Skip to main content
EPND Podcast

EPND Podcast

By EPND Podcast

Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast tells the story of the everyman and everywoman, the John and Jane Q’s, the oft overlooked and quiet influencers of color that have shaped the art and culture of Pittsburgh and beyond. EPND wants to tell the story of “the bottom” and those on their grind upwards. We want to highlight the stories of our local everyday heroes as they put on that blue collar, hard hat spirit and punch the “process” clock on the way to their dreams.
For inquires please email epndpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at www.epndpodcast.com
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Season 1.04 - The Timothy Jones & Dr. Tyra Good Episode

EPND PodcastSep 02, 2020

00:00
01:44:49
Season 1.10 The Jason Rivers Episode
Jan 03, 202103:09:27
Season 1.09 The Kaila Episode
Dec 24, 202053:07
Season 1.08 - The Craig Orr Episode
Dec 19, 202001:03:40
Season 1.07 - The Khufu El Episode
Dec 03, 202001:15:21
Season 1.06 - The Maya Myeko Episode

Season 1.06 - The Maya Myeko Episode

On this episode of the EPND Podcast Amil and Jason sat down with two powerful queens pulsating with the divine feminine. We covered topics ranging from aligning our chakras to anger management to teen domestic violence. Maya @mayamyeko. and Launa "Bellz" Noelle @launa.luv spoke about being courageous enough to pursue their dream as fashion designers while most their age are just going with the flow. Maya Myeko and Bellz share heartfelt details that shaped their high school experience as youth leaders from naviagting oppressive school administrators, gun violence and ultimately the tragic and untimely loss of their friend Antwon Rose Jr. The episode was interrupted with news of the tragic untimely passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Follow Maya Myeko's journey by connecting with her @mayamyeko on twitter or @mayamyeko on Instagram. Audio Engineering by Zafir McBride & Amil Cook  Music Composition by theycallmejeff   Executive Production by Jason Orr & Amil Cook Follow EPND on Twitter @EPNDPodcast Follow EPND on Instagram @EPNDPodcast This media content is the exclusive property of  The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast © | EPND Podcast, LLC. For inquires please email epndpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at www.epndpodcast.com
Nov 15, 202001:40:47
Season 1.05 - The Said Episode

Season 1.05 - The Said Episode

The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast sits down with artist, activist, educator, Farooq Al-Said. They discuss his journey from Toronto to Miami to Pittsburgh to New York and back. Farooq details the influence of Hip-Hop in his evolution, Pittsburgh Hip-Hop history, and activism. They celebrate the release of his latest project “The Kid With the Golden Arms”.

Audio Engineering by Zafir McBride & Amil Cook 

Music Composition by theycallmejeff  

Executive Production by Jason Orr & Amil Cook

Follow EPND on Twitter @EPNDPodcast

Follow EPND on Instagram @EPNDPodcast


This media content is the exclusive property of  The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast © | EPND Podcast, LLC. For inquires please email epndpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at

Oct 09, 202001:41:51
Season 1.04 - The Timothy Jones & Dr. Tyra Good Episode

Season 1.04 - The Timothy Jones & Dr. Tyra Good Episode

In this episode of the EPND Podcast Amil and Jason sat down with educator, writer, lecturer, and co-founder of #HipHopED , Timothy Jones (@tdj6899). They were joined by special guest Dr. Tyra Good (@tyrathegooddr),Assistant Professor of Practice in Education at Chatham University where she also facilitates culturally sustaining school and university partnerships. The discussion centered around their educational journeys and using hip hop to engage this generation’s children.

Audio Engineering by Zafir McBride & Amil Cook 

Music Composition by theycallmejeff  

Executive Production by Jason Orr & Amil Cook

Follow EPND on Twitter @EPNDPodcast

Follow EPND on Instagram @EPNDPodcast


This media content is the exclusive property of  The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast © | EPND Podcast, LLC. For inquires please email epndpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at www.epndpodcast.com

In this episode, Amil and Jason sat down with community activist and organizer Dina “Free” Blackwell (@FreeBlackwell). Free Blackwell is the Executive Director of Homewood Renaissance Association and the House of Manna. She detailed growing up in Pittsburgh’s West End neighborhood, her growth into consciousness, and spiritual journey. We celebrated the life of her late husband, Reverend Freedom Blackwell and were joined by her son who offered a young person’s perspective to the discussion.

Audio Engineering by Zafir McBride & Amil Cook 

Music Composition by theycallmejeff  

Executive Production by Jason Orr & Amil Cook

Follow EPND on Twitter @EPNDPodcast

Follow EPND on Instagram @EPNDPodcast


This media content is the exclusive property of  The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast © | EPND Podcast, LLC. For inquires please email epndpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at www.epndpodcast.com

Sep 02, 202001:44:49
Season 1.03 - The Free Blackwell Episode

Season 1.03 - The Free Blackwell Episode

In this episode, Amil and Jason sat down with community activist and organizer Dina “Free” Blackwell (@FreeBlackwell). Free Blackwell is the Executive Director of Homewood Renaissance Association and the House of Manna. She detailed growing up in Pittsburgh’s West End neighborhood, her growth into consciousness, and spiritual journey. We celebrated the life of her late husband, Reverend Freedom Blackwell and were joined by her son who offered a young person’s perspective to the discussion.

Audio Engineering by Zafir McBride & Amil Cook 

Music Composition by theycallmejeff  

Executive Production by Jason Orr & Amil Cook

Follow EPND on Twitter @EPNDPodcast

Follow EPND on Instagram @EPNDPodcast


This media content is the exclusive property of  The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast © | EPND Podcast, LLC. For inquires please email epndpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at www.epndpodcast.com

Aug 24, 202001:32:50
Season 1.02 - The Charles X. Cook Episode
Aug 24, 202002:37:44
Season 1.01 - The Paradise Gray Episode

Season 1.01 - The Paradise Gray Episode

Jason and Amil, hosts of the EPND Podcast, interview Hip-Hop Pioneer Paradise Gray. In this interview he details his extensive history with the rap group X-Clan and the Latin Quarter nightclub. Other topics include growing up in the Bronx in the 1970s and 1980s. Paradise discusses how Hip-Hop has evolved and where it is headed! 

Audio Engineering by Zafir McBride & Amil Cook 

Music Composition by theycallmejeff  

Executive Production by Jason Orr & Amil Cook

Follow EPND on Twitter @EPNDPodcast

Follow EPND on Instagram @EPNDPodcast


This media content is the exclusive property of  The Extraordinary People Next Door Podcast © | EPND Podcast, LLC. For inquires please email epndpodcast@gmail.com and visit our website at www.epndpodcast.com

Aug 09, 202001:35:47