Transforming Rage into Laughter: The Black Women In Comedy Laugh Fest
Release Date: 03/05/2025
Facing the Future: AI, Comedy, and Reparations For unpaid Labor
Friends Like Us
On this Friends Like Us... Ever wondered about the impact of AI on media or the hidden history of our college institutions? Listen to my conversation with Kenice Mobley and Kimberly Clark, as we tackle topics and give our guests their flowers! Give it a listen and spread the word! Kimberly Clark - Originally from Syracuse, NY. She's been seen on Netflix's Tiffany Haddish presents: They Ready, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Last Comic Standing. She was named one of Time Out L.A.'s Comics To Watch. Kenice Mobley performs stand up comedy around the world...
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Empowering Young Girls Through Comedy With 'Stand Up Girls'
Friends Like Us
On this Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin talks with Hollie Harper and Von Decarlo about empowering young girls through stand-up comedy. They take a deep dive into how humor can be a tool for confidence and self-expression. Von Decarlo is a New York-bred stand-up comedian, producer, writer, and actress who has appeared in worldwide ad campaigns and national commercials for Disney, GNC, Match, and Carnival Cruise lines. She performed in Montreal for Kevin Hart's LOL Network as well as the Lil' Rel and Friends show at the Just For Laughs comedy festival, and most recently in Australia...
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Exploring Black History And The Legacy of Juneteenth
Friends Like Us
On this Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin chats with talented comedians Chanel Ali and Brandon Collins! They talk about comedy, the Drunk Black History tour, and the significance of Juneteenth. Tune in for a dose of humor and education! is a versatile screenwriter, comedian and podcaster who has performed at the SXSW and New York Comedy Festival, and has had appearances in various MTV, VH1, and Max productions. He participated in the 2022-2023 Universal Writer’s Lab (beating out over a thousand applicants) and is the host of the critically acclaimed show, "" Chanel Ali You know Chanel...
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Visualize, Achieve, and Conquer with Mindset Mastery
Friends Like Us
Ready to break through mental barriers? Tune into our latest episode with Courtney A. Seard as we dive into mindset shifts, empowerment, and beating the odds! Featuring funny friend Nonye Brown-West. Courtney A. Seard : With over 20 years of experience in the most innovative mind sciences and a firsthand story of resilience after a near-fatal accident, Courtney has worked with the world’s leading startups and Fortune 500 companies to build, design, and deliver training and development solutions that further strategic business goals and transform people-related systems. Her success with...
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That's How They Get You With Damon Young
Friends Like Us
This Friends Like Us, Host Marina Franklin and Vanessa Fraction talk with Damon Young, Author of his new book: That's How They Get You" . It sparks a thoughtful conversation on teeth, black comedy, and the power of humor. Pittsburgh writer DAMON YOUNG’s debut memoir, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays (Ecco), won the Thurber Prize for American Humor. A founder of the culture blog Very Smart Brothas and creator and host of the Crooked Media podcast Stuck with Damon Young, Damon has been a contributing columnist for The Washington Post Magazine, a contributing...
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Disparities In Black Maternal Health: Challenges and Solutions With Dr. Wylin D. Wilson
Friends Like Us
On Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin dives deep into critical discussions on black maternal health with the incredible Dr. Wylin D. Wilson and comedian Ashima Franklin. Empower yourself with knowledge, laughter, and inspiration! Wylin D. Wilson is Associate Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School where she teaches Womanist Bioethics within the Theology Medicine and Culture program. She is author of Economic Ethics and the Black Church and Womanist Bioethics: Social Justice, Spirituality, and Black Women’s Health. Ashima Franklin is a comedian, writer and actor, born...
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Celebrating The 100th Birthday Of Malcom X with Tamara Payne and Troy LaRaviere
Friends Like Us
Friends Like Us celebrates Malcolm X's 100th birthday! Join host Marina Franklin as she talks with Tamara Payne and Troy LaRaviere as they discuss the impact of his teachings and how they resonate today. Tune in and be inspired! Tamara Payne sheds light on her father Les Payne's groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize-winning work, "The Dead Are Arising," and its revelations about his life. Tamara Payne is co-author of The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X written with her father, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne, published by Liveright. Winner of the Pulitzer...
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Cultivating Confidence: Sumer Strawbree's Anti-Bullying Mission
Friends Like Us
This Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin and Hollie Harper chat with the incredible Sumer Strawbree, a 15-year-old CEO inspiring young girls with her empowering coloring books and confidence-building affirmations! Sumer Strawbree, is a 15 year old speaker, author and affirmations authority. She helps girls unleash the power of positive "I Am" affirmations to improve their confidence and mental health. "I Am"...two words that speak directly to your subconscious mind. Between 8 and 14, girls’ confidence levels drop by 30%. As Seen on, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, at LA Comic Con & More......
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Tackling the Cat Overpopulation Crisis and Community Building with Greenpoint Cats
Friends Like Us
Discover the magic of community-driven cat rescue in our latest Friends Like Us episode. Join host Marina Franklin, Becky Wisdom from Green Point Cats, and comedian Subhah Agarwal as they chat about cat colonies, TNR, and the urgency to help communities in the over populations of cats. Becky Wisdom is the founder of Greenpoint Cats, a leading Brooklyn-based animal rescue organization focused on TNR (trap, neuter, return). Her journey into rescue began in 2018 when she moved to Greenpoint and found herself living on a block with a crew of unforgettable feline neighbors—an encounter that...
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Comedy Conversations Part 2 With Keith Robinson, Ralph Harris and Charles Walden
Friends Like Us
Dive into Friends Like Us as host Marina Franklin talks with veteran comedians Ralph Harris, Keith Robinson, and Charles Walden. They share stories, laughs, and insights on what keeps them thriving in the industry. Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd; and the co-host of The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox), His first hour special; 2014’s Kevin Hart Presents: Back of the Bus Funny can still be...
info_outlineFrom laughter to resilience: Joanna Briley and Nonye Brown-West join host Marina Franklin to highlight the Black Women In Comedy Laugh Fest's mission of community building.
Joanna Briley. Brooklyn born, Connecticut raised. Hilarity ensued. Joanna’s worked for the MTA 34 years and it’s made her one of the friendliest Token Booth Clerks. With her love of stand up comedy and outrageous subway stories, Ms. Briley has written and will perform “Swipe This: My Life in Transit!” at this year’s NYC Fringe Fest April 5, 9, 11, 16 at the Chain Theatre. Joanna is also the proud creator of the Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest which was created in 2018 and will have her 6th festival this February 26 - March 2 2025 in various venues throughout NYC.
Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you.
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.