Identified with Nabil Ayers
Nabil Ayers
Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity.
In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.
Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?
Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.
The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.
In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.
Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?
Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.
The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 4, 2024 • 16min
Musician and Comedian Reggie Watts on His Military Childhood, Dealing with Loss, and Turning Friends into Family
Join host Nabil Ayers on Identified as he delves into the concept of family and identity with comedian, actor, and musician Reggie Watts. Reggie discusses his early life moving due to his dad's military career, growing up as a biracial kid in a predominantly white town, and how his friends became his family. They also explore fitting in, personal identity, and dealing with grief. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about unapologetically being oneself and the meaning of family. Host: Nabil Ayers Guest: Reggie Watts Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Production Company: Palm Tree Island Music: Nouela and Patricia Brennan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 27, 2024 • 23min
Foo Fighters' Nate Mendel on Band Brotherhood, His Special Relationship with Taylor Hawkins, and His Non-Traditional Family Upbringing.
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews Foo Fighters bassist Nate Mendel. Nate shares insights from spending nearly three decades with the band, and the familial bonds formed along the way. He reflects on his unique friendship with the late Taylor Hawkins, the parallel between his band and his non-traditional family upbringing, and his childhood experiences within a diverse family structure. Nate also discusses the impact of his mother’s early passing, his adopted sibling, and his evolving definition of family as he navigates relationships both within the band and his personal life. Host: Nabil Ayers Guest: Nate Mendel Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Production Company: Palm Tree Island Music: Nouela and Patricia Brennan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 20, 2024 • 31min
KCRW Host Novena Carmel on Reconnecting with Her Musician Father and Navigating Blended Families.
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with Novena Carmel, host of KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic and singer in the jazz choir The Voices of Creation. Novena shares her unique perspective on family, drawing from her experiences growing up in the Bay Area, her reconnection with her musician father after many years, and navigating blended families. They also discuss the evolving nature of family, dealing with loss, and balancing professional and personal identities. Novena offers an insightful and personal look into how she defines family and how her understanding has changed over time. Host: Nabil Ayers Guest: Novena Carmel Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Production Company: Palm Tree Island Music: Nouela and Patricia Brennan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 13, 2024 • 28min
Musician Dawn Richard on Hurricane Katrina, 'Making the Band,' and Her New Orleans Roots.
In this episode, host Nabil Ayers interviews musician Dawn Richard about her life and career, deeply intertwined with the city of New Orleans and her family's experiences. Dawn discusses the profound impact of Hurricane Katrina on her family's life, leading to displacement and significant losses. She reflects on her upbringing in a tight-knit family, her father's influence as a musician, and her journey from being a contestant on MTV's 'Making the Band' to becoming a successful solo artist. The episode also delves into themes of resilience, identity, and the strong family bonds that helped Dawn navigate her challenges and successes. Host: Nabil Ayers. Guest: Dawn Richard. Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji. Production Company: Palm Tree Island. Music: Nouela and Patricia Brennan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 13, 2024 • 30min
Song Exploder's Hrishikesh Hirway on Music's Healing Power.
Hrishikesh Hirway, a musician and the creator of Song Exploder, shares his journey shaped by an immigrant upbringing and the deep impact of losing his mother. He reflects on how grief translates into music and the complexities of family obligations and love. The conversation moves through personal traditions, like his mother's mango pie, and the emotional struggles of his family's diminishing numbers. With poignant moments, Hirway illustrates how he processes loss and crafts a legacy through his art.
Jun 13, 2024 • 13min
What is Family? The Inaugural Episode of Identified.
In the inaugural episode of 'Identified,' host Nabil Ayers introduces the podcast's mission to explore family and identity through personal stories and interviews. Drawing from his 2022 memoir 'My Life in the Sunshine' and his experiences with distant relatives and newfound connections, Ayers delves into the essence of what truly defines family. This episode recounts his journey of uncovering his lineage, the profound email exchange with Karen Ayers, and their eventual face-to-face meeting. Ayers emphasizes the evolving notion of family, extending beyond bloodlines to shared experiences and mutual understanding. Join Ayers as he continues to explore these complex themes with diverse guests. Host: Nabil Ayers. Guest: Karen Ayers. Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji. Production Company: Palm Tree Island. Music: Nouela and Patricia Brennan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 23, 2024 • 2min
Introducing: Identified.
Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. Dive into the intricate world of family and identity as Nabil explores his mixed-race heritage, his distant relationship with jazz legend Roy Ayers, and the universal quest for family connections. Each episode features heartfelt conversations on cultural histories, non-traditional childhoods, and the bonds that shape us. You'll hear personal stories tackling loss, grief, and the unique ties that define family. Through these narratives, we seek to answer the profound question: What is family?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
