The Unconventional Pursuit

Episode 6 - Ajit Samra | Securing the Bag at HBO, Steering away from the conventional career path set for first generation children, Navigating creative fields as a POC.

Welcome back to The Unconventional Pursuit Podcast! On today's episode, our host, Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola sat down with Ajit Samra, a Coordinator at HBO who works to ensure that over 51% of WarnerMedia's episodes/content are directed by Women and People of Color.   On this episode, we talked about  how he networked his way into HBO, his experience as a Punjabi-American who deterred from the typical career path set for many first generation children, navigating creative fields as a person of color, and his experience moving to Los Angeles.  As a Punjabi-American, Ajit strives  to discover unique stories and refine his taste, whether that means championing others stories or making his own. In December 2020, he launched a Think Tank for South Asians in Hollywood called "Ancient Haveli Entertainment." This project strives to broadcast South Asian talent and their stories. To discover more, follow their instagram @Ancienthaveli. You can expect more content in 2021. Hope you enjoy!  Feel free to give us a comment and a review down below. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/3pfsE0d [https://bit.ly/3pfsE0d] JOIN FACEBOOK GROUP: https://bit.ly/30HpA1J [https://bit.ly/30HpA1J]  FOLLOW US ON IG: https://bit.ly/2TCBbO8  [https://bit.ly/2TCBbO8] AJIT's IG: https://bit.ly/37PLrZY [https://bit.ly/37PLrZY] ANCIENT HAVELI ENTERTAINMENT: https://bit.ly/3mR5ADh [https://bit.ly/3mR5ADh] KRISTIE'S IG: https://bit.ly/2G7Echi  [https://bit.ly/2G7Echi] KRISTIE'S TWITTER: https://bit.ly/38lvWGB [https://bit.ly/38lvWGB] KRISTIE'S YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3lzCwjd  [https://bit.ly/3lzCwjd] OUR MUSIC PRODUCER: https://bit.ly/3g0kDc7 [https://bit.ly/3g0kDc7] OUR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: https://bit.ly/3fZbj8k [https://bit.ly/3fZbj8k]

Episode 5 - A'lahn | Singer/Songwriter, Being signed to a Record Label to becoming an Independent Artist, Working during COVID, Mental Health as an artist.

Welcome back to The Unconventional Pursuit Podcast! On today's episode,  our host, Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola sat down with A'lahn, a singer/songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland. On this episode, we talked about her experience being signed as an artist under a record label and the transition of being  a signed artist to an independent artist. We also touched on COVID-19 and how the pandemic shifted things within her career/goals, and lastly we discussed the importance of mental health and taking time to take a step back, reconnect with yourself and much more. Currently, A’lahn is working on her debut single that will be released in January 2021. The song is titled, “Save Me,” and it focuses on the feeling of loneliness and the sentiment of being misunderstood. Make sure to follow her (links down below) for more updates on the song! Hope you enjoy! Feel free to give us a comment and a review down below. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/3pfsE0d [https://bit.ly/3pfsE0d] JOIN FACEBOOK GROUP: https://bit.ly/30HpA1J [https://bit.ly/30HpA1J]  FOLLOW US ON IG: https://bit.ly/2TCBbO8  [https://bit.ly/2TCBbO8] A'LAHN's IG: https://bit.ly/3mxDblH [https://bit.ly/3mxDblH] A'LAHN's FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/37xB0dw [https://bit.ly/37xB0dw] KRISTIE'S IG: https://bit.ly/2G7Echi  [https://bit.ly/2G7Echi] KRISTIE'S TWITTER: https://bit.ly/38lvWGB [https://bit.ly/38lvWGB] KRISTIE'S YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3lzCwjd  [https://bit.ly/3lzCwjd] OUR MUSIC PRODUCER: https://bit.ly/3g0kDc7 [https://bit.ly/3g0kDc7] OUR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: https://bit.ly/3fZbj8k [https://bit.ly/3fZbj8k]

Episode 4 - Alexandra (Alex) Jackson | Graphic Designer/ & Author, Impacts of COVID on artists, Writing Process

Alexandra (Alex) is a Graphic Designer and Author from Maryland. She has several self-published books both physical and audio such as: Somewhere In Southern Italy, Out of Time, Stories with Alex, Her Name Was Lucy and Bucket Hat & Beanie. All available on Barnes & Noble, Amazon Worldwide, Soundcloud and her website: iamalx.com Additionally, Alexandra has a knack for machine learning languages such as HTML, CSS, Pseudocode, and UML.

Episode 3 - We're Back! | Life & Podcast Updates

Welcome back to The Unconventional Pursuit Podcast! After a few months away, we're back & we're better! On today's episode, our host, Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola shares a bit about her whereabouts in the last few months. She also reveals what you can expect in the coming weeks on the show.

Episode 2 - Alexis Primus | Acting & The Transition from College to Post-Grad Life, MFA Acting Grad School Process, Lack of Diversity & Inclusion within University Theatre Departments

On today's episode, we had the opportunity to sit with Alexis Primus, an actress from Washington, D.C. who recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Communications and Theatre. We chat a bit about the dynamics within the theatre department at her alma mater, post-grad life, and the MFA Acting grad school application process. We also touch on her thoughts on the lack of people of color within historical period dramas/pieces and relevant concerns with the film & theatre industry.