In this podcast episode, multidisciplinary creative and creative director Mbazi shares insights from his 11-year journey working across photography, video, and creative direction, unpacking what it truly means to chase the vision and not the money. The conversation explores creative career growth, visual storytelling, the importance of structure, workflows, and navigating burnout, financial instability, and uncertainty without losing momentum. Mbazi reframes success as meaningful work, creati...
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In this podcast episode, multidisciplinary creative and creative director Mbazi shares insights from his 11-year journey working across photography, video, and creative direction, unpacking what it truly means to chase the vision and not the money. The conversation explores creative career growth, visual storytelling, the importance of structure, workflows, and navigating burnout, financial instability, and uncertainty without losing momentum. Mbazi reframes success as meaningful work, creati...
In this podcast episode, multidisciplinary creative and creative director Mbazi shares insights from his 11-year journey working across photography, video, and creative direction, unpacking what it truly means to chase the vision and not the money. The conversation explores creative career growth, visual storytelling, the importance of structure, workflows, and navigating burnout, financial instability, and uncertainty without losing momentum. Mbazi reframes success as meaningful work, creati...
In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller Alana Marie as she shares the making of her Kinloch documentary, a 54-minute film about the rise and new hope for Missouri’s first Black city. We also dive into her latest film project, her all-women production team, and how she balances burnout, momentum, and multiple creative paths. This conversation is a grounded look at finishing meaningful work, trusting your process, and letting purpose guide the story. It’s an i...
We sit with makeup artist Jess to unpack her transition into a polished studio suite, her signature dewy, camera-ready glow, and the real behind-the-scenes of building a beauty brand fueled by early alarms, long days, and nonstop business demands. Jess discusses leaving the corporate world behind to own her own space and fully trust her vision as an artist. She breaks down marketing moves that helped grow her brand and how partnering with a photography and content studio creates a one-stop gl...
Today, we’re sitting down with Camilos Garden, who flew in from New York to Texas just to lock in for this episode. He discusses growing up in Queens, his Colombian heritage, early piano days, and how he developed a sound that seamlessly blends pop, hip-hop, and Latin influences in a way that’s entirely his own. We delve into the moments that propelled him forward, the mindset that drives him to create when challenges arise, his approach to marketing himself, and the simple truth that no one ...
We’re hanging out with actor Michael J. Scott II to discuss his journey from college theatre to becoming a working actor. Michael keeps it real about his early challenges, the lessons that shaped him, and the purpose that keeps him grounded through it all. He shares his audition mindset, the story behind landing a Tiffany & Co. spot, and how staying consistent beats chasing perfection. We also dive into Texas’s growing film scene, self-taping strategies, and what it really takes to build ...
Step into the room with us... literally. We've just moved into Room to Speak Studios, and to kick things off, I sat down with music artist Gervatti, who turned early ideas into a steadily growing hip-hop journey. From his first uploads on SoundCloud, we discuss how he shaped his sound, developing a style that feels both introspective and energetic. Gervatti shares his creative process, from “punching in” to crafting visuals that match the emotion behind each track. We also get into performing...
Step into History Undressed, the creative world of writer and founder Haley Chow, where fashion meets the golden age of cinema. What began as a private diary of poems and costume sketches has evolved into a passionate community celebrating Old Hollywood style, film costume design, and the artistry of storytelling through clothes. In this intimate conversation, Haley opens up about finding poetry in movement, the legacy of icons like Edith Head and Walter Plunkett, and the beauty of creating f...
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Sierra, a third-generation model and actress with over 15 years in the industry. From her very first runway show to building a career in both modeling and acting, Sierra shares the lessons she’s learned about preparation, confidence, and resilience in competitive creative fields. She breaks down her process for photo shoots versus acting roles, the small professional habits that leave a big impression, and her refreshing perspective on rejection and self-wo...
Fashion designer Kendu is back for another episode, diving deeper into his journey through the fashion industry. From a game-changing internship at Tommy Bahama that expanded his perspective, to growing his brand ArtIVPly, Kendu reveals what it’s really like behind the scenes at a major brand and how those lessons continue to shape his creative process. He shares the mindset that carried him through moments of doubt, the vision behind his bold “Revenge” collection, and how he rose to become T...
Kayla’s creative journey started at just nine years old with a Corn Pops commercial and evolved through acting, modeling, and directing. When her university eliminated its theater program, she refused to let the setback define her path. With no prior filmmaking experience and only an iPhone, she created a short film that won Best Film and Best Cinematography, making her the first woman at her school to receive these prestigious honors. In this episode, Kayla opens up about navigating the chal...
Kali Flower is back on On the Come Up—and this time, she’s bringing "Lost Girl Season" with her. Ten months after her first interview, the Hawaiian-born artist returns to share a deeply vulnerable project about transformation, loss, and stepping into the unknown. In this episode, Kali opens up about the in-between space where you’ve left behind your old self and are finding your way toward the person you’re destined to become—a journey that shaped her most authentic work to date. We dive into...
In today’s episode, we sit down with Brianna, founder of The Social Chica—a vibrant women-focused business lounge and creative hub in Cedar Hill, Texas. She shares how a small favor turned into managing social media for nearly 30 businesses, eventually leading to the creation of a space that empowers women entrepreneurs and creatives. Two years later, The Social Chica has become more than just a business—it’s a community-driven movement. With a warm, welcoming headquarters offering coworking ...
In this episode of On the Come Up, pop-R&B artist Beysul shares how she balances a full-time career with her passion for music. From childhood performances to writing songs that reflect her mental health journey, Beysul opens up about staying true to herself while navigating the creative world. Her track “Live Again” stands out as a raw, emotional reflection of her battle with depression and anxiety. She also sheds light on the behind-the-scenes struggles of being an independent artist, i...
In this episode of On The Come Up, we explore the powerful journey of Kathryn Forbes, an actor who embraced her childhood dream for acting as an adult. From landing roles in film, TV, commercials, and Hamlet with the Classic Theatre Project, Kathryn shares how she blended a successful professional career with creative ambition. Hear how she overcame self-doubt, embraced starting over, and built a multifaceted path that challenges the idea of choosing just one passion. Get ready for an inspiri...
In today's episode, we catch up with Corina Laila, actor and evolving creative, whom we first met in Season 3. She shares how working behind the scenes has deepened her perspective as an actor and fueled her passion for storytelling. We discuss the rise of San Antonio’s creative scene, the importance of setting boundaries, overcoming imposter syndrome, and staying grounded through spirituality. Corina opens up about her evolving creative journey and the legacy she hopes to leave behind, not j...
In this episode, Lauren shares her journey from a visual, imaginative child to a filmmaker and model, weaving each chapter of her creative life into the next. She boldly stepped into film school, found her footing behind the scenes, and eventually directed her first short film—a deeply personal project that marked a major turning point in her artistic path. Lauren opens up about the challenges of finding her voice in male-dominated spaces, what it’s like to return to modeling with a stronger ...
Have you ever received a sign so clear it was impossible to ignore? That’s exactly what happened to AP, founder of CLR Intentions, when strangers asked if he had a clothing line—before he ever thought about fashion as a career. In this episode, AP shares how those random questions led him from uncertainty to building a purpose-driven brand. A former basketball player opens up about trusting the signs, taking a leap of faith, and figuring things out. We talk about his clean, versatile style an...
In this episode, I sit down with Cammie Lane, social media manager for the beauty brand Hempz, to talk about content creation, branding, and career growth. Cammie opens up about how her background in marketing and a childhood dream of owning a salon led her to a successful career in Social Media Management. She shares how an internship kickstarted her journey and how working for a national beauty brand shaped her strategy and creative process. We talk about adapting to trends without losing b...
In today’s episode, I sit down with my brother Kai, a Radio-Television-Film major at UT Austin, to explore the real-world challenges and creative triumphs of navigating film school. We talk about his unconventional journey from English major to documentary director, the importance of building a strong creative network, and how he’s developing his voice as a filmmaker despite financial and institutional barriers. Kai offers a behind-the-scenes look at student filmmaking—from directing on tight...
In this bonus episode of On The Come Up, host Kimberly reconnects with Lo from the podcast Single on the Rocks for a candid and entertaining conversation about the winding paths of personal growth and creativity. They kick things off with hilarious first-job memories and laugh over their cringey early email addresses, sparking some major digital-era nostalgia. Beyond the laughs, the episode dives into the struggles of content creation, including burnout, obsessing over analytics, and the chal...
In this podcast episode, multidisciplinary creative and creative director Mbazi shares insights from his 11-year journey working across photography, video, and creative direction, unpacking what it truly means to chase the vision and not the money. The conversation explores creative career growth, visual storytelling, the importance of structure, workflows, and navigating burnout, financial instability, and uncertainty without losing momentum. Mbazi reframes success as meaningful work, creati...
