The GOATs Podcast

S4:E3 | 2025 Recognitions, Where’s Sophie?, & Our Creative Journeys: Memorable Creations, Current Needs & What's Art Done for Our Mental Heath

In EPISODE 3 of SEASON 4 the crew gets back together, after what’s been almost a year since our last recording to wrap up 2025. We recap our year as a podcast. From being nominated for Podcast of the year by Grand Rapids Hip Hop awards and being featured by Rapid Growth Media  as one of the “10 Grand Rapids podcasts that deliver big” [https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/looking-for-real-voices-these-10-grand-rapids-podcasts-deliver-big/] as notable recognitions.  We catch up with our co-host Sophie, who moved to California earlier this year and all that’s transpired with her transition there as well as your feeling surround the move.  Lastly we tap into each other’s respective current creative journey. From our most memorable creation this year to what we need right now in our journey. Lastly we wrap up with what art has done for our mental health. WATCH THIS EPISODE HERE [https://youtu.be/ha4k7YxewSE] About: Multi-hyphenate creatives Sophie Rodriguez, George Ward and Alfield Reeves get together to chat about the arts, culture & their lives as creatives. GOATs Podcast Socials Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegoatspod/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thegoatspodcast], Youtube [https://youtube.com/@thegoatspodcastgr] & Website [https://thegoatspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Produced by Dave Benoit [https://www.instagram.com/madethnicflim/?hl=en] Photography by Mary Partee [https://www.instagram.com/myrrhcreativity/?hl=en]

S4:E2 | Comic Roots & Family Influence, The Art of Comedy & "Never Being Confident," Pre-Show Prep and Comedy Special Ft. Brianna "Funny Girl Bri" Blackburn

In EPISODE 2 of SEASON 4 we chat with actor, writer, producer and comedian, Brianna Blackburn aka Funny Girl Bri [https://www.instagram.com/thatfunnygirlbri/]. From wanting to be a police officer, influenced by her grandmother to her comedic influences of Bernie Mac & Bill Bellamy we start the episode diving into her comic roots. We chat about her first comedy performance to getting her first paid gig just 2-3 months later.  We chat about her family’s influence on her material, preparing for different audiences, her pre-show prep process, tough shows & being kicked off them. We then dive into staying encouraged, her “never being confident,” the Grand Rapids comedy scene, and advice for up & coming comedians.  We get into her Comedy Special [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-WYz9GZTLk] filmed in 2022 and her growth in set times from   3min (her first show) to a 45min special.  We also get into:  * Her favorite comedy shows, movies, & comedians * Who would be the five people to roast her, if she had another roast  * Some famous name drops  * Her process going into producing her own comedy shows * A future talk show & people’s comfortability with just telling her all their secrets    Lastly, We finish with our question game. The cast & crew name a comedian, as Brianna gives her reactions, thoughts and stories about them.  Check out her comedy special HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-WYz9GZTLk]  Check out her movie Thanksgiving Roast 2 HERE [https://tubitv.com/movies/100010585/thanksgiving-roast-2] BIO: A classic laugh out loud comic, Brianna Blackburn [https://www.instagram.com/thatfunnygirlbri?igsh=bGhzZm52dXhncTJn] has been making big waves in the Michigan comedy world. Combining solid material with crowd interaction, Brianna takes us on a hilarious ride that always ends in funny. Brianna is a multi time Laughfest performers, and has opened for Donnell Rawlings & Patton Oswalt as well as many others. About: Multi-hyphenate creatives Sophie Rodriguez, George Ward and Alfield Reeves get together to chat about the arts, culture & their lives as creatives. GOATs Podcast Socials Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegoatspod/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thegoatspodcast], Youtube [https://youtube.com/@thegoatspodcastgr] & Website [https://thegoatspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Produced by Dave Benoit [https://www.instagram.com/madethnicflim/?hl=en] Photography by Mary Partee [https://www.instagram.com/myrrhcreativity/?hl=en]

S4:E1 | In-House Series Part 4 - Flowers, Music, Short Films & YouTube Series, Mental Health, Holding Space for Others and Upcoming Book Ft. George Ward

THE IN-HOUSE SERIES: Part Four.  The In-House Series highlights and give flowers to the in-house team members that are essential to our podcast success..  In EPISODE 1 of SEASON 4 we chat with Writer, Speaker, Director, Actor, Photographer & our very own podcast co-host George Ward [https://www.instagram.com/i_bee_g?igsh=aWkyYmh6YjBjZWZ1]. We start the episode, and to much of a surprise to the rest of the cast & crew, dive into George’s first creative mediums of music & singing and how growing up in church influenced that.   We give him, his flowers, literally. We chat about how his interest in reading & love for books have influenced his writing. How much the podcast is more than just a podcast but a form of therapy a strong community for him. We chat about the journey of creating his respective short films Do Over” [https://vimeo.com/278569064]& “The Miseducation of Adulting” [https://www.instagram.com/tv/Bku8R2iDOFn/?igsh=bmU1eWh4N2c1NmRq]and his YouTube series “A Moment of Clarity”.  We dive into his bouts with mental health, holding space in lives of others, and the ebbs & flows of his photography journey. We dive into his how his faith and art have mixed and all that has come from that.  We get into some powerful moments George discovered & reflected on while writing his book giving an account on the relationship he had with his father and his father’s impact on their family. Lastly, We finish with our question game. Sophie & Alfield share some of their favorite Ward Words of Wisdoms from Facebook as George shares his live reactions & stories about them.  BIO: Born & raised in Grand Rapids, George Ward is a multi-hyphenate creative. His artistic expressions covers Writing, Motivational Speaking, Directing, Acting and Photography. He is also one of the co-host of the GOATs podcast.  George has acted in local theatre shows like, “Clybourne Park,” starred in nationally televised commercials for Baker College as well written, directed, acted & produced the short films “Do Over” [https://vimeo.com/278569064]& “The Miseducation of Adulting” [https://www.instagram.com/tv/Bku8R2iDOFn/?igsh=bmU1eWh4N2c1NmRq]. He also had a YouTube series entitled “A Moment of Clarity” where he shared motivational & inspirational words of wisdom on faith, life and overcoming hardships.  George use his creative mediums to share about the importance of mental health, how it can impact creatives and how an individual’s platform/influence can help others. Currently, George is in the process of writing a book giving an account on the relationship he had with his father and his father’s impact on their family. About: Multi-hyphenate creatives Sophie Rodriguez, George Ward and Alfield Reeves get together to chat about the arts, culture & their lives as creatives. GOATs Podcast Socials Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegoatspod/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thegoatspodcast], Youtube [https://youtube.com/@thegoatspodcastgr] & Website [https://thegoatspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Produced by Dave Benoit [https://www.instagram.com/madethnicflim/?hl=en] Photography by Mary Partee [https://www.instagram.com/myrrhcreativity/?hl=en]

S3:E7 | In-House Series Part 3 - Season 3 Recap, Flowers, Photography, Painting, Modeling & Podcasting Ft. Sophie 'Tender' Rodriguez

THE IN-HOUSE SERIES: Part Three.  The In-House Series highlights and give flowers to the in-house team members that are essential to our podcast success..  In EPISODE 7 of SEASON 3 we chat with Photographer, Painter, Model & our very own podcast co-host Sophie "tender" Rodriguez [https://www.instagram.com/somdbho?igsh=eDA0NXA3YmxxejA3]. We start the episode off recapping our year and sharing some of our favorite podcast moments, memories and guest conversations. We give her, her flowers, literally. We chat with her about her parent's influence on her start with art, getting into photography (s/o Mr. Roth), the ebbs & flows of painting and the catalyst it can be for handling pain and trauma. We dive into her rise of modeling gigs, trying new things like nude modeling and her 3 tips for aspiring models. We chat about what she's learned about her self, the experience & the process since being a podcast co-host.  Lastly, we wrap up with what creative things we'd like to see Sophie do more of or get into, what each of us are quietly doing and we finish with our question game. We ask Sophie to "tell us the first things she would paint for the person we name game" from her parents to the whole GOAT Podcast team. BIO:  Michigan native artist, Sophie Rodriguez, has been experimenting with multimedia for several years. Originally beginning with photography then finding a balance primarily between the world of painting and modeling. Initially, seen as an opportunity to challenge the boundaries of her talent and passions-these endeavors have brought new experiences and continue to open many pathways to nurture new mediums and ideas. About: Multi-hyphenate creatives Sophie Rodriguez, George Ward and Alfield Reeves get together to chat about the arts, culture & their lives as creatives. GOATs Podcast Socials Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegoatspod/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thegoatspodcast], Youtube [https://youtube.com/@thegoatspodcastgr] & Website [https://thegoatspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Produced by Dave Benoit [https://www.instagram.com/madethnicflim/?hl=en] Photography by Mary Partee [https://www.instagram.com/myrrhcreativity/?hl=en]

S3:E6 | Family & Art, Stepping Away & Back to Art, Custom Steppers, Our Moods Effect on Art Creation & The Trauma Project Ft. Terrell ‘SCOOB’ Foy

In EPISODE 6 of SEASON 3 we chat with Terrell ‘SCOOB’ Foy [https://www.instagram.com/custom.steppers?igsh=MTVhbnpnZTl1cWoycA==], a Multimedia Artist specializing in painting, shoe customization & artist curation. We chat about his initial art inspiration from family, stepping away & back into art, his back injury and Custom Steppers, his shoe customization business. He takes us through his favorite shoes to customize, paintings to-date, and the effects of your mood on creating. Last but certainly not least he takes through the process of his ArtPrize [https://www.instagram.com/p/DCHeHZ_R0mw/?igsh=bGM4cHNmMTYyYXNy]winning project, The Trauma Project, [https://www.instagram.com/traumaproject_gr?igsh=OGZ6OXQ2d293bzhl] “a powerful artistic endeavor that addresses themes of trauma and healing through a combination of visual art and music.”  We wrap up the episode playing the "tell us the first question you would ask this person when you hear their name" game. BIO: Scoob the artist, whose real name is Terrell Foy, is a multidisciplinary artist and creative visionary based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is best known for leading “The Trauma Project,” a powerful artistic endeavor that addresses themes of trauma and healing through a combination of visual art and music. His project, which won the Grand Prize at ArtPrize, features collaborations with over 20 local artists.  Aside from that he lives a double artist life as The artist behind Custom Steppers. a prominent custom shoe designer known for his innovative and artistic approach to footwear. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he has gained international recognition for creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted sneakers that blend street style with artistic expression. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1952349] Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. About: Multi-hyphenate creatives Sophie Rodriguez, George Ward and Alfield Reeves get together to chat about the arts, culture & their lives as creatives. GOATs Podcast Socials Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegoatspod/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thegoatspodcast], Youtube [https://youtube.com/@thegoatspodcastgr] & Website [https://thegoatspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Produced by Dave Benoit [https://www.instagram.com/madethnicflim/?hl=en] Photography by Mary Partee [https://www.instagram.com/myrrhcreativity/?hl=en]