'Disrupting' is about something very close to my heart, people who are daring enough to disrupt the status quo in their professional work or in the lives of others. It's a trip through the minds of people who aren't afraid to 'shake the table.'
I'm your host, Ashley Holt. I'm a TV Journalist who's spent ten years disrupting the news industry, but after losing my news job during layoffs at a major media company I'm read ...
... Read more
You would think a project that earned Oprah Winfrey's praises was strategized to perfection and went according to plan. You would also be wrong, at least if you're talking about "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man." It's a Youtube series hosted by NFL Analyst and former NFL Player Emmanuel Acho and produced by Olympic Gold Medalist Morolake Akinosun. Their series got millions of views, trended on social media often, impressed Oprah and turned into multiple books. In this episode, Morolake discusses how the idea came about, how they created a safe space for 'uncomfortable conversations,' how she and Emmanuel handled criticism from Black viewers... and you can't have an Olympian on the show and not discuss one of the most memorable moments in women's track and field history! She reflects on what she does and does NOT remember from being in the infamous Rio 2016 4x1 relay when the baton Allyson Felix was holding hit the track mid-relay, but the women still left the arena wearing gold medals. You can follow Morolake on Instagram: @msfasttwitch.
If I had to describe this episode in one word it would be DUALITY. We get into some very important social justice work just as much as we get into the reality TV mess! I sat down with Bravo's "Summer House: Martha's Vineyard" Cast Member Preston Mitchum. When he’s not delivering iconic lines on Bravo, Mitchum is using his background as an attorney and civil rights advocate to be the CEO of PDM Consulting. PDM works with businesses and nonprofits to strengthen or create DEI efforts that empower young people, Black people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. In our chat, Mitchum gives advice to people of color who want to speak up about inequality in the workplace and their white allies. We also discuss how he prepared for reality television, and he reveals which former cast member he wants back in the house (and why it will never be Phil 😇). I do want to warn you this episode briefly discusses a sensitive subject, but not in detail. You can follow Preston on IG: @preston.mitchum and PDM Consulting on IG: @pdmconsulting.
If you're a listener who hasn't met me personally, you MUST know that I am a VERY dedicated member of the Beyhive, Beyoncé's fan base. So the day Queen Bey releases an album is like Christmas in my house. Brandon Pope and I spoke 14 hours after Beyoncé released her country-inspired album "Cowboy Carter." Brandon Pope is a TV Host and Entertainment Journalist based in Chicago, he also happens to be the only human qualified to sit with me for this episode. You can follow him on Instagram @BPopeTV. Two warnings before you listen: Take us seriously at your own risk. We may hurt some other fanbases' feelings. We have no intention of extending a formal apology. BEYHAW!!!
Emmy Rener was only 18 years old when she was making a charcuterie board for a friend's event and a chef told her she was sitting on a goldmine. The timing was perfect and terrifying all at the same time. It was 2020, the year the world stopped and so many other businesses failed, but her flourishing business was only getting started. With the encouragement and sweat equity of her parents Sophisticated Spreads was born, and eventually blew up after catching the attention of some famous actresses. Not to mention Rener has found time to shift culture in the process. She invented the term "cheese influencer" to become one, AND you remember the Roman Empire Trend on Tiktok? She's the person who asked women what THEIR Roman Empire was, and I am still changing my answer to this day! That was trending for WEEKS. I'll post the charcuterie boards I asked her to judge at the end of the episode on my Instagram @ashleyholt_tv! You can follow her on Instagram and Tiktok @sophisticatedspreads.
We have to disrupt the way we usually do things on the podcast to piece together what in the world we can learn from this EXPLOSIVE season of Netflix's hit reality TV dating show "Love is Blind." Dating Coach and LA Matchmaker Alessandra Conti gives dating advice based on the situations that played out on Season 6 of the show. She explains why a man offering to share his location is ACTUALLY a red flag, why she believes Clay REALLY said no to AD at the alter and she gives us the three nonnegotiables you MUST have in any relationship, or it's probably doomed to fail. After you listen let me know, is love blind or nah?? You can follow Alessandra on Instagram: @matchmakeralessandraconti