Advertise on podcast: Shaping Freedom With Lisane Basquiat

What if true freedom begins when we learn to give ourselves the same hope, grace, and care we offer others? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat and Major, singer and songwriter best known for his hit song “Why I Love You,” explore the power of courage, purpose, and hope. Known as the “hope dealer,” Major shares lessons from his journey and how they have shaped the way he approaches life and relationships. Together, Lisane and Major explore the importance of grace, empathy, and setting healthy boundaries while learning to recognize what is and isn’t ours to carry. They also discuss the dangers of burnout, the value of reciprocity, and why caring for others should never mean neglecting ourselves. Through their conversation, they reflect on how to live with greater intention, give generously, and make room to receive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if freedom isn’t about chasing the biggest dream, but staying curious enough to recognize the opportunities you never imagined? On this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with acclaimed television writer, producer, showrunner, and bestselling novelist Rasheed Newson. From co-developing Bel-Air to writing his latest novel, There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood, Rasheed has built a career by following curiosity rather than a master plan. Rasheed opens up about the hidden bargains behind success, the difference between ambition and curiosity, and why the life you think you want may not actually be the one that makes you happy. He also takes us inside his vision of “Hollywood noir,” using historical fiction to restore Black queer lives that have too often been erased from the historical record. The conversation also explores love and relationships beyond the fairy-tale ideal, how celebrity has shifted from mystery to accessibility, and why Rasheed believes today’s aspiring writers may need to rethink the traditional Hollywood dream altogether. For him, real success may be less about awards, fame, or a perfectly mapped-out future—and more about creating work that interests you while building a life you actually want to live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Tiffany Toney—actress, filmmaker, former professional athlete, author, and founder of the Watch Her Glow Foundation—for a powerful conversation about reinvention, ownership, body autonomy, and learning to trust yourself. Tiffany shares how the discipline she developed as an athlete carried into acting and filmmaking, why she ultimately chose to create her own opportunities, and what it took to reclaim ownership of her work. She also opens up about her experience with breast implants, the health complications that followed, and the process of rebuilding her relationship with her body and self-worth. Now, through her upcoming book Big T**s Almost Killed Me and the Watch Her Glow Foundation, Tiffany is turning her experience into advocacy by helping women access better education, support, and resources around breast health and recovery. At its core, this is a conversation about betting on yourself, listening to your intuition, and refusing to let someone else define who you’re allowed to become. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when always pushing through becomes the very thing keeping you from slowing down and facing what you feel? In this episode, Lisane sits down with Bahamian jazz trumpeter and composer Giveton Gelin to talk about his journey, his Haitian-Bahamian roots, and the pressure to keep moving forward even when something deeper needs attention. Giveton opens up about becoming a “functional depressive,” staying busy to avoid dealing with what was happening internally, and learning to slow down, listen to himself, and live more intentionally. They also discuss his song I Solemnly Swear to Live, a personal vow to fully embrace each day and keep choosing life. A conversation about the dark side of perseverance, the importance of self-reflection, and what it really means to give yourself permission to live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the unspoken rules of a family force a child to carry secrets they never agreed to keep? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat catches up with repeat guest Phill Branch , an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and founder/creative director of the Baltimore Story Fest. In an intimate, candid conversation , Lisane and Phill dive into his memoir, The Double Dutch Fast. Phill reflects on growing up as a young Black boy in Newark, New Jersey , under the watch of a father with rigid models of masculinity . He opens up about the emotional labor children often absorb when adults haven't processed their own pasts , the weight of conditional love , and how he developed a protective instinct to observe and speak truth even when it made others uncomfortable . Lisane and Phill explore how we perform our lives versus truly living them , the myth that we have to be "superstars" just to be worthy of acceptance , and the shift from "trying to prove" to simply being present. They also discuss the complexities of parenting—how we often parent in direct contrast to what we lacked growing up , and why freeing our children means doing the internal work ourselves so they can start with a blank canvas. This is a grounded, deeply human conversation about breaking silence , redefining success , and realizing that when one person does the work, the entire world around them changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to carry a historic legacy forward without being crushed by the weight of expectation? In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of Shaping Freedom, host Lisane Basquiat sits down with Kenneth B. Morris Jr., Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, and Teri Ijeoma . The conversation turns into an unscripted celebration when the room receives live news that Teri’s book, A Risk Worth Taking, just debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list . Together, they reflect on the responsibility of honoring the past while making space for new possibilities. They explore what it means to inherit history, find purpose in your own journey, and discover that freedom often begins with choosing how you'll carry your story forward. This is a thoughtful conversation about legacy, identity, and the quiet courage to shape a future that reflects who you truly are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to carry a historic legacy forward without being crushed by the weight of expectation? In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of Shaping Freedom, host Lisane Basquiat sits down with Kenneth B. Morris Jr., Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, and Teri Ijeoma . The conversation turns into an unscripted celebration when the room receives live news that Teri’s book, A Risk Worth Taking, just debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list . Together, they reflect on the responsibility of honoring the past while making space for new possibilities. They explore what it means to inherit history, find purpose in your own journey, and discover that freedom often begins with choosing how you'll carry your story forward. This is a thoughtful conversation about legacy, identity, and the quiet courage to shape a future that reflects who you truly are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the story you've told yourself about your family isn't the whole story? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with relationship educator Tania Khazaal for an honest conversation about family estrangement, generational healing, and the courage it takes to see the people we love and ourselves with fresh eyes. Drawing from her own experience of cutting off contact with her mother before ultimately rebuilding that relationship, Tania shares why true healing didn't begin when she walked away, but when she started looking inward. Together, Lisane and Tania explore the tension between personal accountability and parental responsibility, the stories we create from childhood experiences, and why healing doesn't require excusing the past. They discuss the pressures facing today's families, how social media and therapy culture have shaped the way we talk about trauma, and why learning to communicate with empathy can change the trajectory of a relationship. This is a thoughtful conversation about breaking generational patterns, embracing nuance over blame, and discovering that freedom isn't found in waiting for someone else to change. It's found in changing how we choose to show up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do families keep passing down the same struggles—and how do we finally break the cycle? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Pulitzer Prize finalist Lee Hawkins and Emmy Award-winning producer P. Frank Williams for a powerful conversation about generational trauma, financial literacy, identity, and the stories we inherit. Together, they explore how history shapes the way we parent, work, build wealth, and define success. They discuss why emotional healing is just as important as financial education, the courage it takes to ask difficult family questions, and how changing one generation can transform the next. This conversation is an invitation to stop surviving, start healing, and create a new legacy rooted in freedom, purpose, and possibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lisane Basquiat welcomes back Shanti Das, founder of Silence the Shame, for an honest conversation about where we are today when it comes to mental health, community, and the importance of choosing joy in difficult times. Together, they explore how economic uncertainty, burnout, and growing division are affecting our collective well-being, why conversations about mental health are more important than ever, and what it takes to create spaces where people feel safe asking for help. Shanti shares how Silence the Shame continues to support vulnerable communities through education, partnerships, and storytelling while reflecting on the organization's ten-year journey and the work that still lies ahead. The conversation also explores the difference between happiness and joy, the importance of caring for those who care for others, and why healing begins when we make space for ourselves and for one another. This episode is a reminder that freedom isn't just about surviving. It's about creating lives rooted in compassion, connection, and the courage to seek—and share—hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by actor, activist, and ZERO Prostate Cancer ambassador Ricco Ross for a conversation about identity, emotional resilience, health, and what it truly means to live a grounded life. Ricco reflects on the experiences that shaped him, from growing up in a working-class family in Chicago to traveling the world, losing his father at a young age, and building a decades-long career in entertainment without losing his sense of self. Together, Lisane and Ricco explore masculinity, forgiveness, patriotism, mental wellness, and why so many men struggle to talk openly about their health. The conversation also examines generational healing, emotional discipline, social division in America, and the importance of choosing empathy over fear. Throughout the episode, Ricco returns to one powerful idea: true wealth is not money, but health: mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by Jill McManigal, co-founder of Kids for Peace, for a heartfelt conversation about kindness, emotional responsibility, and what becomes possible when we teach peace early enough to shape future generations. Together, they explore how children naturally lead with compassion when given the opportunity, and why creating spaces rooted in empathy, curiosity, and connection can change the way young people see themselves and the world around them. Jill shares the story of how Kids for Peace began in her backyard after 9/11 and grew into a global movement reaching millions of children through acts of kindness, leadership, and community action. The conversation also touches on parenting, gratitude, joy, and the ripple effect that even small acts of kindness can have within families, schools, and communities. They discuss why joy is something we must actively practice, and how helping children stay connected to their humanity may be one of the most important forms of peacebuilding we have. This episode is about more than kindness. It’s about raising children who believe in themselves, care for others, and understand the power they have to shape a better world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by Haskel Jackson Jr., Jared Baisley, and Sean Lewis from Music for Your Mental Health for a powerful conversation about music, healing, and emotional connection. Together, they explore how music can become a bridge to self-awareness, communication, and mental wellness, especially for young people who may not yet have the language to express what they’re feeling. Drawing from backgrounds in music production, education, and therapy, they share how their work creates safe spaces where creativity becomes a tool for healing and growth. The conversation also touches on the emotional weight many young people are carrying today, the importance of truly listening, and how music can help people feel seen, understood, and connected to themselves and others. This episode is about more than music. It’s about presence, vulnerability, and using creativity to help people reconnect with who they are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by Darren Waller, former NFL Pro Bowl tight end, musician, and mental health advocate, for a powerful conversation about identity, healing, and redefining success. They explore how chasing external validation can lead to disconnection, and how Darren’s journey through addiction, sobriety, and recovery forced him to confront the deeper patterns shaping his life. He shares how practices like therapy, journaling, and meditation helped him reconnect with himself and begin building a new foundation rooted in self-awareness. Together, they discuss the emotional legacies we inherit, the courage it takes to face what’s beneath the surface, and how choosing yourself can transform the way you live and relate to others. This conversation is about growth, alignment, and the ongoing process of becoming who you truly are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Shawn McClendon, author of Understanding Each Other: The Blueprint for a New America and founder of the Sister Cities Project, for a timely conversation about communication and division. They explore how many of today’s conflicts stem not just from poor communication, but from how we interpret each other through past experiences and assumptions. Shawn shares how his upbringing shaped his perspective and led him to create spaces where people can have honest, often uncomfortable conversations. Together, they discuss the power of listening, the importance of discomfort in growth, and how real understanding can begin to shift the way we see one another. This conversation is about connection, awareness, and the possibility of something better when we choose to truly engage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices