Minority Report Podcast Minority Report Podcast

In episode 172, Kerel has a solo conversation with Afshan Nasseri, Founder & CEO at Aam Creative, a multicultural marketing agency which she founded in 2021. Afshan was born in Montreal, Canada to parents from India and Iran, eventually moving to a suburb of Boston, later returning to Montreal for university. Her upbringing in such a multicultural family, speaking multiple languages, brought on her passion for culture, pop culture, and marketing to diverse audiences making sure they’re heard, celebrated and talked to.

They talk more about the lessons Afshan learned from leaving college and joining the corporate world, to leaving, the pandemic happening, and the need for money to survive being a huge factor in starting her own company. Afshan speaks on what gets her so excited to be a CEO, working with diverse women all over the world, helping companies learn more about their diverse audiences, and using what she loves and she’s good at to make a positive impact in the world.

Timestamps

0:38: Afshan Nasseri, Founder & CEO at Aam Creative shares about growing up in a multicultural family with parents from India and Iran, speaking multiple languages, and the mix of cultural influences in her upbringing

2:11: Afshan reflects on her saying “create a life around your passions,” how her parents were open-minded and supportive without following traditional career paths, and her unconventional path to entrepreneurship which she is grateful for despite any hurdles

5:41: Aam Creative is a multicultural marketing agency, fully comprised of women of color, working on everything from branding to brand design, paid media, social media management and cultural consulting for larger entities

7:12: Afshan discusses her thoughts on the state of affairs in regards to marketing to diverse audiences, how it differs in different markets and parts of the world, and the lack of brand management with diverse audiences

10:41: The motivating factor for Afshan to share Aam Creative, starting with working in the skincare industry, possibly quitting prematurely, finding her niche in corporate roles and eventually infusing her knowledge of Indian culture into marketing efforts

14:43: After losing her job and dealing with the pandemic along with everyone else, Afshan faced a low point, but bounced back by focusing on learning and building her confidence

16:16: Afshan’s favorite part about being a CEO, including working with women all around the work and presenting them with opportunities for growth and financial independence

17:36: What a typical day looks like for Afshan, what would make her day be a good day where she feels the impact of her work, socializes, and treats herself

18:57: Why cultural consulting is something that gets Afshan excited to do her work, and how it goes back to her upbringing, highlighting the importance of understanding diverse communities and their nuances

21:12: What book is on her nightstand, Afshan’s love of history and why she thinks it’s the best way to learn, a podcast that she can relate to and allows her to learn more about financial literacy

22:09: Advice for someone who wants to build a social following.

23:48: One thing Afshan wishes she were better at and how it would help at being a CEO

24:39: Afshan shares one special song that’s in her rotation right now in the mix with mostly her favorite Indian music

25:18: How to connect with and follow Afshan

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In episode 171, Erik and Kerel have a conversation with Crystal Foote, an Award-Winning Marketer, Author and DE&I Champion who is also the Founder of NMSDC and WBENC-certified Digital Culture Group and Head of Multicultural Solutions at Performance Marketing company Digital Remedy focused on Inclusive Advertising. Crystal was born in Oakland, CA, raised in Vallejo, moved to New York to start her career in advertising, working for companies like MEC, RGA, and Publicis before transitioning to tech companies like Exponential and Amobee.

Crystal has an important passion project, her children’s book “The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity” which helps bring diversity, relatability and inclusion to both children and parents. Now living in Atlanta, Crystal sees different aspects of all the cities she’s been a part of, her passion for positively influencing the world, maintaining a “work-life balance,” and continues to pass on the legacy of her family who has given their life to this country. In this episode, Crystal also reflects on their journey in the industry, shares advice she’d give to her younger self, highlighting perseverance, and they loosen it up with current music rotation jams.

Timestamps

0:56: Crystal Foote, an award-winning marketer, author, AI champion, entrepreneur, and founder of Digital Culture Group shares what keeps her busy these day, and her upbringing into advertising

2:08: Growing up on the West coast, living on East coast and then in the South, Crystal shares which is her favorite, why, and what each has shown her personally and professionally

5:08: The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity, a children’s book Crystal wrote dedicated to creating a world where everyone feels valued and celebrated, and what kind of personal experiences drove her to create this

10:23: How Crystal views work-life balance, how she makes time in the day for everything she does, and the secret sauce she uses to make everything come together smoothly

12:39: What motivates and gets Crystal excited and one thing party trick she wishes she were better at
14:01: Crystal shares an amazing story of her great-great Uncle, an American war hero who gave his life to his country even when his country wasn’t on his side due to racial segregation

16:46: The history of Crystal’s family

18:33: Interesting lessons Crystal is passing onto her kids and sharing with her husband, including one she implements everyday

19:22: The sage advice older Crystal would give to her younger self starting out in her advertising career

21:10: What’s in Crystal’s music rotation while she’s at work and also in the car - they’re different!

23:15: Where to find Crystal’s book - The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity - and connect with her as well

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In episode 170, Kerel flies solo and has a conversation with Kim "Kimfer" Flanery-Rye, Founder, Principal DEI and Culture Practitioner, owner of Inclusion Equals, a go-to resource for learning and growth around racism, sexism, ageism, ableism and beyond and also the new owner of The F Bomb Breakfast Club, a peer support community for women, femmes, and gentlethems who are company founders and business owners. Kimfer has a passion for philanthropy in many areas including youth, LGBTQIA, and the arts.

Born in South Korea, adopted by a family from small farm town Iowa, Kimfer had an anything but easy childhood dealing with food scarcity and general insecurities about being different from everyone around her. Even though times were hard, she had a loving family along with more adopted siblings, learned a lot of skills that help her today and her early years have greatly influenced the work she does and invests in today. Kimfer believes greatly in servant leadership, ethical and authentic DEI practices and efforts, and gives importance to aligning investments with personal values for positive social impact.

Timestamps

0:38: Intro to Kim "Kimfer" Flanery-Rye, Founder, Principal DEI and Culture Practitioner

1:14: Kimfer shares the story of her childhood, born in South Korea, adopted by a family from a small farm community in Iowa where she face insecurities related to food and abandonment
3:31: Kimfer credits her ability to navigate these early years to learning how to read the room quickly and avoid potentially harmful situations
4:27: How Kimfer’s early years influences the work she does now, what it means to be a servant leader, and why philanthropy is so important to her, emphasizing the importance of lived experience and social justice
12:49: What is fascinating to watch for Kimfer in the DEI space, the pendulum swing coming back around, and making an impact on the people who want to see the change.
17:44: How Kimfer acquired the F Bomb Business Club, a peer support community to support women business owners in a safe space for peer support and networking
24:24: Advice for anyone listening who has been adopted or had a similar background of Kimfer’s and how to move forward powerfully in life
25:58: The things Kimfer wishes she were better at - including playing guitar and her curiosity
27:10: Music in Kimfer’s current rotation and getting into Korean rap
28:53: Getting in touch with Kimfer on social media

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In episode 169, Erik and Kerel talk with Kristen V. Carter, Executive Producer, Podcaster and Speaker, about her current project Gospel Live, working with great names like Henry Louis Gates Jr., her 22 years in the entertainment industry, creating the brand “Trust Your Magic” and more. Kristen grew up with five generations of family in Newark, New Jersey, being the only child surrounded by adults, she learned the ABCs watching the Wheel of Fortune and keeps her family legacy going with the V. standing for “Victoria” as her middle name, which was her great great grandmother’s and her mother’s name.

Kristen started out in the industry as a head writer for BET, worked on a literacy project near and dear to hear heart with Kevin Hart, a special project with Discovery+ and Tina Knowles, now Gospel Live, amongst many other projects working with Essence, Oprah Winfrey Network, Fox, Bravo, E!, Food Network, NBC, MTV, just to name a few. Kristen shares how passionate she is about her morning routine, her work, storytelling, sharing her experiences of freeing herself of debt as a freelancer, the good music that fills her days, and so much more.

Timestamps

0:37: Kristen V. Carter shares with Erik, Kerel, and the listeners what it all means to be an executive producer, podcaster and speaker

1:54: As she has been in the business for 22 years, Kristen goes through her experiences starting out as a head writer for BET, working on a project with Kevin Hart, Discovery+ and Tina Knowles, and now Gospel Live, one project she works on currently

4:18: Kristen explains how she’s always been a storyteller, from writing as a child, the questions she asks herself when telling a story and choosing a project to work on, and how she’s brought storytelling into Gospel Live

6:01: Coming from deep roots in Georgia, to being born in New Jersey, Kristen lived with five generations of family, was named after her great great grandmother and her mom, and had a unique experience growing up as the only kid around a lot of adults

9:49: What Kristen is excited for in 2024 with Gospel Live, other projects, what her next phase is shaping up to be and the passion and ownership she’s bringing to the year

12:14: How Kristen feels about being passionate about the work she does, how it’s special, and how it ignites her

13:23: What a good day looks like for Kristen, including a morning routine, gratitude and intentions, setting boundaries, and more

14:20: Kristen shares about her brand “Trust Your Magic,” where she now offers workshops and more for people to learn how to trust their magic, why she started it, how it has grown, and what the future looks like

17:17: What it's like working with Henry Louis Gates Jr., a famous literary critic and scholar, the buzzing environment of Gospel Live at the historic Oasis Church in LA and how Kristen knew the special ways the location was right for the project

22:27: Erik asks Kristen what she thinks after hearing all of her projects and names that have been involved with the projects she’s been on before - including Essence, Oprah Winfrey Network, Fox, Bravo, E!, Food Network, NBC, MTV and more

24:20: Advice Kristen V. Carter today would give to herself when she was just starting out in her career

25:32: What is in Kristen’s music rotation right now, including some new music from Beyonce and the dance moves she’s patiently waiting on

26:49: How to find and connect with Kristen V. Carter

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In episode 168, Erik and Kerel talk with Willow Hill, the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Scout Lab, a creative communications agency specializing in branding, communications, and campaigns that guide brands who are at their inflection points toward a future we want to live in, bringing together purpose and profit. Willow gives so much credit to the inspiration she gained from her mother, who had her at sixteen years old, and the impact her father had on her, leaving her with philosophies of American Indians, and how these experiences shaped her worldview in life and business.

Willow shares her perspective on the importance of being purpose-driven, why she feels a responsibility as a woman in tech, and a part of the 1% of women-owned agencies, to shape how the culture shows up and help direct the collective imagination, and how she uses two Native American philosophies for her creativity and the impact she wants to leave. She shares her unique ideas on work-life balance, how she manages her time, what it truly takes to be a leader, tips on how to create an award-winning campaign (Scout Lab won the 2023 Digiday Award for Best B2B Branding Campaign), and more.

Timestamps

0:34: Willow Hill, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Scout Lab explains what Scout Lab does, what’s going on there currently, and what motivated them to invest in this opportunity

2:31: What has changed in the brands landscape since Scout Lab came about, focusing on being purpose driven

3:44: The journey Willow has taken being a woman in tech, a part of the 1% of women owned agencies, and her responsibility to continue showing up and shift the landscape

5:31: Willow shares where she grew up, why her mom is her inspiration and role model for determination, her dad being a civil rights activist for the American Indian Movement, and what those roots have taught her

7:32: Expanding on Native American philosophies, using the modality of the medicine wheel, the idea of seventh generation and how she uses them in life and in business

9:18: What it’s like to be a founder and a new mother, seeing life out of a different lens, and how it has changed her perspectives

11:19: Erik asks Willow to share a profound philosophy and perspective she has around the idea of work-life balance, the “six day weekend” and ways to rethink the way we use our time

14:32: Willow’s secret to managing her time, the catch to it, and the two keys to leadership that she thinks are really important

17:00: A few tips for brands on how to create an award winning campaign, such as Scout Lab’s campaign that won the 2023 Digiday Award for Best B2B Branding Campaign

20:09: Where Willow draws inspiration from including travel and how it opens her eyes to different cultures and values

22:13: A motivating and empowering piece of advice for women who are thinking about starting an agency, and what Willow would tell herself when she was first starting out in her career

24:14: Willow shares what a good day looks like for her, how she feels on those days, and who she spends time with

24:55: The music in Willow’s rotation right now and the songs on repeat

24:54: How to connect with Willow and Scout Lab

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In episode 167, Kerel talks with Tony Tidbit, a business executive and Founder and Host of the Black Executive Perspective Podcast where Tony peels back the layers of intersectionality, systemic racism, and other challenging issues shrouding the experiences of Black professionals in America's corporate environment. Tony started his career in sales as an office manager at Amway, took a risk, moved jobs to a construction business with an acquaintance where he flourished, and then continued into the advertising industry where he has experience at AT&T, Xander, and Direct TV.

Timestamps

00:55: Tony Tidbit, Founder and Host of the Black Executive Perspective podcast shares with the audience where he’s from, how travel from his hometown has changed his perspectives and outlooks on the world

3:53: Currently VP of Sales and Client Partnerships at Direct TV, and being in the advertising industry for over 30 years, Tony tells us what he’s most excited about and what has changed the most since he’s started

6:10: Tony gives a great piece of advice not only for those in the advertising industry but for how to become a better and more successful individual throughout life in order to deliver value to others

7:14: A story of one moment in time that was pivotal to Tony’s career, even when he was feeling like he was failing at something, he eventually realized he was preparing for something greater

15:22: Tony shares what he believes are qualities of good leaders, how to create relationships and be a good leader during these digital times, and being intentional

23:46: Tony talks about the Black Executive Perspective podcast which he started near after George Floyd, to talk about race and learn from different perspectives and allow a space for people to be vulnerable about controversial subjects

27:59: The biggest thing Tony has learned since starting his podcast that was something that even surprised him

29:33: How Tony stays focused, disciplined, balanced, what his morning routine is, the different ways he continues to learn, and what he is teaching his daughters as they grow up

33:53: The music Tony listens to, from classic rap and R&B to music that makes him think and changes perspectives

36:17: Where to find and connect with Tony

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