Elsewhere: Aja Monet on Imagination, Community & Liberation

Shaun Ross - The Power of Being Unapologetically Yourself

Model, musician, DJ, and creative force Shaun Ross joins Artivism for a powerful conversation about identity, authenticity, and what it takes to remain true to yourself in a world that constantly pressures us to conform. Growing up as a Black queer kid with albinism in the Bronx, Shaun learned early what it meant to be different. Rather than shrinking himself to fit other people's expectations, he chose to embrace the very qualities that made him stand out. That decision would eventually help him break barriers in fashion, build a global career, and evolve into a multidisciplinary artist on his own terms. We discuss the realities of visibility, navigating industries built on approval, surviving criticism and rejection, recovering from long COVID, healing after heartbreak, and the ongoing journey of becoming more fully yourself. At its core, this conversation is about self-acceptance, resilience, and the radical act of refusing to assimilate. If you've ever felt different, misunderstood, or pressured to become someone else to succeed, this episode is for you. Creators & Guests * Winston Studios [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/winston-studios] - Producer * Carlos Anthony Lopez [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/carlos-anthony-lopez] - Designer * Iman Jordan [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/iman-jordan] - Host * Shaun Ross [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/shaun-ross] - Guest Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb904f97/transcript]

Elsewhere: Aja Monet on Imagination, Community & Liberation

Grammy-winning artist and ArtWell founder Iman Jordan sits down with acclaimed poet, musician, and activist Aja Monet for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, consciousness, community, and the role of art in a rapidly changing world. Together, they explore the tension between rhythm and algorithms, the impact of social media on our collective psyche, surrealism as a tool for imagining new realities, and why artists must remain connected to their inner lives in order to create meaningful work. Aja shares insights from her latest music, her collaborative process, her spiritual practices, and the importance of mentorship, gratitude, and collective liberation. This episode is an invitation to slow down, trust your intuition, and remember that creativity is more than content—it's a pathway to transformation. Creators & Guests * Winston Studios [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/winston-studios] - Producer * Carlos Anthony Lopez [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/carlos-anthony-lopez] - Designer * Iman Jordan [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/iman-jordan] - Host * Aja Monet [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/aja-monet] - Guest Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/7b09d2a4/transcript]

Devin Tracy – Finding Your Sound in Silence

In this deeply soulful conversation, Devin Tracy joins Artivism to unpack the spiritual side of creativity, trusting divine timing, and the emotional realities of being an artist in today’s world. From growing up singing gospel in Jacksonville, to creating globally loved records through intuition and alignment, Devin opens up about the lessons that shaped him — including isolation, perfectionism, patience, anxiety, social media, meditation, and learning how to truly sit with himself.  Together, we explore: * The connection between creativity and spirituality * Why artists struggle with overthinking and perfectionism * The importance of pauses, rest, and silence * Weed, anxiety, and reconnecting with your intuition * Trusting timing instead of forcing outcomes * Balancing survival with devotion to your art * Why honesty is the foundation of powerful music This episode is a reminder that artistry isn’t just about output — it’s about alignment, healing, honesty, and becoming who you’re meant to be. Creators & Guests * Winston Studios [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/winston-studios] - Producer * Carlos Anthony Lopez [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/carlos-anthony-lopez] - Designer * Iman Jordan [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/iman-jordan] - Host * Devin Tracy [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/devin-tracy] - Guest Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/7feb7733/transcript]

Figgy Baby - Breaking the Binary: Rethinking Expression, Artistry & Hip Hop

On this episode of Artivism, we sit down with Figgy Baby — an internationally touring artist redefining what it means to exist in hip hop. From freestyling in college cyphers to commanding festival stages, Figgy’s journey is anything but linear. We dive into the realities of building a career from the margins, navigating identity in a genre that hasn’t always made space for it, and the courage it takes to create without asking permission. This conversation explores: * What it means to be a non-binary artist in hip hop * The difference between followers and real community * Mental health, burnout, and staying grounded as an artist * Social media, algorithms, and the illusion of success * Why vulnerability is a form of power * The responsibility of artists in times of cultural and political tension Figgy shares raw insights on self-expression, resilience, and the quiet confidence it takes to show up fully—even when the world doesn’t always understand. This episode is about identity, truth, and the long game of building something real. Because sometimes… it only takes one person watching to change everything. Creators & Guests * Winston Studios [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/winston-studios] - Producer * Carlos Anthony Lopez [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/carlos-anthony-lopez] - Designer * Iman Jordan [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/iman-jordan] - Host * Figgy Baby [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/figgy-baby] - Guest

Gavin Turek - Dancing Through the Heavy: Joy, Embodiment, and Staying Open as an Artist

Today’s guest is Gavin Turek—an artist whose presence doesn’t just fill a room, it lifts it. Her performances feel like a full-bodied transmission of joy—rooted in movement, discipline, and emotional truth.  But behind that energy is something deeper. In this conversation, we explore what it means to stay open as an artist—especially in seasons that feel heavy. Gavin shares her journey through discipline, doubt, growth, and transformation—from early roots in music and dance to navigating an industry that constantly shifts its definition of success. We talk about the emotional weight of metrics, the reality of creative cycles, and the courage it takes to keep showing up without losing yourself. This episode is about embodiment. About joy as a practice—not just a feeling. And about learning how to keep dancing… even when life gets heavy. Creators & Guests * Winston Studios [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/winston-studios] - Producer * Carlos Anthony Lopez [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/carlos-anthony-lopez] - Designer * Iman Jordan [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/iman-jordan] - Host * GAVIN TUREK [https://artivisim.transistor.fm/people/gavin-turek] - Guest