Ep. 26: Amy Ryan, Jena Friedman, Roger Clark and Matt Whyte - September 23, 2014

WE DID IT! We created 100 Episodes - which mean we stuck together for 100 months celebrating people from all walks of life, the comedy found in our lives and world, the amazing art created by those in our community and the voices of a wide array of inspirational people.  We are proud and we are not shy about saying we are excited about what is yet to come. 

We open with the WDEK crew in different cities: Shonali in DC, Christian in Palm Springs and Justin in Brooklyn.   Christian reveals his first "Daddy" t-shirt.   When we look back over our 100 Episodes, we give shout outs to the many performers who delivered brilliant character performances throughout the years including (but not limited to): Alan Yaspan who played the Russian Hacker; Theo Koppel who played WDEK Dance Choreographer; Becky Chicoine who played Rhonda The Dog Trainer; Roy Koshy who played NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere; Jordan Clifford who played the Grumpy Holiday Guy; Nat Towsen who played the Podcast Protestor; Matt Hunziker who played Mitch The Enthusiasm Coach; and Matt Little who played Gary the (Bad) Vampire.  

In this celebratory episode, we celebrate the work and career of our long time friend, illustrator and musician Marcellus Hall. Our own Justin The Intern aka Justin Joseph Hall was the director via his Fourwind Films and worked with Marcellus in creating a documentary series titled Marcellus Hall An Artist in New York City.  For the first time we presented a virtual screening of a documentary and later interviewed and had a Q&A with the artist himself.

Listen and enjoy!  We discuss the artistic interplay that Marcellus brings together in his music and illustrations, his approach to life not just music, his reaction to the pandemic as an artist and what's on the horizon for Marcellus including his upcoming Leestavall recording session - for which you should pre-order now! 

Marcellus Hall's vibrant illustrations can be found throughout well-known periodicals and books including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Time, and The Cow Loves Cookies (Simon & Schuster 2010). Also an indie musician with his bands Railroad Jerk (Matador Records), White Hassle (Glacial Pace Records), and his solo project, he starts his career in New York City and falls deeply in love with it, intoxicated by its never-ending inspirations and possibilities. He’s recorded the city as well as the ups and downs of his personal life for years through his art and music, which are featured seamlessly throughout episodes. This award winning short series documents his creative journey from being seven-years-old drawing pictures to a successful working artist, and all the stages in between.

Thanks to all of you for supporting us over the years!  Here's to 100 more Episodes together! For more info on how to view the documentary Marcellus Hall An Artist In New York City sign up for the Fourwind Films Newsletter !

Happy New Year!  Justin, Christian and Shonali are together again virtually for their 99th episode. 99 months together and they start the year out with a bang. Insert - Shonali's video of a downpour in her apartment.  Christian coins the term twinergy.  Our first guest is stand-up comedian, writer, actress Subhah Agarwal (Late Night with Lilly Singh, Westworld, The Jim Jeffries Show.)  She's bicoastal which we find out is not as not as glamourous as you might think.  She started doing stand-up when she was 17 years old bc as she says, she was a "bizzarre" child! Subhah is getting married this year and is having an Indian wedding.  To her fiancé's delight, there will be no "big robes" used during the ceremony.  Follow Subhah on her socials and catch her live on a stage near you!

For the first time ever Christian  shares his singing talents in singing his recent collaboration with Adele! It's an emotional performance. One you might want to watch for yourself on YouTube or FB Live. 

Our last guest of the evening is actor, writer extraordinaire Michael Cyril Creighton (Only Murders In The Building, Dexter, Spotlight, High Maintenance.)  We find out what "character bleeding" means. Do you remember how self-centered we all were before the pandemic began? We discuss Michael's dream job working on Only Murders In The Building and what he's looking forward to in 2022.  Be on the lookout for Michael in the upcoming final season of Dexter. 

Please join us next month for our 100th Episode of We Don't Even Know! It will be SPECIAL! 

Christian and Shonali are back with two celebrations under their bigger belt lines - Halloween AND Thanksgiving!  Our special guests are NYC comedian, actor, host Rashad Bashir and for the first time ever, Christian's twin sister Julie Felix, an expert leader in diversity, equity and inclusion join us on the show. 

Don't tell us you can't figure out what Shonali and Christian's 2021 Halloween costumes are.  They discuss pandemic weight gain in the chest area AND the stress of Thanksgiving leftovers.

Julie Felix, Christian's twin sister joins us for the first time on WDEK!  We delve into Christian and Julie's childhood which started out in the womb together.  Womb Wars Julie Christian illustration by Jasper Patch. 

 The two grew up in Deerfield, Illinois in which Julie says they were "99.9% of the 1% of diversity in Deerfield."   Shonali and Julie unite in their throat scratchers status which Christian hates.  Julie shares her pet peeves about her brother.  Can you guess what they are?

Our next guest is comedian, actor, host Rashad Bashir!  We discuss Thanksgiving and Christmas with the Bashirs.  Don't get Rashad started on cooking.  He is also known as Chef Bashir in his home and we want some of his honey glazed brussel sprouts NOW.  Rashad can dance too, just ask his fiancée! We talk about the beginnings of Rashad's comedy career,  Dave Chappelle's recent controversial comedy special, and the show We're Here.  

Rashad teaches us how to be better business people.  His Venmo, IG and PayPal QR codes are shared here.  Don't try to steal his Listerine flavored masks idea from him!  Follow Rashad on IG at @rbashir_comedy and/or see him regularly at Harlem Nights Bar - every Monday night at 6PM or on Saturday at 7PM EST.  

We are taking December off to be with our families!  Happy Holidays and we will be back in 2022!

It's October and the creepy crawly mood is upon us.  Shonali has her jack-o-lanterns lit. Christian says there's a chance that he'll be an N95 mask for Halloween.  Justin and his family will be "Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti" (3 Happy Dead Guys!)  Our special guests are former actor turned public servant,  Assessor-Recorder of San Francisco Joaquín Torres and comedian, actor, writer Jordan Carlos. 

You ever consider what it would be like to leave your current occupation to embark on a journey as a public servant? Our first guest has done that. Joaquín Torres explains how attending the Obama inauguration in 2008 inspired him.  He quickly transitioned from a professional actor who received an MFA from NYU to working for a San Francisco mayoral campaign within no time.  Now he is occupying his first job title for which he will need to win an election as Assessor-Recorder of San Francisco. He explains that the acting bug never leaves you but the education that comes from acting always stays with you. Learn more about Joaquín at JoaquinTorresSF.com!

Shonali's Game Changer this month emerged from the trauma of wearing a jumpsuit.  Christian endorses the fanny pack!  Writer / journalist Mickey Rapkin sends in a #GameChanger via text!

Comedian, writer, actor Jordan Carlos joins us after putting the kids to bed and walking the dog.  Jordan loves history as it is a predictor for the future. We discuss grappling with what our roles are in the conversation surrounding race today.  For this conversation, Jordan puts on his glasses and shares his personal evolution as someone who was seeking white approval to someone who currently is only working on projects helmed by Black peers.  Check out Jordan's work on Tha God's Honest Truth with Charlamagne Tha God on Comedy Central on Fridays; his podcast #Adulting with Michelle Buteau which is coming back and Phoebe Robinson's upcoming 1/2 hour comedy Everything's Trash.   Jordan and his family have their Halloween costumes DOWN. Listen to Ep. 97 for the details.

 

 

 

It's September! Fall has arrived and WDEK is not looking forward to the pumpkin spice lattes signage that will soon be everywhere!  Justin the Intern joins us from Duluth, Minnesota.  Christian and Shonali have just returned from visiting their parents in Chicago and Nashville.  They discuss the Jedi mind tricks of their respective parents.   

The brilliant Lizz Winstead, comedian, co-founder of the Daily Show, founder of Abortion Access Front and co-founder of Air America amongst joins us from her abode.  Find out how a 16 year old Lizz Winstead's life experience is directly connected to her activism today as the founder of Abortion Access Front.  Do you know about the thousands of fake "clinics" in the US used to intimidate and spread misinformation to women regarding abortion?  We discuss destigmatizing abortion and how men should contribute to the conversation surrounding reproductive rights.   Follow Lizz on Twitter here! She's doing shows in Portland and San Francisco in November - you lucky West Coasters!

Per her Twitter profile our second guest Saidah Blount describes herself as a music industry maven, corporate goth, Sonos Senior Manager, Global Content. She joins us along Game Changers! This is the first time ever we bring our guests together to share trivial tips and/or life lessons which have changed their lives.  We have some great ones for you this month including TSA Tips, bubble wrap tips, peeling egg tips, identity theft tips and more! Also Saidah's use of the term "frothed up" is a new one for Christian and Shonali. 

As a woman of color who has worked in the music industry for years, we asked Saidah about her feelings regarding the long awaited conviction of R. Kelly in a NYC courtroom just the day before this show was taped.  Have you heard of the saying "Dance now.  Deconstruct later."?  Saidah contemplates whether "music is too big to fail."  Topics of discussion include the "shady" music industry, the non-stop work of a working performing artist, being the only WOC in the workplace, recently being "sweethearted,"  the the over-usage of the term "cancel culture" used as a "dog whistle."  We get into it!  We also have lots of fun. Saidah shares what brings her joy these days which is a new concept being that she's a workaholic. Christian shares an urgent urban wildlife PSA.  And Saidah shares some hot music tips including Serpent With Feet and NAO.  We could talk forever as you clearly can here!  Enjoy your September and we will be back with another episode live on October 26, 2021 - 8PM EST!  

 

 

Justin The Intern is the father of a month old baby! Whoa! Christian was mask shamed in Justin's home state.  Shonali learns what "bussin" means.  It's US Open Tennis Tournament time in NYC and we needed this!  Our guests are comedian, performers, writers Merrill Davis and Táhlia Audrí!

Merrill currently lives in Los Angeles.  She generously shares her expert napping techniques with us.  She's a pro napper and she and Christian may go into business together!  Merrill answers our questions about her experiences as a person with ADHD.  Merrill has been doing a solo show on the challenges she has faced and the misconceptions about ADHD called Merrill Means Well.  Follow her on IG to make sure you see her perform!!  

Táhlia Audri, originally hails from Charleston, SC but came to NYC to fulfill her dreams as an all around performer. She shares the joy of drinking from a green goblet.  Táhlia is relatively new to cycling in NYC and loves it.  We talk biking attire and the videos she's been making while on her treks in Central Park! Táhlia sings, acts, writes and she performs a song live on our show. She's in search of the perfect hair care products for her 4C hair - she "needs more options."  So go to her Twitter and share your advice if you will!  Tahlia's QT 2020 musical comedy parody about quarantine life can be found here! 

Special shout out to the Prospect Park Monarch Butterfly cyclist. If you know her, please let her know we love her.

Special shout out to Duane Harriott - former guest, former co-host and dear friend to WDEK!  Today is his last day on the air doing the #DUANETRAIN show - a legendary show on #WFMU which weekly has brought us joy, good vibes, grooves and happiness for years!  We love you Duane! Follow Duane on Soundcloud here! 

Congratulations to Justin the Intern and his fiancée Laura on the birth of their baby boy Zachary! While Justin is having a baby, Jason Lam takes over introduction honors.   Within a month, tides have turned and Covid-19 (Delta variant) is back.   The "normalcy" we discussed last month is no more.  Shonali attended her first super spreader event and Christian has a new nickname "Big Man!"  Everyone PLEASUHHHHH get vaccinated! 

We are excited to talk to Helen Nwosu!  We met Helen at a mutual friend's dance birthday party just after we were fully vaccinated and thought we could be "normally" social again.  We were taken by her energy, humor and intellect.   Helen left a long standing career in fashion to start her own non-profit called Science Couture and it's "chief mission is to help consumers and fashion brands contribute to a more sustainable fashion system."  We also discuss upstate living;  youth activism; The Olympics - sexist double standard fashion, the athlete's' stories which pull at your heartstrings, the metal scoreboard & nationalism. Most importantly Helen gives us a rundown what we can do as consumers to align with sustainability in fashion! Christian promises to break fashion rules & wear a white bikini after Labor Day.  You heard it here first.

Christian comes to us from his mother's bedroom in Chicago.  While he describes his time there, he gets shushed by his mom because he is LOUD! 

We introduce our brand new segment Game Changers with a heavy metal jingle by Jason Lam.

Shonali, Jason & Christian share very personal stories involving each of them learning a small lesson which forever change their life.  In this episode, we cover how to open a plastic bag in the produce department, how to get through YouTube videos more quickly, and how to use Google Maps while walking...DUH!   Oooh, it's also noteworthy that the words "culottes" and "gauchos" are used on WDEK for the first time in this episode.  Special shout out to the U.S. Capitol Police who offered  devastating and compelling testimony during the House Investigation Hearing on the Jan. 6 th Insurrection! They include Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, Officer Michael Fanone, Officer Daniel Hodges, and Capitol Police Pfc. Harry Dunn. 

Surprise guest Justin The Intern stops by Shonali's WDEK studio (her apartment) to take a shower as his baby was born (the day before) in the hospital across the street and he has not left his wife's side which is the right thing to do. Notice here how Justin's baby's hair is exactly like his (courtesy of Jason Lam.) 

Special note - Christian only got shushed twice by his mother during the show, or was it three times?  Christian let us know. 

 

 

Happy Pride Everyone!  We celebrate our friends and our fashion icon former guest Jack Dwyer!  June was the first month in a year and a half that we were social in a seemingly "normal" way.  Shonali's exhausted already.

Our first guest is Cisco Bradley!  He's an Author, Professor of Cultural & Social History, Free Jazz & and Experimental Music Aficionado!  Just what is "cultural production?"   Cisco has just published a book about the genius free jazz bassist William Parker, titled Universal Tonality. We dig deep into the philosophy and inspiring music & words of this influential artist whose career has spanned over 5 decades.  We tie together Mr. Parker's philosophy of life and art to the current state of the world.  Cisco says "...the history of the United States is the history of racism and the struggles against it..." We discuss underappreciated artists in America & Shonali brings up Shannon Wright, our former Ep. 61 guest! Turns out Cisco is also her fan! Cisco knows what's up! 

Father-to-be Justin The Intern gets his own Get It Off Your Chest segment and he surprises us all with what is annoying him today. We are all injured.  Christian insists everyone must get Zoom First Aid Kit. 

Our second guest is comedian, former SNL writer, actress LaKendra Tookes!  LaKendra does not discount out all catcallers! She shares what is acceptable.  LaKendra gives us an honest account of her times down time during this pandemic.  She has decided "she only wants to do work that uplifts & celebrates black people and black joy." She is resilient and radiates hope! LaKendra shares her guilty pleasure - reality tv! Did you know LaKendra and her dog Savannah are not scared of rabid squirrels?! 

And we leave you with the fresh summer dance hit by comedian Greg Barris! Check it out here on YouTube- Galimmimus! Enjoy and stay safe, mask up everyone.  The variant is surging across America! 

The warm weather has arrived, masks are slowly coming off and Christian comes out HOT.  Shonali is in Nashville, Tennessee doing yard work and Justin The Intern is prepping for his role as a new father.  George Floyd's murder was a year ago to the day.  We discuss the importance of the moment surrounding the pandemic and social justice.  Will we be forever changed or suffer from amnesia? 

Comedian and film critic Brandon Collins comes to us on the high of interviewing Lin Manuel Miranda just the day before.  Brandon is from Ann Arbor, Michigan but has been in NYC for over a decade. He's doing cool things such as being a member of the African American Film Critics Association, hosting the Medium Popcorn podcast, a one man show called It's Not Going to Work Out.  We talk movies including White Christmas, A Quiet Place 2, and Sonic The Hedgehog.  Brandon is hosting his live comedy series, Drunk Black History on Juneteenth at The Bell House which will also be livestreamed! Don't miss it.  

Shonali and Christian catch up! Find out why Christian takes a 30 mile bike ride and why does he wear athletic shorts called Chubbies?

Comedian, writer, miniaturist Sara Schaefer joins us from her closet in Los Angeles!  Sara's Conspiracy Theory bit from her 2019 Comedy Central Special resonates even more today than it did in 2019.  We talk "reality", "both sides", the Q documentary and "what the hell does it all even mean?"  Sara has always been a hobbyist and is currently making a miniature comedy club called the Haha Hole which is blowing our minds.  Sara shares her creative journey in the past two years in which she has "gotten quieter" due to harassment on Twitter.  Focusing on creative work with her hands has made Sara think even more deeply about her creative work and her place in comedy.  We are fans of Sara's voice and the teaser for her new podcast truly has raising the roof!  Don't miss Sara's new podcast The Schaefer Shakedown. 

For the first time within the WDEK Virtual age, Shonali performs her pandemic healing anthem, I'll Be Your Therapy.  You can get the recorded version with all kinds of strange drum loops on Bandcamp.

Special thanks to Shonali's longtime friend Wes Adams, who donated his lighting, home and wine spritzers in a Mason Jar to Shonali & WDEK for taping the show in Nashville, TN.  Enjoy the sun and stay safe.  

Shonali got her wisdom teeth pulled.  Justin got a sun tan and Christian shares new (not exactly accurate) CDC guidelines.  As more of us are vaccinated and we start to venture out more often, nature is not ready for us. 

We warn Christian not to watch last week's viral rabid bobcat video in which this brave husband in North Carolina rescued his wife. Shonali loved it.  Christian as you all know is terrified of urban wildlife. 

Our first guest is an award winning playwright, poet & actress Stefani Kuo!  Stefani makes powerful and compelling art which often features stories from the Asian American community.  She describes her recent work The Conservation of Parity about a brilliant female Chinese physicist, Chien-Shiung Wu who immigrated to America and worked on the atomic bomb.  Stefani shares her thoughts on the state of American theater, the general lack of awareness Americans have regarding the Asian American community, Andrew Yang's candidacy for NYC Mayor, and great hiking spots in the NYC vicinity!  

Christian comes out of the Croc closet!  We discuss his new love of this controversial footwear and how far he is willing to take this new ugly journey. 

Our musical guest is singer-songwriter Meghan Linsey! You may know her from either her time as half of a duo Steel Magnolia which hit  #3 on the country music charts or her runner up win on The Voice Season 8. Shonali met her at honky tonk night in Nashville years ago, not knowing any of the above and just thought she was a lovely person she wanted to stay in touch with.  As we all have had rough years, Meghan is no exception. Her studio was hit by the Nashville tornados, her wedding had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, and there has been illness within her family - yet she manages the stress with a "go with the flow" attitude.  We discuss Nashville, feeling like an outsider, kneeling during the National Anthem at a NFL game, standing up for social justice, Alaska, and having a green thumb!  

Check out Meghan Linsey and Tyler Cain's duet Nowhere With You.  It's so beautiful!

Congrats to #JustinTheIntern Justin Hall for winning the Platinum Remi Award for short film drama at the Houston International Film Festival as director, also written by our friend Piper Werle! 

Lastly thank you for being with us! Follow us on @wdekpodcast on all socials! Also Christian Felix is high maintenance! Love you!