-being, empathy, self-forgiveness, perspective, and more. Raised in a family of doctors, Magdy S. Guirguis was always destined to be in the medical field. After years as a high school and college athlete and a 35-year career in volleyball as a player and a coach, Dr. Guirguis sustained many injuries, inspiring him to delve into the healing arts. His interest stemmed from his desire not only to relieve the pain but also to practice healthiness in his daily life. Shortly after graduating from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles in 1988, Dr...
2022-04-20
1h 30
A Song Called Life
Episode #68: Nicholas Ciddio - Inside the Booming Sports Card Industry
When most of us think of sports cards, we think of collecting them as a hobby. But many of us are unaware of the fact that sports card trading is a billion dollar industry. We all know someone that's obsessed with sports cards and even some of our favorite celebs/influencers such as Gary Vee and Drake have taken a major interest in sports cards. So where does one begin? What's behind the trading card resurgence? How do you make sure the cards you're buying are valuable? Today, we have Nicholas Ciddio, a sports cards investor to help answer these...
2022-04-19
1h 02
A Song Called Life
Episode #67: Justin Sky - ‘High Water’ Album Release
Justin Sky is a recording artist, producer, and songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. In his return to the podcast, we discuss his new album 'High Water,' the problem with boxing artists into one genre, an artist's role in society, and of course... Will Smith and Chris Rock. Enjoy! 'High Water' by Justin Sky is available on all streaming platforms. To learn more, visit justinsky.com
2022-04-13
1h 29
A Song Called Life
Episode #66: Tru .P - What to Do When Plan A Doesn’t Work
Tru .P and I discuss his career, how he found music later in his life after suffering from an injury that ended a promising path to a career in basketball, working with artists such as Chris Brown, Shorty Mack, and more. Tru .P has paved his way as a highly skilled and respected engineering producer, songwriter and performer. His sound is best described as a dynamic and expansive combination of musical elements never heard before, blended with global influences. He thrives off emotional pillars that drive true passion that creates award-winning results and he continues to rise above the cusp...
2022-04-07
44 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #65: Jay Guernon - Learning the Hard Way
Jay Guernon is a recording artist based here in Los Angeles, CA. We discuss his career, the challenges he's faced in his life, hip hop culture, and more. Recording artist Jay Guernon (formerly known as Lil Drift) was born on May, 31, 2000 in Colton, California. At the tender age of 20, he is joining the new aged rap scene that is currently taking the music business by storm. As an adolescent, he fell in love with music and decided that he would one day have a career as an entertainer. While in high school, he did a freestyle video that went viral...
2022-04-06
54 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #64: Ava Asly - The Price of Fame
Have you ever wondered what's going through the mind of someone that's on the brink of fame? Meet Ava Asly - An attorney based in California, and the founder/editor of DISCHARGE magazine. Ava recently went viral and trended on Twitter for literally just being her. Lots of people want to know more about her, so I reached out to Ava, and here we are. So what's it like to wake up one day and see complete strangers discuss your life? To receive threats? To have Kanye West randomly follow you? Or have Bjork's face photoshopped onto your body? Let's...
2022-03-31
51 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #63: Amy Sanchez - The Plane Flying, Rhino Saving French Horn Player
She's played the french horn on a Kendrick Lamar album, saves rhinos..... and flies planes! It's safe to say I've never met anyone quite like Amy. We unpack all of this and more in today's episode. Enjoy! Amy Sanchez is a professional musician and educator who simultaneously cultivates seemingly unrelated passions as a pilot, wildlife conservationist, photographer, and avid traveler. Finding ways to combine these endeavors with her career as a horn player has provided constant inspiration, growth, humility, valuable perspective, and of course, some entertaining stories along the way. As a freelance horn player based in LA for almost 20 ye...
2022-03-24
2h 18
A Song Called Life
Episode #62: El-Jay - The Music Business
Multi-talented artist El-Jay and I discuss his career, the nature of the music industry, the importance of having a trustworthy team as an artist, and more. El-Jay's high-energy Neo-Soul, R&B and Pop flow music captures the heart and transport audiences back in time as era of classic soul. Entertainment and music have always been present in El-Jay’s life as he began to demonstrate creativity while showing interest in acting, music, and modeling at an early age. Apart from teaching himself how to dance at the tender age of five, El-Jay drew inspiration from Michael Jackson.He began to mi...
2022-03-15
32 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #61: Osi & Myko - LA Artists
Hello everyone! I'm once again joined by the lovely Myko Lyric and in this episode, we decided to review and praise some local musicians here in Los Angeles: Flyana Boss, Justin Sky, Criddle, Ha1ey, Irene Diaz, and Pat Knox. You can find all of these artists' music on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. We start off discussing what songs from the early 2000s we think would've lit the Tik Tok world on fire and we also give our thoughts on this year's Super Bowl halftime performance.
2022-03-14
32 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #60: Lovely Marie - The Demands of the Modern Artist
Lovely Marie and I discuss what it takes to be a successful Hip-Hop artist in the modern era, being a woman in a male-dominated field, her experiences dancing in strip clubs, and personal challenges she's faced on the road to the top. Lovely Marie is an up and coming American Hip-hop artist, dancer, actor an business owner. Since her debut in 2020 the rapper has connected with thousands of fans worldwide. Her songs count their streaming numbers in the tens of thousands. However, she took a hard road to get here. As a child she lived in an abusive home, away...
2022-03-02
48 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #59: Corbin Jones - “Should I Pay My Rent or Buy a Sousaphone?”
Corbin and I discuss his experiences as a touring musician with artists such as Beyonce and Jay Z, and the unexpected twists and turns (the good and not so good) that often pop up in artist's career. California-born, Colorado-raised arranger and multi-instrumentalist Corbin Jones has credits with such artists as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Lizzo, Lucky Daye, Lupe Fiasco, Gwen Stefani, and Kendrick Lamar. He’s performed at Coachella, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, the Appel Room at Jazz @ Lincoln Center, and on NPR’s Tiny Desk. A graduate of USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, Jones’ love of groov...
2022-02-24
1h 09
A Song Called Life
Episode #58: Fitzgerald St Louis - From the Island to the Opera House
Fitz and I discuss some of our experiences as classically trained musicians, the challenges faced throughout our careers, and the importance of finding a musical lifestyle that works for you. Dwight Fitzgerald St Louis was born on the Caribbean Island of Dominica. Fitz grew up singing in the church and was in a Reggae band called Genesis. At the age of 20 he moved to Nashville, TN and attended Middle Tennessee State University. It was there he began training classically. He moved on to further his studies at The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University for graduate studies and has...
2022-02-15
1h 04
A Song Called Life
Episode #57: WronG NamE - When Talent Meets Chaos
'WronG NamE' is a band based in Los Angeles, CA with Moose covering the vocals and drums, and Ham covering guitar, production and vocals. Founded in Encino, CA, 'WronG NamE’s' music is a cross between Jazz & Metal with tons of Israeli slang comedy. In this episode, we discuss their latest project, 'Postmate Driver,' how the band came together, and some of the challenges faced by many young musicians. Here's a little bit about Moose and Ham: "Shalom, I’m Moose. I’m the drummer, singer, co-writer & lyricist of WronG NamE. Creator of the controversial V6 Camel and the alter...
2022-02-02
55 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #56: Gunna, The Weeknd, Cordae, Euphoria, and Ozark
In this episode, Myko and I discuss our thoughts on recent albums by Gunna, The Weeknd, Cordae, Earl Sweatshirt and more! We also dive into several of our favorite TV shows that have recently returned such as Euphoria and Ozark.
2022-01-26
1h 13
A Song Called Life
Episode #55: Errol Rhoden - Tuba Lipa
What do you think two professional tuba players would talk about for an hour? You guessed it - Steph Curry, Dua Lipa, and a little bit about life as a tuba player. This episode is brought to you by the Black Tuba Player Association, also known as the Fantastic Four. Just kidding! There’s probably 5 of us. Here’s a little bit about my guest, Errol Rhoden: Errol is currently based in Los Angeles where he holds the Helgard Field Tuba Chair of the American Youth Symphony. He is pursuing a B.M in Tuba Performance with a minor in Pop M...
2022-01-12
1h 04
A Song Called Life
Episode #54: Bobby Woody - The State of Hip Hop
Hello everyone and Happy New Year! Meet Bobby Woody: an all-around great guy and someone I've had the pleasure of knowing since the wee age of 8. In this episode, we discuss hip hop production and the unique styles that come from different cities, our favorite albums from 2021, and a whole lot more! Bobby Woody is an artist, music producer, and audio engineer from Baltimore, MD. He has curated large festivals and performed at events throughout the NY/Baltimore/Philly region. Bobby also teaches recording techniques and music production to students in Baltimore. He is currently working on his next project e...
2022-01-06
1h 08
A Song Called Life
Episode #53: 2021 Recap with Myko Lyric (Co-Host)
COVID-19, January 6th Insurrection, crypto, NFTs, climate change, Afghanistan, the metaverse, artificial intelligence, the federal reserve, the housing market... Myko and I came to a healthy conclusion: Anyone who claims they know what they're talking about is simply lying. 2021 was another crazy ass year with extremely complex issues. In this episode, Myko and I start all the way from the top of 2021 and discuss the biggest stories of the year. Also - I'm very happy to say that Myko will be co-hosting many of the upcoming episodes. So if you're tired of me and need a fresh voice to...
2021-12-31
2h 00
A Song Called Life
Break It Down - Episode #1: Christopher Leon
This is the first episode of the ‘Break It Down’ series where I invite musical artists to join the show and discuss their latest work. We’ll go track to track and learn about all the small details that make the big picture! Christopher Leon is a musical artist living in LA. His album, We’re All Healing, is now streaming everywhere.
2021-12-29
1h 55
A Song Called Life
Episode #52: Katie Wilkerson
In this episode, Katie and I focus on film and the unsung heroes that contribute to making a great film. We also discuss the unfortunate shooting on the set of 'Rust' involving Alec Baldwin and the jobs that are responsible for people's safety on a set. Lastly, we dive into Katie's soon to be released poetry book, "We, Who Do Not Need Saving." Katie Wilkerson is a artist from rural Georgia who channels trauma and compassion through their work as an author, poet, filmmaker, and artist.
2021-12-22
1h 22
A Song Called Life
Episode #51: Christina Morales-Grace
In this episode, Christina and I talk about what it's like to discover your passion later in life, being a dancer in the COVID era, choosing the "right" career, and of course - life! Christina Morales-Grace is a California native who decided to pursue her passion for dance when she entered her twenties. She finds it important for every human to pursue their passion and with that mentality she strives daily to motivate and support others to do so.
2021-12-22
1h 31
A Song Called Life
Episode #50: Myko Lyric - Finding Balance and Peace as an Artist
Myko Lyric is a dancer, singer, and songwriter born and raised in Mid City, Los Angeles. Throughout her dance and music career, she has been able to perform at the 86th Annual Academy Awards alongside Pharrell Williams and work with Grammy and Tony winners while training at NYU Tisch. After graduation, she released two EPs and 2 singles (on all music platforms) and is currently working on her debut album.
2021-12-17
2h 03
A Song Called Life
Episode #49: Troi Irons - The Reality of Living the LA Dream
In this episode, I get to hang out with one of the most talented artists I've ever met - Troi Irons. We discuss her music, the challenges that an artist may face when signed to a record label, the pros and cons of being an independent artist, and so much more. "I’m a thinker who happens to play a few instruments. My goals surpass just creating albums. I aim to inspire change using multimedia formats. If we ever have the pleasure of working together, please keep this in mind. I will not be restricted by any label or presupposition of...
2021-12-02
1h 17
A Song Called Life
Episode #48: Lukas Smith
Lukas Smith is a cardiac rehabilitation nurse at UCLA Health here in Los Angeles, CA. Cardiac rehabilitation is important for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problems that required surgery or medical care. In this episode, we hit on several topics such as: the psychological challenges patients may face on their road to recovery, the emotional and mental energy required to do the job, and the experience of working in hospitals during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021-11-22
1h 07
A Song Called Life
Episode #47: Bob Malone
Called a “keyboard wizard” by The New Yorker, Bob Malone has amassed a loyal international fan-base through twenty-five years of touring and nine critically acclaimed album releases. He’s played keyboards for John Fogerty since 2011, and has been a session player for Ringo Starr and Avril Lavigne. His recording of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was the theme in the 2018 Illumination/Universal movie trailers for TheGrinch. MusicRiot UK says “His solo work pulls in elements from classical, soul, blues, rock, funk and jazz into a glorious fusion that’s pure Bob Malone. ”Since its release this spring, Bob’s latest album...
2021-11-10
2h 22
A Song Called Life
Episode #46: A Halloween Special ft. Sad Sexy Nun, Velma, Squid Game contestant #456, and Santa Claus
Halloween 2021 was a fun one - In this episode, we discussed all things Halloween such as our favorite Halloween memories, horror movies, and much much more. Almost forgot... THIS IS THE FIRST EPISODE FEATURING VIDEO!! Many thanks to Katie, Seth, and Desiree for joining the episode. Click on the link below to watch us in our costumes :) Video: https://youtu.be/Yf0-zKoWH2M
2021-11-05
51 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #45: Justin Sky
In this episode, I got to sit down with a super cool and talented artist - Justin Sky. Justin, who is based in Los Angeles, CA is also a published author and poet. We talked about our favorite rappers from back in the day, how hip hop has changed over the years, our favorite film scores, and broke down some of the songs on Justin's latest album, "Experiment 451." Check out Justin's new single and music video, "Manifesto" - available on YouTube and all music streaming platforms. For more info about Justin, visit www.justinsky.com
2021-10-27
1h 13
A Song Called Life
Episode #44: ChrystalChyna
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking to the very talented duo, ChrystalChyna. Chrystal and Chyna are identical twins and an R&B duo based in Los Angeles, CA. We discussed a wide range of topics including colorism in the entertainment industry, their musical influences, the current state of R&B, and their recent cover of SWV's, "Rain." As always, thanks for listening!
2021-10-08
1h 08
A Song Called Life
Episode #43: Jonathan Rush
Episode #43: I got to catch up with an old friend from back in the college days, Jonathan Rush. We talked at length about our lives, introducing new ideas to the orchestral music experience, and our personal experiences as young black musicians in the classical music community. As always, thanks for listening! Guest bio: Hailed as "a continually rising talent in the conducting world" by the Baltimore Sun, Jonathan Taylor Rush brings passion, unique interpretation, and a refreshing energy to the orchestral experience. Jonathan was appointed as the A...
2021-09-29
1h 42
A Song Called Life
Episode #42: Steve Fister
In this episode, I had such an awesome conversation with Rock N Roll legend, Steve Fister. Steve moved from Buffalo, NY to Los Angeles at the age of 17 with one goal in mind: becoming a rockstar. We discuss his journey, life an artist during the pandemic, and many legendary stories from his career. As always, thanks for listening! Steve Fister, versatile rock guitarist, singer and songwriter, has performed and recorded with many artists such as John Kay & Steppenwolf, Bon Jovi, King Kobra, Quiet Riot, The Pat Travers Band, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Michael Des Barres, Stu Hamm, Jack Casady, Tommy T...
2021-09-23
1h 19
A Song Called Life
Episode #41: Syrus Pajooh - Self Made
Syrus Pajooh is a licensed optician at Dr. Dayyani Eye Care Optometry located in Santa Monica, CA. This is one of several episodes on the podcast featuring local businesses here in the Los Angeles area. Story time: Okay so it's not really much of a story, but long story short I needed to get new eye contacts, so I decide to schedule an appointment at Dr. Dayyani Eye Care. The second I walked in I instantly clicked with the opticians, Syrus and Tanaz. I liked their vibe so much and thought it'd be great to feature them on the podcast. A...
2021-09-17
1h 02
A Song Called Life
Episode #40: Seth Cunningham - Let’s Make a Movie
Seth Cunningham is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA. "I love and have experience in every aspect of Filmmaking from pre-production to post. I take pride in my knowledge of each department giving me a unique perspective to know exactly what a production needs to take its best form." Seth is a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design. In this episode, Seth and I talk about all aspects of film, the similarities between the music and film world, and like every other episode, a bunch of random **** that comes to mind!
2021-09-15
1h 17
A Song Called Life
Episode #39: Dr. Adam Gussow - A Man and His Harmonica
As a pioneering blues harmonica player and teacher and award-winning scholar of the blues, Adam Gussow has carved out a singular career. A professor of English and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi who specializes in blues literature and culture, Gussow was one of the first amplified blues harp players to make overblows a key element of his stylistic approach, adapting Howard Levy's innovations in the late 1980s in a way that helped usher in a new generation of overblow masters such as Jason Ricci and Chris Michalek. Since 2012, Gussow has been performing, recording, and touring with veteran blues gui...
2021-09-02
2h 06
A Song Called Life
Episode #38: Braylen Brooks - Travel the World in Style
If anyone knows about opulent travel destinations and how to market them to the masses, it's travel influencer and esteemed curator, Braylen Brooks. His stunningly curated images, videos and editorial content has enthralled over 69k followers on Instagram, visibility with over 2.5 million in the top travel communities and platforms on Facebook and a TripAdvisor readership at 50k+. His content has also attracted the attention of Architectural Digest, Refinery 29, CBS News and GQ, to name a few. Over the course of his travels, Brooks has built a devoted upscale following that looks to him for the best in hotels, airlines, fine...
2021-08-31
1h 02
A Song Called Life
Episode #37: Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith is a freelance trumpet player based in Los Angeles, CA. He also writes, arranges, and publishes music through his small business,TrumpetSmith Publishing (ASCAP). As a freelance artist, Smith performs for live orchestral events, musical theatre, motion pictures, television, big band, and video games which have included ABC, BroadwayHD, Disney+, E3, Fathom Events, the Game Awards, Microsoft, PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center, Riot Games, Spike, Touchstone Pictures, Universal, and Warner Brothers. He has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, Encore!, Ellen, the LATE LATE Show, and the Voice. Ensemble appearances include the Hol...
2021-08-30
2h 33
A Song Called Life
Episode #36: KeNosha Whitehead
"God has extraordinarily gifted me to write extraordinarily. Put another way, writing is my superpower—so much that, sometimes, my fingers actually tingle when I type. I like to think the tingles are little surges of creativity. Or, they could merely indicate that my hand is going numb due to an extended writing session. Either way, I am passionately connected to and invested in my craft. I work as a corporate counsel for a religious non-profit corporation, and I hustle as a content writer, professional editor, and writing coach for the brave, imaginative souls who inspire and...
2021-08-25
1h 50
A Song Called Life
Episode #35: Chef Johnene Joy
Chef Johnene Joy is a talented and highly skilled personal chef with over six years in the culinary industry. Johnene graduated in May 2016 from Nicholls State University with a Bachelors of Science in Culinary Arts. Shortly after graduating, she began her personal chef journey working for A-list celebrity clients. Her first celebrity client she worked along side her colleague, Chef D’Antoine Hills for about a year. In 2017 Chef Johnene was given another personal chef opportunity and decided to move to Los Angeles, CA. Working as a personal chef enabled Johnene to travel the wo...
2021-08-18
1h 02
A Song Called Life
Episode #34: Anthony O'Toole
Anthony O’Toole, a self-taught composer, holds a BA in Music Theory and Composition from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a MM of Composition from George Mason University where he was recognized by the university as a distinguished graduate for his achievements as a composer and musician. His music has been commissioned and performed by musicians and ensembles all around the world. Mr. O’Toole’s music for wind band has been performed and recorded by some of the finest bands including the United States Coast Guard Band, The Kansas State University Wind Ensemble, and ‘The President’s Own’ United State...
2021-08-13
2h 51
A Song Called Life
Episode #33: Flyana Boss
Flyana Boss is a fierce duo repping the vagina dynasty. Hailing from Detroit and Dallas these two young women are classically trained musicians who have turned their raw musical genius into a flossy irresistible package that will have you thirsty for more. Their messaging, witty rhymes, gritty production, impeccable timing, confident expression, ownership of their sexuality and keen pulse on the inner consciousness of the millennial, gen-y and gen-z put them in the perfect position to take over your entire timeline and playlist.
2021-08-10
1h 47
A Song Called Life
Episode #32: Karoline Menezes
Karoline Menezes is a violist, educator, entrepreneur, and arts advocate based in Los Angeles, CA. She has performed alongside artists such as Eminem, Mary J. Blige, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, Kanye West, Bebe Rexha and Andrea Bocelli. Karoline is also known for her work as a studio musician, having performed in numerous TV and Film scores such as The Lego Movie 2, Prodigal Son, Bumblebee, Crazy Rich Asians, Creed II, Empire, Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD and more. She is also an avid advocate for the arts and works on interdisciplinary initiatives to support career development of youth across the US...
2021-08-05
1h 36
A Song Called Life
Episode #31: Isreal McKinney Scott
Isreal McKinney Scott is a New York based actor and producer known for The Hail Mary (2021), Talisman (2020) and My Sister's Wedding. Isreal received his MFA in Acting from The New School for Drama and a BA in Religious Studies from Millsaps College. He has acted on screen and stages across the country with a love and skill for Shakespeare, Devised Theater and Improv. He is all for anything that promotes unity through understanding. His original one man show, Road to America, was received with with rave reviews at Salon Klassick. Some favorite roles include Dave Robinson in the New York Area prem...
2021-08-03
1h 29
A Song Called Life
Episode #30: Dr. Lauri Scheyer
Dr. Lauri Scheyer is Professor of English and founding Director of the Presidentially Chartered Center for Contemporary Poetry and Poetics at California State University, Los Angeles and Xiaoxiang Scholars Program Distinguished Professor at Hunan Normal University.She was founding Curator of the nation’s only African American Poetry Archive, and founding Director of the UK’s first BA program in Creative Writing. She teaches all genres of creative writing, and is especially interested in global and culturally inclusive approaches to creative writing pedagogy. A widely published author who has received numerous literary awards, her most recent book is A Histo...
2021-07-30
1h 52
A Song Called Life
Episode #29: Daniel Trahey
Daniel Trahey is a musician, educator, innovator, and social entrepreneur. He co-created Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s “OrchKids” program, and also founded the El Sistema -inspired program “Tuned-In” at the Peabody Institute where he taught Collective Composition and Community Engagement for ten years. Dan plays Tuba for the Archipelago Project and the Austria based RET Brass Band and has performed world wide for hundreds of thousands of children, specifically targeting impoverished areas with little access to live performance. He has held orchestral positions in Mexico and the U.S. Dan’s work is documented by media outlets such as 60 Minutes, PBS, NPR, The...
2021-07-27
1h 49
A Song Called Life
Episode #28: Myka Miller
Myka Miller is the former Executive Director of the Harmony Project, a non-profit organization established in April of 2001 with a vision of serving the cultural and artistic needs of underprivileged children in the Los Angeles area. Myka is an accomplished musician and plays oboe, flute, English horn and sings. She resides in Los Angeles, where she regularly plays with local orchestras, rock and salsa bands, experimental groups, and jazz.
2021-07-21
2h 15
A Song Called Life
Episode #27: Nelson Jackson III
Nelson Jackson is a musician, entrepreneur, and pastor based in Los Angeles, CA. As a keyboardist he has performed with several artists including Ariana Grande, Kenny Lattimore, and Aaron Spears. He also composed the music for several films such as A Question of Faith and The Sin Seer.
2021-07-16
1h 51
A Song Called Life
Episode #26: Capt. Leonardo Cuadrado
Leonardo Cuadrado, Captain (ret) USMC, serves as New Directions for Veterans’ Interim President & Chief Operating officer. He is a remarkable leader who began his Marine career as an enlisted man. Cuadrado was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant and retired as the School Adjutant, USMC School of Infantry (West). Since leaving the Marines, he has served as Chief Operating Officer for A Place Called Home and most recently as Director of Veteran Programs at Goodwill (Southern California).
2021-07-14
38 min
A Song Called Life
Episode #25: Dr. Claire Delcambre
"I am a doctor of physical therapy, pelvic health advocate, movement expert, educator, and ally. I help you understand your body and your symptoms and provide you ways to effectively address your symptoms to further provide you with you-centered strategies to move through life with less pain along with better knowledge to empower a life filled with strength, resiliency, mobility, and function. It is so important to love ourselves and our bodies for all the amazing things it does for us. A great way to accomplish this is to understand it. When we know what our body is tryi...
2021-07-08
1h 22
A Song Called Life
Episode #24: Dr. Jim Self
Jim Self is a Los Angeles-based freelance musician. Since 1974 he has worked for all the major Hollywood studios performing for over 1500 motion pictures and hundreds of television shows and records. His solos in major films include John William’s scores to Jurassic Park, Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Hook, and was the “Voice of the Mothership” from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Recent films include Wall-E, Avatar, and Toy Story 3. As a solo artist, Self performs regularly worldwide. His concerts and clinics present an interesting blend of classical and jazz m...
2021-07-06
2h 10
A Song Called Life
Episode #23: Rachel Blaustein, Emma Rocheleau, Jordan Thomas
Poised as a bright and promising young artist, opera singer, Soprano Rachel Blaustein has worked with New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera (Summer 2021), Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Des Moines Metro Opera, The Glimmerglass Opera, Kentucky Opera, among others. On the competition front, she has one awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Partners for the Arts Inc, Tri-Cities Opera and Annapolis Opera. She holds degrees from The Peabody Conservatory and Hofstra University. Emma Rocheleau, soprano, is originally from Lexington, SC. She is a recent graduate of the Peabody Conservatory with Bachelor of Music in Vocal...
2021-07-01
2h 03
A Song Called Life
Episode #22: Sean Patrick Hughes
Sean Patrick Hughes is an author, veteran, non-profit founder (care4us.org) and a special needs father. He’s contributed to multiple media outlets including the Washington Post, Playboy and other online media outlets. A veteran of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and a Bronze Star recipient, Sean graduated of the United States Naval Academy and the University of San Diego Graduate School of Business and separated from the Navy at the rank of Commander. He lives in Southern California with his wife Annette and three boys .
2021-06-29
1h 45
A Song Called Life
Episode #21: Natalie Frakes, Dan Trahey, Pete Tashjian
Natalie Frakes graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She studied violin under Dr. Laura Roelofs and music education with Dr. Wendy Matthews. Natalie has served as a string instructor and conductor for many positions including Wayne State’s String Project@Wayne, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles, Detroit’s Urban Stringz, and the Dearborn Youth Symphony. She was also a teaching artist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s El Sistema-inspired OrchKids program. In addition to teaching, Natalie performs frequently with multiple bands in the Metro Detroit area including NUCLASSICA, Nouveauté, and the P...
2021-06-24
1h 45
A Song Called Life
Episode #20: Dr. La Shawn Denise Witt
As one of the foremost experts in the wedding and special event industry, Dr. La Shawn Denise Witt is one of the top wedding and event planners. La Shawn’s experience includes planning hundreds of weddings and special events around the nation and which she and TEAMDiva executed every detail with style. She focuses on all weddings and events, sophisticated to intimate, from traditional to destination, and cultural to conservative. La Shawn is an event scholar that makes sure all of her events shine and the guests go home wanting more. Dr. Witt is also an award wi...
2021-06-22
1h 38
A Song Called Life
Episode #19: Desiree Ellen
"I was born and raised in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs and went on to receive a degree in fashion design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. I always push myself to achieve my goals no matter what, which has helped me grow into a reliable and diligent designer. It is my belief that the ultimate fashion designers influence not only the way people dress but also the way people think; this is the kind of designer I aspire to be. My passions and inspirations come from punk rock, feminism, the environment, architecture, and pop culture, and...
2021-06-18
2h 01
A Song Called Life
Episode #18: Amit Peled
From the United States to Europe to the Middle East and Asia, Israeli cellist Amit Peled, a musician of profound artistry and charismatic stage presence, is acclaimed as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the concert stage today. At 6'5" tall, Peled started life as a basketball player and was called "larger than life" when he enveloped his cello and "Jacqueline du Pré in a farmer's body." Mr. Peled has performed as a soloist with many orchestras and in the world’s major concert halls such as: Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, New York; Salle Gaveau, Paris; Wig...
2021-06-16
1h 09
A Song Called Life
Episode #17: Tom Williams
Tom Williams is the owner of Burn Fitness - a community fitness center located in Santa Monica, CA. He is also the founder of fatburn.com. Prior to becoming a personal trainer and gym owner, Tom was a world class swimmer, winning gold medals and setting records in the Pan American Games, World University Games and U.S. Open in the 50M freestyle. He swam with the U.S team for 6 years. While competing at a world class level, Tom earned a BA in Business & Communications from The University of Iowa. He also coached the Men's Swim Team at T...
2021-06-08
1h 10
A Song Called Life
Episode #16: Rebecca Zuñiga, Devin Harrington, Winston Harris
Rebecca Zúñiga, a graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, is a Baltimore-based Opera Singer, Pianist and Activist that believes in the liberation of all marginalized communities. As a queer immigrant of color, Rebecca envisions a future that is free of all oppressive systems that continue to harm us, and dreams of a world that is free of colonialist ideologies, imperialism and capitalism, and invites other to reject the perpetuation of white supremacy in the music field. Winnie is possibly (though not likely) from people and is based slightly outside of the monadic pl...
2021-05-28
2h 21
A Song Called Life
Episode #16: Rebecca Zuñiga, Devin Harrington, Winston Harris
In this episode, I get to catch up with my good friends and musicians Rebecca, Devin, and Winston.
2021-05-27
1h 20
A Song Called Life
Episode #15: Dr. Jay Lund
Dr. Jay Lund is Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences and and Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California – Davis. He has long enjoyed teaching, research, and engagement on many aspects of theory and practice for water management and policy, usually trying to integrating economics and operations research with traditional engineering. He has become particularly engaged in working on the wide range of water problems in California with many collaborators, and remains enthusiastic about the potential of system analysis and optimization to provide understanding and insights for management and policy.
2021-05-25
1h 20
A Song Called Life
Episode #14: Aubrey Foard
Aubrey Foard is the principal tubist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2018. He also serves as lecturer of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and as Artist Faculty at the Brevard Music Center. He has performed as a guest musician with several other orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, the Utah Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Louisville Orchestra.
2021-05-22
1h 48
A Song Called Life
Episode #13: Lisa Kellogg
https://www.hiphopdancer.com/ Lisa Kellogg is famed as a choreographer, dancer, and dance teacher. She is also the owner of 'Santa Monica Hip Hop Dance' studio. Her charismatic style, consisting of hip hop, pop, jazz and street dance has fascinated audiences in America, Europe and Japan for years. She has worked with recording artists such as: Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown and Janet Jackson. Lisa has also worked with companies such as McDonald’s, Pepsi, and Adidas.
2021-05-18
1h 33
A Song Called Life
Episode #12: Xavier Banister
Xavier Banister is the owner of 'Cuttin Up' barbershop in Santa Monica, CA. Mr. Banister was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. The first time he visited California and felt that warm sunshine, he decided to stay and never looked back. Years later, Xavier has now made himself and the barbershop an essential part of the community. He joined the show to share the journey that led to his success. 'Cuttin Up' - 1802 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404
2021-05-13
1h 19
A Song Called Life
Episode #11: Erin Baker, Teng Chen, Kayin Scanterbury
Erin Baker is a professional harpist and music educator. Erin earned her BM and Performer’s Certificate from SUNY Fredonia Degree in Harp Performance from the Peabody Institute and since has continued working as a freelance harpist in the Baltimore/DC area. Teng Chen is a New York City based audio engineer and music editor with a decade of experience in music production in a variety of musical genres. Now a pre-record music editor and mixer at NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Teng began her studies at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, and graduated with...
2021-05-12
1h 36
A Song Called Life
Episode #10: Teach the Student, Not the Curriculum
In this episode, I catch up with one of my favorite professors from back in the day, Dr. Hollis Robbins. We discuss why it's important for teachers to connect with their students, challenges she faced throughout her career, politics, and her book, 'Forms of Contention: Influence and the African American Sonnet Tradition.' Dr. Hollis Robbins currently serves as Dean of Humanities at the University of Utah. Dean Robbins is a noted scholar of nineteenth-century American and African American literature, film, and poetry. Her newest book, Forms of Contention: Influence and the African American...
2021-05-05
1h 57
A Song Called Life
Episode #9: Parthenon Huxley
Parthenon Huxley is an American musician, singer, songwriter and producer who is known for his solo albums and for his involvement in ELO Part II and The Orchestra, both of which are latter-day offshoots of the 1970s-80s symphonic rock band Electric Light Orchestra. He has also made cameo appearances in several films including Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and The Flintstones. Hux made his mark as a producer and collaborator in 1993 with Mark Everett of eels, when Everett was a solo artist known as E. The first collaboration ("Hello Cruel World") became a Top Ten Alternative...
2021-05-05
1h 40
A Song Called Life
Episode #8: Shurmi Dhar, Jacob Han, Ethan Lucas
Shurmi, Jacob, and Ethan are all young musicians living in New Yawk, New Yawk. I checked in with my old friends to see what they're up to, what living in the Big Apple this past year has been like, and what they're looking forward to as the city begins to open back up.
2021-05-04
1h 42
A Song Called Life
Episode #7: Slauson Malone
Jasper Marsalis, better known by his stage name Slauson Malone, is an American jazz, hip hop, and ambient producer hailing from New York City and based in Los Angeles, CA. He is also a former member of Standing on the Corner, an underground experimental jazz and hip hop group based in Brooklyn.
2021-05-01
1h 35
A Song Called Life
Episode #6: Napoleon Gladney
Napoleon W. Gladney has a diverse performance and arts management background which spans seasons and international tours with dance companies including Odyssey Dance Theatre, The Dance Cartel and Backhausdance. National Broadway Tour credits include Wicked The Musical, most recently as Dance Captain/Swing/Chistery Understudy. As an arts administrator, Napoleon has stage managed the mobile opera Hopscotch by Los Angeles’ The Industry and created positions for non-profits at the Theater at the 14th Street Y and LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture in New York City, MUSE/IQUE in Los Angeles, and Greenway Court Theater in Los An...
2021-04-25
1h 46
A Song Called Life
Episode #5: Michael Mollo, Nick Bentz
Michael Mollo and Nick Bentz joined the show to talk about music, film composing, and life as a composer. Michael Mollo is a musical native of the Pennsylvania mountains. As composer and songwriter in Santa Monica, California, his music can be heard in a number of film, television and game scores. Michael also oversees global operations for Velvet Green Music. Nick Bentz (b. 1994, Charleston, SC) is a composer and violinist whose art is drawn to the remote fringes and recesses of human experience. In his work he seeks to render int...
2021-04-24
2h 04
A Song Called Life
Episode #4: Roderick Demmings, Alan Rosenthal
0:00-0:54 - Intro 0:55-7:57 - Introducing George Floyd and the Derek Chauvin Trial 7:58-18:29 - Introducing Roderick Demmings. Jessica, Alan, Kayin tell their reaction to death of George Floyd in 2020 18:30-32:14 - Where the trial is at the moment, what we’ve learned so far, Day 1 and 2 of the trial 32:15-48:34 - George Floyd’s drug use and its relevance to the case, discussing the defense’s argument, EMT Genevieve Hansen 48:35-1:33:41 - Roderick’s thoughts on Day 2 of the trial, his experience in Minneapolis, media’s impact on court case...
2021-04-20
2h 10
A Song Called Life
Episode #3: Jerry Iweh
0:00-0:39 - Intro 0:40-4:33 - How Osi and Jerry know each other 4:34-9:27 - Jerry shares how football came into his life and what it means to him, Osi talks about his journey with music and the similarities to Jerry’s come up 9:28-12:32 - Athleticism and the importance of working on your Mental IQ for the game 12:33-32:44 - Jerry gaining size and switching to LB, how to know what position is best for you to play, cutting out the noise from people that “know what’s best for you”, and the men...
2021-04-17
1h 37
A Song Called Life
Episode #2: Azul, Brandon Woody, Randi Withani
0:00-0:54 - The 'We Still Don't Have a Theme Song' theme song, introducing Episode #2 0:55-34:30 - Introduce everyone, talk about our backgrounds and family 34:31-1:25:00 - Randi, Azul, and Brandon discuss the experiences that made them the artists they are today and their experiences as artists in higher education Breaking down the music 1:25:40-1:35:48 - Breaking down Randi's 'Gasoline Dreamz' 1:35:49-1:52:44 - Breaking down Azul's 'Magic' and 'Sleeps' 1:52:45-2:10:38 - Breaking down Brandon's 'Take Care' 2:10:39-2:17:59 - Azul inspires...
2021-04-13
2h 17
A Song Called Life
Episode #1: Osi Atikpoh, Ben Hoyt, Kayin Scanterbury, Winston Harris, Jessica Korotkin, Nick Bentz, Marie Herrington
0:00-0:45 - Intro music (#1 song in the country) 0:46-37:09 - Introduce everyone, what went down in 2020, 2020 albums and movies 37:10-1:28:21 - Mental health during the pandemic, figuring things out as a young artists, lessons we learned 1:28:22-1:36:23 - Hamilton, Drake and Josh, Parasite 1:36:24-2:04:22 - Riots, protests, Capital insurrection on Jan. 6th 2:04:23-2:21:44 - RIP Kobe, other celebrity deaths, Inauguration 2:21:45-2:42:18 - Listening to Brandon, Randi, and Azul's music 2:42:19 - Outro music (longest charting single in billboard history)
2021-04-04
2h 42