Lawrence Burney, a Baltimore writer and culture critic, dives into his essay collection, *No Sense in Wishing*, exploring how the arts, particularly figures like Gil Scott Heron, shaped his identity. He shares personal stories from Baltimore's vibrant music scene. Meanwhile, Nora Princiotti, author of *Hit Girls*, reflects on the influence of 2000s female pop stars and their role in shaping cultural narratives. Together, they discuss how pop culture both defines and complicates personal identity, particularly for women in the music industry.
