Matthew Yee is a food scientist and chef and the founder of Queenies, a really cool conceptual traveling culinary pop that takes the comforts of his Chinese and Jewish background to create meaningful connections with people in real-time. We talk about changing the food landscape through food justice and a focus on BIOPOC farmers locally and nationally and the issues that exist on the margins to help us create a more sustainable and equitable food economy. We also reminisce about foods that remind us of family and our attempts to recreate those feelings that surface around food and certain memories. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo. Yee is such a thoughtful chef and creative culinary person. He shares his dreams for Queenies and some of the techniques that find him solitude and quiet in the midst of the hustle of growing a business.
Faraz Zaidi is the founder and creative director of Profound, a luxury streetwear brand. We recorded this episode during Ramadan (April 2023) and I was thinking of holding it until the next Ramadan but I think there are a lot of really interesting concepts we cover that will be valuable for people of all backgrounds. We reflect really deeply on the benefits of abstaining from many of life's temptations and how the month-long reset fuels so much beauty, introspection, and gratitude for the community. We discuss Zaidi's superpower which is empathy – he's such a sweet and kind soul who has a creative vision for not only clothing, apparel, home goods, and the world but the way he thinks about things is really unique. We also dig into compartmentalizing life's intricacies, reframing burnout, and what it's like to manage our time and energy in productive ways. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Anna Polonsky is the founder and creative director of Polonsky & Friends, a strategy and design studio for those who use food as a beacon for community. Polonsky also co-founded The Deligram, an editorial storefront spotlighting artisan food and its makers. We explore Polonsky's unique story which starts in France and builds depth and scale in New York at the intersection of food, brand, and hospitality. Meandering through the magic of food–a common thread in her family and upbringing–we dig into Polonsky's learnings working closely with restaurants, developers, brands, restaurateurs, and chefs to tell the nuanced stories only food can provide. Anna shares her path to an accidental entrepreneur and the daily practices she's picked up along the way to complement her lifestyle which is reflective of her personal style. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Fariha Róisín is a queer Mulsim Bangladeshi multidisciplinary artist, writer, author, poet, astrologer, and consultant based in Los Angeles. Born in Ontario, Canada, and raised in Sydney, Australia, Róisín explores the margins as a thought pioneer through the culture of healing. Róisín was so vulnerable and open in this conversation. We go super deep into healing money wounds, how our identities are shaped and how they relate to our perceived value and worthiness, and how those things are so integrated into the ways we interact with the constructs of capitalism. We explore the luxury of wellness and who gets to practice wellness and be well, we talk about art, food, weed, pleasure – and its role in healing. Róisín's best-selling books How To Cure A Ghost, Being In Your Body, Like A Bird and Who Is Wellness For? span poetry and nonfiction exploring delicate relationships with family, self, and the "other." Survival Takes A Wild Imagination is out Fall of 2023. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Deepti Sharma is a 2x founder, mother, public speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni, former New York City Council council candidate, and entrepreneur in residence at Columbia's Barnard College. Sharma is one of those people who truly cares about community and access and you can feel it when she speaks. We talk about the effects of capitalism on creativity, local politics and how everyone can play a part, why community really matters, changing your narrative through exposure to new things and people, and how trauma plays into your existence–and how to transmute it. Deepti encourages us to dream without limitation and change our views on what is and isn't possible. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Social impact entrepreneur, chef, DJ and food justice advocate Mark Brand, shares his layered journey and implores us to build purpose into the design of a business. He has created over a dozen businesses like a charitable kitchen, a diner, a brewery, a butcher shop – in many cases, made to support those struggling with food insecurity and addiction. We talk about Brand's past life as a DJ and nightlife dweller and how that propelled him to become sober, even after once winning a prestigious bartending award. He educates us on the links between poverty and food deserts which he reframes as food apartheid and we also talk about how removing caffeine, alcohol and sugar changed his life and the realities of facing imposter syndrome. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Marcus J. Moore shares how he built a career by simply "asking the question," revealing the humanity in music through his writing and thoughtful approach to collaboration. An incredible music journalist, critic, and the author of The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America, Moore graciously shares his nonlinear journey from a city-specific reporter to the imposter syndrome of writing his second book on legendary hip hop group, De La Soul. A contributor at the Washington Post with columns at TIDAL and The New York Times, Moore covers hip hop, jazz, and other niche genres and emerging left-of-center artists. Meandering through the practices and people that have propelled his double-decade career, Moore cleverly drops in soundbites of his favorite songs now available as a playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gtJMYZrezATY9rU0fjUfd?si=-MPqSDd4RWWH13oWAeqNyw. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Joél Leon joins the show to talk about romantic friendships, identity, polyamory, showing up, expanding binary constructs and making room for context. Leon is a father, author, poet, writer, and creative director at The New York Times. The conversation was special and raw – transparent and honest. Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
In this episode, I chat with entrepreneur, DJ, and activist Jasmine Solano about pivoting fear into fuel. We talk about momentum and redirecting energy towards positive outcomes, the challenges and hidden benefits of transitioning a DJ career online in 2020, and how to recruit the team you want and need around you. Through the lens of hip hop, we look at the intersections of music, technology, and reclaiming social equity. Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
DJ and Artist Relations Manager at Twitch, Allyson Toy (@tigermom.toy), and I dive deep into the intricacies and implications of being a woman in the music business. We talk about reframing gender as a competitive advantage, how to navigate an antiquated music industry, identifying burnout and how to pivot, and the importance of smashing preconceived notions. Throughout this layered conversation, we get the chance to dig into how women internalize traits of toxic masculinity embedded in our hustle porn culture, why identifying as a bruh girl is a plus and we even get a special piano solo from Allyson – who used to be a competitive pianist. She is basically Chopin. Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Music journalist Sidney Madden (@sid_madden) from NPR Music and I dive deep into her background in the storytelling industry in this episode. We talk about navigating new spaces and personal boundaries, establishing self-confidence through mantras, managing your mental health in a corporate environment, and moving the ball to the next generation – particularly to women of color. Throughout this layered conversation, I really get the chance to understand Sidney's unique perspective and cultural mark as we speak super transparently about the foundational pieces of journalism, what goes into the production of news, and some of the do's and don'ts of working with journalists. Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
In the first episode of Season 2, I catch up with Rachelle Chua – a Physician's Assistant who has been on the frontlines of COVID in NYC. With a calm demeanor, excellent taste in music, and medical training with some of the best in New York, Rachelle and I talk about the structural side of healthcare during a pandemic and how to deal with anxiety around your health. Rachelle shares her first-hand experiences in the ER in recent months, opens up about some personal tricks for relaxation, and gives important insights on how to relate to your body. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In this last episode of Season 1 of Current Mood, I had the honor of speaking with New York-based photographer and Co-Creator of Street Dreams Magazine (@streetdreamsmag), Steve "Sweatpants" Irby (@stevesweatpants). As a pioneer of the Instagram street photography movement, complete with his own TED talk, Steve and has traveled the world documenting culture working with brands like Sony, Nike, Bleacher Report, The New York Knicks, and New Balance, and was recently honored by The City Of New York for his contributions in Arts and Culture. We talk about what it takes to turn your passion into your job, why keeping it simple is the best way to operate, and how to have tough conversations in business. We dug deep into family and how to deal with illness, grief, and loss, and what it takes to embrace hard times with loved ones. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In this episode, sound therapist Sara Auster (@saraauster) and I talk about the harm in catering to categories other people want to put you in. In a landscape of increasingly shifting professions for remote and creative workers, we often associate our identities with our work which negates our immense power as whole human beings. We cover self-inquiry, building connections and stronger bonds through community, and how deep listening can transform our relationships across the board. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In this episode, I sat down with digital native Ashley Outrageous to talk about mental health during the era of Instagram. Ashley is a creative consultant, artist manager, and event producer who has been working at the intersection of music and technology since before MySpace was a thing. Her first big digital project was running social media for Kendrick Lamar's Section80 album which was the tipping point for the elevation of her career as a boss. We get to cover some fun stuff in this convo – music marketing during the internet's emergence, working horizontally, and incorporating your friends into your projects, how a simple thank you note can get you new clients, and of course, addressing social anxieties catalyzed by our digital lives. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In this episode, I had the honor of speaking to Sahra Nguyen (@oneouncegold), Founder of lifestyle coffee brand Nguyen Coffee Supply (@nguyencoffeesupply). We covered so many important topics like immigration history of Asian Americans (that shit they don’t teach you in school), specifically from a first-generation, female perspective, what it’s like building a business in a new industry, why “hustle porn/culture” is trash and what recognizing the need to slow down looks like. More on Nguyen Coffee Supply: www.https://nguyencoffeesupply.com/ Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In this episode, artist and visual director Shawna-X (@shawnax) and I talk about trusting yourself and your work, the transitional path from 9-5 to full-time artist, motherhood and work – and how we're affected by the amount of content we're constantly overloaded with. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In this episode, artist, designer, and creative/art director, Julian Alexander (@slanginc) and I talk about the importance of staying connected to what you truly love. With 20 years of experience as an art director in music and culture, Julian shares insights on building a sustainable career around passion, how to protect your work as a digital creative, and how shifting the language around your achievements can propel stronger self-worth. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In part 2 of episode 4 of Current Mood, I dig into imposter syndrome with a leadership coach and global facilitator Bobby Lyle (@nsightout). Imposter Syndrome is that feeling that you're somehow not good enough or skilled in the thing that you actually are – a story that is often perpetuated or magnified by social media and digital living. We get into some "polarity work" where Bobby shares basic exercises and mental models to incorporate into your self-care toolbox. Throughout the conversation we touch on the creative benefits of curiosity, self-love, and wrap it up with how to end professional or personal relationships with a "clean ending". Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
In this episode, leadership coach and facilitator Bobby Lyle (@nsightout) drops so many gems that you better bring your notebook with. We talk about our relationship to our thoughts, how to see and create an ideal scenario, working with self-doubt, recognizing triggers, and how child-like curiosity can propel creativity. Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC