DLG325 Musician Kelsey Warren of BLAK EMOJI is a freakin' sharp mofo!

Patty is an excellent visual artist/painter who has just hung a show at Front Room-open until Jan. 6, titled, "Studio Mates", which features 5 pairs of artists who share studios. https://www.frontroomles.com/ We have an engaging and illuminating discussion about what the experience and effect of having a studio mate is on ones art and life. Patty has some great stories about the studio visits she made during the curation of this show. There’s some great stories about Patty’s own studio share with artist Amy Hill. (Here's a Dr. Lisa session with Amy: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/drlisa/episodes/2018-09-25T09_55_52-07_00). We also talk about Patty’s dramatic change of subject in her own work—abstract to an original form of self-portraiture. She says due to her feelings resulting from the election of Donald Trump, but Dr. Lisa pokes around to check if there’s more personal besides her political feelings behind that. More about Patty and her work here: http://patriciafabricant.com/

Robert Galinsky’s had a very rough couple of years with his father growing up. His father had undiagnosed depression which as we discussed, he worked through and resolved.   His childhood experiences motivated him to heal and help others has given him a more than full life as an artist: an actor, a writer, director, teacher, coach. Galinsky's suburban life drew him to find out directly how struggling people lived. Galinsky has been running youth writing workshops in Riker's Island for the past 7 years, so he helps us imagine what life is like in Riker's; the teens who are held there what they dream of, how they got there, what they hope to accomplish upon release. After this session, I felt that if there were more Galinsky's and if there was a pipeline for people to become Galinskys, the world would be a better place. When asked about this, Robert says, we're a consumer society and we don't have the will to deal with these issues. I agree, but I will think about incarcerated teens differently because of our talk. https://linktr.ee/galinskynow Sign up! Go see his play when you it's running ! https://thebenchplay.com/home Based on true stories and real people, The Bench, set in urban decay and rubble, explores the emotional heartbreak of five homeless characters and the catastrophic hysteria surrounding AIDS in the late 1980’s. It’s solo theater, where one actor plays five characters, written in dialogue form. “A slice of life carved from the lower depths. Galinsky brings a wrenching realism to his material." LA Times--  “If you enjoy the work of Anna Deavere Smith or 'Humans of New York" you're in for a treat. Galinsky transforms himself into a living ghost. His vital solo piece, is the most important kind of urban voyeurism. It puts a smile on your lips and moisture in your eyes.” Theater Is Easy “Director Jay O. Sanders has built a career on roles that are inseparable from the worlds that spawned them; that same sensibility is certain to be in evidence in the play The Bench.” DEADLINE Hollywood “Galinsky is a theatre operative, impresario, and a bundle of energy and curly black hair.” Wall Street Journal BIO: Galinsky is a contributing writer to The Fresh Toast, is Head Speaker Coach for TEDxTeen, TEDxFultonStreet, and teaches writing and performance at Rikers Island Jail, through the non-profit Literacy for Incarcerated Teens and GalinskyCoaching.com. His work as an artist activist has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, and on The VIEW, NPR, ABC Nightline News and many media outlets.

I had a blast with Kevin Allison in this session. At over a million downloads a month, live shows all over the country, a book and more-RISK! is described as, "a hit podcast where people tell true stories they never thought they'd dare to share." Listen to any episode and you will see what we're saying! It's sooooo exceptional. Kevin is a professional sharer, so he didn't hold back with Dr. Lisa. He talks about his gay group therapy that shrinks kept quitting, his current shrink, what he's really like vs. the onstage version of Kevin, some of his dating experiences, how relationships with his fellow members of "The State" developed throughout the show, and how there will never be enough downloads to make him happy.

Kelsey has played and collaborated with many people; he is known most recently for his recordings as Blak Emoji. He also produced a film and has produced other artists, and did a one-person musical stage performance based on his own life. He has lots of cool stories to tell. Kelsey is a consummate professional on every level—first and foremost his own work. He's super smart about navigating the music business and he has real experience to share. Lots of entertainment, learning and a sampling of Blak Emoji in this powerful session. LISTEN: https://orcd.co/beec FOLLOW: https://www.instagram.com/blak.emoji/ WEBSITE: https://www.blakemoji.com/ WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQRzhUzTsBs BIO: BLAK EMOJI Blak Emoji is the brainchild of NYC producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Kelsey Warren. Blending pop inspirations with an emphasis on electronic music, synth sounds and intricate writing, Kelsey's sonic dream is brought to life. The debut Blak Emoji EP, "INTRO" (2017) was the first of several releases with two albums, a sophomore EP and the latest album "ECLECTRO." Warren has received a variety of accolades from notable publications including Rolling Stone, Afro-Punk, Line Best Of Fit, BUST, Clash Magazine, Vampire Freaks and Tape Op. Blak Emoji songs "Velvet Ropes & Dive Bars" and "Poison To Medicine" made their way to ABC's Quantico while "Sapiosexual" appeared in several indie films. Warren was immersed in soul/R&B and pop music growing up in South Jersey. But after learning piano concertos, jazz guitar standards, drums and other instruments, Warren became addicted to hip-hop, punk, minimalist classical. He supplemented his ever-expanding musical taste with a dense love of electronic music and synth inspiration from Kraftwerk to Prince to NIN. Quarantine didn't prove to slow down Warren who spent the duration of the pandemic producing numerous artists and directing music videos. He dropped an avant-electronic instrumental Blak Emoji album called "Antidote". In 2022, Blak Emoji was signed to ECR Music Group. The first single release after joining the ECR label is "MAINSTAY," which is one of his most successful to date. This February, ECR will release a deluxe edition of "ECLECTRO" with bonus tracks.

Artist Scooter LaForge is a delight. To be honest, I somehow felt like connecting with him on this show was healing for me-now who’s the shrink!? Scooter’s work is amazing and so instinctual- he cannot not do it. Even though he’s worked with big names like he is as humble as can be. So much to learn from his perspective—growing up as a gay man in a tiny town in Arizona. I have to say I was envious hearing of all the free-range outdoor time he had, but alas the town, it’s sounds really small and devoid of gays which means a pretty homogenous group of people (boring!) Scooter is the best of what an artist is—someone fueled by their work and satisfied because of it. He complimented me a lot, so I’m going to give him an A as a guest rating. Follow and learn more about Scooter HERE: https://www.scooter-laforge.com/ Instagram @scooterlaforge @scooter_laforge_a_life_of_art/ BIO: Scooter Laforge began his love affair with art at a very young age while growing up in the small town of Las Cruces, New Mexico. His burning desire to render things beautifully began with his singer/songwriter mother, and his landscape painting father; both equally inspired his creativity and lust for art. Laforge’s work can be characterized as Pop Art partnered with abstract expressionism and Dutch classicism. His paintings and drawings are portraitures, landscapes, and objective subject matter, utilizing his special painting techniques and incorporating his homoerotic, in your face, non-apologetic lifestyle.  Like Golden Books on acid, his work employs a 50’s illustrated storybook technique, modernized by 70’s color palettes and are influenced heavily by gay pornography, cute fluffy animals, and sometimes iconic cartoons (i.e. SpongeBob Square Pants, The Cookie Monster, and Popeye and Brutis) which are reoccurring characters and themes within his work.  LaForge earned his BFA from the University of Arizona in 1993,[5] and began his career as a painter in San Francisco.[6] He moved to New York City in 2001,[3] where he attended the Cooper Union School of Art under a fellowship.[8] His art is in the collections of the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art[9] and Beth Rudin DeWoody.[10] LaForge has a line of hand-painted, unique clothing items that are sold through fashion stylist Patricia Field.[11] He has twice collaborated with Belgian fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck.[12][13] His clothing has been worn by Susanne Bartsch,[14] Sandra Bernhard,[15] Beyoncé,[8] Miley Cyrus,[6] Boy George,[3] Debbie Harry,[8] Nicki Minaj,[3] Madonna,[8] Iggy Pop,[3] Rihanna,[6] and Lil Wayne.[3]

Did I tell you I opened at gallery to show funny art in a comedy space? Philip Markle and his team at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective generously agreed to work with me and now it's up! I am the director and creator of the gallery. I have always admired Babak's work and now he's the second show in the gallery. He came to NYC for his install and opening so I was able to do this fantastic session here with him. We dig into his influences, life history and I quiz him about the thinking behind some of his work. Especially the romantic stuff, ladies! Enjoy! More about Babak Ganjei and his work HERE. His work is VERY AFFORDABLE—SHOP HERE. Follow Babak on instagram HERE. More about Babak for anything about him I may have missed.

Sadie Aznat is a A British asian comedian breaking boundaries with her insightful humor, thought-provoking commentary, and infectious charm. Sadia clearly makes her own choices. Like deciding when she was 19 that she wanted to wear her hijab full time.She’s a comedian who recently published a book: Love Bomb: Sadia takes the time to school me (us) in the realities of being a sex-positive hijab wearer. She’s doing a great job of eradicating stereotypes as we demonstrate by successfully eradicating some of mine. More about Sadia: Sadia co-created and hosted the award-winning podcast, 'No Country For Young Women', which tackles love, life, and work from a multicultural perspective. A writer with an undeniable voice, Sadia's debut book ‘Sex Bomb’ navigates the nuances of British Asian life with candor and wit. Check out her book SEX BOMB HERE Check out her website HERE ABOUT HER BOOK SEX BOMB: Sadia is a comedian who loves sex. She is also a hijab-wearing Muslim woman. The two are in a lifelong relationship, but it's complicated. Sadia Azmat has many different sides to her, she is the good Muslim sister and the loud and proud comedian, she is the quiet and loving friend and the horny and outspoken one. So why does everyone put her in a box and expect her to choose between one or the other? In a life of ups and downs, swings and roundabouts, Sadia has learnt the hard way that she can embrace her sexuality and be a proud British-Indian Muslim. From discovering her sexual identity after seeing a copy of Asian Babes on the shelf in the corner shop to rejecting an arranged marriage and feeling distanced from her culture; from her experience dating white and Asian men to her tumultuous relationship with her headscarf, Sadia is unafraid to spill the honest truth. Sadia finds the funny in every experience she has and this book explodes with personality, warmth and joy. This book is for anyone who has ever felt different or alone; allow this book to fill you up and propel you forward, because we all deserve to feel like a Sex Bomb.

David's plans in March have exceeded expectations which is mostly exciting, with some of the normal moving to New York housing stress —keeps it real of course. Here's our session from this past March so you can see where this fruitful + exciting journey began! https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/RADIO6476872637.mp3?updated=1683744909

BETH CAMPBELL is someone who’s work first emerged in 2000 and impressed the f*ck out of me at the first greater New York Show. I became an instant fan and have watch her work has expanded and developed since then. So I was thrilled to have her on as my guest. This question from an interview by Sara Murkett in the Huffington Post describes what people often wonder when they see the body of Campbell’s work: "It seems to me that to make the work that you do, you would need to have a good sense of industrial design, architectural planning, design and math. Is this something that came naturally to you or something that had to develop because that was the kind of work that you wanted to make?"  We went deeper into what Beth’s influences, (church, youngest of 7, etc...) and experiences, (living in a small town, childhood hours roaming outside, etc..), led her to conceptualize and realize her ideas. Beth is an original human with a deep connection to her work and a rarely seen commitment to realizing her vision in her work to a level of perfection, no matter what obstacle she needs to wrestle to get there. Follow Beth HERE: @bethcampbell7 BIO (Beth's body of work is vast , diverse and philosophical. I invite you to do your own research!) BETH CAMPBELL, BORN IN ILLINOIS IN 1971, RECEIVED HER BFA FROM TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY, KIRKSVILLE, MO (1993), AND HER MFA FROM OHIO UNIVERSITY, ATHENS, OH (1997), AFTER WHICH SHE ATTENDED THE SKOWHEGAN SCHOOL OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE, MADISON, ME (1997). SHE CURRENTLY LIVES AND WORKS IN BROOKLYN, NY. CAMPBELL HAS HELD OVER A DOZEN SOLO EXHIBITIONS AT GALLERIES AND INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING KATE WERBLE GALLERY, NEW YORK, NY (2019, 2017, 2012); THE ALDRICH CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM, RIDGEFIELD, CT (2017); ANNE MOSSERI-MARLIO GALERIE, BASEL, CH (2014); COUNTRY CLUB, CHICAGO, IL (2012); JUNE LEE CONTEMPORARY ART, SEOUL, KOREA (2011); SCULPTURE CENTER, CLEVELAND, OH (2010); MANIFESTA 7 (2008); NICOLE KLAGSBRUN GALLERY, NEW YORK, NY (2008, 2005, 2004); THE PUBLIC ART FUND (2007); AND WHITE COLUMNS, NEW YORK, NY (2000). IN 2007, SHE PRESENTED A SOLO PROJECT, FOLLOWING ROOM, AT THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, NEW YORK, NY. HER WORK HAS BEEN SHOWN IN NEW YORK AT VENUES INCLUDING MOMA PS1, THE NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM OF ART, ANDREA ROSEN GALLERY, ARTISTS SPACE, AND THE BLOOMBERG FINANCIAL OFFICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH SCULPTURE CENTER. CAMPBELL HAS ALSO BEEN FEATURED IN EXHIBITIONS AT THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART (PITTSBURGH, PA); THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM (PITTSBURGH, PA); CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER (CINCINNATI, OH); OK CENTER (LINZ, AT); HALES GALLERY (LONDON, UK); AND EX3 CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, (FLORENCE, IT). HER WORK HAS BEEN REVIEWED IN ARTFORUM, THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, THE NEW YORKER, ART LIES: A CONTEMPORARY ART QUARTERLY, THE NEW CRITERION, ART IN AMERICA, TIMEOUT NEW YORK, NEW YORK MAGAZINE, ARTNEWS, THE BROOKLYN RAIL, BOMB, THE VILLAGE VOICE, AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. CAMPBELL RECEIVED A GUGGENHEIM FELLOWSHIP IN 2011, A RESIDENCY AT KOHLER ARTS CENTER IN 2010, AND A LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY FELLOWSHIP IN 2009. OTHER GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS INCLUDE THE JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER, ARTS/INDUSTRY RESIDENCY (2010), THE POLLOCK-KRASNER FOUNDATION GRANT (2006), AND THE REMA HORT MANN FOUNDATION ART GRANT (2000). HER WORK IS INCLUDED IN THE COLLECTIONS OF THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, NEW YORK, NY; THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, NEW YORK, NY; ALTOIDS CURIOUSLY STRONG COLLECTION, THE NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, NEW YORK, NY; THE NEW SCHOOL, NEW YORK, NY; BLOOMBERG RADIO AND NEWS, NEW YORK, NY; AND LANDMARKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, AUSTIN, TX.

Suzanne Murphy is a VERY successful Wall Street veteran (over 20 years). She owns an upper east side apartment, speaks at, and attends NYC social events that no one I know goes to. So, when she seemed genuinely interested coming out to Bushwick and being on my show, I was honored. It’s not even a charity event! It was illuminating for me to hear Suzanne talk about her values and hard work that has led her to have the life she has. She is passionate about setting an example for women to make empowered choices for themselves. Ok, she was given a great dad and a great work ethic… and she is smart and too, but she is not full of shit, and she makes that clear. Suzanne has not cut any rungs out on her ladder up. This woman has the healthiest boundaries of any of my guests ever (and myself too, of course.) Also, Dr. Lisa thinks because she was a world class skater, that was helpful too. Girls learn a lot of how to function in society from sports. And discipline and responsibility—those qualities are priceless. But honestly, out of all of this, and Suzanne’s had some big obstacles too, it seems obvious is the thing that brings her true joy, is being a mom to 11-year-old actress, Sydney Bea. She’s 11 and she’s already working! Suzanne is a founding member of an awesome new immersive museum — The Museum of Broadway! Visit and learn more about it HERE. And if you’d like to follow the adventures of a young actress on Instagram, this is the account Suzanne manages for her daughter, Sydney Bea: https://www.instagram.com/sydneybeasbway/