Advertise on podcast: The Trend With Justin A Williams

Pen Densham's love of making images started with his father, a cameraman who made short films for British theaters. At four, Pen rode a live alligator in one of them. In this episode, Justin and Pen go back to where it started. He left school at 15 and started selling his photographs, including shots of the Rolling Stones for the BBC. At 19 he moved to Canada, where his films went on to win more than 60 international awards and two Oscar nominations. Norman Jewison was so impressed by Pen's first drama as a solo writer/director that he mentored him into Hollywood. Pen talks about the parents who shaped him and the moral code that has guided his work. He also explains why he wrote Azeem, a Black Moorish warrior played by Morgan Freeman, into Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. That choice changed who gets to be a hero in one of the oldest legends in the Western world. From there the conversation moves to myth and legend, why we keep retelling these stories, and who gets to tell them. They close on Pen's new chapter. After a celebrated film career, he has turned to experimental fine art photography that captures the emotional essence of nature rather than the landscape itself. His book Qualia collects his most striking images, from swirling koi ponds to kaleidoscopic "Organic Mandalas," capturing feelings that words can't describe. businessnewsthisweekbusinessnewsthisweek It's a conversation about legacy, courage, and creative freedom with a filmmaker who has spent his life riding the alligator.

Before the culture had a mainstream stage, one man in Queens pointed a camera at the streets and hit record. This week on The Trend with Justin A. Williams, I sit down with the legendary Ralph "Uncle Ralph" McDaniels — DJ, VJ, director, archivist, and the co-creator of Video Music Box, the first television show in the world built for hip-hop, and still the longest-running music video program ever made. Since 1983, Ralph has been the eye behind the culture. He put Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, and LL Cool J on screen before the world knew their names, directed over 400 music videos, co-produced films like Juice, and quietly built an archive of more than 20,000 hours of footage that amounts to a living record of hip-hop history. He even coined the on-air shout-out. If you grew up on New York rap, you grew up on Ralph — whether you knew it or not. We get into the origin of Video Music Box, what it took to document a movement in real time, the ascent of AI usage and why Ralph believes the pioneers themselves need to be the ones teaching the culture. This is a conversation about vision, preservation, and building something that outlasts you. Tap in. You're watching the blueprint.#Trend with us

In this special episode, I sit down with Kori and Marcia Withers — the daughter and wife of the legendary Bill Withers — for an intimate conversation about family, music, and the stories that endure. We dive into their beautiful new book, Grandma's Hands, inspired by one of Bill's most beloved songs, and explore how it carries his spirit forward for a whole new generation of readers. Along the way, Kori and Marcia share reflections on Bill's remarkable career — from his late start in music to becoming one of the most soulful and authentic voices in American songwriting — plus a behind-the-scenes look at their own writing process and what it means to steward a legacy this profound. It's a heartfelt conversation about love, memory, and the hands that shape us. Tune in for stories you won't hear anywhere else, straight from the Withers family.

This week: Sharmeika Davis-Boyd – The powerhouse children’s book author, entrepreneur, and New York nonprofit leader who’s rewriting how we connect generations. From founding Qiky Kidz to penning heartfelt stories like Grandma Has a Mouse In Her House! and Grandma and Sue Have Nothing to Do..., Sharmeika is on a mission to bring kids and elders together through joy, storytelling, and real connection. In this episode, she brings her signature humor, wisdom, and big-hearted energy as she shares why interacting with the older generation isn’t optional — it’s essential as we grow up. Funny, inspiring, and deeply meaningful — you don’t want to miss this one! New episode drops this week — Subscribe now so you don’t miss it!

🚨 Locked In: The Ultimate 2026 NFL Mock Draft Showdown! 🚨 What happens when two football junkies go head-to-head on the biggest draft in recent memory? I teamed up with sharp Draft Analyst Justin Zucker for a no-holds-barred mock draft session — full of bold takes, heated debates, surprise picks, and deep dives into the top prospects who could reshape NFL rosters this April. From quarterback battles and defensive studs to late-round sleepers and massive trades, we broke it all down with real analysis, zero fluff, and plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you’re a GM in the making or just love draft season chaos, this episode delivers the insights and entertainment you need. You don’t want to miss this one — the takes are hot, the board is wild, and the conversation is pure fire. 🔥 Watch (or listen) now and tell us in the comments: Who cooked harder on their board? Drop your own mock in the replies — let’s see if you can top us! #NFLDraft #MockDraft #2026NFLDraft

What if the stories we tell ourselves — and the ones the world tells us — are the real hypnosis? In this mind-expanding conversation, I sit down with certified hypnotherapist, life coach, leukemia survivor, and former EMT/firefighter Peter McLaughlin of BlueSky Hypnosis. We dive deep into the hidden power of myth and hypnotism, Carl Jung’s archetypes, the red-pill philosophy of The Matrix, modern psyops, and how the subconscious mind shapes everything from personal healing to collective control. Peter brings his unique blend of clinical expertise, real-world experience running a security company, and spiritual insight to reveal how we can reclaim our minds and transform our lives from the inside out. Whether you're fascinated by the psychology of influence, curious about subconscious healing, or simply ready to break free from limiting patterns, this episode will leave you seeing the world — and yourself — in a whole new light. Tune in now and discover how ancient myths, modern media, and the power of hypnosis all connect in the ultimate game of mind and reality. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Oscars chaos incoming! 🎬✨ Join filmmaker Stolis Hadjicharalambous and host Justin on The Trend Podcast for the ultimate 2026 Academy Awards breakdown. We're predicting the winners, roasting the snubs, and debating the biggest surprises in Best Picture, Director, Acting categories, and more. From 'Sinners' shaking things up to PTA's potential lock—who's taking home gold? Don't miss this insider's hot takes and bold calls. Listen now and settle your Oscar bets! 🔥 #Oscars2026 #OscarPredictions #TheTrendPodcast

Don't miss this powerful episode of [Your Podcast Name] featuring Andrea Cennington (The Boho Therapist), a veteran, trauma-informed therapist, licensed KAP provider, and author who alchemizes pain into profound healing. With her unique blend of somatic expertise, mindfulness, humor, storytelling, and culturally responsive care—from her roots as a special education teacher and mobile crisis counselor to empowering neurodiverse families and advocating for holistic well-being—Andrea shares raw insights on embracing inner strength, rewriting trauma narratives, breaking ancestral cycles, and cultivating resilience. Tune in to discover how she proves a woman can be both gentle and fierce, warrior and healer, and why true power comes from honoring the full spectrum of self—plus, learn about her new book and transformative Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) approach. This conversation is raw, hopeful, and life-changing—hit play now!

When I thought of doing a Taylor Swift episode, I not only considered her trendiness but also one of my very good friends who since we've met has proven to be the ultimate Taylor Swift expert. She loves her music, her style but most importantly-her story. Trend with us as we have an hour of laughs, tears and exclamation points all for the Queen of Modern Pop and the economy booster herself, Taylor Swift!

🔥 Just dropped: My conversation with the power team at Adames Global – the senior strategists who don’t just talk scaling, they architect it. If your business has big ambitions but your strategy feels chaotic, your messaging is muddy, and your execution is scattered… this episode is your wake-up call. Adames Global builds the bridges that matter: connecting serious capital, cutting-edge technology, and real policy influence directly to local communities and the fastest-growing future markets. They don’t hand you a deck and walk away – they roll up their sleeves and execute alongside you. We go deep on: How to turn messy vision into bulletproof strategyCrafting a message that actually moves markets and people-making your own "myth"The partnerships that unlock global scale while staying rooted Why most “growth plans” fail… and how theirs don’tIf you’re an ambitious founder, operator, or investor ready to stop guessing and start dominating – hit play now. Trend with us!

Laila Allaoui founded Color Your Mood Design to celebrate colors, elegance, and timeless style. For her, every creation is a work of art, and every detail tells a story. Her journey in fashion has been shaped by her childhood in northeast France, her travels, and experiences in the fashion capitals of Paris and New York, where she developed a deep appreciation for artistry and precision. The defining moment for her brand came during the Qatar World Cup 2022, when she chose to wear her own creations in national colors, a bold choice that caught the media’s attention and sparked the birth of Color Your Mood Design. Her designs are inspired by her French heritage, her own paintings, global travels, and a lifelong passion for horses. Each piece carries a unique signature : bold in color, precise in detail, and rich in cultural storytelling. Come learn more about her #Trend with ushttps://laila-allaoui.com/art-gallery/

Sarah is a stellar  actress and writer from Nashville, Tennessee. She is a classically trained as well having studied at a performing arts high school for her talent. She went on to study theater and journalism at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She's a fantastic heart and storyteller whose voice is the din of a battle for our collective humanity! About the Book I Am Human Too is an insightful, thought-provoking exploration through the lives of 14 homeless individuals, revealing their unexpected wisdom, while reshaping our perception of the meaning of life by way of the most overlooked group of people in society, the homeless community. https://www.sarahmurphree.com/

Matt Runals is one of the shows favorite guests! Always topical, always a blast to talk to about life, strength, courage, manhood and hope! All of that is encapsulated in his stunning sequel to Lapidius' first publishing "A Nation Found" https://a.co/d/fV13Ibf, Matt continues the fight against apathy and a nation torn apart, in his novel, by the very same factors we see time and time again in teetering empires and democracies! #trend with us Buy Insidious the sequel to Lapidius at www.traitmarkermedia.com/insidious

I’m excited to welcome Alycia Steelman, CEO and Founder of Ascension Educational Services. Alycia is a results-driven leader with more than 15 years of experience spearheading transformational change within organizations. Her mission is to empower enterprises to achieve unprecedented growth by harnessing innovation, technology, and strategic leadership. As a business strategist, she has a proven track record of crafting and executing visionary strategies that keep organizations ahead of the curve. Alycia thrives in diverse, multicultural environments, bridging cultural gaps to lead teams to exceptional results. Her leadership style is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and accountability—values that not only define her work but inspire those around her to excel beyond their potential. She’s a relentless learner and a thought leader who actively identifies emerging trends and disruptive technologies, sharing her insights to help enterprises and communities grow stronger. It’s an honor to have her here today to talk about leadership, innovation, and the future of business strategy."

So often when we come across young writers, they have their heads in the sky about a topic but dont have the knwoledge to write the darn thing! Greer Nadeau is not that- she is witty, erudite and wants you to hear about her take on one of the most classic stories from Antiquity- The Pursuit of Daphne by Apollo! In her version, Apollo and Daphne are certainly star crossed but she layers the story with insights on the deeper life of Daphne-who was she to her loved ones, where did she come from, and why did history silence so much of her side of the tale. Its a fascinating talk! #Trend with us