Kat's Korner: The Podcast

EPISODE 6

On the 15th of February, I was told that the diagnosis is cancer of the sigmoid colon. I was sitting down, but I felt like I was sliding off the chair. It felt like the whole room was tilted to the right, and I was trying to hold on. Tears start coming because all I'm thinking about at that moment is I'm going to have to go through some shit. It has been an unexpected journey into a personal hell that has had all of its ups and downs, but still has a lot of light and gratitude with it.

About Kat:

EPISODE 5

This episode is a story that brings together my eldest daughter symptoms and syndromes alongside my recent trip to Art Basel in Miami. And of course, there's always some sort of epiphany and life lesson brought to you this time by my father. So walk with me as we go on this journey. I'm hoping that as we get closer to the end of 2022, as we start to get ready for the next year, is that you have a little peace, and quiet and even moments of magic because that's what it's all about.

Key Takeaways:

• Deconditioning is a daily process–even when you think that you've sloughed off something, you have to check.
• Traveling these days has changed a lot, so I have to travel in a way that allows me space to acclimate.
• As crazy as the world gets, there are still good people out there–there are still these moments where you interact with a complete stranger, and it's just a magical moment that you never would have had otherwise.

About Kat:

EPISODE 4

As some of you may or may not know, in addition to all of the amazing things that I get a chance to be a part of, I am also a professor. I have a master's degree in African Literature and History from The Ohio State University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland College Park, Black Terps. In this episode, I talked about some big takeaways for me as a professor, as well as the most memorable excuses I've ever heard for not being able to turn in an assignment.

Key Takeaways:

• I have to remember the grace that I give them, I have to give it to myself as well.
• I have to remember that I'm a creative–there are ways that I can bring a little bit more fun into the space where the learning still happens, but works in a way that works with my creativity.
• Students coming in with a D or F grade and finishing with a C grade is still progress.
• It’s important to let students know that they are being heard and valued, but at the same time, hold them accountable so they know how and what to improve.

About Kat:

EPISODE 3

This episode of Kat’s Korner: The Podcast is a porch session with the illustrious aunties and uncle–Eddie Smith, Elise Perry, and Evelyn Bandoh, where we talked about Wakanda Forever as a Creative Practice. And yes, this is the home of people who love Black Panther so you're not going to hear too much bashing, although I'm sure that there are some valid things to be said.

About Kat:

EPISODE 2

We’re on location in Morocco! As you may know, traveling has been a big part of my identity, and while I was in Morocco, I decided to record this particular episode because I don't know if I'll be able to access emotionally, what this trip has done for me once I fly back home. And this trip has been an unexpectedly transformative one.

About Kat:

EPISODE 1

Season 4 is here! This season is going to be a lot more frequent and a lot more personal because I'm approaching my 50th year and I'm realizing that there's a lot that I want to at least document as part of my contribution to the larger conversation.

This very first episode is a love letter to the Black creatives specifically because that's who I think needs to hear this. And this is being sparked by a couple of things that have happened over the last two years, but really some major things that happened at the beginning of this year. You’ll also hear me share what my process looks like, and how my experiences and the experiences of others that I am really close to, really do kind of help understand the creative life.

Key Takeaways:

• Perfect is the enemy of done.
• Get an advisory committee–people you've given permission to hold you accountable, who are going to give you not only honest feedback but are going to give you the kind of support you're going to need to move forward.
• Proof of Concept: Treat things as the experiments that they are, enjoy the process of creating and problem-solving from the place of ‘This is what I do’, as opposed to ‘This is what I have to prove.’

About Kat:

This is part 2 of the conversation I had with Ayra Kip, who initiated the annually recurring Keti Koti Festival together with her twin sister, Ira Kip. In this episode, Ayra talked us through the process of taking Free Heri Heri For All from an idea to a phenomenal reality. I think you're really going to get a lot out of this episode.

Warning: This episode is not suitable for ages below 16. The conversation contains discussions of violence perpetuated against Black people, so please be mindful.

Key Takeaways:

• Surround yourself with the right people—people who understand the value of your work, and have the professional capacity to do the work.
• Make sure that everybody who works with you feels seen.
• Don't lose yourself in the process—take care of yourself. 

About Kat:

While I was in Amsterdam, I had an illuminating conversation with Ayra Kip, who initiated the annually recurring Keti Koti Festival together with her twin sister, Ira Kip. Ayra and I talked about many things, but primarily how she and her sister got to the point of creating Free Heri Heri For All (Heri Heri is a Surinamese dish with ground fruits, fish, and egg).

This is a 2-part series where we're going to learn about Ayra’s origin story and the effects the murder of George Floyd had on her activism.

Warning: This episode is not suitable for ages below 16. The conversation contains discussions of violence perpetuated against Black people, so please be mindful.

About Kat:

As a cultural architect, my primary goal is to tell the story, the message. How I go about doing that depends on what is necessary. So for me, the medium is inconsequential. Not to say that it's not important, but it doesn't figure into whether or not I'm going to do it. What's important to me is I can tell a good story that the people are interested in or a story that I'm interested in. And if that means I'm going to direct an opera, then that's what I'm going to do.

Key takeaways:

• Nothing is too big of an ask–don't be ashamed to ask or negotiate the things you need to feel safe and comfortable so you can do what you have to do.
• Get out of your backyard–work with people who are not part of your network to build something together (for me, this always feels good).
• To be vulnerable about moments where I’m not feeling comfortable is important.

About Kat:

Consider this episode a general brain dump where I'm thinking about how we show up authentically, and in a way that sustains us. In this episode, I shared how much the work that I do sustains me, and how much I learned about myself in the process. I also shared a bit about Ruth E. Carter’s story, a Black American costume designer for film and television, who has found her passion, built a life out of it, was recognized for her brilliance, and was pushed out in front into the world after being the costume designer for Black Panther. In relation to her journey, I also talked about an excerpt from a book by Paulo Coelho that I’m re-reading, which is about how many things in life, personal and professional, are like the bamboo tree–it takes time before your year arrives and with it will come changes that you hadn't dreamed of.

Key takeaways:

• Reflective rumination and getting it out (like what I'm trying to be better at, and not live in my head) are important. Find people who are your people and talk about these things.
• Take a step back and look at what you have accomplished in life–give yourself enough credit.
• Own your experiences–nothing that you have experienced on your path is wasted.

About Kat:

This episode of Kat’s Korner: The Podcast is the first episode of 2022 which is sort of a re-entry for me—I've taken some time off since the last one. I’m hoping you all had a peaceful journey into this next year. I started calling it “Next Year” as opposed to “New Year” and I shared the reason behind that in this episode. I also shared how I entered into this next year as someone who is a big fan of rituals. For me, creating rituals makes our time here on Earth a little bit more special—when you take time to acknowledge the shifts of seasons, the passing of loved ones, the rites of passage that go with different ages, and entering into different phases of your life.

Key takeaways:

• Let go of those burdensome thoughts and things that you can't control.
• Create a visual you can look at as a reminder of what this year is supposed to be about for you.
• Find one thing that you can do for yourself and do it every day as a gift to yourself.

About Kat:

In part II of the final podcast episode of 2021, I am joined again by the good Elise Perry to have a look back at the year 2021, how it made us feel, and what we look forward to the next year.

About Kat:

In part I of the final podcast episode of 2021, I shared a story on how I envisioned a trip to Senegal and how things turned out. Travelling has been a big part of my identity but for this particular trip, the decision I made to not go was influenced by certain rituals and things I have in place to help me with my discernment. In a time and space where we're being bombarded with so much information, sometimes it helps to have outside markers around us or clear signs or follow our intuitions.

About Kat:

As the title suggests, this episode was recorded on my birthday where I shared some thoughts in honor of my 49th year around the sun. I really felt it was important to at least acknowledge my birthday this year, even though things still don't feel completely right. This episode is a reflection of what I think about what the whole year has brought and acknowledging the people who are keeping me up.

Key takeaways:

• Reflection is important but there's a certain amount of whimsy and joy that we should fight for.
• Effective collaborations will make things a lot easier.
• Drink lots of water and do some stretching.

About Kat:

This episode of Kat’s Korner: The Podcast is part of the “Tea Time” series where I get to sit with a fellow creative and have a chat about whatever we are feeling. In this episode, I am joined by the good Elise Perry, a multi-hyphenated creative that can be found behind the camera as a producer/director or literally behind the camera shooting it. She's also the first black female president of The GRAMMY’s Recording Academy D.C. Chapter.

This episode of Kat’s Korner: The Podcast is part of the “After The Fact” series where I get to share the takeaways and the gems that show up after a meaningful conversation with a fellow creative. In this episode, I talked about the conversation I had with author, poet and social justice activist Sonya Renee Taylor as part of an online event hosted by Prince George's Community College Center for Performing Arts.

Sonya Renee Taylor is the Founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, a digital media and education company founded in 2011 promoting radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool for social justice and global transformation. The Body is Not An Apology quickly became a movement and leading framework for the budding body positivity movement.

In this episode, I talked about how grief is something that doesn’t go away, that doesn't take a break. That we have to give it space and at the same time, we have to do things that nurture us and keep us whole and that may look different for everyone. I also shared how jarring it is to find out that people have passed on social media and how I personally mitigate it. And because of a massive collective grief happening across the globe, where people transition in the cycle of lockdowns, it does play a role in what the grief process looks like.

Key takeaways:

• Don’t underestimate grief.
• Connect with the living.
• Do it—we're not going to be here forever so might as well go see about that dream and just do it.

About Kat:

In this episode, I re-introduced myself because who I am today is different from who I was in previous episodes. I revisited the situation that we’re in and how it looks like to be a citizen of this country (USA) as the pandemic happens. I also shared how it has impacted me personally by losing a close friend of mine and my realizations as I go through the grief process.

Key takeaways:

• Think about your legacy and how you want to be remembered.
• Have an end-of-life plan.
• Belonging to a community is an important aspect of life.

About Kat:

With the world literally at a standstill, now more than ever it’s important to check in with our friends and community. How are you coping in these unprecedented times? Need a little pick me up? A real-talk session? We got you!

Join Risikat “Kat” Okedeyi and her special guests as they talk through ups and downs of quarantine life, the little joys, the real-world observations, and the tips that keep them on track throughout it all.

With the world literally at a standstill, now more than ever it’s important to check in with our friends and community. How are you coping in these unprecedented times? Need a little pick me up? A real-talk session? We got you!

Join Risikat “Kat” Okedeyi and her special guests as they talk through ups and downs of quarantine life, the little joys, the real-world observations, and the tips that keep them on track throughout it all.

With the world literally at a standstill, now more than ever it’s important to check in with our friends and community. How are you coping in these unprecedented times? Need a little pick me up? A real-talk session? We got you!

Join Risikat “Kat” Okedeyi and her special guests as they talk through ups and downs of quarantine life, the little joys, the real-world observations, and the tips that keep them on track throughout it all.

With the world literally at a standstill, now more than ever it’s important to check in with our friends and community. How are you coping in these unprecedented times? Need a little pick me up? A real-talk session? We got you!

Join Risikat “Kat” Okedeyi and her special guests as they talk through ups and downs of quarantine life, the little joys, the real-world observations, and the tips that keep them on track throughout it all.

With the world literally at a standstill, now more than ever it's important to check in with our friends and community. How are you coping in these unprecedented times? Need a little pick me up? A real-talk session? We got you.

Join Risikat "Kat" Okedeyi and her special guests as they talk through ups and downs of quarantine life, the little joys, the real-world observations, and the tips that keep them on track throughout it all.

In this episode, Kat dissects the Netflix limited series Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame C. J. Walker. What is the responsibility of Black creatives to Black stories, even if they are meant to entertain? Who gets remembered and who gets erased? How do we elevate storytelling out of the status quo? Kat tackles these questios and more in this episode.

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