THE SHORT OF IT

Send us Fan MailThey lived in an America that often refused to see them. Some were born into slavery. One crossed an ocean to be ordained. Each answered God’s call with courage, and each has a cause for sainthood advancing in the Church today.Through historians, clergy, religious sisters, and people whose lives they still touch, this six-part series traces their struggles, their faith, and the legacy they left behind. We sit down with the series creator, Richard Brown, and host Dr. Ansel Augustine to talk about the importance and timeliness of these historical stories.Support the show

Send us Fan MailJesse is a versatile filmmaker and camera professional whose career spans over a decade across independent cinema, major television networks, and scientific institutions like the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.Beginning his career in 2012 in New York City, he started as a camera assistant and operator for independent films, documentaries, and commercials. Over the years, his camera work has been featured on major networks like The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, A&E, MTV, and VH1, as well as at premier festivals including Cannes, Sundance, and SXSW. Today, Jesse balances his high-end production expertise with marine science and education through his work at Mote Marine Laboratory.Support the show

Send us Fan MailRed Shaydez is a visionary hip-hop artist, educator, and cultural architect redefining what it means to move with purpose in music and media. Red sits down with us to discuss her music journey, filmmaking, mentorship, and what it felt like going back to her alma mater to inspire the next generation of content creators!Support the show

Send us Fan MailFrom Connecticut roots to lighting up the Boston and NYC creative scenes, multi-hyphenate actor, writer, and stylist Bri Bagley is a true standout. Known for her unique blend of charm and spunk, she brings an undeniable spark to both the stage and the screen. Tune in as Bri breaks down her funny, semi-autobiographical film, Last Call, and drops invaluable advice for filmmakers trying to make their mark. Support the show

Send us Fan MailSalustiano Berrios is a Puerto Rican writer, screenwriter, and actor from the Bronx, now living in Connecticut. He writes novels, short stories, poetry, and screenplays. The stories can be funny, unsettling, tender, or downright strange—sometimes all at once.His collection Sex Food Music Drugs contains 199 complete stories, each exactly 500 words. His other books include Growing Children, Son in Bag, and Starlight Booze.Most recently, he starred in the film "Cuffe Taxed," and he sat down with us to discuss this life pivot and why he fell in love with acting.CREDITS:Music from #Uppbeat@-the-block/inner-strengthLicense code: 5ZMHIETFDRJSRON8Support the show

Send us Fan MailBorn and raised in Massachusetts, performing in a stage play at Jubilee Christian Church formerly known as New Covenant Christian church, was Julian's first acting debut. From there, over the years, Julian not only immersed himself in the craft but also graduated with a degree in Film and Media Arts from Temple University in Philadelphia. He remained in Philly for a time, performing in theater productions such as Tears from a Broken Mind, Me and My Girlfriend, along with getting involved in several short films. It wasn't long before he moved to Los Angeles, CA, to challenge himself more in his artistry, landing spots on NBCUniversal daytime television and even appearing on Byron Allen's Funny You Should Ask game show. He's continuing on his path by being involved in numerous short films, plus more to come! Presently, Julian's mission is to share his faith with others along with collaborating with creatives through the art of storytelling. CREDITS:Music from #Uppbeat@-the-block/inner-strengthLicense code: 5ZMHIETFDRJSRON8Support the show

Send us Fan MailActor, author, and now filmmaker Jestina Weems-Rosenduft drops by to discuss her very personal film, "Justice Denied" -  a documentary about pursuing justice in the remembrance, resistance, and creative reclamation of what happened to her dad—while preserving a family's truth, voice, creativity, community, and the refusal to let their loved one be forgotten.CREDITS:Music from #Uppbeat@-the-block/inner-strengthLicense code: 5ZMHIETFDRJSRON8Support the show

Send us Fan MailActors, writers, producers Kimberlee Connor and Mary Pursell discuss the powerful new film "Ask for the Nice Lady", directed by our own  Rachelle A. Dermer, what it was like playing these characters, and their new project, "The Right Kind of Woman".CREDITS:Music from #Uppbeat@-the-block/inner-strengthLicense code: 5ZMHIETFDRJSRON8Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn part 2 of our season premiere with Kyle Moody - a professor of Communications Media in the School of Arts & Sciences at Fitchburg State University- we discuss the disintegration of public media, why journalism is becoming a lost art form, and why Samantha have an "S" on her chest?CREDITS:Music from #Uppbeat@-the-block/inner-strengthLicense code: 5ZMHIETFDRJSRON8Support the show

Send us Fan MailKyle Moody, a professor of Communications Media in the School of Arts & Sciences at Fitchburg State University, discusses the changing landscape of ALL media, using social media to be a filmmaker, and the do's and don'ts of selling your film!CREDITS:Music from #Uppbeat@-the-block/inner-strengthLicense code: 5ZMHIETFDRJSRON8Support the show