Creative Roots Podcast
Creative Roots Podcast is where stories begin. Every week, host Tae sits down with artists, entrepreneurs, and makers of all kinds to explore the journey before the spotlight—when the vision was still raw, and the hustle was rooted in passion, not popularity. We go beneath the surface—talking consistency, growth, setbacks, and the real creative process. Whether you’re an early-stage creative or someone finding your way back to your roots, this podcast is here to inspire, reflect, and remind you why you started in the first place. 🌱 New episodes drop every Thursday.
Episodes
Continuing with Mental Health Awareness Month, we sit down with Nurse Practitioner Valeea, who brings over 15 years of healthcare experience and has been practicing as a Nurse Practitioner since 2018. Her passion for motivating, encouraging, and educating shines throughout this powerful conversation.
In this episode, we dive into personal experiences ranging from growing up as latch-key kids to living along...
As we continue Mental Health Awareness Month, we sit down with Deloris Calhoun-Wright, author of A Child In The Middle.
This conversation goes far beyond the pages of the book. We dive head first into the reality of growing up between two separate households and the emotional weight placed on children when the adults around them are still trying to figure things out themselves.
A Child In The Middle is more than a tit...
New month. New guests. Real conversations.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re kicking things off with Modd from Active Dad: a community focused on rewriting the story of fatherhood and creating space for men to grow, heal, and show up differently.
This episode goes deeper than surface-level talk. We get into past childhood trauma, the responsibility of raising young Black men, and what...
One year in.
In this episode of Creative Roots, we kept it simple. Just a real conversation between us reflecting on the journey so far.
We talk about the moments that stood out, the guests who left an impact, what we’ve learned along the way, and how the podcast has grown over the past year. From the early days to now, this episode is about taking a step back and recognizing the process.
...
Dyme is back on Creative Roots, and this conversation goes exactly where it needs to.
The topic is simple, but not easy:
“Starting Over or Keep Going?”
What starts as a focused conversation quickly takes a turn after one show-stopping statement that shifts the entire direction of the episode. From there, it becomes an open, honest discussion - the kind you can’t script.
We get into:
This episode of Creative Roots is a little different and a lot of fun.
Tae sits down with his two sons and the neighbor’s kid for a real conversation about video games, but from a perspective you don’t always hear… the kids themselves.
We talk about:
How video games can actually be educational
Learning strategy, problem-solving, and decision-making through gaming
How they feel abou...
In this episode of Creative Roots, we sit down with Jae of A Jae Of All Trades: a creative entrepreneur using her God-given gifts to build tools that actually help creators move with intention.
From custom mugs and cups to the standout piece of this episode: her Social Media Journal. Jae is creating resources designed to help you stay organized, consistent, and focused on your goals across every platform.
And this isn...
In this episode of Creative Roots, Tae sits down with his cousin Naomi from Nae’s Bookshelf — an avid reader, content creator, and advocate for literacy and representation.
Naomi is currently a student at North Carolina A&T State University with plans to pursue a career in law, but her love for reading started long before that. Coming from a family of educators, she turned that passion into action by cr...
There’s a part of the creative journey nobody really talks about.
Not the beginning. Not the success. The middle.
In this episode of Creative Roots, Tae and Shamar sit down to unpack “The Uncomfortable Middle Phase.” That space where you’re no longer new, but not quite where you want to be either.
This is where doubt creeps in.
Where progress feels slow.
Where most people quietly stop showing up.
We talk abou...
In this episode of Creative Roots, Tae sits down with Ty from the Ty Talks Podcast, and from the moment the cameras start rolling, you can tell this one is going to be a good time.
Ty came through the studio ready for jokes, laughs, and real conversation with the team. On his podcast, Ty covers a wide range of topics including sports, family, culture, and everyday life, and this conversation follows that sa...
Today’s episode of Creative Roots looks a little different - we’re going virtual.
Tae taps in with Ammar, the other half behind Kolor Magazine, for a thoughtful conversation about the state of creatives, embracing new and humble beginnings, and what it looks like to approach life and creativity with a different mindset.
This episode explores:
The current landscape creatives are navigating<...
In this episode of Creative Roots, Tae sits down with Chef Fonz, the creator behind Black Gourmet CLT, for a conversation that blends movies, music, and of course… food.
Chef Fonz shares his journey from music and film into the kitchen, revealing how creativity doesn’t always stay in one lane. What started as a passion eventually turned into a business, serving plates throughout Charlotte in salons, barbers...
We’re closing out our February series, “Love God, Love Yourself,” with a powerful and heartfelt conversation.
In this episode of Creative Roots, Tae sits down with Kendall O’Neal, co-host of Authentic N Christ and founder of Yahweh for Her. Kendall is a woman of faith whose vision extends beyond words - into journals, conversations, and a lifestyle that reflects alignment with God.
This episode get...
This episode of Creative Roots continues our February series, “Love God, Love Yourself,” with a timely and honest conversation.
Gaura Guzman joins Tae to unpack a shared realization:
2026 is the Year of Execution.
After spending much of 2025 planning, preparing, and sitting on ideas that never saw the light of day, both Tae and Gaura felt a clear shift - it’s time to move. Not rushed. Not force...
This episode of Creative Roots continues our February theme, “Love God, Love Yourself,” with a real and thoughtful conversation.
Tae sits down with Jonathan Everett, host and founder of the In Due SZN Podcast who’s been podcasting consistently for nearly two years. As he prepares to launch his website and upcoming merch, Jon opens up about his journey as a podcaster, creator, and believer navigating faith i...
February on Creative Roots is themed “Love God, Love Yourself”, and we’re kicking it off with a meaningful conversation.
In this episode, Tae sits down with Cydnee Hymes, founder of The F3 Brand and co-host of Authentic N Christ Podcast to unpack what loving God and loving yourself truly means - beyond the surface.
Cydnee opens the conversation by answering the question:
“What comes to mind...
This episode of Creative Roots is a moment to pause, reflect, and spotlight the voices that have already passed through the studio.
Due to inclement weather, we chose not to force a full sit-down conversation. Instead, this curated episode highlights key moments, gems, laughs, and reflections from past guests and our live session, reminding us why Creative Roots exists in the first place.
These cli...
In this episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, Tae sits down with Terrance McLeod, filmmaker and cinematographer, to break down his creative journey and how he successfully released his film “A Season For Love” on Tubi, along with platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube.
Terrance shares what the independent filmmaking process really looks like-from understanding the fundamentals of cinemato...
In this episode of Creative Roots, Tae sits down with a graduating classmate and trusted professional, Natasha - a licensed therapist, speaker, writer, and Founder of Up Company, PLLC.
Titled “2026: Ambitious Goals and Mental Health,” this conversation hits a necessary balance: dreaming big while protecting your mental well-being.
With so many creatives - including past guests and Tae himself - ope...
In this episode of Creative Roots, Tae sits down with Kashh - a music artist, photographer, and model who’s actively building across multiple creative lanes.
This conversation gets straight to the point. No filler. No surface-level talk.
We break down:
What it really means to take your craft seriously
The business mindset creatives need to sustain momentum
Parallels between music produc...
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