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© 2025 jelani gonzalez
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Step inside the stories that shape today's culture and innovation. In Behind the Story, host Jelani sits down with extraordinary people-from an American Music Award-winning songwriter to entrepreneurs reinventing skincare, from a sharp-witted comedians and actors to politicians
Each conversation uncovers the turning points, challenges, and creative sparks that define their journeys. Whether they're making music, building businesses, or shaping policy, these guests share candid insights on resilience, purpose, and what it really takes to create lasting impact.
If you love authentic conversations that inspire and connect, this is the podcast you won't want to miss.
Each conversation uncovers the turning points, challenges, and creative sparks that define their journeys. Whether they're making music, building businesses, or shaping policy, these guests share candid insights on resilience, purpose, and what it really takes to create lasting impact.
If you love authentic conversations that inspire and connect, this is the podcast you won't want to miss.
8 Episodes
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In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez speaks with Ceri Jones Tretter, founder of The Collaboratory, a creative school and trauma healing ministry. Ceri shares her powerful journey from corporate executive to spiritual artist and healer — opening up about loss, faith, and how creativity became a path to healing and transformation.
In this episode of Behind The Story, host Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Lynne Lambert, actress turned entrepreneur and founder of NYC Subway Line®, the iconic fashion brand inspired by New York's legendary subway system. From Broadway stages to business success, Lynne shares how she transformed her love for New York City into a global lifestyle brand that celebrates urban energy, movement, and identity. She reveals the creative spark that started it all, her journey navigating licensing with the MTA, and what it takes to build an authentic brand that resonates worldwide.
In this episode, Jelani talks with Joe Anthony about how AI is transforming digital marketing. Joe explains how AI speeds up SEO, boosts Google Business Profiles, automates tasks, and helps agencies scale with smaller teams. They also discuss AI “stacking,” creating realistic video avatars, tailoring content for each platform, and the importance of strong branding. Joe shares real examples, industry trends, and how staying human, communicative, and strategic keeps marketing effective in the AI era.
In this episode of Behind the Story, host Jelani sits down with comedian Spanky Hayes to talk about his Detroit upbringing, the grind of breaking into comedy, and the wild journey from open mics to Wild ’N Out. Spanky opens up about family, fame, and the state of comedy today — unfiltered, hilarious, and real.
In this episode of Behind the Story, we sit down with the creator of I Am Motherless, a skincare brand born from personal loss, self-discovery, and resilience. From making candles in his garage to building a viral business on TikTok, he shares his powerful journey of turning pain into purpose, finding identity beyond a famous legacy, and overcoming addiction to rediscover happiness and clarity.
In this episode of Behind the Story, we sit down with the creator of I Am Motherless, a skincare brand born from personal loss, self-discovery, and resilience. From making candles in his garage to building a viral business on TikTok, he shares his powerful journey of turning pain into purpose, finding identity beyond a famous legacy, and overcoming addiction to rediscover happiness and clarity.
In this engaging conversation, David Nicoll IV shares his remarkable journey through the music industry, from his early days as a dancer to becoming a successful choreographer and songwriter for iconic boy bands. He reflects on his experiences with New Edition, N'Sync, and the Chippendales, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the entertainment world. David emphasizes the importance of hard work, creativity, and adaptability in achieving success, while also discussing the evolution of the music industry in the digital age. He concludes with heartfelt reflections on family life and the joy of pursuing one's passion.
In this episode of Behind the Story, Gerard returns to share the next chapter of his journey — how his AI music project evolved into ATTG, a platform that creates custom, AI-generated music for businesses, weddings, and events. He explains how ATTG personalizes soundtracks based on each brand’s identity, offering licensed playlists that enhance customer engagement and brand storytelling. Gerard also talks about the freedom of full creative control, the potential of AI in music, and how customized sound can transform marketing and experiences.
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