From Insecure to Activist: Kendrick Sampson on Art as Resistance | The Seeds with Alana Hadid

Why does Kendrick Sampson have beef with Leos? (We get into that… but this conversation goes way deeper.) Actor, activist, and creative force Kendrick Sampson (Insecure, Miss Juneteenth) joins host, Alana Hadid, for a bold and honest conversation about power, identity, and the lies we've been sold about success. He opens up about growing up as a misfit in Texas, the influence of his radical collaborations with Boots Riley, and how spirituality and community shape everything he does — on screen and off. This episode is about building systems that serve people instead of profits, connecting back to nature, and telling stories that actually shift culture.

Chapters:

00:00 Why does Kendrick hate Leos?

00:22 SKIP INTRO

02:31 Who is Kendrick Sampson?

03:28 Childhood and Being a Misfit

09:22 Boots Riley and Creative Collabs

13:42 Kendrick’s Seed

16:26 Reflections on American Delusion

19:27 Family History and Identity

29:12 Community

30:54 Spirituality and Connection to Nature

31:45 Building Power Through Story

32:13 Basic Human Needs and Economy

32:46 Technology and Systemic Barriers

34:07 Understanding True Power

40:03 Mental Health and Vulnerability

45:53 Speed Round

56:25 Knafeh and Final Thoughts

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Dustlight Productions, Watermelon Pictures, or any of their affiliates, employees, officers, or representatives. These companies do not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made during the podcast.

Follow the Show:
📸 Instagram: @theseedsfm
🎥 Presented by Watermelon Pictures
🎙️ Produced by Dustlight Productions

Follow Alana Hadid:
 IG: @lanzybear
 TikTok: @alanahadid

Follow Kendrick Sampson:
 IG: @kendrick38

Credits:
Host – Alana Hadid
Showrunner & Executive Producer – Misha Euceph
Executive Producers – Badie Ali, Hamza Ali
Associate Producer – Munir Atalla
Producer & Researcher – Sarah Moawad
Editor, DP, & Sound Engineer – Mike O’Brien
Intro Sequence Director – Mahnoor Euceph
Production Designer – Kendra Bradanini
Art Assistant – Noor Salim
Design – Alicia Tatone
Composer – Andy Clausen
Intro Colorist – Chehade Boulos
Tech – Randy Burgess
Marketing – Kristina Ferris & Daniela Sapkar
Special thanks: Lighthouse Studios, Jack Menzies, Gordy Michie, Isabella Calderon, Sammy Strittmatter, Chrissy Maron, Sara Mengesha, Edwin Henry.

 #TheSeeds #KendrickSampson #AlanaHadid #Masculinity #MentalHealth #SlowLiving #BlackCulture #Palestine #Gaza #Texas #Insecure #HBO #IssaRae #BootsRiley #ImAVirgo #Art #Acting #Activism #Power #Community #Nature #Neighbors #Technology #Isolation #Loneliness #Convenience