The Afro-Existential Podcast

Would you move a dead body three miles for one million dollars? That's 333k a mile! If so... who would you trust to help you? These are the tough questions the Mulligan family must answer in the audio play, Dead Wait: A Journey in Afro-Existentialism, penned by Blaine Teamer. Feeling like they're stuck in the mud, the Mulligan trio from Los Angeles, Georgina, Brady, and their adult son Oliver hatch individual plans to break free from their dull lives. But can they ditch their past troubles and team up to make their dream life a reality, or will they keep tripping over the same hurdles? In this twisted black comedy, Dead Wait: A Journey in Afro-Existentialism, we meet a typical Los Angeles family who loves each other deeply but still battle with some classic human anxieties: poverty, death, abandonment, bad TV, and bad Los Angeles traffic. Fasten your seatbelts for this darkly hilarious journey inspired by Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit, as we explore the consequences of our actions and the lengths we'll go to for a shot at a better life.  Featuring: Indira Wilson, Shawn Carter Peterson, LeShay Tomlinson, K.J. Middlebrooks, David Sparks and Blaine Teamer Directed by Indira Wilson + Blaine Teamer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HOW MUCH NUISANCE ARE YOU WORTH?  It’s a special episode of The Afro-Existential Podcast, as we look back at some of our favorite moments from the past 40 episodes. We have an excerpt from our interview with filmmaker, and Tony Award-Winning actress Tonya Pinkins. She explains the term “nuisance value”, and her experience working on Jelly’s Last Jam with George Wolfe and Gregory Hines. What Charlayne Woodard told her to do, and she talks about snatching a weave out of somebody’s head! From our Breakthrough Interview Series, we talk with the former prison inmate, Rich Loya. He talks about working for actor Tim Robbins, and the breakthrough moment that helped him become the current Program Manager for The Actors' Gang Prison Project. Would you move a dead body two miles for one million dollars? That’s the dilemma that the Mulligan family is facing in our audio play production of Dead Wait. Listen to a sneak peek before you make any plans. It’s available now on the Broadway Podcast Network. All that and a lot more fun in this special best of episode of the Afro-Existential Podcast – an audio play and podcast in one. Follow us on Instagram: @afroextheater Visit us at https://www.afroexpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's special guest is Only Make Believe’s Executive Artistic Director, Tamela Aldridge. Only Make Believe, is the children’s non-profit that brings in-person and virtual theatre to children with medically fragile conditions or developmental disabilities. As OMB celebrates 24 years and reaches a milestone of working with more than 100,000 children. Aldridge reflects back on her last 15 years with the organization – 5 of which she has served in an executive capacity. We discuss how she brought her ACTING expertise to the organization, the importance of imagination, and how integral the arts can be in healing the minds and bodies of children.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a NEW EPISODE of the Afro-Existential Podcast (@theafroextheater) on the Broadway Podcast Network (@broadwaypodcastnetwork)! Join co-hosts Blaine Teamer (@bteamer574), Indira Gibson Wilson (@indira.thatsenough), and Frederick Johnson (@iamfrederickjohnson) for a series of engaging interviews in “The Breakthrough Series”. How did people make their big dreams a reality?! In thisl episode of the "Breakthrough Interview Series", our guest is costume designer Benita Elliot. She tells HOW two-time ACADEMY AWARD WINNING Costume Designer (Phantom Thread + The Artist) Mark Bridges become her mentor and what was her big breakthrough moment!? That's not all it’s WHOSE THAT BABY’S DADDY?, DAY! on The Afro-Existential Podcast. Find out what went down at the Snooty Fox! #RicoSauve #BlackCherry #BackdoorBootyDoo #FunkyChicken We also have the world premiere of “R & B Diva”, So’lingerie’s (@indira.thatsenough) disco anthem, entitled Miss Understood from the album, Ghetto Life T’Ain’t No Joke from the upcoming audio play, Pandora’s Trunk words + music by Blaine Teamer (@bteamer574).  It's another fun episode you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WE NEED MORE WOMAN KINGS: VIOLA DAVIS RULES! It's a new episode of the Afro-Existential Podcast (@theafroextheater) on the Broadway Podcast Network (@broadwaypodcastnetwork)! Join co-hosts Blaine Teamer (@bteamer574), Indira Gibson Wilson (@indira.thatsenough), and Frederick Johnson (@iamfrederickjohnson) for a series of engaging interviews in “The Breakthrough Series”. In Ep. 12, we’re discussing the significance, power, and impact of a breakthrough film, The Woman King starring, Emmy, Tony, and Oscar Award-winning actress, Viola Davis (@violadavis) with Thuso Mbedu (@thuso.mbedu) and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (@gpmadeit). We also have the world premiere of “R & B Diva”, So’lingerie’s (@indira.thatsenough) disco anthem, entitled Miss Understood from the album, Ghetto Life T’Ain’t No Joke from the upcoming audio play, Pandora’s Trunk written by (@bteamer574).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part TWO of our interview with Tony Pearson, the bodybuilding icon talks with us more about his inspiring autobiography, entitled Driven: My Secret Untold Story. Discovered by Arnold Schwarzenegger on Muscle Beach, who became his mentor. Pearson won his first contest, the 1976 Mr. Venice Beach, and a year and a half later he entered and won the 1978 Mr. America contest., "A story about real-life hardship and overcoming the odds to become a nine-time world champion-winning Mr. America, Professional Mr. Universe, and World Mixed Pairs. Legendary bodybuilder Tony Pearson faced impossible challenges, rising above poverty, abuse, and neglect to excel and reach the pinnacle of success. His story is presented here, journaling the extreme struggles he endured to reveal the human spirit of survival. From the depressive lows to the triumphant highs, an inspirational record of one man's determination to rise above and claim victory over despair." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of our interview with Tony Pearson, the bodybuilding icon talks with us about his autobiography, entitled Driven: My Secret Untold Story. Discovered by Arnold Schwarzenegger on Muscle Beach, who became his mentor. Pearson won his first contest, the 1976 Mr. Venice Beach, and a year and a half later he entered and won the 1978 Mr. America contest., "A story about real-life hardship and overcoming the odds to become a nine-time world champion-winning Mr. America, Professional Mr. Universe, and World Mixed Pairs.  Legendary bodybuilder Tony Pearson faced impossible challenges, rising above poverty, abuse, and neglect to excel and reach the pinnacle of success. His story is presented here, journaling the extreme struggles he endured to reveal the human spirit of survival.  From the depressive lows to the triumphant highs, an inspirational record of one man's determination to rise above and claim victory over despair." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we are talking about the importance of CULTURAL EQUITY in the Arts with the Executive Director of the Amory Center for the Arts, Leslie Ito. The Armory Center for the Arts is a non-profit community arts organization that offers arts education programs and contemporary art exhibitions in Pasadena, CA. After the interview, Indira and Blaine have fun playing a round of Would Your Rather? It’s another fun and insightful episode.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are excited to bring you season 2 of The AFRO-EXISTENTIAL PODCAST on the Broadway Podcast Network (@broadwaypodcastnetwork)! Join co-hosts Blaine (@bteamer574), Indira Gibson Wilson (@indira.thatsenough), and Frederick Johnson (@iamfrederickjohnson) for a new series of engaging interviews exploring The Breakthrough: From Vision to Fruition. Our first guest is Deesha Philyaw, award-winning author of the bestselling story collection The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, soon to be an HBO Max series produced by Tessa Thompson (@tessamaethompson). You don't want to miss this interview.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk with author, editor, and book publisher Rebecca Razo about the big breakthrough that transitioned her from being a police officer to becoming a children's book publisher. Rebecca Razo has 20+ years of combined experience in book + magazine publishing, editorial project management, and content creation. She has overseen the creative and editorial development of hundreds of books and is a prolific writer with numerous credits to her name, including Quiet Los Angeles.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our new interview series, entitled “The Breakthrough: from vision to fruition”. we are having conversations with people who took a great idea and made it a reality. We want to know how they did it and how they got over the obstacles along the way. We hope that it helps and inspires you to make your great idea a reality. Ep. 6 Part Two: Our special guest, author Kitt Shapiro, daughter of Eartha Kitt, talks about her new book, Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter’s Love Story in Black and White. It’s a unique combination of memoir and cultural history about one of the greatest stars the world has ever seen—Eartha Kitt—as revealed by the person who knew her best: her daughter. A luminous and inspiring portrait of a Black pioneer and artistic force—Eartha Kitt—and one of the most moving mother/daughter stories in Hollywood history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our new interview series, entitled “The Breakthrough: from vision to fruition”. we are having conversations with people who took a great idea and made it a reality. We want to know how they did it and how they got over the obstacles along the way. We hope that it helps and inspires you to make your great idea a reality. Ep. 5 + 6 Part One: Our special guest, author Kitt Shapiro, daughter of Eartha Kitt, talks about her new book, Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter’s Love Story in Black and White. It’s a unique combination of memoir and cultural history about one of the greatest stars the world has ever seen—Eartha Kitt—as revealed by the person who knew her best: her daughter. A luminous and inspiring portrait of a Black pioneer and artistic force—Eartha Kitt—and one of the most moving mother/daughter stories in Hollywood history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests: From the Actors' Gang Prison Project - HANNAH CHODOS + RICHARD LOYA PART TWO of Our Interview In our new interview series, entitled "The Breakthrough: from vision to fruition". we are having conversations with people who took a great idea and made it a reality. We want to know how they did it and how they got over the obstacles along the way. We hope that it helps and inspires you to make your great idea a reality. Find out what happens when Tim Robbin's "GANG" goes to prison in part two of our interview with Hannah Chodos and Richard Loya from the Actors' Gang Prison Project + the premiere of "60 Second Elevator Pitch". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests: From the Actors' Gang Prison Project - HANNAH CHODOS + RICHARD LOYA In our new interview series, entitled "The Breakthrough: from vision to fruition". we are having conversations with people who took a great idea and made it a reality. We want to know how they did it and how they got over the obstacles along the way. We hope that it helps and inspires you to make your great idea a reality. Part 1 of 2 From the Actors' Gang Prison Project - Hannah Chodos breaks down the history of the Actors Gang and Richard Loya shares the breakthroughs that led him from prison inmate to co-program manager of the theater's Prison Project in Culver City, CA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the premiere episode of our new interview series, entitled "The Breakthrough: from vision to fruition". We are having conversations with people who took a great idea and made it a reality. We want to know how they did it and how they got over the obstacles along the way. We hope that it helps and inspires you to make your great idea a reality. In this episode, we introduce the newest member to our Afro-Ex family, Frederick Johnson, and show you how we come up with some of our greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arts for Healing and Justice Network (AHJN) is an interdisciplinary collaborative that provides exceptional arts programming in order to build resiliency and wellness, eliminate recidivism, and transform the juvenile justice system. We had the pleasure of discussing the program with AHJN's Executive Director, Elida Ledesma, and how the network worked together throughout the pandemic. Afterward, we introduced a new segment, Afro-Ex's Would You Rather, and we invited Elida to play along with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the premiere of our six-part series, entitled "Creating Art in Crisis". We explore how creatives are dealing with the current pandemic and social unrest and finding new ways to share their work while dealing with the crisis. We kick it off with a conversation with a psychotherapist. We discuss what the first phone call to a therapist can look like, what to expect, current issues clients are dealing with, and solutions. Melanie Stitt is a licensed clinical social worker who lives in and has a private practice in Philadelphia, as well as works for a group practice in NY and NJ. Through her several decades as a mental health professional, Melanie has worked with various populations. Her passion is working with young adults and people attending therapy for the first time Identify skills to live more meaningful and pleasurable lives. Like us at the Afro-Existential Podcast, she believes in working outside of the box and that the most unlikely ideas yield the most helpful solutions. She draws from her creative and clinical background to help people live their best lives. Her goal is to make therapy attainable and understandable for people who aren’t sure what to expect. We also get sage advice from attorney David Sparks about the upcoming election, and we debut a contagious new dance anthem for the Corona Era by two members of our fan club, Josie and Bessie, called "Corona is SO WHACK!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A conversation with Che'Rae Adams, Producing Artistic Director of LA Writers Center about the art of pivoting during a crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The mission of City Ballet of Los Angeles is to sustain a dance institution that reflects the economic and racial diversity of Los Angeles. Introducing the art of dance to students from all walks of life. CBLA opened with the intention of giving back. The scholarships that Ms. Gardenhire received, gave her the opportunity to study dance at some of the most prestigious schools in the country. Far to many times, students run into financial difficulty and are not able to continue and succeed in this art form. It has been CBLA’s most precious gift, to give the life lessons of dance to all students regardless of their economic or social stance in the world. We had the pleasure of speaking with Artistic Director and Founder, Robyn Gardenhire about the impact of the pandemic and how her school and company are evolving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ArtworxLA believes art works to combat Los Angeles’ dropout crisis. They use the rich cultural resources of Los Angeles to help engage alternative education high school students in the arts. By partnering with cultural institutions, arts colleges, and creative industry professionals, they encourage youth to stay in school, earn their high school diploma, and pursue a plan for their futures. We had the pleasure of speaking with Executive Director, Shelby Williams Gonzalez about the impact of pandemic on the program and the students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices