It's Personal Podcast
It's Personal Podcast is hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr., a teacher, writer, and storyteller from Preston who now teaches in Singapore. The show features unscripted, vulnerable conversations about childhood, identity, choices, growth, and what it means to live a full life. Some episodes are solo reflections, while others bring in educators, authors, parents, and artists, especially voices from the Global Majority. It emphasizes honest storytelling, joy, loss, memory, and meaning without polished production.
Episodes
Ep. 144 Nina Mata on her debut picture NEW, family and writing for celebrities
In this episode, I chat with the insightful Nina Mata—author of A Place for Fire and The Legend of the Hummingbird. We dive into her journey as a writer, debut children's book NEW, the cultural roots that inspire her stories, and how nature, family, and heritage intertwine in her work. Nina shares her thoughts on crafting stories that celebrate resilience, belonging, and the magic found in everyda
Ep. 143 Betty C. Tang on Parachute Kids, Identity, and Growing Up Immigrant
In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Betty C. Tang—author and illustrator of the powerful graphic novel Parachute Kids. We talk about her childhood, the real-life inspirations behind her work, and how identity, immigration, and family shaped the heart of her storytelling. Betty opens up about the emotional roots of Parachute Kids and what it means to tell stories that matter. This one’s
EP.142 Quartez Harris chats NEW BOOK and what happen on his writing journey
Quartez Harris, a poet and teaching artist whose work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Ohio Poetry Association’s Poet of the Year for his collection We Made it to School Alive. Quartez is set to release his debut picture book, Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer, with Little Brown in January 2025. Born in Springfield, Ohio, he faced significant challenges due
Ep. 141 Lit Agent TELLS ALL about the industry, and what's it like to edit manuscripts
I’m excited to introduce you to Jenissa Graham, a Literary Agent at BookEnds Literary Agency. Jenissa began her publishing career at Writers House, starting as an intern and working her way up to the Subrights department as the Global Licensing and Media Rights Assistant. In 2022, she joined BookEnds Literary as an Associate Agent and Subrights Manager, where she began building her client list whi
EP.140 Jess is a public health professor, but in all her free time, she's a passionate artist.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Jess Owens-Young. By day, Jess is a public health professor, but in all her free time, she’s a passionate artist. Her work beautifully captures the essence of living as a Black person in the U.S., exploring various dimensions of Black life through acrylics, oil pastels, and inks. Jess also creates digital illustrations that reflect these themes, often focusing o
EP.139 Black Muslim author, Rahma Mohamed shares story growing up in Canada
I talk to Rahma Mohamed, who was born and raised in Hargeisa, Somaliland. At just eight years old, her family immigrated to Canada, where they settled in Quebec. Rahma faced many challenges as she entered her first formal school, grappling with the French language while being the only Black Muslim girl in her class. Despite experiencing bullying, she persevered and became the first in her family t
EP.138 Hanna Cha Caldecott Honor Award-Winning Illustrator and Writer & Illustrator
Hanna Cha, a Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator and writer known for her enchanting storytelling through art. Hanna shares her journey from a vagabond life between Seoul and the U.S. to becoming the creator of beloved books like *Tiny Feet Between the Mountains* and *The Truth about Dragons*. Learn about her creative process and what inspires her whimsical illustrations. With insights into
EP.137 Nikki Grimes Rhymes and Reasons: Exploring Children's Poetry
Nikki Grimes was born in Harlem and spent her childhood moving through various neighborhoods in New York. As a foster child from a broken home, she faced constant farewells to new friends. In this challenging environment, reading and writing became her lifelines. When she had no one to confide in, Grimes poured her thoughts and feelings into poems and stories. An enthusiastic reader, she would che
EP. 136 Jason Reynolds on Finding Strength in Vulnerability: Discussion on 24 Seconds From Now
Jason Reynolds shares his thoughts on life, the transformative power of storytelling, and the deep influence of his mother throughout his journey. We dive into his latest work, 24 Seconds from Now, which he describes as a love story for the ages, highlighting the intricate connections between love, identity, and personal growth. Our conversation explores the vital importance of normalizing a
EP. 135 Banned Books, Life and Samira Ahmed
Samira Ahmed discusses her new book, This Book Won't Burn, which explores family life and the alarming issue of book bans in America.In this episode, Ahmed dives into the importance of storytelling and the challenges faced by diverse voices in today's literary world. She reflects on her experiences growing up in a multicultural family and how those experiences shaped her writing.Listeners can expe
EP. 134 Me & Mama author/illustrator Cozbi A. Cabrera talks poetry, life and Read Alouds
Cozbi A. Cabrera: Illustrating and Writer for Young Readers with Representation in Mind Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator Cozbi Cabrera takes us on a journey through her creative process, sharing intimate moments from her childhood that have deeply influenced her goal of providing authentic representation for young readers through her work. In this episode, Cozbi opens u
EP. 133 Michael Arceneaux on Family, Loss & His Book I Finally Bought Some Jordans | Full Episode
Michael Arceneaux shares COPING WITH LOSS of his mother and the essays in his new book "I Finally Bought Some Jordans" that reflect on his close relationship with his mom and the complexities of family. Arceneaux discusses the mix of humor and heavy issues in his writing, including topics like personal finance, celebrity encounters, and navigating the pandemic. His candid reflections o
EP. 132 Tony Keith Jr. and HOW THE BOOGEYMAN BECAME A POET
Poet, writer, and educator Dr. Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry. The audio experience is a true delight, with Tony's writing and narration shared with such passion and joy - it trul
EP. 131 CHILDREN'S BOOK CAN REALLY change the world with Gracey Zhang | It's Personal
Artist and author Gracey Zhang shares insights into her diverse creative portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her art and writing. From her early days exploring the world through her travels, to her immersion in the vibrant art scene at one of the top art schools in the world, Gracey's path to artistic success has been a winding and inspiring one. Delve into the inspiratio
EP. 130 Luana Horry, editor at HARPER COLLINS, chats PETE THE CAT & Books and music | It's Personal
Luana Horry, a passionate SENIOR EDITOR at HARPERCOLLINS Children's Books, who is revolutionizing the world of children's literature. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, a hub of extraordinary talents, Luana has made it her mission to diversify the publishing industry and amplify underrepresented voices. As a trailblazer in her field, Luana has worked on beloved titles such as "Not Quite Sno
EP 129 Award WINNING author NICK BROOKS talks PROMISE BOYS & family | It's Personal
Best SELLING AUTHOR, Nick Brooks, the mind behind the critically acclaimed novel "The Promise Boys," talks about RELATIONSHIPS, and the music industry. Nick delves deep into the personal experiences that have shaped his literary journey, from his time creating music and working with renowned record labels, to the profound impact of becoming a "girl dad" and the importance of amplifying Black
EP. 128 Ellen Oh, STUCK between cultures and WRITING for Middle School
Acclaimed children's book author Ellen Oh takes us on a captivating journey, sharing insights into her diverse literary portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her writing. From her early days as a lawyer and college instructor to her transition into the world of children's literature, explore Ellen's path to literary success. Delve into the inspirations behind her middle grad
EP. 127 Fredrick Joseph, speaks on family, Palestine, and Sports
Fredrick Joseph, New York Times Best Selling author, thought-provoking speaker, and advocate for equity and social justice, joins us for a captivating conversation. Fredrick will discuss his new poetry collection "We Alive, Beloved," which explores a new genre that seeks to find joy in moments of difficulty.Whether illuminating the beauty of being Black, highlighting the hope that can be found in
EP. 126 Saadia Faruqi on Ali the Great and early Influences during her writing career
As we sit down with Saadia Faruqi, a talented writer and advocate for diversity in children's literature. Saadia shares her inspiring journey of writing books that resonate with her daughter, with a strong desire for her to see herself represented in literature. We explore the importance of having range in writing, capturing the early years, middle school, and older ages to cater to a wide audienc
EP. 125 Antonio Michael Downing, Orphan Blue, Black Grandma's & creative freedom
Join us on this episode of the podcast as we dive deep into the life and experiences of Antonio Michael Downing, author, musician, and speaker. Antonio shares his journey growing up in Toronto and the profound influence his grandmother had on his life and family.
We explore the pressures that people of color face when creating and the challenges of letting go of control when it comes to somethin
EP. 124 Ekiuwa Aire, exploring African history and representation, and influences
Join us on this episode of the podcast as we chat with Ekiuwa Aire, founder of Our Ancestories. Ekiuwa shares her experiences growing up in boarding school in Nigeria and how her family, especially her kids, inspired her to write books that represent African history and culture.
She also discusses her biggest influence, Vasti Harrison, and how her work has impacted her own writing. Tune in to le
EP. 123 Jennifer N. Baker talks FORGIVE ME NOT and early environment
Jennifer Baker was named the 2019 Publishers Weekly Star Watch “SuperStar” because her “varied work championing diversity in publishing has made her an indispensable fixture in the book business.” She is the recipient of a 2017 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship and a 2017 Queens Council on the Arts New Work Grant (as well as the QCA Jr. Board Artistic Excellence Award) in Nonfiction. Her essay “What We
EP. 122 Nawal Qarooni talks being a Momma and the lit world she lives in
Nawal Qarooni is an educator, writer, and adjunct professor who supports a holistic approach to literacy instruction and family experiences in schools across the country. Drawing on her work as an inquiry-based leader, mother, and proud daughter of immigrants, Nawal's pedagogy is centered on the rich and authentic learning all families gift their children every day.
Upcoming book: Nourishing Car
EP. 121 Breanna J. McDaniel hard truths and new books
Breanna J. McDaniel (she/her/hers) is the co-founder of REIYL (Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature) and an author. She’s published in myriad academic journals, an academic anthology and her debut picture book Hands Up! was published with Dial Books in 2019, while her newest picture book Impossible Moon was published with Denene Millner Books in June of 2022.
She has five forthcoming
EP. 120 Jamila Reddy on the art of living, the south and family
Jamila is such a warm soul. In 2017 Jamila created a lifestyle design coaching methodology to help people find intentional, aligned, and strategic ways to transform their lives into what they want them to be.
Jamila is also the host of a podcast called Deliberate and Doing it Afraid, where stories, reflections, and revelations are shared. On Its Personal Jamila talks about the art of living, grow
EP. 119 C.G Esperanza on never being a reader and one of six siblings
Born the second of six cool kids. The South Bronx is where he first opened his eyelids. A land shrouded in bright-colored decay, the birthplace of graffiti and the hip-hop DJ! He paints fantasy worlds of elephants, and castles too! Accompanying this wonder is some whimsical truth. Charles has a voice that is seldom heard. A fusion of jazz, distorted guitars, and chirping birds.
C.G chats never be
EP. 118 Ashley Franklin on The Little Mermaid, motherhood and early schooling
Ashley Franklin is a professional chaser—of ideas, dreams, and, most often, her kids. She is the author of Not Quite Snow White and a contributor to Once Upon an Eid, a collection of brilliant Muslim voices and stories. Ashley lives in Arkansas with her husband, Michael, and her children, Bilal and Mikhail. You can visit her online at www.ashleyfranklinwrites.com
On the podcast, Ashley talks abou
EP. 117 Charlene Carr chats adult writing, siblings, and travel life
Charlene has always loved writing. She grew up reading Dickens and Tolkien and Bronte. When she turned to contemporary books, too many were predictable, with characters that felt like paper doll cut-outs. It took time but, through the misses, she found books full of realistic characters, who messed up like the rest of us. Those were the books she was aching for, and are the type she aims to write.
EP. 116 Sarah Roughley talks about Ontario, Canada, writing journey and fantasy.
Sarah Roughley talks about growing up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one.
Sarah is also an educator/professor , and has her PhD in English.
She prides herself on wiring pieces on writing pieces about young girls that have super powers!.
On ItsPersonal, Sarah talks what she does outside of writing, storytelling in the
EP. 115.Danielle Murrell Cox talks supportive momma, growing up in Canada and ART
Danielle Murrell Cox is from Montreal Quebec. She is a creator of all things. She graduated from Dawson College in 2011, and is now a graphic designer, illustrator, freelancer, and business owner.
Danielle is best know for her self-published coloring books Black Queens and Black Kinds, which went viral on social media and gave her the opportunity to have a segment on NowThisHer, amongst many othe
EP. 114 Nadine Presley talks The City of Jasmine, writing community, and family.
Nadine Presley talks about her writing journey, her family, and her first book, The City of Jasmine (set for 2025). Nadine has lived in multiple places and has experienced a lot throughout her travels. During this podcast, Nadine talks specifically about how she started writing, and why it is important to create Syrian stories to represent herself and her family in today's world. Nadine takes a d
EP. 113 Janae Marks on motherhood, friendships, NYC and pandemic writing
Janae Marks is the author of critically acclaimed middle grade novels, From the Desk of Zoe Washington and A Soft Place to Land, as well as the forthcoming novel On Air with Zoe Washington. She has an MFA in Writing for Children from The New School, and lives in Connecticut with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer named Cookie.
Janae chats about motherhood, writing/publishing during a p
EP. 112 Jyoti Rajan Gopal talks new books, NYC, and family :-)
Jyoti Rajan Gopal is a writer, mom and Kindergarten teacher. Growing up, she lived in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, India and China. Twenty-eight years ago, she moved to New York and now lives in Yonkers in a quirky old Victorian, with her husband and two daughters. Her favorite place in the house is the wrap around porch where she loves to gather with family or friends, read, write and drink coff
EP. 111 Jerome & Jarrett Pumphrey on writing journey, fatherhood and books!
Jarrett has been a storyteller most his life, both on his own and in collaboration with Jerome. While their earliest work remains locked in a drawer—the key long lost for good measure—their first co-authored book, Creepy Things Are Scaring Me, was published by HarperCollins in 2003.
Jerome is a designer, illustrator, and writer, originally from Houston, TX. He studied graphic design at the Art In
EP. 110 Tracy Badua on motherhood, Cali and first book!
Tracy Badua is a Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. According to her grandmother, Tracy inherited this love of the written word from her great-grandfather, a school teacher in the Philippines. To Tracy, this means writing is in her blood, and she continues this family tradition by telling stories with her own spin in an accessible, h
EP. 109 Dane Liu on living in many places, being "goodenough" and new books!
Dane Liu believes in the power of stories to affirm, transport, and transform. Her debut for young readers FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, an Indie Next Pick, and a Best Book of the Year from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. Dane was born in China and moved to the US and Canada when she was a tween.
On this podcast, we chat with Dan
EP. 108 Julian Randall (PART II)on his NEW essay collection and tornado runinng
Julian Randall is a Living Queer Black poet from Chicago. He has received fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, BOAAT, and the Watering Hole. Julian is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize. Julian is the winner of the 2019 Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award from the Publishing Triangle.
On this podcast (part 2 of 2) Julian talks about The Dead Don't Need Reminding (Essay Collection), ru
EP. 107 Julian Randall on first book, moms and pops, and family history
Julian Randall is a Living Queer Black poet from Chicago. He has received fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, BOAAT, and the Watering Hole. Julian is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize. Julian is the winner of the 2019 Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award from the Publishing Triangle.
On this podcast (part 1 of 2) Julian talks in-depth about his first published book, accepting the id
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 106.Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich on freedom to read, storytelling and media
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich was born in New York and later moved A LOT. She's spent a lot of time in many different countries, so she was a new kid in many different places (up until 8th grade).
On this podcast, Olugbemisola shares childhood stories with her parents, the freedom to read, the feeling of being in different schools, and the impact of digital media.
Instagram: https://www.instagra
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 105.Erika Meza's writing journey, banned books and new projects!
Erika Meza is a Mexican Migrant, who loves tacos and doodling!
After studying graphic design (and moving houses nearly 30 times)She lived in a dungeon with a princess in Paris to attend the Illustration program at ENSAD, which got her addicted to chocolate éclairs and 2 am bike rides by the river.
Erika now lives with a cat in the UK where she works with ink, gouaches, and watercolor pencils as
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 104. Ashley Woodfolk 's day in the life, being a momma, NEW BOOKS!
Ashley Woodfolk is the ultimate reader and writer. She graduated from Rutgers University and worked in children's book publishing for over a decade. She is now a full-time mom and writer and lives in Brooklyn her husband, dog, and the cutest baby in the world. Some of her books include The Beauty That Remains, When You Were Everything, Blackout and the Flyy Girls Series.
On this podcast Ashley ta
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 103. Derek Desierto on moving, creative process and family support
Derek Desierto is a Vancouver-based illustrator whose books with Eva Chen include the New York Times bestseller Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes. Currently, he is living the dream as a freelance artist for animated TV shows and picture books. His ultimate goal in life is to meet Oprah and become one of her Favorite Things.
On this podcast, Derek chats about his move from the Philippines to C
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 102. Anne Wynter is chats new author, momma life and advice for writers
Anne Wynter has always loved to write; advertisements, poems, test questions, short stories, illegible grocery lists, press releases, white papers, and plays. But her love is with children's books.
When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, running, and puzzling through an idea for a new book, or spending time with her husband, two sons, and cat at home in Austin, TX
On this podcast, Anne cha
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 101. Andrea Wang shares early childhood, winning awards and reading love
Andrea Wang is an acclaimed author of children’s books. Her book Watercress was awarded the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a New England Book Award, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. Her other books, The Many Meanings of Meilan, Magic Ramen, and The Nian Monster, have also received awards and starred reviews. Her work explores culture, creative
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 100. Jerry Craft and his creative influence, home life and "spare time"
Jerry Craft is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the graphic novels New Kid and Class Act. New Kid is the only book in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature (2020); the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature (2019), and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 99. Andre Fenton chats childhood, Nova Scotia, and discovering spoken word
On this podcast, Gary talks with spoken word artist/author Andrew Fenton, from North End Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is a special podcast for Gary, for he speaks with someone from home who has been writing amazing books for some time now.
Andre chats representation in text growing up in Nova Scotia at a young age. He also shares his writing journey, and how it started through poetry/spoken word.
#ItsPersonal Podcast IV 98.Deesha Philyaw speaks on screen writing, family and pandemic writing
What an honor to speak with the one and only Deesha Philyaw. Deesha's book Secret Lives of Church Ladies won the 2021 Pen/Faulkner Award, 2020/21 Story Prize, 2020 LA Times Book Prize and was a Finalist 2020 National Book For Fiction.
On this podcast, Deesha speaks about her family in Jacksonville, and their influences on her upbringing. What it was like to write during a pandemic, and what strat
#ItsPersonal III 97. Sarah Suk talks Made In Korea, Hi-Chews & Canada!
Sarah Suk (pronounced like soup with a K) lives in Vancouver, Canada where she writes stories and admires mountains. When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the water, taking film photos, or eating a bowl of bingsu.
On this episode, listen to Sarah talk about her new book Made In Korea, along with the yummy treats she enjoys. Sarah also spends time talking about growing up in Can
#ItsPersonal III 96.Gail D. Villanueva joins with a friend, talks representation in books and pets!
Gail D. Villanueva is the author of Sugar and Spite, and debut novel, My Fate According to the Butterfly! She was born in the Philippines, in which she currently lives, and enjoys her many pets at home (dogs, ducks, turtles, cats and random birds)
On this episode Gail shares her experience talking with kids about books, and the importance of representation in text. She shares some of the most int
#ItsPersonal III 95. Tami Charles talks new math, York and raising a Black son
Tami Charles is the New York Times bestselling author of All Because You Matter, and many other books for children and young adults. On this podcast she stops by to talk all things personal. She starts with live and times during the pandemic, new math, educational influences and writing during covid-19.
Later Tami shares some important insights on raising a Black son, and her steps in how to make
#ItsPersonal III 94. Shelly Anand talks her name, family transitions and raising mixed raced kids
Shelly Anand was born and (mostly) raised in Georgia by immigrant parents from India. Besides writing amazing books, Shelly is a civil and human rights attorney for immigrants and workers from marginalized communities.
On this podcast, Shelly talks about how her name changed over time. She talks about her families transition to America, and what those ups and downs looked like vividly. She also t
#ItsPersonal 93. Lanesha Tabb talks faith, family, and fun!
Lanesha Tabb is a rockstar Momma and Educator! On this podcast, Lanesha talks specifically about how she became a Kindergarten teacher for so many years, and how this passion came about.
Later Lanesha tells us about the role faith has played in her life growing up, and how she fosters these traditions in her life currently. From early morning Sunday school, to afternoon service, Lanesha did it al
#ItsPersonal III 92. Debbi Michko Florence talks writing, zoology, and bringing a snake home!
Debbi is an award winning author who writes amazing books for children. Some of her titles include Keep it Together, Keiko Carter, and the upcoming companion novel Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series and many other books for children.
Did you know that Debbi has a degree in Zoology? Did you know that Debbi once brought a pet snake home to her family! Debbi shares it
#ItsPersonal III 91. Namrata Tripathi & Special Guest, chats being a mom, publishing and leadership.
Namrata Tripathi stops by with a special guest! You have to listen to find out who it is! We start our chat talking about the many hats that Namrata wears daily. This leads us into leadership, and her role as a VP & publisher at the amazing Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.
We spend time talking about Namrata's experience being a mother, and what this looks like (during covid-19), and
#ItsPersonal III 90. Neha Sobti talks road blocks, love and books!
Neha Sobti drops by and chats with us about the many roadblocks in the current work that she does for schools and educators.
Neha is an educator/admin/organizer/writer working out of New York City. Her work is rooted in a love for making change and moving the dial a little, each and every day in hopes of creating spaces that are equitable.
Neha's work is non-stop, so we ask about her healing pr
#ItsPersonal III 89. Rajani LaRocca shares childhood love for reading and family traditions
Rajani LaRocca was born in Bangalore, India, and immigrated to the U.S as a baby. She later spent her childhood in Louisville, Kentucky.
On this podcast, Rajani shares what her day looks like as a primary care physician. Yup! She not only writes amazing books. She also has been taking care of humans as a physician since 2001!
Rajani talks about family traditions and finding joy during this time
#ItsPersonal III 88. Amélie Wen Zhao shares family history, new reads and secret hobbies!
Amélie has always loved to write. Born in Paris and raised in a multicultural community in Beijing, Amélie has multiple identities that have made her who she is today.
On this episode, Amélie talks about living in multiple places and how these communities have impacted her growth as a professional. She also shares what it means to be a financial professional and a writer (She's super busy!) at th
#ItsPersonal III 87. Dr. Sonja Cherry Paul shares education, daughter love and book recommendations!
I am not really sure what Dr. Sonja Cherry Paul can't do. I mean, not only is she an amazing person, she really has an awesome story and provides so much to the world.
Her work focuses on anti-bias and anti-racist pedagogy. She develops a curriculum (Heinemann) for educators and schools. She's co-founder/facilitator of Institue for Racal Equity in Literacy and is currently working on an adaptati
#ItsPersonal III 85. Brandy Colbert chats writing at a young age and high school!
Brandy is such a joy! During this podcast, the award-winning author chats about her early writing experiences growing up, and how it felt taking on a less traditional path in regards to her carreer.
Brandy has writing a variety of books for young people. Her books have been chosen for many awards and placed in libraries around the world. But what else does she like to do?
Find out some of Brand
#ItsPersonal III 86. Brittany K. Barnett shares grandma's influence, dinner time and a reading list!
Brittany K. Barnett is an attorney, author, and entrepreneur. Her memoir, A Knock at Midnight, was published by The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, on September 8, 2020 (via website: https://www.brittanykbarnett.com/about)
On ItsPersonalPodcast Brittany shares deep insights on her grandmother, and her influence on the family. She shares what family means, and grandma's
#ItsPersonal III 84. Remy Lai on her new book, childhood and hobbies!
Remy Lai is an author/illustrator for kids! She lives in Brisbane, Australia, where you can often find her exploring the woods with her two dogs, Poop-Roller and Bossy Boots!
On this podcast you can listen to Remy talk about her childhood growing up in Singapore (Born in Indonesia). She also shares some of the ups and downs of being on more untraditional career paths as her siblings and family me
#ItsPersonal III 83. Lamar Giles shares his family history, past schooling and Black nerds
Lamar Giles writes for teens and adults across multiple genres, with work appearing on numerous Best Of lists each and every year. He is the author of the acclaimed novels Fake ID, Endangered, Overturned, Spin, The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, Not So Pure and Simple, and The Last Mirror on the Left as well as numerous pieces of short fiction. He is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and reside
#ItsPersonalPodcast III 82. Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom talks being an adoptee, Korean food and art!
Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom is a Swedish-Korean comic book artist-illustrator and graphic designer. Based in New Zealand, with her partner and two children.
On this podcast, Lisa talks about the things she misses, family traditions, movies, and once giving up on art. Something I truly love about this chat is Lisa's perspective on motherhood and work. We talk specifically about family dynamics and work-
#ItsPersonal III 81. Jarrett J. Krosoczka on being a dad, family pets and story behind Hey Kiddo!
Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than 40 books for young readers! (stole this from his website) And he's literally in millions of classrooms around the world. In this episode of #ItsPersonal, Jarrett chats about his love for being a dad and what that looks like during these unconventional times.
Of course, we talk about his family's love for an
#ItsPersonal III 80. Nidhi Chanani shares new hobbies, netflix movie and growing up an artist
Nidhi Chanani shares some exciting news about PASHMINA and how it will be created into a Netflix movie! She also talks about how it all went down!
We also get to find out one of Nidhi's secret hobbies. I bet you can never guess? She now enjoys this more than ever and often shares it with her family and friends.
Lastly, have you ever wondered how Nidhi got into art? And why she creates the work t
#ItsPersonal III 79. Dapo Adeola explains his highs and lows with publishing, and so much more!
Dapo Adeola is a British–Nigerian illustrator. He's published a variety of books and has worked with a variety of authors. His work covers important topics such as stereotypes and race.
On this podcast, Dapo shares it all. We take a trip down memory lane and talk about his road to creating books and sharing them with the world. He explains with great detail some of the ups and downs of the proces
#ItsPersonal III 78. Amelia Allen-Sherwood talks being a momma, catholic school and dancing :-)
Amelia, Anti-Bias & Anti-Racist Organizer, and founder of Sankofa Learning Center. A space for Black children and families to re-imagine education chats life, work, and free time (when she has it).
In this episode, Amelia talks about her childhood growing up in a single-parent household, catholic school, being a momma, and dancing for fun. She also shares a tip on how to get out of a tiff with a
#ItsPersonal III 77 Oronde Kairi is art, and shares its importance to his life now and in the past
Oronde Kkairi is one of my favorite artists. His style and work make my soul happy. His mixture of colors, and use of 80s-90s references of djaying, hoops, and kicks, is music to my ears.
In this episode, we go inside the mind of the artist to understand, how being an artist happened, and the steps it took to get where he is today. We talk teacher influence and mentors that look like us (Black).
#ItsPersonal III 76.Alyssa Gray-Tyghter on parenting, past schooling and being black in Canada
Alyssa Gray-Tyghter, B.Ed, M.Ed, PhD(c), is an educator, academic, writer, speaker and supa Momma!
Her academic work focuses on anti-Black racism and Indigenous epistemologies. She shares a lot of her work online, and has done workshops with a variety of organizations.
On this podcast, Alyssa talks about what it is like to be Black, growing up in Canada. She shares her family history, and what s
#ItsPersonal III 75. Javaka Steptoe explains revising, talks family and school influence
The legend Javaka Steptoe drops by to talk about teacher influence, what's next, and family.
Javaka is one of the most humble beings I've ever talked to. He's an American author and illustrator, won the 2017 Caldecott Medal as well as the American Library Association for his picture book Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean- Michel Basquiat.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Javaka was t
#ItsPersonal III 74. Vanessa Brantley Newton shares advice to parents, hobbies and faith
Vanessa Brantley Newton shares a little bit of everything. We start with how Art came to be in Vanessa's life, and who influenced her along the way.
Later we chat about her hobbies. Apparently, we should be called her Chef Vanessa because she is mean in the kitchen. We talk favorite dishes and how Vanessa the foodie came to be.
Vanessa digs into her past and how school has influenced her today.
#ItsPersonal III. 73. Tyler Simmonds shares insights on mental health, meditation, film and family
Tyler is one of my favorite cousins! Why? He is humble beyond many, and his heart for others is bigger than the stars. I remember watching Tyler growing up, and I noticed a very talented young man (though I'm not that much older). He is the definition of "following your dreams" because that is what he's done for his entire life.
Tyler is an advocate around the world for mental health and wellness
#ItsPersonal III 72. Jade Yasmeen talks about movies, sports and staying connected
Jade Yasmeen is one of a kind. Her work touches your heart with every detail on the canvas. When first introduced to her work, you would guess that it is a photograph, based on the details and realism, Jade is that good of a creator.
Jade stops by to chat about her favorite movies and a new love for cooking (when time permits in her busy schedule). She chats about the bloodline of artists in her
#ItsPersonal III 71. Mike Curato tells how it started, private school and ICE CREAM!
I want to be Mike Curato's best friend! Not only does he draw extremely well, but he also loves ICE CREAM. Mike breaks down his love for ice cream with his top 3 favorites, and how they should be made. He also shares a tip on where to find the best scoops in Massachusetts!
Mike talks about his different experiences in private school vs public school. He shares moments of bullying and how this has
#ItsPersonal III 70. Dulce-Marie Flecha chats puzzles, twitter culture and educational blood line
Dulce-Marie Flecha is one of my favorite people/educators online. Why? She is as real as they come. She is often sharing resources or exploring her own writing through her medium page.
In this episode, Dulce-Marie talks about her love/hate for puzzles and the educational twitter world. We chat back and forth about the idea of "family" online, and if it truly means what people believe for it to me
#ItsPersonal III 69. Jessica Kim writing journey, hot cheeto's and 2nd Gen American's
Jessica Kim spends time talking about a variety of topics. We start with Stand Up, Yumi Chung, a middle-grade novel you NEED to read right now! Jessica talks about the characters in the book, and who's personalities do they match up with from people in her family.
Jessica also talks about her writing journey and how rejection letters never got in her way from following her dream to be an author.
#ItsPersonal III 68. Christina Hammonds Reed talks private school and representation in text!
In this episode of ItsPersonal Podcast, Christina, author of The Black Kids, chats about her love for reading. We dive into her inspiration behind pursuing writing, and her family's thoughts on her journey.
Christina shares memories of her childhood in private school, and why its important that publishers continue to share stories for Black and Brown kids.
Christina is a happy soul. This is a
#ItsPersonal III 67. Gordon C. James & Derrick Barnes chat children, partners and legacy
Derrick Barnes and Gordan C. James have been working together for some time now. You might know one of the two New York Times best-selling picture books Crown: Ode to the Fresh CUt & I'M Every Good Thing.
In this chat we get personal. Both creators share thoughts about raising Black children, spending time with their partners, and what Black Joy means to them. Not only do both Gordan and Derrick
#ItsPersonal III 66. Mahogany L. Browne talks childhood in California and NO guilty pleasures
Mahogany L. Browne is easily one of the best in the game. You may know her for titles such as WOKE, Black Girl Magic, Woke Baby & most recently Chlorine Sky, but she's been writing for years now. She has paved the way for so many Black writers doing it today.
On ItsPersonal, Mahogany chats about her family and being raised by a community. She speaks about her grandmother and the influence she's h
#ItsPersonal III 65. Ben Philippe chats being the Black Kid, family relationships and screen writing
Ben Philippe is special. Not only is he hilarious, but amazing writing. On this episode, I truly do not know if I've laughed more with anyone. Ben keeps the listeners on their toes with every experience he shares. He is open and honest about everything.
Ben talks about his relationship with his mother and father, and how even though they are divorced, he sees a lot of both of them in him. He also
