NELSON ASPEN is one of Entertainment's most charming and popular personalities, having spent three decades on morning television outlets around the world, bringing the latest in entertainment and pop culture to millions of viewers! But there's a lot more to this Showbiz Insider than just empathy, wit, A-list contacts and masterful storytelling ability. You'd be hard pressed to name a celebrity he hasn't interviewed or an entertainment story he hasn't covered, which is why in 2020, the 5-time Publicists Guild of America nominee was recognized as International Media Journalist of the Year. A lifelong Titanic enthusiast, Nelson co-hosts the popular "Titanic Talk" podcast and speaks frequently on the subject of the Ship of Dreams. His 2025 historical fantasy, "Kindred Spirits: A Titanic Tale," has taken the Titanic world by storm with its unique perspective on the classic story. Reviewers say "it weaves history with wit and charm" and "one of the most unusual love stories you'll ever read with the bonus of being an intriguing mystery."

You can find more about Nelson at nelsonaspen.com, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube!

Rissa Miller is an editor, author, herbalist, seer, and storyteller. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and her website, Teaandsmoke.com. You can also check out her children's book, "Room With a Boo".

Analese Alvarez is a high school principal, Buffy fanatic and cohost of Nerd Best Friends, the podcast that covers all of the NERDY conversations you are already having.... OR WISH YOU COULD!

You can find her and the show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Thembi Duncan is an award-winning theatre practitioner, educator, and speaker with over 25 years of experience captivating audiences through storytelling, performance, and insightful discourse. She has served as a keynote speaker, panel moderator, workshop presenter, and event host for organizations in Washington, D.C., New York City, Western New York, and beyond.

You can find her at Thembiduncan.com, on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Elicia Marie is a licensed clinical social worker/therapist in private practice. She enjoys shaping the future of the profession as an adjunct professor in a master of social work program. She is a federal worker by day, working on mental health awareness campaigns and health communications. In her spare time, Elicia loves travel, cooking, music, reading, writing, movies, and talking pop culture and observational humor with her witty friends.

Kelly Macías (she/her) is a writer, researcher, and storyteller. The multidisciplinary arts-based approach to her work is inspired by the many lived experiences of Black women and what emerges from their wisdom and magic across time and geographies. Her writing has appeared in Prose Online, The Sunlight Press, Newsweek, The Baltimore Sun, and elsewhere. She is the creator of Toogood Stories, a platform dedicated to documenting, preserving, and making visible the many facets of Black women's lives. When she isn't engaged in her mindfulness meditation practice or binge watching Netflix, she can be found somewhere in the world dancing Argentine tango in a pair of Chuck Taylors.

You can find Kelly and her work at toogoodstories.co and on Instagram.

Nicole Howze is a mom of three, wife of over 20 years, Music lover and I mean all kinds of music, singer, and movie/TV fanatic. Don’t like horror movies though.

Dave Aronberg served three terms as the elected State Attorney for Palm Beach County from 2012 to 2024, where he led a team of 115 prosecutors and 180 professional staff in five offices throughout Palm Beach County. He is also a former Assistant Attorney General, White House Fellow and Florida Senator. In 2016, Aronberg created a Sober Homes Task Force that made more than 120 arrests for patient brokering and insurance fraud in the rehab industry, and has led to several new Florida laws. He is a trial skills instructor at Harvard Law School, and frequently appears on cable television as a legal commentator, and is the managing partner of Dave Aronberg Law, P.A., and a strategic partner with Capital City Consulting in West Palm Beach.

You can find him at davearonberglaw.com.

Marni Penning is an Award-winning audiobook narrator, actress, & Amazon Bestselling Author. She's been acting onstage since age 8, including 54 productions of 23 of Shakespeare's plays, and co-founded Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (now in its 30th year!). Marni has performed on stages all over the US and in England and Scotland, and now gets to play ALL the parts in audiobooks recorded in her broadcast-quality home studio, with over 330 titles available on Audible, 500+ large-cast recordings for Graphic Audio (including the ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, and Crescent City series), and 600+ articles narrated for the Curio app.

You can find out more about Marni on her website, theladyhamlet.com! You can also check out her book, The Penning Method for the Panicked Actor, a guide to less-panicked auditions. She is also theladyhamlet on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Jennifer Inglis is a writer and author of two novels: “Girls Who Wear Glasses” and “Enchanting Sarah Greenberg.” You can find her on Instagram and Threads.

Summon your inner Sugarbaker as we talk the late 80s-early 90s sitcom classic "Designing Women". We are THRILLED to have as our guest Sarah Marshall, influential podcaster and host of two of our favorite shows, "You're Wrong About" and "You Are Good", which she co-hosts with past FB&C guest Alex Steed. On our episode this week, we talk how this show is very 80's AND very current all at the same time because much of what ailed the world almost 40 years ago is still ailing us. This is a discussion that was funny and deep, like "Designing Women" itself. Enjoy!

Sarah Marshall is a writer, podcaster, and media critic focused on setting straight our collective memory—or at least getting to the bottom of why we believe and in turn define ourselves by popular narrative and myth. Why is the maligned woman a staple of our news media? Why do we believe that serial killers are brilliant? How do we keep stumbling into all these moral panics? These are some of the questions that propel Sarah forward. She is the host of the popular modern history podcast You’re Wrong About, which has been highlighted in the New Yorker, the Guardian and Time Magazine. Her writing has appeared in the Believer, Buzzfeed and the true crime collection Unspeakable Acts.

https://www.remembersarahmarshall.com/

Like sands through the hourglass, so is this REALLY fun episode about classic NBC soap (now on Peacock) "Days of Our Lives". Our guest is editor, writer and creator Michelle Havich, and we had a blast. Even if you've never watched an episode, I think you'll love it!

Michelle Havich is a detail-oriented editor and writer focused on conceiving and producing creative and dynamic content for a variety of niche audiences. You can find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

No one mourns the Wicked, but we hope that you listen to this episode anyway, as we talk "Wicked: For Good" with returning guest and friend of the show, writer Stephen Robinson. We talk the music, the characters and also the political pieces of it that seem timely. Because we know you, Cheese Cubes, we have been changed for good. Because you listen to us :).

Stephen Robinson is and Arts and political writer. Subscribe to his newsletter The Play Typer Guy (www.playtyperguy.com), Instagram, and YouTube.

Belle Burr, is an alumni of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and has studied classical theater, Commedia Dell'arte, Dance and Film. When not directing Belle combines theater with history to teach children of all backgrounds about the world around them and as an actor she has performed all over the country in various styles of dramatic and comedic theater.

You can follow her adventures via @BelleBurr on Instagram, check out her reviews and podcasts at Pop Culture Uncovered and PCU on YouTube, catch her on tour with the American Immersion Theater or join her at a show with the crew of Drop Three Sketch and Improv

Elicia Marie is a licensed clinical social worker/therapist in private practice. She enjoys shaping the future of the profession as an adjunct professor in a master of social work program. She is a federal worker by day, working on mental health awareness campaigns and health communications. In her spare time, Elicia loves travel, cooking, music, reading, writing, movies, and talking pop culture and observational humor with her witty friends.

Born in Baltimore City, Sam Lewis is an artist at large, you can see his stuff at MadeBySam, or Instagram or even Facebook!

Born in hood-adjacent Baltimore City, Leslie Streeter is a columnist for the Baltimore Banner, and the author of the 2020's memoir Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like “Journey” in the Title and 2025's novel Family and Other Calamities. She is the cohost of this here podcast Fine Beats and Cheeses, and a frequent speaker on grief. She is also a slow runner, an amateur vegan cook, and a fan of Law & Order. Leslie lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her son, Brooks. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Younger of 2 siblings, Watches wayyy too much TV. Been on various choirs since a child. Graduate of Baltimore City College. Towson STATE University, Mass Communications. Worked in TV Production since 1992.

Still single, accepting applications.

You can find Glenda on Facebook.

James Beard award-winning author of the nationally bestselling IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT, and blogger behind Everywhereist.com. Also, way too noisy on social media. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

There's something about Mary this week on the podcast because we are talking Christmas classic "It's A Wonderful Life" with a focus on Mary Bailey, the main character's wife! Our guest is Senior Recruiter, Job Search Specialist, and our good friend, Elly Cohen. The conversation was inspired by several articles, including this one in The Bulwark. This was a really thoughtful discussion and we hope you enjoy it.

CW: Talk of depression and suicide. If you need help, there are people that can listen when you call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

n 2020, after her divorce, Olivia wanted to create a system of support for the moments in life when we start over. Alongside her sister, Jenny Dreizen, Olivia founded Fresh Starts Registry, and since then, it has been named the “the first divorce registry of its kind” by Forbes. It has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Forbes, The Cut, The New York Post, and more. 

Fresh Starts Registry is the first registry and online platform for everything a person needs to begin their life again after a major life change, such as divorce, job changes, moving, or coming out. They provide a free registry builder and bundles of products based on rooms of the house and budget to eliminate the overwhelm of creating a registry for restarting their life. The platform features 100+ vetted Experts in all categories to support people in all processes of their life changes. It is always free to build a registry and access the experts. Fresh Starts aims to eliminate the overwhelming feeling of starting your life over again with all the home items and Experts you need to empower you on your journey forward.

Listen to them on their podcast, A Fresh Story, and find them:

Olivia- Instagram and Threads Genevieve- Instagram and Threads

Meet us at the basketball court and bring your drama as we talk classic 2000s series, "One Tree Hill" with our guest, Dr. Jessica Rabon. I (Lynne) completely missed this show 20 years ago so I am newly obsessed. Oh my goodness this was a fun conversation!!

Also, we have a bonus conversation about our fave TV theme songs on our Patreon, where you can get exclusive subscriber content while supporting us for $5 a month!! Sign-up here! https://www.patreon.com/FineBeatsandCheeses

Dr. Jessica Rabon is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric psychology. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, chronic medical illnesses, LGBTQ+ health, and eating disorders. She has published a number of peer-reviewed research papers and a book on topics such as suicide, depression, anxiety, self-compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness. Additionally, Jess creates mental health content on TikTok and Instagram and hosts two podcasts, Psych Talk and Welcome to Group Therapy, with the goal of making mental health more accessible and relatable, and destigmatizing mental health.

https://www.facebook.com/jessicaleighphd

Instagram: jessicaleighphd

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVZNyrZU-ThN-q3rsL7rJQ

https://jessicaleighphd.wixsite.com/mysite

If you know what that's from, you'll know that this week on the pod, we are talking Mike Myer's 1993 masterpiece (so say we) "So I Married An Axe Murderer", and our guest is our very own co-host, Lynne Streeter Childress! From time to time, we here on the FBC crew are going to feature us talking about the cheesy things that make us happy. This was such a fun time, and it's a fun conversation, and we hope you like it.

Lynne Streeter Childress is a playwright, actor, teaching artist, singer, director, and the founder and artistic director of Building Better People Productions, a professional theater company based in Annapolis, MD, that does shows for young audiences all based in themes of empathy,  kindness, respect and the things that make us all better people. Lynne has been in professional theatre for over 30 years, with much of that experience in theater for young audiences.  This includes performing at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and Adventure Theatre, and teaching for institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library, Everyman Theatre, and Baltimore School for the Arts. Through all those experiences, Lynne has seen firsthand how theater can communicate the most important things in the clearest and most interesting of ways, especially to young people. Lynne is on the Arts In Education roster for the Maryland States Arts Council and the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, and through Building Better People Productions, has served students served by the Arlington (VA) Humanities Project, Arts Every Day, and the Howard County Arts Council.  Lynne, along with fellow teaching artists Khaleshia Thorpe-Price and Jennifer Ridgway, facilitates Empathy Works, a program that helps organizations discover how empathetic thinking can change their company for the better. She co-hosts the podcast Fine Beats and Cheeses with her twin sister Leslie Gray Streeter and their producer, Sam Lewis. Lynne lives in Annapolis, MD, with her family.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn, and you can find Building Better People Productions here to book one of their shows, workshops, residencies and professional development sessions.

Melanie Hood-Wilson is owner and principal consultant at Melanie Hood-Wilson and Associates. In 2020, seeing the turmoil of the global pandemic and the nation-wide reaction to the injustice of the George Floyd murder, her company’s mission changed focus from education to justice, belonging, and inclusion. Melanie specializes in building inclusive systems within organizations to build cultural capacity, retain a diverse team, and better serve stakeholders and attract new customers.

You can find Melanie on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and her website.

Meghan Riordan Jarvis is a trauma-trained clinical psychotherapist, author, podcast host, two-time Tedx Speaker, educator, corporate consultant and sought after keynote speaker specializing in trauma and grief and loss.

You can find her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

♫This is Halloween...

Join Personal Development Coach and podcast host Desiree Simone and the crew as we discuss Halloweens! The movies, we mean...

Desiree Simone is a Personal Development and Brand Coach, as well as the host of Growth On the Rocks, a fun, informative and sometimes boozy filled podcast where she and her guests tackle everything from relationships, mindset tips, self growth, love and so much more!

You can find her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads!

Meredith Davis is a solution focused leader that possesses three decades of experience in non-profit, higher education administration and teaching. Davis' focus areas are equity, access, diversity, inclusion, crisis management, leadership development, training and strategic planning. Her educational and pastime expertise is Blackness and the intersections of historical and popular culture. With a degree in sociology, she is obsessed with culture. Her favorite saying is, "If you are willing to do it, I am willing to watch."

You can find her on Instagram or on her YouTube channel!

Who you gonna call? Us, we hope! Or at least you will listen, as we talk to friend of the show Alex Steed (of the wonderful "You Are Good", a feelings podcast about movies that he hosts with the fabulous Sarah Marshall) about 1984 classic, the original "Ghostbusters". This was fun as heck.

You can find Alex on Instagram and Threads!

Latisha Jones is a Writer, Actor and Educator. And host of “Interspectional”, a podcast where she discusses the sci-fi/fantasy media through a social justice lens. You can find her on Instagram.

Latisha Jones is a Writer, Actor and Educator. And host of “Interspectional”, a podcast where she discusses the sci-fi/fantasy media through a social justice lens. You can find her on Instagram.

John has a passion for helping leaders and organizations achieve the fullness of their unique potential. For over 30 years he has worked in a variety of roles with non-profits and faith based organizations. Through The Vocari Group, he helps teams gain mission clarity, discover new possibilities and experience breakthroughs. His work has taken him to all fifty states and 15 countries, most recently facilitating a Small Business Bootcamp in Suubi, Uganda. In his free time John loves exploring and experiencing the great outdoors. On a long weekend you'll likely find him camping, biking, hiking, kayaking or fly fishing.

You can find out more about John and what he does at https://www.vocarigroup.com/.

Judd Winick is a screenwriter and an award-winning cartoonist. Judd has scripted issues of bestselling comic series, including Batman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Justice League, and Star Wars, and has also been head writer on the Hulu network’s animated series, The Awesomes. Judd also appeared as a cast member of MTV’s The Real World: San Francisco and is the author of the highly acclaimed graphic novel Pedro and Me, about his Real World roommate and friend, AIDS activist Pedro Zamora. He is also the author of kid graphic novels series, "Hilo". He lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling; their two kids; and their cats, Chaka and Sleestak.

You can find him on Instagram, Facebook, and here!

Dawn Davis grew up as both a corporate army brat and preacher’s kid, weaving her active imagination and colorful experiences into short stories while still in elementary school. In semi retirement she works as an assistant to a real estate broker. When she’s not writing, working, or wrangling life, she can be found by the water with a good book and a glass of champagne. Dawn lives in Annapolis with her husband, children, and dog. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Nichole says:

My name is Nichole Land. I am a Rockville, Maryland Resident. I work at Montgomery College, a Community College in Montgomery County, MD where I was just recently promoted to the position of Executive Associate II of the Vice President of Workforce Development & Continuing Education. I have work at the College for 9 years. I was also a student at Montgomery College, later obtaining a bachelors degree from Maryland University and then a master's degree from Morgan State University. I began my career at a non-profit called Interfaith Works, specializing in wraparound homeless services in Montgomery County, before coming to Montgomery College. My passion is in Education and uplifting the community through faith, education, and a helping hand. Some of my hobbies include listening to music, attending concerts, plays, traveling and sitting by the Ocean. Oh, and eating a good meal! :)

Emily J. Edwards earned her degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and took the long road to becoming an author, working for over a decade as a wine and spirits journalist, radio producer, and co-host of the podcast, Ticklish Business. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, and several quadrupeds. Pronouns: she/her/hers

You can find Emily on Facebook and Instagram!

We've wanted to do this episode for The Longest Time: we talk about Billy Joel!! WE LOVE HIM, and so does our guest, culture writer Geraldine DeRuiter. We talk about the relatability, joy, and thoughtfulness of his music, and why it holds up. Such fun.

Geraldine DeRuiter is the James Beard Award-winning food and culture writer behind Everywhereist.com and the author of All Over the Place: Adventures in Travel, True Love, and Petty Theft and If You Can't Take the Heat: Tales of Food, Feminism, and Fury (which Lynne listened to on Audible and was sad when it was over). Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Yorker’s “Daily Shouts,” Marie Claire, and Refinery 29, and a few other places.

You can find Geraldine at her website, The Everywherist, on Facebook, and Instagram.

Robin is the author and poet, R. R. Peace who published her debut fantasy novel, The Geldian Prophecy: Ascendence last August and published a book of poetry this July called Diary of a Black GenXer: 1990-1999. She currently lives in Maryland with her cat, Oreo, who would definitely go John Wick on anyone who tries to hurt him!

You can find Robin on Facebook, Instagram, and on her website!

Julie Khanna enjoys connecting clients to their target audiences through creative and exciting tactics and individualized strategies. As a result, she is the founder and owner behind two thriving media-related companies: Khanna Connections, a public relations, strategic communications, and media marketing agency specializing in the medical, health, and wellness industries, and Khanna House Studios, a full-production YouTube, podcast, and content creation studio located in Wellington, Florida, that also provides in-studio and onsite videography. With years of documented experience and secured media placements, Khanna and her team successfully secure top-level local and national media coverage for their clients and provide executive thought leadership on increasing brand visibility. Keeping a pulse on all sides of media, Khanna is the editor-in-chief of The Well of PBC magazine, a columnist for Ask The Docs in Around Wellington & a contributor to USAWire.

You can find Julie on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and at Khannaconnections.com.

Andrew Walen, a magna cum laude graduate from Berklee College of Music ('95). His journey began with him moving from Boston to Nashville where he thrived as a singer/songwriter and guitarist. Known for his performances in the iconic Lower Broadway clubs, Andrew released several CDs and had his songs recorded by artists across various genres, including children's music, R&B, rock, and country. Andrew later shifted his talents to music journalism, writing for both local and national publications. Andrew earned a degree in social work from the University of Tennessee and built a successful 20-year career as a psychotherapist and mental health executive in Nashville and Baltimore. Andrew felt drawn back to his first love: music. He opened the School of Rock in Pikesville, where he combines his deep industry knowledge and therapeutic skills to inspire and mentor the next generation of musicians.

You can find him and School of Rock Pikesville on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and you can find the article that Leslie wrote about Andrew for the Baltimore Banner here!

Dr. Briana Barner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland. She received a doctorate in Radio-Television-Film and a doctoral portfolio in Women’s and Gender Studies from the University of Texas. Briana also earned a Master’s in Women’s and Gender Studies from UT. She is an interdisciplinary critical and cultural communications scholar with research interests in Black podcasts, digital and Black feminism, digital media, Black cultural production and representation. Her work has been published in Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media, Film Quarterly, and the edited collection Saving New Sounds: Podcast Preservation and Historiography, Feminist Approaches to Media Theory and Research and Black Sisterhoods: Paradigms and Praxis. Briana is currently working on a manuscript about the cultural production of Black podcasts.

Find her on Facebook , Instagram and here!

About Melinda:

"Born/raised in Northern California, I have a background in costume design and construction for theatre. BA from San Francisco state university, MFA from university of Washington. I have worked in professional and educational theatre. I co-created and co-host Haute Set Podcast, a movie podcast with a particular focus on the costume design. "

You can find her on Instagram.

To support the Fine Beats Crew:

Buy Leslie's critically acclaimed new novel, Family and Other Calamities! It's awesome!

Book Lynne to perform for your school, library or other group with her theater company, Building Better People Productions! They use drama for kindness!

Check out Producer Sam and all his creativity!

Me either, but Dorian Gray from the Oscar Wilde novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" did, and we discuss the 1945 movie based on that novel with visual artist Donja Hamlin Houston (who Leslie and Lynne have known since middle school). This was a really thoughtful conversation about good and evil and all the things and we hope you like it!

Donja Hamlin Houston is a local Baltimore artist who works in education. You can find her on Facebook.

Once upon we were falling in love, but now we're only do a podcast!! Today we are talking about the dramatic 1980s classic "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler with our guest, Emmy-award winning voiceover actor, Christopher Walker. We talked that song plus others written by Jim Steinman, who penned bombastic amazing songs for Miss Tyler, Celine Dion, Air Supply, and most famously, Meatloaf. We talk drama and rock and weird 80s videos and it was all delightful. It doesn't disappoint, because we would do anything for love, but we won't do THAT, y'all.

Christopher Walker is a dad and and husband, an apprentice creative director for Graphic Audio, an actor, the voice of Disappeared on the ID channel, a writer and former trade press journalist, and the guy who peed on Paul Rudd in Living With Yourself. He loves to cook and enjoys actual cheeses.

And he is also the best person ever, says Lynne, who was in a play with him 25 years ago.

You can find Christopher on Facebook and Instagram

Co-founder of award-winning blog, The Brown Bookshelf, Paula Chase is a long time Inclusion advocate and recipient of the ALAN Konigsberg Award for her advocacy. Her critically acclaimed upper MG and lower YA books blazed the trail for books tackling tough topics for young readers. Chase holds a B.S. in Communication from James Madison University. She resides in Maryland with her husband. Together, they’ve raised two daughters. More about her writing can be found at www.paulachasebooks.com . You can also find Paula on Instagram and YouTube.

With nine full-length novels and five novellas under her belt, award-winning author Beth A. Freely recently moved to the village of Hope, New Mexico, with a population of “113 if you count our cats.” She is currently writing multiple novels at the same time while also editing one in anticipation of its 10th anniversary this year.

Quick-witted and full of energy, Beth loves to be on the receiving and giving end of a good, fun interview, bringing her unique perspective to the subject. She is a compassionate editor who celebrates each author's unique voice, offering thoughtful guidance to enhance their work. With a talent for creating not just functional but customer-focused websites, Beth ensures every project shines with creativity and purpose.

You can find Beth on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Get ready to be delighted by a delightful episode of a delightful TV show with a delightful guest, as we discuss sweet Australian animated kids (and everyone else) fave, "Bluey", with podcaster Juan Santana. This was a really sweet conversation about how wisdom falls from the mouths of babes (and things written and produced for them). We hope you enjoy!

Juan Santana is a Spaniard living in the UK and cohost of the 2 legit 2 Crit podcast, a show about table top role-playing games. You can find him on Instagram and YouTube.

Jelani Greenidge is a consummate communicator with a passion to inform, inflame, and inspire. A writer, musician, hip-hop producer/emcee, DJ and stand-up comic, Jelani is also a graduate of North Park University and serves as Missional Storyteller for the Evangelical Covenant Church. His topical sweet spot is the intersection between hip-hop culture, nerd culture, and evangelical culture. (Come stop by, it’s not a busy intersection.) When he’s not watching TV or playing video games, he’s promoting his book Undercover Prophets: Pursuing Stand-Up Comedy to Talk about What Matters Most. Jelani lives with his wife Holly in leafy Portland, Oregon, with a few dying plants, way too many throw pillows, and a robot vacuum named Rosie.

You can find Jelani on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and here!

Kelly Macías (she/her) is a writer, researcher, and storyteller based in Los Angeles. The multidisciplinary arts-based approach to her work is inspired by the many lived experiences of Black women and what emerges from their wisdom and magic across time and geographies. Her writing has appeared in Prose Online, The Sunlight Press, Newsweek, The Baltimore Sun, and elsewhere. She is the creator of Toogood Stories, a platform dedicated to documenting, preserving, and making visible the many facets of Black women's lives. When she isn't engaged in her mindfulness meditation practice or binge watching Netflix, she can be found somewhere in the world dancing Argentine tango in a pair of Chuck Taylors.

You can find her on Instagram and on her storytelling platform. Toogood Stories.

Analese Alvarez is a high school principal, Buffy fanatic, cohost of Nerd Best Friends, the podcast that covers all of the NERDY conversations you are already having.... OR WISH YOU COULD!

You can find her and the show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Tonya Abari is a multigenre storyteller. Her words have appeared in Essence, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Good Housekeeping, AARP, Parents, ZORA, PBS Kids, and many more! The University of Maryland at College Park grad now lives and writes from Nashville, TN. Tonya writes for both children and adults — and has books published and forthcoming with Mudpuppy, The Innovation Press, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Quarto, Wiley, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. When she isn't having her way with words, she can be found reading; visiting historic landmarks; dancing to her golden era of hip hop playlist; or frolicking in and around town with her spouse and children, all whose names also begin with "T."

You can find her at tonyaabari.com.

We know All Too Well that you will enjoy this episode, as we talk all things Taylor Swift with our guest Melissa Leygan, who is a huge fan (or Swiftie, as they are known). Melissa is the first guest of ours to actually bring us thank you gifts (including baked goods and friendship bracelets), and this convo is as enlightening and delightful as she is. Tell all your Swiftie friends!!

You can hear a bonus conversation with us and Melissa on our Patreon page, where you get extra content from FB&C in exchange for a small monthly donation that helps keep us afloat! Sign-up here: https://www.patreon.com/FineBeatsandCheeses

Melissa's Bio below...

I've been a casual Taylor listener since I was in high school, but I became a fan as we listened to the well-crafted playlist my sister made on the drive up for the Eras tour, and it was when I saw her in May 2023 in MA that I became a real Swiftie(tm). I have so much respect for this woman and how she has navigated this world built to tear down people just like her, and she rebuilt and regrew and kept performing in spite of them all. I can't wait to share my love of her Fearless drive, Reputation, and how her Karma is the guy on the Chiefs. Truly, this bio isn't about me, it's about our Goddess and Queen, Taylor Swift. All Rise For the Queen. 👑

Melissa is also on Instagram!

Ashley Hawthorne is a soft hearted idealist who wants to live in a world where love really does conquer all. She writes stories that challenge us to believe that we can find light in the darkest places, and her goal is to make us all more grateful for love, family, and forgiveness. She is a contemporary romantic suspense author with two novels currently available, Deliver Me and Death Sentence, and a duology with installments due to be published in 2025 and 2026, all through Creative James Media. She lives in Texas with her husband, two children, and numerous rescue pets.

You can find Ashley on Instagram and her website, Ashleyhawthorne.net.

Stephanie Olson (she/her) is a writer, cosplayer, horror movie enthusiast (especially the bad ones), and Halloween-all-year person. The first story she ever wrote was the gripping tale of a haunted bog. It was created in an attempt to scare her bunkmates at summer camp, and the result was so successful she was banned from writing any more stories that week. She’s been chasing that high ever since. While horror is her first love, she also enjoys fantasy and mysteries. Stephanie has a short story published in Spontaneous Combustion Volume II, by Sic Semper Serpent, and is part of the writing team for the horror anthology podcast, Ghost Wax. Her debut fantasy novel, Still Chosen: Another Unwanted Adventure, was released in January, 2025.

You can find her on Instagram at @stephaniewritesstuff

Laura Lippman was a reporter for twenty years, including twelve years at The (Baltimore) Sun. She began writing novels while working fulltime and published seven books about “accidental PI” Tess Monaghan before leaving daily journalism in 2024. Her work has been awarded the Edgar ®, the Anthony, the Agatha, the Shamus, the Nero Wolfe, Gumshoe and Barry awards. She also has been nominated for other prizes in the crime fiction field, including the Hammett and the Macavity. She was the first-ever recipient of the Mayor’s Prize for Literary Excellence and the first genre writer recognized as Author of the Year by the Maryland Library Association.

Ms. Lippman grew up in Baltimore and attended city schools through ninth grade. After graduating from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Md., Ms. Lippman attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her other newspaper jobs included the Waco Tribune-Herald and the San Antonio Light.

Ms. Lippman returned to Baltimore in 1989 and has lived there since. She is the daughter of Theo Lippman Jr., a Sun editorial writer who retired in 1995 but continues to freelance for several newspapers, and Madeline Mabry Lippman, a former Baltimore City school librarian. Her sister, Susan, is a local bookseller.

You can find her at:

https://lauramlippman.substack.com/ and on Instagram .

Alexis says:

I stand at the intersection of power, truth, and identity, guiding the next generation of leaders, culture-shapers, and visionaries to remember who the fuck they are.

I am a prophetess and cultural philosopher — speaking not just to personal evolution, but to systemic rebirth.

My voice is a blueprint.

My presence is a reckoning.

You can find her on Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and at thefccoach.com. You can also hear her on her podcast, F That.

A bit about Olivia:

When Olivia got married at 26, she didn't think she would find herself signing divorce papers a mere 8 years later. As she stood in the half-empty house, it dawned on her that we celebrate engagements, weddings and babies, but not the boldness and bravery it takes to restart your life. Plus, she wondered, how does one find a new therapist, divorce lawyer, or mortgage lender? Relying on Google, friends, and family can be overwhelming, so why isn't there one place for everything you need to begin again? Fresh Starts was founded on this premise. It's a registry for people who are staring over. If this is you, create your registry at https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/

Olivia and her sister Genevieve host several podcasts, including A Fresh Story.

You can also find Olivia at on Instagram , Threads, and LinkedIn.

About Melinda:

"Born/raised in Northern California, I have a background in costume design and construction for theatre. BA from San Francisco state university, MFA from university of Washington. I have worked in professional and educational theatre. I co-created and co-host Haute Set Podcast, a movie podcast with a particular focus on the costume design. "

You can find her on Instagram.

Arianna Bradford is many things, including a writer/author, ADHD coach, herbalist, wife, mommy, and expat. She is the author of the book "Shame On You: Big Truths From a Bad Mom", and has written for Scary Mommy and Parents magazine. She lives in Costa Rica with her family. You can find her at https://www.theariannabradford.com , on Instagram and on YouTube.

CW: Mention of sexual assault and how it has been depicted wrongly at times on soaps.

Tony Penny is the Principal of Red Hill Productions, LLC< and is an award-winning audiobook narrator with over 300 titles currently available on Audible. He has voiced commercials and marketing & e-learning material for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Verizon, Honda, and the United States Marine Corps, in which he spent 8 years himself. He lives in Frederick, MD, with his wife, two kids, two dogs, and a cat.

You can find him on Facebook and Instagram.

Meet Chris:

"Hi, I’m Chris Smith! I’m the voice behind Podtastic Audio and one-half of the fun-loving team that hosts the Kris and Kristine Show. Podcasting is my passion, and I love sharing tips, tricks, and advice to help others create amazing shows through Podtastic Audio. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your sound, I’m here to make the process easier and more enjoyable.

On the Kris and Kristine Show, my wife Kristine and I share real-life stories about love, family, and all the ups and downs in between. It’s our way of connecting with people, spreading a little positivity, and having some laughs along the way. When I’m not behind the mic, you’ll probably find me tinkering with audio gear or brainstorming new ideas for the next episode.

Podcasting isn’t just a hobby for me—it’s a way to connect, inspire, and have a lot of fun doing it. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you around the podcasting world!"

You can find Chris on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and on his website at Podtasticaudio.com.

Do you yell at us through your speakers? Long time friend of the Podcast, Glenda, gets to do just that in person...

About Glenda:

Younger of 2 siblings, Watches wayyy too much TV. Been on various choirs since a child. Graduate of Baltimore City College. Towson STATE University, Mass Communications. Worked in TV Production since 1992.

Still single, accepting applications.

Is it a good movie? No. Is it delightful? Yes. Hope you love this episode.

Shaun Duke is a writer, editor, podcaster, and educator. By day, he works as a professor of English at DMACC and as the Director of the Portolan Project, where he builds educational modules for science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers. By night, he produces The Skiffy and Fanty Show, a 4X Hugo Finalist SF/F/H podcast, streams games and occasional TTRPG actual plays on Twitch as AlphabetStreams, and works as a freelance editor at The Duke of Editing. He's also published genre fiction in a few places, which is pretty cool, among other nifty things. He also loves books, reptiles, his cat, and other strangeness.

You can find Shaun on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

M. C. Benner Dixon lives, writes, and grows things in Pittsburgh, PA. She is quick to make a pun and slow to cut her grass. Her debut novel, The Height of Land, is an Orison Fiction Prize winner and will be released by Orison Books in April 2025. Her poetry and prose have appeared or are forthcoming in Flash Fiction Online, Reckoning, Literary Hub, Fusion Fragment, Appalachian Review, and elsewhere. Millions of Suns, a collection of craft essays co-authored with Sharon Fagan McDermott, is out now from the University of Michigan Press. Find her at bennerdixon.com.

You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Marla Taviano is into books, love, justice, globes, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living, wears her heart on her t-shirts, and is on a journey to live wholefarted (not a typo). She's the author of unbelieve, jaded, and whole, and lives in South Carolina with her kids and her cats. Find out more at marlataviano.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Donyelle T. Marshall has been immersed in the arts and entertainment space for over 40 years with beginnings as a multidisciplinary artist and photojournalist. Marshall is the founder of Reedapoint, an advisory firm for business development in arts, sports and entertainment entities and Negrovela Productions which focuses on stories of Afro-descendents in the Americas.

You can find her on Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

Brant Hansen is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio host on more than 150 stations. His podcast, with friend and show producer Sherri Lynn ("The Brant and Sherri Oddcast") has been downloaded more than 15 million times. Brant has written for the Washington Post and CNN.com, among many other outlets, and he was recently featured on ABC's Good Morning America. He lives in Jupiter with his wife Carolyn. They've been married for almost 35 years.

You can find Brant at Branthansen.com , Facebook , Instagram and you can find The Brant and Sherri Oddcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Julie Liddell Whitehead lives and writes in Mississippi. Her debut book is Hurricane Baby: Stories from Madville Publishing. She loves Peanuts, the Muppets, Hamilton: An American Musical, and 80s music. You can find her on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Wendy says:

I am a long time educator with a passion to encourage others. In addition to working in public education, I recently opened my own business WendysWavesSwimSchool. I would love to share my passion for teaching on your podcast and also talk about the social and cultural significance of Batman from the comic book error thru to modern movies!

You can find Brian at:

Instagram , YouTube, and on his podcast After the Show with B Wade

France-Luce Benson is a playwright, television writer and performer. Her plays have been produced and developed at Ensemble Studio Theatre NY, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Crossroads Theatre, Atlantic Theatre Company, The Billy Holiday Theatre, the New Black Fest, Juggernaut Theatre, City Theatre Miami, Fountain Theatre, Global Voices Theatre in London, and at the Afropea Festival in Marseilles, France. Honors include the Lily’s Lorraine Hansberry Award, Son Pictures Television Fellow, New York State Council on the Arts’ Individual Artist Award, Dramatists Guild Fellow, Sam French OOB Festival Winner, and Zoetrope’s Grand Prize for Best Original screenplay. Her plays The Talk, Showtime Blues, Her work has been published by DPS, Samuel French, and Routledge. She was a staff writer on the TV series Bass Reeves and is currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre at CSU San Marcos.

Find her:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franceluce

Instagram: @luceloveslight

Twitter: @francelucebenso

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francelucebenson/

In 2020, after her divorce, Olivia wanted to create a system of support for the moments in life when we start over. Alongside her sister, Jenny Dreizen, Olivia founded Fresh Starts Registry, and since then, it has been named the “the first divorce registry of its kind” by Forbes. It has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Forbes, The Cut, The New York Post, and more. 

Fresh Starts Registry is the first registry and online platform for everything a person needs to begin their life again after a major life change, such as divorce, job changes, moving, or coming out. They provide a free registry builder and bundles of products based on rooms of the house and budget to eliminate the overwhelm of creating a registry for restarting their life. The platform features 100+ vetted Experts in all categories to support people in all processes of their life changes. It is always free to build a registry and access the experts. Fresh Starts aims to eliminate the overwhelming feeling of starting your life over again with all the home items and Experts you need to empower you on your journey forward.

Listen to them on their podcast, A Fresh Story, and find them:

Olivia- Instagram and Threads Genevieve- Instagram and Threads

https://www.patreon.com/FineBeatsandCheeses

Catrina is the host of the Quirky Pop Podcast where she explores quirky characters in tv, film, and other areas with hint of social science. Catrina has been on panels a fan conventions and interviewed in The Guardian, The New York Times, and WGN Weekend News. Catrina lives with her two teens and cat, Gallifrey in Bloomington,Il.

Brée Nachelle is a former NASA digital media specialist turned social media strategist, meditation facilitator, and host of the Fabulous Fuckery podcast. With a passion for mental wellness and storytelling, she explores the intersections of digital media, creativity, and personal growth. Brée’s unique journey inspires others to find balance and brilliance in the chaos of everyday life.

You can find her on Instagram, Threads, and at Breenachelle.com.

Melvin E. Edwards is a 6th-generation Texan, who was an award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist before entering the colorful and ambitious world of Texas politics. He started his career writing about Texas high school football and within a few short years, he was a speechwriter for the Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Texas.

He has written two award-winning books tracing generations of his Texas family back to its Republic of Texas days, making him one of the first African-American members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas.

He has the rarest Myers-Briggs personality type in the world (INFJ), which could explain why he loves cowboy boots, hats, and baseball, and can imagine stories so big, they make even Texas seem small.

Jon says:

Hi! I'm Jon! I'm an illustrator, graphic designer, and storyteller with the life goal of spreading love through creativity!

Comic book, storyboard, children’s book, and coloring book art have been my focus for over a decade. I am published as both a writer and an artist of children’s books and graphic novels, a passion that was sparked when I picked up my first comic book (Amazing Spider-Man Issue #378) at a garage sale at age 10. ​

My mission is to display God through stories. I see art not as an expression of myself, but as a gift given to me to steward. I am honored to have the opportunity.

You can find him on his website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Wilkine Brutus is a reporter/producer and host for WLRN, South Florida's NPR station. The award-winning, Haitian-American journalist produces stories on topics surrounding Palm Beach County, news, current affairs, arts and culture — for radio and web.

Before joining WLRN, Brutus worked as a Digital Reporter for the Palm Beach Post, producing print and video-based profiles of artists and entrepreneurs. Prior to that, he spent four years in South Korea as an English educator and freelance cultural journalist, amassing millions of views on his YouTube channel.

Brutus is the founder of Maps & Diaries, a new media production company highlighting cross-cultural stories, art and travel. "A Boat A Voyage," produced under the startup, is a 5-episode podcast exploring his Haitian mother’s account of her 1980's refugee experience in Miami and Cuba.

You can find Wilkine at:

Instagram and Twitter- @wilkinebrutus

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@WilkineBrutus

Dr Carrie Graham believes “learning opportunities are everywhere; all the time and we should remove barriers that prevent growth”. Along with 25+ years of training experience and a PhD in adult and workplace learning, Dr. Graham leads teams to create strategies for efficient training implementation that exceed expectations.

In her down time, Dr G is watching toenail procedures on YouTube. She admits to watching the Meticulous Manicurist, the DC Foot Doctor, and the Toe Bro because they are providing necessary foot care, she loves things to be clean, and caring for others in this intimate way is a form of social justice + Christian love.

NOTE FROM LYNNE: These really uplifting videos show feet with problems, so if you don't want to see that, don't click the links in the paragraph above.

You can find Dr. Graham on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube .

No Whammys!! We had a hoot recording this episode with veteran journalist Milton Kent, and we talk about game shows, both classic and new.

Milton Kent is a veteran of Baltimore sports media, having covered the World Series, the Final Four, the NBA, NFL conference championship games, sports media and high schools over a career that spans over four decades. He currently teaches journalism at Morgan State University, where he is an advisor to the school newspaper, The MSU Spokesman. He and his wife live in Baltimore County.

You can listen to him on his show Sports At Large from WYPR on that station, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Sasha Kaplan is a comic book historian, Jewish representation advocate, and pop culture commentator. She holds a Master's degree in US History and educates people about Jewish history, people, and issues of Jewish portrayal in TV, film, and comics at various events, synagogues, and comic cons. She is a funny, passionate, effective speaker, moderator, and charming individual.

You can find Sasha on Instagram!

Melvin E. Edwards is the host of the popular podcast, Stories From Real Life, and the author of "The Eyes of Texans: From Slavery to the Texas Capitol: Stories From Six Generations' of One Family" and "The Strength of a Thousand Suns: More Stories from my Texas Family".

Nicole Stanley is owner and head money coach at Arise Financial Coaching. Her mission? Shame-free and accessible wealth-building education empowering women. Nicole is a Latina founder and personal finance expert. After paying off debt and increasing her family’s net worth through investing, she discovered her passion for helping women change their communities through financial literacy and wealth. Arise Financial Coaching has helped hundreds of women get out of debt, save, and become confident investors. Nicole and Arise have been featured on GMA, Yahoo Finance, Time, ABC News, Business Insider, and more.

You can find her on Facebook and Instagram!

Ivan's voice credits include "Inspector Gadget" (2015-2018), the Assassin's Creed games, and his live action credits include the "Fargo" TV series and "Murdoch Mysteries". He can be heard currently on the BYUtv animated series, "Saving Me".

CW: Grief, depression, suicide ideation

Teal says:

As a little background about me, I’m all about helping women raise their frequency, step into their power, and connect with their authentic self, their Goddess self in order to live a life they love and thrive. As a recovered people pleaser, perfectionist, overachiever (who spent years off and on in depression and even several suicidal episodes), it is my mission to help as many women as possible move beyond their limitations, suffering, and whatever is holding them back so they can live their desires. Our desires are our birthright, and inspired by my 22 month old daughter, it breaks my heart to think of any woman (or anyone else) ever experiencing even a fraction of the darkness I’ve gone through…and come out the other side of. 😊

Find out more about Teal here, on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and YouTube.

Note: Here is a link to the Octavia Butler essay "Lost Races of Science Fiction" mentioned in the episode.

Kendra Nelson, in her words, is "Baltimore's digital equity champion and civic engagement enthusiast. My mission? Rewiring the digital landscape for a better future! I'm all about empowering mid-level professionals with game-changing digital skills and advocating for digital equity. Whether I'm crafting transformative training programs, fostering civic engagement, or lobbying over coffee, I'm dedicated to bridging the digital divide."

You can find Kendra on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!

Tis the season for holiday stop motion animation from the 1970s, as we talk the classic Rankin/Bass Christmas specials with amazing guest, Marni Penning. We discuss old faves like "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", debate which Miser brother (Heat or Snow ) had the best song, and generally laugh a lot. It was fun!!

MARNI PENNING is an award-winning actress, audiobook narrator, playwright, teacher, children's book illustrator, and proud ADHD mom who lives with her husband, son, dog, fish, and chickens in Falls Church, VA. Career includes 54 productions of 23 of Shakespeare's plays, and she has toured, taught, and coached Shakespeare for over 25 years. Ms. Penning is also a co-founder of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, for whom she performed over 35 roles, including Juliet, Kate, Rosalind, Beatrice, and Hamlet. DC: Shakespeare Theatre, Studio Theatre, Round House, Mosaic Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Folger, Washington Stage Guild, American Century. Regional: Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Georgia Shakespeare, Human Race. Film: Mona Lisa Smile, Sonnet #77. Television: ‪Saturday Night Live, All My Children, Guiding Light‬. Playwright: Carol's Christmas, DC 1-Minute Play Festival (4 years).

Find her:

Facebook http://fb.com/marniwatch

Instagram @theladyhamlet

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/theladyhamlet/

YouTube http://youtube.com/theladyhamlet

http://theladyhamlet.com

CW: War and what comes with it

Gwydion Suilebhan is a cultural critic, essayist, and playwright. A lifelong arts advocate, he serves as both the Executive Director of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and the Project Director of the New Play Exchange for the National New Play Network.

A founding member of The Welders, a Helen Hayes Award-winning playwrights collective in Washington, DC, Suilebhan previously held the position of Director of Brand and Marketing for Woolly Mammoth. Earlier in his career, he worked as a brand and communications consultant for arts and culture organizations.

Suilebhan currently serves on the board of the Alliance for Jewish Theatre. From 2017-2020, he was a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild of America. He speaks widely on the intersection between the arts and technology in the 21st century.Gwydion Suilebhan is a cultural critic, essayist, and playwright. A lifelong arts advocate, he serves as both the Executive Director of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and the Project Director of the New Play Exchange for the National New Play Network.

You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

We are so excited to be talking about NBC's REALLY long-running crime drama, Law and Order (and all of its versions). Our guest is writer of arts and politics, Stephen Robinson. This was a really smart fantastic conversation and we can't wait for you to hear it! And it's especially awesome because we recorded an L&O episode with Stephen last year that had tech issues and never saw the light of day, so we recorded a whole new L&O episode in August and here it is!

CW: This episode mentions murder and sexual assault.

You can find out more about Stephen by subscribing to his newsletter, The Play Typer Guy, and find him on Instagram.

David Ginsburg is host of the Tales from the Fandom podcast, a show where fans of all kinds of stuff come on to talk about what they love. Live in Orlando, FL. He loves so many different things its hard to quantify, but he can and he will.

You can find David on the Tales From the Fandom Facebook page, on their Facebook group page, on Instagram, on YouTube, and on Threads.

Content Note: A few spicy words.

Ellen Cleghorne is an iconic actress and comedian, and was a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1991 to 1995. She was SNL's second Black woman to be a regular part of the cast. She's gone on to appear in things like "The Adventures of Pete and Pete", "Armageddon", and was hilarious on Hulu's 2024 series, "How To Die Alone". She holds a PhD in Performance Studies from NYU. She also contributed to the book "Rolling: Blackness and Mediated Comedy", printed by Indiana University Press.

You can find her on Instagram and Threads.

Jamie Jackson is the author of the 7- book series, "Adventures of a Villain-Leaning Humanoid", an urban fantasy super-hero romance collection. You can find her on Instagram and Threads.

Josh Mankiewicz is an American journalist, who has been reporting for Dateline NBC since 1995. He has reported for The Today Show and NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, and Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. Before moving to NBC, Mankiewicz worked as a producer and reporter for ABC News. (Bio from Wikipedia, because we give credit)

Twitter @JoshMankiewicz

CW: some spicy words, mention of sexual assault, cancer, mental illness

Ashley Ray is a comedian and TV Writer. Her debut comedy album, "Ice Cream Money", is out now on Blonde Medicine Records. In 2022, Ashley wrote on Adult Swim’s, ALABAMA JACKSON created by Donald Faison. Ashley was selected as one of HBO Max’s Queer Comics to Watch for 2021 and filmed a digital special for the platform. That same year she did a sold out hour at Union Hall in NY and debuted a new hour at The Yard Theater in Los Angeles. She hosts High Gear Comedy, a monthly live show with Barbara Gray at The Airliner in LA.

Ashley is the host of the popular podcast ‘TV I Say with Ashley Ray’ which was featured in the New York Times as a 2021 Podcast Worth Checking Out.” She’s also been a guest on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me and Seth Rogen’s Storytime.

She is also known for her viral Shaun King video and post. Her newsletter about TV, pop culture and life as a solo poly bisexual dream babe was named "One of the Best 2020 Newsletters to Subscribe to That Will Keep You Informed and Entertained" by Marie Claire.

You can find her on Instagram. , X (formerly Twitter), and Threads.

Here is where to find us, if you wanna find us more!

THE SHOW:

Facebook, Instagram and Threads

Leslie Gray Streeter:

Facebook, Instagram and Threads

Lynne Streeter Childress:

Facebook, Instagram, Threads

Sam Lewis :

Instagram

Catrina is the host of the Quirky Pop Podcast where she explores quirky characters in tv, film, and other areas with hint of social science. Catrina has been on panels a fan conventions and interviewed in The Guardian, The New York Times, and WGN Weekend News. Catrina lives with her two teens and cat, Gallifrey in Bloomington, Il. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Chris is a keynote speaker, author and ‘80s pop culture guy. Growing up in the '80s and with over 20 years of leadership experience in marketing, Chris knew 3 things very well – '80s pop culture, business and this thing we call life. He left corporate marketing to become a keynote speaker and author. He's spoken to organizations like VISA, Duke Health, University of Florida, Penn Medicine, DHL, and more. His keynote is titled “Everything I Need To Know (For Life and Work), I Learned from ‘80s Pop Culture” and as an author created the book series, The Ultimate Series on Essential Work & Life Lessons from ‘80s Pop Culture, which has 3 volumes.

He's passionate about animal rescue and donates a portion of the proceeds from his book sales and speaking events to Wonder Paws rescue, which saved his pit-mix, Bodhi. He lives by the quote from the poet laureate, Ferris Bueller, when he said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Find Chris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and on his website.

Adonica says: "I’ve had more than 30 years experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer in a variety of specialties. I still dabble in it here and there but what really has my attention now is RED LIGHT THERAPY and the potential to help people with pain and inflammation.

Being a stroke survivor (one major and two minors) with an abundance of other medical issues, I went down the rabbit hole researching Red Light Therapy and strokes. It blew my mind the abundance of research out there, and it all looks promising!"

You can find Adonica on Facebook, LinkedIn, and on her website!

With a passion to improve people and organizations, Rod has worked in a variety of industries,

Rod is the Lead Ninja of Down Set Lead; a consulting group focused on helping organizations grow their business through training programs and leadership retreats. He is also a Director for Goldman Sachs’ 10k Small Businesses program.

Rod’s career started in HR and included positions at London Fog and Rite Aid. He then spent 10+ years as the Coordinator of Organizational Development at Harford College, where he designed, coordinated and delivered professional training and conferences; and ran 2 professional associations.

In the community Rod serves as a mentor and coach; he a board member of the Ma & Pa Rail Trail; and in 2008 founded Anna’s Guys, a collection of men who work with sheltered children. He also founded the annual Catch a Pig 5k, having raised over $100k for the local Boys & Girls Clubs.

You can find Rod on Facebook, LinkedIn and on his website.

Geraldine DeRuiter is the James Beard Award-winning food and culture writer behind Everywhereist.com and the author of All Over the Place: Adventures in Travel, True Love, and Petty Theft and If You Can't Take the Heat: Tales of Food, Feminism, and Fury. (Lynne says, "It's beautiful and I listened to it on Audible and it made me cry and I was sad when it was over so get this book.") Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Yorker’s “Daily Shouts,” Marie Claire, and Refinery 29, and a few other places.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

CW: We discuss diet and weight loss and if this is something that takes you places you don't wanna be, we will see you next week.

Jennifer Inglis is the author of two novels, "Girls Who Wear Glasses" and "Enchanting Sarah Greenberg." She's also studied comedy writing at The Second City in Chicago. An alumna of Northern Illinois University, she earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts, and also a master's degree in teaching from National-Louis University. She formerly worked as a public school drama teacher, which meant she spent six years being ignored by tweens. In a past life, she worked in professional theater in suburban Chicago, as a playwright, actor, assistant director, and producer, despite being a classic introvert who'd rather be home reading a book. Jennifer currently lives in Chicago and, when she's not trying to dress up her cat, Daisy, in a variety of fetching hats (and failing miserably) she works as a freelance writer is currently working on her third novel.

Find her on Facebook, Instagram and on her website!

Justin Guarini and Kim Walsh Phillips, founders of Elite Speakers Network, unlock the power of Celebrity to empower professionals to go from the Best-Kept Secret to the In-Demand Expert in their Niche. Justin Guarini, Entertainment Veteran, is a Season One American Idol alumni, 7 time Broadway Principal Performer and Dr. Pepper’s Lil’ Sweet character and Kim Walsh Phillips, who was recently featured on BRAVO, is the founder of Powerful Professionals, one of the fastest growing companies in America and 4x Best Selling author with Entrepreneur Press.

Find them at https://www.elitespeakersnetwork.com/elite and https://www.speakandgrowrichworkshop.com/podcast

Justin on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Kim on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube

Christine Van Bloem is the founder of The Empty Nest Kitchen, teaching live, online cooking classes to empty nesters re-learning how to cook for one or two, while finding the fun in the kitchen with a healthy-ish vibe. A heart attack survivor, Christine has reformed her butter-loving, heavy cream worshiping ways by making changes in how to cook, taking food in a healthier direction, while still keeping things flavorful and delightful. Plus, there's always room for dessert! Christine hosts the Empty Nest Kitchen podcast and lives in a very old house in Frederick, MD with her husband John.

https://emptynestkitchen.com/podcast

Find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube!

Jill describes herself as a damn good cook, lover of books, one who savors chocolate and tea.

JUDD WINICK is a cartoonist and creator of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Hilo series. Judd grew up on Long Island with a healthy diet of doodling, X-Men comics, the newspaper strip Bloom County, and Looney Tunes. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and today lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling; their two kids; their cats, Troy and Abed; and far too many action figures and vinyl toys for a normal adult. Judd has written and produced animation for television and film, created the Cartoon Network series Juniper Lee; has written superhero comics, including Batman, Green Lantern, and Green Arrow; and, along with his wife Pam, was a cast member of MTV’s The Real World: San Francisco. Judd is also the author of the highly acclaimed graphic novel Pedro and Me, about his Real World roommate and friend, AIDS activist Pedro Zamora.

Find Judd:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judd.winick

Twitter and Instagram: @JuddWinick

https://juddspillowfort.com/

Daarina Jefferson is a mompreneur, wife, podcaster, aspiring motivational speaker, and now fashion designer. Her podcast, "Nina: I Am NOT My Illness" is an inspiring podcast about living with mental health issues. You can find it on Spotify, and you can find Daarina at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daarina.jefferson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daarina-jefferson-8301b6199/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mrs.j.

https://www.aliveshoes.com/daarinaj-1

Stacey Simms is the host of the long-running and award-winning podcast Diabetes Connections and the author of “The World's Worst Diabetes Mom” book series. In November 2023 she launched a second podcast, Diabetes Connections TYPE 2.

In 2023, Diabetes Connections surpassed 2.3 million downloads.

“The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom” won Best New Non-Fiction at the American BookFest, a 2020 Communicator Award and was named to Book Authority’s 100 Best Parenting Books. Its sequel, “Still the World’s Worst Diabetes Mom” received a 2023 Mom’s Choice Gold Award.

Stacey is the organizer of Diabetes Connections presents: Moms’ Night Out, a new overnight conference for mothers of children with diabetes.

For more than a decade, she hosted Charlotte’s Morning News on WBT-AM, the city’s top-rated morning radio news show.

Stacey lives near Charlotte, NC with her husband, two children and their dog, Freckles.

Find her at:

https://www.facebook.com/diabetesconnections

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1694978737192837

Instagram: @staceysimms

https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceysimms/

https://www.youtube.com/@diabetesconnections

http://www.diabetes-connections.com/

Dennis is the host of the podcast, Back By Popular Demand with Dennis Camlek, and he can be found on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-camlek-20472230/

You can find Rob on Twitter at @harvilla, on Instagram at @robharvilla, and you can find his show at https://www.theringer.com/60-songs-that-explain-the-90s.

Amy DePaola is a comedy and dramedy director and writer. She and her husband, podcaster Dan Schwartz, are having a hard time adulting. To cope they are rehashing teen movies every week on Save the Last Pod.

You can check out their show at http://www.savethelastpod.com

Willie's bio:

Hi. My name is Willie. I’m a millennial Gemini that loves Jesus, life, music, severe weather, comics, and learning different things. I call myself Captain Random as I make it my mission to know lots of random facts. For example…..did you know that turtles can breathe through both ends? 😂 I speak Spanish because of the Lord Jesus Christ and I thank Him every day for that as it has come in handy on so many occasions. I’m not sure how long this can be. So I’ll just stop there. 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550205346144&mibextid=LQQJ4d

There is a little bit of weird audio stuff in this episode but it passes!

You can find "You Are Good" wherever you find podcasts, and you can find it and Alex on Twitter and Instagram at @youaregoodpod and @alexsteed

Ashley Mason is the founder of the content marketing agency Dash of Social that helps its clients establish thought leadership, grow online communities, and drive brand awareness.

Additionally, Ashley founded Massachusetts Business Network in 2022, which is the only statewide publication that provides free to low cost resources to organizations through its podcast, blog, and directory.

Ashley is a graduate of Stonehill College, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She is a TEDx speaker, has been named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by Cape & Plymouth Business Media, and was recognized as Best Social Media Specialist by Boston Business Women.

Ashley currently serves as a Board Member for the Brockton Visiting Nurse Association (BVNA), Middleboro Public Library, and South Shore Young Professionals (SSYP). When she isn't working, you can find her running on her Peloton or curled up on the couch with a book.

You can find Ashley at:

https://www.facebook.com/dashofsocial

Twitter: ashjeanmason

Instagram: dashofsocial

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjeanmason

https://www.dashofsocial.com

Robin Peace is a analyst for the federal government and in her spare time is a struggling sci-fi and fantasy author and literary poet. She hopes to have a novel and book of poems published in 2024 via self-publishing under the name R.R.Peace. She is on Facebook under Robin Regina Peace and Instagram and Twitter as ladypeace1971. She does have a website but it's under construction at the moment. When it comes online, her social media sites will announce the new webpage.

This was a really deep and fun conversation with our dear friend Maruchy about the phenomenon of men wearing clothes traditionally seen as feminine and what that says about them, and us, and what it doesn't. Loved it.

Maruchy is :

the proud daughter of refugees that taught me about resilience & loving your way through life. Mom, wife & faithful servant to my human family. I run, think, pray, eat, cuss & am an ally and advocate for equal rights for all. I’m a COO & created a business from the ground up with Martha Stewart as our most prominent client. I show up even when I’m scared & attribute any success I’ve had or will have to bring audacious.

Jason's parents sent him to this planet when that world was set to explode. A lone survivor striving to find his place in this world, Jason often finds himself leaching onto more talented people in the hopes that symbiosis will kick in and he may attain some of their abilities. That's what led him to Leslie and Lynne and Fine Beats and Cheeses. (He won't tell you this, but he is also an award-winning documentary film maker. He is currently a photographer for the Penn State Health system, where he documents the work and loves of the medical providers as well as the patients).

Tracey is a radio host on 95.1 BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore and host of the podcast, Your Day Brighter, singer. She is a writer and lover of God and people and Indian food.. and Ted Lasso.

Tena says:

I am a fan of all kinds of cinema, from high-brow foreign independent films to silly Shazam comic movies. I draw the line at Rom-coms and Hallmark films, which make me want to run screaming from the room. After teaching English to high schoolers and university students for 25 years, I decided to become a law blog writer for a small U.S. company. I love research and writing comes easily because I am a voracious reader. Living in Costa Rica means the fruit is always fresh, the sun is always hot, and the coffee is always phenomenal. My husband, son, and son's girlfriend are doctors so dinner conversations can get a little gross, but life certainly could be worse!

As always, we would love for you to become members of our Patreon page! For $5 a month, you get bonus content available only to our subscribers, and that money helps us pay for stuff, like production. Sign up at patreon.com/FineBeatsandCheeses

Leslie and Lynne lost their grandmother Emma in late April, and wanted to honor her with an episode about "Keeping Up Appearances", BBC classic TV show and one of Grandma's favorites. Our guest this week is Laura Spencer, PR and communications expert. This was a really fun episode, and we love Laura and she is now our friend because, in part, we all could easily put our hands on crowns in our respective homes to add to the fancy vibe while we recorded. We talk all things Hyacinth Bucket, class, and humility, and comedy, candlelight suppers and how funny shows can also be social commentary.

You can find her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-spencer-bb46336/.

Yes! This week we talk Star Trek and its universe with David Ginsburg, host of the podcast, "Tales From the Fandom". Delightful. This was a really delightful conversation and we all had a really good time talking about something that we have all loved for a really long time. Listen, won't you?

David Ginsburg, host of the Tales from the Fandom podcast. Live in Orlando, FL. Love so many different things its hard to quantify, but can and will :P

https://www.facebook.com/talesfromthefandom/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/140962726527385

Instagram and Threads: talesfromthefandom

https://www.youtube.com/@talesfromthefandom

http://talesfromthefandom.com/

I (Lynne) met Jenny in a Facebook group of non-male identifying theatre professionals and my theatre company wound up doing one of her shows as a tour for schools. She is wonderful AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE HER BACK.

You can find more about Jenny here: https://www.usf.edu/arts/news/2022-23-news/20220819-meet-jenny-kokai-school-of-theatre-and-dance-director.aspx, on Twitter @jenniferkokai and on Instagram @jennykokai

James Toler is a singer, actor, and the co-host (along with Stephanie D'Accurzio) of The Pitchy Podcast, a show that discusses NBC's The Voice. You can check them out below, and wherever you listen to podcasts:

https://www.youtube.com/@thepitchypodcast

https://www.instagram.com/thepitchypodcast/

Debutiful is a website and podcast where readers can discover debut authors. It has been named a Best Book Podcast by Book Riot, Town and Country, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Mary Sue, and elsewhere.

Debutiful was founded by Adam Vitcavage in January 2019. His criticism and interviews have also been featured in Electric Literature, Paste Magazine, The Millions, among others. He lives in Denver where he previously was the Director of Events at Tattered Cover Book Store.

Adam can be found at @debutiful on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-vitcavage-b5361433/, and Debutiful can be found wherever you find awesome podcasts.

You can hear an extended conversation with us and Dr. Barner if you subscribe to our Patreon, where you can get bonus content while supporting us for a small monthly fee!

Go to https://patreon.com/FineBeatsandCheeses

Dr. Briana Barner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland. She received a doctorate in Radio-Television-Film and a doctoral portfolio in Women’s and Gender Studies from the University of Texas. Briana also earned a Master’s in Women’s and Gender Studies from UT. She is an interdisciplinary critical and cultural communications scholar with research interests in Black podcasts, digital and Black feminism, digital media, Black cultural production and representation. Her work has been published in Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media, Film Quarterly, and the edited collection Saving New Sounds: Podcast Preservation and Historiography, Feminist Approaches to Media Theory and Research and Black Sisterhoods: Paradigms and Praxis. Briana is currently working on a manuscript about the cultural production of Black podcasts.

Find her:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briana.barner

Twitter: briananbarner

Instagram: brianaisgrowing

https://communication.umd.edu/directory/briana-barner

Wanda “GodsBratt” Ford is a no nonsense, tell it like it is, what you see is what you get type of person. She doesn’t judge, she’s compassionate, empathetic, and stands in her truth. All of it. The good the bad and the ugly. Wanda has been working since she was fourteen years old, and her first job was in a doctor’s office as a front desk receptionist after school. She was always “different “ but she was ok with that. She wore pumps and skirts with silk blouses to school while most her age preferred jeans and tennis shoes. She’s worked at places like University of Maryland Department of Human Genetics, various Healthcare insurance companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Willse and Associates, a third party administrators, and Optimum Choice. With each position she has made some lifelong friendships and earned the respect of the upper level supervision with outstanding professional references from them all.

However her passion has always been about all things beauty, from clothing, to hairstyles, to makeup. So much so, she used to get in trouble for sneaking and wearing make-up in middle school. Her love of make-up just came naturally. She is a self-taught MUA who learned how to do make-up by watching YouTube videos and endless hours of practicing. For years others have been “speaking life” into her and her “make-up ministry “ and finally she decided to step out on faith to do what comes so naturally to her. Wanda felt like to have so many people to believe so strongly in her talent, who was she to continue to doubt herself? From there she stepped out on faith and hasn’t looked back since.

She’s been using make-up by a black owned company called Playing In Makeup By Yolondo or PIMBY for the last few years. It’s really high quality and budget friendly and she’s always told anyone who would listen about how good this brand is, especially when she does her makeup lives an Facebook and TikTok. Recently the brand owner made her an affiliate of PIMBY. WHAT AN HONOR!!!!

She’s also the host of a podcast called “Watching Wanda’s World “ In doing this podcast, she has found her purpose. #EmpowerUpliftSupportInspireMotivateEncourage. She hosts guests and discuss topics that speak to her spirit. Guests that show people that it’s never too late to turn your life around or reinvent yourself in a positive manner. She also showcases black-owned businesses that deliver a good product as well as excellent customer service.

She’s just a country girl living in the city, trying to make a positive difference in the world.

CW- This episode (and movie) talks about attempted suicide, grief, widowhood and pregnancy loss.

Our producer nicknamed this episode "Hankering To Cry", because we talked A LOT about how this 2022 Tom Hanks movie made us bawl throughout. Our guest is Christina James, radio personality from Baltimore's Bright-FM, where she plays Contemporary Christian hits middays Monday-Friday from 10AM-2PM. She is a fantastic guest and we LOVE her. This was SUCH a fun, thoughtful episode. BRING TISSUES and watch this movie. It's really, really great.

Christina can be found on Facebook, and would love for you to join her Facebook Group, "Christina James I BRIGHT-FM Middays".

To hear us talk MORE Murphy Brown, subscribe to our Patreon, where for $5 a month, you will find bonus content, including extra episodes that go with the regular shows. Support us at patreon.com/FineBeatsandCheeses

Lauren Milberger is an actor/writer/playwright/podcaster in New York and a graduate of the Actors Studio MFA program and The Second City NY Conservatory Program. She is a Writer's Lab, Eugene O'Neill Semifinalist, and a published essayist on funny people such as Burns and Allen, Carrie Fisher, & Lenny Bruce. Lauren has previously co-hosted The Fordcast: A Harrison Ford Podcast and is currently co-hosting FYI: The Murphy Brown Podcast, a podcast decided to the series Murphy Brown, 90's pop culture, and women in media, where she has interviewed guests from Emmy to Tony winners. You can currently catch Lauren's acting in her scripted podcast "The Raconteurs: A Story of George Burns & Gracie Allen" as Gracie Allen, and various voiceovers, film, and theater.

You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @LaurenMilberger, and also at http://www.laurenmilberger.com .

https://www.murphybrownpod.com/

Is marriage cheesy? Maybe! TV shows and movies sometimes think so, and our wonderful guest Emily Edwards talks about it. We had so so so so so much fun with this, and we can't wait for you to hear it.

Emily J. Edwards is the author of the Girl Friday series. She earned her degree in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College and took the long road to becoming an author, working for over a decade as a wine and spirits journalist, radio producer, and podcaster. She currently lives with her husband and several quadrupeds in Connecticut.

She is @MsEmilyEdwards on Instagram and Twitter! Find her!

You can find more about Chrissy at https://chrissy-benoit.com/2.0/

It's all we've ever needed

So tell us what to do now

'cause we talking about NSYNC!!

Yes, friends, this week we talk perennial boy band, NSYNC, with NSYNC superfan, author DL White. I know I (Lynne) learned a lot, and we had MUCH fun.

DL White is an Atlanta based author of novels that center Black love. Fan of fried chicken, brunch, the beach, coffee, cheese! podcasts, and documentaries. Military brat, *NSYNC stan.

Facebook: https://facebook.com/booksbydlwhite

Twitter: author_dlwhite

YouTube: https://youtube.com/authordlwhite

https://booksbydlwhite.com

In 2020, after her divorce, Olivia wanted to create a system of support for the moments in life when we start over. Alongside her sister, Jenny Dreizen, Olivia founded Fresh Starts Registry, and since then, it has been named the “the first divorce registry of its kind” by Forbes. It has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Forbes, The Cut, The New York Post, and more. 

Fresh Starts Registry is the first registry and online platform for everything a person needs to begin their life again after a major life change, such as divorce, job changes, moving, or coming out. They provide a free registry builder and bundles of products based on rooms of the house and budget to eliminate the overwhelm of creating a registry for restarting their life. The platform features 100+ vetted Experts in all categories to support people in all processes of their life changes. It is always free to build a registry and access the experts. Fresh Starts aims to eliminate the overwhelming feeling of starting your life over again with all the home items and Experts you need to empower you on your journey forward.

https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/

Olivia- @thedigitalyenta on Instagram and Twitter; Genevieve-@thegenevieved on Twitter and @genevievedreisen on Instagram.

Sam Lewis is an Austin, TX-based artist and photographer who's visual project, "The Fool's World", features neo-Victorian clowns as a commentary on current culture. You can find him at http://thefoolsworld.com/

Laurie Kilmartin is a comedian and an Emmy-nominated/WGA Award-winning writer for CONAN. She has also written for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, The Late Late Show, and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. She has performed standup on CONAN, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central and Showtime.

Laurie has written two books, Dead People Suck and the New York Times bestseller Shitty Mom. She and fellow comic Jackie Kashian host a popular podcast about standup comedy called The Jackie and Laurie Show. Her new album, Corset, was released at #1 on the iTunes charts. Laurie was recently seen on Apple TV’s Gutsy Women series, being interviewed by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. Her new comedy special Cis Woke Grief Slut drops January 30, 2024.

You can find Laurie on Twitter and Instagram @anylaurie16, or at lauriekilmartin.com

Niko Stratis is a culture writer based in Toronto, Ontario by way of the Yukon where she spent close to two decades working as a journeyman glazier before coming out as a trans woman in her late 30s and being forced to abandon her previous line of work.

As a trans woman now in her 40s, Niko provides a unique voice in cultural spaces seeking to work through lifelong traumas and emotional highs and lows through her work.

She has twice been nominated for a digital publishing award for her personal essay work, is a team writer for queer outlet Autostraddle, and her work regularly appears in outlets like Spin magazine, Xtra and more. Her column in Catapult, Everyone Is Gay, was a widely read series that explored gender and sexuality in 90s music and music criticism and its impact on her as a closeted queer and trans woman in her teen years. Her newsletter, Anxiety Shark, is a self-published weekly essay collection using music to explore her relationship to themes like gender and sobriety.

Niko is working on her debut novel, GIRLS OF SUMMER, a punk rock novel about three friends spending a life-altering weekend at the Vans Warped Tour at a dusty Calgary speedway in 2002. The novel examines growing up isolated, lonely and desperate for a connective link to a perfect unknowable place that might tell you exactly who you were meant to be; about understanding your own transness through exposure to something so pure and perfect; queer love, desire and loss.

She lives in Toronto with her fiancé, their dog Bowie and two cats Winona and Ramona. She is a former smoker and a cancer.

Meredith Davis is a solution focused leader that possesses three decades of experience in non-profit, higher education administration and teaching. Davis' focus areas are equity, access, diversity, inclusion, crisis management, leadership development, training and strategic planning. Her educational and pastime expertise is Blackness and the intersections of historical and popular culture. With a degree in sociology, she is obsessed with culture. Her favorite saying is, "If you are willing to do it, I am willing to watch."

This episode is from March 2023, and our guests are our friends James and Stephanie ,hosts of the VERY popular Pitchy Podcast, to talk about NBC's The Voice (which their awesome podcast discusses weekly). There is probably more giggling on this episode than any other FB&C episode so far. AND WE LOVED IT.

You can find them at:

Instagram: @thepitchypodcast/

TikTok: @thepitchypodcast

YouTube: @thepitchypodcast

And wherever you listen to podcasts!!

JUDD WINICK is a cartoonist and creator of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Hilo series. Judd grew up on Long Island with a healthy diet of doodling, X-Men comics, the newspaper strip Bloom County, and Looney Tunes. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and today lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling; their two kids; their cats, Troy and Abed; and far too many action figures and vinyl toys for a normal adult. Judd has written and produced animation for television and film, created the Cartoon Network series Juniper Lee; has written superhero comics, including Batman, Green Lantern, and Green Arrow; and, along with his wife Pam, was a cast member of MTV’s The Real World: San Francisco. Judd is also the author of the highly acclaimed graphic novel Pedro and Me, about his Real World roommate and friend, AIDS activist Pedro Zamora.

Find Judd:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judd.winick

Twitter and Instagram: @JuddWinick

https://juddspillowfort.com/

Qondi is the founder of Thirst for Democracy, a multi-platform political project, which harnesses the power of the Thirst and her democracy baes to encourage joyful civic engagement. She is also the creator of the romcom Twitternovela “The Affair” starring Stick Qondi, Senator My Boo and the Brother Husbands.

You can find her on Twitter @QondiNtini

Larisa Harrington, PCC, C-IAYT, is a Coach, Consultant, Trainer and Speaker specializing in mindfulness, emotional intelligence, somatic trauma healing, conscious leadership and burnout recovery & prevention. She is a Professional Certified Coach, Certified Yoga Therapist & 20-year Air Force retiree with over 2 decades of experience working in wellness & leadership (Lynne has used her coaching and it was life-changing).

Larisa began her military career in the intelligence field and then transitioned to an employee assistance role teaching leadership, well-being and resiliency to both military and civilians supporting the NSA until retiring in 2017. She started Strong By Nature, LLC while serving in the military and has committed her life to continuing to be of service to others. 

She helps successful, purpose-driven professionals continue doing meaningful work in the world without sacrificing their health. She teaches clients how to create more freedom, ease, joy and impact. 

Larisa is the owner/founder of Strong By Nature Wellness, a holistic well-being company offering coaching, healing, yoga & strategy to support purpose-driven professionals in making a bigger impact in the world without burning out. 

She is also the owner/founder of Better Execs, an executive coaching and consulting company offering support to purpose-driven organizations committed to the well-being & success of their people & their organization.

https://larisaharrington.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larisa.harrington

IG: https://www.instagram.com/strongbynaturewellness/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larisa-harrington-45687a160/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarisaDelana

Rissa Miller is an editor, author, herbalist, seer, and storyteller. Her storytelling expertise stems from extensive research into the area of esoteric history, including ghosts, divination, cryptids, and folklore. Rissa believes the most enduring stories teach us not only about humanity's past, but also give reason to reflect on our own present beliefs and realities.

You can find her at https://www.teaandsmoke.com/, on Instagram at @teaandsmoke_byrissa and on Pinterest @teaandsmokebyrissa

We talk about loving soap operas, particularly All My Children, One Life To Live, and General Hospital, especially in the days we ran home from school to catch them.

You can find Melanie at https://www.melaniehoodwilsonandassociates.com/

Taylor is also a part of the new 2024 cohort of The Welders, a DC-based playwright collective. Check them out here: https://www.thewelders.org/blog/introducing-the-welders-4-0/

Nikki Lewis is a licensed professional counselor who loves her family, animals (we have 9 furry and scaly friends in our home!), and listening to 90s R & B. She has been a professional counselor for 6 years and during that time, she has worked with adult individuals, juvenile offenders, families, and couples. She is especially passionate about helping interracial couples navigate some of the challenges that can arise in relationships between people of different cultures, races, or racialized ethnicities.

Nikki is also a certified therapeutic game master and is currently running a D & D therapy group called Nat 20 Insights with Prism Integrated Health in Austin, TX. This group allows clients the opportunity to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and to face challenges in a safe environment, which helps to build confidence and self-esteem. It also allows adults to have fun and PLAY, which is so important, no matter what your age.

Although Nikki currently resides in Texas, she still bleeds purple and black and took great joy in the Cowboys and Texans losses (especially the Texans!) Let’s go, Ravens!!

We talk to the VERY funny Calvin Coates, host of "All Things Black with Garland and Calvin", about his love for "Antiques Roadshow", and the thrill of watching people find treasure in their grandma's attic.

Calvin is the co-host of "All Things Black", a very funny podcast that he hosts with Garland Thomas.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2646687082251514

John-John Williams is a DEI reporter at The Baltimore Banner.

You can find him:

On Twitter @popcouturejjw4

On Instagram @johnjohnw4

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/author/john-john-williams/

Rissa Miller is an editor, author, herbalist, seer, and storyteller.

You can find her at:

https://www.facebook.com/rissa.miller.39/

teaandsmoke_byrissa on Instagram

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28JvqnLvLSq7xLyx_tc9xg

https://www.teaandsmoke.com/

David Neary is a specialist in moving image media history and preservation, and has worked as a critic, curator, archivist, conservator and educator for film and video, particularly in the museums sphere. His tastes vary wildly from the pulpiest trash to the most miserable arthouse cinema, the most mainstream blockbusters to the strangest video art. His passions include championing media access and promoting under-represented voices.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, he has been living in Brooklyn for just over 10 years now. What he misses most is the chocolate.

You can find him on Twitter and Instagram at deusexcinema

ALSO, check out our Patreon and get extra content AND support our show at the same time!

https://www.patreon.com/FineBeatsandCheeses

More about Tena:

Graduated with a Bachelor's in Spanish from St. Mary's College of MD and a Master's in Teaching ESL from Framingham Univ. I have lived in Costa Rica for 31 years. I have worked for 25 years as an educator for high school and university students. I was a part-time DJ at a local radio station for several years (rock only!). As of 3 years ago, I am a blog writer for several New Jersey and Pennsylvania law firms. My hobbies include learning to swim, watching Australian Border Force on YouTube, and going to the movies with my handsome husband. We both abhor Rom Coms and enjoy small budget films. We also love stand-up.

Riah Lewis is a sleep-deprived nerd.

Nikki Lewis is a counselor, former teacher, and new anime fan, courtesy of her anime addict son.

Stephen Gregory Smith – BOOK/LYRICS: The Christmas Angel, Ichabod: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (2023 Charles MacArthur Outstanding New Work Nominee), On Air, WITCH, Kaleidoscope, Monsters of the Villa Diodati, The Turn of the Screw - a 5 year commission(Creative Cauldron), Silver Belles (Signature Theatre, VA) , The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Shenandoah Conservatory; Creative Cauldron 2022), Night of the Living Dead the musical (Richmond Shepard Theatre; NYC, Kensington Arts Theatre, MD, New Line Theatre, MO), Edgar Allan Poe Academy (Creative Cauldron, VA, Riverside Children’s Theatre, FL). Finalist in the Bernard Ebb Songwriting Award. www.connersmithmusicals.com

https://www.facebook.com/ConnerandSmith/

Instagram: conner_and_smith

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6niDBqMlCmaPw4FBik05w

https://connersmithmusicals.com/

Melanie Hood-Wilson is the president of Melanie Hood-Wilson and Associates, a company that offers educational and consulting services. She has been in the education field for 29 years, and is dedicated to making the world a better and more inclusive place through teaching, learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

https://www.melaniehoodwilsonandassociates.com/

NOTE: Some adult language and subject matter

Jennifer Inglis is the author of two novels, "Girls Who Wear Glasses" and "Enchanting Sarah Greenberg." She's also studied comedy writing at The Second City in Chicago. An alumna of Northern Illinois University, she earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts, and also a master's degree in teaching from National-Louis University. She formerly worked as a public school drama teacher, which meant she spent six years being ignored by tweens. In a past life, she worked in professional theater in suburban Chicago, as a playwright, actor, assistant director, and producer, despite being a classic introvert who'd rather be home reading a book. Jennifer currently lives in Chicago and, when she's not trying to dress up her cat, Daisy, in a variety of fetching hats (and failing miserably) she works as a freelance writer is currently working on her third novel.

You can find Jennifer on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JenniferInglisWriter, on Instagram at jennifer.inglis.writes, and at http://www.jenniferinglis.com

Tyese Woodson is currently serving the community as a Mental Health Counselor. Tyese completed an associate and bachelor’s degree in the Criminal Justice field and a Master's in Psychology.

Tyese Woodson became an author in 2020, with her first book entitled “I Am Woman”.

Tyese also currently teaches General Education (GED) test prep classes and conducts group substance abuse counseling virtually in several sessions throughout the week for those in recovery from addiction.

Tyese acquired a podcast tv show where she interviews talented creative artists, entrepreneurs, and mental health professionals to bring awareness to how passion and purpose can bring peace of mind, with the show’s tagline “What We Do for Therapy.”

Tyese has also recently began a nonprofit youth mentoring program entitled "The Emerald Village" working with young men and women ages 12-18. The program provides one on one mentorship as well as group activities and internships.

You can find her at:

https://www.facebook.com/tyese.woodson

On Instagram: emeraldmindandbody

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyese-woodson-64b08266/

https://www.youtube.com/@thetyeseshow

https://www.theemeraldvillage.org

Baker says: I’m a born and raised Texan, though I’ve also lived in Philadelphia, Shanghai, and New Orleans. I moved back to Texas in 2018, after mostly living away since 2009. I now live across the street from my kindergarten teacher with my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Albert. When I’m not playing with Albert, spending time with friends and family, or planning my next trip, you can find me practicing law.

Colie Aziza’s musical style uniquely blends sounds of sultry jazz and soul with therapeutic elements of spoken word that speak to the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of her listeners. This independent singer/songwriter’s performance intentionally sets out to create intimate landscapes, where she connects and shares her vision with the audience. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Colie attended Music & Arts High School in Harlem, where she majored in vocal studies, and she continued her studies at Syracuse University, where she studied musical theatre. Colie believes in the power of collaboration. She currently creates and shares the stage with Liberated Muse Arts Group, Deep Water Jazz, The Charles Rahmat Group, as well as her ensemble Soul For A New Day. Colie published her first children’s book, Corey’s Dreams in 2016 using her pen name Aziza M. Throughout her life’s work, she encourages both adults and young people to always follow their dreams.

You can learn more about her on her website at colieaziza.com

Johnathon Schaech is an actor, screenwriter, producer, activist, and Maryland native. You can find him on Twitter @johnschaech, and his show "Blue Ridge" will be out in 2024.

Sam Lewis is an Austin, TX-based artist and photographer who's visual project, "The Fool's World", features neo-Victorian clowns as a commentary on current culture. You can find him at http://thefoolsworld.com/

Robin Peace is a government analyst, and also a great writer. You can find her on Facebook as Robin Regina Peace.

Athena Boyd is an Annapolitan with a love for the healing arts and all things art in fact! Business owner and mama! Tiny little person in a big family!

http://www.rootedtherapeutix.com

Zenobia Darling is the critically acclaimed drag persona behind stand-up comic, podcaster, and artist Derek Pentz. Derek is a graduate of Towson University's theater program, where he studied reality television's theatrical and societal relevance, writing his undergraduate theater thesis on two of Bravo's reality tv theater masterpieces, Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, titled "Would Oscar Wilde be a Nineteenth-Century PumpHead? The Wilde Aspirational Comedy of Vanderpump Rules." Since 2022, Derek has been creating out of his Havre de Grace, MD art studio and recording his upcoming podcast, #RockStarLife: Coffee Break, where Zenobia beams down to earth to gossip with guests about pop culture and reality tv, with a special interest in The Real Housewives and Ghost Adventures. Follow Zenobia’s #RockStarLife on Instagram, and on Derek’s website, ZenobiaDarlingCreative.com!