Episode 40: Celebrating Haitian Heritage: Culture, Music, and Community with Tai Saint-Louis

Episode 40: Celebrating Haitian Heritage: Culture, Music, and Community with Tai Saint-Louis

In this vibrant episode of the Hey Janeé Podcast, host Janeé Bolden welcomes her friend Tai Saint-Louis, Atlanta's self-appointed Haitian culture representative, just in time for Haitian Heritage Month. Their conversation kicks off with heartfelt moments of joy, as Tai shares the happiness her dog brings her and the brilliance of her niece, while Zada Luby, the illustrious co-host, reveals her excitement about developing her third app aimed at empowering church communication. As they delve into Haitian culture, Tai passionately discusses her identity, the significance of Haitian Flag Day, and the need to celebrate the richness of Haiti beyond the common misconceptions of poverty and voodoo. With a deep understanding of her roots, she emphasizes the beauty of her heritage, sharing insights about the music, history, and community spirit that define Haiti. Listeners will be inspired by Tai's mission to launch her new Instagram and TikTok page, Music in Creole, aimed at normalizing Haitian music and culture. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of identity, community, and the power of storytelling, as Janeé, Tai, and Zada discuss the narratives that shape perceptions of Haiti. Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and affirmations that will encourage you to embrace your heritage and uplift those around you. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome back to the Hey Janeé Podcast (01:15) Moments of joy: Dogs, apps, and family (10:00) Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month (15:30) Misconceptions about Haiti: Poverty and voodoo (20:00) The richness of Haitian culture and history (25:00) Launching Music in Creole: A celebration of Haitian music (30:00) The importance of community and storytelling (35:00) Closing thoughts on identity and heritage (40:00) Affirmation of the week: Giving grace freely

Episode 39: The Power of Joy and Authenticity with Stephanie Mills

In this captivating episode of the Hey Janeé Podcast, host Janeé Bolden is joined by the legendary Stephanie Mills, a true icon of R&B and Broadway. Their conversation begins with heartfelt moments of joy as they share personal celebrations, including Janeé's birthday and the one-year anniversary of her podcast, creating an atmosphere of warmth and reflection. As they delve into Stephanie's remarkable journey, she opens up about her experiences as a child star on Broadway and the challenges of navigating fame from such a young age. Listeners will be inspired by her insights on resilience, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the strength she gained from her Brooklyn roots. Stephanie shares candid stories about her relationships, her love for family, and the joy she finds in her current projects, including the highly anticipated Queens tour with fellow legends. This episode is a celebration of creativity, love, and the power of community, as Janeé and Stephanie discuss the significance of manifesting one's dreams and the importance of positive energy in daily life. Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and affirmations that will resonate long after the episode ends. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome back to the Hey Janeé Podcast (01:15) Moments of joy: Celebrating birthdays and anniversaries (10:00) Stephanie's journey from child star to R&B icon (15:30) The impact of Brooklyn on Stephanie's life (20:00) Navigating relationships and the importance of family (25:00) Insights on the Queens tour and performing with legends (30:00) The power of manifestation and positive energy (35:00) Closing thoughts on creativity and self-love (40:00) Affirmation of the week: Embracing love and positivity

Episode 38: From Heartbreak to Harmony: A Journey with Mali Wilson

In this heartfelt episode of the Hey Janeé Podcast, host Janeé Bolden reconnects with her dear friend, the multi-talented Mali Wilson—musician, philanthropist, and chef. Their lively conversation kicks off with joyful moments, as Mali shares the excitement of her youngest bonus daughter turning 18, while Janeé reflects on her whirlwind of events at the Lake Oconee Food and Wine Festival, showcasing their shared love for celebration and community. The duo dives deep into the transformative power of love and creativity, discussing Mali's upcoming album that encapsulates her journey of love and healing. As they reminisce about their long-standing friendship, listeners are treated to candid stories about their personal growth and the importance of embracing change. Mali opens up about her past relationships and the pivotal moments that led her to find true love with Eric Wilson, emphasizing the beauty of vulnerability and authenticity in relationships. This episode is a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and the importance of uplifting one another. With an inspiring discussion around the Earth Girls project, Mali shares her mission to empower young women in the music industry, creating safe spaces for creativity and collaboration. Tune in for an uplifting conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and affirmations of self-love and community support. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome back to the Hey Janeé Podcast (01:15) Moments of joy: Celebrating milestones and events (10:00) Mali's journey to love and her new album (15:30) The importance of vulnerability in relationships (20:00) Reflections on friendship and personal growth (25:00) The Earth Girls project and its mission (30:00) Creating safe spaces for women in music (35:00) Closing thoughts on resilience and community (40:00) Affirmation of the week: Letting God be your GPS

Episode 37: Elevating Barbershop Culture and Connection with Obi Omile

In this exciting episode of the Hey Janeé Podcast, host Janeé Bolden welcomes Obi Omile, the CEO and co-founder of The Cut app, the leading barbershop platform in the nation. Their conversation kicks off with a lighthearted moment of joy, as Obi shares his love for playing basketball with friends, while Janeé reflects on her recent achievements in writing and event production, setting a positive and uplifting tone for the episode. As the discussion unfolds, Obi shares his journey from Atlanta to founding The Cut, revealing the inspiration behind the app and how it aims to solve the challenges of finding trusted barbers. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer perspective and how that insight shaped the app's development. Listeners will appreciate Obi's candidness about the hurdles faced in the tech world, including securing venture capital and hiring talent, and how he navigated these challenges with creativity and determination. The episode also dives into the cultural significance of barbershops as community hubs and how The Cut seeks to elevate that culture through innovative technology. Obi discusses his collaboration with creative director Ray Daniels and the exciting initiatives that bridge the gap between barbering and music, enhancing the overall experience for both barbers and clients. This episode is a celebration of entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of community, reminding us all to pursue our passions and create a lasting impact. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome back to the Hey Janeé Podcast (01:15) Moments of joy: Basketball and writing achievements (10:30) Obi's journey from Atlanta to founding The Cut (15:00) Understanding the customer perspective in app development (20:00) Challenges in securing venture capital and hiring talent (25:30) The cultural significance of barbershops in the community (30:00) Collaborating with Ray Daniels and bridging barbering and music (35:00) The importance of creating a lasting impact through entrepreneurship (40:00) Closing thoughts on resilience and community (45:00) Affirmation of the week: Creating your own future

Episode 36: 11 Days of Creativity and Connection with MarcLo

In this inspiring episode of the Hey Janeé Podcast, host Janeé Bolden sits down with the talented musician and songwriter Marc Lo, also known as Marcus Lomax. Their engaging conversation begins with heartfelt moments of joy, as Marc shares the delight of building a playground for his daughter, while Janeé recounts the nostalgia of attending a New Edition concert, celebrating the magic of 80s and 90s R&B music. As the episode unfolds, Marc dives into his musical journey, reflecting on his evolution as an artist and his experiences working with renowned names like Dua Lipa and Justin Bieber. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration in songwriting, sharing insights on the chemistry needed to create impactful music. The duo discusses the nuances of the industry, the challenges artists face, and the significance of personal storytelling in their work. Listeners will be captivated by Marc's personal anecdotes, including his upbringing as a pastor's kid and the influence of his family on his musicality. He reveals the inspiration behind his upcoming album, 11 Days, created during a tumultuous time, and the meaningful connections woven throughout its tracks. This episode is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of music to connect us all. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome back to the Hey Janeé Podcast (01:15) Moments of joy: Building a playground and attending a concert (10:00) Marc’s journey in music and working with top artists (15:30) The art of collaboration and songwriting chemistry (20:00) Growing up as a pastor’s kid and musical influences (25:00) The inspiration behind the album 11 Days (30:30) Personal storytelling through music and its impact (35:00) Closing thoughts on creativity and resilience (40:00) Affirmation of the week: Trusting the journey