Meraki Mentors
35 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 22 ratingsJoin writer and multimedia artist Candace Howze for weekly interviews with professional and freelance artists of all disciplines. Have you ever wondered how artists pay the bills, learn their craft or find opportunity? Learn all of this and more each episode. We invite women who share raw details about their creative pursuits and guide you to connect with soul, creativity, and love (meraki).
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Episodes
S4E1: Making Music feat. Esin Aydingoz
April 16, 2024 12:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBJoin us in this episode of Meraki Mentors as we delve into the vibrant world of music with the talented songwriter and composer, Esin Aydingoz. From her humble beginnings as a budding musician to gracing the stage at the Grammy's, Esin shares her remarkable journey of passion, perseverance, and creativity. Episode Highlights: Early Inspirations: Esin reminisces about her childhood fascination with music, tracing back to the roots of her budding interest and the early sparks that ignited he...
S3E6: Expecting Nothing feat. Andreia Marques
December 15, 2020 21:47 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBShow notes coming… As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions. Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!
S3E5: Wells of Knowledge feat. Carrie Scott
November 24, 2020 15:45 - 36 minutes - 86.6 MBShow notes coming… As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions. Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!
S3E3: Accountability & Consistency feat. Aliesha Nunnally
April 07, 2020 16:01 - 19 minutes - 35.8 MBShow notes coming… As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions. Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!
S3E4: Abundant Support feat. Sarah Stieber
April 07, 2020 16:01 - 36 minutes - 83.7 MBShow notes coming… As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions. Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!
S3E3: Accountability & Consistency feat. Alieshia Nunnally
April 07, 2020 16:01 - 19 minutes - 35.8 MBShow notes coming… As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions. Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!
S3E2: Trusting Yourself feat. Akiva Rooks
April 07, 2020 16:00 - 23 minutes - 43.4 MBShow notes coming… As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions. Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!
S3E1: Speak Good Things feat. Jena Holliday
March 11, 2020 03:29 - 37 minutes - 68.1 MBShow notes coming… As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions. Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!
S2E10: Spark Peace feat. Kimberly Sumpter
October 02, 2019 00:52 - 36 minutes - 66.9 MBIn today's episode with sit down with Kimberly Sumpter, the NJ-based candlemaker behind Wax Kandy, a business that creates hand-poured scented premium candles. Kimberly fell in love with candle-making and now sells custom scents and leads workshops for novice and emerging candle-makers. Her path wasn't always this easy, as she faced personal obstacles in her work that sparked a chance in her business. Discover why Kimberly believes the candle is such an important symbol of life, how to kno...
S2E9: Need to Learn feat. Tezarah Wilkins
July 23, 2019 16:00 - 47 minutes - 87.2 MBIn the latest episode of Meraki Mentors, we talk to Tezarah Wilkins, podcaster, photographer, filmmaker and all-around multimedia artist about her career. Tezarah is a member of the first cohort of Google + PRX’s Podcast Creator Program, and her new show Who Taught You How to Drive? is a unique and hilarious look into human behavior, and true standout. We discuss arts advocacy, what it means to be creative in more than one field and how to expand opportunity by letting people know what you...
S2E8: New Sights feat. Chrisnatha Derosier
June 25, 2019 21:55 - 31 minutes - 57.8 MBOur 20th episode is straight fire!! We speak with author and life coach Chrisnatha Derosier, who is an empowering woman with a message of hope and resilience for any creative who’s been stuck in a rut. Chrisnatha talks about her journey to becoming an author and the trick she used to ensure that she completed her first book. In addition to owning her story she shares how she learned to be transparent with her audience and her loved ones. If you are needing a push, looking for advice in you...
S2E7: There is No Box feat. Jacquie Bird
June 11, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 121 MBWe’re back this week with Jacquie Bird, a Brooklyn native whose expansive career has seen Broadway, writing, choreographing, dancing – you name it! Jacquie brings her vibrant life story to the podcast to share how she’s seamlessly moved between genres and disciplines, learned to make the best decisions at the crossroads of her career, and take major risks. Along the way she’s become a prolific instructor who reminds her students not to “expect scarcity” as an artist. Whether you’re a dance...
S2E6: NETWORK! feat. Rachel Mullins
May 14, 2019 16:00 - 56 minutes - 104 MBThis week’s guest is Amber Sillmon, a Detroit-based writer and founder of the millennial-focused newsletter, Honestly Sis. An accountant by trade, Amber listened to her inner creativity and made the bold move to write her first novel–with no formal literature training. Amber shares what keeps her motivated, how she’s crafting her perfect writing practice, and where she learned the ins and outs of character development and storytelling. Along the way, she created a writing platform that’s re...
S2E5: Learn to Trust feat. Amber Sillmon
April 30, 2019 16:00 - 51 minutes - 85.1 MBThis week’s guest is Amber Sillmon, a Detroit-based writer and founder of the millennial-focused newsletter, Honestly Sis. An accountant by trade, Amber listened to her inner creativity and made the bold move to write her first novel–with no formal literature training. Amber shares what keeps her motivated, how she’s crafting her perfect writing practice, and where she learned the ins and outs of character development and storytelling. Along the way, she created a writing platform that’s re...
S2E4: There’s Room For You feat. Jovelle Tamayo
April 16, 2019 16:00 - 48 minutes - 89.1 MBThis week, we’re joined by Jovelle Tamayo, a founding member of the Authority Collective–a relatively new organization that propels the work of WOC and non-binary POC working in film, photo, and AR/VR. Together, the group is working to broaden the lens of visual media, “close the distance around resources.” Jovelle discusses image making, race and culture, how she learned the media of documentary photography and why community is more valuable than competition. In this episode, we explore w...
S2E4: There's Room For You feat. Jovelle Tamayo
April 16, 2019 16:00 - 48 minutes - 89.1 MBThis week, we’re joined by Jovelle Tamayo, a founding member of the Authority Collective–a relatively new organization that propels the work of WOC and non-binary POC working in film, photo, and AR/VR. Together, the group is working to broaden the lens of visual media, “close the distance around resources.” Jovelle discusses image making, race and culture, how she learned the media of documentary photography and why community is more valuable than competition. In this episode, we explore w...
S2E3: It’s Okay to Fail feat. Michelle Marra
April 02, 2019 16:00 - 29 minutes - 53.6 MBWe’re chatting with visual artist Michelle Marra, a “spirited colorist” based out of Florida who is known for her vibrant and impressive abstract paintings. She’s here to share her triumphs and challenges as an artist with a clear reminder: don’t be afraid to fail. One of the many things we discuss this episode is the benefit of constant practice and how making the proper connections can help you to form the strength, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed at your goals. Michelle talks ...
S2E3: It's Okay to Fail feat. Michelle Marra
April 02, 2019 16:00 - 29 minutes - 53.6 MBWe’re chatting with visual artist Michelle Marra, a “spirited colorist” based out of Florida who is known for her vibrant and impressive abstract paintings. She’s here to share her triumphs and challenges as an artist with a clear reminder: don’t be afraid to fail. One of the many things we discuss this episode is the benefit of constant practice and how making the proper connections can help you to form the strength, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed at your goals. Michelle talks ...
S2E2: No Limits feat. Joanna Popper
March 19, 2019 16:00 - 36 minutes - 67.3 MBThis week we talk to Joanna Popper, the head of VR at HP and a major leader in the quest for female representation in technology, entertainment and interactive computing. Joanna discusses the twists and turns of her career, which has led her from banking to marketing, television to VR, and how she applied the famous 80-20 (making your favorite 20% of your job 80% of your next job) to her career. Along the way, she shares tips for creatives looking to network on social media. Whether you’re...
S2E1: Make a Plan feat. Napturalista’s Rynae Lindsey
March 12, 2019 16:00 - 27 minutes - 49.7 MBMeraki Mentors is BACK with a discussion about Napturalista Moji, an Oakland-based startup that’s bringing a whole new level of diversity to the emoji game. With a mission to bring culture and inclusivity to the emoji space, this woman-centered business has tons of lessons to share! Rynae Lindsey of Napturalista Moji talks about the critical role that teamwork, planning, and patience played in creating their app, which features Black women as emojis. From creating brand awareness and mercha...
S2E1: Make a Plan feat. Napturalista's Rynae Lindsey
March 12, 2019 16:00 - 27 minutes - 49.7 MBMeraki Mentors is BACK with a discussion about Napturalista Moji, an Oakland-based startup that’s bringing a whole new level of diversity to the emoji game. With a mission to bring culture and inclusivity to the emoji space, this woman-centered business has tons of lessons to share! Rynae Lindsey of Napturalista Moji talks about the critical role that teamwork, planning, and patience played in creating their app, which features Black women as emojis. From creating brand awareness and mercha...
S1E12: Unlearn the Rules feat. Katie Kay Chelena
December 12, 2018 04:25 - 51 minutes - 94.1 MBIn the season finale of Meraki Mentors, Katie Kay Chelena, a performance artist based in Brooklyn New York shares her experience as a member of the Neofuturists theatre company. Raised in the South, Katie shares her experience battling the “scarcity” mindset that often pervades artistic communities, and opens up about writing, directing and producing 30 plays a week. This episode if full of pearls from finding humility in nature to moving from someone who “tries to be an artist” to someone...
S1E11: Coach Yourself to Wellness feat. DoubleLinkks
December 04, 2018 10:00 - 40 minutes - 73.4 MBIn episode 10 of Meraki Mentors, Kimyona and Keoyona Ray of DoubleLinkks serve up some enlightening facts about wellness, the role of art in individual healing and what a life coach really does. These twin sisters work as traveling nurses, a truly creative full-time gig that allows them to spread their passion for wellness around the nation and see more of the world. Through it all, they’re determined to help individuals from all walks of life return to “a simple way of living.” You’ll lea...
S1E10: Designing a Career feat. Carrboro Creative
November 20, 2018 10:00 - 28 minutes - 53 MBEpisode 10 of Meraki Mentors is all about creativity in your career. We’re talking to Caity and Victoria, the co-founders of Carrboro Creative, a NC-based design firm that creates branded materials for organizations and businesses of all sizes. “There’s so much creativity in how you position yourself,” and that’s exactly what this dynamic duo has exemplified. From battling creative frustrations in the workplace to flexing their natural artistic abilities, Caity and Victoria have forged thei...
S1E9: Sustaining Discipline feat. Anuradha Bhowmik
November 14, 2018 04:26 - 31 minutes - 58.3 MBIn episode 9 of Meraki Mentors, you’ll meet poet and creative nonfiction writer Anuradha Bhowmik, a recent MFA grad from Virginia Tech and a 2018 AWP Intro Journals Project Winner in Poetry. Anuradha never considered writing as a career, but a handful of undergraduate professors changed the course of her life. Her writing is deeply rooted in her autobiographical experiences in an immigrant family, and she discusses the aspects of her childhood that led to her love for creative nonfiction. ...
S1E8: Beautiful Things Take Time feat. Michelene Wilkerson
November 06, 2018 10:00 - 57 minutes - 106 MBEpisode eight is full of wisdom and thoughts from freelance photographer and New York-based artist Michelene Wilkerson, who is the founder the Black media arts hub, Soul Elevated. Michelene is an entrepreneur at heart with experience in the publishing industry and photography. Her experimentation with social media curating (long before Instagram had a “save” button) and mood boards lead to the founding of Soul Elevated, where she flexes her intuitive eye for catching emerging artists before...
S1E7: Reimagine Your Story feat. Ashley Harris
October 30, 2018 09:00 - 34 minutes - 62.5 MBEpisode seven features poet and spoken word artist Ashley Harris, who recently published the chapbook If the Hero of Time Was Black, based on the Zelda video game series. Ashley is a Virginia native, and a CUPSI and Brave New Voices alum based in Durham, NC. Ashley Harris is a longtime spoken word artist and poet. Her powerful performances have led her to feature and perform her original poems across the country, most recently during her book tour in support of If The Hero of Time Was Black...
S1E6: Self-Taught Mastery feat. Damola Akintunde
October 23, 2018 09:00 - 39 minutes - 72.4 MBEpisode six features photographer Damola Akintunde, a freelance photographer based in North Carolina. Damola has created several photographic projects and collaborated with Addidas and Elle South Africa during a recent trip to Cape Town. Damola was first introduced to the field of photography in a 7th grade yearbook class, and since then she has cultivated her talent independently to create a body of work that is breathtaking and moving. Her portraits of women and herself draw the viewer to...
S1E5: Understanding Creative Consent feat. Jaki Shelton Green
October 16, 2018 10:00 - 46 minutes - 86 MBEpisode 5 features newly inducted NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, a true writer, artist and daughter of North Carolina. A self-proclaimed “cultural activist,” Jaki currently teaches documentary poetry at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. With a career that spans several decades, Jaki shares her compelling story of growing up as a young African-American girl in the rural South and how writing found her against the backdrop of a tumultuous American era. After a long ...
#CureStigma During Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 09, 2018 12:01Mental Illness Awareness Week is an initiative of the National Association on Mental Illness “to shine a light on mental illness and fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care.”
S1E4: Be Brave; Be Well feat. Shanina Dionna
October 09, 2018 11:50 - 52 minutes - 95.8 MBIn this episode, you’ll meet visual artist Shanina Dionna, a Pennsylvania-based painter who is also an arts education and mental health advocate. Through her Embryo series, Shanina spreads a message of hope and empowerment and recently received a TDC grant. “If you’re passionate about it, and you’re consistent, good things will manifest for you.” It’s a belief that Shanina is living fully. We talk about her life as a full-time freelance artist, and her role in the Philadelphia arts communit...
S1E3: You Can Be a Non-Suffering Artist feat. Anna Cantwell
September 30, 2018 04:02 - 48 minutes - 89.6 MBIn this episode, we speak with Anna Cantwell, a Los Angeles-based yoga instructor. Anna is an RYT-200 certified yoga instructor and affiliate of Mind Tribes. She offers group and individual sessions along with yoga teacher training. Anna discusses her experience working as a full-time teacher and full-time grad school student struggling to keep her mental and physical health afloat under the demands. Yoga introduced her to a new level of health and mindfulness that she took with her to the ...
S1E2: Art Is a Function of Your Evolution feat. Rachel Eliza Griffiths
September 30, 2018 04:01 - 1 hour - 125 MBIn this episode we speak with decorated poet and visual artist, Rachel Eliza Griffiths. She is the author of four poetry collections, the creator of Poets on Poetry, and a Cave Canem fellow, among other honors. She also teaches creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Rachel Eliza talks about the critical role that reading has played in her development as a writer and speaks about creating in various disciplines; notably literature, photography and video. Her enlightening take on evolvin...
S1E1: The Biggest Influence on Your Success feat. Sade Sellers
September 30, 2018 04:00 - 52 minutes - 97 MBIn this episode we speak with Sade Sellers, an LA-based actress and filmmaker who was named an ABFF TV One Screenplay Competition Finalist, Outfest Fusion Winner, and ATT Create-a-Thon winner. Her first feature, The Root of Things, is currently in production. Sade talks about her decision to leave college and move to Los Angeles in pursuit of becoming a filmmaker. With just a few suitcases and a fervent dream, Sade set out to make a life for herself in Hollywood. We ask Sade about her find...
Introducing Meraki Mentors!
September 08, 2018 03:09 - 3 minutes - 6.13 MBWe are only one week away from the official launch of Meraki Mentors! As a gift to you, we are releasing a very special surprise. 1. Our official trailer! Give us a listen below and mark your calendars for our launch date, Sunday September 30th!