Shows
Mad Valid PodcastTake Action ft. Max Forman-MullinIn the season finale of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Max Forman-Mullin—a director, producer, and advocate for using art to create social change. 🎙️✨
Max dives into what it means to take action, both in life and art. From leveraging social media as a tool for impact to believing in theater’s ability to reimagine our world and our role in it, this episode reminds us that meaningful change starts with bold steps—and a willingness to face complexity head-on. 💥
About Max Forman-Mullin:
Max Forman-Mullin is a d...
2025-01-041h 05
Mad Valid PodcastFind Your Joy ft. Nicholas Ryan GantIn this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika catches up with Nicholas Ryan Gant—the voice and talent behind the MVP theme music. 🎙️✨
Nicholas opens up about finding joy in the little things—whether it’s roller skating, stepping outside, or rocking a vintage fit—and why celebrating small wins can keep you grounded in a chaotic world. From creating music to teaching the next generation, Nicholas reminds us that joy is resistance and that “everybody ain’t gonna do what you gonna do”—so you might as well do it boldly. 💥
Ab...
2025-01-0441 min
Mad Valid PodcastBreak Tasks into Manageable Steps ft. AriDy NoxIn this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with AriDy Nox—a multi-disciplinary Black femme storyteller—whose work is rooted in radical imagination, liberation, and joy as resistance. 🎙️✨
Trigger Warning:
This episode includes a discussion about suicide between 25–35 minutes. Please take care of yourself while listening. 💛
AriDy opens up about breaking big tasks into manageable steps, honoring the creative process, and daring to create with the audacity of their ancestors. From navigating overwhelm to reclaiming joy, this episode reminds us that showing up for yourself—piece...
2025-01-0454 min
Mad Valid PodcastKeep the Self-Talk Positive ft. Andrea NegreteIn this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Andrea Negrete—artist, storyteller, and community-builder—to talk about positive self-talk, mindset shifts, and interrupting negativity before it spirals. 🎙️✨
Andrea shares how small shifts in mindset can create big waves in how we show up for ourselves and others. From learning to replace negative thoughts with love to asking questions like “Am I committed to the path I’m on?”, this episode is all about staying grounded and growing with intention.
About Andrea Negrete:
Andrea Negrete is a multi...
2025-01-0433 min
Mad Valid PodcastFocus on Your Physical Health ft. Ashley ThomasIn this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika connects with her mentee, Ashley Thomas—a theater scholar, writer, and creative powerhouse—about the importance of prioritizing your physical health. 🎙️✨
Ashley breaks down why “self-care is not a metaphor” and how taking care of your body is just as critical as nurturing your mind and soul. From overcoming fear to playing bigger in life, this episode reminds us that “playing it small serves no one”—especially not ourselves. 💥
About Ashley Thomas:
Ashley Thomas is an artist, thinker, theater scholar, writer, dramat...
2025-01-0436 min
Mad Valid PodcastTry to Relax ft. DreeemyIn this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Dreeemy—an indigenous Egyptian interdisciplinary artist and healer—whose work bridges sound, spirituality, and activism. 🎙️✨
Dreeemy dives into the art of slowing down, re-centering, and moving from multi- to interdisciplinary thinking. From navigating the noise of modern life to building meaningful connections, this episode explores what it means to embrace creativity as a tool for collective healing and transformation.
About DREEEMY:
DREEEMY is an interdisciplinary sound artist, culture bearer, and healing justice activist based in NYC and...
2025-01-0441 min
Mad Valid PodcastReach Out ft. Brisa Areli MuñozIn this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Brisa Areli Muñoz—a director, facilitator, and community builder whose work centers connection, healing, and transformation. 🎙️✨Brisa opens up about the power of reaching out when you’re feeling low and how maintaining community is essential to wellness. From vulnerability to resilience, this episode explores what it means to lean on your people and show up for yourself.
About Brisa Areli Muñoz:Brisa Areli Muñoz is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural organizer whose work focuses on equity, collaboration...
2025-01-0435 min
Mad Valid PodcastPractice Gratitude ft. Modesto "Flako" JimenezIn this episode of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with Modesto “Flako” Jimenez—a Dominican-born, Bushwick-raised poet, playwright, and director whose art is rooted in activism, storytelling, and honoring community. 🎙️✨Flako opens up about the importance of practicing gratitude, leaning into your roots, and letting your ancestors guide you—even when the world tries to pull you away from yourself. From personal growth to creative accountability, this episode is a reminder to stay grounded and keep building.About Modesto “Flako” Jimenez:Modesto “Flako” Jimenez is a multi-hyphenate artist using poetry, theater, and education to address so...
2025-01-0447 min
Mad Valid PodcastPractice Self-Compassion ft. CAFFETTIIn the season opener of Mad Valid Podcast (MVP), host Reyna Erika sits down with CAFFETTI, a Queens-born artist who’s redefining what it means to turn failure into growth. 🎙️✨Blending art, mental health advocacy, and raw storytelling, CAFFETTI opens up about using his creative platform to tackle tough topics while inspiring self-reflection and healing. From pushing boundaries to finding joy in dark places, this episode dives into the power of self-compassion and the lessons that come with falling—and getting back up.About CAFFETTI:A mix of his last name, Caffey, and the word confetti, CAFFETTI cr...
2025-01-0448 min
Mad Valid PodcastWe're Baaaack!Welcome to Mad Valid Podcast (MVP)—where real talk meets big energy. 🎙️✨
Hosted by Reyna Erika, this podcast is your go-to for bold conversations, unfiltered truths, and deep dives into the moments that shape us. From mental health and identity to art, culture, and community, we’re breaking it all down—loud, proud, and with that unapologetic New York big sister vibe.
Season 1 introduced you to the coolest people in Reyna’s life. Now, Season 2 is casting a wider net—highlighting voices that challenge, inspire, and keep it all the way valid.
...
2025-01-0401 min
Mad Valid PodcastGROWINGWelcome to episode #5 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview the always gracious and way too humble Shamilia McBean. Shamilia is Black and a creator. A mother, theater, music and equitable space-maker, director, facilitator, herbalist, birth-keeper, wife, challenger friend and then some…
You can follow @_shamilia on IG
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz
Design & Audio Editing by: Andrea Negrete
Special Thanks to Ben Weber
Music by: Nicholas Ryan Gant @ghettofalsetto
2023-07-1047 min
Mad Valid PodcastREPRESENTATIONWelcome to episode #8 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview the multi-talented Claro De Los Reyes, an actor, theater & film storyteller, playwright, entrepreneur, oral historian, educator, foodie, & decolonizer.
Contact Links: Website: www.atlanticpacifictheatre.org
Instagram: @atlanticpacifictheatre @clarodelosreyes
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz
Edited by: Andrea Negrete
Special Thanks to Ben Weber
Music by: Nicholas Ryan Gant @ghettofalsetto
Follow us on IG: @madvalidpodcast
Email us: mad...
2023-07-0335 min
Mad Valid PodcastCHANGESWelcome to episode #7 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview Amy Sawyers-Williams,who uses she/her pronouns and is an applied theater artist-practitioner, a college arts programmer, an improv comedienne and a new mom. She lives in Raleigh, NC where she founded a community-based theater company, See Saw Projects in 2017. You can follow what's happening with See Saw Projects at seesawprojects.org, or on social media @seesawprojects. Amy is gearing up to be the lead artist in a class at Duke University called Artist Working in Healthcare, where she will l...
2023-06-2643 min
Mad Valid PodcastINCLUSIONWelcome to episode #6 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview another graduate school gem, Sara Morgulis, an educator, theater maker, nonprofit leader, new mother, and is now the Executive Director of TYA/USA! Which stands for Theatre for Young Audiences/USA! Folks can find her on Instagram- @smorgulis or www.saramorgulis.com
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz
Design & Audio Editing by: Andrea Negrete
Special Thanks to Ben Weber
Music by: Nicholas Ryan G...
2023-06-1934 min
Mad Valid PodcastRELATIONSHIPSWelcome to episode #5 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we continue with our Los Angeles adventure and interview our guide and editor, Ben Weber. Ben is an Artist, Improviser, Teaching Artist, Arts Administrator, and Director of Education at the Museum of Neon Art (MONA).
You can find Ben https://www.benweberprojects.com
Instagram @benweberprojects
MONA on Instagram: @museumofneonart
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz
Design & Sound Editing by: Andrea Negrete
Spe...
2023-06-1227 min
Mad Valid PodcastIDENTITYWelcome to episode #4 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we travel all the way to Los Angeles to interview the magical and undeniable Ramy El-Etreby who is a writer, performer, storyteller, & educator.
Social media: @dramarams on IG and Twitter
Website: ramyeletreby.com
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz
Edited by: Andrea Negrete
Special Thanks to Ben Weber
Music by: Nicholas Ryan Gant @ghettofalsetto
Follow us on IG: @madvalidpodcast...
2023-06-0531 min
Mad Valid PodcastMOMWelcome to episode #3 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview my oldest and dearest friends, Karen Jimenez, an Afro Latina, Mother, Wife, Daughter of the World, Magic Maker, Multilingual, Poet, Event Whisperer, Problem Solver, Jefa, & Art lover. Follow her on IG: @daliasun
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz
Edited by: Andrea Negrete
Special Thanks to Ben Weber
Music by: Nicholas Ryan Gant @ghettofalsetto
Follow us on IG: @madvalidpodcast
Email us...
2023-05-291h 17
Mad Valid PodcastARTISTWelcome to episode #2 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this episode of MVP, we interview Brisa Areli Muñoz, our producer and the Artistic Director of Musical Theatre Factory, an organization that develops change-making new musicals in a joyous, collaborative community free from commercial pressures. Brisa is an inaugural Artistic Director of New York City’s first-ever All-Inclusive All-City Theater Ensemble, an NYC Department of Education citywide theater company that creates original musicals with teens of all abilities. Brisa has also served as Manager of Community Partnerships for The Public Theater’s Public Works program, a majo...
2023-05-2244 min
Mad Valid PodcastHUMANGuest: Laura Nuchow Vural
Welcome to episode #1 of the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid. In this first episode, we interview Laura Nuchow Vural, the Founder/President of Listening and Visioning, a full-service youth development and community arts consultant. Join us on this rollercoaster of being HUMANS.
Email: vural.laura@gmail.com
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli Muñoz
Graphic Design & Audio Editing by: Andrea Negrete
Special Thanks to Ben Weber
Music by: Nicholas Ryan Gant @ghettofalsetto
2023-05-1557 min
Mad Valid PodcastMad Valid Trailer 2Welcome to the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid! Hosted by your giiiirl, Reyna Erika. Here, we explore the complexities of being human and navigating the world as a multi-hyphenate artist, parent, New Yorker, HUMAN. In each episode, we dive deep into topics like identity, relationships, representation, and personal growth, featuring insightful conversations with guests who share their MAD VALID perspectives and experiences.
Join us as we explore what it means to be human in today's world and how we can all work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. Whether you're a young adult finding...
2023-05-0701 min
Mad Valid PodcastMVP BREAKDOWNWelcome to. the Mad Valid Podcast! Here's a little dive into two conventions that will be present for every episode!
1. Fishbowl Phrases: Our producers have sent both the guest and our host Reyna Erika phrases/keywords they must find a way to work into the conversation. They must use it as many times as they can!
2. Central Question Time: When the timer goes off, we stop everything. nd answer the question, "What is the lesson you've had to learn over and over again?"
Hosted by: Reyna Erika
Produced by: Brisa Areli...
2023-05-0501 min
Mad Valid PodcastMad Valid TrailerWelcome to the Mad Valid Podcast, where everyone is valid! Hosted by your giiiirl, Reyna Erika. Here, we explore the complexities of being human and navigating the world as a multi-hyphenate artist, parent, New Yorker, HUMAN. In each episode, we dive deep into topics like identity, relationships, representation, and personal growth, featuring insightful conversations with guests who share their MAD VALID perspectives and experiences.
Join us as we explore what it means to be human in today's world and how we can all work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. Whether you're a young adult finding...
2023-05-0301 min