In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir speaks with founder and media strategist Kenneth Groom, creator of Beyond Normal Media, about podcasting, storytelling, and supporting small business owners and founders through audio.

Kenny shares his transition from data analytics and banking into media and storytelling, and how Beyond Normal Media grew from a podcast into a full-service media company. The conversation explores why audio remains a strong foundation for content strategy, how founders can tell authentic stories without chasing trends, and what gets lost when businesses prioritize polish over meaning.

This episode also covers podcasting for founders, B2B storytelling, sustainability in podcasting, the role of AI in creative workflows, and why everyday businesses often hold the most overlooked stories. It's a grounded conversation for founders, creators, and service providers thinking about long-term value and clarity in their content.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Interview Series
00:12 Meet Kenneth Groom and Beyond Normal Media
01:14 From Data Analytics to Storytelling
03:02 The Mission Behind Beyond Normal Media
04:10 Supporting Black and Brown Founders
07:20 Why Audio Still Matters
10:06 Podcasting Opportunities and Evolution
15:48 The Birth of the Beyond Normal Podcast
19:53 Untold Stories of Founders
22:55 Storytelling and Brand Identity
23:40 AI, Convenience, and Creativity
26:59 The Future of Podcasting
33:28 Authenticity Over Perfection
38:01 Sustainability and Creator Burnout
43:01 Reflections on Afros & Audio
44:52 Closing and Where to Connect

To learn more about Kenny Groom and Beyond Normal Media visit: https://www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Follow on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

https://www.youtube.com/@beyondnormalmedia/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media/

https://beyondnormalmedia.substack.com/

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir speaks with award-winning podcaster, educator, and founder Dr. Asia Lyons about wellness, sustainability, and creative possibility for Black educators.

Dr. Lyons shares her journey from classroom teaching to building Liberated Educators Lab, a platform centered on care, permission, and collective support. The conversation explores the challenges Black educators face, podcasting as a healing and reflective practice, and how creative work can function as both personal restoration and community infrastructure.

This episode also covers live podcasting, audience connection, balancing preparation with flexibility, sustaining multiple initiatives, and integrating creative practice into academic and professional spaces. It's a grounded conversation for educators, podcasters, and creatives navigating growth, burnout, and long-term impact.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:17 Dr. Asia Lyons' Background and Work
01:01 Challenges in Education and the Exit Story
05:53 Podcasting as a Healing Practice
13:15 Live Podcasting and Audience Impact
16:28 Balancing Preparation and Flexibility
21:53 Sustaining Multiple Initiatives
24:06 Understanding Emerge Genetics
26:14 Influence of Family and Lineage
27:56 Possibility, Permission, and Creative Choice
28:39 Reflecting on the Teaching Journey
32:56 Supporting Black Educators
35:04 Community, Creativity, and Care
40:50 Future Directions and Academic Integration
42:43 Closing Reflections and Where to Connect

To learn more about Dr. Asia Lyons and The Exit Interview podcast visit: https://www.exitinterviewpodcast.com

Follow on Social Media: Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/hellodrasia/?next=%2F

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asia-lyons/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theexitinterviewpodcast

To learn more about Talib Jasir and Afros & Audio visit: www.afrosandaudio.com follow us on Instagram: @afrosandaudio

In this episode of Heard Afros Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir opens Season 4 with podcast producer, musician, and creative architect Mike Brown for a conversation about vulnerability, creative sustainability, and knowing when it's time to let go.

Mike reflects on building The Art of Letting Go from personal therapy conversations into a long-running podcast with over 200 episodes. He shares how authenticity shapes sound, why podcasting remains a powerful medium for self expression, and what consistency reveals about a creator's relationship to their work.

This episode explores podcast evolution, audience shifts, adapting formats without losing integrity, and closing a creative chapter on your own terms. It's a grounded conversation for podcasters, audio producers, and creatives navigating growth, burnout, and what comes next.

Timestamps:

00:00 Season 4 Introduction
00:30 Who Mike Brown Is and His Audio Origins
00:55 Childhood Recording and Early Creative Curiosity
02:21 The Art of Letting Go and Therapy as a Catalyst
08:14 Podcasting as Self Expression
12:24 Consistency, Repetition, and Growth
14:26 Authenticity and the Mike Brown Touch
17:45 Creating Safety and Vulnerability on the Mic
19:38 Adapting to Industry and Audience Shifts
21:14 The Evolution of Podcasting Formats
28:23 Support Systems and Creative Sustainability
31:18 Closing a Chapter and What Comes Next

To learn more about Mike Brown visit:

lnk.bio/theartoflettinggo

Follow Mike on Social Media:

Instagram: @theartoflettinggopodcast
LinkedIn: justmikebrown