Homespun Culture

Homespun Culture

by Andrea Surova

Language Learning Personal Journals

Season 1

Maestro of Comedy Armando Anto Discusses Heritage, Discrimination, Parenting - Part 2

In Part 2 of this two-part podcast, comedian Armando Anto talks about moving from France to Texas, teaching violin, dating, parenting in different languages, similarities between Mexican and Iranian cultures, and politics. He sums up how he considers his Iranian, French, and American identities. Finally, he shares the exciting things that lie ahead for him in his career. Biography Armando Anto was born and raised in France. He began studying classical violin at the French National Conservatory at the age of 5. After earning his BA in Finance, he turned his virtuoso talent into a business, embarking on a world tour of violin concerts. Performing and teaching his art for over a decade, Armando began implementing more and more comedy into his performances. Armando believes that in order to be successful, you have to surround yourself with successful people. This explains all the mirrors in his home. He understood that laughing opens the heart and mind, and that people understand any concept better through humor. Following his twin muses, music and comedy, he has established himself as a standup comedian in Los Angeles. Armando feels he never spends enough time with himself. Armando Anto’s brand of comedy is widely accessible and works anywhere in the world. From New York to Texas, France to the Middle East, every audience understands the universal comedic language of music. He performs all over the US in various comedy clubs, colleges, competitions and theaters. Even when Armando brags, he is the best at bragging.

Maestro of Comedy Armando Anto Discusses Heritage, Discrimination, Parenting - Part 1

In Part 1 of a two-part interview, Armando gets serious with talk about growing up in France, his Iranian heritage, discrimination in school, playing violin, parenting, and where he feels most at home. Biography Armando Anto was born and raised in France. He began studying classical violin at the French National Conservatory at the age of 5. After earning his BA in Finance, he turned his virtuoso talent into a business, embarking on a world tour of violin concerts. Performing and teaching his art for over a decade, Armando began implementing more and more comedy into his performances. Armando believes that in order to be successful, you have to surround yourself with successful people. This explains all the mirrors in his home. He understood that laughing opens the heart and mind, and that people understand any concept better through humor. Following his twin muses, music and comedy, he has established himself as a standup comedian in Los Angeles. Armando feels he never spends enough time with himself. Armando Anto’s brand of comedy is widely accessible and works anywhere in the world. From New York to Texas, France to the Middle East, every audience understands the universal comedic language of music. He performs all over the US in various comedy clubs, colleges, competitions and theaters. Even when Armando brags, he is the best at bragging.

YouTuber GloZell Green: Being Black, Being Funny, Being Mom - Part 3

In Part 3 of a three-part interview, GloZell talks openly about race and dating, foster care, surrogacy, Wayne Brady, and her brand of comedy! Biography Actress, comedian and “The Original Queen of YouTube” GloZell Green has been making people laugh with her videos and song parodies since 2008. From her interview with Barack Obama at the White House to her popular Cinnamon Challenge video she has racked up over 800 million views! On the big screen she has voiced characters in the Trolls Movie series and Disney’s Wreck It Ralph. Her autobiography “Is You OK?” Has become a popular read amongst her fans of all ages. She is a proud supporter of several local organizations including “We Got This”, “The LA Zoo” and “The Vanderpump Dog Foundation” to name a few. She is about to embark on her second tour with Twitch, visiting colleges across the USA and celebrating some of the top female gamers. She resides in the LA area and is having fun working on new projects while being mom to seven-year-old mini me O’Zell, who was born via surrogate. https://linktr.ee/glozell

YouTuber GloZell Green: Being Black, Being Funny, Being Mom - Part 2

In Part 2 of a three-part interview, GloZell talks more about her school days, her biggest (surprise!) idol growing up, family friendly popular culture, parenting in a non-virtuous world including how to talk with children about bodies and sex, surrogacy, dating, and nontraditional and multicultural families. Biography Actress, comedian and “The Original Queen of YouTube” GloZell Green has been making people laugh with her videos and song parodies since 2008. From her interview with Barack Obama at the White House to her popular Cinnamon Challenge video she has racked up over 800 million views! On the big screen she has voiced characters in the Trolls Movie series and Disney’s Wreck It Ralph. Her autobiography “Is You OK?” Has become a popular read amongst her fans of all ages. She is a proud supporter of several local organizations including “We Got This”, “The LA Zoo” and “The Vanderpump Dog Foundation” to name a few. She is about to embark on her second tour with Twitch, visiting colleges across the USA and celebrating some of the top female gamers. She resides in the LA area and is having fun working on new projects while being mom to seven-year-old mini me O’Zell, who was born via surrogate. https://linktr.ee/glozell

YouTuber GloZell Green: Being Black, Being Funny, Being Mom - Part 1

Actress, comedian and “The Original Queen of YouTube” GloZell Green has been making people laugh with her videos and song parodies since 2008. From her interview with Barack Obama at the White House to her popular Cinnamon Challenge video she has racked up over 800 million views! On the big screen she has voiced characters in the Trolls Movie series and Disney’s Wreck It Ralph. Her autobiography “Is You OK?” Has become a popular read amongst her fans of all ages. She is a proud supporter of several local organizations including “We Got This”, “The LA Zoo” and “The Vanderpump Dog Foundation” to name a few. She is about to embark on her second tour with Twitch, visiting colleges across the USA and celebrating some of the top female gamers. She resides in the LA area and is having fun working on new projects while being mom to seven-year-old mini me O’Zell, who was born via surrogate. https://linktr.ee/glozell Part 1 In Part 1 of a three-part interview, GloZell talks about growing up in Orlando, Florida, being the only Black child in a Lutheran school, and going to a predominantly White church in Los Angeles. With host Andrea she discusses pronouns, labels like African-American, and her connection with Wayne Brady! She emphasizes the importance of understanding the intent a person has even if the person’s action or choice of words is not politically correct or woke.

Adèle Farag: Adoption and Identity as an Asian Woman - Part 2

In Part 2 of a two-part interview, Adèle Farag discusses school pressure, her mom’s attitude towards education, and how academic success impacts self-worth. She shares what it was like to visit China for the second time since her adoption including buying a violin and visiting a hospital. She explains what “White girl in disguise” means to her. She concludes with a poignant message to her birth mother. Adèle was born in Changsha, the capital of the Hunan province in China, and after adoption as a baby grew up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in a predominantly White community. She has a degree in psychology from CSU Channel Islands and works as a college adviser for high school students. She loves making art, teaching art, working with kids, singing, karaoke, getting outside in nature, traveling, and being surrounded by the people she loves.

Adèle Farag: Adoption and Identity as an Asian Woman - Part 1

Adèle Farag was born in Changsha, the capital of the Hunan province in China, and after adoption as a baby grew up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in a predominantly White community. She has a degree in psychology from CSU Channel Islands and works as a college adviser for high school students. She loves making art, teaching art, working with kids, singing, karaoke, getting outside in nature, traveling, and being surrounded by the people she loves. In Part 1 of a two-part interview, Adèle reflects on her beginnings as a baby in China, her adoptive mother’s decision to adopt, and her first return trip to China when adopting her sister. She talks about the lack of diversity and exposure to her birth culture in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she was part of a group of friends who were also of Chinese descent and adopted and called themselves The Chinese Chopstick Sisters. She also describes her experience with ancestry.com as she sought biological siblings and information about her DNA. She concludes Part 1 with the story of moving to Los Angeles with no job and little money and getting into a car accident on the way, and how she feels being in a community where more people who look like her.

Welcome to Homespun Culture!

In this initial episode host Andrea Surova talks about the reason for doing the Homespun Culture podcast and touches on how cultural identity has been significant to her personally as the mother of five children who do not all share the same heritage.

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