Podcast
Creative Breakthrough
Hosted by Shereen Kassam, Funny Brown Girl · EN
**Winner of 2021 International Women's Podcast Awards for Best Business Podcast** Jumpstart your Creative Career with informal mentorship from successful creative entrepreneurs, across TV, film, music, literature, and beyond to turn your creative passion projects into full-time careers. Hear from experts, get inspired, and drive your creative career forward! Past guests include Jeff Friday, James Lopez, Maz Jobrani, Rizwan Manji, Stefon Bristol, Sarah Thawer, and Maaza Mengiste! Shereen Kassam aka FunnyBrownGirl will also share stories and strategies that she used to step outside her 9-5 to become an internationally touring stand-up comedian, radio personality, actress, and now podcaster. Join our community of creatives and let's lift each other up! Subscribe to receive alerts when a new episode is available. For inspiration Instagram - @funnybrowngirl Shownotes - www.funnybrowngirl.com/podcast
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to be Unstoppable! The Finale!
Apr 15, 202200:15:16Tap to summarizeI'm proud to say, that my TEDx Eustis talk - How Chicken Wings Made Me Unstoppable - is now available to watch at My website: http://www.funnybrowngirl.com/tedx or On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kchNWYVUqaw. or TED.com https://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_kassam_chicken_wings_made_me_unstoppable I encourage you to check it out, hit the like button, and share it with someone! I also share my advice and tips on how to be a TEDx speaker! Including how to submit a stellar TEDx application and how to give the talk of your life! Special thank you to: TEDxEustis and all my friends and family who supported me, rooted for me, and made this possible! Watch: http://www.funnybrowngirl.com/tedx On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kchNWYVUqaw TED.com https://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_kassam_chicken_wings_made_me_unstoppable Image: TEDxEustis
Transcribe →How to be Unstoppable
Aug 14, 202100:36:46Tap to summarizeUpdate: April 2022 - My TEDx talk - How Chicken Wings Made Me Unstoppable - is now available to watch! I share how to become unstoppable by embracing the lesson of the chicken wing - the ability to re-sauce yourself! It will have you laughing, thinking, and craving a good chicken wing! Three ways to watch it! My website: http://www.funnybrowngirl.com/tedx or On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kchNWYVUqaw. or TED.com https://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_kassam_chicken_wings_made_me_unstoppable I encourage you to check it out, hit the like button, and share it with someone! Hi Creatives, a couple of month ago I was honored to be selected as the keynote speaker for a virtual event titled, "Unstoppable.". Today, I will share the recording with you all – my journey to being Unstoppable! Show notes at CreativeBreakthroughPodcast.com
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Nelu Handa: How to Get Work and Stay Sane
Feb 25, 202100:39:56Tap to summarizeHi Creatives, This week we chat with Nelu Handa, a writer on A Little Late with Lily Singh. Nelu is a writer, actor, improvisor, and comedian. You've seen her on Netflix's Workin' Moms and The Van Baron Show. Nelu shares with us how she's navigated her creative journey, leaving her 9-5 job to be a 24/7 Creative, and more! Show notes at CreativeBreakthroughPodcast.com
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MSNBC's Ali Velshi: Keys to Success
Feb 11, 202100:42:31Tap to summarizeHello creatives! This week Ali Velshi, television journalist, from MSNBC joins us to share how he went from studying religion to becoming a globally recognized journalist. He shares tools to become successful in one's creative journey, as well as his secret sauce for success. Ali and I also talk about Twitter trolls and living up to our immigrant parents' expectations. Show notes: CreativeBreakthroughPodcast.com.
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TV Personality Bevy Smith: It Gets Greater Later
Jan 28, 202100:49:12Tap to summarizeHello Creatives! Bevy Smith joins me this week to talk about her new book Bevalations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie. Bevy shares inspiration and wisdom on everything from finding the courage to leave her 6-figure corporate job, transitioning from being a fashion executive to a media personality, becoming an entrepreneur, and more! She even drops a special Bevalation solely for listeners of Creative Breakthrough!
Transcribe →Spotify Called Me!
Jan 14, 202100:37:32Tap to summarizeHi Creatives! This week I share BIG news – Spotify called me! I also talk about setting intentions for 2021 vs setting goals, our guest next week – Bevy Smith to chat about her new book Bevalations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie, and of course why Spotify called me! Show notes
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Plan for Success in 2021 with Jaime Callica
Dec 31, 202001:04:13Tap to summarizeDisney Channel and BET favorite, and seen Lifetime alongside Kelly Rowland, actor Jaime Callica takes the hot seat to chat about growing your social media (he has 81.8K IG followers), pursuing your passion, and being part of Tyler Perry's TV show Ruthless. We also chat about staying positive, being grateful, and working smarter. Real life advice plus motivational messages all rolled up in one episode! Learn more at CreativeBreakthroughPodcast.com Show Notes
Transcribe →Side Hustles: Advice from a Serial Side Hustler
Dec 17, 202000:27:50Tap to summarizeHi Creatives! This week I answer all your questions about starting and growing a successful Side Hustle. With experience running a profitable comedy career, podcast, and e-commerce business, Shereen Kassam answers all your questions, plus shares with you what she wished she knew when starting out. Learn more: www.creativebreakthroughpodcast.com Show notes
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How to Move with Purpose: Storyteller Nia Malika Dixon
Dec 3, 202000:36:36Tap to summarizeHi Creatives! This week we chat with storyteller Nia Malika Dixon who shares her creative journey and how she moves with purpose. Nia shares her journey to LA, finding her own production company, and creating and launching a film festival. Welcome to the Creative Breakthrough! For those of you tuning in for the first time, welcome. For my OG listeners, I can't thank you enough for your support. Thank you for sharing this podcast. If you are on your phone right now, press that share button and share it with a friend you think may enjoy this podcast or post it on your social media! And feel free to tag me at funnybrowngirl Also, don't forget to join our FB community at "Creative Breakthrough Community" on Facebook I want to jump right in to today's guest, but before we do a few announcements… We are trending in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, and United Arab Emirates. To all our new listeners, welcome and thank you! Thank you to everyone who has reached out to share their side hustles with me. I love the engagement and can't wait to continue the conversation on the next episode I've started a new podcast with a good buddy – it's called radio rejects. We go live every other Sunday on Facebook. Join our Facebook page so you don't miss our next episode – Radio Rejects Live And lastly, I have big news! On December 11th I will be the keynote speaker at a virtual event called Unstoppable! The focus of the event is to leave the heaviness of 2020 behind you and enter 2021 feeling recharged and refreshed. If you want more information on this event check out my Instagram or LinkedIn for details. OK let's get to today's special guest. Who is Nia Malika Dixon Nia Malika Dixon is an award-winning filmmaker on a mission to amplify diverse stories from underrepresented communities authentically in Hollywood, especially the voices of Black Muslim women. With over 15 years in the film industry, the Baltimore native hones her craft as the founder of Audaz Entertainment, where she writes, directs and produces content for television, film and digital platforms, specifically highlighting stories representing Black Muslim women and girls. Under Audaz Entertainment, Dixon has released several projects, including short films Shattered Lenses, #BlackMuslimGirlFly: A Butterfly Amidst Iniquity and Temporary Loss of Power. Dixon creates work to cultivate deeper cultural understanding and connections in our local and global communities. Next week, on December 13th, Nia will be producing the third annual Black Muslim Girl Fly Festival dedicated to amplifying cinematic works both established and emerging Black Muslim women filmmakers and creative talent, exploring diverse and underrepresented stories of the African diaspora across film, TV and digital platforms around the world. BMGFly Festival program highlights include a diverse panel of film industry professionals, including producer/actress and musical performances. Key panelists include writers, directors, and producers from Dear White People, Jinn, and the Blacklist. The festival will be held virtually this year at seedandspark.com/BMGFlyFest I'll put all the details in the show notes. So what are we waiting for….let's get started! Key Questions Answered by Nia Malika Dixon: How to produce content on a budget Why Nia started a production company Best advice Nia has received Nia's definition of success Who has inspired Nia Habit that's helped Nia on her journey What's one thing Nia wish she knew before embarking on her creative journey What does Nia want her legacy to be Nia Malika Dixon discusses: How Nia prepared to move to LA – financially and mentally How she learned to produce films The importance of having a community Her film festival – Black Muslim Girl Fly Festival and why she created it How to stay true to your ethics, values, and religion Key Takeaways from Nia Malika Dixon: As long as you have an idea and no doubt, you can do it Always move with purpose Share your stories What is the Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival The Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival (BMFF) is an annual one-day event of film showcases that profile stories by Black Muslim Girl filmmakers and creative talent in the film, television and digital space. Originally founded in February 2018 with the purpose of creating a platform to showcase film content by Black Muslim women filmmakers, BMFF is also designed to create opportunities to network with industry professionals and cultivate community among Black Muslim Girls in film around the world. On a mission to expand cinematic narratives to be more inclusive of Black women and shine a light on untold stories, the annual festival showcases dramas, documentaries, short films and episodic projects that tell the stories of Black Muslim women across the globe. Program highlights also include a diverse panel of film industry professionals and consultants, and a musical performance. Past speakers have included CEO of GameChanger, Effie T. Brown, Pearl Street Films' Development Executive, Fanshen Cox, in addition to guest judges like Blacklist actor, Hisham Tawfiq, Director and Producer, Oz Scott. Performers including Alia Sharrief and Sa-Roc The Goddess MC have been a part of the Festival lineup. This year at the Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival: KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Thembisa Mshaka Panelists include: Producer/actress Amatus Karim-Ali, award winning writer/director Nijla Mu'min (JINN), writer/director Qasim Basir (MOOZ-LUM), trans-media activist/filmmaker Sultan Sharrief and filmmaker Malikah A. Shabazz (CONSTERNATION). Judges include: TV/Film producer Effie T. Brown (DEAR WHITE PEOPLE), award-winning actor/producer Fanshen Cox (Pearl Street Films), producer/director Quan Lateef-Hill (BLACK GIRLS ROCK) and actor Hisham Tawfiq (NBC's "THE BLACKLIST) Key takeaways: Move with purpose Hire people to help you Find a community Throw yourself into situations to learn Attend the Black Muslim Girl Fly Festival on December 13th Know go flex your creative muscle and keep winning
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Side Hustlers: How to Maximize Your Profits
Nov 19, 202000:40:16Tap to summarizeThis week, Henry Gibson share with us financial advice, tips, and tricks to maximize our financial savings. This is not a sponsored episode – Henry is a friend and actor who offered up his time to provide advice. Henry Gibson-Garcia began his career as an actor, performing onstage in and in front of the camera for over a decade. Starting in 2019, he began using the skills he'd developed as an actor and director to provide training in Leadership, Collaboration, and Communication to medical students through Improv. Earlier this year, after years of reading and studying personal finance, he became a financial coach and investment advisor with Plan & Act, a wealth management firm seeking to provide finance advice to ordinary Americans. With a background in coaching, and with real experience of what it's like to survive as a Creative, Henry hopes he can make a positive difference in people's lives. In a COVID, world, what advice does Henry have for creatives? Don't lose hope Know your worth Save your receipts Don't fund your side hustle with your credit card Why are side hustles good? Add a new skill to your resume Network with others through you side hustle Use and manage your own time Focus on your passion and purpose How can you finance your side hustle? Grants Business line of credit or loan I have a job currently, but I am uncertain if I will be laid off soon. How should I prepare? Maximize your income Contribute to your 401K, at least the minimum required to get your company match Figure out what you are passionate about and your marketable skills If I have a full-time job, but want to leave it to pursue my side-hustle, what should I think about? Have more cash on hand Be able to withstand more risk Final pieces of advice as we start our side hustle? Hire help – financial planner or accountant Don't be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. Being scared means you're heading in the right direction. Charge what you are worth. Contact Henry: planandact.com Henry.gibson@planandact.com With that, go flex your creative muscle and keep winning. Resources: 14 free days to try Shopify: funnybrowngirl.com/shopify Who is Shereen Kassam? I'm Shereen Kassam, the host of Creative Breakthrough and internationally touring speaker and comedian. If you are looking for a speaker to talk on topics including creativity, branding, or work life balance, get in touch! I am also open to being guest on your podcast, TV show, or other medium. Contact me: Email: hi @ funnybrowngirl.com Facebook: facebook.com/funnybrowngirl Twitter: twitter.com/funnybrowngirl Instagram: Instagram.com/funnybrowngirl TikTok: tiktok.com/@funnybrowngirl
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