WDEK Podcast Ep. 93: Cisco Bradley & LaKendra Tookes - 6/29/21

Happy Pride Everyone!  We celebrate our friends and our fashion icon former guest Jack Dwyer!  June was the first month in a year and a half that we were social in a seemingly "normal" way.  Shonali's exhausted already.

Our first guest is Cisco Bradley!  He's an Author, Professor of Cultural & Social History, Free Jazz & and Experimental Music Aficionado!  Just what is "cultural production?"   Cisco has just published a book about the genius free jazz bassist William Parker, titled Universal Tonality. We dig deep into the philosophy and inspiring music & words of this influential artist whose career has spanned over 5 decades.  We tie together Mr. Parker's philosophy of life and art to the current state of the world.  Cisco says "...the history of the United States is the history of racism and the struggles against it..." We discuss underappreciated artists in America & Shonali brings up Shannon Wright, our former Ep. 61 guest! Turns out Cisco is also her fan! Cisco knows what's up! 

Father-to-be Justin The Intern gets his own Get It Off Your Chest segment and he surprises us all with what is annoying him today. We are all injured.  Christian insists everyone must get Zoom First Aid Kit. 

Our second guest is comedian, former SNL writer, actress LaKendra Tookes!  LaKendra does not discount out all catcallers! She shares what is acceptable.  LaKendra gives us an honest account of her times down time during this pandemic.  She has decided "she only wants to do work that uplifts & celebrates black people and black joy." She is resilient and radiates hope! LaKendra shares her guilty pleasure - reality tv! Did you know LaKendra and her dog Savannah are not scared of rabid squirrels?! 

And we leave you with the fresh summer dance hit by comedian Greg Barris! Check it out here on YouTube- Galimmimus! Enjoy and stay safe, mask up everyone.  The variant is surging across America! 

WDEK Podcast Ep. 83: Raj Sivaraman & K. Michelle DuBois - 8/25/20

Pandemic times are still something that we are still getting used to. Stay diligent everyone as the fall approaches us.  Christian and Shonali appreciate each other a little more on this day. Christian learns an important lesson from Shonali.  Shonali is thankful that Christian is honest with her. Did you know that bicycle theft and self haircuts are on the rise during a pandemic? Our guests are comedian & scientist Raj Sivaraman, and musician K. Michelle DuBois.

Our first guest is virologist (someone who studies viruses) and comedian Raj Sivaraman who recently moved from NYC to Arizona.  Things are very different in Arizona.  We discuss mixed messaged, the neck gator controversy, the coronavirus being like the Goldilocks scenario of virus scares, being from Kentucky, In and Out Burger and we quiz Raj on his knowledge of conspiracy theories.  You will not find Raj Sivaraman doing virtual open mics BUT you should follow him on Twitter. 

Shonali's husband - artist & mural painter Jasper Patch joins WDEK for the first time for Get It Off Your Chest! We cover mix-tape friend listening etiquette, call & response Zoom etiquette, Julia Louis Dreyfus as host of DNC, buyer's remorse for presidential candidacies AND the deli getting your order slightly wrong.  

Shonali Bhowmik & K. Michelle DuBois playing together on stage

Our final guest is Shonali's longtime best childhood friend and longtime musical collaborator K. Michelle DuBois.  Michelle comes to us from Atlanta, Georgia.  It's a wonderful journey through the friendship of two childhood friends who discovered music together as little kids and who made their dreams become real life adventures as adults.  Christian takes Michelle and Shonali through a photographic roller coaster ride from Baskin Robbins, to hip hop and ultimately to the rock and roll stage which they have never left.  Christian quizzes Michelle on this journey and asks about her podcast Zen Noodle Pie.  Laughter is a constant.  Michelle has her upcoming (fourth) solo album coming out in early 2021 called "The Fever Returns."  She performs a new song "Becoming Real" live on our show.  Go to KMichelleDuBois.com to hear more of her fantastic music! 

WDEK Podcast Ep. 83: Raj Sivaraman & K. Michelle DuBois - 8/25/20

WDEK Podcast Ep. 80: Chelsea Peretti & Jabee Williams - 4/28/20

We come to you with our 2nd ever Live from the Epicenter of the Pandemic episode.We once again want to recognize and thank all of our first responders who are risking their lives for our communities. You are amazing!  Christian & Justin coincidentally both have a book about Assholes.  Hear who the assholes of this pandemic are today.  This pandemic is taking a toll on all of us especially those of us in NYC and we are eager for fellowship with friends new and old w guests comedian Chelsea Peretti and hip-hop artist Jabee. 

We bring back one of our most popular segments #GetItOffYourChest with guests Carrie Imberman and Susie Cangelosi!   Note if you are watching the video version of the show, their zoom backdrops are gorgeous.  Carrie let's you know how she feels about "pandemic homework" and Susie's apartment has become a WeWork!  Shonali has some strong words for new sourdough bread bakers. Christian notes new dating tactics during this pandemic. 

Our first guest is our longtime friend, comedian, actress, writer and songstress Chelsea Peretti who is staying at home in LA.   Her new EP Foam and Flotsam, a concept album about her obsession with coffee was released last week and it brings us so much joy! Christian, Chelsea & Shonali talk about her new video Oatmilk,  TP, wearing masks, cooking, Variety Shac and dog grooming.

Our final guest is hip-hop artist and actor, Jabee (Williams).  He comes to us from Oklahoma City along with DJ Reaper.  Jabee is an Emmy award winning prolific artist.  We discuss his sold out musical theatrical performance about his life, throwing his kids birthday parties during a pandemic and how Chuck D is his fan.  Jabee's upcoming album which due to the pandemic is probably going to be released in June 2020.  Support Jabee on Spotify via the Covid19 Artist fund which directs donations on behalf artists directly to the artists themselves.  Jabee performs two tunes for us live, Hands Up and Hope from his new upcoming album. 

Thanks to all of you! Follow our socials @wdekpodcast and stay tuned for our next episode on May 26!

For those of you who would like to see our faces during the show we have a few options!  Our live on FB fell episode version is https://www.facebook.com/372997412788760/videos/677139976190753/

Get It Off Your Chest:

Interview with Chelsea Peretti

Interview with Jabee

For those of you not on FB our YouTube link (Subscribe to us)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKpVb8GbPt8

Everyone stay at home!  Stay safe! We are still in the beginning of this! 

WDEK Podcast Ep. 80: Chelsea Peretti & Jabee Williams - 4/28/20

WDEK Podcast Ep. 76: Kenice Mobley, Angelline Chung & Hope Hall - 11/26/2019

We welcome back Christian Felix aka Mr. Cardigan to the show.  Shonali & Christian discuss their preparations for the holiday season and seeing friends vs family over the holidays.  

Our first guest (00:08:45) is comedian & filmmaker Kenice Mobley.  Kenice is from North Carolina and came to NYC via Los Angeles and Boston MA.  Kenice has only been in NYC for the past 2 1/2 years and she has already made a big impact on the NYC comedy scene.  Kenice tells us about a time when she received a "high volume" of Richard pics from men. Find out how she dealt with them.   Kenice has a podcast called Love About Town w co-host Rohan Padhye discussing love, sex & relationships.  Christian and Shonali lobby to be on her show.  

Our second guest (00:26:50) is actress Angelline Chung who also happens to be a Julliard graduate thanks to her parents in Singapore. Angelline hails from Singapore and was on a television show there called Shall We Talk?  Her dream role is one which would deal with issues of mental health.   Angelline discusses how although Hollywood is doing it's best, it still needs to do more  regarding inclusivity and white washing Asian culture.  Angelline educates us as to exactly what "yellow fever" is.  She explains how this mindset and behavior is detrimental to everyone involved especially Asian women. 

We #GetItOffYour Chest (00:59:03) with former Ep. 21 WDEK guest, Pete Miser.  Christian and Pete have a heated conversation regarding chicken vs turkey for Thanksgiving.  Shonali is the Judge Judy of this debate.  Also don't loudly restate your partner's name over and over in a condescending way on a flight so that the entire flight feels bad for your partner. 

Our final guest (00:59:03) is cinematographer, filmmaker and photographer Hope Hall. She is currently Senior Road Videographer for Senator Elizabeth Warren 2020 Campaign. She was President Obama's Principal Videographer in the White House.  Hope is one of the most positive people we have had on the show.  Yes, her name is fitting.  We ask Hope what makes working for Senator Warren so special. We discuss Hope's unusual career transition into filmmaking and photography.  We share (1:35:21) some of Hope's helpful tips on mindfulness and getting through the tough times.  We are lobbying her to have a weekend seminar on these tips so we can all be as powerful a force as she is.

Another year winds down for We Don't Even Know.  We wish you the peace and joy during this holiday season and we will be back next year, for our live taping on January 28, 2020. 

Love,

Shonali & Christian

Direct download: WDEK_Ep._76_Final_Nov_2019.mp3

WDEK Podcast Ep. 59: Emily Flake, H Jon Benjamin & Rob Townsend - May 29, 2018 →

Welcome to our 59th Episode of WDEK Podcast. Justin the intern starts the live show on a Tuesday night at the Red Room in NYC! Christian just returned from father's retirement party in Chicago. Shonali just returned from Nashville where she kept up with the news about a racist crazy tv star and her tweets. What's it like to have your creative work rejected in person to your face over and over? 

We ask our first guest that question. She is cartoonist, illustrator, writer and performer Emily Flake.  She has "cobbled" together a living as a cartoonist for a long time now. She's come a long way from being an ad sales person for alt weekly New York Blade to becoming a successful cartoonist who has had hundreds of her works featured in the New Yorker.  She's written a book about parenting called Mama Tried. She's a parent who refreshingly doesn't think being a parent is the MOST awesome thing in the world. How cool is that? Look out for her upcoming YA (Young Adult) book she's working on now, a fictional fanzine from 1992.

Our second guest is H. Jon Benjamin, a comedian, actor and writer probably most famous for his work as the voice of Bob in Bob's Burgers and the voice of Archer in Archer.  Benjamin as Shonali calls him (they are old friends) used to host a comedy show in the East Village called Midnight Pajama Jam. It was the best. JB's written a book that just came out called Failure is An Option: An Attempted Memoir.  Shonali's been listening to the audiobook and loves it.  She is intrigued by Jon Benjamin's love for disco, roller skating and disco balls.  Jon explains what the main take away from his book is in two words.

We Get It Off Our Chest with illustrator musician Marcellus Hall who refuses to rap with us.

Our final guest is musician, singer, songwriter Rob Townsend.  Rob is originally from Spartanburg, SC.  He's also a part time sailing instructor and may be the only gay sailing captain on the Hudson. We like the idea of a gay sailboat. We discuss the difficulty of selling music during an era where everyone gets their music free.  Rob moved to NYC from Austin, TX where he was in a folk band.  His music has changed drastically.  He is humble and self deprecating but we think he's awesome. He sings an original song called Clatskanie and a Randy Newman tune called Short People! Welcome to our new sound engineer Ezana Million! ENJOY!!! Photo by Daria Huxley.

Direct download: WDEK_Chapters_Ep._59.mp3
Category:general, comedy, good+times -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT

Ep. 41 - Starlee Kine, Janeane Garofolo & Mark Nadler - March 29, 2016

It’s March and 2016 is full in effect.  Christian and Shonali get some serious things off their chests.  The Man Bun (more like a Man Bud) phenomenon sweeping the country irritates Shonali. An audience member explains the origin of the man bud hair-do came from. Christian is heckled at his own dinner party. By the way the heckler is back!  Christian talks tupperware.

Our first guest, Starlee Kine, is the creator and host of the #1 iTunes podcast Mystery Show. Starlee in her best vintage NBC wear teaches us so many things.   Starlee explains what "normcore" is for Shonali’s mom in Nashville. She also gives great advice for anyone expecting to make a tv appearance.  We want to "ship" two people together. Dennis from Ticketmaster in Texas, please contact us  - we are all looking for you.

Our next guest, comedian and actress Janeane Garofolo has a new backpack.  We talk about purchasing presentable pieces of clothing, AARP and Chris Christie’s curves.  Flat front vs pleats.  Christian gets his Janeane -  Fight Club and Scream stories all wrong.  Janeane thinks she was foolish for being interviewed by Bill O'Reilly five times. What are your feelings on James Spader and gentrification?

Photos by Daria Huxley

Our final guest is the multi-talented pianist, comedian, cabaret entertainer & actor Mark Nadler.  Mark comes from Iowa and started to perform professionally at the age of 10.   Although he almost had a heart attack when he saw Shonali’s little plastic keyboard, he manages to play some of his wonderful music for our audience. One of Mark’s greatest musical influences is not a person but an animated character.  Guess who?  In addition to playing at HiFi on a shitty keyboard on Avenue A, Mark has played in Carnegie Hall on a 10ft long gigantic piano.  Check out Mark’s PBS specialE or see Mark live in person at his monthly gig at Pangea in the East Village.   Thanks to all of you for listening! Our next show is Wednesday, April 20th! Until then enjoy all of our episodes on Facebook, Tumblr, iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!