The RuggedAngel Cast

Numbers are everywhere. And if we study and pay attention to them, it's quite possible they can help steer us onto the path we need to be in life. LaVerne Baker Hotep just so happens to be able to educate you on that matter.

Sibyls Shrine is a new artist residency program for Black women, womxn, trans women, and femmes who are mothers and identify as artists, creatives, and/or activists in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For these womxn, the challenges of parenting in combination with systemic racism and sexism often make the barriers to entry into the art world insurmountable.   The Sibyls Shrine residency program uplifts Black creative mothers with opportunities for skill-sharing, self-care, safe space, and financial support in an effort to further develop their craft and presence in the art world.

Jessica Gaynelle Moss is a recognized leader and an arts producer with over a decade of professional experience. In this episode, we specifically talk about her most recent projects, The Roll Up and Sibyl's Shrine.

If you are a fan of horror films, this will be a fun listen! Zena Dixon aka The Real Queen of Horror joins me to talk about DIY filmmaking, blogging and all things horror. 

You may know actress Keili Lefkovitz from the movies Pain and Gain or Malibu's Most Wanted. But soon, you will get to know her for so much more, because she refuses to stand by and wait for opportunities to come to her.

For over 30 years, Felicia has continued to joyfully practice Raja Yoga, which encompasses all aspects of her life: behavioral restraints, behavioral observances, movement, breathing techniques, sensory withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and self-realization through an intimate reflective practice. Personally, I like to think of Felicia a self care guru. I hope you can receive some healing light and inspiration from this conversation.

"Recognized as one of The Top Women Making Noise, Lauren Goshinski is a curator and event producer who works at the intersection of music, performance, digital art and the moving image". Lauren stops by to break all of this down as she describes carving out her own path, both literally and figuratively.   

Writer and Yoga Practitioner Heather Manning, a self proclaimed "Black Hillbilly", chats with me about finding herself, the benefits of growing up "wild" and emotional healing. 

Maya Henry joins me to talk about kicking fear in the teeth, finally making those life changes and why meal prep is so friggin daunting.

You know her as the materialistic Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.  Now it's time to get to know Karyn Parsons as an educator, author, filmmaker and woman looking to change the way African-American history is taught, through Sweet Blackberry Foundation.

This woman has been my teacher, cheerleader, mentor, caregiver, and most of all my friend. It's time for you all to learn who my mom is. Please give a listen as we get a just a peek into her life and accomplishments.

Listen to the story of how a scrappy "Steeltown girl" turned herself into the Pittsburgh Maven of the Arts.  Joy Sato joins me to talk about being one of the first of very few black arts administrators in Pittsburgh, her life at Motown, and doing the will of God.  

Co-owner of Black Forge Coffee, Ashley Bianca Corts, opens up about holistic healing, fighting back against sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace and the business of starting a business.

Mary Ann McBride came in to the studio to discuss her career in film and being a doula. But midway through our conversation, I found out that she has been a surrogate, more than once, so I had to ask all of the questions that I have ever wanted to ask a woman who could give so much of herself. 

Founder and VP of the Lincoln Lemington Neighborhood Revitalization Group came by to talk about her life of growing up "ghetto rich", improv acting, building community, revitalizing neighborhoods and so much more.

Jatolloa Davis is a midwife is here to talk all about catching babies and what it's like to be a part of such a spiritual and intimate moment in a family's life. 

Singer/Songwriter Jill Sobule, takes a break from workshopping her new one woman show #FThe7thGrade to talk to me about junior high crushes, surviving the music industry and the intimacy of house concerts.

It's my 100th episode! My husband thought a great way to celebrate would be for me to be interviewed on my own show. In this episode, I unveil my creative processes, awkward teen years and love for the people in my life. Ok...here we go!

Playwright/Songwriter/Experience Designer, Molly Rice and I discuss some female serial killers because Molly has written and produced a show called Angelmakers: Songs for Female Serial Killers.

The new case Shawn and Gus are working on, takes them to a comic convention. SO we share some of our favorite con stories.

Artist Christine Bethea has been through some dark times, but has managed to come out on the other end with grace, joy and faith. Listen as she tells her story of finding strength.

It's not always easy to admit to yourself that you aren't fully following your passions. Linsey McDaniel is on a journey of self discovery. And that journey has led her to starting her own business. Linsey joins me chop it up about taking the leap, African dance, black women's hair care and not being a very good Engineer. 

The Movie Scene Queen joins me to discuss film and finding time to following your passion as you hold down a family. 

Jen Saffron, PR/Marketing Guru and owner of Sprezzatura Catering takes a moment to sit down with me to talk about her life, the importance of community, and her love for feeding people.

Shawn and Gus take a case from a guy who has multiple personalities, and one of them looooves Gus. Shawn pulls another trash move when he drugs and kidnaps Gus.

Listen to this super episode with Jameela Lewis aka The Wine Lady of Fruit of the Vine. Walk away with tips on loving yourself, being kind to your wine and get "Wine Woke".

This week I got to chat with the "DIY Maker Mavan" and the Director and Founder of Assemble, Nina Barbuto. Nina has a passion for art, new media, social learning, architecture, film, urban acupunture, and would like to use the word "rainbow" to describe herself. We talk about it all of it.

This week's guest is Kristine Irwin. An extremely brave woman who  survived a sexual assault and has chosen to use what happened to her to help give a voice to other survivors. Please check out her non-profit, Voices of Hope, as well as her book of the same name, that focuses on not just how the attack affected her, but how it also affected her loved ones.

The Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh, was so kind as to include The RuggedAngel Cast in the Sunstar Festival line up. Internationally based fashion designer, Tereneh Idia joins me to talk about sustainable fashion and her experiences gaining trust and collaborating with the women of Oneida Indian Nation and Kenya.

This week's guest is multi disciplinary artist, Lindsey Scherloum. Lindsey is currently and Artist in Residence with the Office of Public Art, working with the United Somali bantu Group of Pittsburgh. We have a great conversation about self discovery that involves the time that she decided to walk from Ashville NC to Columbus OH.

You may know Tina Alexis Allen as Shurn from the wildly popular TV show Outsiders. Now, get to know her as an author. Her new memoir, HIDING OUT: A Memoir of Drugs,Deception, and Double Lives, is wilder than fiction. Get it Feb 20, wherever you buy books! Settle in for Tina's truth.

Shawn and Gus find themselves going undercover in a Civil War re-enactment group. 

If you are in the public art game, more than likely you know Renee Piechocki. For the past 13 years, Renee has been the founding Director of the Office of Public Art here in Pittsburgh. She has recently decided to hand the crown over to Sallyann Kluz and spend her time traveling the world and concentrating on her own art. We have a very open conversation about her childhood, what brought her to Pittsburgh and how she got to be so damn awesome. 

I got to know President and CEO of 1Hood Media, Celeste Smith. This strong and beautiful soul talked about reclaiming her time, finding her footing in a new city, and setting a good example.

Get your leotards and tap shoes. It's time to dazzle and stretch our way through this episode of Psych Babble.

Liz Labacz, the C is silent, joins me to talk about Arcade Comedy Theater, Frankly Scarlett Comedy, the benefits of attending an all girls school, and finding her birth mother.

Photographer and Owner of Lioness Photography, Richena Brockinson joined me to talk about her career. Whether she is giving thanks to those who have helped her on her creative path or explaining what keeps her going as a teaching artist, it becomes apparent, that mentoring is very important to Richena. She is a true inspiration.

Jordan Corcoran suffers from generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Upon being diagnosed, Jordan decided to make sure that negative didn't define her and she turned it into a positive, which is known as Listen, Lucy. The website encourages people to let out and let go of what is holding them down. 

Filmmaker, Carrie Collins came by to fill us in on her new TV project, Mulligan. Carrie talks more about that, indie filmmaking, the Carnegie Screenwriters and more. 

Gus gets a crush on a Basic Becky who is looking for some money her dead husband stole and lost. Dan loses a bet, Kahmeela tries a Jeff Goldblum impersonation and Marcella finds out what Jason Ritter loyalty is.

"Yeah, I definitely laughed in someone's face when they tried to makeout with me." - Allison Powell (writer, actor, awkward lover)

It's a nice day for a white wedding...and a theft!

Actress Amy Lyn joins me to talk about self promotion and how trusting her instincts got her to the life that she loves.

Shawn and Gus get wrapped up in the murderous under belly of the Spelling Bee world. We read some listener tweets and learn how to pronounce Omundson.

"This creative life is a strange one. It's a very particular way of life." - A.M. Lukas (writer, director, Oprah obsessed) 

"Who do people study, why do we study them and why do some cultures and places of the world get left out?" - Rachel Klipa (Teacher, Art Historian, Robot Lover)

It's the brand new podcast by RuggedAngel Productions, dedicated to the TV show Psych! Join Kahmeela, Marcella and Dan as they recap and reminisce over the adventures of Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster. 

"I love to watch an artist work." - Renee Govanucci (Dancer, Jazz Director, Competitive Twirler)

"A lot of people died for me to be here and to be able to do what I want to do, and I'm going to fully embrace that and not waste those sacrifices." - Alecia Young (Artist, Advocate for Women's Health, Laser Focused)

"All of those things that take our voices away, I'm hoping to counteract." - Vivian Lee Croft (Writer, Finding a Voice for the Voiceless, Southern Gal)