The Follow is a multicultural podcast where we spotlight BIPOC creators, movement-makers, and thought leaders, and talk to them about their work, worldview, and how they use their platform. We also cover race, identity, and all things culture in a format designed to help us all get smarter about culture.

Latest

Ep. 14 \ Making Sexual Pleasure More Accessible to Marginalized Communities with Irma Garcia

In this episode, we speak to Irma Garcia, a Texas certified sex educator and founder of Dirty South Sex Ed, a social media platform that shares unbiased, inclusive sexual health information to revolutionize wellness and prioritize pleasure among marginalized people in the Deep South. In our conversation, Irma talks about her journey into human sexuality, why it’s important for BIPOC and LGBTQ communities to have access to medically accurate sex information, and how removing the taboo of sex empowers all of us.

EP. 13 \ Creating More Inclusive Communities with Kristen Jeffers

In this episode, we speak to Kristen Jeffers, founder and editor-in-chief of The Black Urbanist multimedia platform, as well as an urban planner, author, textile artist and designer, and activist. In our conversation, she talks about the importance of having diverse voices in urban planning, and she discusses her own journey of creating the Black Queer Urbanist Feminist movement.

EP. 12 \ Teaching People How to Reinvent Themselves with Roger Osorio

In this episode, we speak to Roger Osorio, author of the upcoming book, “The Journey to Reinvention” and founder of The School of Reinvention, where he helps people find success and reinvent their lives on their terms, using their own values, passion, and purpose. In our conversation, he talks about his unique journey from the inner city in New Jersey to Penn State University to a successful career as an inspirational speaker, educator, and coach, who now uses his unique methods to help others reinvent themselves.

Ep. 11 \ Breaking Barriers on The Slopes with Dr. Regina Martinez

In this episode, we speak to Regina Martinez, a medical doctor and an athlete on the Mexican Nordic Ski Team. Originally from Mexico City, she is on a mission to be the first Mexican woman to represent her country in cross country skiing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. In February 2021, she qualified for the FIS World Ski Championships in Germany, and became the first Mexican woman in history to participate in a cross country ski race at that level. In our conversation, she talks about the challenges that come with breaking into a winter sport when you’re from a country like Mexico that doesn’t get much snow.

Ep. 10 \ Showcasing Muslim Characters in Children’s Books with Sana Rafi

In this episode, we speak to Sana Rafi, a Pakistani American author who began her writing journey at the age of ten, but didn’t find her own voice as an author until she became a mother. It was then that she started writing picture books that reflected her experiences growing up as a immigrant who is Muslim and Pakistani. Her new picture book, A Mermaid Girl, draws on these inspirations as it depicts the first time a young girl wears a burkini. In our conversation, we talk about about how Sana discovered her voice writing children’s books; how her identity as a practicing Muslim shapes her body of work; what kind of impact she wants to have on future generations of young readers; and so much more.

Ep. 9 \ Navigating White Spaces As a Black Woman

In this episode, we speak to Marcie Alvis-Walker, creator of the blog and Instagram feed, Black Coffee with White Friends, which chronicles her experiences as a Black woman navigating predominantly White spaces. Most recently Marcie has also created “Mockingbird History Lessons” where she researches, writes, and shares the missing narratives of our country’s history. In our conversation she talks about the origins of her blog; how our historical heroes should be allowed to be complicated; how the frustrations around critical race theory can be healed if we practice curiosity; and so much more.

Ep. 8 \ Exploring Identity Through Sculpture with Justin Favela

In this episode, we speak to Justin Favela, a mixed media artist born in Las Vegas, Nevada known for his large-scale installations and sculptures that comment on American pop culture and the Latinx experience. In our conversation, he talks about how he uses pinatas as a medium to express his identity and explore the notion of authenticity; how being a queer person of color shaped his work; how his work has changed because of the pandemic and racial reckoning; and he also speaks about the other innovative projects that he’s working on.

EP. 7 \ Understanding communities through tacos with Mando Rayo

In this episode, we speak to Mando Rayo, a Texas-based digital storyteller, entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed taco journalist who produces content that strives to paint an inclusive, accurate portrait of America. His latest work is the Laredo Taco Company’s “Made Right Here” Road Trip as he explores his favorite tacos in some of the most iconic cities in the Lone Star State. We discuss how Mando’s Latinx heritage informs his work, how tacos can help us understand different communities, and how one of the organizations he co-founded helps to create racially diverse nonprofit boards.

EP. 6 \ Changing Perceptions About Afghanistan with Mina Sharif

In this episode, we speak with media consultant Mina Sharif, an incredibly accomplished yet twice-displaced citizen of Afghanistan. When she was less than a year old, her family was forced to flee and eventually immigrated to Canada, where she was raised. In early 2005, she traveled back to Afghanistan and volunteered with women-managed radio stations across the country. In this conversation, Mina discusses reconnecting with her Afghan heritage, combating the misconceptions surrounding Afghan culture, hearing about Afghanistan from Afghan voices, and so much more.

EP. 5 \ Creating an Inclusive Mentorship Program” with Janice Omadeke

In this episode, we speak to Janice Omadeke, the CEO and founder of the Mentor Method – an enterprise solution that improves talent retention and development through inclusive mentorships. In our conversation, she talks about what motivated her to start her own mentorship program, how her Congolese background impacted her chosen path, and how most mentorships are no different than any other relationship.

EP. 4 \ Rebellious Storytelling with Gris Muñoz

Frontera poet and storyteller Gris Muñoz speaks openly about literature, culture and identity. She shares her work and expresses the imperative nature of the continued evolution of the Xicano literary canon and the inexhaustible need for more rebellious writing within it.

EP. 3 \ USING IMAGES TO LIFT BLACK VOICES WITH ANTHONY GEATHERS

Brooklyn-born and raised photographer and activist Anthony Geathers speaks candidly about his upbringing, his time in the military, and his role as artist and voice within the Black community. He talks about what it’s like to shoot everything from politics to professional sports and how his background in the Marines prepared him to successfully transition from one battlefield to another.

EP. 2 \ Casting a More Inclusive World WITH Nicole Pryor dernersesian

Singer and actor Nicole Pryor Dernersesian talks about her transition to business owner and talent representative, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect for all fellow humans. She impresses the value of hard work, resilience, and having the courage to show up. Her door is always open for anyone who is kind, talented, and willing to do more than is expected of them. That willingness to remain open has been the bedrock of her tremendous success.

EP. 1 \ Female Filmmaking from Border Regions with Angie Reza Tures

In this episode, we talk to Angie Reza Tures, a filmmaker and founder of Femme Frontera Filmmaker Showcase which advocates for the amplification of films made by women from border regions across the globe. She talks about the complexities of border identities, how our own vocabulary is falling short in expressing how people identify themselves, and why representation in film of Mexican American and other communities of color is so important.

Coming soon