Somindboggling Journeys
Somindboggling Journeys Podcast
Follow along actor/writer/producer Bettina Goolsby's somindboggling journey as she lives out her wildest creative dreams. Meet a few of her friends, collaborators, teachers and inspirations along the way. @somindboggling on Twitter & IG. #somindbogglingjourneys --- Follow links below!
- 36 minutes 58 secondsS6:E3 - Slaying Stereotypes and Societal Stagnation with Director Melissa Mowry
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
Melissa Mowry’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/melissa.mowry/
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@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/
2 November 2024, 7:51 pm - 27 minutes 21 secondsS6:E2 - 'Agency for the Lost...and Found' with Playwright Serena Norr
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
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@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/
3 June 2024, 2:00 pm - 6 minutes 57 secondsS6:E1 - Nine Years and One Week Ago...
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:
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@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/
19 April 2024, 11:00 am - 1 hour 38 minutesS5:E13 - Actor and Author Ebbe Bassey Introduces Us to Her Extraordinary Hero on World Down Syndrome Day
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 welcome
02:23 - Early acting career and the benefit of working on short films
05:49 - The Necessity of pivoting in the industry
07:25 - Working 9-5 jobs while pursuing the dream
10:06 - The influence of Maggie Flanagan and her acting studio
25:32 - Imagination and creativity in acting
26:13 - Ebbe's Nigerian background, influence and expectation
31:30 - The power of encouragement from a partner
32:04 - Ebbe speaks on being a big Wendy Williams fan
35:05 - Bettina shares more of the inspiration behind the "somindboggling journeys" podcast
36:30 - The importance of representation in media
38:27 - The journey to success and the value of every step along the way
43:19 - Anoushka's "Extraordinary Heroes"
44:50 - Addressing the stigma around Down syndrome
46:10 - Challenging and changing negative narratives
59:16 - Highlighting the achievements of people with Down syndrome
01:06:29 - Advocating for Anoushka's education and care
01:18:23 - The symbolism of the "Extraordinary Heroes" book
01:23:49 - The Illustrator of the book
01:25:46 - Legal considerations and sourcing information
01:32:23 - Spotlighting independent bookstores
01:36:18 - How to connect and keep updated with Ebbe and AnoushkaThe Links:
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
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@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/
21 March 2024, 5:17 pm - 43 minutes 46 secondsS5:E12 - Dr. Morgan Maxwell and Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe Introduce 'For Me Maternity' Robe for New Moms
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
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@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/
1 March 2024, 4:45 am - 1 hour 3 minutesS5:E11 - Filmmaker and Multi-Hyphenate Tony Clomax
We are lucky to have filmmaker and multi-hyphenate Tony Clomax on this episode of 'somindboggling journeys.' His journey is 'somindboggling' indeed as he wears the hats of: creator, director, screenwriter, producer, editor and tenured-track professor. He shares what it's like juggling all the things and what he's experienced and learned along the way. This chat is really eye-opening because it sheds light on the fact that there's nothing easy or smooth about pursuing and living the dream. There are obstacles and challenges along the way that ultimately serve to fine-tune the artist and his craft. We leave no stone un-turned. I even had the opportunity to grill him on the 3...no 4! auditions of past that I've had of his, but didn't book LOL. All in good fun though! Tune in and watch/listen to the many nuggets Tony drops.
00:00 - Who is Tony Clomax?
02:20 - Tony Clomax, the tenured-track professor
11:40 - Tony Clomax, the creator/director
22:35 - Tony Clomax, the screenwriter-for-hire
33:15 - How he handled mayhem on set and having to make a crucial last minute decision that changed the course of the project
41:30 - Tony's ideal project
43:30 - The REAL reason why I asked Tony to come onto the podcast :)
46:47 - Tony Clomax, the editor
48:00 - How Tony stays healthy
51:46 - The pursuit of good sleep, something we all strive for + projects he's working on
53:40 - What's been "somindboggling" for Tony thus far on his journey
The Links:
Tony Clomax Professor at Prairie View A&M University
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@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/
28 February 2024, 9:30 pm - 5 minutes 32 secondsS5:E10 - Meet the Playwright and Cast of 'Vitality and Purpose'
Meet the writer and cast for the upcoming short play "Vitality and Purpose." Writer Serena Norr created the characters of Delfie, Clarence, Frau and Dr. Frau to examine how we determine what truly makes us feel happy and whole. This play will be brought to life by Emily Leibert, Stephanie Williams and Brian Uhrich, directed by me.
The play goes up at The Tank on Saturday, February 10 at 3pm EST and again on Monday, February 12 at 7pm EST.
Click below for more info + tix:
https://thetanknyc.org/calendar-1/cut-edge-ten-min-playfest
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@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/
9 February 2024, 7:07 pm - 44 minutes 44 secondsS5:E9 - 'Igniting the Fire Within' with Kyera Keenne
In this episode, Kyera [pronounced ky-ra] discusses her journey as a singer, writer, and entrepreneur. She shares her passion for natural hair care and the inspiration behind her e-book “Hair Symphony: The Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Your Hair Type.” Kyera emphasizes the importance of embracing one's hair texture and all its uniqueness. She also talks about her music career, collaborations with artists like Carlos Santana and Goya Menor, and her forthcoming album. Kyera shares her experiences working in Hollywood as well as the challenges and opportunities in the entertainment industry. Viewers and listeners will be moved by Kyera’s fearlessness and unapologetic confidence, inspiring us all to expand our self-belief in pursuing our dreams.
00:00 - How Kyera and I connected (hint: a previous guest on the show who you all loved)
03:22 - Kyera’s love for natural hair, her hair care philosophy, her ‘Hair Symphony’ e-book and self-created ‘Look, Don't Touch’ hair conditioner and song
10:00 - Who remembers the ‘Wave Nouveau?’
11:19 - Fusing music and hair care in the marketing
12:40 - Magical musical collaborations and Kyera’s forthcoming album
23:45 - How Kyera has found her flow
25:39 - Kindred fire signs
26:30 - Kyera’s storied Hollywood background, featuring some of Black Hollywood’s favorite talents, television shows and a throwback to epic shared birthday parties
35:43 - Kyera shares her most #somindboggling moments
42:04 - Kyera’s empowering message to women
The Links:
Passion Amapiano Remix by Kyera ft Goya Menor [Official Music Video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maSdQc_Nt8s
Look, Don’t Touch! By Kyera - The Natural Hair Anthem [Official Music Video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgXdxXr2FDk
‘Hair Symphony: The Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Your Hair Type’ e-book
https://shop.kyera.world/collections/e-books
‘Look, Don’t Touch’ hair detangling conditioner
https://shop.kyera.world/products/look-don
Kyera’s Official Website
https://shop.kyera.world/pages/my-story
Kyera’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/kyeraworld/
Kyera’s Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/KyeraWorld/
Kyera’s Music
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@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/
22 December 2023, 12:43 pm - 30 minutes 37 secondsS5:E8 - 'Living Just Enough for the City' with Lauren Foster-Lee
Join me this week as I sit down with actor Lauren Foster-Lee. I loved this chat with Lauren, as she reminds me of myself when I first started out on this #somindboggling journey and needed to (1) adjust to new surroundings (2) adjust to new ways of being and (3) set out on an unknown path while also managing and planning for the "in-between." So many times when we hear about people living out their dreams, we don't hear about the changes/adjustments/uncomfortable learnings and living that preceded that dream coming to life. Lauren and I talk about how she is settling into her new life, what it's like moving from Durham, NC where her family is to New York City. She is super close to her mom and her artist family, yet she felt and acted on an urge to see what other opportunities awaited her in the unknown. And she teaches us - it's ok to move back home if you decide it's not for you!
Watch and listen to Lauren inspire us all to feel the fear and do it anyway. Anyone who has lived in New York City has a love/hate relationship with the island known as Manhattan. Lauren shares what she loves and what she can do without when it comes to the Big Apple.
00:00 - How we met and Lauren's move to New York City from Durham, NC
01:33 - Starting over as a beginner
07:27 - How Lauren thought she could never do New York City, but she's doing New York City!
10:55 - The 3 things Lauren loves about New York City
12:25 - The 3 things Lauren could do without when it comes to New York City
13:22 - Lauren's life back in Durham, NC
14:40 - What Lauren is up to now
16:30 - How Lauren feels about working behind-the-scenes vs acting on stage at this point in her career
19:58 - How Lauren ended up taking a class at the Atlantic Acting School
21:30 - What Lauren is looking forward to this Fall
23:17 - Living with family, then with friends in the city
24:50 - Lauren shares the #somindboggling things she's experienced thus far along her journey
The Links:
Lauren Foster-Lee Official Website
Lauren Foster-Lee on Instagram
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@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/
6 October 2023, 7:07 pm - 51 minutes 50 secondsS5:E7 - Dreams, Magic and Miracle Baby with Ch-a Mosley & Baby Naomi
If you have lived long enough, you've experienced a hardship or two. As we get older, the realities of life rear its not-so-pretty head whether in the form of sickness and/or death, disappointments, heartbreak, injustice and/or atrocities on a larger level. Life be life’ing, as they say. So when there are moments of magic and glimmers of hope, we have to embrace them and inhale the fresh scent of newness like that of a newborn baby - figuratively and literally!
Meet this week’s guests… Ch-a Mosley, new mother at the age of 47, and her now 3-month old miracle baby, Naomi (Naomi was just 6 weeks old when this recording took place). Ch-a shares her journey to motherhood through a natural pregnancy that is not commonly heard of at her age - she experienced a miscarriage at 45, conceived naturally at 46, and gave birth at 47. Watch and listen in as she takes us along her #somindboggling journey, introduces us to her sweet baby Naomi and how she intends to keep the legacy of her father alive. Be wowed by our moment of synchronicity!
00:00 - 06:39 – New mother Ch-a and baby Naomi’s story
06:40 - 10:07 – Do children choose their parents?
10:08 - 12:39 – Naomi as a rainbow baby
12:40 - 14:18 – Ch-a adjusts to motherhood
14:19 - 37:23 – Ch-a’s dad, Roger E Mosley, and his influence and legacy (shout out to actor Stephen Hill)
37:24 - 41:04 – Ch-a’s postpartum life/plan
41:05 - 45:08 – Ch-a’s message to other moms, moms-to-be, aspiring moms
45:09 - 51:50 – Wrap-up
The Links:
Pregnancy over Forty on Instagram
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@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/
12 September 2023, 1:00 pm - 38 minutes 27 secondsS5:E6 - Back-to-School with Mother/Daughter Duo Kimon and Kambry Jackson
In this episode, meet one of my long-time friends - of over 30 years! - loving mother and supportive friend Kimon and her sweet, smart-as-a-whip daughter, Kambry. With summer vacation coming to a close and the new school year beginning, moms are kicking it into high-gear. Listen in as Kimon shares how she balances encouraging Kambry's independence while also honoring her mama bear instincts, how she's been deemed the "cool mom" while also remaining the "no-nonsense mom," supporting Kambry's dreams and much more. Moms are some of the ultimate creators, so I love hearing how they shape and mold their little humans.
00:00 - 06:35 – Motherhood
06:36 - 08:17 – Failure into success
08:18 - 09:19 – Kimon’s entrepreneurial ventures
09:20 - 16:40 – Balancing being the “cool mom” with being the “respected mom”
16:41 - 22:56 – A mother and a daughter’s love
22:57 - 31:07 – Supporting a child’s interests, curiosities and dreams
31:08 - 37:23 – Mothers nurturing and taking care of themselves
37:24 - 38:28 – Wrap-up
The Links:
Kimon Jackson -- www.instagram.com/kimon_jackson
Black Girl Physicist -- www.instagram.com/blackgirlphysicist
Bota x Body -- www.instagram.com/bota_x_body
Ella Mai -- www.instagram.com/ellamai
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@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/
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