Friends Like Us
LeBron's last harrah, wondering why Gen Z is choosing sleep over sex, how New Yorkers brave the streets, or just need a good laugh? We've got you! Join your host Marina Franklin with guests Sami Sour and Hollie Harper for the latest laughs and life lessons. Hollie Harper is a South Jersey comedian/writer/actress. In 2021 she created and co-exec-produced Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV for which she was nominated for best actress at 2021's NYC Web Fest. She was a recent semi-finalist in the NBC Standup Competition, won Best Actress at 2024's Act One, One Act Festival and just earned a...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
Host Marina Franklin chats with Emmy-nominated composer Kathryn Bostic & filmmaker Sharaé Nikai. Dive into their stories, career wisdom, and the power of community and vote for Kathryn for the World Soundtrack Awards. Kathryn Bostic - Award winning, Emmy nominated (The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat; Amy Tan-Unintended Memoir; Toni Morrison-The Pieces I Am) composer and singer-songwriter Kathryn Bostic is known for her original work on film,TV, Broadway and symphonic music. On Broadway, Bostic worked with iconic playwright August Wilson, creating the score for “Gem of...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
Ever had an awkward moment? This week on Friends Like Us, join Marina & her awesome guests, Zainab Johnson and Alexis Bradby, as they explore navigating life’s awkward situations, bad lettuce sagas, and the confusion surrounding Pete’s hormone ideas. Catch the laughs and wisdom! Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen. Zainab is series regular on the Amazon Original hit series titled "Upload" from Greg Daniels and stars in her very first One Hour Comedy Special...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
On this Friends Like Us, laughter and real talk with Marina Franklin as she hosts the hilarious Vanessa Fraction and Kenice Mobley! From heated debates about spin class etiquette to the chaos of the Empire State Building climb, there's never a dull moment! Vanessa Fraction is a comedian, actress, writer, and host who brings big laughs, big energy, and a point of view you don’t forget. She’s known for turning real‑life chaos into comedy that lands every time. With a style rooted in honesty and delivered with undeniable presence, she’s built a reputation for humor that connects and...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
This Friends Like Us! Host Marina Franklin welcomes back birthday girl Amanda Seales and burgeoning star Nonye Brown-West. What's the truth behind the tune? We chat with Amanda Seales about her latest album Truth Translator and much more! This episode is not to be missed! Amanda Seales is a multi-disciplined scholar and creative in the Black radical tradition. Her work travels the page, stage, screen, canvas and spaces in between, focused on disrupting systems of oppression, decolonizing the mind and body, and engaging imagination in resistance. A staunch advocate for human rights and the...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
This Friends Like Us host Marina Franklin talks with Subhah Agarwal and Kaneez Surka! They dissect the reality of screw worms, hilarious breakup tales, and the danger of having trillionaires in today's world. It's a jam-packed episode of laughs! Kaneez Surka has produced and performed in her Netflix Special, 'Ladies Up', Netflix's 'Comedy Premium League,' and Amazon Prime Video's Improv specials, 'Something From Nothing' and 'Improv All Stars - Games Night.' Kaneez is also known for her comedic acting. Her short film, 'The Shaila(s)' was selected for the Voot Select Film Festival. Subhah...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
On this Friends Like Us! The Knicks might have finally won, but are you a true New Yorker if you weren't born in an NYC hospital?Host Marina Franklin discusses this and more with Jackie Fabulous and Chanel Ali. Chanel Ali You know Chanel Ali from Netflix's Dash and Lily or her time on MTV's Girl Code. Originally from Philly, her storyteller-like style and commanding stage presence allowed her to conquer the NYC comedy scene as a crowd favorite. She boasts two Comedy Central specials, an album, and the fact that she drinks way more than you. Jackie Fabulous is a stand-up comedian,...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
Host Marina Franklin chats with the hilarious Ophira Eisenberg and rising star Sami Beason about Ophira's new comedy special, toxic positivity, AI hallucinations, parenting and more! Tune in now for laughs and insights! Ophira Eisenberg is a Standup Comedian, Writer, and Podcast Host (NPR, CBS, CNN, The Moth, HBO, Comedy Central, iHeart) who headlines theaters and comedy venues across the world, tours regularly with the Moth Mainstage, and hosts the weekly parenting-comedy podcast Parenting is a Joke (Webby Finalist for Best Host). Her new comedy special, I Used to Be Nicer produced by...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
A dive into the world of friendship with our latest "Friends Like Us" podcast episode! Marina Franklin host special guests Sharaé Nikai and David Lassiter as they talk about their incredible journey creating "The Other Gold" — a film about friendships' complexities. Watch it now on Apple TV and Tubi! Sharaé Nikai - Against industry odds, Jersey City native Sharaé Nikai wrote, produced, co-directed and starred in her very first feature film, “The Other, Gold.” It is a heartfelt dramedy that follows a TV writer living in Little Tokyo as she navigates grief, isolation and the rekindling...
info_outlineFriends Like Us
Dive deep into the hidden crisis of women's health with Dr. Kemi Doll on "Friends Like Us," hosted by Marina Franklin and featuring Nonye Brown-West. Discover the truth about the Black womb and survival strategies. Listen now for eye-opening insights! #Podcast #WomensHealth #MaternalMentalHealthMonth Dr. Kemi Doll is a gynecologic oncologist, uterine cancer scientist, and author of the upcoming book, "A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb & Your Survival Guide to Healing. She is is a physician, surgeon, researcher, advocate, and coach working at the intersection of...
info_outlineHost Marina Franklin takes a deep dive into the future of AI with Justin Feinstein's new book, "Your Behavior Will Be Monitored," and the hilarious Sami Beason! Tune in to our latest episode for laughs, insights, and more.
Justin Feinstein is a writer and storyteller across multiple media. Available now for pre-order: "Your Behavior Will Be Monitored" is Justin's debut specu-lative novel about a reckless AI company racing towards a launch, published by Tachyon Publications. The official release is in April 2026. Justin is also an essayist and culture writer and has written about jazz for the Associated Press, about the UFC for VICE, and about being a celebrity doppelgänger for Salon. His work as an advertising copywriter and creative director has received accolades from the New York Times, Adweek, and BuzzFeed. Justin works as an editor and writing coach and is an instructor for the Sackett Street Writers’ Workshop. He was a Berklee-trained profes-sional hand percussionist in a past life and performed, recorded, and taught music for ten years. More recently, Justin earned an MA in media studies from The New School. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, writer Julia Fierro, their two children, and two dogs.
Sami Beason is a rising comedy talent from Denver, celebrated for their quick wit, authentic storytelling, and constant giggle. In 2024, they took home the Best of Fest award at the Colorado Springs Festival and now has a special on YouTube called “First Gen” through open bar.
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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch