KeyBARD
Welcome to the KeyBARD Podcast, hosted by Artist/Educator Thembi Duncan. In each episode, Thembi sits down with trailblazers, visionaries, and innovators who are shaping the landscape of our world. From distinguished educators to acclaimed artists and tech pioneers, KeyBARD offers a platform for thought-provoking conversations that transcend boundaries and spark new ideas. Whether you're passionate about the arts, intrigued by technology, or committed to advancing education, KeyBARD has something for everyone. Subscribe to stay up to date! Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768
Episodes
Dr. Albert Bramante is a New York-based talent agent, psychology professor, certified hypnotist, and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) practitioner whose new book, Rise Above the Script, challenges actors to overcome imposter syndrome and self-sabotage.
Connect with Dr. Bramante:
Mentioned: Grit by Angela Duckworth
Ke...
Host Thembi Duncan speaks with JT Dorsey, former professional soccer player and founder of the JT Dorsey Foundation, about how the game of soccer has become a powerful tool for guiding young people toward greatness.
Coach-Mentor JT shares how an elementary school teacher first introduced him to the sport, and how that moment evolved into a lifelong commitment to youth development.
He reflects on lessons in discipline, ...
In this episode, Thembi sits down with Dr. Julie Donley, a leadership coach, award-winning author, and behavioral health expert with nearly three decades of experience helping people lead with empathy and purpose.
Dr. Donley shares insights from her latest book and opens up about how leaders can balance empathy with accountability, manage emotional labor, and navigate the rise of AI in the workplace without losing the ...
In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with Karen Saxon, music educator, performer, and co-founder of Ansari Saxon Productions.
Karen shares:
- Why she “tripped into” teaching and what keeps her in the classroom.
- The biggest lesson she’s learned from her students after over 25 years of teaching.
- What authenticity means in her work and in her life.
- The role of representation in her journey, from seeing Kathleen Bat...
In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with the brilliant and beloved Jefferson A. Russell, a powerhouse stage actor and resident company member of Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD, USA. Jefferson’s path has taken him from law enforcement to the footlights, and his reflections on joy, grief, resilience, and the evolution of his artistry are profoundly moving.
They discuss:
- How childhood experiences shaped his...
Host Thembi Duncan welcomes Victoria Forsman and Jessica Slayback, co-founders of The REALM (Redesigning Education and Living Meaningfully), a vibrant educational community in Santa Monica California that’s been changing the way kids learn for 15 years.
They share their inspiration for creating REALM and describe what it takes to create a thriving student-centered learning model in today’s world. They also cover:
- Wh...
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan talks with award-winning actor, director, and educator Deidra LaWan Starnes for an unfiltered conversation about her lifelong career in theatre. With honesty, humor, and heart, Deidra reflects on what it means to lead in the American theatre as a woman of faith.
We talk about:
- Her journey through the arts
- The role of her faith in her self-actualization and habits of mind
- ...
Sharon Dunlevy shares her journey from special education to foster care advocacy, offering deep insights on trauma-informed education, caregiver collaboration, and what it takes to truly support vulnerable kids in school. We talk about:
- Why childhood trauma is a brain response, not just an event
- What teachers and schools often miss about foster care
- The importance of individualized education and inclusive classrooms
- H...
In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with William Hollis (or just “Hollis”), a self-taught software engineer, real estate investor, and now the founder and CEO of Raise AI, a platform using agentic artificial intelligence to revolutionize how capital is raised.
He talks about growing up in Hollis, Queens, and how his environment shaped not just his worldview but his work ethic. Hollis also shares how a DIY spir...
In this episode, Thembi sits down with Warren Wilansky, founder and president of Plank, a digital agency with more than 25 years of experience designing meaningful, accessible, and story-driven websites.
Warren shares how his background in history and storytelling shaped his approach to ethical web design and how Plank has remained a trusted partner for organizations in the arts, higher education, and the nonprofit sec...
In this episode of KeyBARD, I sit down with actor, director, and educator Fatima Quander, whose 20+ year career in theater is deeply rooted in research, collaboration, and cultural responsibility.
We talk about everything from her first spark of inspiration in a second-grade classroom closet to her current work, teaching and directing at the University of Maryland.
Fatima shares how she approaches directing through an ...
Part 2 of 2
Our discussion continues with actor, writer, and teaching artist J.J. Johnson taking us deeper into his creative process.
He shares what it’s like to navigate the vulnerability, pressure, and freedom of creating a solo theatre piece, as well as the intensely collaborative nature of writing for film.
He also reflects on the origins of Galvanize, a truly special network for Black theatricals in the DMV, celeb...
In Part One of this two-part conversation, Thembi sits down with actor, writer, and teaching artist James J. Johnson, known to many as J.J.
He opens up about growing up as a quirky, intelligent, and imaginative kid in the small town of Front Royal, Virginia, and we dive into his earliest artistic influences, how humor became his tool for connection, the evolution of his creative process, and the semi-autobiographical p...
This episode of KeyBARD features Jared Redick, an award-winning, sought-after master teacher, choreographer, and coach whose leadership has shaped the global dance community.
A third-generation ballet dancer, Jared blends a deep respect for classical traditions with an innovative approach to contemporary work.
He currently serves as a full professor and Assistant Dean of Dance at the University of North Carolina Schoo...
Dr. Ilke Demir, Senior Staff Research Scientist, Intel
What makes us human in the age of artificial intelligence?
In this episode, Thembi speaks with Dr. Ilke Demir, a pioneering research scientist whose work explores the intersection of AI, digital integrity, and creative technology.
From detecting deepfakes using biological signals to defending artists’ rights in an AI-saturated world, Dr. Demir offers a grounded, com...
Alan Sharpe, ACT
What does it take to build a theatrical legacy that centers the lives and truths of Black LGBTQIA+ folx? In this episode, Thembi sits down with prolific playwright, director, and founder of the African American Collective Theatre (ACT), Alan Sharpe, whose work spans decades of dedication to sharing the full range of Black queer experiences.
- Alan's lifelong artistic journey
- Why Washington, D.C. ...
Keta Newborn: A Life Rewritten Through Theatre
There are moments in life when everything seems set—the destination clear, the plan solid. And then, something unexpected happens, shifting everything we thought we knew. Today’s guest, Keta Newborn, knows this journey well.
After 12 years as a computer engineer, Keta faced a life-altering challenge that forced her to rethink everything. But rather than letting it define he...
From Military Leadership to Instructional Design: Dr. Dwayne Wood on AI, Education, and Rethinking Grading
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan interviews Dr. Dwayne Wood, an educator, instructional designer, and military veteran with over 22 years of experience in the U.S. Army. Now a leader in instructional design and curriculum development, Dr. Wood shares how his military background shaped his approach to...
In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed director and educator Eric Ruffin to explore the artistry, history, and purpose that fuel his work. We talk about his unexpected journey from actor, to Navy submariner, to visionary theatre director, and how his lived experiences have shaped the way he tells stories.
Eric shares his insights on:
✅ Theatre as a tool for visibility and healing
✅ The responsibility of B...
What kind of art would you create if money was no object? What stories would you tell?
It’s a powerful question, but in American theatre, too few artists ever get to explore it.
In Part 2 of my conversation with actor/playwright Keith Hamilton Cobb, we unpack what it really takes to make meaningful work in an industry that often prioritizes profit over process. We discuss:
- Art Without Limits – What theatre could l...
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