Friends Like Us

On this Friends Like Us... Ever wondered about the impact of AI on media or the hidden history of our college institutions?  Listen to my conversation with Kenice Mobley and Kimberly Clark, as we tackle topics and give our guests their flowers!  Give it a listen and spread the word!  

Kimberly ...

On this Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin talks with Hollie Harper and Von Decarlo about empowering young girls through stand-up comedy.  They take a deep dive into how humor can be a tool for confidence and self-expression. 

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...

On this Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin chats with talented comedians Chanel Ali and Brandon Collins! They talk about comedy, the Drunk Black History tour, and the significance of Juneteenth. Tune in for a dose of humor and education!

Brandon Collins is a versatile screenwriter, comedian and podcaster who has performed at the SXSW and New York Comedy Festival, and has had appearances in various MTV, VH1, and Max ...

Ready to break through mental barriers? Tune into our latest episode with Courtney A. Seard as we dive into mindset shifts, empowerment, and beating the odds! Featuring funny friend Nonye Brown-West.

Courtney A. Seard : With over 20 years of experience in the most innovative mind sciences and a firsthand story of resilience after a near-fatal accident, Courtney has worked with the world’s leading startups and Fortune 500 companies ...

This Friends Like Us, Host Marina Franklin and Vanessa Fraction talk with Damon Young, Author of his new book: That's How They Get You" . It sparks a thoughtful conversation on teeth, black comedy, and the power of humor.

Pittsburgh writer DAMON YOUNG’s debut memoir, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays (Ecco), won the Thurber Prize for American Humor. A founder of the culture blog Very Smart Brothas and crea...

On Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin dives deep into critical discussions on black maternal health with the incredible Dr. Wylin D. Wilson and comedian Ashima Franklin. Empower yourself with knowledge, laughter, and inspiration! 

Wylin D. Wilson is Associate Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School where she teaches Womanist Bioethics within the Theology Medicine and Culture program. She...

Friends Like Us celebrates Malcolm X's  100th birthday! Join host Marina Franklin as she talks with Tamara Payne and Troy LaRaviere as they discuss the impact of his teachings and how they resonate today. Tune in and be inspired!  Tamara Payne sheds light on her father Les Payne's groundbreakin...

 This Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin and Hollie Harper chat with the incredible Sumer Strawbree, a 15-year-old CEO inspiring young girls with her empowering coloring books and confidence-building affirmations! 

Sumer Strawbree, is a 15 year old speaker, author and affirmations authority. She helps girls unleash the power of positive "I Am" affirmat...

Discover the magic of community-driven cat rescue in our latest Friends Like Us episode. Join host Marina Franklin, Becky Wisdom from Green Point Cats, and comedian Subhah Agarwal as they chat about cat colonies, TNR, and the urgency to help communities in the over populations of cats. 

Becky Wisdom is the founder of Greenpoint Cats, a leading Brooklyn-based animal rescue organization focused on TNR (trap, neuter, retu...

Dive into Friends Like Us as host Marina Franklin talks with veteran comedians Ralph Harris, Keith Robinson, and Charles Walden. They share stories, laughs, and insights on what keeps them thriving in the industry. 

Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He was a regular on Comedy ...

Marina Franklin host comedy giants on Friends Like Us! Tune in as Ralph Harris, Charles Walden, and Keith Robinson share stories about their journey, friendship, and the comedic landscape today. It's a laughter-packed episode with comedy legends!

Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward hum...

Marina Franklin talks with guest Professor Marlene Daut and Nonye Brown-West. They dive into the incredible history of Haiti with Dr. Marlene Daut on the latest episode of Friends Like Us. Discover the power of education and representation in shaping our narratives. 

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. S...

Dive into an inspiring episode, as host Marina Franklin talks with Mayor Randall Woodfin and Roy Wood Jr. on Friends Like Us! From community empowerment to leadership and Randall Woodfin's new memoir, "Sons of Birmingham,".

Hear how these sons of Birmingham are making waves. 

Randall Woodfin was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and after four years in Atlanta earning...

You don't have to be perfect to find true love! Join host Marina Franklin as she and funny friend Von Decarlo dives in to finding true love with dating coach Francesca Hogi in our latest episode. Learn how self-love and authenticity lead the way to meaningful connections. 

Francesca Hogi is a coach, speaker, and writer. She teaches people how to truly love themselves and find true love. She's the founder o...

Marina Franklin talks with the first African American Rockette, Jennifer Jones and comedian Jenny Saldana. Jennifer Jones  shares her journey from a child to the first African American Rockette. Discover her inspiring story in 'Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience.'" #RockettesAnniversary #DreamBig

Meet Jennifer Jones, who has her new memoir: Becoming Spectacular :The Rhythm of Resilience from th...

On this Friends Like Us for Women's Month: Marina Franklin talks with Calise Hawkins and Mia Jackson, breaking down the impact of boycotts, the necessity of taking breaks, and sharing laughs with incredible women. 

Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for “native”). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the Critic's Choice Best Sta...

Join Marina Franklin, Dr. Brittany Friedman, and Akeem Woods in an eye-opening discussion on Dr. Friedman's new book: "Carceral Apartheid. How Lies and White Supremacists Run Our Prisons." Learn about the systemic issues within America's prisons and how history repeats itself without intervention.

Dr. Brittany Friedman is recognized as an innovative thinker on how people and institutions hide harmful truth...

From laughter to resilience: Joanna Briley and Nonye Brown-West join host Marina Franklin to highlight the Black Women In Comedy Laugh Fest's mission of community building.

Joanna Briley. Brooklyn born, Connecticut raised. Hilarity ensued. Joanna’s worked for the MTA 34 years and it’s made her one of the friendliest Token Booth Clerks. With her love of stand up comedy and outrageous subway stories, Ms. Briley has writt...

In this episode, Marina Franklin hosts Shari Dunn, author of 'Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work,' and comedian Kenice Mobley. The conversation covers the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, competency checking, and the pervasive assumption of black intellectual inferiority.

Shari Dunn is a polymath, an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news...