From Protests to Peace: J-MAL on Art, Activism & Oakland Legacy | A.R.T. Episode #20

From Protests to Peace: J-MAL on Art, Activism & Oakland Legacy | A.R.T. Episode #20

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of A Regular Thing (A.R.T.), we sit down with Oakland’s own JJ—artist, photographer, documentarian, and frontline activist. From risking his life during the George Floyd protests to live-streaming conflict resolution in East Oakland, JJ’s story is a raw reflection of art, purpose, and the price of truth-telling. We talk legacy, community impact, and how sometimes, the most revolutionary act is just showing up with a camera and telling the real story. Whether he's capturing stars like Drake and Kamala Harris or standing in the middle of protest zones with a gas mask and a shaky livestream, JJ’s commitment to his people never wavers. This episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about creativity, activism, legacy, and healing. Timestamps: 0:00 – Remembering Relationships & Boundaries How we navigate old memories, co-parenting, and digital footprints. 2:00 – A.R.T. Officially Begins + Guest Intro Meet JJ—activist, artist, and documentarian rooted in Oakland. 3:30 – Why JJ Deserves His Flowers Community service without the spotlight and being overlooked. 6:15 – From Oakland Hoops to Humble OG Growing up together and recognizing the shift into elderhood. 9:00 – Capturing Celebrity Moments JJ talks photographing Drake, Lauryn Hill, Kamala Harris, and more. 11:00 – Protest Work: From Oscar Grant to George Floyd The turning point that made JJ put down the day job and pick up the livestream full-time. 14:00 – Livestreams That Changed the Narrative How Facebook Lives became tools of truth—and why his platform was ultimately suppressed. 17:10 – Shadowbanned and Silenced JJ’s social media reach was destroyed after streaming police violence in real time. 18:30 – From Oakland to Portland to DC How JJ was flown out to protests across the country, including the March on Washington. 20:00 – Meeting the Central Park 5 + Behind the Scenes Raw, funny, and real stories from the frontline and backstage. 22:15 – Police Surveillance and Personal Risk Being named by masked officers and tagged in digital databases. 24:00 – Turning Down the News Why JJ refused to sell his footage to media outlets who wanted to spin the story. 25:15 – Arrested but Misrepresented Out of 200+ arrests, only JJ’s face aired—showing the manipulation of mainstream narratives. 27:00 – “It Wasn’t for the Money” Losing money and missing work to serve the truth with his camera. 28:15 – Guns Down, Gloves Up JJ documents Rico the Kid’s boxing events in Oakland as an alternative to gun violence. 30:00 – Conflict as a Catalyst for Respect Running fades with structure, respect, and resolution. 31:30 – Hood Diplomacy: Fight, Shake Hands, Move On Stories of fights ending in handshakes, hugs, and deeper respect. 33:00 – The Culture of Healing Through Confrontation Letting aggression out today so it doesn’t fester into tomorrow. 34:30 – Legacy Over Likes JJ’s mission to capture truth, teach youth, and protect the culture by any means necessary.

Becoming the Hat Matter: Sir Michael Wayne Turner III on Poetry, Theater & Legacy | A.R.T. Ep. 19

In this episode of A Regular Thing (A.R.T.), we sit down with the electrifying multi-hyphenate artist Sir Michael Wayne Turner III. From his poetic roots at Brave New Voices to powerful one-man shows like Hat Matter and Ghost of King, Michael takes us on a journey through Black artistry, identity, and legacy. He breaks down the art of performance poetry, the deep influence of the church, and his mission to revive historical moments with immersive storytelling. Whether you’re a creative, a dreamer, or someone rediscovering your voice, this episode is a masterclass in turning life into art. Chapters & Timestamps: 0:00 – Proximity to Purpose & the Kanye Conversation 1:37 – Welcome to A.R.T. & Guest Intro 2:30 – Legacy in a Name: Sir Michael Wayne Turner III 3:05 – Houston to the Bay: Finding Home 4:18 – First Impressions & Performance Style 5:19 – Acting Through Poetry 6:22 – How Poetry Found Him at 16 7:50 – Dancing with Destiny’s Child at 8 8:54 – Discovering Brave New Voices 10:43 – The Power of Youth Performance 13:48 – Stories That Make You Cry 15:51 – Love Among the Unhoused: A Poem That Stuck 17:15 – Creativity That Cuts Through 18:17 – Falling in Love with Acting 19:24 – Church as a Training Ground for Performance 21:38 – What Makes a Great Actor? 23:54 – The Birth of Hat Matter 28:09 – How a Halloween Costume Sparked a Movement 30:35 – Becoming the Black Mad Hatter 33:22 – Dancing Between Sanity & Madness 34:58 – Taking Hat Matter Global 37:06 – Ghost of King: Reclaiming MLK’s Voice 40:07 – Humanizing the Legend 43:22 – Why Love Is Still the Only Way 45:04 – The Pastor Behind the Icon 47:25 – What’s Next: Films, Music, and Timeless Visions 51:33 – Poetic Grammy Dreams & Bay Area Love 52:36 – Final Reflections & Socials

Burnout to Backpacking: Brandon’s Journey to Joy, Art & Impact | A.R.T. Episode 18

In this episode of A Regular Thing (A.R.T.), we sit down with Brandon to unpack what it means to choose joy, travel with purpose, and create without apology. From quitting his tech job to backpacking through Southeast Asia, Brandon’s story is a masterclass in trusting your gut, betting on your gifts, and letting the universe meet you halfway. Whether you're a creative, a traveler, or someone craving a life reset — this one’s for you. ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 – Welcome Back: We’re Still Creating 1:25 – Can You “Cheat” on an Album? 2:28 – Life Happened, Not Drama 4:07 – We Got Robbed (Literally) 5:00 – The Bipping Story (Bay Area Car Break-In Culture) 7:00 – Adjusting to Loss Without Losing Momentum 10:25 – From DJing to Healing Spaces 13:12 – Identity Shifts and New Creative Chapters 15:44 – Transitioning From Artist to Author 19:35 – The Power of the Inner Child & Rebirth 24:51 – How Travel Transforms Your Self-Worth 29:15 – Leaving the Bay: The Push & Pull Factors 35:50 – Heartbreak Abroad: Making & Losing Connections 41:13 – How Backpacker Culture Builds Vulnerability 46:27 – Kodak’s Spontaneous Trip to Costa Rica 50:39 – Why It’s Okay to Travel Without a Plan 54:08 – The Photo Book Origin Story 58:23 – Getting Laid Off from Twitter & Choosing Sabbatical 1:04:47 – Preserving the Journey: From Instagram to Legacy 1:10:17 – Representation in Hostels & Cultural Visibility 1:13:29 – You Don’t Have to Do Life the “Programmed” Way 1:17:05 – Dodgeball with a Photographer’s Arm 1:21:36 – Gratitude, Brotherhood, and the Wrap-Up Subscribe for more raw, soulful, and creative convos every week. We do this for the art — and the artists.

Millennial Fatigue, Black Artistry & Spiritual Downloads | A.R.T. Episode 17

Welcome back to A Regular Thing (A.R.T.) — a raw, funny, and deeply soulful squad pod episode where we reflect on health resets, creative resilience, nostalgic music eras, dream portals, and what it means to reclaim our stories as Black creators. From LakeFest chaos to Kendrick and Beyoncé’s Emmy nods to Maki’s tinfoil theory on déjà vu, we take you on a layered journey filled with laughter, legacy, and the power of cultural self-definition. 👇🏾 Chapters & Timestamps 👇🏾 00:00 – 01:36 | Welcome Back + Squad Pod Energy 06:40 – 08:28 | Welcoming Britt: The Fourth Horse(wo)man 08:29 – 10:53 | LakeFest Recap: From Chaos to Connection 20:37 – 24:40 | New Music Drops: Bieber, Kehlani, Clipse & More 36:34 – 41:12 | 2005 Was Untouchable: A Golden Music Year 41:13 – 43:13 | Millennial Fatigue Is Real: We’ve Seen Too Much 52:58 – 56:00 | Kendrick, Beyoncé & the Gatekeeping Debate 56:01 – 1:02:44 | Maki’s Tinfoil Moment: Dreams, Déjà Vu & Dimensions 1:02:45 – 1:03:45 | Kodak’s Corner: Animation, Grief & Black Nerd Spaces

DJ Lexappel on House, Healing, and Reinvention Through Music & Identity | A.R.T. Episode 16

n this episode of A Regular Thing (A.R.T.), the crew sits down with DJ Lexapeel to talk about navigating identity, DJ culture, Black artistry, safe party spaces, and the journey of starting over — again and again. From her Atlanta roots and Bay Area grind to her soulful party series Woo and new production goals, Lex shares how healing, music history, and intention shape her unique approach to creativity and community. Whether you’re a DJ, music lover, or culture builder — this conversation is packed with real talk, behind-the-scenes gems, and a whole lot of love. 👇 CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS 👇   00:00 – Spirit Animals & Opening Energy Lighthearted spirit animal intros spark laughter and set the tone for the episode. 02:03 – Astrology & Emotional Intelligence The cast explores astrology, identity, and emotional patterns in creative life. 08:24 – Intro to DJ Lexapeel & A.R.T. Vibes Kodak and Maki welcome Lex and explain why the pod feels like home. 10:11 – Creative Beginnings & DJ Mentors Lex shares how her journey into DJing started at an HBCU with the right support. 18:37 – The HBCU Experience & Atlanta Culture From party tents to musical roots, the crew dives into what made the HBCU scene special. 26:52 – Legendary Peers & Atlanta DJ Scene Reflecting on college peers who blew up and how Lex built community early on. 31:10 – DJing as Spiritual Practice & Mental Tetris The psychology of crowd control, flow state, and reading the room. 36:33 – DJ Set Structure & Etiquette Opening DJs vs. headliners and the unspoken rules of live sets. 40:18 – Starting Over in the Bay Lex opens up about humility, ego checks, and her first gigs in Oakland. 44:40 – DJ Politics, Popularity & Pay-to-Play The crew discusses talent vs. social clout and navigating Bay Area gatekeeping. 48:23 – Women DJs, Gaslighting & Building Your Own Lane Why Lex created Woo to uplift Black and Brown women DJs and throw her own events. 54:32 – Safe Space Energy: What Made Woo Special How intention, hospitality, and fashion created memorable community-centered events. 58:45 – Teaching Kids Mindfulness in East Oakland Lex explains how she uses meditation, music, and sensory techniques in after-school programs. 1:02:05 – Favorite Cities to DJ In Lex compares the vibes of New York, Atlanta, and dance cultures across regions. 1:05:15 – House Music & Black Origins Revisited Why house is making a comeback and how Lex reintroduces it in modern sets. 1:08:20 – The DJ as Educator: Music History in the Mix Lex shares how she reveals samples and musical roots in her sets to educate the crowd. 1:12:55 – DJs Are the New Rockstars (Again) Social media’s role in re-centering DJs as tastemakers, creators, and mainstage artists. 1:14:40 – Celebrating DJs: Miss Milan, Doechii & Legacy The importance of giving DJs their flowers — from Soul Election to Quincy Jones. 1:15:35 – Producing vs. Beatmaking & What’s Next Lex talks about transitioning into production with intention and originality. 1:21:14 – Upcoming Projects: Digital Underground & More Details on Lex’s next event, international sets, and why 2024 is just the beginning. 1:23:05 – Final Shoutouts & Sign-Off Closing love, energy, and where to follow everyone on their journeys.