Culture Beats

I hope you enjoy this conversation with my longtime friend and fellow journalist, Charles Farmer. We talk about his new book, “Time to Let the Little Boys Go: A Father’s Blueprint to His Son on Surviving Life Alone,” a touching memoir about the advice his father gave him before passing away when Charles was just 21 years old. We also reminisce about the glory days of working alongside each other in the Black Press at the newspapers the Call and Post and the Columbus Post in Ohio. You can reach Charles Farmer at https://www.facebook.com/charles.farmer.351 You can reach me at [email protected]

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Robert Gaines, author of “Scintilla,” which he describes as a practical, psychology-driven guide for anyone who wants to generate business, product or service ideas. For more information about Robert and his book, visit his website at https://freetimemastermind.com/ You can reach me at [email protected] 

Veteran broadcaster Kingsley H. Smith shares tips on how to build a career in journalism, based on his more than 40 years in the industry. We also discuss the importance of preserving Black history. For more information about Kingsley and his memoir, “Powerhouse Radio,” and his book, “People in Black History: Famous African Americans,” visit https://kingsleyhsmith.com/ You can reach me at [email protected]

Does a new technology called Nostr have the potential to eliminate gatekeepers on the Internet and place the power of self-expression solely in the hands of content creators? Technology expert Wouter Constant and I debate the pros and cons of this emerging platform. For more information about Nostr, visit https://nostr.com/You can reach me at [email protected] 

In observance of Women's History Month, I hope you enjoy this conversation with Valerie Hawes about her legendary mother, wrestler Lula Mae Provo. Valerie shares why her mother was hesitant to talk about being one of the courageous Black women who broke racial and gender barriers in the ring in the 1950s and '60s.Learn more about these trailblazing women in the documentary "Lady Wrestler," streaming on Prime Video. I directed the documentary, which features interviews with wrestling legends like Ethel Johnson,  the first Black women's world wrestling champion, and Ramona Isbell.You can contact me at [email protected]

In this episode, I speak with arts entrepreneur Ben Zingos about his innovative approach to theater. He transforms existing facilities into performance spaces through the organization he founded, the Space Pirates Theatre Collective. For more information about Ben and the Space Pirates Theatre Collective, visit https://spacepiratestheatrecollective.org/ You can contact me at [email protected]

In honor of Black History Month and observance of Mardi Gras, I hope you enjoy my conversation with writer Lolis Elie. Lolis chronicles the richness of New Orleans cuisine and culture. Find out more about Lolis at Loliselie.com You can contact me at [email protected]  

True crime and mysteries are more popular than ever. Why do audiences like a good thrill? I explore this question with John David, author of the new thriller “The Bystander.” Check out John's new thriller, "The Bystander" on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01IUTCGXQ?ccs_id=63262560-841b-459d-bada-5b6008bb0acbYou can reach me at [email protected]

In this episode, Dr. Letisha Engracia Cardoso Brown talks about her groundbreaking research into the countless contributions that Black women have made to sports. Dr. Brown is the author of the new book, “Say Her Name: Centering Black Feminism and Black Women in Sports.” Find out more about Dr. Brown and her book at https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/say-her-name/9781978831803 You can reach me at [email protected] Watch “Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring,” the documentary I directed about the courageous Black women who integrated professional wrestling in the 1950s, on Amazon Prime Video.Follow the Lady Wrestler Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ladywrestlermovie 

In Part 2 of this very special episode of the Culture Beats podcast, I speak with Kim Goodwin Martin, daughter of wrestling legend Marva Scott. Marva, along with her older sisters Babs Wingo and Ethel Johnson, were the first Black women to integrate professional wrestling in the 1950s. Kim and I have known each other for years, and she and her family were kind enough to sit down to speak about their family’s legacy for the documentary “Lady Wrestler,” which I produced and directed and is streaming on Prime Video. In Part 2 of our interview, Kim and I talk about her and her family's work to preserve the legacy of her trailblazing mother and aunts. I can be reached at [email protected] with Kim and find out more information about her mother Marva Scott and her aunts Babs Wingo and Ethel Johnson at https://www.thewingosisters.com/ Watch “Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring,” the documentary I directed, on Amazon Prime Video at  https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Wr estler-Amazing-Untold-African-American/dp/B08P3VBFJT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lady+Wrestler&qid=1614896574&sr=8-1 

In this very special episode, I speak with Kim Goodwin Martin, daughter of wrestling legend Marva Scott. Marva, along with her older sisters Babs Wingo and Ethel Johnson, were the first Black women to integrate professional wrestling in the 1950s. They were the Jackie Robinson of wrestling! Connect with me at [email protected] with Kim and find out more information about her mother Marva Scott and her aunts Babs Wingo and Ethel Johnson at https://www.thewingosisters.com/ Watch “Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring,” the documentary I directed, on Amazon Prime Video at https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Wr estler-Amazing-Untold-African-American/dp/B08P3VBFJT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lady+Wrestler&qid=1614896574&sr=8-1 

I hope you enjoy Part 2 of my conversation with Ira Cross - filmmaker, actor, model and all-around arts advocate. We share horror stories about our experiences in the entertainment industry as African American models and actors.  Connect with Ira at https://www.instagram.com/iraterrycross/ You can contact me at [email protected] Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chrisbourneawriter Follow me on Twitter/X at https://x.com/chrisbournea Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/chrisbourneawriter/ Follow me on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@chrisbourneawriter Subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/chrisbournea Watch “Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring,” the documentary I directed, on Amazon Prime Video at https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Wr estler-Amazing-Untold-African-American/dp/B08P3VBFJT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lady+Wrestler&qid=1614896574&sr=8-1  Follow the Lady Wrestler Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ladywrestlermovie 

 If you grew up loving movies like me, which ones had the most profound effect on you? Which movies shaped the way you see the world and made you feel that anything was possible, even if you didn’t grow up with money or any kind of privilege? I reveal the movies that influenced me in that way in this conversation with Ira Cross - filmmaker, actor, model and all-around arts advocate. Ira shares his selections for his own “Mount Rushmore of Movies,” so to speak, as well.  Connect with Ira at https://www.instagram.com/iraterrycross/ You can contact me at [email protected] 

In the second part of this conversation for the “Culture Beats” podcast with Victor Dandridge, a multitalented writer, designer and publisher, we talk about the pros and cons of using AI to design comic books and other content. We also delve into this question: Is the market oversaturated with comic book movies? For more information about Victor and his work, visit http://www.vantageinhouse.blogspot.com/For more information about “Culture Beats” podcast host Chris Bournea, visit https://www.chrisbournea.com/

In this episode of the “Culture Beats” podcast, I speak with Victor Dandridge, a multitalented writer, designer and publisher about the challenges and rewards of being an independent creative working in the comic book industry.  For more information about Victor and his work, visit http://www.vantageinhouse.blogspot.com/ For more information about me and to get in touch with me, visit Chrisbournea.com or email me at [email protected]

 In the second part of the conversation between Culture Beats host Chris Bournea and financial coach Diamond Zimmerman, they get into the nitty-gritty of how independent artists and entrepreneurs can pursue their dreams without getting into debt over their heads. Culture Beats host Chris Bournea can be reached at [email protected] Zimmerman can be reached at [email protected] Financial literacy resources Diamond Zimmerman would like to share: Books: “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey “Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel “Smart Women Finish Rich” by David Bach “Finance for the People” by Paco De Leon  Podcasts: “So Money” with Farnoosh Torabi “Her Money” with Jean Chatzky “Clever Girl Finance” with Bola Sokunbi “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” with Ramit Sethi  Television shows: “How to Get Rich with Ramit Sethi” (Netflix) “The Smart Money Woman” (Nigerian drama, Netflix) 

In this premiere episode of the Culture Beats podcast, financial coach Diamond Zimmerman shares tips on how to get out of debt, stay out of debt, save and invest – especially for us independent artists and entrepreneurs!Diamond Zimmerman can be reached at [email protected] literacy resources Diamond Zimmerman would like to share:Books:“The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey“Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez“The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel“Smart Women Finish Rich” by David Bach“Finance for the People” by Paco De Leon Podcasts:“So Money” with Farnoosh Torabi“Her Money” with Jean Chatzky“Clever Girl Finance” with Bola Sokunbi“I Will Teach You to Be Rich” with Ramit Sethi Television shows:“How to Get Rich with Ramit Sethi” (Netflix)“The Smart Money Woman” (Nigerian drama, Netflix) 

The Culture Beats podcast features conversations about pop culture and many other aspects of life. The show is hosted by Chris Bournea, director of the acclaimed "Lady Wrestler" documentary who is also an author and journalist.