Shows
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Micro Honesty: Building Love Through Truth | Grace HarryIn this illuminating episode of Culture Raises Us, Grace Harry explores the practice of “micro honesty”—small truths that prevent big breakdowns in love, friendships, and community. While we often tell half-truths to avoid conflict or spare feelings, Grace shows how those lies corrode trust over time. Through candid stories and practical tools, she explains how pausing to ask “what’s true?” can shift our interactions and keep relationships on track. Micro honesty isn’t about being harsh—it’s about choosing truth as the foundation for intimacy, even in the smallest exchanges. This conversation is a reminder that...
2025-10-2114 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Spirituality & Financial Alignment: Money as Energy | Simone Griffin TaylorFor too long, we’ve been told that money and spirituality live in two separate worlds—one about survival, the other about higher purpose. In this enlightening episode of Culture Raises Us, Simone Griffin Taylor bridges that divide, showing us how aligning finances with spiritual values creates wholeness, not conflict. She shares her own journey of blending spiritual awakening with financial growth, revealing how money can act as energy that amplifies purpose when used with integrity. From saying yes to opportunities like international travel to practicing daily financial discernment, Simone offers a blueprint for seeing money as both...
2025-10-1614 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | The Small Voice in the Noise: Hearing God Clearly | Marquita MooreIn a culture overflowing with noise—social media opinions, cultural pressures, even the good demands of family and work—how do we make space to hear God’s whisper? In this reflective episode of Culture Raises Us, Marquita Moore of How I Grew Today shares wisdom on relearning stillness, discerning God’s leading, and protecting spiritual sensitivity in a world that thrives on distraction. Marquita speaks candidly about the seasons when she couldn’t hear clearly, the daily practices that help her realign (fasting, prayer, deeper study), and why God’s guidance often comes with peace even when it stre...
2025-10-1411 min
Culture Raises USCodie Elaine Oliver Interview | Lead With Love & Own Your StoryCodie Elaine Oliver is a master builder of culture, community, and visibility. As the co-creator of the Black Lovedocuseries and founder of BlackLove.com, Codie has dedicated her life to amplifying stories that show the full spectrum of Black love, family, healing, and entrepreneurship. In this soul-stirring episode of Culture Raises Us, host Astor Chambers sits down with Codie to unpack the movement behind the media. From navigating ownership in Hollywood to balancing motherhood, wellness, and entrepreneurship, Codie shares how storytelling became her calling—and why she refuses to water anything down for comfort. This is...
2025-10-0935 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Rebooting Our Life Picker: Choosing With Intention | Grace HarryIn this insightful episode of Culture Raises Us, Grace Harry returns to talk about what she calls “rebooting our life picker”—the choices we make about who we allow into our lives and how those choices shape our stories. Grace draws from her own journey of failed relationships and personal transformation to explain why we often choose from loneliness, habit, or old wounds rather than from alignment and self-worth. She emphasizes the need to “pick yourself first” and shares how self-full living—not selfishness—sets the foundation for healthier relationships and communities. This conversation is about raising...
2025-10-0716 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Finding Financial Fulfillment: Redefining ‘Enough’ | Simone Griffin TaylorIn this powerful conversation on Culture Raises Us, financial coach Simone Griffin Taylor reframes what it truly means to live a fulfilled financial life. Instead of chasing endless “more”—more money, more status, more things—Simone challenges us to define our own enough number: that personal sweet spot where joy, purpose, and security meet. She opens up about her own journey of learning to advocate for salary increases, the freedom found in financial gratitude, and the importance of shifting money from being a marker of worth to a tool for impact. Simone reminds us that fulfillment isn’t about co...
2025-10-0214 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | The Spiritual Responsibility of Software Creators | Julian ReevesIn this thought-provoking episode of Culture Raises Us, AI expert Julian Reeves challenges us to see software creators not just as coders, but as modern-day builders of culture and infrastructure. With billions of lives shaped daily by invisible lines of code, the responsibility of developers is nothing short of spiritual. Julian reveals why most software today is built from fear, profit, or ego—and why only a small fraction is designed with true intention to transform lives. Together, we explore whether developers should take an oath like doctors, how past data from platforms like Facebook and Instagram pr...
2025-09-3009 min
Culture Raises USWill Catlett Interview | Self-Love, Joy & Redefining Culture from WithinWill Catlett is more than an actor and producer—he’s a storyteller of spirit, resilience, and truth. From Charm City Kingsand Love Is_ to his mentorship program “Wisdom Like Water,” Will has used his platform to remind us that culture begins within. In this powerful conversation with host Astor Chambers, Will breaks down why self-love, inner joy, and authenticity are non-negotiables for creating culture that truly lasts. Born and raised in the DMV, Will carries lessons from his father, his faith, and his community into every role he takes on. His journey is filled with pivots—basketball...
2025-09-2537 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Keep Quiet, Remain Broke: Breaking the Silence on Money | Simone Griffin TaylorWhy is talking about money still such a taboo? In this candid episode of Culture Raises Us, Simone Griffin Taylor unpacks how silence around money keeps people broke, uninformed, and powerless—and why breaking that silence is a radical act of freedom. She addresses the different conditioning men and women face around money, shares her own story of moving from debt to financial freedom, and reveals how surrender, self-advocacy, and forgiveness became keys to her transformation. Simone offers practical advice for salary negotiations, daily money management, and simple steps to rewire your financial behaviors. This epi...
2025-09-2317 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | The Power of Vulnerability: Redefining Strength | Grace HarryIn this moving episode of Culture Raises Us, Grace Harry—the Joy Strategist—unpacks why vulnerability is not weakness but profound strength. Too often we’re told to mask our fears, hide our emotions, and perform perfection. But as Grace reminds us, true intimacy, healing, and connection begin when we allow ourselves to be seen. She shares practical ways to practice vulnerability, from listening without preparing a rebuttal to creating safe rituals that build trust. Grace also challenges the myths men in particular carry about vulnerability, and explains how choosing honesty over performance gives others permission to do the...
2025-09-1808 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Keeping It Real: Truth, Faith & Living Without the Mask | Marquita Moore onIn this powerful episode of Culture Raises Us, Marquita Moore of How I Grew Today returns to speak boldly about deception, integrity, and the cost of living with masks. In a culture that rewards false images, curated perfection, and quick wins, telling the truth isn’t just radical—it’s spiritual warfare. Marquita breaks down how deception erodes not only the individual but also the lives of everyone connected to it, why truth must be seen as more than a moral value, and how integrity acts as a spiritual weapon that cuts through lies. Together, we explore what i...
2025-09-1610 min
Culture Raises USDeniese Davis Interview | Innovation, Ownership & Building Culture Through Authentic StoriesDeniese Davis has always been ahead of her time. From producing The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl alongside Issa Rae, to co-founding ColorCreative, to building Reform Media Group with an exclusive deal at Tyler Perry Studios, she has dedicated her career to amplifying authentic stories that shape culture. In this episode of Culture Raises Us, host Astor Chambers dives deep with Deniese about her journey from Las Vegas to Brooklyn College to Hollywood, and the pivotal moments that shifted her path. From the life-changing exposure of a trip to New York as a teenager, to stepping away...
2025-09-1140 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | The Adobe Moment: Authenticity & Impact | Julian ReevesIn this inspiring episode of Culture Raises Us, AI expert and storyteller Julian Reeves reflects on his unexpected “Adobe moment”—a creative breakthrough that reshaped his career and the way he approaches digital storytelling. What began as a simple project turned into a viral milestone, proving that authenticity wrapped in creativity can ripple through culture far more powerfully than chasing algorithms. Julian shares the lessons he learned about responsibility after gaining visibility, why authenticity disguised as performance dominates today’s digital world, and how creators can protect themselves from the noise of social media while still making meaningf...
2025-09-0907 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Bring God Into It All:Trust, Surrender & Grace | Marquita MooreIn this heartfelt conversation of Culture Raises Us, Marquita Moore of How I Grew Today reminds us that ambition and independence often push us to act fast—but without asking God first. She opens up about the moments when she moved without His guidance, the painful consequences that followed, and the profound lessons learned about trust, surrender, and grace. Marquita shares her own story of missteps, including the dangers of leaning on the wrong voices, and how God used even those moments to draw her closer. Together, we explore why many of us hesitate to pray before ma...
2025-09-0413 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Divine Assignment in the Age of AI | Julian ReevesAI is no longer a concept—it’s here, shaping the way we live, work, and even think. But with great power comes an even greater question: can technology itself be part of a divine assignment? In this thought-provoking episode of Culture Raises Us, AI expert Julian Reeves joins to explore how faith, purpose, and spiritual grounding must guide the future of innovation. Julian shares what it feels like when building technology seems divinely led, and why discerning the difference between what’s merely possible and what’s truly purposeful is essential. Together, we examine the dangers of AI cr...
2025-09-0210 min
Culture Raises USValeisha Butterfield Interview | Trust Your Gut, Tell the Truth & Own Your StoryValeisha Butterfield has spent her career at the intersection of culture, politics, entertainment, and business—leading global initiatives while never losing sight of her truth. As the founder of C Media and a former Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for the Recording Academy (Grammys), Valeisha has consistently championed voices and communities that have been strategically undervalued. In this powerful conversation with host Astor Chambers, Valeisha breaks down why truth is the most important tool in leadership, storytelling, and life. From her reflections on pivoting careers to her decision to self-fund projects in order to maintain ownership, she of...
2025-08-2837 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Stress Is the Boogeyman: Facing What’s Not Real |Kenny MacIn this eye-opening episode of Culture Raises Us, Kenny Mac joins us to dismantle the myths we’ve built around stress and why so much of what we carry isn’t real—it’s imagined. From the “what if” thinking that fuels anxiety to the childhood patterns that keep us in cycles of toxic familiarity, Kenny reframes stress as something we can confront, understand, and rewire rather than simply endure. He shares practical ways to retrain your mind, treat your brain like a muscle, and create a daily “stress management regimen” that integrates mental, physical, and community care...
2025-08-2615 min
Culture Raises USCulture Convo | Men, Intimacy & the Myths Holding Us Back | Grace HarryIn this vulnerable and necessary episode of Culture Raises Us, Grace Harry returns to unpack the layers of intimacy—beyond the purely physical—and why so many men struggle to truly connect in their closest relationships. From emotional suppression learned in childhood to the weight of the “provider” and “protector” labels, Grace breaks down the cultural programming that keeps intimacy taboo for men and limits their ability to fully show up in all areas of life. She offers practical, compassionate steps for men to build their “intimacy literacy,” including how to soften with themselves, embrace curiosity, and receive feed...
2025-08-2117 min
Once Upon A ConEpisode 10 - I Hope You Find Peace One DayTwo years after her own experience, Caroline meets another one of David Bloom's victims. Sean Kushner was a sleep-deprived, new father who was promised a house in a trust, luxury trips, and even a meeting with the President. The impact from the experience is significant, and ultimately leads Sean to refocus on what truly matters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-04-0925 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 9 - This Guy Has ErasCaroline speaks at a press conference with CA District Attorney George Gascon after David Bloom is charged with 18 felonies. Caroline and L.A. Times writer James Queally discuss everything about the case, from how slow the process is to what a possible plea bargain could be. Caroline and James hope their publicization of Bloom’s crimes puts an end to his trail of deception. But will this con artist ever change?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-04-0225 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 8 - Nobody Knows Which End is UpDavid Bloom, forcefully accompanied by a group of his victims, goes to the bank to retrieve a fraction of what he owes. Despite bilking hundreds of thousands of dollars from his friends and neighbors, David only manages to come up with $20,000 to partially pay them all back. Police are called, and David gets arrested. But he quickly makes bail and is released from custody. And to everyone's surprise: David is not charged with any crime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-03-2629 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 7 - Jumping Through Hoops Like Circus AnimalsCaroline and a group of David Bloom’s most recent victims knock on his apartment door. He greets them, with an egregiously calm demeanor. There's yelling, there's crying. Caroline unloads all the pain and fury she's been harboring against the man she once considered a mentor and friend. David is soft-spoken and apologetic, and claims the accusations have all been a misunderstanding. He promises to return everyone's money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-03-1929 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 6 - He Will Not Stop Until He Kills MeCaroline is shocked to learn that not only was she scammed by David Bloom, but many of her neighbors in their apartment building were also ripped off by the con man. Nearly out of funds and desperate to find answers, Caroline organizes for a group of David's victims to come together and confront the "Wall Street Whiz Kid." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-03-1233 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 5 - He Loves Me So MuchNancy Ozeas was married to David Bloom for nine years. They enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle together, residing in their $1.6 million loft in Venice Beach and taking exorbitant vacations all over the world. David paid for everything. Or at least, that’s what he led Nancy to believe. But one day when she finds a stack of bills from creditors demanding payment from her, Nancy suddenly realizes - David Bloom had actually stolen her identity to fund their entire life together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-03-0535 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 4 - The Best Friend You Never Asked ForCaroline and her business partners begin to wrap their heads around David Bloom’s real occupation: Full-time Scammer. He’s been a con artist ever since he was a teenager. He scammed his parents. He scammed his friends. He scammed everyone with fake investments that were nothing more than Ponzi schemes to fund his exorbitant lifestyle. No one would know better than David's ex-wife, who suddenly surfaces with a truly shocking account of what it was like to be married to a charlatan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-02-2629 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 3 - Dangling That CarrotCaroline and her business partners arrive in Austin, excited to have their first meeting with Whole Foods CEO A.C. Gallo the very next morning. Caroline’s already talked to him during a phone call set up by David, and she’s giddy with anticipation. But suddenly, the meeting gets pushed. And then it gets pushed again. And again. And again. Five days later, Caroline makes a shocking discovery about David and the man she met on the phone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-02-1926 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 2 - If You Live in Hope, You Die in S**tDavid Bloom is a silver-haired father figure type. He quickly develops a close bond with Caroline after moving into her storied Hollywood apartment complex. He presents himself as a real titan of industry and very, very wealthy. Caroline is strapped for cash so David offers her an investment opportunity she can't pass up. He also offers to help get Caroline's organic Pizza Girl sauce onto the shelves of Whole Foods supermarkets across the country. After all, he says he's good friends with the CEO. So Caroline and her business partners fly out to Texas with plans to meet the...
2025-02-1227 minOnce Upon A ConEpisode 1 - He Thinks I’m a MasseuseCaroline D’Amore has spent her life on the periphery of stardom. She’s done small roles in TV shows and movies. But struggles with drugs, a messy divorce, and even a run-in with notorious sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein have kept her fighting to eke out an existence for herself. Then suddenly, a friendly new neighbor enters the picture offering to help Caroline with EVERYTHING.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-02-1236 minOnce Upon A ConIntroducing: Once Upon A ConWho is “Wall Street Whiz Kid” David Bloom? Caroline D’Amore learned the hard way after the master conman orchestrated an elaborate scheme to defraud her and many others out of nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Season 1 of Once Upon a Con follows Caroline as she turns the tables on David in an unexpected game of cat and mouse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-02-0502 min
The Podcast Top 5Spotify’s New Monetization Rules, iHeartPodcast Awards, Podfest Expo Highlights, and a Military Creator SpotlightIn this episode of The Podcast Top 5, Emily Soule from mowPod breaks down the biggest podcasting stories of the week. We dive into Spotify’s new Partner Program—will it help podcasters or just add more hurdles? Plus, the iHeartPodcast Awards are back with a live show at SXSW, and Podfest Expo 2025 promises to level up creators with workshops, networking, and industry insights. Don’t miss our spotlight on Military Creator Con, a unique event celebrating military makers. Finally, we feature Office Ladies, the ultimate podcast for The Office fans, as our Podcast of the Week. Tune...
2025-01-0904 min
Culture Raises USSHANTI DAS - Preserving and Celebrating Black CultureSummary The conversation between Astor Chambers and Shanti Das explores the concept of culture and its various facets. They discuss the importance of recognizing and preserving Black culture, which encompasses movement, people, vibration, and lifestyle. JOIN THE NEWSLETTER 📫 Be the first to hear about behind the scenes, new episode drops and live shows near you! Sign up: https://tr.ee/QJ4c7FUWBj LISTEN TO THE SHOW iTunes: http://bit.ly/3XDA3sl Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3D33sCM JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultureraisesus 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultureraisesus 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com...
2024-07-2505 min
Culture Raises USMARK SMITH - The Power of the HustleSummary Mark Smith grew up in a creative family and was exposed to various cultures around the world. He initially didn't see his work as culturally relevant, but later realized the impact of his designs on the world. His journey can be divided into four chapters: his upbringing in a creative family, his focus on art and music in high school and college, his transition from advertising to design, and his career in footwear and innovation. Watch the full episode here Mark emphasizes the importance...
2024-07-1108 min
Culture Raises USLAZ ALONSO - Persevering Against All OddsSummary The conversation delves into Laz's personal journey as a first-generation American and his commitment to championing Afro-Latinos in the entertainment industry. Laz shares his experiences of facing challenges and setbacks but maintaining a mindset of perseverance and manifestation. In this part of the conversation, Laz Alonso discusses the importance of resilience and the support of family and friends in overcoming challenges. JOIN THE NEWSLETTER 📫 Be the first to hear about behind the scenes, new episode drops and live shows near you! Sign up: https://tr.ee/QJ4c7F...
2024-06-2806 min
Culture Raises USLIBRA FORDE - Unboxing Culture: Shared Identity & Personal FreedomSummary The conversation explores the concept of culture and its importance. It delves into the idea that culture provides a sense of belonging and a soft landing, allowing individuals to take flight and refuel. The discussion also touches on the importance of sharing culture and not keeping it boxed in. Trust, communication, and the willingness to do hard things are highlighted as essential components in building a culture of empowerment and progress. In this conversation, Libra Forde shares her perspective on personal growth, self-discipline, and redefining societal norms. She emphasizes the importance of...
2024-06-1314 min