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 2.10: Beth Sullivan

Beth Sullivan

Beth Sullivan trail blazed for women when she created, wrote and served as the sole executive producer of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman-one of the most popular and beloved series of the 90s. The series starred Jane Seymour who plays Dr. Michaela “Mike” Quinn a doctor who leaves a privileged life in Boston to carve a career out in the old West. The series ran on CBS for six seasons and aired in over 100 countries! Beth shares how fought to create a series that was western, a genre that hadn’t been on air in years, in a time slot that was considered a throw away, that had excitement, integrity and substance. Beth shares how she had the strength to fight for what she believed in and how that lead her to one the biggest hits in television history, how she opened doors for other women and her decades long friendship with Jane! Beth also updates us on her life and the possible reboot!

Reppin 2.3: Dr. Aaron E. Carroll

Dr. Aaron E. Carroll

We depend on the news and on the people who bring it to us. But who are they? Can you depend on them to bring you facts. Well, today you will meet one of those people-and find out why he’s someone you can count on! Aaron E. Carroll, MD, MS is a Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Dean for Research Mentoring, and the director of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Comparative Effectiveness Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. He is also Vice President for Faculty Development at The Regenstrief Institute. In addition to being a regular contributor to The Upshot at The New York Times, he has written for many other major media outlets and is an Editor-in-Chief at The Incidental Economist, an evidence-based health policy blog, and he also has a popular YouTube channel called Healthcare Triage, where he talks about health research and health policy.

Aaron’s twitter: https://twitter.com/aaronecarroll 

Healthcare Triage: https://www.youtube.com/user/thehealthcaretriage

Reppin 2.2: Sherry Cola

Sherry Cola

Sherry cola is a talented comedian, actress, and writer. She has emerged over the last year as a rising star in the entertainment industry. Named a “Fresh Face” at the world-renowned Laugh Factory, “One to Watch” in 2019 by People Magazine, and “11 Asian American Comics Who Need To Be On Your 2020 Radar” by Entertainment Weekly and she has opened for Arsenio Hall and Ronny Chieng.

Currently, you can find her on the hit show Good Trouble as Alice Kwan, a down to earth, selfless, first generation Asian-American lesbian. Sherry is breaking barriers on television as an actress, as a comic and in her real life. Find out how Sherry found her own voice and strength in being true to herself. Meet this breakout star.

Sherry’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/shrrycola

Sherry’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shrrycola/

Reppin Season 2 Premiere: Michelle Hurd

Michelle Hurd

Michelle Hurd is an extraordinarily talented actress with an impressive list of credits that includes Law and Order SVU, Daredevil, Blindspot, Hawaii Five-O, Gossip Girl, ER, 90210 to Younger -just to name a FEW! And currently you can find her starring on the hit Star Trek: Picard as Raffi Musiker!

Michelle shares personal stories that impacted her and shaped how she views the world. She talks about the challenges she faced professionally and personally and why she is a fierce advocate for equality and justice for all.

This is a very insightful, powerful and intimate conversation—and one you don’t want to miss. Meet this amazing actress and you’ll find out she’s even more incredible in real life.

Michelle’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsMichelleHurd

Reppin: Season 1 Behind The Scenes

Nelson Pinero

Reppin is coming back from hiatus. But before we premiere Season 2, we have my technical director and musical composer Nelson Pinero as a guest. Together, we take you behind the scenes, we give you a glimpse of what it’s like to produce this podcast, and share some of our thoughts and favorite moments.

Reppin 1.10: Mitra Memari

Mitra Memari

Meet Mitra Memari- she’s one of the very few POC who is also a woman and a partner at major US, award-winning architecture and interior design firm. Born in Iran, Mitra shares stories of her childhood where she experienced trauma, how she coped and how those obstacles shaped her. She details how she broke into a male dominated field, found her voice and how she evolved into being one of the leaders. This episode of Reppin is about being an immigrant, a woman, what it means to be a leader, it’s about shattering barriers—it’s about being a bad ass.

Reppin 1.9: Zabryna Guevara

Zabryna Guevara

Currently, she’s on ABC’s hit show Emergence as Dr. Abby Frasier, some of her other credits include Gotham, Twilight Zone, Tell Me A Story, The Get Down to New Amsterdam! The talented and lovely Zabryna Guevara comes to hang out! She gets personal and details how she went from “disappearing” in crowds to finding her voice and strength then evolving into a successful actress on some of the most popular television shows. She shares intimate stories about growing up in New York City, challenges she’s overcome and how much family means to her. Get to know this talented actress and amazing woman on this episode of Reppin.

Zabryna’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZabrynaGuevara

Zabryna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zabrynaguevara/?hl=en

Reppin 1.7: Joanna Hausmann

Joanna Hausmann

Joanna Hausmann is a Venezuelan-American comedian, writer, actor and social media personality. She has garnered over 70 million views virally and her biweekly show “Joanna Rants” has collectively reached over 50 million views. Joanna comes to Reppin opens up about the challenges of being a media personality, the confusion she receives when people find out she’s Latina and spills the beans on her grievances with Snow White. Hilarious and insightful—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss! Meet this dynamic woman behind all of the viral videos.

Joanna’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Joannahausmann

Joanna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johaus/?hl=en

Joanna’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGY8qSl98_5ehQ66zs0ZoaQ

Reppin 1.6: Benjamin Melzer

Benjamin Melzer

Meet Benjamin Melzer, a model based in Germany. On Instagram, along with 114k followers, you’ll see his fantastic portfolio, work out regimen and his washboard abs. What you don’t see is the inner turmoil he experienced. Born Yvonne Melzer, Benjamin says “I was a boy for as long as I can think.” Struggling for years with never feeling like he was in the right body and never having any sense of inner comfort or peace. But at 23 yrs old, he took the steps towards gender reassignment. After many painful surgeries he became Benjamin. Listen to his journey, how he went from feeling scared and alone to becoming the first transgender model on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine in Germany, see how he’s making a difference and if he’s been able to find peace.

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

Reppin 1.4: Mahdis Keshavarz

Mahdis Keshavarz

A leader in the PR world and founder of The Make Agency, Mahdis Keshavarz has built an incredible firm with prestigious clients that include the United Nations, BBC, MTV and UNICEF to name a few. Mahdis shares her personal experiences, challenges she’s had to overcome and some defining moments that ultimately empowered her. Mahdis also built a sister company called Polite Society -where you can purchase beautiful gifts and every purchase dedicates a portion of their sales towards human rights causes. You’ll also hear about her personal humanitarian efforts that will leave you absolutely inspired.

The Make Agency: https://www.themakeagency.com/

Polite Society: https://www.sopolite.com/

Reppin 1.3: Jon Huertas

Jon Huertas

He has an impressive list of credits that include HBO’s Generation Kill, he was Detective Javier Esposito on ABC’s long running, fan favorite series Castle and now he is Miguel Rivas on NBC’s huge hit and critic’s darling This is Us. Jon Huertas comes to Reppin to share his experiences and thoughts-so get to know this amazing actor and see what he is doing to further representation.

Jon’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jon_Huertas

Jon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jon_huertas/?hl=en

Reppin 1.2: Michele Selene Ang

Michele Selene Ang

On screen, you’ve seen her on CBS’ Elementary and she also plays the complicated Courtney Crimsen from Netflix’s hit 13 Reasons Why. But in real life actress Michele Selene Ang is a thoughtful and fierce advocate for Asian American representation. She comes by to hang out with us so listen in and find out what Michele is all about and why she’s so passionate about the importance of representation.

Michele’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleSelene

Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheleseleneang/?hl=en