All Mixed Up

This was a review I wanted to do a while back, but I’m actually glad I waited this long. Let it settle, and I also saw that it was coming to HBOMax, by the time you hear this it will probably already be there but still. I’m a big fan of The Rock, and this performance solidified that.

Yes, this is a few weeks after the new year, and yes the last episode was like a month ago, and yes…well I don’t know what else but still. Let’s continue pushing with the new year. Take care of yourself and the person you’re becoming!

2025 has been an up year for me, even when something rocks me and makes me feel like nothing is going right. It’s important to put things in perspective, be excited for the new year, and also complain about how the NFL needs to leave Christmas for the NBA. Happy New Year!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! And argue with your momma…not me!

I know I know…I’ve been M.I.A…but I’m back!!! So a little update on what’s been going on and how I like to view the idea of “hard work”

This week we welcome Michael O'Hara, a NYC based photographer. He has done shoots for countless brands including Vogue! This was a fruitful conversation with discussions about how his inspiration from Mark Hunter grew into the career he has and how his father put the first camera in Michael's hands. Other topics include finding inspiration, how to work with models, and how you just have to put yourself out there even if that means sending an unmeasurable amount of emails! Be sure to stay up to date with Michael's shoots and even check out his Parfums!Instagram: @boy_michiWebsite: https://www.michaeloharaphoto.com/

This week we talk about how important it is to speak out loud what you want and how that does make a difference. If you think it, you say it, you do it. Probably the easiest way I can break it down. And now I guess I'm a director?!?!?!?

Up there for most important episode of all time, let's have a French Fry debate

NBA season is two months away and I just want a good product. I question what the league wants and what it’s looking for from the fans and how it’s giving back to them. Very random episode but just some quick fire thoughts. Drink water and do something you enjoy!

I’m a simple guy with simple needs, but for some reason when you ask for small changes to your order at a restaurant they seem to malfunction and not understand what’s being asked. Just listen to the pain and agony that seem to sink claws into me.

I’m not sure how excited I am for Bojangles to come to NYC. Even though I’m like a Wine Sommelier but with Sweet Tea, we’ll see how it goes. Apartment search is complete and I’ve gotten a recent callback! Fun stuff to say the least…and per usual, enough randomness to make someone with OCD pass out.

This episode I talk about seeing Clipse in person and how invigorating that was for me along with their new album. I break down some of their lyrics and talk about how longevity is important and even how I believe they have sustained that longevity. Seeing them in person and hearing this album lets me know that the term "getting better with age" is legit. It's about conintuing to push towards the thing that is calling you. This is an all time album and I'm not saying this because of recency bias, honestly that's why I waited a month to talk about it on the podcast. Per usual do something that will be good for you and enjoy yourself!

In this episode I point out what makes this movie so good and how comedy movies might be back. The idea how comedy movies need to have a good story and then everything else should be layered. Also a big thing that makes movies/tv good is that everyone involved knows what story they are trying to make and within what world. Once again make sure to breathe, do something that makes you happy, AND GO SEE THE FILM!!!

On this episode I break down my general diet and try to give some tips on how to manage dieting. Too many people on social media trying to overwhelm everyone. Simply find foods you like to eat that are healthy and build off of that. Getting protein isn’t hard, I take you through a whole day of eating if I was perfect (TRUST IM NOT). You got this, do ya thing.

This week we welcome Ihea Inyama! Living in NYC by way of New Jersey and Connecticut, so it only made sense that he moved to NYC to complete the trifecta. This episode we talk about how the breadcrumbs are always there in life and it's only when you say yes to the thing that stuff starts to change, the idea of creating your own work, and how crowd work might actually be important to the nature of standup! Other topics include how grandmothers can be and what the perfect plantain is like.You can catch Ihea doing standup weekly across the city, make sure to follow him on Instagram to keep up with his work: @Ihea_InyamaEvery second Monday at UCB you can catch his sketch group performing!

This week we welcome Avilon Trust Tate to the podcast! A multi-disciplined artist who started creating at just 18 months old, and hasn't looked back since. We speak about how it is living on the road while touring a musical, how to keep yourself grounded along with understanding how when you're in the room, everyone is on a level playing field. Be confident and appreciative, but don't think less of yourself because the person next to you may have done a big project recently. You also know it wouldn't be an episode if we didn't discuss food, and we take a deep dive into the art of eating chicken wings!!!Make sure to catch Avilon as Jermaine Jackson in MJ the Musical touring now! And don't forget to stream his music as well!Website: https://avilontrust.com/homeMusic: https://ffm.to/avilontrust

Just let me cook with this movie review that’s all I’m asking. It’s ok to not be a think piece of a movie, and trust me when I say if this dropped in 2007? ALL-TIMER

This week we welcome our very first Artistic Director! But this Artistic Director, like many, wears more than just one hat. Robin was born and raised in North Carolina, initially a performer but realized that wasn't her calling. Her and a friend put together $300 14 years ago and that $300 has turned into one of the premiere theatres in Charlotte: Three Bone Theatre!This episode is special to me because it gave me an inside look of day to day when it comes to running a theatre company along with all the backlash that they continue to face. Being a theatre that is build on supporting the community many of their shows feature stories about BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Women lead stories. Shows have included: Ja Ja's African Hair Braiding, The Vagina Monologues, Dot, Confederates, The Daffodil Girls, Thoughts of a Colored Man, and so many more within their 13 seasons!The whole idea of this podcast is about being seen and heard and from this conversation you see that the work Robin is cultivating is not only that but also so much more. We also discuss topics around how to show up for yourself, not quitting at your lowest, and how the kids show Bluey is able to capture so much emotion and teaching within a short period of time! Make sure to follow @ThreeBoneTheatre on Facebook and Instagram along with staying up to date with so much more on their website!https://www.threebonetheatre.com/

Fuck Moving In NYC

On today's episode we welcome Nile Price, a director from North Carolina. We speak about his journey to graduate school in New York, how he got into directing and how he is always looking to seek...not to study. Discussions also include favorite director, how movies turn familiar stories on their head and create classics, as well as what kind of biscuit should you order at Bojangles!

No description needed. Good people just listen and agree...don't judge people just question them!

This week we welcome Actor/Director Kemari Bryant. We discuss how it is being on tour for the better part of three years and learning how to be grounded comes with time. Some of his favorite movies, directors and our discuss on yogurt and egg whites!Make sure to check out his video essays about film on YouTube! @KemariVidshttps://youtube.com/@kemarivids?si=i69sX5U1m8DUbUAoAlso be on the lookout for his upcoming film "Angelique" coming soon!

Just some yapping about the new movie Sinners by Ryan Coogler. Starring the likes of Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosako, and Delroy Lindo to name a few.Set in 1932 Mississippi, about twin brothers who come back to town after being gone for seven years. They open up a Juke Joint that draws more in than just money and blues music.

On this episode I talk about how the Oscars recently came out and made it mandatory that the academy watches all the nominees. Also how comedies should be up for more Oscars like Chris Tucker in Rush Hour and a scale I created on how to rank the movies that are nominated.

On this episode we would like to welcome D.C. based actor Amber! We discuss what it means to hit the ground running with this career and tips for how to help aid in that, because as we all know...closed mouths don't get fed. Other topics include discussion on how well done steak IS JUST FINE!!! And maybe our most important discussion which touches on representation for dark skin women.

On this episode we welcome NYC based actor Aaron Joseph, originally from Texas then to NYC from LA. We discuss things from having empathy for different characters, to Denzel, to Kool-Aid, and even what food makes for the best soul food. An episode you don't want to miss (as is every episode)

On this episode of the podcast we welcome Tina Kelly. A Charlotte, NC based director who speaks about her journey to being a director, her favorite part of directing along with how being a teacher is something she is most proud of. While also mentioning how Mexican food is her favorite.

On today’s episode I talk about some of the ways I’ve learned to memorize lines for an upcoming role. The idea of keeping the lines fresh and malleable. The thing about is that life should be the same, looking for new ways to approach things and being fluid…just like water.

This week I discuss how I try to make things work for me. If I can look at things in a glass half full mentality how much that opens things up as well as the concept of "Life bleeds into Life". Literally everything in life can work for you if you just make it work. Simple.

People seem to think it's okay to just give their thoughts without being asked and letting things slide...BUT if we responded, we'd be the bad guy? YEA AIGHT. This episode is about scenarios with unprovoked responses from people, my responses if I said what I wanted, along with ways to combat these moments.

As someone who is addicted to my phone (like most people), I discuss ways how I try and not see so much mind numbing content. Usually by replacing it with more useful things and also how that has helped me subconsciously in other moments!

On this episode of the podcast we welcome Marcus Fitzpatrick. A NYC based actor who speaks about some difficulties of living in NYC as an actor along with how he's grown to appreciate things in the moment! While also having a discussion on sourdough bread.

This episode is not to shame or trigger anyone. This is meant to be funny, and let everyone know even though I have been on a wellness journey, that even I can't say no to some candy. Enjoy and don't be hard on yourself for enjoying a meal that doesn't align with your goals, just enjoy it and then make sure your next meal is in the direction that aligns with what you want!

We welcome Derrick Jones to the podcast. And episode that explores the idea of how starting over is not a bad thing, along with different types of inspiration and even a little Lebron vs MJ discussion

Supposedly viewership and ratings are down with the NBA...and after seeing whatever that was during All-Star weekend, I get it. I have a few ways to help engagement, but realistically I don't think the league cares about the fans like they once did.

This is already an All Mixed Up Hall of Fame episode. When you think about All Mixed Up you will think of this episode, with so many different topics that were discussed from favorite pizza to how society can shape the minds of young people. It was an honor to have another friend of mine on and all the wisdom he was able to bring!

This may be the most all mixed up episode to date. Talking about how important money is when it comes to art, how stress can interfere with creating, and a couple tips on how to pursue art or whatever you want to.

A nuanced look into why Lebron is the GOAT

Today I had the privilege of sitting down with Dylan Ireland. I could go into detail about him being a brother to me, but just listen and you'll see just a small reason of why he's an inspiration not only to me but so many around him.

Get to know ya boy a little better as I also introduce a new segment that will appear periodically on the podcast...ya feel me?

I know therapy is looked down upon and we're not always sure where to start when even if we do build the courage to get a therapist. Listen to this episode as I give tips on how I've found therapist in the past!

Preview to get people excited about All Mixed Up w/Aaron Allen