Creative Roots Podcast

Tae Harris

Creative Roots Podcast is where stories begin. Every week, host Tae sits down with artists, entrepreneurs, and makers of all kinds to explore the journey before the spotlight—when the vision was still raw, and the hustle was rooted in passion, not popularity. We go beneath the surface—talking consistency, growth, setbacks, and the real creative process. Whether you’re an early-stage creative or someone finding your way back to your roots, this podcast is here to inspire, reflect, and remind you why you started in the first place. 🌱 New episodes drop every Thursday.

  1. 4d ago

    The Life, Legacy & Art of James Baldwin - Brian Daye | Ep. 73

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when your own life becomes a documentary? In this episode of Creative Roots, I sit down with Brian Daye, writer of By Any Other Name: An Opus to James Baldwin. We spend time diving into the play, the inspiration behind it, and the many layers of James Baldwin’s life and work. But the conversation goes beyond the stage. We talk about how the different aspects of Baldwin’s life connect, how his story continues to resonate, and why there is still so much to learn from the life he lived and the work he left behind. Brian brings his own perspective as a writer and creator, giving us a deeper look at what it takes to bring a story like this to life. By Any Other Name: An Opus to James Baldwin runs September 23–27, and tickets are on sale now. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/by-any-other-name-an-opus-for-james-baldwin-tickets-1310741586369 If James Baldwin’s words, life, and legacy have ever made you stop and think, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories - unfiltered and unscripted. We sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to others who may be dealing with the same things. Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

  2. Sep 10

    Over 15,000 Views And Incoming TV Deals - Ollie Crooms | Ep. 72

    Send us Fan Mail Sometimes you have to stop and celebrate the wins. I sat down with Ollie Crooms again, but this time, we weren't talking about what could happen.  We were talking about what DID happen. Eight Ball has been award-nominated and award-winning multiple times, has surpassed 15,000 views on YouTube alone, and is now available on OMNI TV Plus! In this conversation, we talk about what it took to get Eight Ball from an idea to where it is today, the people who helped make it happen, and the importance of taking a moment to recognize the cast and crew who poured their time, talent, and energy into the project. And, of course, we had to talk about what's next… including the possibility of Eight Ball Part 2. One of the best things about this experience has been the relationships created along the way. There's genuinely nothing bad to say about the experience, the people, or what this project has become. It's a reminder of what can happen when creatives come together, believe in the work, and actually see it through. So this episode is a celebration. A celebration of Eight Ball. A celebration of the wins. And a celebration of the people behind it. Shoutout to the entire Eight Ball crew! Creative Roots is a platform for creatives to share their stories—unfiltered and unscripted. Every Thursday at 9 AM, we sit with creatives and talk about their journey from the beginning, offering solutions to creatives who may be dealing with the same things. Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

  3. Sep 3

    There’s More to a Maple Tree Than Syrup - Nicole Bentler | Ep.71

    Send us Fan Mail What if we told you there's more to a maple tree than maple syrup? Nicole Bentler from Pocono Maple Water reached out to Creative Roots as a potential guest, and we're so glad she did! Nicole introduces the Creative Roots team to something that may be new to many of us: maple water.  The naturally occurring sap collected from maple trees before it becomes maple syrup. She takes us through the story of the farm, its history of producing maple syrup and other products, and how those experiences eventually led to the creation of Pocono Maple Water. And throughout this entire conversation, Tae can't help but be amazed at just how much can come from one tree. From the roughly six-week process of collecting and producing the water to bottling, customer reactions, and the journey of bringing a new product to market, Nicole gives us a look at the work, creativity, and possibility behind something that starts in nature. It's a conversation about agriculture, entrepreneurship, health, and recognizing opportunity when it's right in front of you-or, in this case, growing right above you. Sweet, unexpected, and full of possibilities. This one is definitely worth a listen. Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

  4. Aug 27

    Experiences That Last a Lifetime - Marcus Scott | Ep. 70

    Send us Fan Mail Marcus Scott is in the building! Award-nominated actor, award-winning Best Male Lead, producer, and an all-around great guy to be around, Marcus joins Tae on Creative Roots and gets right to it. We talk about the realities of pursuing a career in the film industry, what it means to remove compassion for the industry, and the importance of continuing to sharpen your craft. Marcus opens up about his experience taking acting classes, his desire to keep growing as an actor, and the lessons he's picked up along the way. Of course, we had to pay homage to the person who brought us together: Ollie Crooms. Marcus and Tae previously worked together on Eight Ball, a short film directed and produced by Ollie, who has also been a guest on Creative Roots. But somewhere along the way, this conversation takes an unexpected turn. Tae opens up about things he hasn't said out loud before, creating a moment of honesty that goes beyond the film industry and into the heart of what it means to be a creative. What keeps you creating when the road gets difficult? What happens when the passion is still there, but the journey starts testing you? If your urge to create is as strong as ours, this conversation is for you. New episodes of Creative Roots drop every Thursday at 9 AM as we sit down with creatives, explore their journeys, uncover the challenges along the way, share solutions, and have the conversations that help us take better care of ourselves mentally. Tap in. Recorded exclusively at Charlotte Podcast Studio Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

  5. Aug 20

    I Placed Myself In The Right Rooms - Jennifer | Ep. 69

    Send us Fan Mail Sometimes, getting to the next level is about putting yourself in the right rooms. Tae sits down with Jennifer Starr-director, producer, actress, and film lover-for a conversation that started at the Queen City Triple Feature with a surprising discovery: they had both worked on the same short film, Eight Ball. And the connections didn't stop there. During the premiere, Tae and Jennifer also discovered they attended the same high school alongside Ollie Crooms, founder of Carolina Film Festival and a previous Creative Roots guest. Jennifer shares her journey into acting and the film industry, including the powerful impact of a letter from one of her teachers that gave her the motivation to keep pushing forward. Today, she's developing several projects of her own while also stepping into producer and director roles for other filmmakers. This conversation is about more than film. It's about surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, staying curious about what's possible, recognizing opportunities when they show up, and continuing to put yourself in rooms where growth can happen. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking world, the relationships that make projects happen, and what it looks like to keep creating while building your place in the industry. If you're interested in film, storytelling, creative collaboration, or simply hearing what can happen when you put yourself in the right rooms, this episode is for you. Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

  6. Aug 13

    How Childhood, Culture & Imagination Shape Who We Become - Zenzi | Ep. 68

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when childhood, culture, and imagination come together? This week on Creative Roots, Tae sits down with Zenzi Hodge, a children's book author, dedicated mother, and creative originally from the Virgin Islands. With two books under her belt, The Never Snowy Christmas and I Am, Zenzi joins us for a conversation that quickly turned into more than a discussion about children's literature. Over two hours, we talked about our childhoods, our children, and the similarities we discovered between our cultures. We reflected on the things we experienced growing up and how those experiences influence the way we raise, teach, and inspire the next generation. We also dive into the ways books and video games can become powerful tools for learning - teaching children geography, math, survival skills, memorization, problem-solving, and even a sense of direction. But the conversation goes even deeper. We explore the importance of passing down imagination, culture, knowledge, and reality while still giving children the freedom to explore everything in between. Zenzi also shares the stories behind her books, how she and her team brought those ideas from imagination to published works, and what she's learned about marketing, promotion, and creating a sustainable living from your own ideas. This one is long for a reason. It's a conversation about where we come from, what we're creating today, and what we're leaving behind for the next generation. Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

  7. Aug 6

    We Built Studio 212 for Creatives Ready to Grow | Ep. 67

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is a special one because we're introducing something we've been building behind the scenes: Studio 212 (pronounced two-twelve). Shamar and Tae sit down to discuss the vision behind our newest creative space and the endless possibilities it offers. Whether you're a photographer in need of a professional studio, an entrepreneur looking to host a workshop, a creative planning a paint-and-sip, or someone needing a space for presentations, meetings, or community events, Studio 212 was designed with versatility in mind. We also talk about who this space is really for, why we decided to create it, and how we hope it becomes a resource for creatives, business owners, and our local community. And there's a little surprise in this episode... For the first time, Tae stepped into the editor's chair and incorporated the official Studio 212 promo video right into the conversation, giving you an even better look at what the space has to offer. As we wrap up, we make one thing clear: we're not here to oversell the space. We simply want people to know what's possible and invite them to create something amazing within these walls. Studio 212 is officially open for business. And trust us... this is just the beginning. Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

  8. Jul 30

    10 Years of Alan Lux Studios - Shamar | Ep. 66

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is a celebration - 10 years of Alan Lux Studios! A decade in business is no small feat, and today, Tae sits down with Shamar to reflect on the journey behind the milestone. From the highs and lows of entrepreneurship to the lessons learned through perseverance, this conversation is packed with honest experiences and hard-earned wisdom. We talk about what it really takes to sustain a business for ten years, the "why" that keeps you going when things get difficult, and the realities of serving clients while navigating the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship. This isn't one of those highlight-reel conversations. We get into the raw side of being a business owner - from inconsistent income and multiple revenue streams to the sacrifices, mindset, and resilience required to keep showing up year after year. This episode is a long one for a reason. If you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, creative, or service provider, there are plenty of gems waiting for you in this conversation. Listen closely!  You just might hear something that changes the way you approach your own journey. Congratulations to Alan Lux Studios on 10 incredible years. Here's to the next chapter. Support the show Thanks for listening! If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a fellow creative on their journey.  Where to find us: Website: www.creativerootspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRootsPodcast IG/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/creativeroots.podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@creativeroots.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRootsPodcast Tae-@taewiththeedits Shamar-@alanluxstudios

About

Creative Roots Podcast is where stories begin. Every week, host Tae sits down with artists, entrepreneurs, and makers of all kinds to explore the journey before the spotlight—when the vision was still raw, and the hustle was rooted in passion, not popularity. We go beneath the surface—talking consistency, growth, setbacks, and the real creative process. Whether you’re an early-stage creative or someone finding your way back to your roots, this podcast is here to inspire, reflect, and remind you why you started in the first place. 🌱 New episodes drop every Thursday.