It's Personal Podcast

It's Personal Podcast

Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr. Gary is a teacher in Manila (Philippines). He enjoys talking with anyone who is willing to listen and share their stories with him. On this podcast you will find a talk series from Gary in which he dives deep into his childhood and current life. He takes the time to dissect his decision making and "accomplishments" up until now, and if he is truly living a full life. On his second podcast series #ItsPersonal, Gary speaks with educators, authors, teachers, parents, people from all walks of life on who they are behind the computer. His mission is to speak with those from the Global Majority, and listen. He takes guest on a ride down memory lane, asking personal questions about identity and true meaning of life. It's not your typical pod. And don't expect professional editing. You can find Gary on all social media platforms @GaryRGrayJr

Episodes

October 30, 2024 31 mins

Hanna Cha, a Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator and writer known for her enchanting storytelling through art. Hanna shares her journey from a vagabond life between Seoul and the U.S. to becoming the creator of beloved books like *Tiny Feet Between the Mountains* and *The Truth about Dragons*. Learn about her creative process and what inspires her whimsical illustrations. With insights into her experiences at the Rhode Island...

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Nikki Grimes was born in Harlem and spent her childhood moving through various neighborhoods in New York. As a foster child from a broken home, she faced constant farewells to new friends. In this challenging environment, reading and writing became her lifelines. When she had no one to confide in, Grimes poured her thoughts and feelings into poems and stories. An enthusiastic reader, she would check out library books during the day...

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Jason Reynolds shares his thoughts on life, the transformative power of storytelling, and the deep influence of his mother throughout his journey. We dive into his latest work, 24 Seconds from Now, which he describes as a love story for the ages, highlighting the intricate connections between love, identity, and personal growth.  


Our conversation explores the vital importance of normalizing anxiety and vulnerability, discu...

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Samira Ahmed discusses her new book, This Book Won't Burn, which explores family life and the alarming issue of book bans in America.

In this episode, Ahmed dives into the importance of storytelling and the challenges faced by diverse voices in today's literary world. She reflects on her experiences growing up in a multicultural family and how those experiences shaped her writing.

Listeners can expect a thoughtful conversation about ...

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Cozbi A. Cabrera: Illustrating and Writer for Young Readers with Representation in Mind  Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator Cozbi Cabrera takes us on a journey through her creative process, sharing intimate moments from her childhood that have deeply influenced her goal of providing authentic representation for young readers through her work.  

In this episode, Cozbi opens up about her path to becoming a ...

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Michael Arceneaux shares COPING WITH LOSS of his mother and the essays in his new book "I Finally Bought Some Jordans" that reflect on his close relationship with his mom and the complexities of family.   

Arceneaux discusses the mix of humor and heavy issues in his writing, including topics like personal finance, celebrity encounters, and navigating the pandemic. His candid reflections on family, grief, and his journey to...

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Poet, writer, and educator Dr. Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry. The audio experience is a true delight, with Tony's writing and narration shared with such passion and joy - it truly sounds like a rap album! 

Ton...

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Artist and author Gracey Zhang shares insights into her diverse creative portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her art and writing.  From her early days exploring the world through her travels, to her immersion in the vibrant art scene at one of the top art schools in the world, Gracey's path to artistic success has been a winding and inspiring one. Delve into the inspirations behind her beautiful picture boo...

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Luana Horry, a passionate SENIOR EDITOR at HARPERCOLLINS Children's Books, who is revolutionizing the world of children's literature. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, a hub of extraordinary talents, Luana has made it her mission to diversify the publishing industry and amplify underrepresented voices.  

As a trailblazer in her field, Luana has worked on beloved titles such as "Not Quite Snow White" and "My Hair," championing...

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Best SELLING AUTHOR, Nick Brooks, the mind behind the critically acclaimed novel "The Promise Boys," talks about RELATIONSHIPS, and the music industry.  

Nick delves deep into the personal experiences that have shaped his literary journey, from his time creating music and working with renowned record labels, to the profound impact of becoming a "girl dad" and the importance of amplifying Black and Brown voices. 

Discover ho...

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Acclaimed children's book author Ellen Oh takes us on a captivating journey, sharing insights into her diverse literary portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her writing. 

From her early days as a lawyer and college instructor to her transition into the world of children's literature, explore Ellen's path to literary success. Delve into the inspirations behind her middle grade novels and her love for this age ...

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Fredrick Joseph, New York Times Best Selling author, thought-provoking speaker, and advocate for equity and social justice, joins us for a captivating conversation. Fredrick will discuss his new poetry collection "We Alive, Beloved," which explores a new genre that seeks to find joy in moments of difficulty.

Whether illuminating the beauty of being Black, highlighting the hope that can be found in childhood, or sharing intimate trut...

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As we sit down with Saadia Faruqi, a talented writer and advocate for diversity in children's literature. Saadia shares her inspiring journey of writing books that resonate with her daughter, with a strong desire for her to see herself represented in literature. We explore the importance of having range in writing, capturing the early years, middle school, and older ages to cater to a wide audience. Saadia also discusses her miss...
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Join us on this episode of the podcast as we dive deep into the life and experiences of Antonio Michael Downing, author, musician, and speaker. Antonio shares his journey growing up in Toronto and the profound influence his grandmother had on his life and family. We explore the pressures that people of color face when creating and the challenges of letting go of control when it comes to something you've built and created. Antonio...
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Join us on this episode of the podcast as we chat with Ekiuwa Aire, founder of Our Ancestories. Ekiuwa shares her experiences growing up in boarding school in Nigeria and how her family, especially her kids, inspired her to write books that represent African history and culture. She also discusses her biggest influence, Vasti Harrison, and how her work has impacted her own writing. Tune in to learn more about Ekiuwa's journey and...
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Jennifer Baker was named the 2019 Publishers Weekly Star Watch “SuperStar” because her “varied work championing diversity in publishing has made her an indispensable fixture in the book business.” She is the recipient of a 2017 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship and a 2017 Queens Council on the Arts New Work Grant (as well as the QCA Jr. Board Artistic Excellence Award) in Nonfiction. Her essay “What We Aren’t” was also listed as a Notab...
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Nawal Qarooni is an educator, writer, and adjunct professor who supports a holistic approach to literacy instruction and family experiences in schools across the country. Drawing on her work as an inquiry-based leader, mother, and proud daughter of immigrants, Nawal's pedagogy is centered on the rich and authentic learning all families gift their children every day. Upcoming book: Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations: Elevating Ho...
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Breanna J. McDaniel (she/her/hers) is the co-founder of REIYL (Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature) and an author. She’s published in myriad academic journals, an academic anthology and her debut picture book Hands Up! was published with Dial Books in 2019, while her newest picture book Impossible Moon was published with Denene Millner Books in June of 2022. She has five forthcoming picture books, one with Dial GO FOR...
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Jamila is such a warm soul. In 2017 Jamila created a lifestyle design coaching methodology to help people find intentional, aligned, and strategic ways to transform their lives into what they want them to be. Jamila is also the host of a podcast called Deliberate and Doing it Afraid, where stories, reflections, and revelations are shared. On Its Personal Jamila talks about the art of living, growing up in the south, design, and mo...
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Born the second of six cool kids. The South Bronx is where he first opened his eyelids. A land shrouded in bright-colored decay, the birthplace of graffiti and the hip-hop DJ! He paints fantasy worlds of elephants, and castles too! Accompanying this wonder is some whimsical truth. Charles has a voice that is seldom heard. A fusion of jazz, distorted guitars, and chirping birds. C.G chats never being a reader, and starting to draw ...
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