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
This episode features Stori Daniel, Charlotte Podcast Studio’s longest-running podcaster — and that longevity is no accident.
Stori’s podcast explores mental health, wellness, healing, and real-life conversations that many people avoid but desperately need. In this sit-down with Tae, we unpack her journey into podcasting, the impact of childhood trauma, and how those lived experiences shaped the voice and pur...
This week, Tae sits down with someone he’s called his little brother since high school — Oliver Crooms, one of the most multi-talented creatives in Charlotte. From Spidey N Charlotte, to skilled saxophone player, to the founder of the Carolina Film Festival, Oliver does it all… and does it well.
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of film festivals, what makes a strong submission, how judges evaluate indie fil...
This week, we sit down with Promyse - DJ, host, MC, philanthropist, and one of the realest guys doing it for the culture and the community. Recommended by DJ Kue One, Promyse has been putting in work for nearly 20 years, serving the people through events, charity outreach, music, and leadership.
In this episode, we break down the intricacies of DJ’ing, the art of rapping with cadence, how to read the room, an...
We’re closing out our Thanksgiving run with a special episode featuring Tae, Shamar, and Deana - just us, laughs, and real conversation. This one feels like home.
We catch up with Deana after her internship at Alan Lux Studios, talk about how her journey is moving forward, and dive into the creative wins, challenges, and lessons we’ve all experienced this year. We share what we’re grateful for, how we’ve grow...
Today’s episode features someone incredibly special - my sister, Falon, the creator and owner of Mom Life Kitchen. What started as a simple TikTok idea turned into a growing community across TikTok and Instagram, where she shares real, relatable cooking content for busy families.
Falon isn’t the loud, “look at me” kind of chef - she’s a doer, and when it comes to cooking, she gets straight to it. If you’ve ev...
In this heartfelt episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, Tae reconnects with Chef Walter, the creator and owner of The Perfect Batch Foods, known for his flavorful sauces and seasonings. But this conversation goes far deeper than food.
From his early days cooking in high school home economics class - where people still talk about his dishes - to studying culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University, Chef W...
In this powerful episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, we sit down with Chef Darius J, a passionate creative and culinary artist, for a raw and transparent conversation that goes beyond the kitchen. As the second chef in our Thanksgiving celebration series, Darius opens up about his journey through life, mental health, and healing, sharing how food became both an outlet and a mirror for self-discovery.
From ...
In this episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, we sit down with Chef Naz, a passionate culinary artist whose love for food started at just 3 years old, cooking alongside his grandmothers in the kitchen. From family meals to receiving the ultimate stamp of approval for his sweet potato pie, Chef Naz shares how he turned childhood curiosity into a growing culinary career.
As we kick off our November “Food, Fun,...
This episode is a big one. Tae and Shamar sit down to unpack everything happening behind the scenes at the Creative Roots Podcast - from new milestones to the real challenges of running a podcast and what’s next for the show.
We talk social media growth, guest inquiries, and the unfiltered truth about balancing creativity and consistency. But the biggest news?
We’re officially going LIVE on December ...
In this episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, Tae sits down with Tony, the visionary founder of Lose Leaf Clothing, to talk about what it really takes to build a clothing brand, stay consistent, and turn an idea into a movement.
Tony opens up about how Lose Leaf Clothing wasn’t his first business - but with the right mindset and support, he stayed the course and made it thrive. Together, we discuss entrepren...
In this episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, Tae sits down with MaShalya, a Junior at North Carolina A&T State University (Aggie Pride!), who made the bold decision to switch her major from Engineering to Fashion Merchandising & Design.
Now the founder of 3mpty Headed Apparel, MaShalya designs custom clothing pieces that reflect creativity, confidence, and individuality. She shares how changing her ...
In this inspiring episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, Tae and Shamar sit down with Manny “Phresh” from Hope Vibes - a nonprofit dedicated to bringing dignity and relief to the homeless community in Charlotte, NC and beyond.
Hope Vibes operates a mobile shower and laundry truck, offering free access to basic necessities for people experiencing homelessness. Phresh opens up about the journey of building this...
In this inspiring episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, Tae sits down with Mya Lamis — a bold content creator with something real to say. What started as a reel-recording session turned into an unforgettable podcast conversation when Mya received a message mid-session letting her know she’d just been laid off from her job.
Instead of breaking down, Mya kept smiling, creating, and dropping gems. She shares ho...
In this powerful episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, Tae sits down with Angelique (Angie) - actor, writer, director, and owner of Foxy Red Productions. Together, they reflect on their high school past, childhood creative journeys, and the paths that shaped who they are today.
Angie opens up about her upcoming projects, including her new IG-exclusive series “Reel_Love the series” and a short film currently ...
In this episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, we sit down with Ebony A, a talented photographer and one of the first people to tell Tae, “You should be a photographer!” From college portraits to high school portraits, family events, and even travel photography, Ebony’s work reflects both skill and passion.
We reminisce on our time together at Lifetouch, share stories from behind the camera, and explore the i...
In this episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, we sit down with Kenitra, owner of Pose It Up CLT, a creative business dedicated to being your “dope memory creators.” From 360 booths to headshot stations to her signature “Glamarazzi” instant photo delivery, Kenitra is redefining how guests experience events in Charlotte and beyond.
Her story started as a cosmetologist, which opened the door to photography and ...
In this episode of the Creative Roots Podcast, we sit down with DJ Kue One to trace his journey from watching his father spin vinyl records to becoming a student and lover of music himself. From the 80s and 90s golden eras of hip-hop to today’s evolving sound, DJ Kue One shares his perspective on how the culture has shifted - the good, the bad, and everything in between.
This conversation dives deep into his ...
In this episode, I step behind the camera while Shamar leads the conversation with photographer Deana G. Deana joined us through the Alan Lux Studios Residency Program, where she showcased her talent and growth as a creative.
Now, she’s an intern at Alan Lux Studios, eager to learn the professional side of the industry while sharpening her creative voice. Together, Shamar and Deana dive into her journey into ...
In this episode, we sit down with @foetrel co-owner of @loseleafclothing (not loose leaf). We dive deep into entrepreneurship, creative ownership, and unconventional marketing strategies that challenge the norm.
FoeTrel shares free game on what it really takes to build a brand without copying trends, how to stand out in a saturated market, and why staying grounded is key when building something real. He e...
In this special episode, Tae and Shamar reflect on the journey so far — 15 episodes in and the growth has been real. From the early episodes to now, we’re seeing the Creative Roots Podcast blossom into something powerful.
We break down key podcast stats, share some honest behind-the-scenes lessons, and give practical advice to guests or creatives reaching out to be featured on the show. Plus, we open up about...
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