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The Platinum Mask

The Platinum Mask

By Grayson Mask

I speak to local creatives, entrepreneurs, and influencers navigating the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Listen to the awkwardness in 30 minute increments.
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Sipping on The Blood Buddy

The Platinum MaskApr 01, 2021

00:00
37:16
Farming with Nestor Estrada

Farming with Nestor Estrada

Bella Hampton Farm is a sanctuary for compassionate living and sustainable farming. Nestor Estrada and Cesar Aragon started Bella Hampton Farm in 2022, pouring their hearts and sweat into creating a 20-acre haven where animals and people can live happily together. Tackling the challenges of caring for animals who have had a rough start in life, they are worked tirelessly to build a sanctuary that offers love, care, and protection. The farm's goals are the following: Provide a safe haven for neglected and abused farm animals who have been abandoned or discarded because they are considered non-profitable for other farms, offering them the love, care, and protection they deserve. Embrace and promote sustainable farming, producing fresh, high-quality products, and supporting local farmers and artisans. Our farm produces chicken and duck eggs and collaborates with neighboring farms to offer products such as microgreens, bread, jams, jellies, and honey. At Bella Hampton Farm, we believe in the power of hard work, dedication, and kindness. We're all about people, animals, and natural living happily side by side, and we love bringing everyone together to share good food and good times. Our unwavering commitment to a better world for both animals and people has made Bella Hampton Farm a true labor of love.

Sep 01, 202354:26
Community Organizing with O'Neil Hesson

Community Organizing with O'Neil Hesson

The SERUN Foundation strives to provide a comprehensive/ holistic approach to combatting poverty and promote systematic socioeconomic growth within historically underserved and struggling neighborhoods. We began this mission by implementing our first program named Clean the Block Initiative. This initiative is an outreach program that tackles the disproportionate environmental effects on lower income communities. Through this program, our organization has operated in over 30 different communities across DFW and beyond. The SERUN Foundation's primary objective is to organize, equip, and empower community stakeholders while acting as a liaison between the neighborhoods, municipalities, and private investors. Our programs are tailored specifically for the neighborhoods we operate in and provide the necessary resources to tackle the the main issues that afflict the residence; not just the byproducts that stem from those issues. We urge all who've dedicated their lives to fighting injustice to stand with us and rally behind this movement!

Jul 21, 202350:45
Urban Planning with Desiree Powell

Urban Planning with Desiree Powell

Desiree “Dee” Powell is an Arlington, Texas native where she graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and Masters in City & Regional Planning. She is an urban planner/place curator currently working for a national non-profit and is the founder of her own urban planning and design firm, DRBTS (Do Right By The Streets), which focuses on place keeping as a tool to implement temporary-to-permanent space activation projects in communities of color. DRBTS also specializes in educating and introducing the complexities of urban planning elements (land use, zoning, etc.) and its impact in communities of color.

Jul 09, 202341:31
Cults & Modeling with Chloe Juniper

Cults & Modeling with Chloe Juniper

Chloe is a Dallas-based creative who became intrigued by pop culture and film when she was young, despite being raised in a cult where films were usually not allowed. Once escaping as an adult, she became enamored with consuming art and wanting to learn how to create it herself.


https://linktr.ee/girlwiththedragonairtattoo

Jun 23, 202348:07
Renaissance Festivals with The Hero of Mime

Renaissance Festivals with The Hero of Mime

The Hero of Mime, by Mark Murphy, is an Ocarina Musician and Mermaid performer. He provides an ensemble of fantasy characters for street performing at Renaissance Festivals and other events across the country. Whether you need a merman for underwater performance, or beautiful music for a festival ambience, The Hero of Mime is experienced in all sorts of performance art and will bring a little bit of magic to any event.

Jun 13, 202342:20
Lettering Art with Ryan Rushing

Lettering Art with Ryan Rushing

Ryan is a UX lead, lettering artist, sign painter, and type designer living in Dallas with her wife of 13 years. In her artwork, Ryan uses italic gothic calligraphy, funky display type, and other hyper-decorative letters that push readability to build meaning. She has spoken for a number of groups including Shopify UX and CreativeMornings, and her branding for a local political campaign was called “master class in visual political communication” by D Magazine.


instagram.com/ryanrushing

tiktok.com/@ryanrushing

ryan-rushing.com

May 16, 202357:24
Music with Alex O'aiza

Music with Alex O'aiza

Alex O'aiza is a Mexican-American indie artist from Dallas, Texas with a sound that mixes snappy pop hooks with gritty rock riffs and the rolling beats of Alternative RnB, and songs that are led by poetic lyrics exploring the Gen Z experience in a fast-changing world.

Releasing a string of buzzy singles in 2019 led to press acclaim, local and college radio support and a label deal with Saint In The City Records at the start of 2020. Armed with a batch of hook-driven and genre-blurring new songs recorded with producers Caleb Turman and Austin Bello from celebrated pop-punk band Forever The Sickest Kids, O'aiza released new singles throughout the year and dropped his debut EP, Out Of My Mind, in August.


The EP garnered widespread independent playlist support and radio airplay. In specific the title track was soon playlisted on KXT Texas, Idobi Radio, Alt 103.7 FM and XS Manchester radio. Out Of My Mind was also featured by tastemakers at Alt Press, XS Noize, Central Track and Stereoboard, who all praised O'aiza's combo of super-catchy pop hooks and indie-electro beats. O'aiza returned on 2021 with two stellar singles Runnin' 2 Death and How Your Love Feels where he showcased a more confident rock sound that was immediately featured on Spotify's All New Rock playlist. Alex is set to come back with bigger and bolder records than ever before, as he further pushes the boundaries of his artistry.


https://lnk.bio/alexoaizamusic/?fbclid=PAAaaBgIZWXPmLyUcbTsrwYwJXoXg099FMqQXgarhbxDeQcHwX7_99htKzWAY

www.alexoaiza.com

May 13, 202348:03
Recording Music and Mental Health with Dunnu

Recording Music and Mental Health with Dunnu

Meet Dunnu, a mental health advocate and entrepreneur with an insatiable curiosity for making a positive impact on the world. He's not one to prioritize profits over purpose, believing that change should always come first. As the President of NRVE, a newly established mental health nonprofit, Dunnu is committed to addressing key issues such as homelessness and the youth in the DFW metroplex by building a strong community and gathering crucial data.


Dunnu's passion for natural health has also led him to create his own company, Holisic Health, which focuses on providing high-quality wellness supplements and educating the public on natural health solutions. His ultimate goal is to decentralize healthcare and empower individuals to take control of their own well-being.


In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Dunnu is also deeply involved in the local music scene. He runs his own record label and media company, AGE Recordings, and produces music that blends bouncy bass-heavy beats with a Desi twist. His latest music video, "Loot," delivers a hidden message that encourages viewers to seek knowledge over material wealth. Despite his many interests and pursuits, Dunnu has found a way to weave them together seamlessly, creating a comfortable and fulfilling life. With so much ambition and drive, it's clear that this DFW native has many exciting things in store for the future. Stay tuned!

Mar 28, 202345:33
Doing Stunts with Preston Corbell

Doing Stunts with Preston Corbell

Preston Corbell is an American professional stuntman and actor, known for working on the WB/CW drama series One Tree Hill (2003-2012) and the CW series The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017). He has also worked as a performer with Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Comics.

Mar 25, 202334:03
Rhythm Restoration with Tiffany Tajiri

Rhythm Restoration with Tiffany Tajiri

Dr. Tiffany Tajiri is a licensed and board-certified clinical psychologist, a veteran US Air Force officer, and former Army behavioral health chief. Dr. Tiffany is CEO and founder of Freedom Rhythm, PLLC and Stand Up and Recover (nonprofit), Inc. She is the creator of the Rhythm Restoration & Freedom Rhythm protocols, and co-author of the Abundant Recovery curriculum at Abundant Church. She is the first woman to publish a faith-based combat recovery book entitled, Peace After Combat: Healing the Spiritual & Psychological Wounds of War. Dr. Tiffany is the podcast host for Behind the Service’s production of Peace After Combat. She is also the reigning Dr. Texas America 2023. But most importantly, she is a mother and wife whose mission is to teach people how to live an abundant life filled with spiritual and psychological peace & purpose.

Mar 25, 202337:09
Ukraine & Expressive Arts Therapy with Nicki Allen

Ukraine & Expressive Arts Therapy with Nicki Allen

Nicki Allen, MS, LPC, RPT, NCC (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. She is a Certified Expressive Arts Therapist, a Registered Play Therapist, a Certified Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator, a Certified Advanced Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) Practitioner/Supervisor, and a trained EMDR therapist. Nicki is a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas, with a specialty in play therapist training and supervision. Nicki is known in her community for serving those who are frequently targeted or marginalized, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence, artists, the LGBTQ+ community, and the Ukrainian American community. Nicki’s background in music, classical dance, Ukrainian folk dance, and theatre inform the creative lens through which she views the world.

Mar 25, 202347:51
Scavenger Hunts with Brad Holley

Scavenger Hunts with Brad Holley

Brad is a husband, a father of two, and a lifelong resident of the North Dallas area. He’s solely responsible for “Dallas Side Quest”, a cryptic and public outdoor adventure game which was implemented throughout the North Dallas area.

During the weekdays, he’s a senior designer for Randy Angell Designs, one of the pre-eminent luxury outdoor designers in the nation, where he recently won 4th place in the “Million Dollar Pool Challenge” in 2022. These days, he has less free time than ever before, but when he finds some, he enjoys traveling, documentaries, audiobooks, games, bourbon & craft beer, home renovation & carpentry, writing, designing, flying around on (and falling off of) his OneWheel, all things relating to sociology, psychology, history, philosophy and politics, and most importantly, the never-ending pursuit of trying to be a good dad.

When he’s not designing award-winning backyards, spending time with his family, or creating ambitious public games, you can find him supporting and spreading awareness for the pro-LGBTQIA+ organization known as “Kin-dom Community” where he serves on the board of directors. Along with his counterpart, pastor Pepa Paniagua, he’s also the co-host of their live-streamed monthly podcast, “Kin-dom Conversations”. He’s always proud to point out that it’s perhaps one of the only places on the entire internet where you’ll find an atheist and a pastor actually working together to do something positive.

Kin-dom Community was founded by an openly queer pastor in order to create a space for those who have been harmed and rejected by traditional religious institutions. The organization is working diligently to create regular social meetups, offering support to LGBTQIA+ youth and their families, friends and allies, and attempting to create a community (both virtual and IRL) where people from all backgrounds, faiths, orientations and identities can come together and find understanding and compassion. Their greatest accomplishment thus far has been the successful launching of the very first LGBTQIA+ summer camp for kids in the state of Texas (and I believe, only the second in the nation), and they are well on their way to expanding their camp offerings to different age groups in several different areas throughout the nation. It’s not a stretch to say that Kin-dom’s work could very well be saving lives.


To see the entire Dallas Side Quest story which took place from Nov. ’22 – Jan. ’23:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGR2hiBq_R4

Instagram: @dallas_side_quest

Facebook: @dallassidequest


To see some of the work that Brad and the Randy Angell Designs team have created:

www.randyangelldesigns.com


To learn more about Kin-dom Community:

https://kindomcommunity.org/


To find Kin-dom’s archive of podcast content:

https://kindomcommunity.org/video-content


A short list of incredible treasure hunts (some complete, some still ongoing) that are well worth a search on Google and YouTube:

Forrest Fenn’s “The Thrill of the Chase”

Byron Preiss’ “The Secret” (not the self-help book)

Kit Williams’ “Masquerade”

Regis Hauser’s “Golden Owl”

Alex Hirsch’s “Bill Cipher Hunt” (Brad’s personal favorite)



Feb 23, 202357:41
Farming with Chris Williams

Farming with Chris Williams

Breezy Farms is an initiative in self sufficiency. We grow and provide as much tangible food as possible to our family, both close and distant. We partner with neighborhood families that express the interest in gardening and becoming self sufficient but don't necessarily have the know how or the resources to start. 

All you need is a backyard and the desire and we will include yours with ours. If you are willing, all we ask is that you specialize in one product, be it meat birds, egg hens, potatoes, herbs , tomatoes or whatever, your efforts will be aided and half your yield will be given back to you and yours, and the other half will be given to Breezy Farms for the goal of stocking a community grocery. A grocery that is supplied by the community of believers. If you are interested call 214.356.9379.

Feb 15, 202346:08
City Council with Junior Ezeonu

City Council with Junior Ezeonu

Junior Ezeonu is a Grand Prairie City Council Member representing the entire city of Grand Prairie as an at-large member. Junior was elected to the city council in June of 2021 in a run-off election after defeating an incumbent who had served for 12 years. Mr. Ezeonu is the first African-American council member to represent the city of Grand Prairie since the early 1990s, and he is also the youngest elected council member in Grand Prairie history. Councilman Ezeonu is of Nigerian descent and was born in Onitsha, Nigeria and moved to the state of Texas at the age of 2 years old. He is a graduate of UT Arlington and has a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. Junior integrates the knowledge and understanding from his educational background to provide the City of Grand Prairie with high level service to improve the quality of life for all residents of the city. During college Junior served as a substitute teacher/tutor and educated students throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. He has worked in the Oak Cliff, Highland Hills, Pleasant Grove communities of Dallas as well as Fort Worth, Carrollton & Mansfield. His passion to improve lives and inspire others led to him serving as a substitute teacher and he has carried that same passion to his service as a council member for the city of Grand Prairie.

Feb 02, 202344:29
Academic Mentorship with Dara Ashley Freemon

Academic Mentorship with Dara Ashley Freemon

For the past decade, Dara Ashley Freemon has held leadership positions throughout her academic and professional career. Leadership was an early passion of Dara’s and manifested into her passions about equal education opportunity, mentorship, and paying it forward. This young Dallas native started The Dara Ashley Foundation to provide mentorship, scholarship, and leadership programs for students who might be in the same place she was not too long ago. Dara started her academic career at Howard University, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). While attending Howard University, she learned a great deal and not just in the classroom. Outside of school, the university’s commitment to serving its community was one of her greatest takeaways. She participated in the MET Choice program, a mentorship program, which she guided high school girls that attended an alternative school. This experience had a great impact on Dara as she was exposed to the youth of diverse lifestyles and cultures. 

After Dara graduated from Howard University, she continued her education and attained her master’s degree in science from Towson University. Not only did she continue her education, but she also continued to mentor. Towson University started a program where collegiate students could be academic and youth mentors. In particular, every Friday afternoon, she led a 6th-grade science class in the Baltimore City school district. At the beginning of the class, she would introduce them to a fun science experiment. Following the experiment, her goal was to enlighten, educate, and edify the young students. Immediately after graduating from Towson University, Dara missed connecting with young minds and influencing the next generation. She created The Dara Ashley Foundation to create a lasting impact with new opportunities. 

Jan 26, 202341:00
Asymmetric Fashion with Debra Swersky

Asymmetric Fashion with Debra Swersky

Debra Swersky is a tenacious (and enterprising) problem-solver who has spent the better part of the last decade learning how to best manage her primary lymphedema, chronic swelling that affects her right-leg and her right-leg only. 


In January 2021 Debra launched Stemwear, a fashion apparel brand promoting asymmetric designs for all. Their signature silhouette, a one-legged legging, has been featured at New York Fashion Week with Runway of Dreams, in D Magazine and The Dallas Morning News, and on Texas Today.


Originally designed as a cover-up to a compression stocking, Debra quickly realized that her bold fashion statement was being sought after by those looking to skirt the ordinary with their style and a “no fuss” legging for unilateral amputees. 

Jan 19, 202334:19
Texas Weather with Kevin Crouch

Texas Weather with Kevin Crouch

Kevin Crouch is the Founder and Content Director of Ellis County Weather, LLC, a company devoted to providing forecast information and severe weather coverage for the residents of Ellis County, Texas. Kevin started ECW in 2015 as an experiment, and now operates a family of social media sites that boast over 37,000 followers/subscribers combined. Using his knowledge of Texas weather and communication skills, Kevin provides everything from daily forecast updates to live coverage of severe weather events that allow those in the path of the storm to receive real time updates and warnings. He resides in Waxahachie, Texas with his wife and two sons.

Jan 17, 202342:29
Flaunt Flat with Farahana Kassam

Flaunt Flat with Farahana Kassam

Farahana Kassam is a two time breast cancer survivor and the creator of the #flauntflat movement, an initiative geared towards spreading body positivity after her double mastectomy surgery. Farahana opted against reconstructive surgery and chose to stay flat because she believes “boobs don’t define me as a woman”.

Farahana is also a certified mindfulness coach, published author, conscious dying coach and end of life doula. She lives each day creating purpose, meaning and experiences that enrich her soul and in turn encourages others to do the same! Her message; be present, stay open and curious, connect the dots, discover aha moments, experience happy and come back with a good story!

Jan 11, 202350:19
Magazines with Mark Baker-Sanchez

Magazines with Mark Baker-Sanchez

Mark Baker-Sanchez is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief & Design Director of DONE, a publication created for & by the underrepresented. The magazine challenges Idealistic perceptions and social constructs by highlighting issues of discrimination, raising cultural awareness, and providing a presence for the unknown, forgotten & marginalized. Direct community impact is prioritized through human-centered and co-creative approaches, with the purpose of elevating and empowering the people. DONE finds synthesis with what is and what isn’t deemed socially acceptable to spark dialogue as well as unite divided peoples.


Photographer: Miguel Angel Salgado @salgadeaux

Stylist: Tauri Partin @vic.tauri.ous

Hair & Makeup: Will Adrian Creative Agency @the_waca


 

Nov 23, 202245:15
Art Curating with Imani Black

Art Curating with Imani Black

Imani Black is a multi-talented creative with a background in advertising and marketing. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.A. in Journalism and a concentration in Strategic Communications (aka Advertising). She produces engaging, strategic, and meaningful visuals, events, and ideas. Her creative work is inspired by her desire to learn by inserting herself into her interests and creating opportunities for herself and others. In Imani's spare time, she enjoys discovering Dallas, reading, exercising, and sharing business advice with creatives + showcasing her talents on YouTube. 

Oct 26, 202246:17
Uzbekistan with Kamilla Fayz

Uzbekistan with Kamilla Fayz

Kamilla Fayz is the founder of IKAT wear and a big cultural ambassador of her country, Uzbekistan. She also works for a non-profit organization which helps people from around the world learn more about American culture by means of cultural exchange.

You can learn more about IKAT wear here: www.ikatwear.com and more about Uzbekistan here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiJVQZmLaHE

Also more about cultural exchange and how you can host an international student, here:  https://chinet.org/for-host-families/ 

Or how you can travel like a local on a budget internationally here: https://chinet.org/travel-the-world/

Follow her story on IG: @Kamilla Fayz

Oct 05, 202242:05
Saint Goodness with Gabrielle Dawn Rivers

Saint Goodness with Gabrielle Dawn Rivers

Gabrielle Dawn is the Founder of Saint Goodness. She is a holistic lifestylist and has always had a passion for cooking, community, apothecary, yoga, and holistic living. As a certified Yoga Instructor, Herbalist, and Life Coach she folds these gifts into assessing and curating the best solution for the needs of our clients. 

Gabrielle Dawn is a spoken word artist and motivational speaker and has been blessed to express and perform verbal artistry in Germany, Uganda, South Korea, and the U.S. Currently back home in Dallas, Texas she is still delivering a word to the good people! 

Her work is about equipping people with the insight to break yokes and heal through the gifts of plant medicine, spoken word, movement in yoga, stillness of meditation, and verbal expression.

She is the chef behind Saint Goodness, her custom delicious tea blends and herbal infusions that are good for the soul. Yoni steam blends for womb health and healing, and tinctures for guts health! 

Sep 27, 202239:01
Austen's Autistic Adventures with Jamie Wheeler

Austen's Autistic Adventures with Jamie Wheeler

The mission of Austen's Autistic Adventures is to “Bring the World to Autism and Autism to the World." Every day they go out together, practicing being out in the social world.  Adults with autism will find something to keep them engaged and learning, all year, all their lives. 



Sep 02, 202244:33
Survivors of Sex Trafficking with Sarah Phillips

Survivors of Sex Trafficking with Sarah Phillips

Sarah Phillips is the Executive Director of Rescue Her, an anti-trafficking organization that exists to empower survivors of sex trafficking to live in freedom. She graduated with a degree in Community, Family, and Addiction Services from Texas Tech and is also trained in Therapeutic Arts, Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and the SERVE model: a brain-based approach to complex trauma. She spent almost 2 years living in Chennai, India establishing Rescue Her’s first safe house for underage survivors of trafficking. After moving back to the DFW area in 2015, Sarah has led the development of Rescue Her’s crisis response for adult victims of trafficking, as well as established the Empower Program – a long-term advocacy program for survivors. She is passionate about raising up leaders in the anti-trafficking field who have the knowledge and support necessary to empower adult survivors of sex trafficking to live in freedom.

Aug 19, 202246:46
Discussing Rats with DFW Rat Rescue

Discussing Rats with DFW Rat Rescue

DFW Rat Rescue is a small animal rescue dedicated to helping the rats of the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX area and the people who love them. They know that they may be small, and rats may not live very long, but every rat deserves a happy, fulfilling life and DFW Rat Rescue is here to help make that happen. DFW Rat Rescue is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization run 100% by volunteers, fosters, and donations. They are based in Rhome, TX with fosters throughout the area.

Aug 11, 202246:06
Understanding Housing with Ashley Sharp

Understanding Housing with Ashley Sharp

Ashley Sharp spends her career in public service- as Executive Director of Dwell with Dignity, Ashley has helped the organization reach new heights, including being awarded 40 Under 40 by the Dallas Business Journal, Social Innovator of the Year and the Best Place to Donate by D Magazine, and attaining national recognition through their innovative Decade of Dignity dining series. She has also served Interfaith Family Services as the Chief Development Officer, was the Manager of Patron Relations at the Nasher Sculpture Center, and worked with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to her professional career, she currently serves on the KERA Community Advisory Board, Mayor’s Star Council as the Engage Dallas Chair, is a graduate of the inaugural class of the UT Austin Lyndon B. Johnson’s Women’s Campaign School, is a Professor at the University of Houston, and was a finalist in the United Way’s Social Innovation Accelerator. Ashley is a past president of the Business Council on the Art’s Leadership Arts Institute and has been part of the International Rescue Committee, Dallas Summer Musicals, and Junior League of Dallas. She holds a BA in Arts Administration and an MPA in Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management, both from the University of Texas at Dallas, as well as a degree in Social Impact Design from the University of Pennsylvania. 


Aug 04, 202246:45
MMA Commentating with Adaire Byerly

MMA Commentating with Adaire Byerly

Adaire Byerly is your distinctive on air, MMA/ combat personality covering events with interviews and is a leading representative for African-American women commentating in the sport. Adaire's involvement in MMA began 10 years ago wanting to learn self-defense as an effort to recover from an abusive relationship. Through training she not only learned her strength as a competitive athlete by training with professional fighters and coaches, she also fell in love with the technicality, communication and entertainment of the sport.

Adaire has a diverse background in fashion, film entertainment, and media. Recognized as an international Model, she has been Published in numerous magazines, including Vogue later earning her eligibility as a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

She is licensed and certified in numerous studies focusing on brain and behavioral sciences and implements this knowledge in her teachings to elevate organizations through her company, Entertainment Mindframe as seen in Forbes. Adaire's various knowledge & expertise allows her to bring the sport a rare perspective through understanding psychology and human behavior, allowing the audience to have a unique, educational, fun and exciting experience.

Jul 26, 202256:25
The Dirty Shirts with Nick Santa Maria

The Dirty Shirts with Nick Santa Maria

Like so many of us that were re-discovering ourselves through the existential crisis of the pandemic, The Dirty Shirts singer/songwriter Nick Santa Maria was doing the same and found himself diving headfirst into soaring guitars, disco beats, and sequined mod-inspired threads. Having found himself off the road for the first time after years of playing as a sideman for other artists, Nick finally had the time to return to writing songs of his own, constructing what would become the soundtrack to his new reality. The lockdown gave him time & perspective into what he truly wanted to do with his life, and rather than building someone else’s temple, he’d build his own. 

After reconnecting & writing a handful of songs with childhood friend & fellow studio/touring musician Cameron Moreland and experimenting with a heady spectrum of soundscapes, The Dirty Shirts was born. What arose married the nostalgia of the Warped Tour era of music they grew up playing with the shimmering atmospheres and image of the glam rock and pop music they’d come to love.

The combined music and aesthetic that The Dirty Shirts have cultivated, dubbed “Dance Floor Rock n Roll”, was a response to the drudgery we universally felt from exhaustive quarantines. Nick writes to remind people of the uninhibited times and badass music of the past, with the hope of debaucherous times to come. Songs that remind us of blaring music with your friends, shouting the lyrics deep into the early hours, and not worrying about the vaccination status of your Uber driver.

Proudly wearing influences from The Strokes to Gorillaz, with hints of David Bowie on their sleeves, The Dirty Shirts hit the ground running with live shows throughout their native Texas in March 2021 after the long awaited release of vaccinations. Soon after, they released multiple singles and a music video, and recorded their debut full-length album with Grammy-winning producer Tre Nagella, which they released on May 6, 2022. With a string of national tour dates planned for 2022, a love for the past, a hopeful eye on the future, and a drink in hand, The Dirty Shirts are bringing their soundtrack for the new normal (if there ever was one) to the masses. 

Jul 20, 202238:49
Ambulatory Care with Dr. Chandler David Schexnayder

Ambulatory Care with Dr. Chandler David Schexnayder

Dr. Chandler David Schexnayder, a proud 2017 graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana's Doctor of Pharmacy program, is a servant-leader deeply committed to improving patient care, developing pharmacy trainees, galvanizing his colleagues, and empowering his communities. As a pharmacist and author, Dr. Schexnayder connects his experiences and creativity to the amplification of the lives of the present and the future. Chandler's words to live by are Evaluate, Attack, Triumph - E.A.T.


Dr. Schexnayder is a residency-trained specialist who is board-certified in pharmacotherapy, ambulatory care, and diabetes care and education. As a Home-Based Primary Care Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Dr. Schexnayder utilizes his training and his prescriptive authority privileges for medication management of chronic disease states for geriatric Veterans with multiple comorbidities. In addition to his patient care responsibilities, Chandler also participates in formulary management, pharmacoeconomics, research/quality improvement, and preceptor development. Dr. Schexnayder, previously a resident at his institution, is passionate about his role as the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director and is dedicated to the growth and preparation of current and future pharmacy residents.


Dr. Chandler Schexnayder believes he has an obligation to be a servant-leader for his community. Currently, Chandler serves as the Head of Community & Capital at Pharmacy Initiative Leaders, Inc. (PILs) - a non-profit organization with a vision to exponentially increase the diversity, inclusion, and equity of healthcare and elevate minoritized communities. In this capacity, Dr. Schexnayder leads over 80 Ambassadors to guide professional students, curate educational content for the masses, and impact one another. 


Even before finding pharmacy, Chandler Schexnayder's first love has been writing. With his stories, Dr. Schexnayder aims to move and energize the thoughts and minds of his readers and the people they connect with. Dr. Schexnayder is a freelance medical writer and provides didactic and interactive presentations to various communities with his company, SchexLevel Education LLC. As a contributing author for "I Wear A White Coat", Dr. Schexnayder gave an authentic look into his arduous journey towards his goals and dreams. With his future narratives, Chandler hopes to change lives one page at a time.

Jul 12, 202251:44
Songwriting with arlo

Songwriting with arlo

arlo is a central TX based songwriter with an anchor in NYC. The debut release of his 2018 self-titled LP record was co-written and produced by Houston-based producer, Eric Jarvis, at "crushpad productions." The 10-song true story and expression of love then loss was a dramatically vulnerable Americana Pop record written and recorded by Aaron Long (arlo) alongside Jarvis. This began a relationship with the powerhouse music producing duo, brothers Kristian Bush and Brandon Bush (Sugarland, Dark Water) and renowned Atlanta-based studio engineer Tom Tapley (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Train, Wallflowers) and plans were set in motion to record the follow-up EP in Atlanta, which is set to be released in Summer 2022. 

arlo’s anticipated follow-up EP “Lonely Soldier” is set to release in 2022 alongside plans to tour support and develop another batch of dramatic love songs.

Hand-picked heavy hitters Benji Shanks (guitar) and Travis McNabb (drums) joined the ATL sessions, and together the team sculpted a carefully realized and economically structured blend of Americana Pop Rock that soars and snaps. Goes well with ELO, John Lennon, Beatles. 

Follow up singles "Goodbye Picture," "Rain Parade" were released in 2021 along with John Lennon International Award and International Songwriting Competition Finalist "Ingenue." Debut single "New York, Queens" was also a finalist in a separate category the same year. arlo has been featured in numerous music and community platforms including "Rising Star" and "Voyage Magazine." 



Jul 06, 202248:10
Beauty Pageants with Annika Key

Beauty Pageants with Annika Key

Annika Key is a wife, a mother, a student, a program and curriculum specialist, and Mrs.Texas 2022! She's on a mission to help mothers fight mom guilt and find their inner balance between picture perfect mom and hot mess momma!!

Jun 28, 202244:21
A Model Patient with Tara Rasheta

A Model Patient with Tara Rasheta

With a career in entertainment spanning over two decades, Tara Darby Rasheta has worked as a professional model serving fashion clients like Guess, Jessica Simpson, True Religion, Speedo and Patagonia, and also hosting travel shows like Crossing Country and Get Out. In 2009, Tara took her passion for molding the next generation of models to new heights by co-creating Model Makers Group, a talent consulting company which she still operates. She also serves as the Director of Development for JDW Cotillions, a social skills training program for school-aged children. Tara acted as Miss Alabama USA 2004 and placed as a Top Ten Finalist at Miss USA. When she won Fear Factor: Miss USA Edition (NBC) and made a contribution to the National Breast Cancer Coalition, she never expected to face the disease herself at age thirty-five. Tara is determined to use her voice and platform to touch the lives of other young women facing a health crisis through the non-profit she founded in 2018, A Model Patient 501c3. 


Jun 16, 202250:24
Comics with Megan Daniel

Comics with Megan Daniel

Megan is a Troubled Teen Industry survivor that has dedicated herself to creating a space where collectors and nerds alike can find the things they love. She has spent years building a store that anyone can find something they love in, from music to anime to comics, Black Cat has got you covered!


Jun 10, 202242:05
Teeth Whitening with Dallas Dental Babe

Teeth Whitening with Dallas Dental Babe

Angely Almazan, also known as Dallas Dental Babe, is the owner of The White Pearl Co. She offers professional cosmetic teeth whitening at an affordable price and offers tooth gems at various events. Outside of her dental work, she hosts fun pop-ups for creatives and manages the band RickyRay and The Goons.

May 26, 202245:09
Creating Murals with Dora Zeneth Reynosa

Creating Murals with Dora Zeneth Reynosa

Known as Zeneth, Dora Zeneth Reynosa is a Mexican visual artist and muralist who works to reconnect viewers to their inner child through abstract designs characterized by patterns, movement, and playfulness. Her art contains a child-like frankness inspired by Modernist compositions, Mesoamerican glyphs, and the human need for expression. 


May 19, 202248:47
Counseling with Lauren Sepulvador

Counseling with Lauren Sepulvador

Lauren Sepulvador is the host of Connections Chat Podcast. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Counseling and Development with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling at Texas Woman’s University. She is passionate about mental health because no one should have to go through life’s struggles alone. She loves being able to help people get people the help they need strives to be an advocate for mental health.

Lauren has a passion for podcasting, blogging, DIY, food and learning about the world. She is a self-proclaimed Swiftie, Potterhead, Brené Brown fan and constant smiler who can (almost always) be caught eating. She has a serious case of wanderlust and enjoy looking back on photos from past trips and look forward to future travels.

May 05, 202243:02
Join the Climate Movement with Li-Ya Mar, Ph.D

Join the Climate Movement with Li-Ya Mar, Ph.D

Li-Ya is a climate organizer, a yoga and meditation teacher, and works in higher education. She currently serves as the chair at the Climate Reality Project DFW Chapter. As a social science educator, Li-Ya is taking part in the climate movement by doing what she does best – coaching, training, organizing and engaging people, especially youth and college students. Her goal in climate advocacy is that we are always aware that every aspect of our society and our lives, including social justice, is interconnected with the health of the natural world and of our communities. Li-Ya is fighting for a better world to save all we can. She knows we will act together to solve the climate crisis and transform our communities to a fairer and cleaner reality. To learn about and support her organization's work, visit: https://www.climaterealitydfw.org/ & her interview with Voyage Dallas.

Apr 20, 202248:43
Franchise Businesses with Alyson Rae Lawson

Franchise Businesses with Alyson Rae Lawson

Meet Alyson Rae Lawson, the CEO and founder of RaeLawson Enterprise LLC, a franchisee/operator of two 7-Eleven convenience stores with gas stations that are located right across the street from each other in Arlington, Texas. She is the only African American in her city to have accomplished this. Originally from Dallas, Alyson is an HBCU graduate who earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Hampton University and later, her Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a franchisee because her father franchised three McDonald’s in the Oak Cliff area when she was younger. By the age of 30, she herself was a 7-Eleven franchisee with not just one, but two locations.

Mar 31, 202240:30
Voiceovers with Sarah Marince

Voiceovers with Sarah Marince

Sarah Marince’s dynamic voice can be heard all over the world.

Whether she’s hosting on-camera events for globally recognized brands, recording voiceover work for international clients, or climbing up the Billboard charts with a country single, her versatile talent, passion, and professionalism put her in a class of her own.

A career in the entertainment world was Sarah’s single focus from a very young age. One of her family’s favorite memories is Sarah… at age 3… with a headset and a microphone belting out country songs in the garage. That microphone stayed firmly in her hand throughout her teen years as she evolved into a hometown celebrity… regularly singing the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins…and later branching out across the country to perform for the LA Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York teams the Mets and Knicks. Sarah was also a constant presence on Pittsburgh television and radio as the commercial host, jingle singer and voice actor for Eat n Park restaurant…a multi-state restaurant chain. During Sarah’s senior year of high school, the allure of country music beckoned and she found herself traveling between Nashville and Pittsburgh…recording her first professional album. She quickly found success in the music city opening for Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Sarah Evans, Martina McBride and other established artists…as well as charting her own hit single, “In The Meantime” on Billboard.

With an inborn drive to expand all areas of her career, Sarah packed her bags and moved to Orlando when the Walt Disney World Entertainment group came calling. Her captivating voice can be heard in Disney Parks around the world, whether it is in song or voiceover. Sarah’s uniquely engaging voice can also be heard on spots for CocaCola, Cracker Barrel, Birchbox, Chick-Fil-A, Kwikset Locks and many other corporate clients. Sarah specializes in Commercial, eLearning, Explainer and Corporate Narration genres as well as Telephony and jingle singing…all done from her state of the art home studio equipped with Source Connect. One of her current fun projects is hosting a biweekly webcast with Blare Media called “Crew Talk” which consists of Sarah…in her friendly, conversational style… interviewing a panel of experts in the entertainment field…following up with a question and answer session. Sarah also continues to hone her skills in front of the camera with hosting appearances for ESPN, WalMart, Royal Caribbean and the Marriott Corporation.

As a passionate voice over professional, Sarah was thrilled to be nominated for the 2019 One Voice Award in the “Best International Voiceover Performance” category for her spot for CES (Consumer Electronics Show) entitled “What If.” Acknowledging Sarah’s authentic professionalism in the Voice Actor community, international voiceover management, ACM, signed her to their talent roster in April 2020.

Sarah’s voice embodies so many attributes of her personality…her genuineness, her approachable demeanor, her determination to find the positives in her life, but most importantly, her voice projects the fun she has everyday creating her career. Sarah faces everyday with open arms…ready to embrace the challenges and grow out of her comfort zone both personally and professionally.

Mar 18, 202249:06
Travel Nursing with Jeannette George

Travel Nursing with Jeannette George

Jeannette George, Family Nurse practitioner and content creator/influencer in the DFW. As an influencer who was born and partially raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jeannette uses her social media platforms and her personal background as war survivor, an immigrant, and a 1st generation female college congratulate to educate, motivate, and encourage others on the internet to fight for their own survival and to always follow their dreams. Jeannette graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor in Nursing and International Studies with a minor in African Studies. She completed her Master’s in Nursing degree at the University of Texas with a specialty in Family or Primary Care Practice.

Mar 11, 202249:09
Discussing Bipolar Disorder with Bailey Reber

Discussing Bipolar Disorder with Bailey Reber

At the age of 16, Bailey Reber was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For years, she struggled with not only managing her mental illness, but also with accepting it while the outside world around her did not. She started the podcast she hosts, Distressed to Joyful; Bailey's Way, in order to help encourage others to seek any professional help they may need, especially in times of darkness. She hopes that being vulnerable on hard topics via her podcast will be a “beacon of light” for listeners who are currently struggling with similar situations. She also hopes to bring about new perspectives to those not directly affected by mental illness in order to help them understand the world with a kinder heart.

Mar 04, 202250:56
Uncovering History with Melissa Thiel

Uncovering History with Melissa Thiel

Melissa Thiel grew up in Grayson County, TX and graduated from Tom Bean High School. She received her Associate’s Degree from Grayson College and then went on to study at Texas Woman’s University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in History. Shortly after, she decided to continue her education and received her Master's Degree from Texas Woman’s University.  Mrs. Thiel majored in History with an emphasis on Public History. It was during her studies that she learned about the lynching of George Hughes and the 1930 Sherman Riot. She is happily married to her husband who is a veteran of the United States Air Force. They have three wonderful boys and reside in Gunter, TX.

Feb 27, 202245:17
Graphic Designing with Dena Nguyen

Graphic Designing with Dena Nguyen

Dena Nguyen is a graphic designer, digital artist, and content creator based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. She currently works as a Jr. Art Director at a creative agency in Dallas, does freelance design work, and creates YouTube videos in her spare time.

Feb 22, 202241:52
Traveling with The Mindful Wanderers

Traveling with The Mindful Wanderers

Alōha fellow mindful wanderers! Christina and Patrick here, owners of Stay Zen Retreats. We love to travel and meet people from all over the world and look forward to connecting with you as a host or traveler. We have roots in western New York and south Texas, allowing us the great pleasure of spending time between both those points on the map. Each of our homes are inspired by our travels and designed with the mindful wanderer at heart. Simple, colorful and tasteful decor amidst comfortable and functional spaces where you can relax and unwind after a long day of exploring. Through compassion, mindful travel, conscious consumerism and simple living our mission is to spread love, kindness and inspire positive change; together we can all help to leave the world a better place.


To find out more about Christina & Patrick and all of their adventures, check out:

@themindfulwanderers

 @stayzenretreats

Feb 16, 202239:47
Ballet with Alexandra Farber
Feb 14, 202239:59
Growing Hemp with Infinite Greens

Growing Hemp with Infinite Greens

Infinite Greens is a small family business and was first established in 2017 cultivating hydroponically grown organic leafy greens and vegetables for sale to chefs and restaurants in the metroplex. With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, we decided to convert the farm over to the hemp/cannabis industry. Our mission is to provide Texans with Premium Texas Hemp Flower and Pre-rolls, as well as the highest-quality Artisanal CBD Edibles, Tinctures, and Topicals for all their health and wellness needs. All of our Hemp derived CBD & Delta 8 products are hand-crafted from premium small-batch Hemp flower grown and manufactured from our hyper-urban, indoor farm in Farmers Branch, Texas, which allows us to control all environmental factors and prevent the use of any chemicals, pesticides, or other toxic inputs. Infinite Greens strives to be a trustworthy and transparent source of Texas Hemp & CBD products for our customers, which is why all of our products are also third-party tested.

Feb 11, 202238:32
Motivational Speaking with Terrance Thomas

Motivational Speaking with Terrance Thomas

Terrance Thomas has dedicated his life to transformation. He believes that we all can change for the better. He grew up in Fort Worth Texas where he was often on the streets begging for money to support his mothers drug addiction. “Excuse me sir, could you help us to get something to eat or go buy us something?” These words transformed Terrance and were also part of the hustle that allowed his mother’s expensive addiction to continue. Terrance stayed with family members and friends as he grew up. Some way or another, he would end up on the cold streets of Fort Worth with ripped shoes begging for money whenever his mother was released from prison again and again. Terrance was embarrassed and had disdain for himself. That is until his youth minister Adam introduced him to the love of Jesus Christ.

Feb 04, 202254:26
Teaching Entrepreneurship with David Grubbs

Teaching Entrepreneurship with David Grubbs

In 2004, David was wrapping up his freshman year at Baylor University and started his first business.  His parents told him they would give him money towards his MBA or his first business, and he immediately took the seed funding and ran with it. By college graduation however, the company was not yet large enough to support a full-time salary, so David moved in with his sister who was working on her Masters degree.  He slept on a Coleman air mattress for 9 months on the living room floor and went on the road pitching investors to raise a round of funding. The first 40 investors turned him down and he was down to just $300 in savings with the reality approaching he was going to have to go out and get a job. He firmly believed that God had a plan and he had to just keep going. After nearly 100 pitches, five investors came on board and provided the $250,000 in funding required to grow the business.  The same day the round of funding was closed, his air mattress popped, and he was able to get his own apartment and buy a real bed.

Fast forward to today and David has started over twenty businesses (several of those with Boss Club co-founder Charlie Gasmire).  In 2012 David and Charlie co-founded Vendevor, an ecommerce software business which successfully sold to Payscape in July of 2015.

David’s recent successes include First Centurion Group which sold a variety of consumer goods from its own line of skin care products and work-out supplements and generated nearly $40 million in online sales and grew to over 50 employees and was one of the fastest growing start-ups in 2013.

November 2019 David sold Pegasus Fulfillment, to Selery Fulfillment, a Mark Cuban backed company.  Pegasus Fulfillment was a company he built with his father Mike Grubbs, which handled inventory warehousing and online order fulfillment for over a dozen different ecommerce businesses including his own.

With many startups under his belt David has learned there is a recipe to starting businesses which enables businesses to be launched faster and with less risk.  Those hard-learned lessons from nearly two decades were disseminated into a unique Entrepreneurship course he taught at Baylor University with Dr. Kendall Artz and Dr. Les Palich where 12 hand selected students were given funding to start real businesses over the course of a semester.  The program was a success and the core of Boss Club’s curriculum is based on all the principles taught in that college level course.

In his free time David loves flying (as a private pilot), riding horses, scuba diving, reading, learning Spanish, and participating in his church.  David lives in a small rural town in Costa Rica and is married to his wife of four years, Daniella, who runs her own not-for-profit equine therapy center to help people with disabilities.  Their first son, Sam, was born in 2020.

Jan 31, 202249:08
Creative Reuse with Rachel Weaver

Creative Reuse with Rachel Weaver

Rachel Weaver is the Education Director for SCRAP Creative Reuse, a national network of nonprofit creative reuse centers, and active in the Dallas-Ft.Worth-Denton metroplex as a writer, musician, and mixed media artist. Rachel advocates for environmental health, local resilience, and developing our environmental imagination. She seeks to build strong community relationships and foster opportunities for growth through education and creative learning. Rachel has cultivated relationships and skills through various community activities including environmental education, farming and conservation work, local market management and entrepreneurship, event planning, educational development, and nonprofit leadership.

Jan 25, 202253:26
Tackling Streetwear with Korazon Clothing

Tackling Streetwear with Korazon Clothing

Victor and Melanie, the creators of Korazon Clothing, took a leap of faith and launched during the pandemic of 2020. They decided to turn their passion for fashion and started this thing. They didn’t go to school for fashion or merchandise but were not going to let anything stop them. Victor and Melanie hired a life coach to give them the push they needed and now it’s up to them to keep the momentum going. Join them as they carry out their mission. Their mission in Korazon is to create quality pieces that will make every woman and man feel confident and beautiful. Victor and Melanie want to help break the toxic beauty standards and show what true beauty is! This is why they're intentional about having representation. They choose models with different ethnic backgrounds, sizes and shapes. They hope to help our generation and future generations feel confident and learn to love and feel confident in who they are!

Jan 18, 202258:43