Guru Guide To Podcasting

Powerful murals engage, and often challenge viewers. While working on this podcast I realized that art is a form of resistance that provides a voice to the voiceless. It demands to be seen and heard, which in some cases isn't always welcomed.

In this Last Episode of Off The Walls I had an opportunity to investigate Denver's MISSING murals. Murals from one of the most significant movements in our nations history, the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020. For a time it seemed like Denver's Black Lives Matter movement was of utmost importance to Denver's outraged citizens. In the midst of a global pandemic Denver took a long hard look at itself. The community raised its voice demanding justice and police reform after the murder of George Floyd and the outcry for justice for Elijah McClain's murder. The City even commissioned a temporary Black Lives Matter Mural, but then something happened. The outrage began to fizzle out, and the murals of the icons and victims of the movement were defaced and covered. After speaking with Lindsay Minter (Black Lives Matter organizer) she shared the story of the BLM movement in Denver and how it seems like Denver would rather forget about it. Me and the team tracked down the mural artist Adri Norris who painted the temporary mural to ask her exactly what happened.

This is a story that may elicit an emotional response, but more importantly it will challenge you to reexamine your own commitments to equity, justice, and the preservation of human life. In this episode we track the Black lives matter movement from 2020 to today, 2023. Together we'll take a look at what we learned, where we failed and the new developments that are bringing new hope to the BIPOC communities in Denver.

You can find a link to the episode in the comments.

Art for me has always been an alternative view of the world, a place where you're limitless and your imagination can run free. After hearing my co-host Emily cover the story of Babe Walls I realized that art and equality don't always exist in harmony with one another.

In this episode Emily uncovered the gender inequities in Denver's street art scene, and how a group of female artists went from being outsiders to creating one of the most anticipated mural festivals in Denver.
At the center of this story is artist GrowLove whose courageous story took the art scene by storm, and how she and other female artist created Denver's first EVER female and non-binary mural festival that changed the Colorado's art scene forever!

This episode is for the rebels and renegades who persevere and refuse to be silenced. Get ready to be inspired by this incredible story.
Listen today and let me know what you think in the comments!😎

There's nothing that says family and community like FOOD😋. Most of my fondest memories of family and community include being shuffled OUT of the kitchen by my Mom, or other Ladies in the family😆. It can't be overstated the value of the many exceptional women I've had the privilege of meeting and serving along side of. The vital role women play in what I've come to understand as "home" often goes unnoticed and can't be articulated in words. However, in this episode I tried 🥴.

Not long after moving to Denver I heard about the iconic Welton Street Cafe, and a short while later I met Fathima Dickerson the General Manager of the oldest Black owned restaurant in Denver. I got an opportunity interview Fathima and discuss the mural that was painted in honor of her contribution in the historic Five Points community by Jodie Herrera & Miles Toland.
In this episode you'll learn how for over 20 years Welton Street has been the staple in the rapidly gentrifying Five Points community, how gentrification threatened it's existence, and how Jodie uses her art to create space for the marginalized women of color.

I think it's fair to say that history is complicated and often unbearable to address in retrospect. As many Americans gather together giving thanks and honoring what IS, many are unaware of all that used to be, all that has been hidden and utterly erased. It's seldom we hear of history being reborn, but in this episode of Off The Walls my co-host Emily was able to bare witness to the remarkable and ground breaking efforts of David Garcia as he resurrected his first EVER mural. The communities cherished "Huitzilopochtli" (The Hummingbird Warrior) mural was completely whitewashed, and in this episode you'll get to hear about the origin of Huitzilopochtli and how David brought it back home to his beloved community.

This is a unique feel good story that you wont forget!
Take a moment and give it a listen.... Thank me later! 😁😁

This year has been a steep learning curve, there's been lots of change and lots of adversity. However, in the midst of it all I've had the privilege of working with some incredibly talented artists and journalist to produce a podcast that will always have a special place in my heart. I present you with "Off The Walls" a podcast about the stories and the people behind Denver's Street Art. In this first episode we tracked down the godfather of the community mural movement Emanuel Martinez, to learn about how the movement started, how Emanuel almost lost EVERYTHING fighting for his voice in Denver, and how his Daughter Lucha has paved a path to preserve his legacy in the community.

Take a moment while you're traveling, cooking, and preparing for your annual celebrations and check out Off the Walls from Colorado Public Radio & Denverite. Link in the Comments

Gratitude is KEY 🔑

The 2nd think on my To do list every day is to give thanks! Not necessarily because everything is going great but because everyday I wake up is yet another opportunity..

This doesn’t mean I’m gonna “make a bag💰”

It doesn’t mean I won’t battle Anxiety 😟

It doesn’t mean I’m not barely getting by in some way…

It means that in sickness and in health, for richer or Poorer, better or worse I’m STILL thankful… thru tears, thru pain, thru confusion & frustration, I STILL am grateful that God the creator has given me an opportunity to experience this life and all it’s jagged edges 🥴…

And it’s a proclamation to myself that I am yet living and abundant and that the intentions which come from my heart is on its way to my reality…

Gratitude creates room for faith. And Faith is the substance of things Hoped for and the Evidence of things not yet seen!

Facts‼️

BIG IDEAS 💡 are only as good as your ability to reverse engineer the idea into stages, and then into ACTIONABLE steps within a predetermined timeframe ⏱️!

If you’re a Big THINKER 🌍 you’ll likely need assistance or an outside perspective in order to set your plan into motion..

But here’s the Kicker🦶🏾… when you’re a BIG THINKER you’ll often SUCK at various aspects that are necessary I order to bring the Big idea into fruition🥴🤦🏾‍♂️…

Which means, your ability to bring this Big Idea into Reality depends more on how you manage the things you DON’T do well than it does your ability to be BRILLIANT at your expertise…

This is the MAJOR dilemma for the chronic big dreaming Over-Functioner 😖

In conclusion ask for Help 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🥴

These are self reflections!

Transparency Post‼️

About a year ago I fell in a bit of a hole creatively…
High output and moving across the country without allowing myself to take my foot off the gas ⛽️ created some pretty unhealthy habits in my personal life!

I realized I’d made an idol out of affirmation, out of my “successes” while losing sight of my ultimate desire. To create space to elevate the power of mentorship and self development for the purpose of living in alignment with Gods highest purpose for my life.

I’m slowly improving… giving myself time to re-center and more importantly to align myself with what I Believe is my highest purpose.

It’s a process.. but listen.. I’m committed to the journey… come Hell or high water I’m determined to get and become Better.. not perfect.. not “like-able” but authentic in my commitment to evolve into what God designed me to be.

I’m sharing this not because I have to, but because I’m grateful to be becoming, to be shedding, to be relentlessly pursuing even if it’s imperfect!

A wise man said…
“I’d rather fail at trying to be exceptional than succeed at being mediocre”

If you’ve made it this far in the post…
I pray you find your authentic self in the midst of your adversity and that God reveals your highest purpose in the midst of your pain! 🙏🏾😏

Thanks for coming to my 🔴

It’s always a good time sharing career insights with students!! Shout out to the terrific Human Resources Department and Big Brothers Big Sisters for inviting me to participate in there event!

The future is bright for the next generation of thinkers movers and shakers!! They Get it! 🤓

Another Podcast Launching on January 25th!!

This is for the meditative nature lovers! 🌄⛰️ This unusual highly ambitious Podcast has been a thrill to produce… it’s weird challenging and absolutely beautiful!!

The trailer is out NOW!! So take a listen! Link in my story!

Working with great writers, producers and creatives is the most thrilling experience and we’re only just getting started!!

Check out Terra Firma today and make sure to subscribe you won’t be disappointed 😁⛰️🌄

This have been changing in my life and I’m infinitely grateful!

✅ I moved to Colorado! ( Yes I’m on Mountain time now, not EST 😎)

✅ Join the Podcast network at Colorado Public Radio

✅ Started production one of the most difficult Podcasts I’ve ever mixed, edited, tracked, produced!

✅ Met collaborators who want to be the BEST at what they do!

And can now add and NPR Network show to my Podcast and Production Resume!! 🎊🎉💪🏾😎

All thanks to God!!

Check the Season 2 premiere of Systemic right away you WONT be disappointed!
😎😎

‎Systemic: No Equity, No Voice on Apple Podcasts ‎Show Systemic, Ep No Equity, No Voice - Jan 10, 2023