It’s 2026 – hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and wishing everyone have a great year. Our first guest for 2026 is Liam Kirk, a stage manager at the New Conservatory Theatre Company – he last stage managed We Are Continuous, back in November. We talk about his upbringing, the ins and outs of stage managing and where he sees himself in the future. Liam can be contacted directly via Instagram: @director.liam Alexis Green (Episode 330) has a wonderful product that will improve your mental and spiritual health. It’s the Clarity Journal – it’s a journal, designed from lived experience - a compassionate tool for anyone seeking deeper emotional awareness. With daily check-ins, a mood wheel, and free-writing spaces, Alexis and her company has created a nurturing environment to help you connect with your true self. As a journal writer myself for many years, I can attest to how soothing it is for me to have a journal – I think it’ll work for you too. Check out the Clarity Journal at https://clarity-journals.com/. Jameelah Rose has her own business selling healthy drinks - MelanA☥D is a black owned business that specializes in alkaline elixirs used to heal the mind and body. It's currently being sold at the Mandela Shopping Mart and you can find more info on MelanA☥D on this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/melanaid We also want to thank Charles Blades Barbershop for sponsoring The Yay! Charles Blades Barbershop is located at 180 Second Street in downtown Oakland. It’s a very cool, relaxing place where you can get your cuts and they’ll even serve you a complimentary drink. Book an appointment online here: https://www.charlesblades.com Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/ SHOWS: Ruthless (New Conservatory Theatre Center) Dec 5 – Jan 11, 2026 Melissa Momboisse (Episode 140) is in the show https://nctcsf.org/event/ruthless-the-musical/ Into The Woods (SF Playhouse) Nov 20 – January 17, 2026 Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episode 120 & 225) is in the show https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/2025-2026-season/into-the-woods/ After Happy (Central Works) Feb 28 – March 29 Patricia Milton (Episodes 270 & 303) wrote the play https://centralworks.org/after-happy/#showtab=details Barry Graves (Episode 104) has a new podcast out! The Black Man’s Heart On Spotify and all your podcast apps ShawnJ West (Episode 146), along with Elizabeth Jones and Phaedra Tillery-Boughton is a part of a new and exciting theatre podcast called Creatively Shaded. Check them out on any podcast app. Will Hammond (Episode 9) has a new podcast called Will Wonders Why – a podcast where he explores his adventures in music, food and seeking out the answers to random thoughts – you can find it exclusively on Spotify. Adam KuveNiemann (Episode 274) has a new podcast called A Side / B Side, a podcast that features spirited conversations about superheroes, fantasy and all other cool and nerdy stuff. Central Works Script Club is a podcast where you download and read a play script and then listen to an audio interview with the playwright. Delivered semi-annually. You can find the Central Works Script Club on any podcast app. Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)