Reppin: Learned Lessons

Evelien & Zach Smadu

Zach Smadu by Photo Credit: Richie Lubaton

Actor Zach Smadu from CW’s Family Law shared how his father’s battle with cancer reshaped his life and perspectives. Today, on my time with you, I’m going to share what I connected with and my personal reflections. So, let’s get to know one another as I let you into my own takeaways and see if you agree!

I’ve also made my donation to support Zach and to help the brilliant researchers do what they need to to help further along cancer research. Pitch in if you’re able to.

Donate to the organizations Zach works with:

Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan: cancerfoundationsask.ca

Canadian Cancer Society: cancer.ca

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada:

www.bloodcancers.ca

REPPIN SERIES DIRECTORY: Check out everyone who has come by!! SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE!

https://campsite.bio/reppinpodcast

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

Yvonne Chapman Returns 2: Exceeding Expectations

Yvonne Chapman

Photo credit: Richie Lubaton

Yvonne Chapman gives a pitch perfect performance as the sophisticated, lethal and complicated assassin Zhilan on CW’s hit Kung Fu. Yvonne hits every beat whether it be during intricate fight sequences nailing the choreography with very step and strike or quietly grounding more tender, heartbreaking scenes that make her character nuanced, redeemable and has audiences rooting for her character.

We got to meet this talented actress on her first appearance Reppin 4.4: Yvonne Chapman where we learned about her personal background, also her first career in Corporate Finance, the sexism she had to face, to the fear and expectations she had to overcome before her leap into entertainment to the importance of community. We went deep and learned about this remarkable talent. We continue our conversation here, she shares even more important insights and lessons learned. And you will learn even more about who she is and what makes up her integrity and character.

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

Yvonne’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ypchapman/?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 5.3: Gina Yashere

Gina Yashere

Gina Yashere was born and raised in London to Nigerian Parents. She is an award winning stand up comic, author, co-creator, writer, co-executive producer and co-stars in the hit Bob Hearts Abishola on CBS.

Gina is well known as a comic and TV star in the UK for numerous years now, with appearances on iconic TV shows such as Live At The Apollo & Mock The Week, as well as creating & performing the hugely popular comedic characters, Tanya & Mrs. Omokerede on The Lenny Henry Show.

She broke onto the American comedy scene with her appearances on Last Comic Standing, you also know her for being the only British comedian to ever appear on the iconic Def Comedy Jam, as well as for her appearances on The Tonight Show & Crashing on HBO. She’s also regularly featured on Comedy Central as the British Correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

Gina self produced 3 separate 1 hour Stand Up Specials, Skinny B*tch, Laughing To America, & Ticking Boxes, two of which are currently streaming on Netflix.

She’s entertained and made audiences around the world —but what did it take to get here? What kind of sacrifices or compromises did she have to make—or refuse to make? What kind of content does she want to create and why? Meet this amazing woman now.

Gina’s website: https://www.ginayashere.com/

Gina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginayashere/

Gina’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ginayashere

Gina’s book Cack Handed: https://www.amazon.com/Cack-Handed-A-Memoir/dp/B08KYKH999/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2E7U25Y5DE6ZF&keywords=cack+handed&qid=1642785174&sprefix=better+life+%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1

Reppin 5.2: Meegwun Fairbrother

Meegwun Fairbrother

Photo credit: Kevin McIntyre

Meegwun Fairbrother is an indigenous actor and screen writer in Canada. He’s has appeared in the role of Owen Beckbie on BURDEN OF TRUTH for four seasons. He has enjoyed performing in five seasons of the television series, Mohawk Girls for APTN. Additional television work to his credit includes two leading roles (twins) in Syfy series Helix; a recurring lead on Netflix’s Hemlock Grove and guest appearances on The Beaverton, Murdoch Mysteries and Haven. His feature film credits include roles in Beeba Boys for Deepa Mehta and Breakout for Damien Lee. 

Meegwun is of Ojibway and Scottish origin, from Grassy Narrows First Nation. From age two to thirteen, he lived up on many First Nations communities across Northern Ontario. He grew up hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors while taking part in many Ojibway cultural practices.

Belonging and identity is fundamental need for everyone. Finding and establishing a sense of self impacts how we navigate the world and the prism of how we view life and how we are seen by society. But what happens when all that you were taught, from practices, language, to rituals— all disappear? When your fundamental foundation is gone and you inherit the the collective pain, how does one go about finding their place?

Meegwun grappled with this experience, and he shares his insight here. Meet this talented actor and see how it impacted him and his work and find out if he’s been able to regain his footing.

Meegwun’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmeegwun

Meegwun’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meegwun_fairbrother/?hl=en

Reppin 5.1: Karen Olivo

Karen Olivo

I sign off every episode of Reppin with “Stand Up and Represent.” My next guest truly LIVES this mantra.

Karen Olivo is a powerhouse talent. They’re an American stage and television actor, theater educator, and singer.

In 2008 Karen originated the role of Vanessa in In The Heights on Broadway. The following year, they won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress In A Musical for their performance as Anita in a revival of West Side Story. They are the first and only actor to win a Tony award for a performance in West Side Story. From 2016 to 2017, Olivo portrayed the role of Angelica Schuler  in the Chicago production of Hamilton 2019, Olivo originated the lead role of Satine in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge on Broadway and was nominated for the 2020 Tony Award For Best Actress in a Musical.

With this incredible, illustrious career, Karen risked it ALL when they publicly spoke out against a very powerful and influential producer. We’ve all encountered bullies and difficult bosses-but would YOU have the courage, truth —and readiness to do what Karen did? Learn more about this talented, remarkable person and where they draw their strength from. Find out how they’re fighting to ensure civility, kindness and community is present today and for those who follow.

Karen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenolivo

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenolivo76/?hl=en

Reppin 4.12: Maysoon Zayid

Maysoon Zayid

Her TED talks was titled “I’ve got 99 problems …palsy is just one.” It was one of the MOST VIEWED TED talks E-V-E-R. But don’t you even dare to think of Maysoon Zayid as disabled. She is unstoppable, multifaceted talent. She is a brilliant comedian, disability activist and actor. She is of Palestinian descent, and known as one of America's first Muslim women comedians.

Daytime fans know her as Zahra Amir on General Hospital, she’s also has guested on Law and Order, NBC Nightly News and ABC’s 20/20. As a comic, she’s played the top New York clubs, like Carolines, Gotham and Stand Up NY. With hilarity and heart she tackles serious topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict, breaking cultural stereotypes and her having palsy.

Listen in on what she’s had to and continues to overcome. And find out how and why she is out in front working to make change.

Maysoon’s website: https://maysoon.com/

Maysoon’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/maysoonzayid

Maysoon’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maysoonzayid/

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 4.5: 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 4.3: 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 3.9: Kyle Maynard

Kyle Maynard

Kyle Maynard was born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, that left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees-but don’t tell him he can’t do something. Kyle was the first man to bear crawl to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet), and the summit of Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua (22,838 feet), the highest peak in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres.

He’s an entrepreneur, speaker, best selling author, award-winning extreme athlete. Kyle thrives on physical challenges and is a champion wrestler, CrossFit Certified Instructor and gym owner, competitive Mixed Martial Arts fighter, world record-setting weightlifter, and skilled mountaineer.

He lives by the motto No Excuses. He comes to Reppin sharing his perspectives, lessons and his iron will. So just TRY and keep up with him.

Kyle’s twitter: https://twitter.com/kylemaynard?lang=en

Kyle’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylemaynard/?hl=en

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 3.6: Josh Lord

Josh Lord

Photo by Jimmy Hubbard

Josh Lord is an artist— a tattoo artist based in NYC. He has an impressive celebrity clientele that includes Oscar winner, Cate Blanchett, Marvel’s Avengers cast Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner to Joe Perry from Aerosmith. His film credits include Private Lives of Pippa Lee with Keanu Reeves, Sisters with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to shows like Blindspot and True Detective where Josh won an Emmy for his work on the show.

Josh is known for his impeccable, intricate, custom tattoos. He comes to Reppin and details his evolution from being an outcast where he struggled to learn how to socialize, how he’s never taken a formal art class to working in NYC’s illegal tattoo scene with nefarious people to becoming one of the most respected and highly regarded tattoo artists out there. Josh is a master of ink and shares his lessons and how he infuses what he’s learned and who he is into every tattoo and his shop East Side Ink.

Josh’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshualord/?hl=en

East Side Ink: https://eastsideinktattoo.com/

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 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!