1 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: Let me carry it. Hey, Hey, hey, got thinking of it. 2 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 2: We're back. We're black. I'm sick and it's run a bit. 3 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:18,479 Speaker 3: Shit. 4 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 2: Yes, I'm sick again. I'm praying it's not COVID. I 5 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 2: don't think it's COVID. I've taken to COVID test. It 6 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 2: says not COVID. I think maybe I don't even know. 7 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:28,159 Speaker 2: I don't even know what. 8 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: Other ways to be sick. And you get just how 9 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: much sympathy. 10 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 2: I think it's just I don't know. It might be 11 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 2: a flu around the season. Sometimes I get like a 12 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:38,840 Speaker 2: little like the flu or whatever. I mean, there's green 13 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 2: stuff coming up, so I'm assuming. I'm like, i never 14 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,839 Speaker 2: had green stuff with COVID. I'm sorry, guys, So I know, 15 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 2: just literally I'm calling my mom like it's like, I 16 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 2: know that's really what I've been doing, like tea and sleep, 17 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 2: ta and sleep. 18 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 3: Yeah. 19 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 2: But I mean, I if you guys have been watching 20 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 2: my Instagram stories I had. I took the team, my 21 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 2: business partner took our teams to New Orleans for our 22 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:05,759 Speaker 2: annual team retreat, which we have not done in two 23 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 2: years because of COVID. But it was so amazing. I 24 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 2: have to say New Orleans is such a magical place 25 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 2: for black and brown people. I mean it just yeah, 26 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 2: you know, and it was so crazy Mandy because I 27 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:20,679 Speaker 2: was like we were we were by the waterfront, and 28 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 2: I was sharing everybody. I said, you see those steps 29 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 2: right there, those are the steps where Mandy and I 30 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:28,880 Speaker 2: planned out. Isn't that crazy? 31 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: I was like, I read that makes it sound really old. 32 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:33,479 Speaker 4: I know. 33 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:36,680 Speaker 1: I was just like my sister was like, really I 34 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: wanted to cording off that step. That student was there 35 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,120 Speaker 1: was I feel like there were free tracks. It was 36 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: somewhere random. 37 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 2: Well, we were walking like we were walking like like 38 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 2: you know, we were walking up and down like that 39 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 2: kind of like the waterfront, and you know, we ended 40 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 2: up just sitting there just talking for some time about 41 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 2: like what you know, just a joke because you'd asked 42 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 2: me how to before. But we just you know, sat 43 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 2: and just like talked about like, you know, we were 44 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 2: talking about like at the time, your husband was your boyfriend. 45 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 2: I don't you know, I think Jiro was my boyfriend too. 46 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 2: There was no kids in the picture. It was just 47 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 2: like two brown girls who were like, let's do this thing. 48 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:12,239 Speaker 1: Just had free time and energy. 49 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 2: I know, we were there for the FINCN. Yeah, and 50 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 2: it was like, you know, I don't think anybody really 51 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 2: goes to like unless it's like your friends, like whatever workshop. 52 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,639 Speaker 2: You know that, you know how it is with conferences. 53 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 2: You go to your friends workshop, but then you really 54 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 2: go to hang out and have a good time, you know. 55 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 1: I think so we did personally. 56 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:32,079 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it was just a really good time. And 57 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 2: I remember just like obviously I've known you before and 58 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,239 Speaker 2: we were cool because you had done a couple of 59 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 2: articles on me. But yeah, you were like we should 60 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 2: do a podcast, and I think I was like, what's 61 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 2: the podcast? 62 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: Oh, that's interesting my number? Yeah, nobody, y'all's trip locked 63 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 1: freaking amazing, Like I had a little bit of fomo. 64 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: But also shout out to you for choosing the best weather, 65 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: like the best time to go to you know, essence 66 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: fast is like in the armpit of hell. July. Girl, 67 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: It's like why they got it. 68 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 2: Just to us day When I said we had a time, 69 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: I mean we had a time. I mean they went 70 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 2: out every night. And I just was like I canno 71 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:15,959 Speaker 2: because I could already found myself getting sick because I 72 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:17,360 Speaker 2: just been doing a lot of travel. I went to 73 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:19,920 Speaker 2: Detroit to speak at event, and then it was like 74 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 2: literally landed. It was a list of sweet sixteen and 75 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 2: then at to fly to LA for an event a 76 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:26,519 Speaker 2: day later. I was home for one day, then flew 77 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 2: New Orleans. I just think, honestly, this is like my 78 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 2: body saying, girl, you need to sit down, or we're 79 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 2: gonna sit you down and sit too much of a 80 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 2: good thing. But it was Honestly, it was just awesome. 81 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 2: Like there's something about hanging out with like your crew 82 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 2: of people that you really enjoy. And we get to 83 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 2: see each other. I mean, we see each other all 84 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 2: the time on Zoom and stuff like that, but it's 85 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 2: nothing like being in person. We do certain things every 86 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 2: year for our retreats. We always do a spa day, 87 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 2: so we did the Roosevelt, which is a wald of 88 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 2: a historian hotel, which was awesome. We always do like 89 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:00,120 Speaker 2: a fun day where we do something like fun and 90 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: kind of physical, like one year we did ATV and 91 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 2: I think this year we went swamp tour like that, 92 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 2: you know, like you take the airboat. Yes, that was fun. 93 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 2: We got to feed alligators and crocodile. I don't know 94 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 2: the difference. We also my favorite though, on our activity 95 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:19,039 Speaker 2: day was we did a second line band, which. 96 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:21,039 Speaker 1: That's what I saw at IG that I was like, yes, 97 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,800 Speaker 1: do it up. That was just for y'all. 98 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 2: Yes, yes, we use this company, this black owned mother 99 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,920 Speaker 2: daughter company called Prime Time. They're based out of Chicago. 100 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 2: So if ever ever ever you need to like I 101 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 2: don't know what other kind of planning they do, but 102 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 2: if you ever needed planning, like a corporate retreat, they 103 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:44,360 Speaker 2: were excellent. They flew into New Orleans, made sure everything 104 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:46,919 Speaker 2: was great. The house they picked for us was amazing. 105 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 2: So we got like this eight bedroom beautiful home and 106 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 2: then we got a nearby hotel so that we ever 107 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 2: could have their own room. So like myself and like 108 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 2: the other C suite stayed in the house and that's 109 00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 2: where we had a private chef. Our chef was actually 110 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 2: the great was the granddaughter of Fats Domino, which was 111 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:05,960 Speaker 2: so awesome. He's like this really famous jazz musician. Yeah, 112 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 2: out of a New Orleans and so it was just 113 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 2: an amazing, amazing trip. But yeah, the second Line band, 114 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 2: I mean that is on my story. My story has 115 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 2: already passed, but if you go to my page you 116 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 2: can see us, so you know you I didn't know. Like, 117 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 2: I was always like, what's the first line band? They're like, 118 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 2: the band is the first line. I'm like, oh, and 119 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:25,359 Speaker 2: so you are the second line. 120 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 1: And so we were thought to even ask what that meant. 121 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I didn't really you know, but it's this jazzy 122 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 2: I mean, it was amazing to have your own parade 123 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 2: that's what they call it down Bourbon with police escort. 124 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 2: It was just that was just so epic. It was 125 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 2: it was like a core memory, you know. But yeah, 126 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,839 Speaker 2: it was just I mean we were like, you know, 127 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 2: we're so black because we were electric sliding in the 128 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 2: house we played it. Apparently there's a taboo taboo culture. 129 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: See, that's just part of the trip that I was 130 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 1: most jealous of. I'm as game nights. I haven't had 131 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: a game night like three years, and I'm like, damn, 132 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: that looks so fun. And I'm so good at taboo too. 133 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 2: So we're gonna tell you I am. I'm not a lot, 134 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 2: I'm a taboo massed up. 135 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 1: You were getting it. I could see the fire. 136 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 2: Yeah. The other was so sick of us because I'm 137 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 2: a really good guesser. But I'm also really good, like 138 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 2: you know, because I'm really good at analogies, yo, but 139 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 2: it was a lot. I tell you, it was just 140 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 2: a really good time. And so I'm just grateful for 141 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 2: the time with the team. And even though I came 142 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 2: to you sicker than when I left. 143 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:32,480 Speaker 1: I'm glad that you gave them everything, but hopefully have 144 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:34,800 Speaker 1: some time for yourself now. I do wonder because on 145 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:36,799 Speaker 1: the last episode you said your budget was like eighty 146 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 1: k Did you use every penny of it? 147 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 2: No? So what we decided was because at first I 148 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 2: remember like, so shout out to Tammy. She was like, 149 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:47,680 Speaker 2: was kind of like the our internal internal organizer, and 150 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:50,919 Speaker 2: she was like saying, I guess they didn't have enough, 151 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 2: like you know, because she came to me she was like, Oh, 152 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 2: there's all these fun things we're gonna do. We don't 153 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 2: have enough money. I said, have we not have enough money? 154 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 2: We have eighty thousand dollars She's liked No. The CFO 155 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,479 Speaker 2: Georgia shared with us that we can use forty and 156 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,559 Speaker 2: I was like, why, So I hit up the CFO, 157 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: like are we saving that money for anything? She's like no, 158 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:08,160 Speaker 2: because last trip was forty. I'm like, girl, that's how 159 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 2: the trip to work. The trips work in accordance to 160 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 2: what we have saved up. Like that's the point, you know, 161 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 2: this is money that we've collectively made with our efforts. 162 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 2: We set aside three percent of our net profit, you know. 163 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 2: And so I said how much we should have? I 164 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 2: think it was between eighty and eighty five. And I 165 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 2: asked Tammy and I said, you know, it's sixty enough 166 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 2: and if it's not, you can come back, and she's like, no, no, 167 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 2: sixty will be plenty, and so they ended up using sixty. 168 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 2: So I was like, girl, we released the coins, so 169 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 2: we still have some money left over it just because 170 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,679 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna lie. This year was a really rough 171 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 2: year for the Literature Academy, and so I didn't want 172 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 2: to use the full eighty because I wanted for next 173 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 2: year that we had some money, you know, set aside 174 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 2: for to still be able to go on a trip, 175 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 2: you know what I mean. It might not be as lavish, 176 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,679 Speaker 2: but I didn't want to, like, you know, totally drain 177 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 2: our trip account. So yeah, there's about twenty to twenty 178 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 2: five thousand I was left over for next year, plus 179 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 2: whatever we make, you know. 180 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,760 Speaker 1: So yeah, do you mean like rough in terms of 181 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: the like I know, at the beginning of the year, 182 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 1: it was really tough because you had the layoffs and everything. 183 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: H do you mean like just in terms of like 184 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 1: morale from all of that, and I don't know, it 185 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: seems like this would be a good way. 186 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 2: Meaning like I mean financially rough. So a lot of 187 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 2: my friends also have online schools, and it's it's it's 188 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 2: I've just been getting that same feedback across the board. 189 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:32,079 Speaker 2: Because one, ads don't do what they used to do. 190 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 2: So many of us were like AD dependent, which we're 191 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,079 Speaker 2: trying to switch away from that, but so many of 192 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 2: us were AD dependent, and so as a result of 193 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 2: being AD dependent, you know, like you know, as soon 194 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 2: as they change the rule, an AD that might might 195 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 2: bring in, you know, tens of thousands of thousand a month, 196 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: all of a sudden brings in nothing. So you're like, 197 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 2: so what do I do now? 198 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: And so that was you mean like meta like Facebook, Yes, but. 199 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:55,960 Speaker 2: That's the majority of us wh they're running ads. You're 200 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 2: running ads on Facebook and Instagram and so like, it's 201 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 2: just the rules are always changing. So just when you 202 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 2: get acclimated or you get one thing good going and 203 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 2: the way ads work, it's a moving train. So let's 204 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 2: just say they say these are the new rules, and 205 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 2: you're like, okay, it takes a while for the train 206 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 2: to get back moving. You know, trains don't go from 207 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 2: zero to sixty and sixty seconds. It takes a while, 208 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 2: and so it's just expensive every time you have to pivot. 209 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:21,679 Speaker 2: Then you have to spend all this money to get 210 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:23,200 Speaker 2: the train moving, only for them to be like, oh, 211 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 2: we'll change our mind again. So that's one that we 212 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:27,840 Speaker 2: were highly AD dependent. But by the end of this 213 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,959 Speaker 2: year that will be different for next year because we've 214 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 2: been making this shift, like to really lean into working 215 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:36,079 Speaker 2: and getting contracts instead of leaning on ads. So that's 216 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 2: one thing that it'll be different next year. And also too, like, 217 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:42,679 Speaker 2: you know, I'm not the CEO over there anymore, and 218 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 2: there's a learning curve for the new CEO, and she 219 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 2: just was thrown into this messy pot. And so you know, 220 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 2: I told her because she's like Tam is very, very 221 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:55,959 Speaker 2: hard working and competitive, and she's like, oh no, I'm 222 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:58,959 Speaker 2: going to blow it out the water. I said, you won't. Instead, 223 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 2: your job is just to keep us afloat because you're 224 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 2: still learning. I have no expectation that you're going to 225 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 2: do better than me, because how could you? Because this 226 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 2: would be a challenge for me who's been the CEO 227 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 2: a CEO for fifteen years, let alone you just started. 228 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 2: And so she realized it's really hard, you know, because 229 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 2: there's so much, so many things that have to be 230 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 2: realigned that were misaligned. And I'm like girl, and she's 231 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 2: only done a great job of being kind of like 232 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 2: our months are basically net net. We're making enough to 233 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 2: cover all the bills, to pay all the payroll, blah 234 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 2: blah blah. But there's not excess, like you know, typically 235 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 2: I take an excess as a draw, and so I 236 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 2: haven't seen a draw like a decent one in a 237 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 2: very long time, you know. But that's okay. My old 238 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:42,920 Speaker 2: old thing is always are we net net? Meaning like, 239 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 2: do we make enough to cover everything and pay our 240 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:46,720 Speaker 2: bills and things that we had been able to do that? 241 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 2: So I told her that was her goal, and she 242 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 2: met that goal. And also too, there's just a shift 243 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 2: in the economy, you know, rightfully, so people are looking 244 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,679 Speaker 2: at their bills and determining what is essential. And I 245 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 2: tell people all the time, don't give me your last 246 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:00,679 Speaker 2: like I've seen people say, take I got a credit card, 247 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 2: but I don't believe it all that. Don't give me 248 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 2: your last I have a lot of free resources and tools. 249 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 2: As a matter of fact, I'm bringing back the Literature Challenges. 250 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 2: I'm excited to launch the If you're like an old 251 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 2: school dream catcher, you know, we did a challenge every January, 252 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 2: and so we'll be doing a Literature Challenge, the Savings 253 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:21,079 Speaker 2: Edition in January, totally free. It's a three week, free, 254 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 2: amazing course that walks you literally day by day. I 255 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 2: give you something small to do to work toward increasing 256 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 2: your savings. 257 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: I'm excited for that. 258 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, So I'm excited. 259 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 1: I just I was like the power of the Budgetista. 260 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I missed that. And so I mean, honestly, 261 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 2: the Academy's gonna be fine. We have been through way worths. 262 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 2: This is nothing. I remember one time we was down 263 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 2: to our last ten thousand and bills were thirty and so, 264 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 2: you know, but because this is just the reality of 265 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 2: business that as things shift externally and internally, you have 266 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 2: to pivot and shift. And this is not even the 267 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 2: worst that we've ever been, you know, on a scale 268 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 2: of one to ten of oh my gosh, we're in 269 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 2: trouble ten being big trouble, you know, one being were good. 270 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 2: I mean we're probably at a five, you know, maybe 271 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 2: even a four, a four or five, meaning like I'm 272 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 2: not worried about it because we have all these things 273 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 2: in place that you know, we're just activating them now. 274 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 2: So I'm just like, but it's you know, you have 275 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 2: a plan. Yeah we have exactly for me as long 276 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:17,719 Speaker 2: as we have a plan. But that's just the way 277 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 2: of business. And so as a result of that is 278 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:22,760 Speaker 2: just there's a lot of shifting. But in opposite, the 279 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:27,319 Speaker 2: Budgetiesta has flourished like a damn butterfly. I mean it 280 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 2: has like doubled doubled is revenue, and our profit margins 281 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 2: are stupid, like honestly too high, to the point where 282 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:38,719 Speaker 2: I was like, I feel like we're not supposed to 283 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:42,200 Speaker 2: have eighty percent profit margins, you know, and technically you 284 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 2: really shouldn't, you know, because that just means that's how 285 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 2: much you're paying in taxes. So it's like, do you 286 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,559 Speaker 2: need to hire more help? Are there other things you 287 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 2: could purchase with the business? You know? 288 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: You want to keep budget? Needs to private plane, I know, you. 289 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 2: Know, but that's what people do because if not literally, 290 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 2: It's like I much rather pay someone like on the 291 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 2: team that money than to give it away as taxes. 292 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,719 Speaker 2: You know, does Logan need extra support you know what 293 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 2: I mean? And are there raises? Maybe I can give 294 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 2: her something. But yeah, the Bunchanisa has been slaying. So 295 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 2: that's just the nature of business. You know, you learn 296 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 2: to ride those rays. Those things I don't say, don't 297 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 2: worry me anymore. Like I would tell all my mentees, 298 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:19,719 Speaker 2: you know, you work hard, you're smart, you're consistent, You're 299 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 2: gonna be all right. You just keep at it. So 300 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 2: but yeah, oh chah my lide, pray for my thread. 301 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 2: Oh before I forget today, this is gonna come out 302 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:37,160 Speaker 2: on Wednesday, Thursday morning. I mean, god willing, I do 303 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 2: not have COVID because they come to test me. Tomorrow. 304 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 2: I will be on Ryan and Kelly. Is it Kelly 305 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 2: and Ryan and Kelly. I've never been able to get better, 306 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 2: I know, I know, yes, in studio, you know, so 307 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 2: it's gonna be. I have to be there at seven thirty, 308 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 2: so I'm assuming that eight eight am hours or eight 309 00:13:58,440 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 2: or eight thirty, which is like. 310 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:02,439 Speaker 1: The listen, this is the one morning show that I 311 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,439 Speaker 1: used to religiously watch Kelly and and then Kelly and 312 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:09,319 Speaker 1: Michael and now Kelly and Ryan. Anyway, it's at nine o'clock, okay, 313 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 1: on an hour, so you're on the hour. Yes, and 314 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: it's coming from whenever that show is GMA or whatever 315 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: it is after yes. 316 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 2: So yes, so if you like, tune in wherever you 317 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 2: are and watch. I mean, I've got god willing because honestly, 318 00:14:24,040 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 2: if I'm if I have COVID, which I'm like, please Jesus, 319 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 2: so the audience stuff, can I know, Kelly, I know, give. 320 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:33,400 Speaker 1: Me a plus. 321 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 4: I never asked for anything I ask you for, they 322 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 4: won't let Honestly, it is my Tracy is coming, like 323 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 4: my my makeup artists can't even come, and then like 324 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 4: I know, there's like so that they're like really, I 325 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 4: mean rightfully, so they're wanting to make sure that everyone 326 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 4: is like healthy and you can only so. 327 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 2: And then my my publicist from Penguin is coming. I 328 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 2: think I'm only allowed to two plus ones. But but yeah, 329 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 2: so I'm gonna be on God willing if you don't 330 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 2: see me on you know, because they send someone to 331 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 2: test you like two days before, so I get tested tomorrow. 332 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 2: So if I got the VID. I'll be home weeping 333 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 2: as someone else. 334 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 1: We've already been testing and it's negative, right. 335 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, but at the home test, I'm just like, I'm 336 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 2: hoping I'm doing it right. I've done it twice already 337 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 2: because we have to test before we came on the 338 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 2: trip together. So I'm hoping that this is just like me. 339 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:18,880 Speaker 2: I'm like, I hope I can just give them the 340 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 2: flu not COVID. I hope I can just. 341 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 4: Give them. 342 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:29,080 Speaker 2: Oh my god. Oh but we do have a guest today, 343 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:29,960 Speaker 2: thank god. 344 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, we have a guest today. So Tiff is going 345 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: to take a little breaky break, so that I can 346 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: interview our illustrious guests for today. I'm really excited. I'm 347 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: sorry that you won't get to meet him because he 348 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 1: is amazing. But Christopher Rivas is a storyteller, professional storyteller. 349 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 1: He's an actor, theater writer, and he has a new 350 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: book that is coming out officially Tuesday the eleventh, so 351 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: by the time you guys listen, you can purchase your copy. 352 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: It's called Brown Enough, and it is an incredible it's 353 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: like part memoir. I was just reading a chunk of it, 354 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:01,440 Speaker 1: this chapter about student loans that you guys, won't hear 355 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: me talk to Chris about because talk about being a 356 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: successful Hollywood actor but also having two hundred and forty 357 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 1: four thousand dollars of student loans, Like he goes there. Yeah, 358 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 1: but I'm sorry, you won't get to me. 359 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 2: Correct I know, I am sorry. And then we have 360 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 2: Baqa this week. But honestly, I'm probably like, oh, may 361 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 2: if i'd be Aqa. But you guys will have Mandy 362 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 2: obviously she's she knows all the things. But still keep 363 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 2: because we we're gonna have guests, So we're not gonna 364 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 2: have them this week as planned, but we'll have them 365 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 2: next week. Until if you have your questions, keep dming 366 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 2: us on Instagram. We have voice note questions because we 367 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 2: cannot have weight to have you guys in the hot 368 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 2: seat asking your awesome questions. But no, but for real, 369 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 2: I just like, I don't know, like I'm doing too much. 370 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 2: I don't want to start piling back on again. Honestly, Madia, 371 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 2: I'm nervous about that. Like the pylon. You know that, 372 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 2: because the real work is there is the reaping, not sewing, 373 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 2: meaning like as good things roll in, it's hard to 374 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 2: figure out what to say No to, you know, and 375 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 2: I feel like my body's like, well, girl, you've been 376 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 2: doing too much. That's why we're like this, you know, 377 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 2: I really feel it, Like I'm just like this is 378 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 2: not just a regular cold. This is also because you 379 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:12,200 Speaker 2: didn't sit you behind down cold, and so like that's 380 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:13,640 Speaker 2: I'm nervous about it. I don't want to go back 381 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 2: to that, like I did all the things life. So 382 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 2: I'm really really really trying to be intentional about like, 383 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:20,919 Speaker 2: let me look at my calendar again, what else can 384 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:23,479 Speaker 2: come off? Does this have to be on here? You know? 385 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:26,199 Speaker 2: Does this have to be you know? Yeah, because like 386 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:28,399 Speaker 2: literally I'm about to get back into bed, have my 387 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 2: tea and sleep until tomorrow morning. And hopefully when these 388 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 2: people come to take my big test it says negative 389 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 2: you will be regis, Yeah, I will. I will thank you. 390 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:44,640 Speaker 2: Not ready not reach No, look at me. I'm like, sorry, Ryan, sorry, 391 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 2: it has been a minute. We can talk about age, 392 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:50,120 Speaker 2: we read just eat well. 393 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:51,919 Speaker 1: I think it's just like an important message too that 394 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:55,879 Speaker 1: no matter you know, the things like we know about 395 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,639 Speaker 1: taking time and resting, but I mean everything is in 396 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:00,919 Speaker 1: a cycle, right, and I think it's just about recognizing 397 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: like it is, right, now it's just gotten to be 398 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: too much. So like doing a reset, and thankfully, I mean, 399 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:08,680 Speaker 1: you have systems in place to give yourself that reset. Yeah, 400 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 1: you know, you just got to be the one to 401 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,880 Speaker 1: be like pull the plug, wors the escape patch. Yeah, 402 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: get me out of here. 403 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:20,680 Speaker 2: All right, y'all until next week. You're in good hands, Mandy, 404 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 2: you know, like you're in good hands with all good neighbor. 405 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 1: Wait is that the neighbor one? Shit? 406 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 2: Wait, like a good neighbors? No, that's State. 407 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:30,520 Speaker 3: Far Oh. 408 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:32,840 Speaker 1: I thought it was the guy with the deep voice 409 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:34,639 Speaker 1: from CSI or whatever it was. 410 00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 2: Now I think I want to say, that's all State. 411 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 2: Maybe look at us, girl. 412 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,400 Speaker 1: All right, I got y'all. Okay, I got y'all. Tiff 413 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 1: get some rest. Sending you love. I can't wait. I'm 414 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:46,159 Speaker 1: going to be watching. I'm going to figure out how 415 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 1: to get on, how to get someone's cable and watch. Hey, 416 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: hey va, fam, it's mandra here riding solo. As you 417 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 1: guys heard Tiffany, we wish her well. She is under 418 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:59,919 Speaker 1: the weather and without a voice, which you know, as 419 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 1: podcaster is a little bit important. But I cannot tell you, 420 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: guys how excited I am to introduce you to if 421 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: you're not familiar with this incredible talent already, Christopher Rives. 422 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:13,439 Speaker 1: He is joining us today. Although he usually is in 423 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:16,680 Speaker 1: LA doing big Hollywood things, He's in the New York 424 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:19,680 Speaker 1: Snitcher studio right now. I had the pleasure of getting 425 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:21,760 Speaker 1: to know Chris. God was it earlier this year and 426 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: in the springtime when his team reached out to me 427 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 1: to be a guest on his new podcast called Brown Enough, 428 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:31,160 Speaker 1: which we're going to talk all about. But the real 429 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: reason Chris is here is to talk about his brand 430 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 1: new book. It's called Brown Enough. True stories about love, violence, 431 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:43,479 Speaker 1: the student loan crisis, Hollywood, race, familia, and making it 432 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 1: in America. So you know, we're not covering just anyone's 433 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:51,640 Speaker 1: subject here. He is becoming one of the most sought 434 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:56,199 Speaker 1: after multi hyphenates. He's an actor, author, podcaster, storyteller. Like 435 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 1: I said, his new book Brown Enough. By the time, 436 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: y'all listen to this episode, BA fan, get on over 437 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:02,879 Speaker 1: to Amazon dot com or Barnes and Noble or your 438 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:06,320 Speaker 1: independent bookstore of choice and purchase his book. We are 439 00:20:06,359 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 1: putting a link in the bio or sorry, in the 440 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 1: show notes, you can grab that. It's part memoir, part 441 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: social commentary. Honestly, it's like a rollercoaster while Chris talks 442 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 1: about finding his true self while simultaneously having a racial 443 00:20:20,240 --> 00:20:24,480 Speaker 1: awakening amidst the struggle to be the perfect LATINX, woke 444 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: and brown person as possible to make it in today's America. 445 00:20:28,359 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 1: So we're so so excited to have you here, Chris. 446 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:32,719 Speaker 1: Welcome bian Venia. 447 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:34,399 Speaker 3: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm happy to be here. 448 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:35,680 Speaker 3: I'm happy to chat with you again. 449 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 1: Oh I almost forgot to mention you're like really famous 450 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 1: and stuff. You were on this Fox TV series called 451 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 1: Call Me Kat, opposite everyone's favorite actress Blossom. Oh my god, 452 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 1: my biolic? Did I say that right? Leslie Borden, Kylo Pratt, 453 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 1: Shian Jackson. So we know you are a big Hollywood 454 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,640 Speaker 1: time actor, Chris, But I mean, I don't think it's 455 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:56,479 Speaker 1: possible to hear you speak about your career and not 456 00:20:56,560 --> 00:20:58,239 Speaker 1: really just get the sense that you're not in it 457 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 1: for this Hollywood fame. You're really in it to be 458 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:04,160 Speaker 1: like a storyteller and to get your authentic stories across, 459 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 1: which I was fortunate enough to get to see when 460 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:11,440 Speaker 1: you had your launch party for your first podcast Ruby 461 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:14,440 Speaker 1: Rossa which came out. Congratulations on that too. You're a 462 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: busy guy. 463 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:18,360 Speaker 3: Thank you. That's all done now so you can binge it. 464 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:21,240 Speaker 3: You haven't heard it, you can binge it. I shout 465 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 3: the Dominican man James Bond's based on Yeah, so. 466 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 1: Ba fam knows all about it. I shouted you out 467 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:30,160 Speaker 1: when it first came out. And now your podcast, Brown Enough, 468 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:32,879 Speaker 1: which is in conjunction with this book. So tell us 469 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:37,320 Speaker 1: about this book, why the book and what can people 470 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:38,000 Speaker 1: expect from it? 471 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 3: Why the book and what can people expect from it? 472 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 3: First the podcast Brown Enough, which you will be on. 473 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:47,879 Speaker 3: So just letting your people know, we have an incredible conversation. 474 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:51,639 Speaker 3: You know, that long title right with all the things 475 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 3: and student loan in this and making it in America 476 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:58,880 Speaker 3: and Familia. When I was chatting with the publishers, they 477 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 3: would sold them and I think you'll appreciate this, you know, 478 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:06,360 Speaker 3: finance and stuff, that whole title. What really sold them 479 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:08,160 Speaker 3: was oh, student loan crisis. 480 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:10,640 Speaker 1: You're shitting me, really, that's. 481 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 3: Like that was their Like the people at Simon and 482 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 3: Schuster were like, that's it. You know, they were like, race, 483 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,360 Speaker 3: I see it all the time. This da da da da, 484 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:26,400 Speaker 3: you know, but like student loan crisis, and and so 485 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:30,680 Speaker 3: that that sort of is that title, how that came 486 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:34,920 Speaker 3: into being? And the reason why now is because exactly 487 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:39,560 Speaker 3: what you said, storytelling. I believe everything is a story, 488 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:42,679 Speaker 3: one we've been made to believe or chosen to believe, 489 00:22:42,760 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 3: and knowing the difference is profound, and I think as 490 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:50,360 Speaker 3: bodies of culture, it is imperative that we take back 491 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:54,480 Speaker 3: our stories and we start unplugging from the stories about 492 00:22:54,520 --> 00:23:00,159 Speaker 3: us what whiteness and society and capitalism has attempted to 493 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:04,119 Speaker 3: teach us about ourselves and our worth, what we're worthy of. 494 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 3: And so you are right, the Hollywood shine is not 495 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:14,160 Speaker 3: as nice to me as the ability to tell new 496 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:18,320 Speaker 3: stories and provide armor for young brown and black kids 497 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:19,720 Speaker 3: who also want to tell stories. 498 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:22,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean I in the portions of the book 499 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: that I have been privileged enough to get to read, 500 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: I wish I had a copy. But it says it's 501 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 1: going to be here tomorrow. That's fine. I check the 502 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:30,880 Speaker 1: Amazon tracking, like when's the book going to get here? 503 00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 1: But in the portions that I've read, I just feel 504 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 1: like any young brown teenager in America who picks up 505 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:39,160 Speaker 1: this book or if you know a brown teenager, which 506 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: BA fan. You know, we know some brown teens out there. 507 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 1: I feel like they would find interest or young in 508 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:46,080 Speaker 1: their careers. It's really for everyone, but I just feel 509 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:48,560 Speaker 1: like you really see that person. I don't know if 510 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 1: you were envisioning a certain reader when you were writing this, 511 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:54,200 Speaker 1: but it feels like a nice, warm, big bear hug 512 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: to any brown kid out there who's not feeling like 513 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 1: they belong. That was how I felt, and I sort 514 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:03,879 Speaker 1: of put myself at my young teen years when I 515 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:07,080 Speaker 1: was just I mean, had no idea where I belonged, 516 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:10,760 Speaker 1: trapped in between, you know, two different sort of identities 517 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:16,199 Speaker 1: and socioeconomically and racially and even geographically, feeling torn. And 518 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:18,440 Speaker 1: I just felt really seen by a lot of the book. 519 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 3: That's well, thank you. I mean, the goal of my 520 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 3: work in general is to create spaces of belonging and 521 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:28,880 Speaker 3: to allow people to feel seen, and so I'm glad 522 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 3: you felt that way. It's funny when I was writing it, 523 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:36,240 Speaker 3: I don't actually think the irony. It's like the dedication 524 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:40,200 Speaker 3: reads this book is dedicated to all the little brown 525 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:44,040 Speaker 3: kids who need to see themselves grander and more vibrant. 526 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 3: But don't I see you. I hear you, we hear 527 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:50,440 Speaker 3: But I think when I was writing it, I don't 528 00:24:50,440 --> 00:24:53,720 Speaker 3: actually know that I was writing it for like high 529 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 3: schoolers or teens. And yet every day since we've been 530 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:01,240 Speaker 3: leading up to this book coming out out, I'm like, 531 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:04,600 Speaker 3: this needs to be high school required reading. Yeah, is 532 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:07,199 Speaker 3: what I needed when I was young, Like, that is 533 00:25:07,240 --> 00:25:08,879 Speaker 3: the audience I want to have it. And so we 534 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:12,480 Speaker 3: made this incredible study and discussion guide that schools are getting. 535 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:15,000 Speaker 3: And so if anyone listening is interested in that, you 536 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:18,399 Speaker 3: can just email the publisher at row House and they 537 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 3: will send you this beautiful study guide we made. 538 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 1: I mean, how different when my high school experience have 539 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:26,560 Speaker 1: been if there was even one author of color on 540 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:29,719 Speaker 1: the list and not, let alone a book that really 541 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 1: embraces that identity. So tell, folks, backing all the way 542 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:35,800 Speaker 1: back up to a little bit of your origin story, 543 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:39,400 Speaker 1: talk to our audience about what made when you say brown, 544 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:40,959 Speaker 1: what do you mean by that? Where are you from 545 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 1: and how did you sort of what was your journey 546 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:47,160 Speaker 1: like coming into your own as a brown man in America. 547 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, so my father's Dominican, my mom is Colombian. I 548 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 3: grew up in Queens, New York. Queen's is one of 549 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 3: the most diverse places in the world. I spent a 550 00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:01,160 Speaker 3: lot of time in Jackson Heights, that is actually known 551 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 3: as the cultural melting pot of the world. Everyone and 552 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:08,160 Speaker 3: their mother and everything is there, and so I think, 553 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:12,399 Speaker 3: without knowing it, that was extremely influential on me. I 554 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:19,359 Speaker 3: saw a brownness everywhere, and I struggled to think that 555 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:22,560 Speaker 3: I was. I watched the boys on TV, and I 556 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 3: knew I wasn't white and so called pretty like them. 557 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 2: You know. 558 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:31,000 Speaker 3: I didn't see myself and yet I didn't fit like 559 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:34,320 Speaker 3: the you know, latinos on TV, and I wasn't Latin 560 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:36,919 Speaker 3: enough for some of the you know girls. I was 561 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:40,720 Speaker 3: trying to kick it too, and and I didn't know 562 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:43,240 Speaker 3: if I had where my home was. My best friend 563 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:47,960 Speaker 3: was Pakistani South Asian, like I was always trying to 564 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:51,440 Speaker 3: be seen and be accepted and fit in, which I 565 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:55,399 Speaker 3: think is a very human component of us, Like we 566 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:58,199 Speaker 3: want to find our tribe, and so that's been a 567 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:01,679 Speaker 3: majority of my life is looking for my tribe. Fast 568 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:07,280 Speaker 3: forward many years and I'm an actor in Hollywood, which 569 00:27:07,320 --> 00:27:10,919 Speaker 3: teaches you a lot about tribe and where you belong 570 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:12,800 Speaker 3: or where they try to tell you you belong and 571 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 3: you have white managers who tell you to cut your 572 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:18,680 Speaker 3: hair or tell you to get a nose job right, 573 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 3: to look more white, more passing, more Eurocentric. And then 574 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:31,040 Speaker 3: I go to see tanahase Coote speak and he's a genius, 575 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:34,199 Speaker 3: brilliant man, and he's speaking about black and white. And 576 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:35,879 Speaker 3: I raise my hand and I say, well, as a 577 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:39,359 Speaker 3: Dominican Colombian kid from Queen's, where does that leave me 578 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:43,439 Speaker 3: in the conversation? And he said, not in it, not 579 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:46,440 Speaker 3: in an aggressive way, not in a just that's it 580 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:50,680 Speaker 3: is not in it? And I went home a bit shattered. 581 00:27:52,720 --> 00:27:55,679 Speaker 3: Where am I? I've always felt like I wasn't in it? 582 00:27:56,440 --> 00:27:59,160 Speaker 3: What does it mean to be in it? Where's my father? 583 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:00,240 Speaker 3: Where's my mother? You? 584 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 4: Mandy? 585 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:03,639 Speaker 3: What's it mean to take up space? What does it 586 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:06,479 Speaker 3: mean to look at brownness in that whole middle space 587 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:09,920 Speaker 3: which is far more than skin color? Right, like in 588 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:13,680 Speaker 3: a world that is always this or that heishi yes, 589 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:17,159 Speaker 3: no fail, pass right wrong? What does it look like 590 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:21,040 Speaker 3: to live and embrace that middle space, to live outside 591 00:28:21,080 --> 00:28:23,840 Speaker 3: of a box, to live outside of a binary. And 592 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 3: so I wrote this book. This book has been a 593 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 3: real reclaiming of my voice, and I hope it gives 594 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:35,080 Speaker 3: other people that same power. 595 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:39,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, I find that really powerful. I mean, obviously ton 596 00:28:39,680 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 1: Of Haseekost is a genius, but I've heard you tell 597 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:45,000 Speaker 1: that anecdote a couple of times, and I'm just like, Ah, 598 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 1: there may have been a better way to praise that 599 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:50,240 Speaker 1: instead of like not in it, because I do feel 600 00:28:50,280 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 1: like there's a room for all of it. But I 601 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 1: completely get it. You know, at that moment in America 602 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:58,160 Speaker 1: when we're so talking about you know, the pain, the 603 00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,600 Speaker 1: violence against black bodies and the Black Lives Matter movement 604 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:03,800 Speaker 1: and all of that, and it belongs here. What I 605 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:06,040 Speaker 1: love is that you took that feedback and you were like, well, 606 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:08,520 Speaker 1: let's create a conversation that includes us, because I think 607 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:11,480 Speaker 1: that we all deserve to be included. It doesn't take 608 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:13,800 Speaker 1: away from the pain right of growing up black in 609 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:16,280 Speaker 1: America or the stories there. It's just it's not about 610 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 1: it's not a zero sum game. And I think that 611 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:21,240 Speaker 1: there's this there's this, especially in some of my conservative 612 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:25,760 Speaker 1: white families ideology, that there's this this idea that there's 613 00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 1: if one group is being focused on and being heard, 614 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:32,920 Speaker 1: that somehow it's taking away from like your own issues 615 00:29:33,040 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 1: or what's important to you. But yeah, I just find 616 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:38,479 Speaker 1: that so so short sighted. And that's why I'm so 617 00:29:38,520 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: excited to see a book like this even published, because 618 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:44,080 Speaker 1: traditional publishing, I mean, has not always been the kindest 619 00:29:44,120 --> 00:29:46,880 Speaker 1: to black and brown authors. So that is just a 620 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:48,080 Speaker 1: feat in and of itself. 621 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:50,720 Speaker 3: And while I'm you do you want to tap into 622 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:54,360 Speaker 3: that thing? Sorry, that thing you said about there's a competition. 623 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 3: It feels that way right, Like, Oh, they got their movie, 624 00:29:58,520 --> 00:30:01,400 Speaker 3: where's my movie? Crazy rich Asians gets their movie, where's 625 00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:01,880 Speaker 3: my movie? 626 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:02,400 Speaker 2: Oh? 627 00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:03,920 Speaker 3: They got this show, where's my show? 628 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 1: Oh? 629 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:07,720 Speaker 3: Heentified gets you know. Oh, the Mexicans get a show, 630 00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:08,840 Speaker 3: where's my where's my show? 631 00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:10,040 Speaker 2: You know? 632 00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:10,719 Speaker 1: Oh? 633 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:13,280 Speaker 3: Dominicans get Gordica chron where's my show? Where's my port? 634 00:30:13,480 --> 00:30:19,920 Speaker 3: You know? Like, and that is something And I always 635 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:23,360 Speaker 3: say this, right, we don't win until we all win. 636 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:26,760 Speaker 3: And I will always quote James Baldwin, as soon as 637 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 3: you put one person in the cage, you put everybody 638 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:34,160 Speaker 3: in the cage, White people included. Everybody's. Everybody's in this 639 00:30:34,280 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 3: nasty stuff, and we're all suffering the same myths and 640 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:46,200 Speaker 3: lies that come with whiteness and capitalism and all of 641 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 3: that and systemic racism. Everyone's in it. And I really 642 00:30:52,320 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 3: hope this book and my work challenges that, like we 643 00:30:58,200 --> 00:31:02,040 Speaker 3: can all win, we can all celebrate each other. Just 644 00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:04,720 Speaker 3: because they got up doesn't mean it takes away from you. 645 00:31:05,120 --> 00:31:09,600 Speaker 1: Thanks for saying that. So can we talk about well, 646 00:31:09,600 --> 00:31:11,600 Speaker 1: one thing, I love the title of the book, Brown Enough. 647 00:31:11,640 --> 00:31:13,880 Speaker 1: Obviously we're a show called Brown Ambition, and the reason 648 00:31:13,920 --> 00:31:18,520 Speaker 1: we chose that title was really to highlight the ability 649 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 1: of our people, black and brown people, to excel, to 650 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:27,480 Speaker 1: be ambitious, to be successful in spite of all the challenges. 651 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:30,280 Speaker 1: And we're going to kind of shift the conversations. I 652 00:31:30,280 --> 00:31:32,120 Speaker 1: want to talk about the super sexy part of your 653 00:31:32,120 --> 00:31:35,160 Speaker 1: book where you talk about student loans. But the reality 654 00:31:35,240 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 1: is that in this America, and you have a whole 655 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:41,200 Speaker 1: chapter in your book, I encourage you all to readcalled American. 656 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:47,120 Speaker 1: But in this America, in order to succeed right and 657 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:49,920 Speaker 1: to excel, it comes at such a high cost if 658 00:31:49,920 --> 00:31:53,200 Speaker 1: we choose the traditional routes, because I mean the traditional 659 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:59,280 Speaker 1: avenues for success, meaning higher education, are indescribably like shackling 660 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:02,520 Speaker 1: whole couple of generations now with black and brown people, 661 00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:05,920 Speaker 1: with enormous student loan debt, and so it's like excel 662 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:09,160 Speaker 1: and succeed on whose terms? Right? So can you talk 663 00:32:09,160 --> 00:32:12,240 Speaker 1: a little bit about your student loan story and why 664 00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:16,120 Speaker 1: that became such a central part of of your memoir 665 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:17,160 Speaker 1: of your book. 666 00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:23,400 Speaker 3: I think bodies of cultures access or lack of access 667 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:33,040 Speaker 3: to financial education from very early on, debt, loans, credit, 668 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:38,720 Speaker 3: compounded interest. You know, like, my parents didn't know this 669 00:32:38,840 --> 00:32:41,600 Speaker 3: stuff to teach me because they were figuring it out, 670 00:32:43,080 --> 00:32:48,000 Speaker 3: because they were they were caught up in this American dream, right, 671 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:51,520 Speaker 3: which says, go out and get this by any cost. 672 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:53,840 Speaker 3: Get the credit card, do this, get the house, get 673 00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:57,720 Speaker 3: the mortgage, and what you show other people is what 674 00:32:57,760 --> 00:33:02,960 Speaker 3: you are. They sort of struggle to be middle class. 675 00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:10,440 Speaker 3: And that American dream also sells you get the best 676 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:15,720 Speaker 3: education possible, but that doesn't do much to actually help 677 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:19,640 Speaker 3: you get that education. And then when you leave with 678 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 3: all this debt, it's as if you were the idiot. 679 00:33:24,600 --> 00:33:28,360 Speaker 3: You made the mistake. But you told me, you told me, 680 00:33:28,360 --> 00:33:30,400 Speaker 3: you said, oh, go to the literally, you know, went 681 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:32,640 Speaker 3: to one of the best acting programs in the world. Go, 682 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:36,200 Speaker 3: don't worry, go, that's that's what you know. One of 683 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:38,480 Speaker 3: the first people in your family to go to college, 684 00:33:38,520 --> 00:33:42,680 Speaker 3: go do it. And so I go. And I have 685 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:45,800 Speaker 3: all this debt, you know, six figures of debt. 686 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:46,880 Speaker 1: Can we share the number? 687 00:33:46,920 --> 00:33:49,120 Speaker 3: It's in your book, you can, It's in my book. 688 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:52,280 Speaker 3: It's the first line of my book. I have two hundred. 689 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:54,240 Speaker 3: I have two hundred and forty four thousand dollars in 690 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:58,719 Speaker 3: student loan debt. And no one knows this except everyone 691 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:01,720 Speaker 3: knows this now. Not even my parents know. They too 692 00:34:01,800 --> 00:34:07,680 Speaker 3: now know, Oh my god. And somehow and all of 693 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 3: that is compounded interest, right, like I owe more interest 694 00:34:10,200 --> 00:34:18,600 Speaker 3: than the initial loans, and somehow, you know. I think 695 00:34:18,640 --> 00:34:23,040 Speaker 3: student loans specifically really is a way of trying to 696 00:34:23,120 --> 00:34:26,960 Speaker 3: cripple people from making it. In the book, I talk 697 00:34:27,000 --> 00:34:31,480 Speaker 3: about also rans in a horse race. One horse wins, 698 00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:35,040 Speaker 3: but you need the also rants. You need the competition, 699 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:38,600 Speaker 3: you need the idea that they might win. That's what 700 00:34:38,680 --> 00:34:43,640 Speaker 3: keeps people betting. And I think this society systemically wants 701 00:34:43,719 --> 00:34:48,359 Speaker 3: also rans. We want more also rans than winners. So 702 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:51,080 Speaker 3: we sell them a dream, we sell them capitalism, we 703 00:34:51,160 --> 00:34:55,000 Speaker 3: sell them all this stuff they should go after. And 704 00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:57,239 Speaker 3: only until we start to do the unplugging do we 705 00:34:57,280 --> 00:34:59,960 Speaker 3: see why we're chasing the carrot dangling from our head 706 00:35:00,320 --> 00:35:05,719 Speaker 3: that we didn't even put there. So student loans is 707 00:35:05,719 --> 00:35:07,400 Speaker 3: a very big deal to me because I feel so 708 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:11,279 Speaker 3: blessed and lucky that every day, somehow I got to 709 00:35:11,320 --> 00:35:13,200 Speaker 3: make it work till the point where I could finally 710 00:35:13,239 --> 00:35:17,120 Speaker 3: start paying them back. I got to scheme in Machavelli 711 00:35:17,239 --> 00:35:19,480 Speaker 3: my way to the point where it didn't cripple me 712 00:35:19,640 --> 00:35:22,279 Speaker 3: and break me, and it almost did. I lived in 713 00:35:22,280 --> 00:35:24,480 Speaker 3: my car for a year, you know, like I did 714 00:35:24,520 --> 00:35:26,640 Speaker 3: all this stuff. I did anything I could to still 715 00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:30,080 Speaker 3: be able to be an artist, sort of praying that 716 00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:31,640 Speaker 3: one day I would get to this point. And there 717 00:35:31,680 --> 00:35:35,319 Speaker 3: is a bit of luck right. My favorite tweet is 718 00:35:35,320 --> 00:35:39,560 Speaker 3: the gofund me, you know, cool website to support friends, 719 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:42,080 Speaker 3: and then twenty twenty, it's like that was when it launched, 720 00:35:42,080 --> 00:35:45,480 Speaker 3: and then twenty twenty the backbone of the American healthcare system. 721 00:35:45,760 --> 00:35:47,959 Speaker 1: And it's not just you either. It's not just our 722 00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:51,040 Speaker 1: kids who were taking on these six figure student loan debts. 723 00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:54,080 Speaker 1: I mean you you open up about your family is 724 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:57,000 Speaker 1: co signed those loans signers. It's not just your mom 725 00:35:57,000 --> 00:35:58,520 Speaker 1: and David, you or your uncle. 726 00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:01,080 Speaker 3: You got your uncle, oh, good to you. 727 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:04,799 Speaker 1: But I mean, in all seriousness, it's like it's not 728 00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:08,000 Speaker 1: just about the kids. It's often like even the adults, 729 00:36:08,640 --> 00:36:11,480 Speaker 1: you know, our parents, who because these loans are so enormous, 730 00:36:11,520 --> 00:36:13,840 Speaker 1: you have to have a co signer. And so this 731 00:36:13,960 --> 00:36:17,480 Speaker 1: whole like idea that oh, it's just ignorant eighteen year 732 00:36:17,480 --> 00:36:19,200 Speaker 1: olds who were doing this and they should have known 733 00:36:19,239 --> 00:36:21,560 Speaker 1: better and if only someone would have told them, we 734 00:36:21,640 --> 00:36:25,480 Speaker 1: all need more education, you know, like at the like adults, 735 00:36:25,520 --> 00:36:28,400 Speaker 1: all of that. But how has that now that obviously 736 00:36:28,440 --> 00:36:31,360 Speaker 1: you're able to start paying that those loans back, was 737 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:34,240 Speaker 1: there damage to your relationships because of the co signing 738 00:36:34,360 --> 00:36:38,160 Speaker 1: or like, what's your what's the conversations around that now 739 00:36:38,200 --> 00:36:40,880 Speaker 1: with your with your family who was nice enough to 740 00:36:40,920 --> 00:36:42,080 Speaker 1: co sign those loans for you? 741 00:36:43,000 --> 00:36:46,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, I want to go back to like my my 742 00:36:46,600 --> 00:36:49,400 Speaker 3: mom was born in Columbia, right, she didn't get to 743 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:51,400 Speaker 3: go to college. Like I really want to put that 744 00:36:51,480 --> 00:36:55,600 Speaker 3: on our understand our generation and where our families come from. 745 00:36:56,320 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 3: My dad didn't go to college. And so when their 746 00:36:59,560 --> 00:37:02,640 Speaker 3: son gets into all these colleges and he sits on 747 00:37:02,680 --> 00:37:05,319 Speaker 3: the couch crying because he knows his parents can't afford it. 748 00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:09,799 Speaker 3: But they love their son and they love like, oh, 749 00:37:09,840 --> 00:37:11,919 Speaker 3: we worked this hard to allow our son to even 750 00:37:11,960 --> 00:37:17,359 Speaker 3: have this opportunity. We worked two jobs. Those two jobs 751 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:20,279 Speaker 3: got us a house. This, this, this, to give him 752 00:37:20,280 --> 00:37:23,440 Speaker 3: this opportunity, we have to do whatever it is. And 753 00:37:23,480 --> 00:37:25,520 Speaker 3: then as a family, we sit down and read sixty 754 00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:30,840 Speaker 3: pages of gibberish with no education, as if we're supposed 755 00:37:30,840 --> 00:37:33,440 Speaker 3: to understand what we're signing into. But what we're signing 756 00:37:33,520 --> 00:37:37,719 Speaker 3: into is that dream. You know, my parents trying to 757 00:37:37,719 --> 00:37:40,480 Speaker 3: give me everything they never had. And that's so many families, right, 758 00:37:40,520 --> 00:37:45,120 Speaker 3: It's not the ignorant eighteen year old, it's it's the families, 759 00:37:45,160 --> 00:37:48,280 Speaker 3: it's society. It's so much is in this one idea 760 00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:52,080 Speaker 3: of a student loan, of an education that costs absorbant 761 00:37:52,120 --> 00:37:56,440 Speaker 3: amounts of money. How has that affected our relationships? It? 762 00:37:57,320 --> 00:38:00,040 Speaker 3: Thank god, it hasn't, you know. I feel lucky. I 763 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:02,839 Speaker 3: don't think this is everyone's situation except maybe my uncle. 764 00:38:02,920 --> 00:38:05,200 Speaker 3: My uncle hated the phone calls and was always calling 765 00:38:05,320 --> 00:38:10,000 Speaker 3: me and always, always, always always calling me, and he 766 00:38:10,120 --> 00:38:13,200 Speaker 3: was worried and he was scared. You know, they call 767 00:38:13,320 --> 00:38:16,000 Speaker 3: a lot. I got the calls, my dad got the calls. 768 00:38:16,480 --> 00:38:18,319 Speaker 3: That's why I went to get a PhD. Right, Like, 769 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:21,719 Speaker 3: everything I did was like I'm gonna just keep like, 770 00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:23,719 Speaker 3: let me and roll back in school, right, figure out 771 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:25,160 Speaker 3: a way to do this, figure out a way to 772 00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:27,600 Speaker 3: do it, figure out a way to pause, to pause. 773 00:38:27,680 --> 00:38:30,120 Speaker 3: Pause the loans pause them. But at the end of 774 00:38:30,160 --> 00:38:34,279 Speaker 3: the day, I really did have whether they admitted or not, 775 00:38:34,360 --> 00:38:35,759 Speaker 3: I don't know. That's how I take it. I had 776 00:38:35,800 --> 00:38:39,120 Speaker 3: people in my life who believed in me, you know, 777 00:38:40,120 --> 00:38:44,120 Speaker 3: and I'm glad they did. And I'm really again, it's 778 00:38:44,160 --> 00:38:46,680 Speaker 3: just there's an overall gratitude because I know so many 779 00:38:46,719 --> 00:38:49,520 Speaker 3: people who didn't get to be artists, who didn't get 780 00:38:49,560 --> 00:38:51,759 Speaker 3: to be what they wanted to be because they had 781 00:38:51,760 --> 00:38:53,680 Speaker 3: to work three or four jobs to start paying back 782 00:38:53,719 --> 00:38:56,400 Speaker 3: their loans, which are sometimes more money than their rent. 783 00:38:56,640 --> 00:38:59,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, or even artists who are afraid or hear the 784 00:39:00,200 --> 00:39:03,479 Speaker 1: you know, hear a story like yours and then don't 785 00:39:03,480 --> 00:39:05,920 Speaker 1: see another way like don't see you like, are too 786 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:09,880 Speaker 1: afraid because they're worried about settling themselves with debt. I 787 00:39:09,880 --> 00:39:13,879 Speaker 1: think about myself as a writer growing up and thinking, well, 788 00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:16,440 Speaker 1: I'm going to study journalism because you know, I had 789 00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:18,640 Speaker 1: these dreams of being a writer and like writing novels 790 00:39:18,640 --> 00:39:20,759 Speaker 1: and maybe writing plays. But for me, I was like, well, 791 00:39:20,800 --> 00:39:23,239 Speaker 1: I need to make money because ain't nobody come in 792 00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:25,640 Speaker 1: to save me or you know, help me with this life. 793 00:39:26,040 --> 00:39:28,880 Speaker 1: So it's almost that pressure like do we do something sensible, 794 00:39:29,520 --> 00:39:35,120 Speaker 1: you know? Or do we follow our dreams? And you know, 795 00:39:35,239 --> 00:39:37,480 Speaker 1: it's and I also feel like it's that in between, 796 00:39:37,560 --> 00:39:39,839 Speaker 1: like there's not it's not black or white in that way. 797 00:39:40,440 --> 00:39:42,440 Speaker 1: It doesn't have to be all or nothing. But like 798 00:39:42,480 --> 00:39:46,160 Speaker 1: hopefully stories were like yours, I hope won't make people 799 00:39:46,200 --> 00:39:48,880 Speaker 1: afraid to pursue their ambitions if it's like to be 800 00:39:48,880 --> 00:39:51,399 Speaker 1: an artist and whatnot, but maybe just to like look 801 00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:55,080 Speaker 1: for other you know, other avenues, other programs, other other 802 00:39:55,120 --> 00:39:58,480 Speaker 1: ways to do it without having to immediately just like 803 00:39:58,520 --> 00:40:00,719 Speaker 1: sign up for all those loans? Would you agree? Or 804 00:40:00,719 --> 00:40:02,520 Speaker 1: how do you feel about it? Yeah? 805 00:40:02,520 --> 00:40:04,279 Speaker 3: I mean that's how I end the chapter, right Like 806 00:40:04,320 --> 00:40:05,960 Speaker 3: if a young person asked me if I should go 807 00:40:06,040 --> 00:40:09,320 Speaker 3: to college today, I would quote, you know, I quote 808 00:40:09,320 --> 00:40:15,600 Speaker 3: the poet Maggie Smith and her poem good Bones. Any 809 00:40:15,640 --> 00:40:19,840 Speaker 3: realtor taking you through a real shithole will chirp on 810 00:40:19,920 --> 00:40:24,120 Speaker 3: about the good bones. This place has good bones. She 811 00:40:24,239 --> 00:40:33,400 Speaker 3: says this place could be something one day. And I 812 00:40:33,440 --> 00:40:37,960 Speaker 3: reference that poem because I think it's important to know 813 00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:42,160 Speaker 3: when you're walking into a shithole and to know about 814 00:40:42,160 --> 00:40:46,759 Speaker 3: the good bones. And I just want all children. And 815 00:40:46,800 --> 00:40:49,640 Speaker 3: this is why I think the education of finance and 816 00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:54,680 Speaker 3: opportunity and options is so important. Very young to say, 817 00:40:54,760 --> 00:40:57,759 Speaker 3: you know, there's community college and they're actually quite good. 818 00:40:58,719 --> 00:40:59,279 Speaker 2: You know. 819 00:40:59,440 --> 00:41:03,280 Speaker 3: Like, I'm not anti education, I'm anti the cost of education. 820 00:41:03,920 --> 00:41:06,399 Speaker 3: And I want to be really clear about that. Going 821 00:41:06,440 --> 00:41:08,560 Speaker 3: to college was one of the greatest times of my life. 822 00:41:08,680 --> 00:41:10,319 Speaker 3: I mean, I think it really made me who I 823 00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:14,520 Speaker 3: am today, especially that school. I value the education in 824 00:41:14,560 --> 00:41:19,200 Speaker 3: the community like and I want everyone to have that opportunity. 825 00:41:19,680 --> 00:41:22,000 Speaker 3: But I also want them to challenge and be aware 826 00:41:23,160 --> 00:41:28,319 Speaker 3: that asking a young person to take out loans that 827 00:41:28,520 --> 00:41:33,000 Speaker 3: size is criminal and I really want them to be 828 00:41:33,040 --> 00:41:36,719 Speaker 3: aware of that. And I didn't understand it. I did 829 00:41:36,760 --> 00:41:39,320 Speaker 3: not have that education, I did not have that language. 830 00:41:39,600 --> 00:41:42,440 Speaker 3: And so I'm not anti education, I'm anti the exportment 831 00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:44,200 Speaker 3: cost of education. 832 00:41:44,440 --> 00:41:46,360 Speaker 1: This is why we need this book to like require 833 00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:48,440 Speaker 1: reading for high school students. This is like the prime 834 00:41:48,480 --> 00:41:52,359 Speaker 1: opportunity get them before they make the same you know decisions. 835 00:41:53,640 --> 00:41:55,879 Speaker 1: I love that. Okay, So sort of just to tie 836 00:41:56,120 --> 00:41:59,400 Speaker 1: the conversation up, talk a little bit about I mean, 837 00:41:59,400 --> 00:42:00,920 Speaker 1: I think I know pe we are probably curious and 838 00:42:00,960 --> 00:42:03,880 Speaker 1: we've had questions from listeners who are in the arts. 839 00:42:04,280 --> 00:42:07,520 Speaker 1: So what's your advice to young or maybe not even young, 840 00:42:07,560 --> 00:42:09,359 Speaker 1: because I don't want to be ageous, but anyone out 841 00:42:09,360 --> 00:42:13,239 Speaker 1: there who's dreaming of pursuing a career, and let's talk 842 00:42:13,280 --> 00:42:15,880 Speaker 1: about theater maybe or film, whatever you consider to be 843 00:42:15,920 --> 00:42:18,120 Speaker 1: your primary focus, right, because you do a little bit 844 00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:20,839 Speaker 1: of everything, what advice do you have to people who 845 00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:24,000 Speaker 1: are wanting to get a career in the arts and 846 00:42:24,040 --> 00:42:24,960 Speaker 1: make it successful. 847 00:42:25,680 --> 00:42:28,840 Speaker 3: Yeah. So, I think being an artist is one of 848 00:42:29,320 --> 00:42:33,920 Speaker 3: the most important positions in society and in the world. 849 00:42:35,040 --> 00:42:37,399 Speaker 3: This is why when a dictator comes in, the first 850 00:42:37,400 --> 00:42:40,680 Speaker 3: thing they get rid of the lawyers and the like. 851 00:42:40,840 --> 00:42:45,000 Speaker 3: Artist artists have an ability to speak on what is, 852 00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:48,319 Speaker 3: to call out the good bones and the shit all 853 00:42:48,360 --> 00:42:53,440 Speaker 3: at once. And so anyone who's young or old, or 854 00:42:53,520 --> 00:42:58,520 Speaker 3: middle or something who's thinking about being an artist, one 855 00:42:58,520 --> 00:43:00,840 Speaker 3: I'd say you already are you know, and you're an 856 00:43:00,920 --> 00:43:04,239 Speaker 3: artist regardless of this sort of success or so called 857 00:43:04,239 --> 00:43:07,120 Speaker 3: blah blah blah blah. You achieve you are an artist 858 00:43:07,239 --> 00:43:10,120 Speaker 3: and you need to be an artist. Now, whether the 859 00:43:10,160 --> 00:43:12,000 Speaker 3: conversation is do I have to go to school in 860 00:43:12,080 --> 00:43:14,480 Speaker 3: order to be this painter and store to study fine artists, 861 00:43:14,520 --> 00:43:17,720 Speaker 3: or to study theater or to study writing, I would 862 00:43:17,760 --> 00:43:21,040 Speaker 3: just invite you to consider what are the other programs 863 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:23,520 Speaker 3: out there? Is it better? Is this a field where 864 00:43:23,560 --> 00:43:25,440 Speaker 3: you can just go in and start doing the work. 865 00:43:25,640 --> 00:43:28,439 Speaker 3: I will say this, like, I you know, I worked 866 00:43:28,480 --> 00:43:29,799 Speaker 3: a lot in New York when I was a kid, 867 00:43:29,840 --> 00:43:32,520 Speaker 3: and then I stopped acting and I moved to Miami 868 00:43:32,600 --> 00:43:34,479 Speaker 3: and I was like a personal trainer on South Beach, 869 00:43:34,520 --> 00:43:37,560 Speaker 3: and I knew I wanted to act again. It like 870 00:43:37,640 --> 00:43:40,239 Speaker 3: really it really hit me. But I knew I wanted 871 00:43:40,280 --> 00:43:43,920 Speaker 3: to go to school. I knew I really really really 872 00:43:43,960 --> 00:43:47,600 Speaker 3: wanted to study it because I like I loved it 873 00:43:47,640 --> 00:43:51,400 Speaker 3: and I lacked an intimate knowledge of its history and 874 00:43:51,400 --> 00:43:53,560 Speaker 3: where it came from. I thought about, like, let me 875 00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:55,160 Speaker 3: just move to La, let me I got, let me 876 00:43:55,200 --> 00:43:56,880 Speaker 3: save this money and let me move to LA and 877 00:43:56,960 --> 00:43:59,120 Speaker 3: just try and figure it out. But I wanted to 878 00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:03,799 Speaker 3: study it, and I'm just so be the artist. We 879 00:44:03,880 --> 00:44:07,239 Speaker 3: need you, We need you be the artist you are. 880 00:44:07,560 --> 00:44:11,280 Speaker 3: We need you. And if you want to go to school, 881 00:44:12,120 --> 00:44:15,239 Speaker 3: really just test the waters, test your options, consider it. 882 00:44:16,239 --> 00:44:20,080 Speaker 3: And if you think you're like this is it. I 883 00:44:20,120 --> 00:44:21,920 Speaker 3: want to do this. I want to do this for 884 00:44:21,920 --> 00:44:26,000 Speaker 3: forty to sixty thousand dollars a year. Great, take that journey, 885 00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:29,120 Speaker 3: you know, but you're going in consciously and that's what's 886 00:44:29,160 --> 00:44:30,280 Speaker 3: really important. 887 00:44:30,520 --> 00:44:32,839 Speaker 1: Yeah, and even getting a mentor, like someone who's been 888 00:44:32,880 --> 00:44:34,880 Speaker 1: there a little bit like bind you a Chris Reebus 889 00:44:34,880 --> 00:44:38,840 Speaker 1: out there. I mean like that could be crucial, like 890 00:44:38,920 --> 00:44:42,400 Speaker 1: having someone who can sort of share their experience before. Yeah, 891 00:44:42,440 --> 00:44:45,319 Speaker 1: you make that huge investment. Okay, Chris? Do you think 892 00:44:45,320 --> 00:44:47,080 Speaker 1: you're Brown enough? Is that the open end? Is there 893 00:44:47,120 --> 00:44:48,960 Speaker 1: a question at the end of this for the book? 894 00:44:49,680 --> 00:44:53,680 Speaker 3: Is there a I am enough? So at some point 895 00:44:53,719 --> 00:44:57,239 Speaker 3: I think we move beyond brown? Right? Like brown? Is 896 00:44:57,280 --> 00:45:00,839 Speaker 3: this invitation to think about the middle space in all 897 00:45:00,880 --> 00:45:03,360 Speaker 3: of your life, what it means to use your voice, 898 00:45:03,400 --> 00:45:05,160 Speaker 3: what it means to take up space, what it means 899 00:45:05,200 --> 00:45:08,640 Speaker 3: to cast a spell of self worth and really, which 900 00:45:08,680 --> 00:45:12,439 Speaker 3: then evolves to I am enough just as I am, 901 00:45:13,160 --> 00:45:15,600 Speaker 3: I am enough, just as I am with what's in 902 00:45:15,680 --> 00:45:21,239 Speaker 3: my bank account, with what I'm wearing with my skin, color, 903 00:45:21,239 --> 00:45:24,759 Speaker 3: with my hair, with my questions about whether I want 904 00:45:24,760 --> 00:45:27,560 Speaker 3: to be an artist or not. Like, right here, right now, 905 00:45:27,920 --> 00:45:32,160 Speaker 3: I am enough, and I can begin from this place 906 00:45:32,160 --> 00:45:35,440 Speaker 3: of fullness rather than a place of lack and less. 907 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:37,680 Speaker 3: And I need to go after this in order to 908 00:45:37,719 --> 00:45:41,960 Speaker 3: be enough. And so I hope the book ends for 909 00:45:42,080 --> 00:45:45,319 Speaker 3: others the way I actually think it. You know, in 910 00:45:45,440 --> 00:45:48,359 Speaker 3: days and granted it's a spectrum, right Like, there are 911 00:45:48,440 --> 00:45:51,040 Speaker 3: days where I'm like, yeah, I'm here, i am enough, 912 00:45:51,440 --> 00:45:53,680 Speaker 3: I am Brown enough, I'm enough, I'm Revis enough, I'm 913 00:45:53,719 --> 00:45:58,040 Speaker 3: Chris enough. You know, I'm like, I'm enough. And then 914 00:45:58,080 --> 00:46:01,239 Speaker 3: there are days where we're still in the matrix. So 915 00:46:01,280 --> 00:46:03,560 Speaker 3: the matrix hits you hard and you don't feel so 916 00:46:03,640 --> 00:46:08,279 Speaker 3: much enough. But it's ideally about transcending past, you know, 917 00:46:10,520 --> 00:46:13,640 Speaker 3: brownness fitting in Latin on this Latini that x E 918 00:46:13,960 --> 00:46:18,279 Speaker 3: like blackness and just saying I'm enough because this whole 919 00:46:18,280 --> 00:46:22,279 Speaker 3: world is trying to tell you you're not, but you are. 920 00:46:23,760 --> 00:46:25,680 Speaker 1: That's beautiful. We thank you for creating a work of 921 00:46:25,800 --> 00:46:29,160 Speaker 1: art and a real gift. I feel like to anyone 922 00:46:29,200 --> 00:46:31,520 Speaker 1: out there who's been struggle, whether you're struggling with your 923 00:46:31,560 --> 00:46:33,359 Speaker 1: identity now or you have in the past. I think 924 00:46:33,400 --> 00:46:36,280 Speaker 1: it's just a welcome reminder that you can be enough 925 00:46:37,360 --> 00:46:39,040 Speaker 1: and that you're not the only one going through it. 926 00:46:39,160 --> 00:46:42,880 Speaker 1: So again, ba fam, y'all have to pick up Chris's book. 927 00:46:43,640 --> 00:46:47,640 Speaker 1: It's called Brown Enough, sold wherever you can find books. 928 00:46:48,120 --> 00:46:50,040 Speaker 1: What else can we plug? Check out your new book, 929 00:46:50,080 --> 00:46:51,480 Speaker 1: I'll tell brown Enough. 930 00:46:52,120 --> 00:46:54,919 Speaker 3: I'll tap into what you said about publishing. Yeah, since 931 00:46:55,000 --> 00:46:56,960 Speaker 3: nineteen fifty and y'all can look this up in the 932 00:46:56,960 --> 00:47:00,680 Speaker 3: New York Times did a beautiful article on it. Only 933 00:47:00,719 --> 00:47:04,600 Speaker 3: five percent of books published since nineteen fifty have been 934 00:47:04,640 --> 00:47:10,080 Speaker 3: by non white authors five percent. And so if you're 935 00:47:10,600 --> 00:47:12,920 Speaker 3: one of those people listening, which I imagine you are, 936 00:47:13,080 --> 00:47:16,200 Speaker 3: who's like, I like diversity, equity, inclusion. I want everyone 937 00:47:16,239 --> 00:47:19,440 Speaker 3: to have a chance five percent. That means we have 938 00:47:19,480 --> 00:47:23,600 Speaker 3: to be conscious about what we're reading, absorbing, picking up, 939 00:47:23,680 --> 00:47:27,280 Speaker 3: listening to whose art? Are we listening to? Whose podcast? 940 00:47:27,360 --> 00:47:29,120 Speaker 3: Who's this? And one of the ways we do that 941 00:47:29,200 --> 00:47:31,600 Speaker 3: is we support especially in publishing. You got to buy 942 00:47:31,600 --> 00:47:34,120 Speaker 3: the book, you know, and if it's not mine, awesome, 943 00:47:34,120 --> 00:47:36,680 Speaker 3: but go buy somebody's. Go get you a bell Hooks, 944 00:47:36,680 --> 00:47:39,319 Speaker 3: Go get you a Julius had to say, go get 945 00:47:39,360 --> 00:47:40,160 Speaker 3: you something you. 946 00:47:40,120 --> 00:47:41,280 Speaker 1: Know likedne eliche. 947 00:47:42,320 --> 00:47:45,719 Speaker 3: Yeah, there you go, go get you one. Please do 948 00:47:45,960 --> 00:47:48,359 Speaker 3: that is by a body of culture, please. 949 00:47:48,040 --> 00:47:51,920 Speaker 1: Because there Hell yeah, if your book does well, it 950 00:47:51,960 --> 00:47:53,960 Speaker 1: makes it easier for the next Chris, for the next 951 00:47:53,960 --> 00:47:55,319 Speaker 1: meet because I'm working on a book too. 952 00:47:55,640 --> 00:47:57,400 Speaker 3: It makes it easier for first well, it raised it 953 00:47:57,440 --> 00:47:59,520 Speaker 3: one percent, you know, and then one percent and then 954 00:47:59,560 --> 00:48:00,000 Speaker 3: one percent. 955 00:48:00,800 --> 00:48:03,680 Speaker 1: There is a room for all of us, right It 956 00:48:03,719 --> 00:48:05,520 Speaker 1: feels that way to me. There's a room for all 957 00:48:05,520 --> 00:48:09,680 Speaker 1: of us. Christopher Riva, thank you so much for joining 958 00:48:09,680 --> 00:48:11,560 Speaker 1: Brown Ambition and sharing some of your light with us. 959 00:48:11,640 --> 00:48:13,160 Speaker 1: I so appreciate it, friend. 960 00:48:13,200 --> 00:48:15,880 Speaker 3: I appreciate you. Thank you very much. I love your 961 00:48:15,920 --> 00:48:16,520 Speaker 3: hair right now. 962 00:48:16,880 --> 00:48:17,600 Speaker 1: Oh thank you? 963 00:48:18,200 --> 00:48:18,640 Speaker 2: Oh damn. 964 00:48:18,680 --> 00:48:20,400 Speaker 1: I didn't even get to talk about the anecdote with 965 00:48:20,400 --> 00:48:22,520 Speaker 1: the clothes pin on the nose. Oh ye, would you 966 00:48:22,640 --> 00:48:24,160 Speaker 1: like a quick outtake? Is that for real? 967 00:48:24,480 --> 00:48:24,680 Speaker 3: Yeah? 968 00:48:24,920 --> 00:48:27,520 Speaker 1: Aunties were telling people to put clothes pins on their nose. 969 00:48:28,120 --> 00:48:30,680 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, all the time. Make it straighter the play 970 00:48:30,840 --> 00:48:33,520 Speaker 3: when we do the play, and I do that because 971 00:48:33,520 --> 00:48:35,560 Speaker 3: we hide it in the audience and everyone gets one. 972 00:48:36,000 --> 00:48:38,520 Speaker 3: I get so many. I mean it for some people 973 00:48:38,560 --> 00:48:41,840 Speaker 3: it's funny for some people, it's heart breaking, right, I 974 00:48:41,840 --> 00:48:44,600 Speaker 3: guess so many people who say, man, my grandma told 975 00:48:44,640 --> 00:48:46,000 Speaker 3: me to do the same thing, my mom told me 976 00:48:46,000 --> 00:48:47,520 Speaker 3: to do that, my dad told me to do that. 977 00:48:47,880 --> 00:48:50,640 Speaker 1: Wow, all the time, I mean, I thought the whole 978 00:48:50,719 --> 00:48:52,680 Speaker 1: chemical in your hair to make it straight. That was 979 00:48:52,719 --> 00:48:55,560 Speaker 1: the That was very painful. Okay, I still have the scars, 980 00:48:55,600 --> 00:48:58,120 Speaker 1: but the clothes pin, like, oh my god, it would 981 00:48:58,160 --> 00:48:59,759 Speaker 1: have taken much more than a clothes pin for this 982 00:48:59,800 --> 00:49:04,719 Speaker 1: schnauztuk anywhere. I can't imagine, Oh my god. Yeah, well 983 00:49:04,840 --> 00:49:06,719 Speaker 1: for that anecdote and others. Y'all got to check out 984 00:49:06,760 --> 00:49:09,960 Speaker 1: the book. But thank you Chris again for joining. 985 00:49:10,480 --> 00:49:12,480 Speaker 3: Thank you. I appreciate all of you. 986 00:49:13,719 --> 00:49:15,960 Speaker 1: Hey ba fam, we could not do this show without 987 00:49:16,000 --> 00:49:19,040 Speaker 1: your support or the support of our team behind the scenes. 988 00:49:19,320 --> 00:49:22,960 Speaker 1: The Brown Ambission podcast is produced by Cumulus Podcast Network. 989 00:49:23,000 --> 00:49:26,520 Speaker 1: It's edited by the wonderful Imani Crosby and produced by 990 00:49:26,520 --> 00:49:30,280 Speaker 1: Tanya Bustos. Dennis Stimplinsky is our in house tech guru, 991 00:49:30,719 --> 00:49:33,440 Speaker 1: and I am Bandy Woodrid Santos your co host, and 992 00:49:33,560 --> 00:49:38,080 Speaker 1: I will see y'all next week.