DG Speaks: Thoughts + Talks
By Mercedes Diane Griffin Forbes
Welcome to DG Speaks: Thoughts + Talks, a podcast where you'll hear weekly conversations with diverse voices from various industries including pop culture, wellness, food, tech, travel, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Mercedes Diane Griffin Forbes, this podcast is all about bringing you insightful discussions on a variety of interesting topics. From interviews with up-and-coming entrepreneurs to deep dives into the latest pop culture trends, DG Speaks has got you covered. No matter what your interests are, you're sure to find something you'll love on this podcast.
DG Speaks: Thoughts + TalksMay 17, 2022
00:00
26:57
The Horror Movie Night Cookbook: A Spine-Tingling Interview with Author Richard S. Sargent
Join me for a spine-tingling episode of the DG Speaks: Thought + Talks podcast, as I interview Richard S. Sargent, author of "The Horror Movie Night Cookbook!" In this episode, Sargent shares his passion for horror films and creative cooking, and how he combined the two to create a unique cookbook that is perfect for any horror movie night. Sargent's book is filled with delicious recipes that are inspired by classic horror films, and he shares some of his favorites with us during the interview. Tune in to discover how Sargent's childhood memories of watching Chiller Theatre with his mom inspired him to create this one-of-a-kind cookbook.
Click HERE get your copy of "The Horror Movie Night Cookbook!"
Aug 08, 202315:10
Avoiding Toxic Positivity and Being Authentic with Cortney McDermott
This week on Talks + Thoughts, join us for an enlightening conversation with award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and mind-body expert Cortney McDermott. Our topic of discussion is Toxic Positivity, a concept that Cortney explores in her upcoming book "Give Yourself Permission." We will talk about what it is, how to avoid it, and how to live an abundant life by being your authentic self. Cortney's expertise in the field of self-development and business strategy has been recognized by mainstream media such as Inc., Women’s Health, SUCCESS, and The Huffington Post. Tune in to gain valuable insights on disrupting old patterns of behavior, growing healthy businesses, and unlocking your full potential.
Click here to order your copy of "Give Yourself Permission."
Aug 01, 202323:48
Stop Saying Crazy with Juliet Kuehnle
Today, we're all about keeping it real and talking mental health! So, get ready for an amazing episode, because we have a very special guest joining us today. Meet Juliet Kuehnle, the founder of Sun Counseling & Wellness, a private practice with two locations in Charlotte, North Carolina. Juliet is a National Board Certified Counselor and the author of the fantastic new book, "Who You Callin’ Crazy?!: The Journey from Stigma to Therapy." We're pumped to dive into the topic of STOP SAYING CRAZY! and learn why it's so important to eliminate those misused words from our vocabulary, and end the stigma surrounding mental health. Juliet's insights and experiences are invaluable, and we can't wait for you to hear this interview. Let's spread some love and awareness!
Click here to get your copy of "Who You Callin’ Crazy?!: The Journey from Stigma to Therapy."
Jul 25, 202315:45
Discussing Diversity in the Automotive Trades at SEMA 2021 with MotorTrend's KJ Jones
KJ joked "Jackie Robinson, Barack Obama, you name it, I'm him in this game." As a boy growing up in New York City, KJ says he was always drawn to cars but it was a passion that others often felt shouldn't belong to a Black boy. Cars were a "white thing." As the Editor of Diesel Power Magazine, KJ has risen to be a highly respected voice in the automotive industry. However, he is still one of few people of color found in a position of power or authority in this space. Let’s revisit this conversation as we prepare for SEMA Show 2022.
Oct 27, 202216:05
Interview with “18½" Director, Dan Mirvish
I had a great time talking with Director, Dan Mirvish about this brilliant film. "18½" puts a wild spin on one woman’s journey to get the only recording of the 18 1/2-minute gap in the #Nixon tape to the press. It’s both deep and hilarious and we had a great time chatting about it.
18 1/2 (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) by Luis Guerra & Dan Mirvish https://amzn.to/3lh9PtB
Synopsis:
The film "18½" humorously crafts its own narrative into the notorious gap in Nixon’s Watergate scandal. Taking place in 1974, "18½" is about a fictional White House transcriber finds the only copy of the infamous 18½-minute gap in Nixon's Watergate tapes but her attempts to leak it to the press run afoul of hippies, swingers and nefarious forces.
"18½" hits theaters on May 27, 2022! 🎯
May 17, 202226:57
Spotlight on Black Female Entrepreneurs with Seasoned By Mea CEO, Jameal Jones
Jameal Jones is the owner of Seasoned by Mea. She produces seasonings that are all natural and contain reduced levels of salt. Based out of Atlanta, a big part of her focus is getting the majority of her inputs from other Black owned businesses and hiring to keep dollars circulating within the Black community.
Apr 12, 202217:07
How Long Line of Ladies is Reframing the Discussion Around Menstrual Equity
I had a great time chatting with Rayka Zehtabchi and Shaandiin Tome about their spectacular film. Follow DGSpeaks.com for my film review, coming soon.
“LONG LINE OF LADIES” AT 2022 #SXSW FILM FESTIVAL
Stigma-breaking documentary short by Academy Award-winning director Rayka Zehtabchi and Shaandiin Tome celebrates normalization of open conversations about menstruation
Directed by:
Rayka Zehtabchi & Shaandiin Tome
Produced by:
Garrett Schiff, Pimm Tripp-Allen, Rayka Zehtabchi, Sam Davis and Dana Kurth
Synopsis:
A girl and her community prepare for her Ihuk, the once-dormant coming of age ceremony of the Karuk tribe of Northern California.
Mar 29, 202225:43
Black Marriage, Does it Matter?
At the time of the 2020 Census, only 30% of African Americans were married compared to 48% of all Americans. Also, 50% of African Americans had never been married compared to 34% of all Americans, with 48% of black women having never been married. Black women are also the least likely of all women to get married. So does this matter and why? Is marriage important to the Black community? If it is, how can people seek to have strong, healthy relationships and marriages? In this episode, I‘m speaking with Marriage Counselor Adinah Johnson, author of “Butterfly Blue: The Pain of Infertility & The Power of Forgiveness” and co-host of Nik and Adinah on YouTube.
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Resources:
Nik and Adinah on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCL3mPpMURtMSliKRVUmdVqQ
Get your copy of Butterfly Blue: The Pain of Infertility & The Power of Forgiveness at https://amzn.to/3ikBLM2.
Sep 28, 202124:54
The Role of the African Mythos in Black Comics
How can Black comic creators use storytelling to reshape the narrative for Black people?
“Meet Is'nana is the son of Anansi the Spider, West African & Caribbean God of Stories, as they work together to stop dark creatures, meet Black gods & folklore figures while trying not to drive each other crazy!”
In this episode I’ll be speaking with Greg Anderson Elysée, Comic Book Writer and Creator of Is'nana the Were-Spider about his quest to learn more about the ancient stories of African cultures, and using the power of Black mythology and folklore to instill a sense of cultural pride for Black people today.
Get your copy now: https://amzn.to/3EDxM6E
Sep 21, 202115:29
Examining “Five Tiger” and Black Women’s Silent Pain
“Women hold the knife on the sharp side!” In this episode, I’ll be speaking with “Five Tiger” Writer and Director, Nomawonga Khumalo, about her film and it’s Black feminist themes which highlight the culture of silence, religious exploitation, sex work, femicide, and many other poignant topics.
Sep 14, 202120:35