Friendslikeus

The Ridshare Queen Deanna Dixon and Vanessa Fraction visit friends and discuss different perspectives on success and more with host Marina Franklin. Deanna Dixon, renowned as the Rideshare Queen, has woven an extraordinary narrative as an esteemed background vocalist for icons like Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Monica. However, her journey took a transformative turn when she chose to relinquish the glitz of Hollywood and prioritize her daughter's well-being. This decision led her to become a full-time rideshare driver in Atlanta, where her exceptional ability to forge deep connections with passengers soon took center stage. Capturing these magical, unscripted moments on TikTok, her impromptu musical performances and heart-to-heart conversations garnered over 4.9 million viewers across platforms. Notably, industry titans such as Chance the Rapper and Rihanna recognized her unparalleled talent, solidifying her status as a rising star. This transition from the spotlight to the everyday sphere, driven by her devotion

Suzette Simon and Ashima Franklin visit Friends and discuss advocating for your breast health, securing health aid, touring with Katt Williams and more with host Marina Franklin!  Suzette Simon is the founder of NYLaughs, a New York-based nonprofit that produces free comedy events in public spaces to inspire audiences, enrich the lives of New Yorkers, and connect people through humor. It Also works to deepen an appreciation of the art of Stand Up Comedy, a unique NY cultural asset.    She is also the creator of an awareness campaign called #StrongBlackBoobs, which aims to increase breast health awareness and heighten self-esteem among breast cancer patients of color through humor-filled posts.  Ashima Franklin Originally from Alabama, Ashima Franklin has a “girl next door” personality that mixes with her no holds barred delivery to form a hilarious comedy routine that’s inspired by her real-world situations as a working “Baby Momma”. Ashima rose to fame after appearances on Showtime’s “Kattpacalypse,” having

Hollie Harper and Nonye Brown-West discuss the fallout from the Katt Williams Interview, Tariji P. Henson's fight for The Color Purple cast, T.D. Jakes and more with host Marina Franklin.  Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stan

Vanessa Fraction, Pat Brown, and Kenice Mobley visit friends and discuss diversity attack, quantifying your resolution, Rudy Giuliani's attack on Georgia election workers, and more with host Marina Franklin.  Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barber Shop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches

We love it so much we aired it twice! Listen to favorite episode with Sarah Cooper, Zainab Johnson and Erica Switzer join friends and discuss Sarah's new book: "Foolish", Zainab's new comedy special: "Hijab's Off", and young star Erica Switzer.  Sarah Cooper is a writer and comedian with millions of followers across social media. She's the author of How to Be Successful without Hurting Men's Feelings and 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings, as well as the star of the hit Netflix comedy special, Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine. Cooper built her comedy career in between working for companies like Yahoo! and Google, where she was fed free lunches and lots of material. She has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair and countless others. Cooper's debut memoir, Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation will be released October 3, 2023 from Dutton Books Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedi

Janus Adams and Africa Miranda visit Friends and discuss how segregation in education still remain, the lack of school funding in New York City, Brown Vs. Board Of Education and more with host Marina Franklin.   Africa Miranda - In the span of her 15-year career, Africa Miranda has been an actress, a model, a host, an author, a beautypreneur and a digital personality. Most importantly, she’s been a student of life. As the face and spokesperson for brands like Refinery 29, Macy’s, TJ Maxx and Kia Motors Africa had the opportunity to travel and see the world. Traveling taught her who she is and fueled the creative passions that allowed her to connect with and empower women everywhere. Boston-born and Alabama-raised, Africa grew up wondering what the world outside her backyard looked like. As a graduate of Alabama State University, she learned to bring the world to her using education and creative expression. This wonderment flourished into a deeply-rooted desire to travel the world. From Seoul to the South of F

Von Decarlo and Nonye Brown-West visit friends and discuss whether  celebrities like Beyonce have a responsibility to speak about injustice and more with host Marina Franklin.  Von Decarlo is a New York-bred stand-up comedian, producer, writer, and actress who has appeared in worldwide ad campaigns and national commercials for Disney, GNC, Match, and Carnival Cruise lines. She performed in Montreal for Kevin Hart's LOL Network as well as the Lil' Rel and Friends show at the Just For Laughs comedy festival, and most recently in Australia for the Human Kind Festival. Additional appearances include HBO's Pause with Sam Jay, Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks on Tru TV and HBO Max, CNN's year-end wrap-up special, The Jerry O'Connell Show on FOX, BET, BuzzFeed, The Breakfast Club, Angela Yee's Lip Service, Sirius XM’s Urban View and NBA channel, In Godfrey We Trust Podcast, and more. Von Decarlo is the Executive Producer of the documentary Killing Is Easy on Comedy Central as well as the producer of three posthumous comedy a

Jason Andors and Jenny Saldaña visit friends and express their love for the Dominican Republic, Emerging talent in the Dominican Republic helps profile, Hot Travel Spot, Jason's builds a home for an Dominican elder and more.  Jenny Saldaña is an award winning playwright, actor and comedian. She is also a 17 year breast cancer survivor and advocate. Jenny published her first book, Master First Dater: Second to None (available on Amazon) Jason Andors has appeared on HBO’s Bad Boys of Comedy, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Showtime’s White Boyz in the Hood (which he also associate-produced), Comics Unleashed , Showtime at the Apollo (a guest artist), BET’s Comic View, Gotham Comedy Live, and many more! He recently won a Latino award at the Latino Premios for “TikToker Of The Year” and is one of the principal actors in a Dominican film that just came out called “La Soga 3”. Why a Latino award and Dominican film? Because in 2015 he went viral on social media as a Dominican character named “El Tiguere Vacano”.  “E

Keith Robinson and Zainab Johnson visit Friends Like Us and discuss Keith Robinson's new Netflix Comedy Taping, Zainab Johnson's Amazon's Comedy Special: Hijabs Off, and lessons from life's interuptions.  Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen.  Zainab is currently a series regular on the Amazon Original hit series titled "Upload" from Greg Daniels and stars in her very first One Hour Comedy Special "Hijabs Off" available NOW only on Prime Video. Keith Robinson, the comedic sensation born and raised in Philadelphia, has become an enduring legend in the heart of New York City’s comedy circuit. Renowned for his sharp wit and uproarious humor, Robinson’s career boasts a rich tapestry of accomplishments. He’s graced the stages of HBO’s iconic “Def Comedy Jam,” delighted audiences on MTV, VH1, and charmed viewers on shows like “The Chelsea Lately Show” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” With his infe

Dana Frank and Kaneeze Surka visit friends and discuss the importance of legacy, Dana as Real Estate Mogul/Change-Maker/Philanthropist, Getting Up and On It, Menopause, and more with host Marina Franklin.. Dana Frank is an accomplished businesswoman who manages several hundred residents for TD Frank Family Properties, keeping the business that her parents started in the 1950s alive and thriving. With grace and wit, she has taken the  business world by storm to challenge continuing issues of gender and racial discrimination in real estate and banking.  In her upcoming debut novel, Get Up And Get On It, Dana reveals the formula for creating generational wealth while taking the reader through a dark humor roller coaster ride filled with human experiences everyone can relate to. Dana’s passion for writing doesn’t begin or end with novels, though. Her blog, MenopauseBarbees, is a safe haven for women of all walks of life, approaching topics of aging, dating, and what it means to be a woman in the 21 st century wit

Vanessa Fraction and Subhah Agarwal visit Friends and discuss Social Media Comics, Grammy Nominated Gospel Singer On A Plane, The Perfect Proposal, and Scholastic Books Backlash with host Marina Franklin. Subhah Agarwal has brought an honesty to her comedy that will leave you saying "I didn't need to know that." Subhah has written for Netflix’s “Arsenio Hall” limited series, the "Plan B" movie on Hulu," and The Jim Jefferies Show"on Comedy Central, amongst others. You can also catch her jokes live at stand up comedy clubs across the country. If you don't want to leave your couch, you can see her late night debut on NBC's "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." She's also appeared on season three of HBO's "Westworld", "General Hospital," TruTv's sketch comedy "Friends of the People", and as herself on MTV2, Comedy Central, and Gotham Comedy Live. Vanessa Fraction -Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be h

Jeff Leach and Nonye Brown-West visit Friends Like Us and discuss Jeff Leach's Comedy Spectacular, Processing Loss and more with host Marina Franklin.  Jeff Leach- Born and bred out of the character-rich East End of London, Jeff cut his teeth in the world of showbiz first as an international DJ and Producer playing at clubs and major festivals throughout Europe and remixing dance tracks for Island Records and Ministry Of Sound. After years on stage performing as a theatrical actor with institutions as globally recognized as the Royal Shakespeare Company he fell into a career on-screen as a BBC television presenter. During those formative first years on television, Leach worked for many other major networks including ITV, Channel 4, ABC, Virgin Media and Current TV, hosting shows as wide-ranging as youth chat formats, live music festivals, addition therapy series and a couple of award-winning immersive documentaries. He also hosted and produced his own series for London Live entitled Jeff Leach +1 about the mo

Prachi Gupta and Nimesh Patel Visit friends and discuss Prachi's highly acclaimed book: "They Called Us Exceptional", Nimesh's new comedy special: "Lucky Left", mental health in the South Asian community and more. Prachi Gupta is an award-winning writer based in New York. They Called Us Exceptional is her debut memoir. She was a senior reporter at Jezebel and co-host of Jezebel's former politics podcast, Big Time Dicks. She won a 2020 Writers Guild Award for her investigative essay, "Stories About My Brother," which was also named one of the best essays of 2019 by Longform and Longreads.  Prior to Jezebel, Prachi covered the 2016 election for Cosmopolitan.com, where she "set the standard" for interviews with Ivanka Trump, per Media Matters; interviewed former First Lady Michelle Obama on her first solo trip to the Middle East; and traveled to Jordan to report on the refugee crisis. She has also written for the Atlantic, the Washington Post Magazine, Salon, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Her reporting on data priv

Shannon Jones and Yadira Harrison visit Friends and discuss the importance of making cool stuff with friends in business, working with some of the world’s biggest and most recognizable brands, diversity in marketing, and work-life balance. Shannon Simpson Jones Co-founder, verb. Shannon Simpson Jones is co-founder of Verb, a marketing consultancy that is redefining how consumers experience and interact with brands. Verb gives brands a new type of partner, providing a holistic approach to integrated and experiential campaigns, brand partnerships and proprietary platforms. At Verb, Shannon leads a diverse bi-coastal team, working with clients including Netflix, Everlane and Amazon. Shannon is a natural-born leader; inspiring her team to reach new heights and deliver for clients by staying ahead of the curve on industry trends. She also has exceptional business leadership skills - Shannon co-founded Verb just over two years ago, and she has already been on some of the industry’s largest stages including SXSW, Fa

Aparna Nancherla and Alvin Irby Visit friends and take a deep dive into the imposter syndrome and how funding for Black Organizations are held under a microscope.  Aparna Nancherla is a comedian and general silly billy. Her sense of humor is dry, existential, and absurd, with notes of uncalled-for whimsy. Think a wine you didn’t order. Her forthcoming book, Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself and Impostor Syndrome (Viking), is currently available for pre-order via Penguin Random House and will be released on September 19, 2023. You can hear Aparna as the voice of Moon on Fox’s The Great North, or have heard her as the voice of Hollyhock on Bojack Horseman. You can currently watch Aparna in The Drop on Hulu or as Dr. Pocha on Lopez vs. Lopez (NBC). You may have watched Aparna as Grace the belabored HR rep on the critically-acclaimed Comedy Central show, Corporate. She also has a half-hour special on the second season of The Standups on Netflix, as well as appearances on Late Night with Stephen Colbert on CBS and T

Sarah Cooper, Zainab Johnson and Erica Switzer join friends and discuss Sarah's new book: "Foolish", Zainab's new comedy special: "Hijab's Off", and young star Erica Switzer.  Sarah Cooper is a writer and comedian with millions of followers across social media. She's the author of How to Be Successful without Hurting Men's Feelings and 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings, as well as the star of the hit Netflix comedy special, Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine. Cooper built her comedy career in between working for companies like Yahoo! and Google, where she was fed free lunches and lots of material. She has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair and countless others. Cooper's debut memoir, Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation will be released October 3, 2023 from Dutton Books Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer quickly being propelled as one of the most uni

Those Gossiping Heifers (Michelle and Rocky) join Mia Jackson to gossip on this week's Friends Like Us Podcast with host Marina Franklin.  Gossiping Heifers/Michele and Rochele are the dynamic duo behind the wildly entertaining podcast, "The Gossiping Heifers." With a flair for humor and a knack for keeping listeners engaged, these two sisters bring a fresh and hilarious perspective to the world of current events, celebrity gossip, and everyday life. Listeners can expect a rollercoaster ride through the latest news headlines, celebrity scandals, and everything in between. Whether it's discussing the ins and outs of politics, sharing dating stories that will have you in stitches, or offering valuable tips on navigating the complexities of modern life, Michele and Rochele leave no stone unturned. What sets "The Gossiping Heifers" apart is their ability to blend insightful commentary with rib-tickling humor. Each week, they invite special guests from the entertainment industry, adding even more spice to their al

Kevin A. Walton and Lady Carol Causieestko visit Friends Like Us and discuss suicide prevention,  Subverting Toxic Masculinity by alligninging with inner spirit and more with host Marina Franklin. Kevin Walton is a Spiritual Leader, Transformation Specialist, and Activational Speaker who has led thousands of students and initiates around the globe on a powerful journey of access into the greater depth and capacity of the Self, Creation, and Authentic Expression.  Through the founding of his spiritual practice and life path entitled “Creatorhood: The Art of Living From Truth,” he has established an operating system that supports and directs a more sustainable and comprehensive embodiment within our life experience through a greater understanding and utilization of Spiritual Connectivity, Conscious Awareness, Personal Evolution, Emotional Intelligence, Masculine/Feminine Principles of Energy, Relational Dynamics, Multidimensional Comprehension, and Community Development. Kevin is the founder of the Light Beings

NoorJehan Tourte and Hajar Yazdiha visit friends and discuss the misuse of Dr. Kings Words , immigrant communities indebted to the Civil Rights movement, Hasan Minhaj and more with host Marina Franklin. Hajar Yazdiha is an Assistant Professor of Sociology, faculty affiliate of the Equity Research Institute, and a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar (2023-2025). Dr. Yazdiha received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and is a former Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow and Turpanjian Postdoctoral Fellow of the Chair in Civil Society and Social Change. Dr. Yazdiha's research examines the mechanisms underlying the politics of inclusion and exclusion as they shape ethno-racial identities, intergroup relations, and political culture.In addition to award-winning articles, she is the author of the new book, The Struggle for the People’s King: How Politics Transforms the Memory of the Civil Rights Movement (Princeton University Press). Through her research, Dr. Yazdiha works to understa

Onika Mclean and Nonye Brown-West visit friends and discuss how they all need that fire lit to get a win, Coco Gauff's win, flipping 45 the bird in Iowa, and more with host Marina Franklin.  Onika McLean, born in North Carolina, and raised in East New York Brooklyn, is a single mother of two, legal professional, and a sharp comedian whose no-nonsense perspective on life, love, single motherhood, and her mid life crisis is taking the comedy arena by storm. She was the fan favorite on Bravo Television's, The Single’s Project. She is the winner of the Sloshed Comedy Competition and the Rising Stars Comedy Competition in London.Onika performs regularly at LOL and Times Square and passed at Comic Strip Live and has Dangerfield's, New York Comedy Club, New York Stand, Broadway Comedy, Village Underground, and the. She runs a monthly show entitled Cosmic Comedy.  Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch, as