J.R. Martinez’s Rebirth: Priorities Purpose & Positivity

J.R. Martinez

J.R. Martinez is an Army Veteran, Burn Survivor, Actor, New York Times Best Selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Dancing the Stars Winner & Host of the podcast Rebirth. He has faced death and come out on the other side finding hope, defining his own path, priorities & identity. The hard learned lessons, about life, value, and worth are what he’s sharing with you. My conversation with J.R. was an incredibly powerful, positive and absolutely inspiring one. it’s not just about facing challenges, it’s about loving yourself and your life.

This truly is not a conversation you want to miss.

J.R.’s website: https://jrmartinez.com/

J.R.’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamjrmartinez

J.R.’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjrmartinez/?hl=en

Rebirth: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rebirth-with-j-r-martinez/id1514640056

Kara Robinson Chamberlain: Surviving a Serial Killer.

Kara Robinson Chamberlain

Kara Robinson Chamberlain was kidnapped by a serial killer. Yes. You read that correctly. At 15, she was abducted by a serial killer, escaped AND helped authorities capture the man who kidnapped her. This horrific experience could traumatize anyone. But you’re going to hear how Kara escaped, how she not only survived and helped authorities capture this man but how she has transformed this nightmare into strength, and what she’s ultimately grateful for.

Now, Kara is out in front, spreading hope, encouragement to other survivors and to remind them they can heal—and they are stronger than what has happened to them.

This is a remarkable story of survival, composure and courage.

Find out what Kara’s learned that is universal and can help you in your life YOUR life, regardless of your situation.

Kara’s website: https://www.kararobinsonchamberlain.com/

Kara’s twitter: https://twitter.com/KR_Chamberlain

Kara’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kararobinsonchamberlain/?hl=en

Reppin 5.9: Leeza Gibbons

Leeza Gibbons

Emmy Winner Leeza Gibbons is a household name and media powerhouse. She’s a Host, Reporter, Producer, for shows such as Entertainment Tonight, My Generation on PBS and her own long running talk show, LEEZA. She’s covered the gamut of stories from A List celebrities to the everyday heroes. She’s also a NY Times Bestselling author, with Take 2: Your Guide to Happy Endings and New Beginnings; and Fierce Optimism: 7 Secrets for Playing Nice and Winning Big.

She’s also a fierce advocate for caregivers and has a non-profit called Leeza's Care Connection. She founded this organization when her family was touched by Alzheimer’s, first with her grandmother, then her mother who battled and lost. Knowing the herculean role of a caregiver—Leeza’s Care Connection offers free services and support to help families cope when facing a chronic illness or disease.

She’s experienced both incredible highs and unbelievable lows. Through it all, she’s remained true to who she is and unfailingly optimistic. She’s sharing some of her defining moments and how she’s continued to succeed—without ever compromising her values and she reveals how she’s been able to stay NICE in a world that often times—isn’t.

Leeza’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeezaGibbons

Leeza’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezagibbons/?hl=en

Leeza’s Care Connection: https://leezascareconnection.org/

Leeza’s Walking App: https://www.openfit.com/plans/leeza/

Leeza’s books: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=leeza+gibbons&sprefix=leeza+gi%2Caps%2C76&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_8

Reppin 5.5: Russell Horsnby

Russell Hornsby

Photo credit: Benjo Arwas

Russell Hornsby is a talented actor who has a commanding presence on and off screen. You’ve seen him as Detective Hank Griffin on the NBC series Grimm, Carl Gatewood in the Showtime series The Affair, Edward "Eddie" Sutton on ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights, Luke on the HBO drama In Treatment and he gave a masterful performance as Maverick Carter in the film The Hate U Give.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Russell on multiple projects. In between takes, I found myself in a corner of the room having deep conversations with him. His perspective and the insights shared always made reflect.

Here, he shares some of the lessons learned and what made him the man he is. He also shares the importance of mentorship, who he learned from and how he’s paying it forward.

This is a small sampling at what some of our conversations were like. Listen in!

Russell’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellhornsby

Russell’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russoulhornsby/?hl=en

Reppin 5.4: Genevieve Kang

Genevieve Kang

Photo credit: Rebecca Benoit

Genevieve Kang is a talented actress of Chinese and Portuguese descent. She’s has an impressive list of credits that include the Nickelodeon series “Romeo!”, Guillermo del Toro’s FX’s series “The Strain”, Global TV’s “Private Eyes” opposite Jason Priestley, HBO/Cinemax series “Jett” and the YouTube Premium series “Impulse” created by Doug Liman (EDGE OF TOMORROW, the Bourne series). Currently, you can see her in Netflix’s hit Locke and Key as Jackie Veda.

Genevieve is grounded, enigmatic and self aware. Here on Reppin, she talks about how mainly seeing blonde and blue eyed people in the media, deeply effected her sense of belonging and how that informed her that being who she was—wasn’t enough. We catch up with Genevieve at a transitional time in her life. Find out where where she is in her efforts to reconcile the struggles of her younger self and how she’s doing it.

Genevieve’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/genevieve_kang

Genevieve’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genevievekng/?hl=en

Reppin 4.11:Tony Giroux

Tony Giroux

Photo by: Richie Lubaton

Tony Giroux is a talented dancer and actor. He’s danced with Pitbull, Rhianna and Zendaya to name a few. As an actor, he has appeared in Descendants, Descendants 3, ABC’s Once Upon A Time. And he co-starred in Lifetime’s FIRST Asian American centered holiday special, Sugar and Spice Holiday. Currently you can see him as Adil in Freeforms’s supernatural hit, Motherland: Forth Salem.

With everything going for him, you maybe surprised how he struggled to find his identity and where he belonged. Tony is of French and Chinese descent and reveals how he relates to his characters and how grappled with finding connection.

This is a fiercely candid conversation. Find out IF he’s been able to reconcile his place and how he did it.

Tony’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/tkgiroux?lang=en

Tony’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tkgiroux/?hl=en

Reppin 4.10: Georgina Pazcoguin

Georgina Paczoguin

The world of ballet is one of sophistication, beauty and high class culture. This is all true but it’s also complicated and the same social issues and inequities that exist in the “everyday” also lives in this elite world. Georgina Pazcoguin is the FIRST Asian-American female soloist at New York City Ballet (her father is Filipino and her mother is Italian). She’s also the author of Swan Dive: The Making Of A Rogue Ballerina where she takes you beyond the stage. Her memoir where she openly shares her love for dance is also where she risks all to expose and fight everything from racism to sexism.

What has she experienced to step up and publicly voice her position and beliefs? Why is she putting her career on the line? What is it costing her?

Meet this firebrand now on Reppin. And see how’s she fighting with grace and integrity to ensure that the art of ballet lives on for future generations and that it is world that is more inclusive and equal.

Georgina’s website: https://georginapazcoguin.com/

Georgina’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/GPazcoguin

Georgina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgina_pazcoguin/?hl=en

Swan Dive: The Making Of A Rogue Ballerina: https://www.amazon.com/Untitled-Holt-Author-Revealed-Fall/dp/1250244307/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14KMY3Q178B1H&dchild=1&keywords=swan+dive&qid=1633808398&sprefix=small+hat%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-1

Reppin 4.9: Nancy Lee Grahn

Nancy Lee Grahn

Nancy Lee Grahn is an Emmy winning actress and fan favorite. Known for her portrayals as the headstrong Julia Wainwright Capwell from Santa Barbara and now, Alexis Davis on General Hospital. Over the years, Nancy has garnered a huge fan base and is most recently celebrating her 25th year on General Hospital. Nancy is known for delivering powerful performances on screen. Off screen, Nancy is also a powerhouse. She’s an unapologetic, passionate, outspoken woman who is using her platform to advocate and fight for the things she believes in. Whether you agree or not—she embraces her position and voice. Meet the woman behind the talent, gain insight into her background, her values, understand what drives her and see what she represents.

Nancy’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyLeeGrahn

Nancy’s website: https://www.nancyleegrahn.com/

Reppin 4.5: Dr. Chen Fu

Dr. Chen Fu

Dr. Chen Fu is a front line hero. He’s been battling to save lives as hospitals were busting at the seams as patients poured in all desperately sick with Covid-19. Working exhaustively for days that bled into nights and back again, he fought to help as many as possible. Witnessing staggering numbers of devastating loss and gutting goodbyes, often multiple times a day was punishing. Proving time and again, despite his best efforts —they were futile.

While he struggled to help the sick, as a front line responder he was celebrated for what he was doing but the also vilified for what he is— Asian. The duality of this position compounded the situation he was in.

How does it impact him as a doctor? As a person? Did his faith in humanity diminish or has it been renewed?

Reppin 4.4: Yvonne Chapman

Yvonne Chapman

Photo credit: Laura Baldwinson

Yvonne Chapman is a talented Chinese Canadian actress. She’s currently on CW’s hit Kung Fu as the complicated, alluring, sometimes heartbreaking but always lethal villain Zhilan. Her other credits have also included CBC’s Street Legal, CW’s “The 100”, ABC’s “The Crossing.”

Before she was kicking ass on screen, she was doing well in the world of corporate finance! On Reppin, Yvonne shares how she had to overcome her fears, break away from her family’s expectations, all sense of stability to take a giant leap of faith in an effort to make the life and career she wanted. Find out how she found her voice and her footing. And find out how her diverse upbringing, the challenges she faced and her ”late” start in entertainment actually HELPED her.

She reveals the lessons she’s learned and pays it forward here.

Yvonne’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/yvonne__chapman

Yvonne’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ypchapman/

Reppin 4.3: Kimberly McCullough

Kimberly McCullough

Kimberly McCullough is an incredible talent. She started working at 5 years old appearing in movies like Breakin’2: Electric Boogaloo to Bugsy with Warren Beatty, and has an impressive list of television credits that include The Shield, Firefly, Joan Of Arcadia, All My Children. She’s best known as Robin Scorpio the daughter of super spies Robert Scorpio played by Tristan Rogers and Anna Devane played by Finola Hughes on General Hospital. She originated this role at 7 years old and playing this character on an off through the years into adulthood. And she’s won 2 daytime Emmys for her portrayal.

Now, she’s evolved into an incredible Producer/Director for shows like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Fuller House, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Carol’s Second Act to The Conners.

She’s grown up in front of audiences and you may THINK you know her. On Reppin she shares what she’s learned throughout her career, challenges she’s overcome and what she’s doing to advocate for others. Meet this incredible woman.

Kimberly’s Twitter:https://twitter.com/whitewatercrew

Kimberly’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmeabreak/

Reppin 4.2: Brandon Victor Dixon

Brandon Victor Dixon

Brandon Victor Dixon has an expansive list of credits that range from Broadway’s Hamilton, The Color Purple to television’s Rent Live, Jesus Christ Superstar to STARZ’s Power.

Brandon has also appeared in concert with various artists such as Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber, Jennifer Hudson, Nathan Lane, Wynton Marsalis, Chita Rivera, Liza Minnelli, David Hyde Pierce,  and Tony winners Levi Kries, Kelli O'hara, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Other Credits include: ABC's One Life To Live, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, ABC's The Good Wife, and NETFLIX’s “She’s Gotta Have It”.

His talent doesn’t end there, h'e’s also a producer! His company WalkRunFly has produced multiple works including the Tony Award winning Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Neil Patrick Harris, He is co-founder of The WeAre Foundation, a non-profit “Turning Art into Action.”

Millions have seen and heard his voice and talent-but here, you’ll learn what motivates this talented man and what he’s fighting for.

Brandon’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonVDixon

Brandon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonvdixon/?hl=en

We Are Foundation: https://weare.org/

Reppin 3.12: Angela Yee

Angela Yee

Angela Yee is best known as one of the hosts of the nationally syndicated show The Breakfast Club. She is the only female voice on the show which has been the number one radio program in “The Source” Power 30 issue for 5 years in a row. The NYS Broadcasters Association awarded “The Breakfast Club” the 2014 OUTSTANDING ON-AIR BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM award, and in 2017 the Breakfast Club was awarded the iHeartRadio Urban Personality of the Year Award.

Listeners can hear “Angela Yee’s Rumor Report,” her advice segment “Ask Yee,” and current events with “Front Page News.”  True to her personality, Angela has also continued to expand her brand with her popular podcast “Angela Yee’s Lip Service” and in 2019 she organized the first nationwide tour for “Lip Service Live” with Live Nation

When she’s not in front of the mic or hosting, Angela is also an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. She’s involved with numerous organizations that support everything from health, literacy to groups that promote diversity and inclusion. All of her efforts are varied—but have one thing in common—empathy and to build communities and people up.

Angela has received a WEEN Mission Award, the Shirley Chisholm Woman of Distinction Award, the Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award for the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI), a Gracie Award for National Radio Host/Personality, a Gracie Award for her Lip Service podcast, a Spirit of Detroit Award, the Airblazer Award from the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group and Talentmasters Morning Show Bootcamp….to name a few.

What shapes this unstoppable woman? What’s it take to be the solo female voice on a hugely popular show? Where does this drive and commitment to community come from? Find out now. Meet this inspiring, incredible woman-right here on Reppin.

Angela’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelayee?s=20

Angela’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelayee/?hl=en

Angela’s Non Profit Well Read: http://wellread.org/

Angela’s Juices For Life: http://juicesforlife.nyc/

Reppin 3.11: Doug Elmets

Doug Elmets

Meet Doug Elmets, president of Elmets Communication. He is a high-profile media and crisis strategist known for his ability to defend and promote his clients through integrated communications. He’s also lifelong Republican who worked with Ronald Reagan during his Administration. Over the decades, he’s appeared on national programs speaking to promote the Republican agenda. But 2016, he was the FIRST Republican to step out onto the DNC stage to openly endorsed his political party’s opponent-Hillary Clinton for President. How did his appearance come to be? What compelled him to risk it all to be the LONE man to come forward and go against his political party? How did he sustain tremendous pressure to conform? And what was the fallout afterwards?

Doug’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/elmetspr?lang=e

Elmet’s Communication: https://www.elmets.com/

Reppin 3.10: Candace Wohl

Candace Wohl

My next guest has proven you should never underestimate the power of determination and hope. Meet Candace Wohl, she is a writer, public speaker and women’s health advocate. Her evolution towards becoming that advocate began when she and her husband Chris, who were in their late 20s then, were thrown onto the private and painful roller coaster of infertility.

After 6 years of enduring an assault of medical procedures and investing their entire life savings, they were still unable to conceive. As they went through devastating lows, they also began documenting their struggles and created a blog called Our Misconception. They worked to break down the stigma of infertility and provided the unique perspective of a man and a woman. They shared information and mistakes to help others navigate and approached this shrouded issue with a lighter touch.

Since then, Candace’s blog garnered national attention and has been named Best IVF blog in 2019 and they’ve been profiled in Glamour and Cosmopolitan Magazine and were featured on MTV’s Award Wining documentary series True Life.

Find out how Candace and Chris transformed their pain into power, how they harnessed their strength using humor and light and how they persisted through grief. See how she’s paying it forward and find out if she and Chris were able to have the family they desperately wanted.

Candace’s Blog Our Misconception: https://ourmisconception.com/

Candace’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmisconception

Candace’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourmisconception/

Be sure to check out our instagram https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/ to get an update on Candace.

Candace with husband Chris

Candace with husband Chris at one of their many doctor visits

Reppin 3.8: Benjamin Von Wong

Benjamin Von Wong

Benjamin Von Wong is a talented innovative, creative, artist, photographer and activist. His work has been described as a mix of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations, like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution. Most recently, he was named one of Adweek’s 11 content branded masterminds.

He is also the host of the Impact Everywhere Podcast.

Meet this incredible talent as he shares what he’s learned and how he infuses his creativity with purpose and how he’s working to make a change.

Benjamin’s website: https://www.vonwong.com/

Benjamin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevonwong?s=20

Benjamin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vonwong/?hl=en

Impact Everywhere: https://impacteverywhere.org/

Photo Courtesy: Benjamin Von Wong

Photo Courtesy: Benjamin Von Wong

Reppin 3.7: AJ Mendez

AJ Mendez

Photo Courtesy: Cathy and David Photography

AJ Mendez is a former professional wrestling champion with the WWE under the ring name AJ Lee. Don’t let her diminutive stature fool you, she was a formidable opponent. She threw people around like a short order cook threw pancakes onto a plate. With her trademark black widow submission move, she easily took out her competitors. But in real life--nothing came easily for her.

In her autobiography, which was a New York Times best seller, Crazy Is My Super Power, she details what it was like being a petite Puerto Rican girl growing up in an unstable home, struggling with poverty, homelessness and mental illness to how comics, wrestling and her fans helped change her life. 

Because of her own personal struggles, she is a mental health advocate, and is an ambassador to The Jed Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

If that’s not enough, she also partnered with actress Aimee Garcia and founded Scrappy Heart Productions. Together, as Latin X storytellers, they want to create the change they want to see in the media and to tell stories that have universal themes.

She is a warrior. Meet this incredible woman, who is breaking boundaries, who has overcome so many personal challenges and now she’s out in front working to help others.

AJ’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAJMendez

AJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theajmendez/

Mental Health Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

Reppin 3.5: Aydian Dowling

Aydian Dowling

Aydian Dowling is most known for being the First Transgender Man on the cover of Mens Health Magazine, and appearing on the Ellen Degeneres show, twice! Using his own personal struggles he has given voice to the trans community, documenting his personal transition and sharing it on line. Since then, Aydian has been creating content answering questions and offering insight to those who may still be struggling.

In 2016, Aydian launched PointofPride.org a non profit which helps Transgender individuals around the world through programming and funding to help Trans people live more authentically in their bodies. 

On Reppin, Aydian talks about how he went from hiding who he was, how he summoned the courage to being liberated to live his most authentic life and finding acceptance and love. His story is one about overcoming fears, other people’s expectations and labels to truly embracing who you are.

Aydian’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/AydianDowling

Aydian’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alionsfear/

Point Of Pride: https://pointofpride.org/

Aydian’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5IabAzRyXqLpAib13Q2yw

Reppin 3.4: Mary Beth Evans

Mary Beth Evans

Mary Beth Evans is an 8 time Emmy winner! She’s an immensely talented actress, producer and entrepreneur. Since 1986, she has breathed life into the beloved character Kayla Brady and part of super couple, Steve and Kayla on Days Of Our Lives.

Mary Beth’s other credits include General Hospital, The Bay, Chasing Life, Body Of Proof and As the World Turns. She’s consistently in top form, hitting e-v-e-r-y beat and in e-v-e-r-y scene. Mary Beth has been a longtime favorite with audiences and has earned her spot as a daytime icon.

Going beyond television, she’s a successful entrepreneur with Mary Beth’s Apple Pie and she also has a lifestyle and inspirational blog called Plank.

Entertainment outlets have covered her career throughout the years so you may think you know her—but you have no idea. Mary Beth comes to Reppin and shares her personal stories, lessons learned and her sources of strength. This maybe an interview unlike any other, get to know this incredible woman behind the powerhouse talent.

Mary Beth’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/marybeth_evans1

Mary Beth’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybeth.evans/

Mary Beth’s Blog Plank: http://www.plankblog.com/

Reppin 2.12: Nicola Correia-Damude

Nicola Correia-Damude

Nicola Correia-Damude is an award winning actor and singer. You’ve seen her on Shadowhunters, Burden Of Truth, October Faction, The Strain, Coroner and My Spy. Nicola has also been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for her Guest Starring performance on Remedy and received the Best Actress in a feature film award at the San Diego FilmOut Festival for her work in Margarita. Nicola comes to REPPIN and shares her personal challenges of being mixed race, self identification, body diversity, inequalities, what she’s learned and what she’s doing to open doors for others. You’ll see she’s not only a talented actress and singer-but she’s out in front working to open doors for others.

Nicola’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolancd

Nicola’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolasummer/?hl=en