Lesser Known Self

In this episode of Lesser Known Self, host Briana Boyd sits down with Kojo Ampadu, relationship coach and creator of the YouTube channel Little Black Book 91, for an expansive and deeply honest conversation about attachment, emotional development, and healing.Kojo shares his personal journey into relationship work, from growing up in a Ghanaian household to building a decade-long career analyzing relationships, faith, and pop culture. Together, Briana and Kojo explore the nuances of fearful avoidant attachment, disorganized attachment patterns, and why so many people struggle to trust their own voice in relationships.Check out Kojo Online:https://linktr.ee/Littleblackbook91Follow us online:https://linktr.ee/lesserknownself Get full access to Lesser Known Self at lesserknownself.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Lesser Known Self, host Briana Boyd sits down with singer songwriter Wafia for an intimate conversation about identity, family, and the weight of perception. Wafia reflects on growing up as an Arab Muslim woman, navigating bullying, beauty standards, and the pressure of being seen and misunderstood in both life and the music industry. Together, they explore what it means to exist outside of neat categories, resist being flattened or tokenized, and honor emotional depth without becoming cynical.Wafia also revisits her debut album Promised Land one year later, sharing how time, distance, and live performance have reshaped her relationship to the work. Through reflections on family dynamics, immigration, independence, and acceptance, this conversation becomes an invitation to slow down, sit with nuance, and allow softness to coexist with strength.Check out Wafia: https://www.instagram.com/wafiaaahttps://wafia.world/Check us out online: https://linktr.ee/lesserknownself Get full access to Lesser Known Self at lesserknownself.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Akili Ni Mali shares her journey as a performer, exploring her "Lesser Known Self" and the complexities of her identity as a Black woman in the entertainment and performing arts. She discusses the importance of authenticity, the challenges of activism, and the role of motherhood in shaping her artistic purpose. Join us as we talk through the weight of perception.Check out Akili Ni Mali:https://akilinimali.bandcamp.com/https://www.akilinimaliofficial.com/Follow us online:https://linktr.ee/lesserknownself Get full access to Lesser Known Self at lesserknownself.substack.com/subscribe

Le Sirén (they/them) joins to talk about their 2019 debut album, Take Care of Yourself, and how their lifelong love of punk and hardcore led them to their new band Commitment. They share openly about childhood trauma, mental health struggles, and how honesty and vulnerability shape both their relationships and their music.TW: This episode includes references to suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.Note: I use she/her briefly in the intro. I apologize for this and should have asked before recording. I want to thank Le Sirén for bringing such a real and honest conversation about being non-binary and how they’re perceived. I deeply appreciate their openness.Check out Le Sirén and Commitment:www.instagram.com/le.siren/www.instagram.com/commitment.phl/Follow us Online: https://linktr.ee/lesserknownself Get full access to Lesser Known Self at lesserknownself.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode we talk to the articulate Caleborate about his new album, his upcoming move to LA, and of course mental health!

In this insightful interview, Briana sits down with her mother to reflect on their experiences dealing with Briana's depression, coping skills, and more. TW: Depression; Suicide 

In this episode, Briana chats with rapper and producer Kavale about fatherhood, choices he's made, and keeping level-headed. 

Back at it again!  In this episode, Briana chats with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jordan Hawkins about his path to music, lessons he's learned, and social justice. 

Season 2! Who woulda thought? In this first episode, Briana chats with Justin Burns aka Appleby about forging your own path, opening up, and growing as an artist. 

We back! In this episode, Briana chats with LA's Love Mansuy about parenting, self-development, and the challenges of finding true empathy in mental health.

Happy August! In this episode, Briana chats with Shamir about not needing to fit in, family support, and their upcoming self-titled album. 

Episode  10! Happy July. In this episode we speak to Adeline, a sunny soul artist about her tenacity, self-care, and the black diaspora in Paris and New York.  lesserknownself.com

Are you being open? In this episode we chat with the beautiful and thoughtful April Kae of ImaniGold.   https://www.imanigold.com  https://www.lesserknownself.com

Episode 8! Happy June. In this episode we speak to Joy Oladokun a soulful genre-bending artist about the current mess of the world, cannabis, self-care, and coming out as a black queer person. Black people should be celebrated for the every day! lesserknownself.com 

Episode 7! Who would have thought? In this episode, we talk to Denitia, a Texas girl living and creating in NYC. She's been called "the epitome of soul" by The Fader. Time and labels are weird but can be healing once processed!  lesserknownself.com

We chat with Chicago's own Elton Aura about life as the pastors kid, Chicago, and fear of failure.  It's getting real!  

In this episode, Briana talks with her friend Geneva about the quarantine. We dive into the top 5 records and shows getting us through and share some quarantine tips.   Follow Geneva:  Instagram: @geegamblin   Geneva's Top 5 Albums & Shows:   Everything In Transit - Jack's Mannequin You Are OK - The Maine  All We Know Is Falling - Paramore  Peripheral Vision - Turnover  Time & Space - Turnstile  Chilombo - Jhene Aiko  Tiger King One Tree Hill  The Other Guys  Jeopardy! Little Fires Everywhere   Briana's Top 5 Albums & Shows:  Chilombo - Jhene Aiko I Was Born Swimming - Squirrel Flower  Devotion - Margaret Glaspy  Grae 1 - Moses Sumney Ceremony - Phantogram The Sinner  Little Fires Everywhere  American Horror Story  Devs  Tiger King 

In this insightful episode we talk to ZENIZEN's Opal Hoyt about trans-racial adoption, anxiety, and forging your own path. Let's all ditch the city and buy a church upstate!  Follow ZENIZEN: @zenizenzenizen (Instagram) @zenizenzenizen (Twitter) Tune in monthly for in-depth transparent conversations on mental  health and life with top-tier artists of color. Hosted by a regular degular girl from Brooklyn, NY. Follow Briana on Instagram @lesserknownbri.

3rd times the charm! In this unbarred episode we sit with Caine Casket, a multi-hyphenated creative from New Jersey. We chat about depression, accepting culture, anger, and peace. Caine provides a glimpse of his upcoming album! Follow Caine Casket: @cainecasket (Instagram) @cainecasket (Twitter) Tune in monthly for in-depth transparent conversations on mental  health and life with top-tier artists of color. Hosted by a regular degular girl from Brooklyn, NY. Follow Briana on Instagram  @lesserknownbri.

We're back and we're better with Rosehardt a Brooklyn based actor and musician unafraid of being vulnerable. Break-ups, faith, and depression in the black community are just some of the topics we tackle in this deep but fun episode. Follow Rosehardt:  @rosehardt (Instagram)  @rosehardtmusic (Twitter)  https://www.rosehardtmusic.com/ Tune in monthly for in-depth transparent conversations on mental health and life with top-tier artists of color. Hosted by a regular degular girl from Brooklyn, NY. Follow Briana on Instagram @lesserknownbri.

From high school to emotionally high and dry! We sit down with Chelsea Reject from Brooklyn, NY to discuss her latest album This Is Not My Final Form, dealing with disappointment, anxiety, and parental conflict.   lesserknownself.com  Donate to Chelsea's Studio Fundraiser Follow Chelsea Reject:   @chelseareject (Instagram)  @chelseareject (Facebook)  @chelseareject (Twitter)  Follow Alien Boy:  @alienboypdx (Instagram)  @alienboypdx (Facebook)   Tune in monthly for in-depth transparent conversations on mental health and life with top-tier artists of color. Hosted by a regular degular girl from Brooklyn, NY. Follow Briana on Instagram @lesserknownbri.