Black Girl Nerds

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast we drop a bonus episode to feature the animation team behind the upcoming film Elemental from Disney and Pixar Studios. Featured in the interviews are director Peter Sohn, producer Denise Ream as well as directing animators Gwendolyn Enderoğlu and Allison Rutland. Director Peter Sohn joined Pixar Animation Studios in September 2000 and has worked on Academy Award®-winning feature films including Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and “WALL•E.” Sohn made his directorial debut on the Pixar short "Partly Cloudy", before going on to direct his first feature The Good Dinosaur. He was also an executive producer on Luca, which debuted on Disney+ in June 2021. Denise Ream joined Pixar Animation Studios in October 2006 as the associate producer on the Academy Award®-winning feature film Up. Ream continued on to produce 2011’s Cars 2, working alongside director John Lasseter, and Pixar’s original November 2015 feature film, The Good Dinosaur, with director Peter Sohn. Currently, Ream is serving as the producer on Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature Elemental, again alongside Director Peter Sohn. Gwendolyn  Enderoğlu joined Pixar Animation Studios in July 2013. She has worked as an animator and character development artist on Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Coco, Onward and Luca. As a directing animator, Enderoğlu helps oversee the animation team. Along with the two other directing animators, Enderoğlu’s role was to test and help develop the show’s unique character rigs and animation style, as well as give notes, feedback and advice to the animators to help them execute the director’s vision and elevate each shot in the film. Allison Rutland joined Pixar Animation Studios in April 2009. She worked as an animator on several Academy Award-winning feature films including Toy Story 3, Brave, Inside Out, and Coco. Rutland also served as the Directing Animator on Onward. Disney and Pixar’s Elemental is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire, water, earth and air residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in and the person she wants to be. Elemental premieres in theaters nationwide June 16th. Host: Jamie  Edited by: Jamie Broadnax Music by: Sammus

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast we interview actor Sung Kang of Fast X and the team behind FX's The Secrets of Hillsong Stacey Lee and Sarah Amos. Segment 1: Sung Kang is an American-born Korean actor, most recognizable for his recurring role in the multi-billion dollar Fast and Furious franchise for Universal Pictures. Sung will next reprise the role of Han Lue in Fast X, the highly-anticipated tenth installment of the Fast franchise, starring opposite Vin Diesel, Charlize Theron, Jason Momoa, and Helen Mirren. The film is set to release on May 19, 2023. Host: Ryanne Segment 2: The Secrets of Hillsong is a four-part documentary series based on the explosive original reporting on the megachurch’s scandals by Vanity Fair journalists Alex French and Dan Adler. Directed by Stacey Lee, The Secrets of Hillsong features the first interviews with former pastors Carl and Laura Lentz since their public ousting from the church, which for years counted musicians, actors, athletes and other celebrities among its flock. Sarah Amos Executive Producer Sarah Amos currently serves as the vice president of Development & Production (Non-Fiction TV, Documentaries) at Condé Nast Entertainment. Before joining CNE, Amos was the VP of Development and Production for Marvel Entertainment’s New Media division, overseeing the video, livestreaming and audio content slate and was an executive producer on the Disney+ original series Marvel’s 616 and Marvel’s Hero Project. Stacey Lee Director / Producer Stacey Lee is a New Zealand-born, California-based director whose work is defined by a highly visual and emotive storytelling style. Her documentary work has received accolades, including Best Music Documentary at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards, and has premiered at international film festivals, including Toronto, Cannes and Tribeca Film Festival, winning Best in Show at Atlanta and Tacoma Film Festival.   FX’s The Secrets of Hillsong premieres May 19 and streams the next day on Hulu Host: Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast we interview actors Katy O'Brian and Jay Lycurgo. Segment 1: Katy O'Brian is an actor, writer and martial artist. She is best known for her roles as Jentorra in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, George in Syfy's zombie show Z Nation, Major Sarah Grey in The CW's superhero series Black Lightning and Kimball in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. She plays Imperial communications officer Elia Kane in the second and third seasons of The Mandalorian. Host: Jamie Segment 2:  Jay was cast in a supporting role in Matt Reeves’ upcoming blockbuster feature The Batman. He as most recently seen in the role of ‘Tim Drake’ aka ‘Robin’ in the HBO Max series Titans, where he quickly became the fan favorite and the first POC to portray the character. Currently, he can be seen starring as the lead in Joe Barton’s upcoming fantasy series Half-Bad for Netflix Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus, Sky Blew and Shubzilla Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we interview actors Javicia Leslie and Tunji Kasim. Segment 1: Javicia Leslie is an actress, visionary and philanthropist committed to making her mark on the world. She is best known for her reign over Gotham City as Ryan Wilder in D.C.'s “Batwoman”. Her casting made global history as the first bisexual Black actress to portray Batwoman. Filmed for release in 2023 she plays the lead role as Jo Czeuzot in “Double Life'' for Paramount and Lighthouse Pictures directed by Martin Wood.  Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Tunji stars in the much anticipated, “Bridgerton” prequel drama series entitled “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” debuting worldwide on Netflix May 4, 2023.  The 6-episode event reveals the origins of the beloved character Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio), as she ascends the throne and changes the Bridgerton kingdom as she knows it.  Tunji plays Adolphus, the leader of his county and head of the family, two roles that don’t often go hand in hand. He must make an impossible choice between what is best for his country, and what is best for his little sister, Queen Charlotte.  Host: Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome avid outdoorist, digital nomad, and author Noami Grevemberg to discuss her new book 'Living The Vanlife'. Living on the road in her classic Volkswagen Vanagon since 2016, she’s the founder of the Diversify Vanlife community organization and author of the upcoming book, 'Living the Vanlife' which will be out on July 4th, 2023, and is now available for pre-order wherever books are sold.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus and Sky Blew Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we celebrate the opening of the new Searchlight Pictures film 'Chevalier' coming to theaters April 21st. In this discussion, we talk about the life of Joseph Bologne and give our critiques about the upcoming film. Chevalier is directed by Stephen Williams and stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Chevalier, Samara Weaving as Marie-Josephine and Lucy Boynton as Marie Antoinette. Host: Ryanne and Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast we welcome AI specialists Dr. Sam Martin and Malik Afegbua. Segment 1: Dr Sam Martin is a Digital Sociologist and Data Scientist, who has been drawing and creating for most of her life. Although she studied Law at Oxford and have a PhD in Digital Health, the one consistent pull throughout has been digital art and all things creative, from designing jewellery, to pottery and more. Lockdown and the Pandemic really led Dr Martin to focus more on digital art and AI art as a way to express one’s inner dreams, feelings, as well as to connect with people in a way that resonates with their everyday lives. Host: Ryanne Segment 2:  Malik Afegbua is a Nigerian born and based contemporary Artist, Virtual reality curator and Film Director (Cinema / Television). The Bachelor of Arts graduate from the University of Surrey, London is the Lead Visioner and Chief Executive Officer of Slickcity Media, a full-fledged innovative media production company with expertise across the entire media value chain including film/tv production, documentaries, VR, films, commercials, corporate videos, visual marketing, media technology, and publishing. Host: Ryanne

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we interview actors Michelle Williams, Hong Chau and director Kelly Reichardt of the upcoming film 'Showing Up'. A sculptor preparing to open a new show must balance her creative life with the daily dramas of family and friends, in Kelly Reichardt’s vibrant and captivatingly funny portrait of art & craft.  Host: Jeandra Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we interview animator and producer Love Barnett. Love Barnett, is one-half of the multimedia production company Martian Blueberry, which is currently producing animation for Meg Thee Stallion, The Major League Baseball organization. Love is the co-founder, along with co-founder and legendary animation producer Carl Jones  (known for The Boondocks, Black Dynamite). Love Barnett started her own casting agency (Much Love Productions) at the tender age of 17. Casting music videos, movies and booking dancers for major recording artists and world tours. Not only has she been a major force behind the camera, she’s also expanded her talents in front of the camera as well. Performing in iconic music videos for Kanye West, Eminem, Petey Pablo and the legendary Tupac, to popular sitcoms such as Martin, Smart Guy, and The Last OG. Her passion for entertainment was also met by her love for cars, landing a position as the monthly automotive columnist for Black Men Magazine conducting celebrity interviews from behind the wheel. Host: Ryanne Edited by: Jamie Broadnax Music by: Sammus

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we highlight the intersection of STEM and entertainment with guests Dr. Tina Lasisi and Dr. Kareem Edouard. Segment 1: Dr. Tina Lasisi is a science communicator, content creator, and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern California. As a biological anthropologist, Dr. Lasisi explores hair shape and skin pigmentation, providing insights into the genetic architecture and evolutionary history of racialized human traits. Her unique research and nuanced perspective reach diverse audiences through her dynamic and witty TikToks and Instagram Reels, in addition to her conversations as a guest expert on several podcasts, including NPR’s Short Wave, Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, and In Those Genes. Dr. Lasisi brings enthusiasm, wit, and authenticity to PBS Digital Studios as the host of “Why Am I Like This?” Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Work It Out Wombats!, an exciting new animated series starring a trio of marsupial siblings—Malik, Zadie and Zeke—who live with their grandmother in their diverse and vibrant "Treeborhood," is premiering on PBS KIDS February 6. Dr. Edouard, an assistant professor in the Department of Education at Drexel University.  Creative Producer Kareem Edouard, Ph.D., an expert in understanding the intersectionality of race, culture, and STEM for students of color as well as issues of culture and inclusion in children’s media. Dr. Edouard's expertise helped ensure that all aspects of the series, which will introduce computational thinking concepts to help viewers solve meaningful problems, learn flexible thinking and effectively express themselves, are looked at through the lens of culture and inclusion.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax