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Coming off the 4th of July weekend, we unpack Happiness and the vital role it plays in our lives. This also marks the 50th episode of The Studio49 Podcast since its' inception in 2015.

I remember when you HAD to call someone to find out what they were doing at any given moment. Now you can send a message form anywhere in the world and watch someone respond to it in real time. I remember when The Jetsons had fancy video call screens and it seemed like that was so far out of the realm of possibility. Now we can FaceTime and Zoom from the comfort of OUR homes. The term social media wasn't a thing until recently even though it's been around since the late 90's. Back then, it was new, exciting, fun, and simple. Now, it's safe to say our lives revolve around this phenomenon. In this episode, the Tripod sits down to discuss their individual takes and memories of the evolution of the mania that is social media.

In this final episode about the 2001-02 EHS Drama Club experience, I sit down with Justin Guyton & Joshua Hayes to capture their perspectives on what transpired that year. This is the final bow in what has a been a very fulfilling and wonderful dive back into the past and the amazing experiences that took place during that unforgettable year.

The Old School: EHS Drama Club episode really seemed to resonate with people in a touching manner. Theater really seems to touch everyone deeply, no matter how good you may or may not be or how long you participated. I realized that I never really sat down and had a conversation with anyone I experienced it with. All of my reflection and memories have passed with just me, myself, and I. This week and next, I'm going to change that. In this episode, Part 2 (The Sequel), I talk with my pal Adam Coode about the adventure that took place 20yrs ago. Join us as we dive into a verbal pool of nostalgia.

The month of June is PRIDE month. We take this time to recognize and push the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, & visibility of the members of the LGBTQ+ community in their ongoing fight. The story is all too familiar and relatable. A group of people are degraded, oppressed, held down, attacked, and dehumanized just for existing. The never-ending forward motion of this community is something to be admired and supported. On this episode, we do just that.

Another Old school episode. This one dives into my senior year of high school back on 2002 when I decided to give in to my interest in the fine arts. This decision would be motivated to seeing my friends in a production of West Side Story the previous year and ended up being one of the best choices I ever made for myself.

Mental health and wellness are not new topics on this podcast. As you know, I live with depression and anxiety just like millions of others in the world.Sometimes we know something isn't quite right but we lack the gusto or ability to do something about it. If we're fortunate, there's someone in our life willing to step up and hold the mirror in front of us. That's where the potency of love comes into play. In my case, four people stepped up and changed my life forever. Here's the story...

I think it's safe to say that the percentage of people going into relationships seeking to achieve failure is pretty minimal. Who, in their right mind, wants to purposely build a life with another person just to watch it all fall apart? Not I. But relationship disintegration happens and it's hard. It's even harder when you have kids. Much harder. Co-parenting isn't easy but it doesn't have to be impossible. In fact, it can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of your life.

It's not easy putting things behind us. Whether it be a comfortable situation, person, trauma, relationship, or a moment. It takes patience and diligent work to do so in the hope it will all remain in the rear view mirror. But what happens when some of the most memorable moments and the most influential person/relationship that you were forced to put behind you, resurface in a moment you weren't only just unprepared for but didn't see coming at all...?

It happened! I got my youngest child to sit down as a guest on the podcast! Jr. and I don't solve any of the world's issues nor do we provide any high grade of entertainment in this week's episode. It's simply us being us. Mostly laughing at nonsensical things and one of us not acting our age. Hint, it's not the kid. It's the little things in life that make it so wonderful and this is one of those little things. So hopefully you enjoy a father and son just being a father and son.

Michael Bolton said it best, "love is a wonderful thing." It's one of the obvious elements in life that connects us all and even in its' uglier moments, love is extremely powerful. Love is just an emotion that drives or informs our actions and thoughts, it's an underrated learning tool as well. This fact truly shows itself when unrequited love(feelings, emotions) enters your life for the first time and, unbeknownst to you, plans on making a few cameos in the future.

I don't know if I was trying to be funny when I titled this episode 6yrs ago or if it was merely a mistake. Either way, the title has nothing to do with the subject matter for this Old School stroll down memory lane. Still feeling the residual effects of my most painful break-up, I talk about my thoughts and feelings on all things in the realm of relationships. Original, I know.

This may be the first generation of father's that, overwhelmingly, don't tell their sons "REAL MEN DON'T CRY." We all withhold emotions. Emotions need to have a home and destination. So why have we been urged to suppress them? Moreso, why do we make fun of those who choose to openly and proudly express themselves? Les Interweb Miserables insist on trolling Kevin Smith for being moved by fictional film and television. I'm telling them to stop knocking him and admire him. Let's talk about it...

March Madness is upon us. Why can't the madness remain on the court??? It seems like every year some derranged "fan" hurls racial epithets surrounded by blinding anger at a player or two after a loss. I've been sick of it for years but this time around I combusted. I can't hold it in anymore. I can't deactivate. I can't breathe deeply and count to ten. I can only let it out. This isn't one of Aesop's fables. Being Black in America is a thing and this is only part of what it's been like for me...

From the 2015 archives comes the flashback episode (sandwiched between present day conversation) about the struggle to maintain your platonic relationships whilst in a romantic one with someone who may not be Susie Security and more of a Jealous Jessie. It's an interesting topic with an ongoing conversation and it's our turn to jump into it!

Words. We use them everyday but rarely think about the impact they have. Over the course of humanity, words have incited violence and division. They have mended fences and created harmony. They have both caused and healed broken hearts. They mean everything and nothing at all. A long time ago, someone changed the course of my life without knowing it. Someone gave me the vision and understanding I wasn't able to provide for myself. She did it with 8 words that I will never forget...

There's a lot of love in this week's episode. I love nostalgia. I love my friends. I love conversation. I love the fact that I got accepted into the Disney College Program in 2006. I love that I get to share with you the conversation I had with my fellow CPs & friends for life, Mellissa, Lindsey & Corey, about our once in a lifetime experience at the Most Magical Place on Earth!

Ok so I'm not exactly a fanboy but I'm pretty close. In this week's conversation, let's explore the beauty, movement, and reasoning behind this culture which brings together people from all over the globe that share such a lovely commonality. Let's shine a light on the celebration of imagination, community, acceptance, encouragement, creativity, and love.

Our differences should definitely be acknowledged but they shouldn't be what define us. Ignorance in the hands of an adult can often be ugly and detrimental but through the lens of a child it is almost consistently beautiful. We don't know we're ‘strange' until we're told so and many times, we may not have an ally to help lift the weight of that painful revelation. Lucky for me, there's Lenny Kravitz.

Sometimes people just get you. They understand you, accept you, challenge you, keep you on your toes, and keep you honest. We all need someone like that in our lives but not everyone is fortunate enough to have one. Luckily, I have good fortune. Meet my friend, Miss Baize.