Episode 19 - Lindsey Dryden & Day Al-Mohamed - “Say My Name”
Photo Credit: Rachel Ellis
[Image Description: B&W photo. Day is pictured from the torso up. She sits on the ground with her dog, a light-colored Labrador retriever named Veni. Day has a pair of sunglasses on top of her head and wears a denim-like jacket over a dark-colored top. She wears a metal necklace as she looks at the camera.]
Photo Credit: Jo Irvine
[B&W photo. Lindsey is pictured from the chest up smiling with her body turned slightly as she faces the camera. She stands in an open field, her hair blowing in the wind. She wears a dark velvet-like top.]
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker Lindsey Dryden and filmmaker, novelist, and podcaster, Day Al-Mohamed. In our conversation, we chat about Day’s advocacy work in Washington, D.C., Lindsey’s work as a producer of the film Unrest, and the organization they co-founded with the Oscar-nominated director of Crip Camp, Jim Lebrecht and Alysa Nahmias, FWD-Doc. FWD-Doc is committed to empowering filmmakers with disabilities and part of that advocacy is being bold saying the words “disability” and “disabled.” With that said and the spirit of naming what is, is, this week’s song is Destiny Child’s “Say My Name.”
Episode 17 - Rüzgâr Buşki - “İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir/Consistent Fantasy is Reality”
Photo Credit: Sibel Özen
[image Description: Rüzgâr stands by a large rosebush and leans their head into a large flower. Behind them is a high fence with flowering vines. The wear a multicolored shirt beneath a red jacket.]
In this episode, I speak with artist and filmmaker Rüzgâr Buşki. In our conversation, we talk about immigrating from Instanbul, where to get great Turkish food in Berlin, discrimination in Germany, and their current project, I’ve Got the Power. Because I’ve Got the Power explores how imagination and fantasy can be used as tool to process and heal grief and be basis for creating a new reality, this episode’s song is Gaye Su Akyol’s “İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir/Consistent Fantasy is Reality.”
Episode 16 - Elegance Bratton & Chester Argenal Gordon - “Solid”
Photo Credit:
[Image Description: Chester and Elegance stand next either in front of a reddish, brick wall. A window reflects the image of brick wall across from them. Chester wears a long black coat his had is turned slightly to look at Elegance. Elegance wears a knit cap, sun glasses, and a long, tan coat. He looks into the camera. They both have their hands in their pockets.]
In this episode, I speak with writer and director Elegance Bratton and producer and costume designer Chester Argenal Gordon. In our conversation, we chat about how they met, their latest documentary project Pier Kids. and the joys and strength needed to stay true to themselves and their protagonists’ stories and voices. Because they are my favorite power couple, this episode’s song is Ashford & Simpson’s classic, “Solid as a Rock.”
Episode 5 - Ani Mercedes - “Money”
Photo Credit: Aymeé Cruzalegui
[Image description: Ani Mercedes smiles. She wears a black top.]
In this week’s episode, I speak with Ani Mercedes, CEO, Founder, & Impact Producer at Looky Looky Pictures. Because she’s a fearless hustler, this episode’s song is Cardi B’s “Money.”