Identified with Nabil Ayers
Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity. In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics. Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family? Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique. The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.
Episodes
Is Blood Really Family? In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with Traci Thomas, creator and host of The Stacks Podcast, to explore the deeply personal terrain of identity, family, and legacy. Traci opens up about growing up mixed-race with older parents, navigating loss at a young age, and the impact of her Black and Jewish heritage on how she views belonging.
Their conversation weaves through themes of grief, ...
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by acclaimed comedian, actor, and musician Tim Heidecker for an unexpectedly candid conversation about ancestry, grief, and identity. Tim traces the impact of family tragedy across generations—from the death of his grandfather’s mother in childbirth, to the s...
What if your most formative identity traits come from people you didn’t grow up with?
In this powerful episode of Identified, rapper and queer icon Cakes Da Killa reflects on growing up in Teaneck, New Jersey, raised by his teenage mother and ...
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers speaks with Bandsplain host Yasi Salek, who shares a moving, honest account of growing up Iranian-American in 1980s Los Angeles. Yasi discusses her family’s immigration story post-Iranian revolution, her experience being the &ldq...
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers speaks with Massima Bell—music producer, model, activist, and co-creator of Transa—about her journey through gender, place, and chosen family.
Massima grew up between two vastly different worlds: a 100-year-old farmhouse in rural Iow...
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers is joined by Jad Abumrad—artist, musician, journalist, and creator of Radiolab, Dolly Parton’s America, More Perfect, and
Nabil Ayers is joined by writer Casey Kahn, who opens up about her personal journey through adoption, identity, and ancestry. Casey was adopted at two days old, raised by a deeply loving family in a tight-knit home—but everything changed when she had her own children and began searching for answers about her origins.
Read more
In this deeply personal episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by Dani Shapiro, the bestselling author and host of the podcast Family Secrets.
Dani shares the stunning revelation that changed her life: learning through a DNA test that the man...
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by Devi Mambouka, the artist and producer behind Masma Dream World, for a reflective conversation on ancestry, spirituality, and chosen family.
Born in Gabon and raised by her mother’...
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with David Cross—Emmy-winning comedian, writer, and actor, best known for Mr. Show with Bob and David, Arrested Development, and
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers talks with Youngmi Mayer—comedian, author, and host of the acclaimed Feeling Asian podcast—about growing up biracial in South Korea, the long shadow of generational trauma, and the unresolvable contradictions that shape our identitie...
In this standout episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with EGOT-winning artist, activist, and cultural icon John Legend to talk about family, race, ancestry, and the stories that shape who we are.
John opens up about growing up in a tightly kni...
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by Laura Lee, founding member and bassist of the globally acclaimed band Khruangbin, for a vulnerable and wide-ranging conversation about family, ancestry, identity—and what it means to raise a child while on tour.
Laura shares the emotional story of her parents’...
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with acclaimed artist, author, and entrepreneur, Chase Jarvis, for a candid and deeply reflective conversation about family, memory, and the evolving nature of connection.
Chase talks about growing up as an only child in a tightly knit...
In this profoundly personal episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers speaks with musician, actor, and visual artist Tunde Adebimpe—best known as a founding member of TV on the Radio—about identity, ancestry, and surviving deep personal loss.
Tunde traces his journey from growing up...
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by acclaimed musician and author Neko Case for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation about inherited silence, cultural disconnection, and what it means to choose your own family.
Neko shares the experience of growing up with emotionall...
In the premiere of Identified Season Two, Nabil Ayers speaks with musician and activist Tom Morello about his extraordinary upbringing and journey toward understanding his identity. Tom shares stories about his trailblazing mother—an adventurous white teacher from a small Illinois town who raised him alone as a Black child in a segregated suburb—and the complex legacy of his absent Ken...
That's a wrap on Season One of Identified.
In this final recap episode, Nabil Ayers revisits memorable conversations with guests. Highlights include Ione Skye's poignant connection with her musician father, Geoff Rickly's stories of family legacy and rebellion, Dawn Richard's reflections on the impact of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina on her identity, and Foo Fighters bassist Nate Mendel's evolving relationship with the late Tay...
In the season finale of Identified Season One, Nabil Ayers interviews activist Nelini Stamp. In their conversation, Nelini reflects on her upbringing with a large but disconnected network of half-siblings from her father's side in Belize, contrasted with a close-knit Puerto Rican family on her mother's side. The conversation delves into cultural and political histories of Belize and Puerto Rico, addressing themes of race, class, an...
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers talks with musician and record label founder Mac McCaughan. They discuss the various ways McCaughan defines family, from his upbringing in South Florida to his influential music career with Superchunk and Merge Records. Mac shares personal stories about performing music with his father and son, the impact of moving to North Carolina, and the evolution of his band and record label. The...
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
"SmartLess" with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. What ensues is a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation filled with laughter and newfound knowledge to feed the SmartLess mind. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.