noseyAF: Conversations about Art, Activism, and Social Change

Stephanie Graham
  • 5.0 (30)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Want to hear how real artists actually make it work? noseyAF is the show where we skip the glossy bios and get into the messy, creative, human parts of building a life in the arts. I’m Stephanie Graham, an artist, filmmaker, and professionally nosy person, and every episode I talk with working artists, filmmakers, organizers, and culture-shifters about what’s really behind their projects: the decisions, the doubts, the money stuff, the pivots, and the “how do you keep going?” moments. No hustle propaganda. No gatekeeping. No pretending it’s easy. Just honest, energizing conversations that fuel your creative life and remind you you’re not alone. If you’re an artist, curator, cultural worker, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain, noseyAF gives you real talk, practical ideas, and the creative spark you didn’t know you needed.

  1. Getting Dressed Is Identity Work How Personal Style Opens Doors with Stylist Kyla

    5D AGO

    Getting Dressed Is Identity Work How Personal Style Opens Doors with Stylist Kyla

    Ep #102: Getting Dressed Is Identity Work How Personal Style Opens Doors with Stylist Kyla Summary of the episode Ever had a full-blown meltdown trying to figure out what to wear? Personal stylist Kyla gets it—and she's here to tell you that your closet struggles go way deeper than just "not having the right clothes." In this episode, we're diving into the psychology of personal style, why taking your image seriously is actually a power move (not vanity), and how getting dressed every single day is identity work in disguise. Kyla shares her journey from tech career to personal styling, breaks down why smart women absolutely DO care about their appearance, and explains how your closet might be signaling things about you that you didn't even realize. We talk about the "sexy Trinity," why you should only shop four times a year (yes, really), and how showing up ready to be seen has opened doors Kyla never expected. If you've ever felt invisible, stuck in leggings, or like your wardrobe doesn't match who you're becoming, this conversation is for you. What we're getting into Why correcting people on your name is actually about claiming your presence (and how Kyla turned it into a whole brand)The connection between personal style and leadership—and why the "charismatic guy" gets ahead while brilliant women stay in the backgroundHow your closet reveals your mental state (spoiler: if it's cluttered, your mind probably is too)The three S's of feeling sexy: skin, support, and subject (aka the sexy Trinity)Why you should NEVER shop more than four times a yearThe difference between transactional styling and transformational stylingHow to build a mix-and-matchable wardrobe that actually serves youWhy talent isn't enough—and how Kyla's style helped her land opportunities she never saw comingThe real reason you have a closet full of clothes but "nothing to wear" Chapters: • 00:18 - Introducing Kyla: A New Perspective on Fashion • 06:01 - The Journey of Identity and Image • 19:12 - The Psychology of Personal Style • 28:27 - Understanding Consumerism and Personal Style • 45:11 - The Power of Style and Presence Things We Mentioned Kyla's Closet Essentials Checklist - $2 resource with styling lesson (available at kylanotkayla.com)Master Class on Feeling Sexy - Kyla's course on the three S's of sexy styleThe Sexy Trinity: Skin, Support, SubjectCapsule Wardrobe concept - Cyclical seasonal approach to your closetFashion Psychology - The real psychological impact of what you wearspan class="ql-ui"...

    52 min
  2. Freedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book Illustration

    JAN 20

    Freedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book Illustration

    Ep #101: Freedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book Illustration Summary In this episode, I sit down with Melquea Smith, a children's book illustrator, author, and world traveler who's redefining what it means to build a creative life on your own terms. Fresh off five weeks in Belgium (with cats and a chicken!), Melquea shares how losing her nonprofit job became the catalyst for going full-time as an illustrator, why representation in children's books matters deeply, and how she's scaling her art through Brown Sugar Graphics—a clip art membership celebrating Black and Brown kids in all their beautiful diversity. We get into the nitty-gritty of how picture books actually get made, what authors should look for when hiring an illustrator, and why visual storytelling is so much more than "just drawing." Plus, Melquea drops gems on building a sustainable creative business, navigating perfectionism, and finding alignment between your work, your values, and your joy. If you've ever wondered what goes into those gorgeous picture books, dreamed of going location-independent as a creative, or just need permission to imagine a different way of living—this one's for you. Chapters 00:19 - Introducing Melquea Smith: A Visionary in Children's Literature10:13 - Navigating Change: Embracing Freedom and Creativity20:00 - Transitioning to Children's Illustration35:06 - The Importance of Representation in Children's Literature56:41 - The Journey of Creating Diverse Clip Art01:02:01 - The Creative Journey of Brown Sugar Graphics What We Talk About How Melquea networked like a pro at the American Library Association Conference with custom postcards and a manuscript wish listLosing a job in the nonprofit world and choosing full-time illustration instead of going back to corporateLiving and working abroad: five weeks in Belgium, falling in love with the Netherlands, and becoming a global citizenThe actual process of illustrating a children's book—from thumbnails to color scripting to final artWhy illustrators aren't just "drawers"—they're visual storytellers, marketers, and business ownersThe severe lack of diverse, high-quality clip art featuring Black and Brown kidsHow Brown Sugar Graphics is filling that gap with joyful, authentic representations of kids with different skin tones, hair textures, body types, abilities, and moreWhat authors should know before hiring an illustrator (hint: it's not just about the art)The power of email lists, the exhaustion of social media, and showing up where it matters most Things We Mentioned li...

    1h 15m
  3. Chicago Artist Deirdre Fox on Turning Plastic Waste into Environmental Art & Visual Poetry

    JAN 13

    Chicago Artist Deirdre Fox on Turning Plastic Waste into Environmental Art & Visual Poetry

    This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio in Chicago on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Ep # 100: Chicago Artist Deirdre Fox on Turning Plastic Waste into Environmental Art & Visual Poetry Summary of the episode Chicago-based artist Deirdre Fox joins noseyAF for a live, unedited conversation from 105.5 FM Lumpen Radio about art, plastic waste, and environmental consciousness. Deirdre’s practice transforms discarded consumer packaging into drawings, fiber works, and installations that challenge how we think about disposability, permanence, and material value. In this episode, host Stephanie Graham talks with Deirdre about her artistic journey, the idea of visual poetry, and how mindfulness—both in making and consuming—shapes her work. Together, they explore the tension between organic and synthetic materials, the limits of recycling, and the role artists play in addressing environmental responsibility through creative practice. This conversation invites listeners to slow down, look closer, and reconsider the materials that move through their everyday lives. What we talk aboutTransforming plastic consumer packaging into drawings, fiber works, and installationsVisual poetry and storytelling through materialMindfulness, consumption, and environmental responsibilityThe evolution of Deirdre’s artistic practice from representational to abstract workMaking art that lives in the tension between permanence and disposability Chapters: • 00:00 - Introduction to noseyAF • 02:30 - Deirdre's Artistic Journey with Plastic Waste • 15:20 - Reflecting on Pouch Cove • 29:36 - Finding One's Voice in Art • 42:56 - Balancing Time and Creativity • 52:13 - Exploring Artistic Processes and Sustainability • 58:43 - Exploring Artistic Collaborations All about… Deirdre FoxYou’re gonna love Deirdre they’re a Chicago-based artist turning everyday plastic waste into visually refined, quietly radical works of environmental reflection. Deirdre Fox crochets and weaves plastic consumer packaging into drawings, fiber pieces, and drawing installations. Her work functions as personal gestures of environmental consciousness, rooted in the understanding that plastics made for convenience—like single-use bags—last far longer than intended, and that recycling alone is not an adequate solution. Her practice questions systems of built-in obsolescence and accumulated waste, while creating visual poems that hold time, care, and material awareness. Deirdre has exhibited at FlexSpace Riverside Art Center, Hyde Park Art Center, Boundary Chicago, Evanston Art Center, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Koehnline Museum of Art Gallery, and the Swedish American Museum, among others. She has received multiple grants from the City of Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council and maintains her studio at Mana Contemporary Chicago. Sponsor Shoutout 💖This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour Get your work done with structure, with company. Check out Artist Admin Hour at missgraham.com/artistadminhour Connect with Deirdre FoxInstagram: @deirdre_fox_artspan class="ql-ui"...

    1h 2m
  4. The Rise of Women’s Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete

    JAN 6

    The Rise of Women’s Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete

    EP# 99 The Rise of Women’s Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete with Angela Hollowell ✨ Episode Summary Women’s sports are having a moment — and it’s about time. In this episode of noseyAF, Stephanie Graham sits down with filmmaker, writer, and Melanin MVP founder Angela Hollowell to talk about the rise of women’s sports, the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money, and why the idea of the “everyday athlete” might change how we think about movement altogether. We get into how women athletes, especially women of color, are finally getting visibility, how branding and social media have reshaped college and pro sports, and why athleticism doesn’t have to look one specific way. From glam on the court to cycling for joy, this conversation explores how creativity, confidence, and culture show up in sports — and in life. If you’ve ever thought “sports aren’t really for me,” this episode might change your mind. 🗣️ What We Get Into Why women’s sports are finally getting real attentionHow NIL money changed the game for college athletesWhat an “everyday athlete” actually is — and why it mattersGlam, femininity, and breaking outdated ideas of athleticismThe pressure young athletes face in the age of social mediaFilmmaking, creativity, and finding balance without burning out ⏱️ Chapters 00:11 — Welcome & setting the scene00:35 — The rise of women’s sports + NIL money11:22 — How Melanin MVP came to be17:06 — Everyday athletes & redefining movement23:19 — Reality TV, Alabama, and cultural detours27:30 — Documentary filmmaking & creative process37:14 — Balance, focus, and doing less better46:03 — Sports relationships & team dynamics48:24 — Melanin MVP Awards brainstorm 👀55:54 — The yearbook idea & what’s next 🔗 Things We Mentioned Melanin MVP – Newsletter + podcast spotlighting women athletes of colorThe Melanin MVP Cross-Training Quiz (not for the weak, apparently 😭)NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) legislation 🌟 All About Angela Hollowell You’re gonna love Angela — she’s thoughtful, hilarious, deeply intentional, and casually changing how we think about sports and storytelling. Angela Hollowell is the founder of Rootful Media, a creative documentary film production company based in Durham, North Carolina. She’s also the host of the video podcasts Honey & Hustle and Melanin MVP. Her work centers Southern voices and explores the outdoors, health equity, environmental justice, and social impact — all through a thoughtful, culture-forward lens. Beyond filmmaking, Angela helps visual storytellers and creative entrepreneurs grow their audience and build meaningful creative businesses. When she’s not working, you can find her outside, on a bike, or enjoying a fruity beer or margarita with friends 🍹. 🔌 Connect with Angela Instagram: @honeyhustlepodWebsite: https://www.angelahollowell.com/Newsletter...

    59 min
  5. Print Your Legacy: Lawrence Nalls on Multi-Generational Photography and Pride

    12/30/2025

    Print Your Legacy: Lawrence Nalls on Multi-Generational Photography and Pride

    Ep #98: Print Your Legacy: Lawrence Nalls on Multi-Generational Photography and Pride Summary of the episode Lawrence Nalls, managing photographer of Forty Photography, shares the profound journey of building a multi-generational Chicago photography studio rooted in legacy, storytelling, and community service. In this conversation, Lawrence reveals how his father's Vietnam War documentation sparked a family tradition that's now entering its third generation. We explore the emotional weight of photography as both art form and responsibility, the importance of print over digital, and why Lawrence believes every photograph should make you feel something. From learning to "figure it out" with his first camera to teaching his sons the business, Lawrence offers candid insights on building trust with clients, the hard lessons of running a creative business (yes, take deposits!), and how to help people see past their insecurities to capture pride. This episode is a masterclass in intentional photography, sustainable creative practice, and the power of printed images to preserve family legacy. What we're getting into You know how some conversations just feel like sitting down with someone who's lived it and learned it? That's this whole episode. The origin story of Forty Photography - from Vietnam War footage to a thriving multi-generational studioWhy prints matter more than digital files - and how Lawrence shifted his entire practice around this philosophyThe business side of photography - storage systems, deposits, redundancy, and the stuff nobody talks aboutBuilding trust and managing client insecurities - including Lawrence's "word bank" technique for portrait sessionsKeeping enthusiasm alive after 19 years - the daily present philosophy and why relationships are wealthFilm vs. digital and intentionality - how shooting film shaped Lawrence's approach to digital photographyParenting, sports, and passing down the legacy - raising two sons in the family business Folks and Things We Mentioned Forty Photography - Lawrence's multi-generational Chicago photography studioJohn H. White - Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and church friend who inspired LawrenceGordon Parks - Legendary photographer and director of ShaftAnnie Leibovitz - Renowned portrait photographerRichard Avedon - Fashion and portrait photographerSarah Oliphant - Artist who hand-paints canvases for photography backgroundsChicago Alliance of African American Photographers (CAAAP) - Organization focused on documenting Black life with prideRainbow Beach - Lawrence's "happy place" on Chicago's South SideArtist Admin Hour - Stephanie's Wednesday accountability sessions for...

    1h 1m
  6. OUTCRY Project: How Collective Scream Sessions Create Radical Empathy and Healing with Whitney Bradshaw

    12/16/2025

    OUTCRY Project: How Collective Scream Sessions Create Radical Empathy and Healing with Whitney Bradshaw

    Ep #97: OUTCRY Project: How Collective Scream Sessions Create Radical Empathy and Healing with Whitney Bradshaw Thank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears! This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday, December 13, 2025 Summary of the episode What does it look like to be out loud together? In this powerful episode, artist and activist Whitney Bradshaw shares the story behind OUTCRY—her groundbreaking social practice project that brings women, non-binary, and genderqueer people together for collective scream sessions centered on healing, resistance, and radical empathy. Born from the intersection of the MeToo movement and the 2016 election,OUTCRY creates intentionally intersectional spaces where participants practice speaking up and out for themselves, release trauma held in their bodies, and build unexpected community with strangers. Over seven years, Whitney has facilitated nearly 80 sessions in 14 states, photographing more than 530 participants in moments of raw emotional power. We get the skinny on what actually happens during these two-hour sessions, the science behind why screaming makes us 7% stronger, and how radical empathy can transform both personal healing and collective action. Plus, we talk about the new documentary film OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage, somatic therapy, scream boxes, and why our culture desperately needs more spaces for collective grieving. Key Takeaways:The OUTCRY project serves as a transformative platform for collective healing and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communitiesScreaming is not merely an act of expression; it serves as a therapeutic mechanism that fosters resilience, emotional release, and literally makes you 7% strongerWhitney Bradshaw's work emphasizes the importance of radical empathy, encouraging participants to engage deeply with diverse experiences across intersectional identitiesThe sessions facilitate a unique environment where individuals can practice voicing their truths in front of strangers, contributing to personal and communal growth and often forming lasting friendships and activist networks Resources & Links: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk21C Museum Hotel Louisville (current exhibition through end of December 2025) Chapters 00:09 - Introduction to Motivation and Self-Reflection01:38 - Introducing OUTCRY: A Collective Healing Experience17:14 - Voices Unleashed: The Power of Sharing Stories22:50 - The Importance of Expressing Anger27:11 - Introduction to Radical Empathy41:41 - The Evolution of OUTCRY51:10 - The Evolution of OUTCRY: A Journey of Healing and Art55:57 - Exploring Artistic Identity and New Projects All about Whitney You're gonna love Whitney she's a powerhouse artist, activist, and the kind of person who invites neighbors over to scream in her living room (and bakes banana bread for the occasion). Whitney Bradshaw is an artist, activist, educator, curator, former social worker, and documentary film producer whose practice is dedicated to healing and empowerment while boldly confronting the social systems that marginalize and oppress. She is the creator of OUTCRY, an ongoing social practice project that has been exhibited widely across the United States, with solo shows at Atlanta Contemporary, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the DePaul Art Museum, Villanova University Art Gallery, Moreau Galleries at St. Mary's College,...

    1 hr
  7. Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt

    11/24/2025

    Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt

    Ep #96: Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt “Trust yourself. This world will try to tell you otherwise every single day.”- Maurice Proffitt This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday November 22, 2025 Summary of the episode In this episode, we sit down with Chicago creative and producer Maurice Proffitt to talk about creative rejection, the fear of success, and what it really takes to build a career without waiting for permission. Maurice shares the moments that shaped him: the childhood spark that made him a storyteller, the brutal rejection that changed his entire trajectory, and how he learned to turn setbacks into motivation. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or right on the edge of something big—but scared to leap—this conversation will give you fuel. What we talk about A friendly deep-dive into what it really means to grow as an artist.Turning rejection into motivationOvercoming the fear of success and leveling upGrowing up Black in Schaumburg and finding your “B-side” identityWhy you should stop asking for permission and create anywayBuilding B-Side Productions and DreamscapeFriendship, community, and the people who hold you upMaurices first web series “Broke AF,” filmmaking, and learning to editThe moment he said: “Enough is enough — I’m building my own lane.” Things We Mentioned Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection by Jia Jiang (affiliate link) “Broke AF” web series B-Side Studios Dreamscape Theatre Batman Begins — “Why do we fall?” reference Chapters: 00:23 - Introduction to Self-Expression 01:51 - The Fear of Success 12:24 - Navigating the Creative Landscape 19:33 - The Heartbreak of Rejection 24:33 - The Concept of B-Side Productions 31:51 - Identity and Growing Up in Schaumburg 36:15 - The Journey of Friendship and Creativity 44:11 - Transition to Filmmaking and Editing 51:01 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity 54:43 - The Journey of a Show: From Preparation to Performance All about... Maurice Proffitt You're gonna love Maurice Proffitt—he’s a filmmaker, theatre producer, community-builder, and creative force whose work centers the stories and voices usually overlooked. From theater to film to building his own production companies, Maurice is all about creating space for the hidden gems, the B-sides, and the people who don’t fit the mold. Sponsor Shoutout 💖 This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour. Admin is the flex—and your practice deserves it. Join us Wednesdays, 7–9pm CT for structured co-working that helps you get things off your list and out of your head. Learn more: artistadminhour.com Connect with Maurice Proffit Instagram: a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrproffit/"...

    1h 1m

  8. TRAILER

    Welcome to noseyAF: Conversations about Art, Activism and Social Change

    Ever wonder what a creative life really looks like beyond the highlight reel? I'm Stephanie Graham, an artist and filmmaker, and I host noseyAF conversations about art, activism, and social change. I ask the kind of honest questions that make people go, "Ooh, good one". We'll talk about when you knew you had to make a project, how you really handle rejection, and where the weirdest place inspiration struck. We have rich, fun, and honest talks with artists, activists, and everyday legends who are out here doing the work that matters. We get into the breakthroughs, the 3 AM doubts, the side hustles funding it all, and the messy, messy pivots. If you want actionable, inspiring conversations that spark ideas and curiosity, subscribe to noseyAF today. Let's get nosy and curious together

    1 min
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About

Want to hear how real artists actually make it work? noseyAF is the show where we skip the glossy bios and get into the messy, creative, human parts of building a life in the arts. I’m Stephanie Graham, an artist, filmmaker, and professionally nosy person, and every episode I talk with working artists, filmmakers, organizers, and culture-shifters about what’s really behind their projects: the decisions, the doubts, the money stuff, the pivots, and the “how do you keep going?” moments. No hustle propaganda. No gatekeeping. No pretending it’s easy. Just honest, energizing conversations that fuel your creative life and remind you you’re not alone. If you’re an artist, curator, cultural worker, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain, noseyAF gives you real talk, practical ideas, and the creative spark you didn’t know you needed.

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