Month: September 2021

Episode 503: Erica Williams Simon – Narrative strategist

Erica Williams Simon is an award-winning strategist, author, creative and entrepreneur. As the founder and former Head of Snapchat’s Creator’s Lab, Erica creates conversations that help a diverse, digital native generation tell new stories about “who we are and how we want to live”. Her work incorporates elements of her multi-industry career to surface countercultural wisdom for work, life and social impact.

Listen HERE

Through her company Sage House, a strategic content, experience and consulting firm Erica works with clients like Spotify, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and countless creative partners to bring big ideas to life. She is also host of the popular podcast The Call with Erica. 

Previously, Simon worked as Senior Editor and Creative Director of Upworthy.com and as a columnist for TIME.com.

On This Episode:

Do you think our identity being rooted in what we do prevents us from moving and showing up in spaces that we are needed in?

We see people on social media and compare not knowing the process. Give us perspective as you were the founding Creative Director of Upworthy.com what does it look like to build? What skills do we need to build especially a media presence?

Narrative intelligence what is it and why is it important to storytellers in media?

How can someone gain opportunities to show up in their new space if they are starting late?

Connect with us: 

Shivawn Mitchell (host) www.shivawnmitchell.com 

Erica Williams Simon (guest) https://www.ericawilliams.com/ 

Episode 502: Latisha Bereola – Emmy Nominated TV Anchor

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-n97xa-10e54c3

Letisha Bereola is an Emmy nominated TV News Anchor in Jacksonville, Florida. With 10+ experience in the news industry, Letisha has covered everything from national championships and hurricanes as an MMJ to the anchor seat. Letisha is the host and producer of the podcast AUDACITY: Unlocking the secrets of the Bold where she interviews entrepreneurs, creatives, thought leaders and artists about how they cultivated the audacity to go after their dreams. Her faith in Jesus is the center of her life and helps her show up everyday as a mom of two, wife and news anchor who is determined to use her platform to inspire people to live a life purpose.

 

On This Episode We Cover: 

  • Finding our voice in a noisy space how do you show up as your authentic self as a storyteller.
  • How does your faith define what stories you share?
  • How does your faith shows up in your creativity?
  • Representation in the media …why News? How did you get started?
  • What does it look like for you going after your dreams? 
  • What have you learned as wearing the producers hat going into the podcast?
  • What do you say to the people who say I don’t want to start because the market is Oversaturated?
  • Measuring Success….what does that look like for you and defining what it is?

Connect with Us: 

Host: Shivawn Mitchell www.shivawnmitchell.com 

Guest Latisha Bereola https://www.instagram.com/letishatv/ 

Episode 501: Christina Jones – Creative Director & Producer

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-67vjq-10e0710

Christina Jones is a creative director and producer with a strong background in graphic design & branding, film production and marketing. She has traveled nationally and internationally, collaborating with brands such as Showtime Sports, TOGETHXR and House of Athlete to direct and produce creative content. She’s recently founded a brand titled “Creatives Are Essential” which showcases the importance of individuals in creative fields and creates resources for people to grow by developing ideas, collaborating with others and learning to rest.

 

On This Episode We Discuss : 

  • Why Creatives are Essential 
  • How she put herself out there to work with House of Athlete 
  • Working with a team 
  • What it looks like to produce

Connect with us: 

www.thecreativeoutsiders.com 

https://www.strytlrs-creative.com/ 

Episode 500: Avril Speaks – Producer & Director

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-t5t62-10ca098

Avril Z. Speaks is a producer, director and film educator based in Los Angeles. She produced the critically-acclaimed feature film Jinn, which won the Special Jury Prize for Writing at SXSW and
was acquired by MGM/Orion Classics for theatrical and VOD release. Since then she has produced several films including Hosea, and African America, which will premiere this year at
the Pan African Film Festival, and the upcoming Dotty & Soul, starring Leslie Uggams, Gary Owens and Margot Bingham. She was an associate producer on the TNT docu-series “American
Race,” and has helped produce content for BET, Coca-Cola, Essence, and others.

 

What we discussed on this episode? 

How did you pursue film? What were your actionable steps? 

Why do you think we don’t see more women in the space of producing and what skills do you need to wear that hat? How do we show up better? 

Faith and Creativity. I saw that you studied, Theology and Film, why was this important for you to study the two together and how has it shaped your creativity? 

Is it important for us to apply for producer labs or fellowships? What does this do for our careers? 

Do you have to move to LA to be successful in film as a producer/or director? 

What stories are important for you to tell now and why?

 

Connect with us

Avril Speaks 

Shivawn Mitchell – Host & The Creative Outsiders