noseyAF: Conversations about Art, Activism, and Social Change

The Rise of Women’s Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete

EP# 99 The Rise of Women’s Sports, NIL Money, and the Power of the Everyday Athlete with Angela Hollowell✨ Episode SummaryWomen’s sports are having a moment — and it’s about time.In this episode of noseyAF, Stephanie Graham sits down with filmmaker, writer, and Melanin MVP founder Angela Hollowell to talk about the rise of women’s sports, the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money, and why the idea of the “everyday athlete” might change how we think about movement altogether.We get into how women athletes, especially women of color, are finally getting visibility, how branding and social media have reshaped college and pro sports, and why athleticism doesn’t have to look one specific way. From glam on the court to cycling for joy, this conversation explores how creativity, confidence, and culture show up in sports — and in life.If you’ve ever thought “sports aren’t really for me,” this episode might change your mind.🗣️ What We Get IntoWhy women’s sports are finally getting real attentionHow NIL money changed the game for college athletesWhat an “everyday athlete” actually is — and why it mattersGlam, femininity, and breaking outdated ideas of athleticismThe pressure young athletes face in the age of social mediaFilmmaking, creativity, and finding balance without burning out⏱️ Chapters00:11 — Welcome & setting the scene00:35 — The rise of women’s sports + NIL money11:22 — How Melanin MVP came to be17:06 — Everyday athletes & redefining movement23:19 — Reality TV, Alabama, and cultural detours27:30 — Documentary filmmaking & creative process37:14 — Balance, focus, and doing less better46:03 — Sports relationships & team dynamics48:24 — Melanin MVP Awards brainstorm 👀55:54 — The yearbook idea & what’s next🔗 Things We MentionedMelanin MVP – Newsletter + podcast spotlighting women athletes of colorThe Melanin MVP Cross-Training Quiz (not for the weak, apparently 😭)NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) legislation🌟 All About Angela HollowellYou’re gonna love Angela — she’s thoughtful, hilarious, deeply intentional, and casually changing how we think about sports and storytelling.Angela Hollowell is the founder of Rootful Media, a creative documentary film production company based in Durham, North Carolina. She’s also the host of the video podcasts Honey & Hustle and Melanin MVP.Her work centers Southern voices and explores the outdoors, health equity, environmental justice, and social impact — all through a thoughtful, culture-forward lens. Beyond filmmaking, Angela helps visual storytellers and creative entrepreneurs grow their audience and build meaningful creative businesses.When she’s not working, you can find her outside, on a bike, or enjoying a fruity beer or margarita with friends 🍹.🔌 Connect with AngelaInstagram: @honeyhustlepodWebsite: https://www.angelahollowell.com/Newsletter / Podcast: Melanin MVP👋🏾 Connect with Stephanie✨ Check out my work📸 Follow me on Instagram💌 Join the Good Stuff Only Newsletter🎧 Listen to more episodes🫶🏾 Support the ShowShare nosey AF with a friendRate & Review the ShowBuy Pins & Prints | Shop Art🎬 Episode CreditsProduced, hosted, by me, StephanieLyrics: Queen LexEpisode Edited by: Risha BrownInstrumental: Freddie Bam Fam

Print Your Legacy: Lawrence Nalls on Multi-Generational Photography and Pride

Ep #98: Print Your Legacy: Lawrence Nalls on Multi-Generational Photography and PrideSummary of the episodeLawrence Nalls, managing photographer of Forty Photography, shares the profound journey of building a multi-generational Chicago photography studio rooted in legacy, storytelling, and community service. In this conversation, Lawrence reveals how his father's Vietnam War documentation sparked a family tradition that's now entering its third generation. We explore the emotional weight of photography as both art form and responsibility, the importance of print over digital, and why Lawrence believes every photograph should make you feel something. From learning to "figure it out" with his first camera to teaching his sons the business, Lawrence offers candid insights on building trust with clients, the hard lessons of running a creative business (yes, take deposits!), and how to help people see past their insecurities to capture pride. This episode is a masterclass in intentional photography, sustainable creative practice, and the power of printed images to preserve family legacy.What we're getting intoYou know how some conversations just feel like sitting down with someone who's lived it and learned it? That's this whole episode.The origin story of Forty Photography - from Vietnam War footage to a thriving multi-generational studioWhy prints matter more than digital files - and how Lawrence shifted his entire practice around this philosophyThe business side of photography - storage systems, deposits, redundancy, and the stuff nobody talks aboutBuilding trust and managing client insecurities - including Lawrence's "word bank" technique for portrait sessionsKeeping enthusiasm alive after 19 years - the daily present philosophy and why relationships are wealthFilm vs. digital and intentionality - how shooting film shaped Lawrence's approach to digital photographyParenting, sports, and passing down the legacy - raising two sons in the family businessFolks and Things We MentionedForty Photography - Lawrence's multi-generational Chicago photography studioJohn H. White - Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and church friend who inspired LawrenceGordon Parks - Legendary photographer and director of ShaftAnnie Leibovitz - Renowned portrait photographerRichard Avedon - Fashion and portrait photographerSarah Oliphant - Artist who hand-paints canvases for photography backgroundsChicago Alliance of African American Photographers (CAAAP) - Organization focused on documenting Black life with prideRainbow Beach - Lawrence's "happy place" on Chicago's South SideArtist Admin Hour - Stephanie's Wednesday accountability sessions for artists (artistadminhour.com)Chapters:• 00:00 - Introduction to the Conversation• 06:49 - The Legacy of 4D Photography• 12:36 - The Transition to Digital Photography• 15:50 - Documenting Family Memories• 22:50 - Capturing Moments: The Art of Photography and Trust• 34:11 - Managing a Photography Business: Insights from Experience• 42:12 - Lessons Learned from Hard Experiences• 44:32 - The Importance of Sports in Parenting• 49:44 - Exploring Photography and Relationships• 56:15 - Reflections on the Podcast JourneyAll about Lawrence You're gonna love Lawrence—he's a third-generation photographer, cigar enthusiast, devoted father, and the kind of creative who believes every photo should evoke a sense of pride. His studio, Forty Photography (named after doctors told his father he'd be lucky to live to 40 after Vietnam War injuries—he's turning 80 next month!), serves families, schools, and organizations across Chicago. Lawrence approaches photography with intention, encouraging clients to think beyond social media and put their memories on the wall. He's also the guy who will absolutely not participate in your negative self-talk during a photo session—instead, he'll have you build a word bank of how you want to feel, then help you embody it.Connect with Lawrence NallsInstagram: @fortyphotographyWebsite: fortyphotography.comLocation: Bridgeport, ChicagoCome to the Studio? 🪑✨Want more? Good Stuff Only subscribers get:👀 First Looks — New artwork, pins, films, and projects before anyone else📖 Studio Stories — The messy, honest behind-the-scenes of making art IRL🎉 Good Vibes Only — Candid updates and occasional treats📅 What's Next — Exhibition invites, screenings, releases, and art happenings→ Join artists, curators, and art lovers getting Good Stuff OnlyMore ways to connect:Email: stephanie@missgraham.comCheck out my workFollow me on Instagram: @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodesSupport & FeedbackShare noseyAF with friendsRate & Review the ShowBuy Pins & Prints | Shop ArtEpisode CreditsProduced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)Theme Music Lyrics: Queen LexTheme Music Instrumental: Freddie Bam FamRecorded Live at Lumpen Radio, ChicagoThis episode was recorded live on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Lumpen Radio in Chicago.

OUTCRY Project: How Collective Scream Sessions Create Radical Empathy and Healing with Whitney Bradshaw

Ep #97: OUTCRY Project: How Collective Scream Sessions Create Radical Empathy and Healing with Whitney BradshawThank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday, December 13, 2025Summary of the episodeWhat does it look like to be out loud together? In this powerful episode, artist and activist Whitney Bradshaw shares the story behind OUTCRY—her groundbreaking social practice project that brings women, non-binary, and genderqueer people together for collective scream sessions centered on healing, resistance, and radical empathy.Born from the intersection of the MeToo movement and the 2016 election,OUTCRY creates intentionally intersectional spaces where participants practice speaking up and out for themselves, release trauma held in their bodies, and build unexpected community with strangers. Over seven years, Whitney has facilitated nearly 80 sessions in 14 states, photographing more than 530 participants in moments of raw emotional power.We get the skinny on what actually happens during these two-hour sessions, the science behind why screaming makes us 7% stronger, and how radical empathy can transform both personal healing and collective action. Plus, we talk about the new documentary film OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage, somatic therapy, scream boxes, and why our culture desperately needs more spaces for collective grieving.Key Takeaways:The OUTCRY project serves as a transformative platform for collective healing and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communitiesScreaming is not merely an act of expression; it serves as a therapeutic mechanism that fosters resilience, emotional release, and literally makes you 7% strongerWhitney Bradshaw's work emphasizes the importance of radical empathy, encouraging participants to engage deeply with diverse experiences across intersectional identitiesThe sessions facilitate a unique environment where individuals can practice voicing their truths in front of strangers, contributing to personal and communal growth and often forming lasting friendships and activist networksResources & Links:The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk21C Museum Hotel Louisville (current exhibition through end of December 2025)Chapters00:09 - Introduction to Motivation and Self-Reflection01:38 - Introducing OUTCRY: A Collective Healing Experience17:14 - Voices Unleashed: The Power of Sharing Stories22:50 - The Importance of Expressing Anger27:11 - Introduction to Radical Empathy41:41 - The Evolution of OUTCRY51:10 - The Evolution of OUTCRY: A Journey of Healing and Art55:57 - Exploring Artistic Identity and New ProjectsAll about Whitney You're gonna love Whitney she's a powerhouse artist, activist, and the kind of person who invites neighbors over to scream in her living room (and bakes banana bread for the occasion).Whitney Bradshaw is an artist, activist, educator, curator, former social worker, and documentary film producer whose practice is dedicated to healing and empowerment while boldly confronting the social systems that marginalize and oppress. She is the creator of OUTCRY, an ongoing social practice project that has been exhibited widely across the United States, with solo shows at Atlanta Contemporary, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the DePaul Art Museum, Villanova University Art Gallery, Moreau Galleries at St. Mary's College, the 21c Museum Hotel Louisville, and Wave Pool Contemporary Art Fulfillment Center.Her photographs are held in prominent collections including the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the DePaul Art Museum, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, the Hall Art and Technology Foundation, and the Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection and have been featured in Ms. Magazine, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, NewCity Magazine, and Vogue.Both Whitney and OUTCRY are the subject of a short documentary film titled OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage directed by Clare Major and produced by Frankly Speaking Films. The film premiered at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco in June 2024 and was shortlisted for the International Documentary Association's Best Short Film Award of 2024.In Fall 2023, Whitney was named one of NewCity Magazine's "50 Chicago Artists' Artists." She currently serves as curator at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Indiana, following earlier roles as chair of the visual arts conservatory at the Chicago High School for the Arts, curator of the esteemed LaSalle Bank Photography Collection, and adjunct professor of photography at Columbia College Chicago. Before her curatorial and educational career, she worked as a social worker supporting survivors of sexual abuse and assault, families of children with disabilities, and adults with disabilities.Whitney holds an MFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in Sociology and Women's Studies from Eastern Illinois University, where she helped establish the interdisciplinary Women's Studies program in 1988 and became its first graduate in 1991.Recent Press on Whitney:Ms. Magazine: "Screaming for Change"NewCity: "Feminine Gaze Feminine Rage OUTCRY" by Zara Yost (August 8, 2024)NewCity's Top 50 Chicago Artists' ArtistsMs. Magazine: "Whitney Bradshaw's OUTCRY"Sponsor Shoutout 💖This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin HourEvery Wednesday, 7 to 9pm Central, artists show up on Zoom to tackle what we've been avoiding: residency applications, grant apps, budgets, invoices, whatever's on your list. Two hours of body doubling with structure, no shame, and real community. $25 to $45 a month gets you in. But if that's not doable, email me—getting this done is very important, and we will make it work.Stop letting admin sabotage your practice. Join us today at Artist Admin Hour.Connect with WhitneyWebsite: WhitneyBradshaw.comInstagram: @thewhitneybradshawFilm Website: OUTCRYfilm.comWhitney's Linktree : For upcoming screenings, exhibitions, and sessionsComing Up: The Feminist Art Project's Special Session at the College Art Association National Conference in Chicago on Feb 21More ways to connect:Email: stephanie@missgraham.comCheck out my workFollow me on Instagram: @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodesSupport & FeedbackShare noseyAF with friendsRate & Review the ShowBuy Pins & Prints | Shop ArtEpisode CreditsProduced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)Lyrics: Queen LexInstrumental: Freddie Bam FamPhoto of Whitney by Jamie Kelter Davis for Seriously Badass Women

Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt

Ep #96: Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt“Trust yourself. This world will try to tell you otherwise every single day.”- Maurice ProffittThis conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday November 22, 2025Summary of the episodeIn this episode, we sit down with Chicago creative and producer Maurice Proffitt to talk about creative rejection, the fear of success, and what it really takes to build a career without waiting for permission. Maurice shares the moments that shaped him: the childhood spark that made him a storyteller, the brutal rejection that changed his entire trajectory, and how he learned to turn setbacks into motivation.If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or right on the edge of something big—but scared to leap—this conversation will give you fuel.What we talk aboutA friendly deep-dive into what it really means to grow as an artist.Turning rejection into motivationOvercoming the fear of success and leveling upGrowing up Black in Schaumburg and finding your “B-side” identityWhy you should stop asking for permission and create anywayBuilding B-Side Productions and DreamscapeFriendship, community, and the people who hold you upMaurices first web series “Broke AF,” filmmaking, and learning to editThe moment he said: “Enough is enough — I’m building my own lane.”Things We MentionedRejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection by Jia Jiang (affiliate link)“Broke AF” web series B-Side StudiosDreamscape TheatreBatman Begins — “Why do we fall?” referenceChapters:00:23 - Introduction to Self-Expression01:51 - The Fear of Success12:24 - Navigating the Creative Landscape19:33 - The Heartbreak of Rejection24:33 - The Concept of B-Side Productions31:51 - Identity and Growing Up in Schaumburg36:15 - The Journey of Friendship and Creativity44:11 - Transition to Filmmaking and Editing51:01 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity54:43 - The Journey of a Show: From Preparation to PerformanceAll about... Maurice ProffittYou're gonna love Maurice Proffitt—he’s a filmmaker, theatre producer, community-builder, and creative force whose work centers the stories and voices usually overlooked. From theater to film to building his own production companies, Maurice is all about creating space for the hidden gems, the B-sides, and the people who don’t fit the mold.Sponsor Shoutout 💖This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour.Admin is the flex—and your practice deserves it. Join us Wednesdays, 7–9pm CT for structured co-working that helps you get things off your list and out of your head.Learn more: artistadminhour.comConnect with Maurice ProffitInstagram: @mrproffitWebsite: https://www.dreamscapetheatre.com/More ways to connect:Email: stephanie@missgraham.comCheck out my workFollow on Instagram @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodesSupport & FeedbackShare noseyAF with a friendRate & Review on your podcast platformBuy Pins & Prints | Shop ArtEpisode CreditsProduced, Hosted, and Edited by me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)Lyrics: Queen LexInstrumental: Freddie Bam FamArtist Admin Hour instrumental by Soundroll

Welcome to noseyAF: Conversations about Art, Activism and Social Change

Ever wonder what a creative life really looks like beyond the highlight reel?I'm Stephanie Graham, an artist and filmmaker, and I host noseyAF conversations about art, activism, and social change. I ask the kind of honest questions that make people go, "Ooh, good one".We'll talk about when you knew you had to make a project, how you really handle rejection, and where the weirdest place inspiration struck. We have rich, fun, and honest talks with artists, activists, and everyday legends who are out here doing the work that matters. We get into the breakthroughs, the 3 AM doubts, the side hustles funding it all, and the messy, messy pivots.If you want actionable, inspiring conversations that spark ideas and curiosity, subscribe to noseyAF today. Let's get nosy and curious together