PODCAST · arts
It's Personal Podcast
by Gary R. Gray Jr
Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what it means to be growing, moving, becoming. He peels back the layers, questions his “accomplishments,” wonders out loud if he’s living a full life. It’s vulnerable. It’s honest. It’s personal.Other times, he brings folks along—educators, authors, parents, artists, people who carry stories in their pockets and wisdom in their scars. Especially those from the Global Majority. The ones often unheard. The ones worth listening to.Together, they talk identity, joy, loss, memory, meaning. They ride the back roads of becoming.This space is human. Unscripted. Yours.Find Gary everywhere @GaryRGrayJr.
Episodes
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Ep. 144 Nina Mata on her debut picture NEW, family and writing for celebrities
In this episode, I chat with the insightful Nina Mata—author of A Place for Fire and The Legend of the Hummingbird. We dive into her journey as a writer, debut children's book NEW, the cultural roots that inspire her stories, and how nature, family, and heritage intertwine in her work. Nina…
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Ep. 143 Betty C. Tang on Parachute Kids, Identity, and Growing Up Immigrant
In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Betty C. Tang—author and illustrator of the powerful graphic novel Parachute Kids. We talk about her childhood, the real-life inspirations behind her work, and how identity, immigration, and family shaped the heart of her storytelling. Betty opens up...
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EP.142 Quartez Harris chats NEW BOOK and what happen on his writing journey
Quartez Harris, a poet and teaching artist whose work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Ohio Poetry Association’s Poet of the Year for his collection We Made it to School Alive. Quartez is set to release his debut picture book, Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer, with...
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Ep. 141 Lit Agent TELLS ALL about the industry, and what's it like to edit manuscripts
I’m excited to introduce you to Jenissa Graham, a Literary Agent at BookEnds Literary Agency. Jenissa began her publishing career at Writers House, starting as an intern and working her way up to the Subrights department as the Global Licensing and Media Rights Assistant. In 2022, she joined...
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EP.140 Jess is a public health professor, but in all her free time, she's a passionate artist.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Jess Owens-Young. By day, Jess is a public health professor, but in all her free time, she’s a passionate artist. Her work beautifully captures the essence of living as a Black person in the U.S., exploring various dimensions of Black life through acrylics, oil...
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EP.139 Black Muslim author, Rahma Mohamed shares story growing up in Canada
I talk to Rahma Mohamed, who was born and raised in Hargeisa, Somaliland. At just eight years old, her family immigrated to Canada, where they settled in Quebec. Rahma faced many challenges as she entered her first formal school, grappling with the French language while being the only Black…
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EP.138 Hanna Cha Caldecott Honor Award-Winning Illustrator and Writer & Illustrator
Hanna Cha, a Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator and writer known for her enchanting storytelling through art. Hanna shares her journey from a vagabond life between Seoul and the U.S. to becoming the creator of beloved books like *Tiny Feet Between the Mountains* and *The Truth about...
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EP.137 Nikki Grimes Rhymes and Reasons: Exploring Children's Poetry
Nikki Grimes was born in Harlem and spent her childhood moving through various neighborhoods in New York. As a foster child from a broken home, she faced constant farewells to new friends. In this challenging environment, reading and writing became her lifelines. When she had no one to confide…
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EP. 136 Jason Reynolds on Finding Strength in Vulnerability: Discussion on 24 Seconds From Now
Jason Reynolds shares his thoughts on life, the transformative power of storytelling, and the deep influence of his mother throughout his journey. We dive into his latest work, 24 Seconds from Now, which he describes as a love story for the ages, highlighting the intricate connections between…
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EP. 135 Banned Books, Life and Samira Ahmed
Samira Ahmed discusses her new book, This Book Won't Burn, which explores family life and the alarming issue of book bans in America. In this episode, Ahmed dives into the importance of storytelling and the challenges faced by diverse voices in today's literary world. She reflects on her...
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EP. 134 Me & Mama author/illustrator Cozbi A. Cabrera talks poetry, life and Read Alouds
Cozbi A. Cabrera: Illustrating and Writer for Young Readers with Representation in Mind Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator Cozbi Cabrera takes us on a journey through her creative process, sharing intimate moments from her childhood that have deeply influenced her goal of providing...
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EP. 133 Michael Arceneaux on Family, Loss & His Book I Finally Bought Some Jordans | Full Episode
Michael Arceneaux shares COPING WITH LOSS of his mother and the essays in his new book "I Finally Bought Some Jordans" that reflect on his close relationship with his mom and the complexities of family. Arceneaux discusses the mix of humor and heavy issues in his writing, including topics like...
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EP. 132 Tony Keith Jr. and HOW THE BOOGEYMAN BECAME A POET
Poet, writer, and educator Dr. Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry. The audio...
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EP. 131 CHILDREN'S BOOK CAN REALLY change the world with Gracey Zhang | It's Personal
Artist and author Gracey Zhang shares insights into her diverse creative portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her art and writing. From her early days exploring the world through her travels, to her immersion in the vibrant art scene at one of the top art schools in the world,...
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EP. 130 Luana Horry, editor at HARPER COLLINS, chats PETE THE CAT & Books and music | It's Personal
Luana Horry, a passionate SENIOR EDITOR at HARPERCOLLINS Children's Books, who is revolutionizing the world of children's literature. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, a hub of extraordinary talents, Luana has made it her mission to diversify the publishing industry and amplify underrepresented...
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EP 129 Award WINNING author NICK BROOKS talks PROMISE BOYS & family | It's Personal
Best SELLING AUTHOR, Nick Brooks, the mind behind the critically acclaimed novel "The Promise Boys," talks about RELATIONSHIPS, and the music industry. Nick delves deep into the personal experiences that have shaped his literary journey, from his time creating music and working with renowned…
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EP. 128 Ellen Oh, STUCK between cultures and WRITING for Middle School
Acclaimed children's book author Ellen Oh takes us on a captivating journey, sharing insights into her diverse literary portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her writing. From her early days as a lawyer and college instructor to her transition into the world of children's...
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EP. 127 Fredrick Joseph, speaks on family, Palestine, and Sports
Fredrick Joseph, New York Times Best Selling author, thought-provoking speaker, and advocate for equity and social justice, joins us for a captivating conversation. Fredrick will discuss his new poetry collection "We Alive, Beloved," which explores a new genre that seeks to find joy in moments of...
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EP. 126 Saadia Faruqi on Ali the Great and early Influences during her writing career
As we sit down with Saadia Faruqi, a talented writer and advocate for diversity in children's literature. Saadia shares her inspiring journey of writing books that resonate with her daughter, with a strong desire for her to see herself represented in literature. We explore the importance of…
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EP. 125 Antonio Michael Downing, Orphan Blue, Black Grandma's & creative freedom
Join us on this episode of the podcast as we dive deep into the life and experiences of Antonio Michael Downing, author, musician, and speaker. Antonio shares his journey growing up in Toronto and the profound influence his grandmother had on his life and family. We explore the pressures that...
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EP. 124 Ekiuwa Aire, exploring African history and representation, and influences
Join us on this episode of the podcast as we chat with Ekiuwa Aire, founder of Our Ancestories. Ekiuwa shares her experiences growing up in boarding school in Nigeria and how her family, especially her kids, inspired her to write books that represent African history and culture. She also…
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EP. 123 Jennifer N. Baker talks FORGIVE ME NOT and early environment
Jennifer Baker was named the 2019 Publishers Weekly Star Watch “SuperStar” because her “varied work championing diversity in publishing has made her an indispensable fixture in the book business.” She is the recipient of a 2017 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship and a 2017 Queens Council on the Arts…
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EP. 122 Nawal Qarooni talks being a Momma and the lit world she lives in
Nawal Qarooni is an educator, writer, and adjunct professor who supports a holistic approach to literacy instruction and family experiences in schools across the country. Drawing on her work as an inquiry-based leader, mother, and proud daughter of immigrants, Nawal's pedagogy is centered on the...
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EP. 121 Breanna J. McDaniel hard truths and new books
Breanna J. McDaniel (she/her/hers) is the co-founder of REIYL (Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature) and an author. She’s published in myriad academic journals, an academic anthology and her debut picture book Hands Up! was published with Dial Books in 2019, while her newest picture...
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EP. 120 Jamila Reddy on the art of living, the south and family
Jamila is such a warm soul. In 2017 Jamila created a lifestyle design coaching methodology to help people find intentional, aligned, and strategic ways to transform their lives into what they want them to be. Jamila is also the host of a podcast called Deliberate and Doing it Afraid, where…
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EP. 119 C.G Esperanza on never being a reader and one of six siblings
Born the second of six cool kids. The South Bronx is where he first opened his eyelids. A land shrouded in bright-colored decay, the birthplace of graffiti and the hip-hop DJ! He paints fantasy worlds of elephants, and castles too! Accompanying this wonder is some whimsical truth. Charles has a...
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EP. 118 Ashley Franklin on The Little Mermaid, motherhood and early schooling
Ashley Franklin is a professional chaser—of ideas, dreams, and, most often, her kids. She is the author of Not Quite Snow White and a contributor to Once Upon an Eid, a collection of brilliant Muslim voices and stories. Ashley lives in Arkansas with her husband, Michael, and her children, Bilal…
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EP. 117 Charlene Carr chats adult writing, siblings, and travel life
Charlene has always loved writing. She grew up reading Dickens and Tolkien and Bronte. When she turned to contemporary books, too many were predictable, with characters that felt like paper doll cut-outs. It took time but, through the misses, she found books full of realistic characters, who…
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EP. 116 Sarah Roughley talks about Ontario, Canada, writing journey and fantasy.
Sarah Roughley talks about growing up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. Sarah is also an educator/professor , and has her PhD in English. She prides herself on wiring pieces on writing pieces about young girls that...
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EP. 115.Danielle Murrell Cox talks supportive momma, growing up in Canada and ART
Danielle Murrell Cox is from Montreal Quebec. She is a creator of all things. She graduated from Dawson College in 2011, and is now a graphic designer, illustrator, freelancer, and business owner. Danielle is best know for her self-published coloring books Black Queens and Black Kinds, which went...
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EP. 114 Nadine Presley talks The City of Jasmine, writing community, and family.
Nadine Presley talks about her writing journey, her family, and her first book, The City of Jasmine (set for 2025). Nadine has lived in multiple places and has experienced a lot throughout her travels. During this podcast, Nadine talks specifically about how she started writing, and why it is...
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EP. 113 Janae Marks on motherhood, friendships, NYC and pandemic writing
Janae Marks is the author of critically acclaimed middle grade novels, From the Desk of Zoe Washington and A Soft Place to Land, as well as the forthcoming novel On Air with Zoe Washington. She has an MFA in Writing for Children from The New School, and lives in Connecticut with her husband,...
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EP. 112 Jyoti Rajan Gopal talks new books, NYC, and family :-)
Jyoti Rajan Gopal is a writer, mom and Kindergarten teacher. Growing up, she lived in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, India and China. Twenty-eight years ago, she moved to New York and now lives in Yonkers in a quirky old Victorian, with her husband and two daughters. Her favorite place in the…
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EP. 111 Jerome & Jarrett Pumphrey on writing journey, fatherhood and books!
Jarrett has been a storyteller most his life, both on his own and in collaboration with Jerome. While their earliest work remains locked in a drawer—the key long lost for good measure—their first co-authored book, Creepy Things Are Scaring Me, was published by HarperCollins in 2003. Jerome is a...
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EP. 110 Tracy Badua on motherhood, Cali and first book!
Tracy Badua is a Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. According to her grandmother, Tracy inherited this love of the written word from her great-grandfather, a school teacher in the Philippines. To Tracy, this means writing is in her...
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EP. 109 Dane Liu on living in many places, being "goodenough" and new books!
Dane Liu believes in the power of stories to affirm, transport, and transform. Her debut for young readers FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, an Indie Next Pick, and a Best Book of the Year from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. Dane was...
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EP. 108 Julian Randall (PART II)on his NEW essay collection and tornado runinng
Julian Randall is a Living Queer Black poet from Chicago. He has received fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, BOAAT, and the Watering Hole. Julian is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize. Julian is the winner of the 2019 Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award from the Publishing Triangle....
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EP. 107 Julian Randall on first book, moms and pops, and family history
Julian Randall is a Living Queer Black poet from Chicago. He has received fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, BOAAT, and the Watering Hole. Julian is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize. Julian is the winner of the 2019 Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award from the Publishing Triangle....
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 106.Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich on freedom to read, storytelling and media
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich was born in New York and later moved A LOT. She's spent a lot of time in many different countries, so she was a new kid in many different places (up until 8th grade). On this podcast, Olugbemisola shares childhood stories with her parents, the freedom to read, the...
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 105.Erika Meza's writing journey, banned books and new projects!
Erika Meza is a Mexican Migrant, who loves tacos and doodling! After studying graphic design (and moving houses nearly 30 times)She lived in a dungeon with a princess in Paris to attend the Illustration program at ENSAD, which got her addicted to chocolate éclairs and 2 am bike rides by the…
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 104. Ashley Woodfolk 's day in the life, being a momma, NEW BOOKS!
Ashley Woodfolk is the ultimate reader and writer. She graduated from Rutgers University and worked in children's book publishing for over a decade. She is now a full-time mom and writer and lives in Brooklyn her husband, dog, and the cutest baby in the world. Some of her books include The Beauty...
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 103. Derek Desierto on moving, creative process and family support
Derek Desierto is a Vancouver-based illustrator whose books with Eva Chen include the New York Times bestseller Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes. Currently, he is living the dream as a freelance artist for animated TV shows and picture books. His ultimate goal in life is to meet Oprah and...
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 102. Anne Wynter is chats new author, momma life and advice for writers
Anne Wynter has always loved to write; advertisements, poems, test questions, short stories, illegible grocery lists, press releases, white papers, and plays. But her love is with children's books. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, running, and puzzling through an idea for a new book…
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 101. Andrea Wang shares early childhood, winning awards and reading love
Andrea Wang is an acclaimed author of children’s books. Her book Watercress was awarded the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a New England Book Award, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. Her other books, The Many Meanings of Meilan, Magic Ramen…
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 100. Jerry Craft and his creative influence, home life and "spare time"
Jerry Craft is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the graphic novels New Kid and Class Act. New Kid is the only book in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature (2020); the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature...
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 99. Andre Fenton chats childhood, Nova Scotia, and discovering spoken word
On this podcast, Gary talks with spoken word artist/author Andrew Fenton, from North End Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is a special podcast for Gary, for he speaks with someone from home who has been writing amazing books for some time now. Andre chats representation in text growing up in Nova…
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#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 98.Deesha Philyaw speaks on screen writing, family and pandemic writing
What an honor to speak with the one and only Deesha Philyaw. Deesha's book Secret Lives of Church Ladies won the 2021 Pen/Faulkner Award, 2020/21 Story Prize, 2020 LA Times Book Prize and was a Finalist 2020 National Book For Fiction. On this podcast, Deesha speaks about her family in…
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#ItsPersonal III 97. Sarah Suk talks Made In Korea, Hi-Chews & Canada!
Sarah Suk (pronounced like soup with a K) lives in Vancouver, Canada where she writes stories and admires mountains. When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the water, taking film photos, or eating a bowl of bingsu. On this episode, listen to Sarah talk about her new book Made In...
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#ItsPersonal III 96.Gail D. Villanueva joins with a friend, talks representation in books and pets!
Gail D. Villanueva is the author of Sugar and Spite, and debut novel, My Fate According to the Butterfly! She was born in the Philippines, in which she currently lives, and enjoys her many pets at home (dogs, ducks, turtles, cats and random birds) On this episode Gail shares her experience…
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#ItsPersonal III 95. Tami Charles talks new math, York and raising a Black son
Tami Charles is the New York Times bestselling author of All Because You Matter, and many other books for children and young adults. On this podcast she stops by to talk all things personal. She starts with live and times during the pandemic, new math, educational influences and writing during...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what it means to be growing, moving, becoming. He peels back the layers, questions his “accomplishments,” wonders out loud if he’s living a full life. It’s vulnerable. It’s honest. It’s personal.Other times, he brings folks along—educators, authors, parents, artists, people who carry stories in their pockets and wisdom in their scars. Especially those from the Global Majority. The ones often unheard. The ones worth listening to.Together, they talk identity, joy, loss, memory, meaning. They ride the back roads of becoming.This space is human. Unscripted. Yours.Find Gary everywhere @GaryRGrayJr.
HOSTED BY
Gary R. Gray Jr
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does It's Personal Podcast have?
It's Personal Podcast currently has 157 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is It's Personal Podcast about?
Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what...
How often does It's Personal Podcast release new episodes?
It's Personal Podcast publishes regularly with 157 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to It's Personal Podcast?
You can listen to It's Personal Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts It's Personal Podcast?
It's Personal Podcast is created and hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.
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