NoseyAF Podcast
Stephanie Graham
Artist and Filmmaker Stephanie Graham digs deep with people who are nothing like her.
- 1 hour 17 secondsJoe Schupbach: Care Is the Curriculum
Thank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!
This Conversation was recorded live for Lumpen Radio
Ep #104: Joe Schupbach: Care Is the Curriculum
SUMMARY
What does care really look like — beyond Valentine's Day chocolates and heart-shaped cards? In this episode of noseyAF, Stephanie Graham sits down with Joe Schupbach, a mission-driven educator, theater maker, and instructional coach with over two decades of experience in public education, nonprofits, and community-centered theater. Together they explore care as a daily practice: in classrooms, in collaborative creative spaces, in our neighborhoods, and in ourselves.
Joe shares how he stumbled into creative leadership, what trauma-informed teaching really means in practice, and why experiential learning matters more than ever in today's schools. The conversation moves through faith and identity, the joys of cooking as connection, and ends with a rallying call to get nosy about your local schools — and to support live, in-person art.
WHAT WE GET INTO 💬
You know when a conversation just goes everywhere in the best way? That's this one. Here's a taste of what Joe and Steph cover:
00:26 — Introduction to noseyAF
01:15 — Care as a daily ritual: not just something you perform on Valentine's Day, but how it shows up in classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and community spaces every single day
08:35 — How Joe accidentally fell into creative leadership — starting as a teaching artist right out of college and slowly becoming the person leading the room
18:06 — What trauma-informed teaching actually looks like on the ground, and why instructional coaches like Joe are changing the game in Chicago high schools
27:02 — Art-making during and after COVID-19 — how the pandemic forced a reckoning with what live, communal performance means and why it still matters
32:29 — Faith, identity, and how the personal bleeds into the professional for educators and artists alike
41:43 — Cooking as a love language: a genuinely delightful tangent about how preparing food for people is one of the most caring acts you can do
53:11 — How non-parents and non-teachers can meaningfully support local educators — including the surprisingly powerful role of Local School Councils (LSCs)
THINGS WE MENTIONED 🔗
Embarc Chicago — Joe's organization, working with 17 high schools in the Chicago area → embarckchicago.org
josephschubach.com — Joe's personal site for artistic work, directing, and collaborations
Change Collective Fellowship — the leadership program Joe and Stephanie both participated in
Looking Glass Theatre — one of Joe's longtime artistic collaborators
PlayMakers Laboratory, The Neo-Futurists, The Ruffians, Salonathon, The Paper Machete — Chicago theater orgs Joe has worked with
DonorsChoose — mentioned as a way to directly support classroom supply needs
Local School Councils (LSCs) — the elected, community-based governing bodies of every Chicago Public School (and yes, you can be on one even if you don't have kids in the school!)
ALL ABOUT JOE SCHUPBACH 🎭
You're gonna love Joe — he's a two-MFA-having, theater-making, trauma-informed teaching wizard who genuinely believes care is the foundation of everything.
Joe Schupbach is an educator, writer, and director with 22 years of experience in public education, experimental community-based theatre, and nonprofit administration. He is a facilitator and instructional coach and currently serves as Head of Experiential Coaching at Embark. Joe has been a frequent artistic collaborator with The Midwives, The Neo-Futurists, The Paper Machete, PlayMakers Laboratory, Pocket Guide To Hell, The Ruffians, and Salonathon. Joe holds two MFAs and is a proud Chicago Public Schools graduate. He was a 2024 fellow with Change Collective and is currently leading the Chicago Cohort of Change Collective fellows.
SPONSOR SHOUTOUT 💖
Come work with us at Artist Admin Hour , and get your work done.
CONNECT WITH JOE
Website: josephschubach.com
Instagram: @joeschupbach
More ways to connect:
Email: [email protected]
Follow me on Instagram @stephaniegraham
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
17 February 2026, 10:00 am - 45 minutesMental Health for Expats — Building Community Abroad with Moved With Peace
Ep #103: Mental Health for Expats — Building Community Abroad with Moved With Peace
Summary of the Episode
What really happens after you move abroad and the honeymoon phase wears off?
In this episode of noseyAF, host Stephanie Graham sits down with writer and community-builder Stephanie Rubinato to talk honestly about mental health for expats, postpartum depression, and the emotional realities of building a life far from home. Living abroad is often portrayed as dreamy and effortless—but this conversation pulls back the curtain on what’s usually left out.
Stephanie shares her personal experience navigating postpartum depression after moving to Italy, the isolation many immigrants and expats feel, and why community care is just as important as cultural immersion. Together, they unpack slow living, creative burnout, friendship shifts, and what it really takes to build meaningful support systems abroad.
This episode is a grounding, honest reminder that moving overseas doesn’t magically solve everything—and that seeking help, sharing resources, and building community is part of the journey.
What We Talk About
(aka: the real stuff you don’t see on Instagram 🇮🇹)
- Mental health challenges for immigrants, expats, and digital nomads
- Postpartum depression while living abroad
- The gap between “aesthetic expat life” and reality
- Building community through Moved With Peace
- Slow living, self-trust, and creative rhythms
- Friendship shifts, boundaries, and nourishment
- Why vulnerability is a form of survival (not weakness)
Chapters
00:08 – Introduction to the Guest
03:07 – Navigating Mental Health Challenges as an Expat
22:32 – Navigating the Creative Chaos
35:51 – Building Community Abroad
39:51 – Navigating Friendships and Family Dynamics
Things We Mentioned
Moved With Peace – Stephanie’s community-centered project for immigrants and expats
Therapy resources & finding culturally aligned mental health support abroad
Slow living, journaling, affirmations, and grounding practices
The upcoming Italian Reset Retreat (launching 2027)
All about… Stephanie Rubinato
You’re gonna love Stephanie Rubinato — she’s a writer, community-builder, and calm-in-the-chaos type of creative.
Stephanie Rubinato is a writer and content strategist living in Italy, creating honest, grounded stories through Moved With Peace and Stephanie Rubinato Media. Her work centers slow living, self-trust, mental health, and building community—especially for immigrants and expats navigating life far from home. Through her writing, video projects, and upcoming retreats, Stephanie reminds us that we don’t have to do it all—we just have to do what’s real.
Connect with Stephanie Rubinato
Instagram: @movedwithpeace
Website: movedwithpeace.com
YouTube: Moved With Peace
Connect with Stephanie
Join the Good Stuff Only Newsletter
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced, Hosted by Me, Stephanie
Edited By: Risha Brown
Cover Art + Branding: Emma McGoldrick
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
10 February 2026, 10:00 am - 51 minutes 37 secondsGetting Dressed Is Identity Work How Personal Style Opens Doors with Stylist Kyla
Ep #102: Getting Dressed Is Identity Work How Personal Style Opens Doors with Stylist Kyla
Summary of the episode
Ever had a full-blown meltdown trying to figure out what to wear? Personal stylist Kyla gets it—and she's here to tell you that your closet struggles go way deeper than just "not having the right clothes." In this episode, we're diving into the psychology of personal style, why taking your image seriously is actually a power move (not vanity), and how getting dressed every single day is identity work in disguise.
Kyla shares her journey from tech career to personal styling, breaks down why smart women absolutely DO care about their appearance, and explains how your closet might be signaling things about you that you didn't even realize. We talk about the "sexy Trinity," why you should only shop four times a year (yes, really), and how showing up ready to be seen has opened doors Kyla never expected. If you've ever felt invisible, stuck in leggings, or like your wardrobe doesn't match who you're becoming, this conversation is for you.
What we're getting into
- Why correcting people on your name is actually about claiming your presence (and how Kyla turned it into a whole brand)
- The connection between personal style and leadership—and why the "charismatic guy" gets ahead while brilliant women stay in the background
- How your closet reveals your mental state (spoiler: if it's cluttered, your mind probably is too)
- The three S's of feeling sexy: skin, support, and subject (aka the sexy Trinity)
- Why you should NEVER shop more than four times a year
- The difference between transactional styling and transformational styling
- How to build a mix-and-matchable wardrobe that actually serves you
- Why talent isn't enough—and how Kyla's style helped her land opportunities she never saw coming
- The real reason you have a closet full of clothes but "nothing to wear"
Chapters:
• 00:18 - Introducing Kyla: A New Perspective on Fashion
• 06:01 - The Journey of Identity and Image
• 19:12 - The Psychology of Personal Style
• 28:27 - Understanding Consumerism and Personal Style
• 45:11 - The Power of Style and Presence
Things We Mentioned
- Kyla's Closet Essentials Checklist - $2 resource with styling lesson (available at kylanotkayla.com)
- Master Class on Feeling Sexy - Kyla's course on the three S's of sexy style
- The Sexy Trinity: Skin, Support, Subject
- Capsule Wardrobe concept - Cyclical seasonal approach to your closet
- Fashion Psychology - The real psychological impact of what you wear
- Tech industry & remote work culture - Kyla's background before styling
- The Caribbean - Where Kyla spent two years before returning to the US
All about Kyla
You're gonna love Kyla—she's a personal stylist, former tech professional, and the woman behind "It's Kyla Not Kayla." She's equal parts practical systems guru (Virgo Moon energy) and woo-woo manifestation queen, and she truly believes your style is the biggest manifestation tool you have at any price point. Kyla helps creative women show up ready to be seen through transformational styling that goes way beyond just picking out cute outfits. She's all about identity work, closet psychology, and making sure you're the subject—not the object—in your own life.
Connect with Kyla
- Website: kylanotkayla.com
- Instagram: @itskylanotkayla
Noteworthy Quotes
"You can be wildly successful at something you were never meant to do."
"Smart women don't avoid caring about their appearance—they're strategic about it."
"Every day when you get dressed, it is the daily practice of identity work. Who am I being? Who am I becoming?"
"If your closet is cluttered, your mind is cluttered. If you are hiding in dull or shapeless clothing, you're trying to hide."
"Style is not supposed to be a costume. It's supposed to be something that supports you through your life."
"Your style is the biggest manifestation tool that you have at your disposal at any price point, at any stage in life."
"Stay ready so you don't have to get ready."
"Nobody should be shopping more than four times a year. It's a hill I'm willing to die on."
Connect with Stephanie
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced and hosted by me!
Edited by Risha Brown
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
Cover Art and Branding: Emma McGoldrick
3 February 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 15 minutesFreedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book Illustration
Ep #101: Freedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book Illustration
Summary
In this episode, I sit down with Melquea Smith, a children's book illustrator, author, and world traveler who's redefining what it means to build a creative life on your own terms. Fresh off five weeks in Belgium (with cats and a chicken!), Melquea shares how losing her nonprofit job became the catalyst for going full-time as an illustrator, why representation in children's books matters deeply, and how she's scaling her art through Brown Sugar Graphics—a clip art membership celebrating Black and Brown kids in all their beautiful diversity.
We get into the nitty-gritty of how picture books actually get made, what authors should look for when hiring an illustrator, and why visual storytelling is so much more than "just drawing." Plus, Melquea drops gems on building a sustainable creative business, navigating perfectionism, and finding alignment between your work, your values, and your joy.
If you've ever wondered what goes into those gorgeous picture books, dreamed of going location-independent as a creative, or just need permission to imagine a different way of living—this one's for you.
Chapters
- 00:19 - Introducing Melquea Smith: A Visionary in Children's Literature
- 10:13 - Navigating Change: Embracing Freedom and Creativity
- 20:00 - Transitioning to Children's Illustration
- 35:06 - The Importance of Representation in Children's Literature
- 56:41 - The Journey of Creating Diverse Clip Art
- 01:02:01 - The Creative Journey of Brown Sugar Graphics
What We Talk About
- How Melquea networked like a pro at the American Library Association Conference with custom postcards and a manuscript wish list
- Losing a job in the nonprofit world and choosing full-time illustration instead of going back to corporate
- Living and working abroad: five weeks in Belgium, falling in love with the Netherlands, and becoming a global citizen
- The actual process of illustrating a children's book—from thumbnails to color scripting to final art
- Why illustrators aren't just "drawers"—they're visual storytellers, marketers, and business owners
- The severe lack of diverse, high-quality clip art featuring Black and Brown kids
- How Brown Sugar Graphics is filling that gap with joyful, authentic representations of kids with different skin tones, hair textures, body types, abilities, and more
- What authors should know before hiring an illustrator (hint: it's not just about the art)
- The power of email lists, the exhaustion of social media, and showing up where it matters most
Things We Mentioned
- American Library Association (ALA) Conference – A major event for librarians, publishers, and children's book creators
- Manuscript Wish List (MSWL) – A tool agents, editors, and illustrators use to share what kinds of projects they're looking for
- Room to Read – An organization fighting illiteracy globally; Melquea illustrated Two Homes in Omar's Heart for them
- The Biggest Gift of All – Picture book illustrated by Melquea, written by Luda Goglushko, published by Cluedus Press
- The Time Machine – Picture book illustrated by Melquea, written by Pauline David Sachs, published by Cardinal Rule Press
- DeviantArt – An early online platform for artists (nostalgic vibes for millennials!)
- Dream Machine Course by Chris Oatley – The course that helped Melquea choose her creative path
- Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership – The inspiration behind Melquea's membership model
- Brown Sugar Graphics – Melquea's clip art membership featuring diverse illustrations of Black and Brown kids ($9/month)
- IngramSpark – A self-publishing platform for authors
- Teacher Pay Teachers – A marketplace for educational resources
- Little Women Atlanta – Reality TV show Stephanie loves (and a great example of representation mattering!)
All About Melquea Smith
You're gonna love Melquea—she's a children's book illustrator, author, full-time creative, and certified world traveler who's all about Black and Brown joy, imagination, and possibility on the page. With over two decades of illustration experience and a background in nonprofit fundraising, she brings storytelling, strategy, and serious skill to every project. She's illustrated multiple picture books, co-founded a local cosplay group, rocks blue box braids and piercings with pride, and is currently plotting her move to the Netherlands. Basically, she's living proof that you can build a creative life that's aligned with your values, your body, and your joy.
Connect with Melquea Smith
- Website: prettykittypaintings.com (click the pink "Surprise" button for 3 free illustrations!)
- Brown Sugar Graphics: Join the membership for $9/month and get weekly diverse clip art featuring Black and Brown kids
- Instagram: Follow Melquea for behind-the-scenes illustration work, travel stories, and creative business insights
Come to the Studio? 🪑✨
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More Ways to Connect
- Email: [email protected]
- Check out my work: missgraham.com
- Follow me on Instagram: @stephaniegraham
- Listen to more episodes: noseyAF.com
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced and Hosted by Stephanie
Edited by: Risha Brown
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
noseyAF Cover Art and Branding by: Emma McGoldrick
20 January 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 1 minuteChicago Artist Deirdre Fox on Turning Plastic Waste into Environmental Art & Visual Poetry
This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio in Chicago on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Ep # 100: Chicago Artist Deirdre Fox on Turning Plastic Waste into Environmental Art & Visual Poetry
Summary of the episode
Chicago-based artist Deirdre Fox joins noseyAF for a live, unedited conversation from 105.5 FM Lumpen Radio about art, plastic waste, and environmental consciousness. Deirdre’s practice transforms discarded consumer packaging into drawings, fiber works, and installations that challenge how we think about disposability, permanence, and material value.
In this episode, host Stephanie Graham talks with Deirdre about her artistic journey, the idea of visual poetry, and how mindfulness—both in making and consuming—shapes her work. Together, they explore the tension between organic and synthetic materials, the limits of recycling, and the role artists play in addressing environmental responsibility through creative practice.
This conversation invites listeners to slow down, look closer, and reconsider the materials that move through their everyday lives.
What we talk about
- Transforming plastic consumer packaging into drawings, fiber works, and installations
- Visual poetry and storytelling through material
- Mindfulness, consumption, and environmental responsibility
- The evolution of Deirdre’s artistic practice from representational to abstract work
- Making art that lives in the tension between permanence and disposability
Chapters:
• 00:00 - Introduction to noseyAF
• 02:30 - Deirdre's Artistic Journey with Plastic Waste
• 15:20 - Reflecting on Pouch Cove
• 29:36 - Finding One's Voice in Art
• 42:56 - Balancing Time and Creativity
• 52:13 - Exploring Artistic Processes and Sustainability
• 58:43 - Exploring Artistic Collaborations
All about… Deirdre Fox
You’re gonna love Deirdre they’re a Chicago-based artist turning everyday plastic waste into visually refined, quietly radical works of environmental reflection.
Deirdre Fox crochets and weaves plastic consumer packaging into drawings, fiber pieces, and drawing installations. Her work functions as personal gestures of environmental consciousness, rooted in the understanding that plastics made for convenience—like single-use bags—last far longer than intended, and that recycling alone is not an adequate solution.
Her practice questions systems of built-in obsolescence and accumulated waste, while creating visual poems that hold time, care, and material awareness. Deirdre has exhibited at FlexSpace Riverside Art Center, Hyde Park Art Center, Boundary Chicago, Evanston Art Center, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Koehnline Museum of Art Gallery, and the Swedish American Museum, among others. She has received multiple grants from the City of Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council and maintains her studio at Mana Contemporary Chicago.
Sponsor Shoutout 💖
This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour
Get your work done with structure, with company. Check out Artist Admin Hour at missgraham.com/artistadminhour
Connect with Deirdre Fox
- Instagram: @deirdre_fox_art
- Website: http://www.artbydado.com/
Connect with Stephanie
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)
Recorded Live at Lumpen Radio
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
Cover Art + Branding: Emma McGoldrick
13 January 2026, 10:00 am - 58 minutes 52 secondsThe Rise of Women’s Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete
EP# 99 The Rise of Women’s Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete with Angela Hollowell
✨ Episode Summary
Women’s sports are having a moment — and it’s about time.
In this episode of noseyAF, Stephanie Graham sits down with filmmaker, writer, and Melanin MVP founder Angela Hollowell to talk about the rise of women’s sports, the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money, and why the idea of the “everyday athlete” might change how we think about movement altogether.
We get into how women athletes, especially women of color, are finally getting visibility, how branding and social media have reshaped college and pro sports, and why athleticism doesn’t have to look one specific way. From glam on the court to cycling for joy, this conversation explores how creativity, confidence, and culture show up in sports — and in life.
If you’ve ever thought “sports aren’t really for me,” this episode might change your mind.
🗣️ What We Get Into
- Why women’s sports are finally getting real attention
- How NIL money changed the game for college athletes
- What an “everyday athlete” actually is — and why it matters
- Glam, femininity, and breaking outdated ideas of athleticism
- The pressure young athletes face in the age of social media
- Filmmaking, creativity, and finding balance without burning out
⏱️ Chapters
- 00:11 — Welcome & setting the scene
- 00:35 — The rise of women’s sports + NIL money
- 11:22 — How Melanin MVP came to be
- 17:06 — Everyday athletes & redefining movement
- 23:19 — Reality TV, Alabama, and cultural detours
- 27:30 — Documentary filmmaking & creative process
- 37:14 — Balance, focus, and doing less better
- 46:03 — Sports relationships & team dynamics
- 48:24 — Melanin MVP Awards brainstorm 👀
- 55:54 — The yearbook idea & what’s next
🔗 Things We Mentioned
- Melanin MVP – Newsletter + podcast spotlighting women athletes of color
- The Melanin MVP Cross-Training Quiz (not for the weak, apparently 😭)
- NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) legislation
🌟 All About Angela Hollowell
You’re gonna love Angela — she’s thoughtful, hilarious, deeply intentional, and casually changing how we think about sports and storytelling.
Angela Hollowell is the founder of Rootful Media, a creative documentary film production company based in Durham, North Carolina. She’s also the host of the video podcasts Honey & Hustle and Melanin MVP.
Her work centers Southern voices and explores the outdoors, health equity, environmental justice, and social impact — all through a thoughtful, culture-forward lens. Beyond filmmaking, Angela helps visual storytellers and creative entrepreneurs grow their audience and build meaningful creative businesses.
When she’s not working, you can find her outside, on a bike, or enjoying a fruity beer or margarita with friends 🍹.
🔌 Connect with Angela
- Instagram: @honeyhustlepod
- Website: https://www.angelahollowell.com/
- Newsletter / Podcast: Melanin MVP
👋🏾 Connect with Stephanie
- ✨ Check out my work
- 📸 Follow me on Instagram
- 💌 Join the Good Stuff Only Newsletter
- 🎧 Listen to more episodes
🫶🏾 Support the Show
🎬 Episode Credits
Produced, hosted, by me, Stephanie
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Episode Edited by: Risha Brown
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
6 January 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 41 secondsPrint Your Legacy: Lawrence Nalls on Multi-Generational Photography and Pride
Ep #98: Print Your Legacy: Lawrence Nalls on Multi-Generational Photography and Pride
Summary of the episode
Lawrence Nalls, managing photographer of Forty Photography, shares the profound journey of building a multi-generational Chicago photography studio rooted in legacy, storytelling, and community service. In this conversation, Lawrence reveals how his father's Vietnam War documentation sparked a family tradition that's now entering its third generation. We explore the emotional weight of photography as both art form and responsibility, the importance of print over digital, and why Lawrence believes every photograph should make you feel something. From learning to "figure it out" with his first camera to teaching his sons the business, Lawrence offers candid insights on building trust with clients, the hard lessons of running a creative business (yes, take deposits!), and how to help people see past their insecurities to capture pride. This episode is a masterclass in intentional photography, sustainable creative practice, and the power of printed images to preserve family legacy.
What we're getting into
You know how some conversations just feel like sitting down with someone who's lived it and learned it? That's this whole episode.
- The origin story of Forty Photography - from Vietnam War footage to a thriving multi-generational studio
- Why prints matter more than digital files - and how Lawrence shifted his entire practice around this philosophy
- The business side of photography - storage systems, deposits, redundancy, and the stuff nobody talks about
- Building trust and managing client insecurities - including Lawrence's "word bank" technique for portrait sessions
- Keeping enthusiasm alive after 19 years - the daily present philosophy and why relationships are wealth
- Film vs. digital and intentionality - how shooting film shaped Lawrence's approach to digital photography
- Parenting, sports, and passing down the legacy - raising two sons in the family business
Folks and Things We Mentioned
- Forty Photography - Lawrence's multi-generational Chicago photography studio
- John H. White - Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and church friend who inspired Lawrence
- Gordon Parks - Legendary photographer and director of Shaft
- Annie Leibovitz - Renowned portrait photographer
- Richard Avedon - Fashion and portrait photographer
- Sarah Oliphant - Artist who hand-paints canvases for photography backgrounds
- Chicago Alliance of African American Photographers (CAAAP) - Organization focused on documenting Black life with pride
- Rainbow Beach - Lawrence's "happy place" on Chicago's South Side
- Artist Admin Hour - Stephanie's Wednesday accountability sessions for artists (artistadminhour.com)
Chapters:
• 00:00 - Introduction to the Conversation
• 06:49 - The Legacy of 4D Photography
• 12:36 - The Transition to Digital Photography
• 15:50 - Documenting Family Memories
• 22:50 - Capturing Moments: The Art of Photography and Trust
• 34:11 - Managing a Photography Business: Insights from Experience
• 42:12 - Lessons Learned from Hard Experiences
• 44:32 - The Importance of Sports in Parenting
• 49:44 - Exploring Photography and Relationships
• 56:15 - Reflections on the Podcast Journey
All about Lawrence
You're gonna love Lawrence—he's a third-generation photographer, cigar enthusiast, devoted father, and the kind of creative who believes every photo should evoke a sense of pride. His studio, Forty Photography (named after doctors told his father he'd be lucky to live to 40 after Vietnam War injuries—he's turning 80 next month!), serves families, schools, and organizations across Chicago. Lawrence approaches photography with intention, encouraging clients to think beyond social media and put their memories on the wall. He's also the guy who will absolutely not participate in your negative self-talk during a photo session—instead, he'll have you build a word bank of how you want to feel, then help you embody it.
Connect with Lawrence Nalls
- Instagram: @fortyphotography
- Website: fortyphotography.com
- Location: Bridgeport, Chicago
Come to the Studio? 🪑✨
Want more? Good Stuff Only subscribers get:
👀 First Looks — New artwork, pins, films, and projects before anyone else
📖 Studio Stories — The messy, honest behind-the-scenes of making art IRL
🎉 Good Vibes Only — Candid updates and occasional treats
📅 What's Next — Exhibition invites, screenings, releases, and art happenings
→ Join artists, curators, and art lovers getting Good Stuff Only
More ways to connect:
- Email: [email protected]
- Check out my work
- Follow me on Instagram: @stephaniegraham
- Listen to more episodes
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)
Theme Music Lyrics: Queen Lex
Theme Music Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
Recorded Live at Lumpen Radio, Chicago
This episode was recorded live on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Lumpen Radio in Chicago.
30 December 2025, 10:00 am - 59 minutes 53 secondsOUTCRY Project: How Collective Scream Sessions Create Radical Empathy and Healing with Whitney Bradshaw
Ep #97: OUTCRY Project: How Collective Scream Sessions Create Radical Empathy and Healing with Whitney Bradshaw
Thank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!
This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday, December 13, 2025
Summary of the episode
What does it look like to be out loud together? In this powerful episode, artist and activist Whitney Bradshaw shares the story behind OUTCRY—her groundbreaking social practice project that brings women, non-binary, and genderqueer people together for collective scream sessions centered on healing, resistance, and radical empathy.
Born from the intersection of the MeToo movement and the 2016 election,OUTCRY creates intentionally intersectional spaces where participants practice speaking up and out for themselves, release trauma held in their bodies, and build unexpected community with strangers. Over seven years, Whitney has facilitated nearly 80 sessions in 14 states, photographing more than 530 participants in moments of raw emotional power.
We get the skinny on what actually happens during these two-hour sessions, the science behind why screaming makes us 7% stronger, and how radical empathy can transform both personal healing and collective action. Plus, we talk about the new documentary film OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage, somatic therapy, scream boxes, and why our culture desperately needs more spaces for collective grieving.
Key Takeaways:
- The OUTCRY project serves as a transformative platform for collective healing and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communities
- Screaming is not merely an act of expression; it serves as a therapeutic mechanism that fosters resilience, emotional release, and literally makes you 7% stronger
- Whitney Bradshaw's work emphasizes the importance of radical empathy, encouraging participants to engage deeply with diverse experiences across intersectional identities
- The sessions facilitate a unique environment where individuals can practice voicing their truths in front of strangers, contributing to personal and communal growth and often forming lasting friendships and activist networks
Resources & Links:
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- 21C Museum Hotel Louisville (current exhibition through end of December 2025)
Chapters
- 00:09 - Introduction to Motivation and Self-Reflection
- 01:38 - Introducing OUTCRY: A Collective Healing Experience
- 17:14 - Voices Unleashed: The Power of Sharing Stories
- 22:50 - The Importance of Expressing Anger
- 27:11 - Introduction to Radical Empathy
- 41:41 - The Evolution of OUTCRY
- 51:10 - The Evolution of OUTCRY: A Journey of Healing and Art
- 55:57 - Exploring Artistic Identity and New Projects
All about Whitney
You're gonna love Whitney she's a powerhouse artist, activist, and the kind of person who invites neighbors over to scream in her living room (and bakes banana bread for the occasion).
Whitney Bradshaw is an artist, activist, educator, curator, former social worker, and documentary film producer whose practice is dedicated to healing and empowerment while boldly confronting the social systems that marginalize and oppress. She is the creator of OUTCRY, an ongoing social practice project that has been exhibited widely across the United States, with solo shows at Atlanta Contemporary, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the DePaul Art Museum, Villanova University Art Gallery, Moreau Galleries at St. Mary's College, the 21c Museum Hotel Louisville, and Wave Pool Contemporary Art Fulfillment Center.
Her photographs are held in prominent collections including the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the DePaul Art Museum, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, the Hall Art and Technology Foundation, and the Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection and have been featured in Ms. Magazine, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, NewCity Magazine, and Vogue.
Both Whitney and OUTCRY are the subject of a short documentary film titled OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage directed by Clare Major and produced by Frankly Speaking Films. The film premiered at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco in June 2024 and was shortlisted for the International Documentary Association's Best Short Film Award of 2024.
In Fall 2023, Whitney was named one of NewCity Magazine's "50 Chicago Artists' Artists." She currently serves as curator at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Indiana, following earlier roles as chair of the visual arts conservatory at the Chicago High School for the Arts, curator of the esteemed LaSalle Bank Photography Collection, and adjunct professor of photography at Columbia College Chicago. Before her curatorial and educational career, she worked as a social worker supporting survivors of sexual abuse and assault, families of children with disabilities, and adults with disabilities.
Whitney holds an MFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in Sociology and Women's Studies from Eastern Illinois University, where she helped establish the interdisciplinary Women's Studies program in 1988 and became its first graduate in 1991.
Recent Press on Whitney:
- Ms. Magazine: "Screaming for Change"
- NewCity: "Feminine Gaze Feminine Rage OUTCRY" by Zara Yost (August 8, 2024)
- NewCity's Top 50 Chicago Artists' Artists
- Ms. Magazine: "Whitney Bradshaw's OUTCRY"
Sponsor Shoutout 💖
This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour
Every Wednesday, 7 to 9pm Central, artists show up on Zoom to tackle what we've been avoiding: residency applications, grant apps, budgets, invoices, whatever's on your list. Two hours of body doubling with structure, no shame, and real community. $25 to $45 a month gets you in. But if that's not doable, email me—getting this done is very important, and we will make it work.
Stop letting admin sabotage your practice. Join us today at Artist Admin Hour.
Connect with Whitney
- Website: WhitneyBradshaw.com
- Instagram: @thewhitneybradshaw
- Film Website: OUTCRYfilm.com
- Whitney's Linktree : For upcoming screenings, exhibitions, and sessions
- Coming Up: The Feminist Art Project's Special Session at the College Art Association National Conference in Chicago on Feb 21
More ways to connect:
- Email: [email protected]
- Check out my work
- Follow me on Instagram: @stephaniegraham
- Listen to more episodes
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
Photo of Whitney by Jamie Kelter Davis for Seriously Badass Women
16 December 2025, 10:00 am - 1 hour 1 minuteBring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt
Ep #96: Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt
“Trust yourself. This world will try to tell you otherwise every single day.”- Maurice Proffitt
This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday November 22, 2025
Summary of the episode
In this episode, we sit down with Chicago creative and producer Maurice Proffitt to talk about creative rejection, the fear of success, and what it really takes to build a career without waiting for permission. Maurice shares the moments that shaped him: the childhood spark that made him a storyteller, the brutal rejection that changed his entire trajectory, and how he learned to turn setbacks into motivation.
If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or right on the edge of something big—but scared to leap—this conversation will give you fuel.
What we talk about
- A friendly deep-dive into what it really means to grow as an artist.
- Turning rejection into motivation
- Overcoming the fear of success and leveling up
- Growing up Black in Schaumburg and finding your “B-side” identity
- Why you should stop asking for permission and create anyway
- Building B-Side Productions and Dreamscape
- Friendship, community, and the people who hold you up
- Maurices first web series “Broke AF,” filmmaking, and learning to edit
- The moment he said: “Enough is enough — I’m building my own lane.”
Things We Mentioned
Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection by Jia Jiang (affiliate link)
Batman Begins — “Why do we fall?” reference
Chapters:
00:23 - Introduction to Self-Expression
01:51 - The Fear of Success
12:24 - Navigating the Creative Landscape
19:33 - The Heartbreak of Rejection
24:33 - The Concept of B-Side Productions
31:51 - Identity and Growing Up in Schaumburg
36:15 - The Journey of Friendship and Creativity
44:11 - Transition to Filmmaking and Editing
51:01 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity
54:43 - The Journey of a Show: From Preparation to Performance
All about... Maurice Proffitt
You're gonna love Maurice Proffitt—he’s a filmmaker, theatre producer, community-builder, and creative force whose work centers the stories and voices usually overlooked. From theater to film to building his own production companies, Maurice is all about creating space for the hidden gems, the B-sides, and the people who don’t fit the mold.
Sponsor Shoutout 💖
This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour.
Admin is the flex—and your practice deserves it. Join us Wednesdays, 7–9pm CT for structured co-working that helps you get things off your list and out of your head.
Learn more: artistadminhour.com
Connect with Maurice Proffit
Instagram: @mrproffit
Website: https://www.dreamscapetheatre.com/
More ways to connect:
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram @stephaniegraham
Support & Feedback
Rate & Review on your podcast platform
Episode Credits
Produced, Hosted, and Edited by me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
Artist Admin Hour instrumental by Soundroll
24 November 2025, 10:00 am - 1 minute 13 secondsWelcome to noseyAF: Conversations about Art, Activism and Social Change
Ever wonder what a creative life really looks like beyond the highlight reel?
I'm Stephanie Graham, an artist and filmmaker, and I host noseyAF conversations about art, activism, and social change. I ask the kind of honest questions that make people go, "Ooh, good one".
We'll talk about when you knew you had to make a project, how you really handle rejection, and where the weirdest place inspiration struck. We have rich, fun, and honest talks with artists, activists, and everyday legends who are out here doing the work that matters. We get into the breakthroughs, the 3 AM doubts, the side hustles funding it all, and the messy, messy pivots.
If you want actionable, inspiring conversations that spark ideas and curiosity, subscribe to noseyAF today. Let's get nosy and curious together
18 November 2025, 9:30 pm - 56 minutes 2 secondsQueer History Is Everywhere: Dr. Kate Henry on Archives, Rhetoric & Lisa Ben
Ep # 95: Queer History Is Everywhere: Dr. Kate Henry on Archives, Rhetoric & Lisa Ben
Summary of the episode
Hey its Stephanie here! In this episode of noseyAF, we get into queer history, archives, and public scholarship with Dr. Kate Henry — writer, scholar, poet, and creator of Lisa Benography, a public scholarship project documenting Lisa Ben, the woman behind the first known lesbian magazine in the U.S. Kate and I talk about the magic and messiness of archives, what feminist historiography actually is, and how queer stories survive even when institutions try to erase them.
We also get into creative writing, rhetoric, butch/femme histories, and what it means to consider your own life an archive. It’s tender, nerdy, funny, and honestly one of my favorite conversations.
What we talk about
- How Dr. Kate first stumbled into queer history and feminist historiography
- The wild, brilliant, and deeply influential life of Lisa Ben
- Why archives matter — and how everyday people create them
- The difference between academic scholarship and public scholarship (and how to make knowledge accessible)
- Creative writing, rhetoric, and the “moves” queer creators make under censorship
- A juicy tangent on personal archives, family keepsakes, and documenting our own lives
- How queer histories survive through scraps, letters, love, and community care
Things We Mentioned
- Lisa Benography website (Kate’s public scholarship project)
- ONE Archives at the USC Libraries (where Lisa Ben’s papers live)
- “Vice Versa” — the first known lesbian magazine in the U.S.
- The book Overlooked by The New York Times (Kate is cited in the Lisa Ben entry)
- Patrick Kelly biography project by Dr. Eric Darnell Pritchard
- Magazine of Horror / sci-fi fanzines (Lisa Ben’s “Tigrina” work)
Chapters:
- 00:09 - Exploring Queer History: The Legacy of Lisa Ben
- 09:06 - Public Scholarship and Queer Histories
- 24:11 - The Impact of Lisa Ben and Queer Archives
- 34:53 - The Legacy of Lisa Ben: Documenting Queer Histories
- 47:01 - The Evolution of Personal and Public Scholarship
All about Dr. Kate Henry
Dr. Kate Henry is a Productivity Coach who specializes in sustainable and well-being-oriented productivity for folks working on academic writing projects. Kate holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition, and she researches and publishes as a public scholar. She's the author of the newsletter "Tending," the host of the podcast "Honing In," and she lives in Boston, MA, with her spouse, two cats, and a 7-pound chihuahua.
Connect with Dr. Kate Henry
Instagram: @thetendingyear
Website: https://katehenry.com/
Newsletter: Tending with Dr. Kate Henry
Podcast: Honing In
🚨 Also, as I mentioned in the episode, Dr. Kate is a productivity coach. If you need your life together, hit her up in December. She will open her books for new Success & Accountability Coaching Clients who want to work together in 2026.
Connect with Stephanie
Join the Good Stuff Only Newsletter
Support & Feedback
Episode Credits
Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)
Lyrics: Queen Lex
Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam
18 November 2025, 10:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App