For the very first time on the last episode of the season, I record the podcast from home and zoom in Daniel Martin from his place in NYC! We talk about our similar paths to finding our creative outlets - starting at MAC, loving the Pacific Northwest, and finally creating our homes in cities surrounded by our chosen families. Daniel shares some deep personal experiences like his 9/11 story and doing a client’s makeup for the last time for their memorial. We discuss how Daniel sets professional and personal boundaries - including turning down a potential client who happened to be a member of the Trump family. I am so grateful to have a friend like Daniel, and I think you’ll understand why by listening to this week’s episode!

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Lavern Rushin is so much more than Matthew Rushin’s mom—she’s a veteran, a government worker, an advocate, and leader in her community, locally and now also online. Lavern never thought that being a mother would mean becoming an advocate for her wrongfully incarcerated son, but that’s what happened. Her son, Matthew, is Black and Autistic, and after a seizure-induced car accident was tried and wrongly incarcerated. This week, we talk about getting justice for Matthew, which is an ongoing process, and what true justice for all could look like with significant reforms to our policing and legal systems. We talk about the problems in policing as it stands today, and what defunding the police really means to people like Matthew, Lavern, and now to me, as well. Lavern’s tireless advocacy and legislative work will mean that fewer mothers are in her place in the future, and that - together - we are able to make reforms that keep our Black men and neuro-divergent family safe from police brutality and mass incarceration. This week’s episode hits home, and I hope you listen so that you can learn about Lavern’s work and what you can do to help—not to mention where Matthew is today and what his bright future has in store for him!

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I cannot believe I finally met Crystal Anderson IRL after following each other on social media forever! She is the co-founder of an event production & creative company called A Very Good Job, along with her talented and kind partner, Kiesh. They have been killing it during the pandemic by elevating Black voices and working with Black creatives to develop gorgeous, uniquely creative campaigns on social media and beyond. Crystal is truly inspiring to me—I am so impressed by her work ethic, attitude, and of course, what drew me to her originally, her fashion sense! Tune in as Crystal shares her story (including a crazy ride over to the recording studio) and how she plans on working towards her goals today, and in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Want your game question to be featured on the next episode? Write in your best Truth/Dare, Never Have I Ever, or Would You Rather Question, to Tess@kastmedia.com for your chance at a shout out!

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