The LIGHTER Project: Turning Grief into Action for Mental Health Awareness

Marissa Isang - From Chicago Newsrooms to AI: The Power of Telling the Right Story

Marissa Isang is an Emmy-nominated storyteller whose career has taken her from Chicago newsrooms to the forefront of AI and tech communication. Born and raised in Chicago, Marissa reflects on how the city shaped her understanding of family, resilience, and curiosity. We talk about the feeling of Chicago, navigating life between Bronzeville, the suburbs, and Rockford, and why the city never really leaves you. We also dive into her journey through television news, producing live broadcasts, covering iconic Chicago moments like the Cubs' World Series run, and earning Emmy nominations for her storytelling. Then we explore her transition into the tech world, where she now helps make AI understandable, accessible, and human. This conversation is about evolution, curiosity, storytelling, and learning how to navigate a rapidly changing world without losing sight of who you are. Episode Highlights: • Why “Chicago is a feeling.” • Breaking into television news and sports broadcasting • Covering Chance the Rapper and the Cubs World Series • Transitioning from journalism into tech and AI • Making artificial intelligence understandable for everyone • Ethical AI and why representation matters • The power of curiosity in storytelling Episode Resources: Marissa's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-isang-aa757a38/] Marissa's Instagram Account [https://www.instagram.com/yap.with.mi/] Link to purchase: FYLPxTracee Badway Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-tracee-badway-collab?product=345] FYLPxWRDSMTH Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-wrdsmth-collab] *suggestion is to size up Download this episode of For Your Listening Pleasure wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you follow us on Instagram @foryourlisteningpleasure [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] Click here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QIs28pC7TR4OMgPflPNOh?si=35775356c6554f52]to listen to the For Your Listening Pleasure Theme Song Playlist on Spotify. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM me at https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/ [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] or email me at foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com [foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com].

Jacynth Bassett - Challenging the Narrative on Aging, Relevance, and Power

Jacynth Bassett is redefining what it means to age and challenging a system that profits from our fear of it. As the founder of Ageism Is Never in Style, she’s built a global movement dedicated to dismantling age bias and reshaping how we think about identity, beauty, and worth at every stage of life. What started as a deeply personal observation, watching her mother become increasingly invisible in spaces like fashion, has evolved into a powerful platform spanning community, consulting, and cultural change. In this conversation, we unpack how ageism shows up everywhere, from the workplace to healthcare to the way we see ourselves in the mirror, and why women, in particular, are never considered the “right” age. We get into the concept of age confidence, the impact of social media and the anti-aging industry, and how internalized bias shapes our decisions more than we realize. Jacynth also breaks down why generational division is often manufactured, how these narratives are reinforced from childhood, and what it actually takes to unlearn them. This episode is about identity, power, and perception, but more than anything, it’s about reclaiming the right to exist fully, confidently, and unapologetically at every age. Jacynth Bassett [https://www.ageismisneverinstyle.com/about-jacynth] Link to purchase: FYLPxTracee Badway Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-tracee-badway-collab?product=345] FYLPxWRDSMTH Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-wrdsmth-collab] *suggestion is to size up Download this episode of For Your Listening Pleasure wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you follow us on Instagram @foryourlisteningpleasure [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] Click here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QIs28pC7TR4OMgPflPNOh?si=35775356c6554f52]to listen to the For Your Listening Pleasure Theme Song Playlist on Spotify. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM me at https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/ [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] or email me at foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com [foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com].

From Capitol Hill to Clarity: Luke Corbett's Political Awakening

Luke Corbett grew up in St. Louis in a conservative, values-driven household, eventually finding his way to Washington, D.C., where he worked on Capitol Hill at the center of American politics. But what makes Luke’s story so compelling isn’t just where he started; it’s how his perspective evolved. From working inside the system to questioning it, from navigating his identity as a gay man within conservative spaces to witnessing pivotal moments in recent history firsthand, Luke’s journey is one of reckoning, growth, and ultimately, choosing to think independently. In this conversation, we talk about what it’s really like behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, the tension between personal values and political environments, and the moments that force you to reevaluate everything you thought you knew. We also get into where the country is today, why so many people feel disconnected from politics, and what it means to step away and rebuild a life rooted in purpose, stability, and truth. This is a conversation about identity, courage, and what happens when you decide to see things for yourself. Connect with Luke on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/luke.corbett/] Link to purchase: FYLPxTracee Badway Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-tracee-badway-collab?product=345] FYLPxWRDSMTH Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-wrdsmth-collab] *suggestion is to size up Download this episode of For Your Listening Pleasure wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you follow us on Instagram @foryourlisteningpleasure [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] Click here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QIs28pC7TR4OMgPflPNOh?si=35775356c6554f52]to listen to the For Your Listening Pleasure Theme Song Playlist on Spotify. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM me at https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/ [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] or email me at foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com [foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com].

Melissa Forman - The Voice That Wakes Up Chicago on 93.9 Lite FM

Melissa Forman is a Chicago radio icon, television personality, and the kind of storyteller who has spent decades keeping an entire city company on its drive to work. Because Melissa’s career isn’t just about radio. It’s about what it takes to build a lane in a male-dominated industry, to go from being expected to be the “sidekick” to becoming the one driving the show, and to do it with warmth, humor, and that rare ability to make listeners feel like they’re talking to a friend. We’re getting into her early days growing up, finding her voice, and the moment she heard a woman on morning radio and thought, that’s it… that’s what I’m meant to do. We talk about the behind-the-scenes grind people don’t see, the power of learning every button and every board so no one can ever tell you you don’t belong in the main seat, and what it’s like to hold space for a city when listeners call in with their funniest stories… and their heaviest ones. Link to purchase: FYLPxTracee Badway Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-tracee-badway-collab?product=345] FYLPxWRDSMTH Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-wrdsmth-collab] *suggestion is to size up Download this episode of For Your Listening Pleasure wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you follow us on Instagram @foryourlisteningpleasure [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] Click here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QIs28pC7TR4OMgPflPNOh?si=35775356c6554f52]to listen to the For Your Listening Pleasure Theme Song Playlist on Spotify. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM me at https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/ [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] or email me at foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com [foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com].

The LIGHTER Project: Turning Grief into Action for Mental Health Awareness

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and today I am honored to welcome Melani and Lenny Lighter to the podcast. In February 2023, their family was forever changed when their beloved daughter and sister, Lauren, died by suicide. In her memory, and in honor of the millions of lives lost each year, they created LIGHTER, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for mental health. Currently, they are leading the "Light in the Dark" fundraiser, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Lauren Lighter Fund. This fund directly supports NAMI Chicago, a local mental health organization, as well as the Douglas Mobile Outreach Program, expanding access to resources and care. At its heart, LIGHTER is a candle project designed to bring light and comfort into people’s homes while honoring those who have struggled in darkness. Since its launch in August 2023, LIGHTER has raised over $1 million for mental health foundations in both Montreal and Chicago, offering communities not only resources but also awareness, compassion, and hope. This episode serves as a reminder that we are all fighting battles that are unseen. I hope you find strength in Melani and Lenny’s story, and if you’re able, please consider supporting the Light in the Dark fundraiser with a donation. Episode Resources: Lighter Candles [https://www.lightercandles.com/] Light in the Dark Fundraiser [https://lightercandles.crowdchange.co/51326?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad044H-YcDzxBWEmm-QAk-_rNI3-i6ygsehJZiXy9rbZrMM0_XNmhszijEIxA_aem_b9gsqcsqu43pt17KguuaQA] Link to purchase: FYLPxTracee Badway Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-tracee-badway-collab?product=345] FYLPxWRDSMTH Merch Collaboration [https://for-your-listening-pleasure.creator-spring.com/listing/fylp-x-wrdsmth-collab] *suggestion is to size up Download this episode of For Your Listening Pleasure wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you follow us on Instagram @foryourlisteningpleasure [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/]   Click here  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QIs28pC7TR4OMgPflPNOh?si=35775356c6554f52]to listen to the For Your Listening Pleasure Theme Song Playlist on Spotify. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM me at https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/ [https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/] or email me at foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com [foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com].