From Architect to Belly Dancer – Nailah Noor’s Journey of Transformation, Resilience, and Empowerment

#31: This is part two with Nailah, and if you haven’t listened to part one go back to episode #3 and listen to it, She talked with Brannon on that episode in depth about her background and juggling being an architect in the day and a belly dancer at night. However, on today’s episode Nailah opens up about her big transition from leaving the world of architecture to solely focus on the art of belly dance. She talks about finding her true calling, reconnecting with her body, and overcoming challenges as she transitioned into a career that aligns with her soul. Nailah shares her inspiring journey of overcoming adversity, mastering new skills, and embracing her truth. She’s on a mission to empower women to connect with their bodies through dance and movement. This conversation was full of empowerment, resilience, and the beauty of transformation. So If you’ve ever felt the urge to break free from expectations and follow your passion, this episode is for you More from Nailah: Instagram: Nailah Noor ✨️ Belly Dancer ✨️ Dallas, TX (@nailahnoorbellydance) • Instagram photos and videos Nailah Noor Belly Dance Dallas (@nailahnoorbellydance) | TikTok nailahnoorbellydance.com

#30: Today, we're thrilled to introduce Ethan — a true multidisciplinary artist and builder. Ethan is an interior designer, a university instructor, and an artist whose talents span painting and digital art. But that's not all — Ethan’s passion for innovative living led him to design and construct tiny homes, crafting spaces that blend minimalism, creativity, and functionality. Join us as Ethan shares his journey of trial, error, and triumph — from his first tiny home experiments to balancing technical design with artistic expression. This episode dives into the power of learning by doing, the intersection of architecture and interiors, and the beauty of embracing imperfections in creative work. More from Ethan: Instagram: Ethan Ramirez (@ethanayce) • Instagram photos and videos

#29: We’re excited to introduce Nick Woodall, a talented welder, printmaker, and artist. Nick’s journey is one of constant reinvention and hands-on creation, from his initial days in architecture school to now owning a well-equipped workshop where he gives new life to old materials. He shares how he started by repurposing and transforming discarded items, Nick soon transitioned to larger and more intricate projects, gaining a following for his unique style and commitment to craftsmanship. We dive deep into Nick's background and what it’s taken to build his art practice, one machine at a time. He explains his fascination with tools and manufacturing processes, tracing the evolution of his skill set from small projects to larger installations and even furniture for salons.  His journey also highlights the role of location, with Albuquerque providing an affordable start but ultimately leading him to Austin, where budgets better matched his ambitions. Throughout, Nick reflects on the challenges and rewards of being a full-time fabricator and artist, building a career out of passion, perseverance, and a lot of heavy lifting. More from Nick: Instagram: Nick Woodall (@thespungold) • Instagram photos and videos Website: Spun Gold Design | United States | Spun Gold Mfg

#28: Brannon and Yusra here! In this solo episode, we’re diving into our unforgettable trip to Egypt! We asked for your questions, and you guys delivered with some amazing ones. We’ll be talking about cultural norms in Egypt that are different from those in the U.S., our top tips and recommendations for anyone visiting Egypt for the first time, and what advice we’d give to future travelers. Plus, we’ll share our favorite foods from the trip and so much more! Whether you’re planning a trip or just curious about the experience, tune in for all the fun details and travel insights.

#27:  We were pumped to get the opportunity to interview a true innovator from Dallas – Jake Gatewood. Jake is one of the visionaries behind “Take a Break Fest” where he uses his passion for disco house and sweaty dance floors to create the ultimate space for people to unwind and literally take a break from everyday life.  Jake’s musical journey started early, growing up surrounded by sound and rhythm. From life on the road as a kid to mixing beats across genres for various rappers, he eventually found his groove in creating a unique blend of hybrid disco house, sampling classics to bring something fresh to the scene. His concerts started in Dallas, but has since moved to Austin and is trending to come to a city near you. So get ready to take a break and tune in to the force behind “Take a Break Fest.” JAKEGATEWOOD (@jakegatewood) • Instagram photos and videos

#26: From a young age, Kassandra knew she was destined to be a creator of some kind! What started as a childhood hobby with an Easy-Bake Oven quickly grew into a full-blown passion for baking and design. Moving from Dallas to the town of Kyle, Texas, Kass took a leap of faith and turned her passion into a thriving business, Kassy Cakes. Known for her intricate and unique cake designs, Kassandra has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of many, building a dedicated following along the way. Today, we get to dissect some of her early influences, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she continues to push the boundaries of cake design and content creation. Whether you're a baking enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just a fan of a great success story, this episode is definitely one you’ll want to check out. More from Kassandra: Instagram Kassandra Osorio (@_kassycakes_) • Instagram photos and videos TikTok Kass (@_kassycakes_) | TikTok Website Kassy Cakes

#25: Brannon Heake is joined by Austin, TX content creator Danielle Price. Danielle was our first ever guest on the show and we couldn’t think of anyone else we would want to do our one year episode with! In this episode, we reflect on some of the wild moments along with the crazy growth that got us to this point. Danielle updates us on the podcast she recently launched, how that was successful enough to now become her main focus, and all the different ways raising allergy awareness has affected her life and others around her! If you know Danielle, you know her positive/ hilarious outlook on life is contagious along with her method of singing through any situation. Her go-getter attitude will leave you feeling like every dream is attainable.The passion she has for allergy awareness is also being fueled by personal experiences that will open your eyes to some of the modern challenges we face along with some of the victories! Danielle’s resilience through showing people her own battle with an extreme nut allergy highlights the progress of what is possible, and can one day subtract a lot of the stressors people with allergies have to be aware of in the future. More from Danielle: Instagram Danielle Price | ATX Girly Whirlie (@danielle.shesfun) • Instagram photos and videos TikTok Danielle Price (@danielle.shesfun) | TikTok

#24: We are joined today by the artist Douglas Galloway as he walks us through his artistic journey, breaking down the moments that created the narratives behind each of his stunning pieces. He’s an amazing storyteller and it shows in the details and interpretations of how he observes life through his lens and his loved ones around him. Tune in as he talks about the amazing feeling of becoming successful, then to have it all taken away by something that is completely out of his control, just to come back and rebuild better and stronger. We also revisit the parallels of his spiritual journey and how after a decade of soul and spiritual searching eventually led him back to his first love, Art. Doug’s kind and empathetic outlook on life is contagious, leaving you wanting to love the person next to you that much more. Join me in welcoming Douglas Galloway to the Cool Ass People Podcast. More from Doug: Douglas Galloway (@douglasgallowaystudio) • Instagram photos and videos Texas Modern Artist | Douglas Galloway Studio | United States

#23: Joining us is Kelly Ann Shuman, an entrepreneur originally from the Netherlands who made a bold move to the U.S. to pursue her dreams. Prepare to feel inspired as she discusses the intense process of going from scrubbing Airbnbs to becoming the proud owner of Rebel June, a thriving skincare company that caters specifically to tattoo enthusiasts. We also talk about Kelly’s tattoos and how each piece of ink tells a part of her journey. They vary in meaning and depth as we discuss the fun nature of her tattoos, and how they are a good reminder that you don’t always have to take life so seriously. Kelly's story is one of resilience, determination, and reinvention. She's lived ten different lives to get to where she is today, each chapter more fascinating than the last. From navigating the challenges of a new country to building a successful business from the ground up, Kelly's experiences offer valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to forge their own path. Kelly Ann Shuman (@kellyannshuman) • Instagram photos and videos REBEL JUNE (@rebeljune) • Instagram photos and videos

#22: Join us in this episode as I sit down with Jerrett Ervin, also known as Rocky Tacoma, to explore what it takes to thrive in the drag world. From event planning to performing, prepare to be inspired as Jerrett shares his journey of self-exploration through drag, offering a roadmap to becoming a successful performer that transcends into everyday life. Jerrett breaks down three essential steps: Be Your Genuine Self: Always strive to be authentic and cultivate your true self in any space. Capitalize on Your Uniqueness: Understand that we are all a product of our experiences. Identifying what sets you apart will propel you forward. Know Your Place and Goals: Recognize where you currently stand and where you aim to be. Set goals, prioritize them, and enjoy the journey along the way. Jerrett’s passion for learning, pushing boundaries, and self-improvement is contagious. Don't miss this episode! Rocky Tacoma (@rockytacoma69) • Instagram photos and videos