Friends Like Us

A podcast featuring women of color with different views on topics hosted by Marina Franklin.

Financial Confidence with Clever Girl Finance CEO Bola Sokunbi 03/18/2026

Generational Shift: Upholding Truth and Challenging Untruths 03/11/2026

Tyra Banks' Hot Ice Cream, Winter Sports, and Single Happiness 03/04/2026

Tyra Banks' Hot Ice Cream, Winter Sports, and Single Happiness In this episode of Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with Vanessa Fraction and Kenice Mobley on everything from winter sports to the wild world of reality TV. It's a lively discussion filled with humor, insight, and all the laughs you need! Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. Kenice Mobley performs stand up comedy around the world and recently made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She appears regularly on SiriusXM and is a Finalist in the StandUp NBC Competition. She was named to 's 2021 list of Comedians You Should and Will Know. Kenice's debut comedy album Follow Up Question, filmed at Union Hall in New York, was released in December 2022. Kenice worked on the BET Awards and By Us For Us, a sketch comedy series presented by Color of Change. She hosts Complexify on ViceNews, Love About Town, an interview and relationship podcast, and Make Yourself Cry, available on Planet Scum. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/40292055

Choreplay: Marriage-Saving Magic With Jordan Carlos 02/25/2026

Choreplay: Marriage-Saving Magic With Jordan Carlos Ready to spice up your relationship and learn how to be the ultimate partner? Join Friends Like Us as Jordan Carlos shares his dad wisdom from his new book: "Choreplay." Laugh along with the brilliant Nonye Brown-West and hosted by the one and only Marina Franklin! Jordan Carlos is a stand up comedian and actor based in New York. He recently starred in and wrote for the first season of Phoebe Robinson’s “Everything’s Trash” (Freeform). He has also written for “Divorce” (HBO), written and performed on “First Wives Club” (BET) and written/performed for “The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore” (Comedy Central). He also appears in Black Mirror (Netflix), Nora From Queens (Comedy Central), Party Down (Starz) and the “Home Alone” reboot on Disney Plus. In addition, Jordan co-hosts the hit podcast “Adulting” on Exactly Right Media with Michelle Buteau. Other notable writing credits include “The White House Correspondents Dinner” (2016) as well as “The Not The White House Correspondents Dinner” with Samantha Bee (2017). Jordan also recently starred in the Emmy nominated episode of “The Conversation Project” on Hulu (Andscape Studios), and in Mary Dauterman’s debut feature, “Booger”. He also features in “After This Death” (Lucio Castro) opposite Lee Pace and Gwendoline Christie, as well as in the short film “Knead” by Timothy Michael Cooper (Indy Shorts, HollyShorts, Croatian International Film Festival). Jordan's debut comedy book, CHOREPLAY, for Hachette Book Group is available now. On top of this, Jordan hosts a new short-form series called “Elevated Moments” for AMC+ where he digs into insightful, entertaining conversations about iconic movies with his charismatic, also film-loving guests. 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 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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/40221965

A Fabulous New Comedy Special With Jackie Fabulous: “You Can Leave" 02/18/2026

A Fabulous New Comedy Special With Jackie Fabulous: “You Can Leave" This week on Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with comedic powerhouse Jackie Fabulous! Very funny lady Vanessa Fraction and I talk about her new special, "You Can Leave," now streaming on Hulu. Don't miss these laughs! Jackie Fabulous is a stand-up comedian, actress and writer who's been featured four times on THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON and has appeared on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT ALL-STARS. Jackie was named one of Variety’s TOP 10 TO WATCH in 2024. Jackie also received the honor of having her name added to the wall of legends at The Comedy Store in 2024. In addition to her television appearances Jackie's hilarious and affable stand-up can be seen across the country as well as internationally. Her special YOU CAN LEAVE is available on HULU now. Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/40145035

Swipe Right for Laughter: Dating Tales For Valentines Day 02/11/2026

Harriet Tubman's Legacy: A Way Out of No Way For Black History Month 02/04/2026

Fruits of Color and Fascinating Flaws with Zainab Johnson and Kenice Mobley 01/28/2026

Stand-Up and Stand Strong: A Health Conversation with Guy Torry 01/21/2026

Your Behavior Will Be Monitored with Justin Feinstein 01/14/2026

Your Behavior Will Be Monitored with Justin Feinstein Host 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/39724280

Laughter and Lessons for the Holidays with Vanessa Fraction and Hollie Harper 12/31/2025

Laughter and Lessons for the Holidays with Vanessa Fraction and Hollie Harper How do you handle winter blues? Join host Marina Franklin, Vanessa Fraction and Holie Harper as we talk holiday cheer, money-saving hacks, and controversial documentaries that will keep you talking. Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stand Up Girls, two programs that empower young women by teaching them standup comedy. She was recently the talent coordinator and casting for “Blood Lassi” on Spotify, written by Pratima Mani, and moderated the panel for the Emmy Award winning, WOC editing team of Black Lady Sketch Show for The Black TV and Film Collective. She is also the Creative Consultant for the very successful Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest. Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/39567310

Marina Franklin's Holiday Reflections and Gratitude 12/24/2025

Navigating Life, Love, And Loss: A Real Conversation On Caregiver Roles 12/17/2025

The Journey to Wellness: Therapy, Trauma, and Triumph 12/10/2025

The Journey to Wellness: Therapy, Trauma, and Triumph Friends have a powerful conversation about "The Cost Of Healing In Silence" with Marina Franklin and guests Ashley McGirt and Nonye Brown-West on the latest episode. Ashley McGirt is a psychotherapist,TEDxinternational speaker, author, and the founder and CEO of theTherapy Fund Foundation, a nonprofit focused on eliminating barriers to mental health care in Black and historically excluded communities. She specializes in trauma, racial trauma, leadership, healthequity, mental health, and self-care. Ashley holds a Master of Social Work from the University ofWashington and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology,operating a private practice where she addresses racial trauma, depression, and anxiety. Featured in Forbes, MSNBC, and HuffPost, Ashley also serves as the NAACP State Area Conference Health Chair. Through her speeches, workshops, and consultations,she empowers individuals and organizations to unpack emotional burdens, prioritize self-care, and foster healing and equity. Her forthcoming book, The Cost of Healing in Silence: Navigating RacialTrauma and the Call for Culturally Responsive Care(March 31, 2026, Wiley), blends research, personal narrative, and clinical insight to challenge systemic inequities and inspire collective healing. It serves as an effective roadmap for culturally responsive mental health care that acknowledges, understands, and begins to heal the ways racial bias and stereotypes infiltrate counseling. Connect with Ashley further at 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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/39348520

BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America 12/03/2025

BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America This Friends Like Us Podcast, Host Marina Franklin talks with Leeanet Noble and Lauretta Noble about rich narratives and legacy embedded in their new book: 'BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America.' Join me in conversation with its passionate authors. Lauretta Malloy Noble is a critically acclaimed performer, writer, vocalist, musician, and producer. She studied psychology, music and liberal arts extensively at Howard University and holds a BSc degree. She is certified in Genealogy Research from the University of Strathclyde and in film making and script writing from The National Film and Television School. BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America (on sale November 18, 2025; Amistad) is an absorbing investigation into a little-known historical tragedy—an insurrection at the turn of the twentieth century which upended post-Reconstruction gains made by Black residents in a small North Carolina town. LeeAnét Noble is a critically acclaimed multifaceted artist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University with her BFA in Theatre and is certified in Organizational Behavior/Psychology from IESE Business School. She played in the award-winning shows Stomp and Drumstruck. She currently teaches Black history for George Washington University’s MFA graduate studies program. BLACK, WHITE, COLORED: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, a Southern Town, and Identity in America (on sale November 18, 2025; Amistad) is an absorbing investigation into a little-known historical tragedy—an insurrection at the turn of the twentieth century which upended post-Reconstruction gains made by Black residents in a small North Carolina town. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/39240920

Embracing Milestones: Von Decarlo and Ant Pruitt on Aging Gracefully 11/19/2025

Sci-Fi Meets Real-World Activism 11/12/2025

Sci-Fi Meets Real-World Activism This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks to Nourbese Flint and Leighann Lord about the battle for reproductive justice and community building. Nourbese Flint is President of All* Above All and All* In All Action Fund, leading All* Above All’s work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color.  She previously served as Vice President of Strategy. Prior to coming to All* Above All, she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood’s relationships within existing racial justice, reproductive justice, Black serving and civil rights organizations. Before coming east, Nourbese served as the founding Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness Action Project, the first Black women’s reproductive justice 501c4 organization in the country, and successfully led campaign efforts to get progressive candidates into office. She also served as policy director and led civic engagement efforts for Black Women for Wellness Action Project’s sister organization, Black Women for Wellness. Nourbese is a founding member of Trust Black Women, a national coalition dedicated to increasing respect and support of Black Women, and is one of the founding members of the Black Women’s Democratic Club. Leighann Lord is a seasoned standup comedian who has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy All Star Jam, Comedy Central, The View, Netflix, and Showtime’s Even More Funny Women of a Certain Age. She has performed for the troops and her Dry Bar Comedy special has had over one million views. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/39000640

Friends Celebrate Native American Heritage Month With Allie Redhorse Young 11/05/2025

Stronger Together: Friendship and Breast Cancer Awareness 10/29/2025

Navigating Venture Capital with Jon Laster and Marlon Nichols 10/22/2025

Navigating Venture Capital with Jon Laster and Marlon Nichols Join Marina Franklin on the latest Friends Like Us podcast with special guests Jon Laster & Marlon Nichols as they dive into the world of venture capital, diversity in tech, and the untapped potential in Africa. Don't miss this insightful episode! Jon Laster is known for One Bedroom (2018), No More Mr Nice Guy (2018) and The 2019 ESPY Awards (2019) and check out his new series An Astute Woman Web Series. He is the Founder and C.E.O. of Blapp. Blapp is a Google-based, geo-located app that will tell you all the Black businesses that are right around you. Marlon Nichols is the co-founder and managing general partner of MaC Venture Capital, a leading seed-stage firm renowned for backing visionary founders who redefine industries. Under his leadership, MaC has grown into one of North America’s largest seed-stage venture firms, surpassing $600 million in assets under management (AUM). In October 2024, the firm announced the closing of its third fund ($150 million), further solidifying its influence in the early-stage investment landscape. Marlon’s portfolio includes industry-defining companies such as Airspace, Blavity, FINESSE, Gimlet Media, MongoDB, Pipe, Purestream, Thrive Market, and Shekel Mobility, among others. His keen eye for transformative opportunities has earned him widespread recognition, including consecutive placements on Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 (2022–2025) and Business Insider’s Seed 100 (Top Early-Stage Investors) for four years. Additionally, he ranks 25th on the Kauffman Fellows Fund Returners Index and has been featured in PitchBook’s 25 Black Founders and VCs to Watch for six years. His expertise is frequently sought by top media outlets such as Axios, CNBC, Fortune, and more. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Marlon serves on the board of Kauffman Fellows, working to expand representation for underrepresented minorities in venture capital. With a unique blend of technology acumen and leadership principles shaped by his athletic background, he actively mentors CEOs, fosters strategic partnerships, and helps founders scale their businesses into market leaders. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/38728515

Punchlines and Politics: Laughter in the Face of Adversity 10/15/2025

Punchlines and Politics: Laughter in the Face of Adversity This Friends Like Us, join your host Marina Franklin, Shang Forbes, and Hollie Harper. They weave humor into today’s most pressing topics - Like, is Marjorie Taylor Green not so Maga anymore? Tune in now for laughs and insights. SHANG, a transplanted New Yorker whose carefully nurtured evolution from stand-up comedy to socio-political satire gives heavy flight to the spoken and outspoken word. SHANG has been seen on CBS’S The Late Late Show 2X BET's Comic View Grand Stand Winner HBO 's Def Jam & Def Poetry, Gotham LIVE, STARZ 1st Amendment, Si TV, Mun2 Comics Unleashed, Comedy Central’s Jamie Foxx Laffapaloolza ,Premium Blend & Gotham Comedy LIVE. Shang Also Has Guest Starred On NBC’S “Heroes”, CBS’S “CSI” & NCIS & Shang recently Co-starred for Honda their Commercial Campaign & the Movie “Devine Intervention” & “Trunked!” Check out his Amazon Prime comedy special, 'SHANG is SHANGRY! LIVE IN NEW YORK'. It's the comedian That if you don't know, Now you know. Shang is not angry he’s SHANGRY. Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stand Up Girls, two programs that empower young women by teaching them standup comedy. She was recently the talent coordinator and casting for “Blood Lassi” on Spotify, written by Pratima Mani, and moderated the panel for the Emmy Award winning, WOC editing team of Black Lady Sketch Show for The Black TV and Film Collective. She is also the Creative Consultant for the very successful Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/38584945

Masterclass Comedy with Ian Edwards & Keith Robinson 10/08/2025

Masterclass Comedy with Ian Edwards & Keith Robinson Dive into comedic genius with Keith Robinson and Ian Edwards on the latest episode of "Friends Like Us." Don't miss their hilarious takes and Ian's new comedy special "Untitled" on YouTube! Keep those laughs coming! Ian Edwards is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, recognized for his sharp wit, dark humor, and provocative content. His new special “Untitled” is available on YouTube. Untitled” is Ian Edwards at his sharpest — taking on everything from gender reveals and Michael Jackson to racism in tech, missing submarines, and why hotels will never be sh*t. Filmed with raw honesty and amazing timing, this special proves why Ian has been one of the most respected voices in stand-up for decades. Ian released a stand-up special titled IanTalk: Ideas Not Worth Spreading on Comedy Central, produced by Bill Burr. His television appearances include multiple spots on Conan, Bill Burr’s Friends Who Kill on Netflix, and Friends From College on Netflix. 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 streamed on Amazon Prime, Peacock and Tubi. Keith has been featured in films such as Trainwreck and King of Staten Island. After two strokes, and an extended hospital stay, during COVID, Keith marched right back to the stage to create his latest and most personal work yet, Different Strokes; his second hour special, picked up and to be released in 2024 by Netflix. 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 /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/38501585

Reimagining Hamilton: A Journey Through Art, Activism, and Community 09/24/2025

Reimagining Hamilton: A Journey Through Art, Activism, and Community This week on Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with Memo Salazar and Lorre Fisher. We dive into the new, reimagined Hamilton! Discover the untold stories and truths behind the legendary figure through a powerful hip-hop lens. Tune in for insightful discussions and revolutionary perspectives! Lorre Fisher is a Jamaican-born NY resident. She is an aspiring creative and community builder. She is excited to play the role of James Madison in this production. She was a part of the October 2022 cast of A Sketch of New York as well as a cast member in a local production of The Vagina Monologues in 2019. As an admitted attorney, she seeks ways to integrate her love of art with her penchant for human rights and liberation. Memo Salazar is a Mexican-born DGA director, writer, and activist… and a longtime resident of Queens, New York. As a director, his work ranges from Public Enemy music videos to Elmo tackling homelessness on Sesame Street. He has collaborated with theoretical physicist Brian Greene on a Ted Talk, won 3 Emmy awards, and produced an animated series for Rohingya refugee children exiled from their home country of Burma. As an activist, he is a recipient of Arena’s Five Borough Future fellowship and the 2019 Queens Latinx leadership award for his community work. He is also the current co-chair of Western Queens CLT, which brings truly affordable housing and community-owned land to New York City.. 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'. /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/38328550

Jokes, Juries, and Break Dancing: Navigating Today's Headlines 09/17/2025

Improvising Through Grief: A Journey with Nnenna Freelon 09/10/2025

Improvising Through Grief: A Journey with Nnenna Freelon On this Friends Like Us, I talk with both Erica Switzer and Nnenna Freelon about the improvisation of grief. Experience the powerful stories behind Nnenna Freelon's album "Beneath The Skin" and her upcoming book "Beneath The Skin Of Sorrow." Pre-order the book now and get the album today! Don't miss out on these soulful insights into art and grief. Nnenna Freelon is a celebrated jazz vocalist, composer, producer, author and host of the award-winning podcast Great Grief with Nnenna Freelon. A seven-time Grammy® Award nominee, Freelon is a member of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. She has released over twelve solo albums, most recently, Beneath the Skin on Origin Records. She toured with Ray Charles. She performed at the inauguration of President George W. Bush in January 2001. In November 2011, The White House, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, asked Freelon to headline the Asia Pacific Economic Summit for 300 Presidents, Premiers, and Heads of State from around the world. Dr. Maya Angelou was an admirer of her voice. Married to Phillip Freelon, the lead architect for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History. Nnenna's book- preorder it now! : officially Oct. 21, is the companion piece to her lauded spring 2025 album ‘Beneath the Skin’ (Origin Records), Beneath the Skin of Sorrow, is a new collection of essays, poems, lyrics, revelations, and explorations of jazz, shaped by Freelon’s personal experiences with grief. It’s also a love letter—to Phil, to her sister, and to anyone learning to live with loss. Erica Switzer: Chicagoland’s Erica Switzer is a rising stand-up comedian; think “Your bougie jet-set auntie who twerks to NPR.” Since 2021, she has produced Fear Of A Black Cat Comedy, a platform highlighting diverse comedic talent. A 2020 Flappers Comedy Club Soup-or-Bowl winner, she has performed at major festivals such as the World Series of Comedy, Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest, and Burbank Comedy Festival's Best of Fest. 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'. /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/38150485

Finding Humor in Healing: A Journey Beyond Trauma 09/03/2025

Finding Humor in Healing: A Journey Beyond Trauma This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talks with Hollie Harper and Chanel Ali about Chanel's new solo show 'Relative Stranger'! They dive deep into her story of triumph over adversity. Tune into today's podcast to hear her inspiring journey and get your tickets to see the show! 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. Her new Solo show, Relative Stranger is playing at the Soho House from Sept. 17th - 28th. Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stand Up Girls, two programs that empower young women by teaching them standup comedy. She was recently the talent coordinator and casting for “Blood Lassi” on Spotify, written by Pratima Mani, and moderated the panel for the Emmy Award winning, WOC editing team of Black Lady Sketch Show for The Black TV and Film Collective. She is also the Creative Consultant for the very successful Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest. 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'. /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/38064210

Unpacking Democracy with Professor Christina Greer 08/20/2025

Unpacking Democracy with Professor Christina Greer We worked our tails off!" This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin is unpacking the power of black women in shaping democracy and communities with Mia Jackson & Dr. Christina Greer on. It's not just a conversation—it's a movement. Dr. Christina Greer is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University, Lincoln Center (Manhattan) campus. Her research and teaching focus on American politics, Black ethnic politics, campaigns and elections, and public opinion. She is the author of "Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream", "How to Build a Democracy from Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams", and co-editor of "Black Politics in Transition: Immigration, Suburbanization, and Gentrification". Greer writes a weekly column for The Amsterdam News, is a frequent political commentator on several media outlets, and is the co-host of FAQ-NYC Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for “native”). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the Critic's Choice Best Stand-Up in the city. She has toured nationally with Amy Schumer and is a featured comic at festivals and clubs across the country. Her first stand up special aired in October 2018 as part of Unprotected Sets on EPIX. Mia has appeared on NickMom's Night Out, Viceland, Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Her Comedy Central half hour special debuted in November 2019 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'. /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/37880180

Estrogen Cheeks to Men's Filler: A Funny Take On Trends 08/13/2025

Amplifying Voices: Comedy and Cultural Shifts 08/06/2025

Amplifying Voices: Comedy and Cultural Shifts Dive into a fun thought-provoking discussions on race, gender, and the evolving comedy scene with the latest episode of Friends Like Us. Join Marina Franklin, Vanessa Fraction, and Pete Dominick for laughs and insights! Pete Dominick -For almost 12 years, Pete was the host of a daily three-hour live radio show on SIRIUSXM, “Stand Up with Pete Dominick”. The show welcomed 3-4 expert guests on a broad range of issues and ideas and cultivated a following of similarly curious and passionate people who wanted to learn, laugh, and grow together. This format eventually led Pete to start his own, independent daily podcast where he hosts two brilliant guests per day, along-side a comprehensive 20-30 minute news segment. He books, hosts, edits, and produces the entire podcast from his home in New York state. The podcast rivals any daily news podcast from major media companies. Pete loves creating his own content while speaking on a wide range of issues, performing stand up, and doing his best to continue learning how to make the world a better place. Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. 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'. /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/37688610

Protecting Potential: Black Athletes and the Guardians Who Guide Them With Tracie Canada 07/30/2025

Protecting Potential: Black Athletes and the Guardians Who Guide Them With Tracie Canada Host Marina Franklin has an insightful conversation with Professor Tracie Canada and Ashima Franklin on the experiences of black college football players and their moms. Listen to our latest episode to understand the untold stories behind the sport. Tracie Canada: Tracie Canada is the Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University. She is the author of Tackling the Everyday: Race and Nation in Big-Time College Football (University of California Press, 2025) and the founder and director of the HEARTS (Health, Ethnography, and Race through Sports) Lab. Her work has also been featured in public venues and outlets such as the Museum of Modern Art, TIME, The Guardian, and Scientific American. Ashima Franklin: Ashima Franklin is a comedian, writer and actor, born and raised in Mobile, AL. Recently, she was selected as one of the inaugural 2024 NETFLIX IS A JOKE… Introducing (New Faces) comedians. In addition, she was also selected “Best of Fest” at Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin. She also performed in comedy festivals like Flyover Comedy Fest, Laughing Skull and New York Comedy Festival. Previously, she toured the country for 5 years with Katt Williams on the Priceless, The Katt Pack and Katapocolypse tours. . As an actor, she also appeared in the movie THE AFTERPARTY on Netflix. Ashima recently appeared on the ALLBLK Network on the Kendall Kyndall show with Drew Sadora, as well as Season 2 of OWN’s READY TO LOVE. In addition, she appeared on Kountry Wayne’s COMEDY SHIT (Youtube), in which she is currently a recurring cast member. Ashima also headlined the Vivica Fox Funny by Nature Tour. Ashima was selected to be a part of the 2022 & 2023 New York Comedy Festival. 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'. /episode/index/show/friendslikeus/id/37600060

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