Friends Like Us Friends Like Us

Rachel Feinstein and Keith Robinson share insights into their creative processes, the importance of resilience, and why they continue to push their boundaries. The episode is filled with humorous anecdotes, practical advice for young comedians, and an inspirational message to keep striving no matter the obstacles. Special appearances by rising comedian Nonyé Brown-West add fresh perspectives to this engaging and heartfelt discussion with host Marina Franklin.
Rachel Feinstein fresh off her new Netflix special “Big Guy” , if you have not seen it - go and check it out! She has appeared on LIFE & BETH for Hulu. Steven Soderbergh Amazon series RED OAKS, Judd Apatow’s HBO comedy CRASHING. Her past credits include TRAINWRECK, TOP FIVE, THE NIGHTLY SHOW WITH LARRY WILMORE, HBO’s LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, co-hosting THE VIEW on multiple occasions, and several appearances on INSIDE AMY SCHUMER for which she won a Writers Guild award. You may also remember Rachel co-hosting alongside Shaq on UPLOAD WITH SHAQUILLE ONEAL. As well Rachel has lent her voice to Adult Swim’s VENTURE BROTHERS and the phenomenally successful GRAND THEFT AUTO video game franchise.
Keith Robinson Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd;  the co-host of The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox), His first hour special; 2014’s Kevin Hart Presents: Back of the Bus Funny can still be streamed on Amazon Prime, Peacock and Tubi. Keith has been featured in films such as Trainwreck and King of Staten Island. After two strokes, and an extended hospital stay, during COVID, Keith marched right back to the stage to create his latest and most personal work yet, “Different Strokes”; his second hour special on Netflix.
Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch, as well as in NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning, and the New York Comedy Festival. Nonye made her acting debut in The Sympathy Card, now available for streaming on Vudu, Apple, Amazon, and Google Play
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf

Mugga, Rita Brent, and Joanna Briley visit friends and talk about the upcoming Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest , Rita Brent's new song: gospel version of  “Bleach-blonde, Bad-built, Butch body and more with host Marina Franklin! 
Rita Brent is an award-winning comedian, musician, and military veteran. She grew up in Jackson, MS where she played music in Baptist churches alongside her mother and singer-pianist, Angela. She credits her mother for single-handedly cultivating her talents and preparing her for the entertainment business. By 18, she joined the Army National Guard where she served as a drummer in the 41st Army Band, ending her time in service as a sergeant. She began her radio broadcasting career at WJSU 88.5 FM as a student at THEE Jackson State University from which she graduated, and later spent six years at Mississippi Public Broadcasting as a host and producer. In 2013, she made a big leap into standup comedy. 9 years later, she has appeared on Comedy Central, truTV, Epix TV, LOL Network, Circle TV, CNN, and more. She tours as an opening act with her mentors, Rickey Smiley and Cedric the Entertainer. She wrote for the 73rd Primetime EMMY Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, The People's Choice Awards, and Stand Out: An LGBTQ Celebration on Netflix. In 2023, she became a first-time Writers Guild Awards Nominee in two categories.
When she’s not on the road as a standup comedian, she’s an up and coming music performance artist. Her most popular singles are Kamala, I Deserve to Be Alive, and Can You Rock Me Like a Pothole. She recently released the hit song, “Do the Hoochie Daddy” , Check out her new song: GOSPEL VERSION of “Bleach-blonde, Bad-built, Butch body. She’s a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. 
Mugga is an American actress and comedian who was born and raised in Brooklyn. She is known for her roles as Dolores in The First Purge, Reema Pell in Orange Is The New Black, NBC’s Manifest as Bethany and Ambassador to the Black Women In Comedy Laff Fest. 
Joanna Briley. Brooklyn born, Connecticut raised. Hilarity ensued. Joanna’s work for the MTA made her one of the friendliest Token Booth Clerks and her love of stand up and being a token booth clerk aka Station Agent, allowed her to write and produce “Swipe This: My Life in Transit!” to critical acclaim. Joanna is also the proud creator of the Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest which was created in 2018 and will be presented this Juneteenth in various venues throughout NYC.
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf

This week Mia Jackson and Brandon Collins visit Friends Like Us for a honest conversation about growing up with skewed or limited black history and more with host Marina Franklin.
Brandon Collins is a versatile screenwriter, comedian and podcaster who has performed at the SXSW and New York Comedy Festival, and has had appearances in various MTV, VH1, and Max productions. He recently participated in the 2022-2023 Universal Writer’s Lab (beating out over a thousand applicants) and is the host of the critically acclaimed show, "Drunk Black History"
Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for “native”). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the Critic's Choice Best Stand-Up in the city. She has toured nationally with Amy Schumer and is a featured comic at festivals and clubs across the country. Her first stand up special aired in October 2018 as part of Unprotected Sets on EPIX. Mia has appeared on NickMom's Night Out, Viceland, Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Her Comedy Central half hour special debuted in November 2019.
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.
 
 
 

SublimeLuv and Kaneez Surka visit friends and discuss spoken word, poetry, mental health wellness, christians stepping away from gender roles and more with host Marina Franklin. 
SublimeLuv (aka Sublime) is a powerful spoken word and teaching artist, author, curator, facilitator, public speaker, and social justice advocate. SublimeLuv’s work embodies the theme of the “personal as political.” She exists in this world as a Black Queer woman with a mental illness. Her life and experiences living in her body often fuel her poems. She changed her artist name to SublimeLuv in 2012 when she began to perform more often. Sublime means “supreme, outstanding.” She chose to spell l-o-v-e as l-u-v because she views Luv as a revolutionary tool. Luv signifies Black love, love for the oppressed, queer love, trans love, and disabled love. When we practice Luv, we fiercely love ourselves and each other no matter how worthy or unworthy we are deemed by society. Luv is activism and resistance. We need revolutionary Luv today.
Kaneez Surka has produced and performed in her Netflix Special, 'Ladies Up', Netflix's 'Comedy Premium League,' and Amazon Prime Video's Improv specials, 'Something From Nothing' and 'Improv All Stars - Games Night.' Kaneez is also known for her comedic acting. Her short film, 'The Shaila(s)' was selected for the Voot Select Film Festival.
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.
 

Subhah Agarwal and Sharon Lavigne visit friends and discuss Sharon Lavigne's battle for clean air and justice, taking on the big industries that have created Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” -- nicknamed for the above-average rates of cancer within the 85-mile stretch of communities with the highest concentration of fossil fuel and petrochemical operations in the Western Hemisphere.
Sharon Cayette Lavigne, Times voted Sharon one of the most influential people of 2024.
A native of St. James, Louisiana, boasts a distinguished 38-year career as a devoted Special Education teacher within the St. James Parish school system. In 2018, she embarked on a transformative journey by founding RISE St. James, a faith-based grassroots nonprofit dedicated to advocating for clean air, clean water, and combating the proliferation of petrochemical industries in St. James Parish. Despite humble beginnings, Sharon's vision drew around ten passionate individuals to her inaugural gathering, hosted at her residence. Transitioning to retirement in 2018, Sharon's unwavering commitment to environmental justice remains evident, guided by her principle: "To love a community is to find ways to heal the community." Her tireless dedication garnered global recognition in June 2020 when she received the esteemed Goldman Environmental Prize for her resolute activism. Adding to her accolades, Sharon received the Mary Magdalene Award for Courageous Women of Faith from the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in February 2022, followed by the prestigious Notre Dame's 2022 Laetare Medal—a testament to her invaluable contributions as an American Catholic layperson. In August 2022, the Urban League of Louisiana's Annual Gala honored Sharon Lavigne's indomitable spirit, solidifying her legacy. Amidst her remarkable achievements, Sharon remains a devoted mother of six and a cherished grandmother to twelve—a testament to the unwavering support she receives from her loving family. Sharon Lavigne's story epitomizes tenacity, passion, and unwavering commitment to the environment and community, inspiring positive change.
Subhah Agarwal has brought an honesty to her comedy that will leave you saying "I didn't need to know that." Subhah has written for Netflix’s “Arsenio Hall” limited series, the "Plan B" movie on Hulu," and The Jim Jefferies Show"on Comedy Central, amongst others. You can also catch her jokes live at stand up comedy clubs across the country. If you don't want to leave your couch, you can see her late night debut on NBC's "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." She's also appeared on season three of HBO's "Westworld", "General Hospital," TruTv's sketch comedy "Friends of the People", and as herself on MTV2, Comedy Central, and Gotham Comedy Live.
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.

Jon Laster and Nathan Macintosh visit friends and discuss the troubles with tech, black app for black products- BLAPP and so much more! It's a funny one... don't miss it! 
Jon Laster is known for One Bedroom (2018), No More Mr Nice Guy (2018) and The 2019 ESPY Awards (2019) and check out his new series An Astute Woman Web Series. He is the Founder and C.E.O. of Blapp. Blapp is a Google-based, geo-located app that will tell you all the Black businesses that are right around you.
Nathan Macintosh Most recently performing for his third time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC, Nathan has also appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS, Conan on TBS,  and multiple Just For Laughs Galas.
His first special, ‘Money Never Wakes’, was reviewed highly and named ‘Best Youtube Special of 2023’ by The New York Times. His newest special, ‘Down With Tech’, has been named one of the ‘5 Stand Up Specials You Should Definitely Watch’ and reviewed highly by Vulture.
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.