In this final episode of the podcast, Amena is joined by emcee, poet, podcast host and Forth District site A&R Adan Bean. Amena switches places from interviewer to interviewee as Adan asks the questions about all things How to Fix a Broken Record.
Show Notes:
Black On Both Sides - Mos Def
Talking Book - Stevie Wonder
Shadows on the Sun - Brother Ali
To check out more of Adan Bean's work, visit his Facebook page.
Released January 10, 2018.
Each Part of the book How to Fix a Broken Record has a feature called the Soundtrack where Amena writes about the albums that influenced her in the areas of Love and Be Yourself, Dating, Marriage, Lessons in Adulting, Ctrl+Alt+Surrender, Home and Searching for the Groove.
In this episode, Amena talks the soundtracks of the book with jazz soul vocalist and songwriter Chantae Cann. Listen in as Amena and Chantae discuss the albums that inspire them.
Show Notes:
Acoustic Soul - India.Arie
I Am...Sasha Fierce - Beyonce
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
The College Dropout - Kanye West
Pages Of Life- Chapters I & II - Fred Hammond
A Seat At The Table - Solange
Sol Empowered - Chantae Cann
Innervisions - Stevie Wonder
About Chantae:
Chantae Cann is the charismatic influence with a voice that transcends through time. With the release of her debut album "Journey to Golden" in March 2016 at #1 on the iTunes Jazz Charts and #7 on the Jazz Billboard Charts, Chantae’s solo career has started off on a promising note.
Chantae Cann’s second studio album Sol Empowered released October 13, 2017 and landed a #8 spot on the Jazz Billboard Charts. Sol Empowered finds the artist in a positive space, as Ms. Cann states she has most recently been inspired in the areas of knowing, valuing and appreciating her own self-worth, and she desires to motivate others to do the same.
Lyrically, this is a love letter from Chantae to her listeners with an in depth look at her evolution as an artist, and most importantly who she has come to be as a person. Sol Empowered is intentional and deliberate, yet free-spirited.
For more info on Chantae Cann, visit www.chantaecann.com.
Released December 19, 2017.
Listen to the episode on iTunes and Google Play.
In Part 7, the final section of the book How to Fix a Broken Record, Amena writes about the lessons she's learned from vinyl records, Herbie Hancock, and finding her own voice.
In this episode, Amena talks with bass player Brandon Gilliard who has played with artists such as Prince, Janelle Monae, and Lecrae. He shares how he creates and sustains the groove in music and in life.
Show Notes:
Ferdinand movie
Voodoo - D'angelo
About Brandon
Brandon Gilliard is a first call session and world touring bass player. He has recorded or shared stages with artists such as LECRAE, Janelle Monae, Big Boi of OutKast, David Crowder, Erykah Badu, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Bebe Winans, PRINCE and a plethora of others. He has also performed with world class ensembles such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Brandon Gilliard has performed on the stages of stadiums, clubs, auditoriums, theaters and arenas around the world from Nashville to Australia. That list includes The Ryman Auditorium aka “The Original Grand Ole’ Opry” in Nashville, two headline performances at Coachella Fest (the largest music festival in the United States), two sold out performances at The Sydney Opera House, The Super Bowl Budweiser Pre-Show, The United Center (Prince ft. Janelle Monae) and several performances at The White House.
Today Brandon Gilliard is one of the most sought after and respected bass players in the world. His ability to adapt, attention to tone, professionalism, sightreading ability and vast knowledge of theory allow him to work with artists that cross a wide variety of genres such as country, hip hop, rock, jazz, bluegrass, R&B, gospel, classical, funk and pop. Brandon Gilliard’s approach to music is simple, yet unique. Play every note as if it’s your only chance, make it groove and remember that the artist comes first when working as a sideman.
For more information on Brandon Gilliard, visit http://btgill.com/.
Released December 10, 2017.
In Part 6 of the book How to Fix a Broken Record, Amena writes about all the ways she searches for and finds home: moving into a house, visiting Africa and returning to her family's roots.
In this episode, Amena interviews Dr. Una Mulale, who Amena wrote about in the book as she talks about her first trip with Una to Una's home country, Botswana. Amena and Una talk about making home wherever you are and the things Africa has taught them both.
About Una
Dr. Una Mulale grew up in the small southern African country of Botswana. Raised by a mother who never completed elementary school, and a father who went against tradition to educate his girls, she is now a Pediatric Critical Care specialist who has practiced around the world. She returned to Botswana in 2016 to develop Pediatric critical care services, and she remains the only Pediatric Critical Care specialist in the country. She has a long standing vision to pioneer new standards of excellence in healthcare in Botswana in Botswana, including establishing a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (she’s doing it now!) and the building the first children's hospital (both of which currently do not exist in Botswana).
To check out more of the amazing work Dr. Una Mulale is doing in Botswana, follow @theunamulalestory on Instagram.
Released December 4, 2017.
In Part 5 of the book How to Fix a Broken Record, Amena uses a play on the classic PC reset, by calling this section Ctrl+Alt+Surrender to talk about the things in life she tried to control, the places she learned to surrender and the ways she is learning to care for her soul.
In this episode, Amena talks with pastor and author of The Next Worship, Sandra Van Opstal about soul care in community and the vulnerability of surrender.
Show Notes:
Let It Loose - Gloria Estefan
About Sandra
Sandra Van Opstal, a second-generation Latina, is the Executive Pastor at Grace and Peace Community on the west-side of Chicago. She is a liturgist and activist who is passionate about re-imagining worship that mobilizes for reconciliation and justice.
In her fifteen years with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Sandra mobilized thousands of college students for God’s mission of reconciliation and justice in the world. Sandra served as Director of Worship for the Urbana Missions Conference, Chicago Urban Program Director, Latino National Leadership Team (LaFe), and Northwestern University Team leader (Multiethnic fellowship).
Sandra’s influence has also reached many others through her leadership and preaching on topics such of justice, poverty, racism, racial identity, reconciliation, and global mission. She has been featured at Wheaton College, North Park University, The Justice Conference, Evangelical Covenant conferences, Willow Creek Association conferences, and various churches. Sandra serves as a board member for Evangelicals for Justice and the Christian Community Development Association. Sandra was also the Worship Director for the Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering in Jarkarta, Summer 2016.
In addition to her ministry experience, Sandra holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois and has been published in multiple journals. She has authored Small Group Leader’s Handbook, God’s Graffiti Devotional, The Mission of Worship and The Next Worship.
For more info on Sandra Van Opstal, visit http://www.sandravanopstal.com/.
Released November 28, 2017.
In Part 4 of the book How to Fix a Broken Record, Amena writes about the lessons adulting has taught her from the power of saying yes and no, to navigating social media, surviving failure and redefining success.
In this episode, Amena chats with singer/songwriter and YouTube personality, Jennifer Chung whose newest mini album After All is a MUST LISTEN. Check it out as Amena and Jennifer talk about adulting, that YOLO life, what to do when you fail, and the best and worst of social media.
Show Notes:
Voyage To India - India.Arie
About Jennifer
Singer-Songwriter Jennifer Chung was born in Korea and raised in the bay area. Her mother, a dance teacher, her father, a recording artist -- she was always surrounded by the arts through dance and song. The stage was a familiar place as she grew up performing Korean Traditional Dance, singing at talent shows, jazz bands, musical theater, embarking on her YouTube journey by posting her first video in 2007. She went onto receive a B.A in Drama at the University of California, Irvine, and released her first full length album "4 Years & Counting.." (2011) October of this year, Jennifer released her long awaited mini-album "After All" produced by Sam Ock. Her voice is admired for its versatility: theatrical belting strength, soulful-pop textures, and clean control with jazz influences.
Now with over 134,000 subscribers on YouTube, garnering over 38 million views, Jennifer's recognized as one of the pioneers of online music content creators.In 2016, Jennifer was invited to the White House as an online influencer by President Obama's White House Initiative for the AAPI community.
Jennifer currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, Joules -- a musician, audio-engineer, videographer, and founder of The Futuristic Vintage + Pronounced Footage. They both love Jesus, love music, love to eat all kinds of food together and have their own music project duo: WATS [We Are The Songs].
For more info on Jennifer Chung visit http://www.jenniferchung.com/.
Released November 13, 2017.
In Part 3 of the book How to Fix a Broken Record, Amena writes with humor and candor about her experience in the first five years of being married to her husband, Matt.
In this episode, Amena talks with Montell and Kristin Jordan, authors of This is How We Do it: Making Your Marriage a Masterpeace. Montell and Kristin have navigated marriage, family, business, the entertainment industry, and the work of ministry together. Listen in as Montell, Kristin and Amena discuss advice for newlyweds, how to be married and work together, tips on how to improve communication with your spouse, and the mystery of marriage.
Show Notes:
Innervisions - Stevie Wonder
Tapestry - Carole King
Purple Rain - Prince
For more info on Montell and Kristin Jordan visit http://www.montellandkristin.com/.
Released November 6, 2017.
In Part II of the book How to Fix a Broken Record, Amena writes about her dating pitfalls and successes: the innocence of her first date, dating myths she had to unlearn, break ups and what happens when dating goes good.
In this episode of the podcast about the book, Amena talks with Annie Downs, speaker and best selling author; her most recent book is 100 Days to Brave. Amena and Annie discuss how their church upbringing influenced their approach to dating, dealing with delay, and surviving life's breakups.
Show Notes:
Sigh No More- Mumford & Sons
About Annie:
Annie F. Downs is a best-selling author and nationally known speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God.
Annie is the author of Looking for Lovely, a book about the power of perseverance, Let’s All Be Brave, a book for men and women about the power we each have to make a difference on this planet. She also has two books for teens: Perfectly Unique, a spiritual growth book for high school and college girls, and Speak Love, a challenge to women on how to use their words to make a difference in the world.
For more info on Annie Downs, visit http://www.anniefdowns.com/.
Released October 29, 2017.
In Part 1 of the book How to Fix a Broken Record, Amena writes a chapter on her natural hair journey and the day she did the big chop with her hair stylist Giselle Grant.
In this episode, Amena interviews Giselle about the natural hair journey from Giselle's perspective as a hair care professional and Giselle's own journey of continuing to love and be herself.
Show Notes:
Songs In The Key Of Life - Stevie Wonder
For more info on Giselle, visit http://www.gisellegrant.com/.
Released October 23, 2017.
On the premiere episode of the How to Fix a Broken Record podcast, Amena is joined by a very special guest: her grandma. The book, How to Fix a Broken Record, is dedicated to Amena's great grandmother, grandmother and mom. Amena and her grandma answer questions from social media and talk about education, segregation, reading, sharecropping and healing from broken records.
Show Notes:
Serving the Lord by Rev. Willie Morganfield (listen here)
Released October 13, 2017.