Friends Like Us

Dive into a compelling discussion on embracing vulnerability, caregiving, and the complex relationships we have with our mothers. Join Marina Franklin and her incredible guests, Angela Nissel and Charla Lauriston, for a powerful episode. Angela Nissel is an author and television writer-producer best known for her comedic memoirs *The Broke Diaries* and *Mixed*, as well as her work on TV shows like *Scrubs* and *Mixed-ish*. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before co-founding the music site Okayplayer with Questlove. After the success of her books, The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke and Mixed: My Life in Black and White, she became a prominent writer and producer. She has a new memoir, *Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom Is Dead*, focusing on caring for her terminally ill mother and the humor and heartbreak of grief. Pre-order sales available now. Charla Lauriston is a comedian, TV writer (Grand Crew, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Last O.G.), and ICF-certified life coach. She is the creator of the award-winning series Witchsters and the founder of The Werking Writer and Thriving with Mindfulness, platforms dedicated to helping creatives build their confidence, careers, and lives they love. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

Friends have a powerful conversation about "The Cost Of Healing In Silence" with Marina Franklin and guests Ashley McGirt and Nonye Brown-West on the latest episode. Ashley McGirt is a psychotherapist,TEDxinternational speaker, author, and the founder and CEO of theTherapy Fund Foundation, a nonprofit focused on eliminating barriers to mental health care in Black and historically excluded communities. She specializes in trauma, racial trauma, leadership, healthequity, mental health, and self-care. Ashley holds a Master of Social Work from the University ofWashington and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology,operating a private practice where she addresses racial trauma, depression, and anxiety. Featured in Forbes, MSNBC, and HuffPost, Ashley also serves as the NAACP State Area Conference Health Chair. Through her speeches, workshops, and consultations,she empowers individuals and organizations to unpack emotional burdens, prioritize self-care, and foster healing and equity. Her forthcoming book, The Cost of Healing in Silence: Navigating RacialTrauma and the Call for Culturally Responsive Care(March 31, 2026, Wiley), blends research, personal narrative, and clinical insight to challenge systemic inequities and inspire collective healing. It serves as an effective roadmap for culturally responsive mental health care that acknowledges, understands, and begins to heal the ways racial bias and stereotypes infiltrate counseling. Connect with Ashley further at https://www.ashleymcgirt.com Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

This Friends Like Us Podcast, Host Marina Franklin talks with Leeanet Noble and Lauretta Noble about rich narratives and legacy embedded in their new book: 'BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America.' Join me in conversation with its passionate authors. Lauretta Malloy Noble is a critically acclaimed performer, writer, vocalist, musician, and producer. She studied psychology, music and liberal arts extensively at Howard University and holds a BSc degree. She is certified in Genealogy Research from the University of Strathclyde and in film making and script writing from The National Film and Television School. BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America (on sale November 18, 2025; Amistad) is an absorbing investigation into a little-known historical tragedy—an insurrection at the turn of the twentieth century which upended post-Reconstruction gains made by Black residents in a small North Carolina town. LeeAnét Noble is a critically acclaimed multifaceted artist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University with her BFA in Theatre and is certified in Organizational Behavior/Psychology from IESE Business School. She played in the award-winning shows Stomp and Drumstruck. She currently teaches Black history for George Washington University's MFA graduate studies program. BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America (on sale November 18, 2025; Amistad) is an absorbing investigation into a little-known historical tragedy—an insurrection at the turn of the twentieth century which upended post-Reconstruction gains made by Black residents in a small North Carolina town. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

This week, host Marina Franklin is joined by Von Decarlo and Ant Pruitt, and we discuss life, faith and finding purpose at every age. Von's new book, 'Fine Over Fifty' is not just a book title; it's a vibe! Von Decarlo is an introspective stand-up comedian and entertainment professional who has transformed a life of hardship into purpose. From Clairton, Pennsylvania, to a thriving career in New York City, she is known for her bold humor and unshakable authenticity. A graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Von uses her platform to inspire inner strength—often declaring that even in the hardest times, with faith, you will be fine. With her new book Fine Over Fifty, she aims to reshape the narrative around aging from one of fear and shame to power and purpose. Ant Pruitt Ant Former IT guy from back in the day. Now a freelance photographer and content creator that has more recently spent more time in front of the camera as a model and commercial actor. antpruitt.com Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks to Nourbese Flint and Leighann Lord about the battle for reproductive justice and community building. Nourbese Flint is President of All* Above All and All* In All Action Fund, leading All* Above All's work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color. She previously served as Vice President of Strategy. Prior to coming to All* Above All, she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood's relationships within existing racial justice, reproductive justice, Black serving and civil rights organizations. Before coming east, Nourbese served as the founding Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness Action Project, the first Black women's reproductive justice 501c4 organization in the country, and successfully led campaign efforts to get progressive candidates into office. She also served as policy director and led civic engagement efforts for Black Women for Wellness Action Project's sister organization, Black Women for Wellness. Nourbese is a founding member of Trust Black Women, a national coalition dedicated to increasing respect and support of Black Women, and is one of the founding members of the Black Women's Democratic Club. Leighann Lord is a seasoned standup comedian who has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy All Star Jam, Comedy Central, The View, Netflix, and Showtime's Even More Funny Women of a Certain Age. She has performed for the troops and her Dry Bar Comedy special has had over one million views. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch