Episodes

Ep 73: Alberto Aguilar on Making Art from Everyday Life Summary of the Episode: In this episode of noseyAF: Conversations About Art, Activism, and Social Change, artist and host Stephanie Graham sits down with Alberto Aguilar, a multidisciplinary artist known for transforming everyday moments and interactions into meaningful creative expressions. The conversation explores how Aguilar weaves art into the rhythms of family, teaching, and community life. If you’ve ever wondered how to sustain crea...

Ep # 72: Mastering the Art of Growth: Insights from Kenyatta Griggs “Every experience is a tool—what you build is up to you.”- Kenyatta Griggs Summary of the episode Its the last episode of Season 5 of noseyAF and we are closing out with a wonderful conversation with Kenyatta Griggs! Kenyatta Griggs (Dr Yatta!), is an esteemed barber, author, and filmmaker, exemplifying the intersection of personal development and hip hop culture. His influential platform, Hip Hop Motivation, serves as a bea...

Ep 71- noseyAF Live!: Faux Fur, Circus Stories, Feelings, and Soft Power with Catie Burrell “Textile work has always been a silent language, especially among women.”- Catie Burrell Summary of the episode: The inaugural episode of noseyAF on Lumpen Radio introduces host Stephanie Graham and her signature blend of curiosity, creativity, and community. In this candid conversation, Stephanie sits down with Chicago-based fiber artist Catie Burrill to discuss the intersection of art, activism, and ...

Ep 70:🎉 Big News: noseyAF Is Now a Live Radio Show! Summary of the episode Friends!! Stephanie’s got a mic, a mixing board, and a whole new way to be nosy. This is your official heads-up: noseyAF is now a live radio show on Lumpen Radio in Chicago 105.5FM, and you’re invited to the party. Here’s the what, why, and how — plus a teaser of what went down in our very first broadcast. Resources mentioned in this episode Bonnie DeShong Howard Stern Lumpen Radio Bad At Sports Chicago Art Department C...

Ep # 69: Liberation, Softness, and A Good Ol’ Banjo “I'm brilliant because my ancestors were brilliant.” - EbonyJanice Welcome to episode 69, Liberation, Softness, and A Good Ol’ Banjo! This episode invites you to reflect on your own journey toward softness, wholeness, and unapologetic self-expression. Whether you’re an artist, activist, or simply someone looking to heal, EbonyJanice’s insights will leave you feeling inspired and ready to embrace your truth. ✨ Episode Summary In this robu...

Ep #68: Jewelry, Tech & Authenticity with Helen with the Gold Teeth Summary of the episode Helen with the Gold Teeth is here! Y’all, this episode is a treat. Helen Harris, aka Helen with the Gold Teeth, shares her incredible journey from engineering to luxury jewelry, proving that sometimes, the best career moves are the unexpected ones. We dive into her philosophy on accessible luxury, the personal storytelling behind her work, and how she’s redefining what high-end jewelry can be—especial...

Welcome to episode 67: From nosey to necessary: The Impact of Evantson Made with Lisa Degliantoni "I started this work at 40, which just goes to show that it’s never too late to begin something new and impactful" - Lisa Degliantoni Summary of the episode Today's conversation centers on the vital role of community arts education and advocacy, delivered with profound insights from Lisa Degliantoni, a dedicated advocate for artists in her community. As the founder and co-director of Evanston Mad...

Ep 66: Embrace the Real You: Ditch the 'New Year, New You' Myth Summary of the episode The latest episode of noseyAF dives into the concept of self-acceptance versus the pervasive "New Year, New You" mentality that often pressures individuals to completely reinvent themselves each January. Host Stephanie Graham reflects on her own experiences and goals from the past year, emphasizing the importance of self-trust and embracing who we already are. Guest Valerie Friedlander expands on this idea, d...

Ep 65: Saint Nick Sets The Record Straight Summary of the episode Get ready for a magical holiday treat as our friends of Modern Dadhood, Adam and Mark, sit down for an exclusive interview with Santa Claus himself!! I know so wild! This special episode is designed for the entire family, making it a perfect way to spark joy and excitement in the hearts of children and parents alike. Adam dives into some of the kids' biggest questions about Santa, covering everything from how he manages to visit ...

Ep 64: From Art to Aid: Eric von Haynes on Creating Community Connections Summary of the episode: Today’s conversation centers on the critical distinction between mutual aid and charity, as articulated by our guest, Eric von Haynes. Eric emphasizes that mutual aid is rooted in reciprocity and community connection, contrasting it with the more transactional nature of charity. He shares insights from his extensive work in mutual aid initiatives, including the Love Fridge project, which provides co...

Ep 63: First-Time Vendor: My Experience at a Holiday Market Summary of the episode: Hey friends, welcome back to noseyAF! In this solo episode, Stephanie Graham reflects on the whirlwind of 2024 as December kicks off. Stephanie shares her experience as a first-time vendor at the 476 2nd Annual Holiday Market, hosted by her film union, IATSE. From setting up a cute booth with her cousin Brandy of Poor Little Rich Girl to selling her tiny, inspired pins, Stephanie dives into what it was like to st...

Ep 62: From Disappointment to Determination: A New Path Forward with Brian Pughsley Summary of the episode This episode of noseyAF centers around disappointment and reflection following the 2024 election results, highlighting the importance of community, faith, and resilience. Host Stephanie Graham expresses her pride in the efforts made by individuals who supported Vice President Harris, emphasizing that their hard work should not feel wasted. Reverend Brian Pughsley joins the conversation, of...

Buckle up, everyone! It’s Election Day 2024, and the energy is electric! The stakes are high, the tension is real, and all eyes are on the possibility of a new Madame President. In today’s episode, host Stephanie Graham is joined by her trusted battle buddy, Stephisha YCoy Walton, to break down what this pivotal election means for us all. Join them as they dig into the importance of voter mobilization and civic engagement, sharing their own experiences in activism, from phone banking to grassro...

Ep 60: Doom-Scrolling and Daily Joys Summary of this episode In this episode of noseyAF, host Stephanie shares candid, one-take thoughts on navigating the emotional weight of the current election cycle. She opens up about being glued to the news and refreshing social media while dealing with the uncertainty that comes with it. Stephanie hopes these reflections will resonate with listeners and offer a bit of support during these overwhelming times. She also gives a shoutout to her podcast bestie...

Join Stephanie Graham as she talks about her enamel pins and shares exciting news about her upcoming debut as a vendor at a holiday market. With a passion for creativity and conversation, Stephanie reflects on her journey of making quirky, limited-edition pins that spark joy and connection. From her inspiration at a local artist gallery to her fun designs like the "Freedom Kahlo" and "I Need a Baker," she opens up about her artistic process and the stories behind her creations. Get ready for som...

Ep 58: Hosting with Heart: Breaking the Rules of Traditional Entertaining “The heart of hospitality isn’t about impressing others but making them feel welcome.” — Saanya Ali Summary of the episode Welcome back to episode 58 of nosyAF! In this episode of nosyAF: Conversations About Art, Activism, and Social Change, host Stephanie sits down with Saanya Ali, founder of Soiree, to discuss how she is hosting with heart and redefining hospitality through her creative and joyful approach to gather...

Ep 57: Black Male Friendship: A Love You Bro Update Summary of the episode: In this episode of noseyAF, host Stephanie invites Black men living in Chicago to participate in her ongoing photography project titled "Love You Bro." Launched in 2018, the project aims to document the unique bonds of friendship among Black men through photography. Stephanie shares her inspiration for the project, which stemmed from her personal observations of the loyalty and camaraderie in these friendships. Listener...

Ep 56: Choosing You: Art, Family, Community 🎨👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🤎✊🏾 "You got to choose you." - Pug Atomz, Prince of Art 😎 IFYKYK Hey friends, welcome back to another episode of nosey AF! Today, we have an incredibly versatile Chicago artist, Pugs Atomz, on the show. Pugs is a true Renaissance man, excelling as an emcee, painter, sculptor, fashion designer, and more. In this episode, we dive deep into his multifaceted creative journey. Episode Summary: We start by discussing Pugs' impressive discography, ...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of art submissions. Stephanie answers a listener's burning question: Is it worth paying an entry fee for art opportunities? She breaks down the importance of thorough research, emphasizing the value of understanding the hosting organization, juror, and curator. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting , this episode offers practical advice on navigating the complex landscape of art opportunities with confidence and clarity. Topics discussed...