somindboggling journeys

In this episode, we chat with performer, theatre maker and director Melissa Mowry. Melissa is at the helm of the reimagined classic tale of Dracula called “Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy Story, Really?” written by playwright Kate Hamill. This play challenges long-held societal norms about what it means to be a woman, a wife, a lady and a mother. It also harkens current times with the ‘Me Too’ movement and the discussion around choice, coercion and consent. These themes are all highlighted through Hamill’s campy writing and Mowry’s brilliant direction. Be sure to check out the final performances with the Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk, Va through Sunday, November 3.  Listen in as Melissa shares a bit about where she’s from, where she’s been and where she’s going with rest and self-care being at the forefront of it all. The Links: Tickets for the show https://www.vastage.org/dracula Melissa Mowry’s official website https://www.melissamowry.com/ Melissa Mowry’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/melissa.mowry/ Subscribe / Like / Comment / Leave a Review ────────────────────────────  Follow along on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow along on Facebook Somindboggling Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/somindboggling/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://officialdilemma.com/⁠

In this episode, we chat with playwright Serena Norr of "Agency for the Lost." You may remember Serena from when we first spoke to her and the cast of the short play "Vitality and Purpose." We are collaborating again - now our 4th time - on Serena's full-length play "Agency for the Lost" which explores childhood abandonment, how that abandonment plays out in adult relationships, the dark side of corporate culture and ultimately what it means to find and be found. Come join us for our staged reading on the evening of Monday, June 3rd at the Flea Theater in New York City. The Links: Tickets for the Staged Reading Serena Norr's official website Serena Norr's Instagram Subscribe / Like / Comment / Leave a Review ────────────────────────────  Follow along on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow along on Facebook Somindboggling Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/somindboggling/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://officialdilemma.com/

As "somindboggling journeys" enters its sixth season, I reflect back on the podcast's first published episode, where I was, who I was with and how it felt taking a big step in the direction of a dream. The Links: Black Alumni Weekend @ UVA University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce Subscribe / Like / Comment / Leave a Review ────────────────────────────  Follow along on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow along on Facebook Somindboggling Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/somindboggling/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://officialdilemma.com/

For this episode, I sit down with actor/children's book author Ebbe Bassey to put a spotlight on Ebbe's journey as a mother of a young girl with Down syndrome, Anoushka. As today is World Down Syndrome Day, Ebbe shares the various challenges that she's had to come up against which inspired her to write her first children's book, "Anoushka's Extraordinary Heroes," dedicated to her daughter. The illustrated book aims to spotlight other courageous, resilient beings who have Down syndrome. Ebbe wrote this book to change the stigma around disabilities, explaining that the focus should actually be on their abilities. We discuss the importance of representation and challenging prejudices. Anoushka even graces us with her presence during our chat! We also delve into our respective acting journeys, working 9-5 jobs while in pursuit of our dreams, and the goal of having multiple streams of income by branching into other artistic endeavors. Ebbe shares how the influence of her Nigerian background inspires her drive and impacts her decision making. We also talk about the importance of celebrating stepping out on faith and putting action into motion and highlighting the journey to success and not just focusing on the end result.  We also touch on celebrity culture, with Ebbe sharing her long-held love for Wendy Williams who we send positive vibrations to and wish well during her difficult time. 00:00 - Intro and welcome02:23 - Early acting career and the benefit of working on short films05:49 - The Necessity of pivoting in the industry07:25 - Working 9-5 jobs while pursuing the dream10:06 - The influence of Maggie Flanagan and her acting studio25:32 - Imagination and creativity in acting26:13 - Ebbe's Nigerian background, influence and expectation31:30 - The power of encouragement from a partner32:04 - Ebbe speaks on being a big Wendy Williams fan35:05 - Bettina shares more of the inspiration behind the "somindboggling journeys" podcast36:30 - The importance of representation in media38:27 - The journey to success and the value of every step along the way43:19 - Anoushka's "Extraordinary Heroes"44:50 - Addressing the stigma around Down syndrome46:10 - Challenging and changing negative narratives59:16 - Highlighting the achievements of people with Down syndrome01:06:29 - Advocating for Anoushka's education and care01:18:23 - The symbolism of the "Extraordinary Heroes" book01:23:49 - The Illustrator of the book01:25:46 - Legal considerations and sourcing information01:32:23 - Spotlighting independent bookstores01:36:18 - How to connect and keep updated with Ebbe and Anoushka The Links: Ebbe Bassey Instagram Daughter Anoushka's Instagram Buy this book from Black Dot Bookstore Buy this book from Kindred Thoughts Bookstore Buy this book from Barnes and Nobles Publishing a Book with Ingram Spark Maggie Flanigan Acting Studio Subscribe / Like / Comment / Leave a Review ────────────────────────────  Follow along on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow along on Facebook Somindboggling Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/somindboggling/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://officialdilemma.com/

Past podcast guest Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe returns to the podcast, and this time he brings Dr. Morgan Maxwell to discuss their collaboration on the creation of the one-of-a-kind Gigi Luxury Hands-Free Pumping Robe by For Me Maternity. They share their journey from the initial concept to the final product, highlighting the importance of functionality and innovation. The robe features hands-free pumping access, a satin-lined hood, a weighted blanket feel, built-in bust support and multiple pockets. They also discuss the process of patenting the product and the benefits of joining the Amazon Black Business Accelerator program. They also discuss the lengthy journey of product development and the importance of not letting any barriers stop you. Finally, they highlight the gift of support and luxury that their product provides for expectant mothers. The Links: Gigi Luxury Hands-Free Maternity Robe Subscribe / Like / Comment / Leave a Review ────────────────────────────  Follow along on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/somindboggling⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠ Follow along on Facebook Somindboggling Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/somindboggling/⁠⁠⁠ Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠https://officialdilemma.com/