WDEK Podcast Ep. 70: Jamela Zahra, Kate Willett & Lenny Zenith - 5/28/2019

We Don't Even Know

Christian is back in the Red Room for Ep. 70 of We Don't Even Know. Shonali and Christian can't help but spread the word of the phenomenal soul r&b pop hip hop artist Lizzo after seeing her live show just a few days earlier. We quickly move from self-love to self-mutilation - you sort of could call it that - waxing is not so popular these days is it? That's the question. Bushes are back in - well that's what Shonali thinks.

Shonali and Christian's first guest is writer Jamela Zahra (@ 00:12:35). She explodes on to the podcast with an unpleasant waxing story. Jamela grew up with MTV and always wanted to be a VJ. Her dream was to kick a blunt with Janet Jackson. We believe that dream will come true. Jamela has a website called HighHowAreYou.com geared to women who smoke cannabis, especially women of color. Jamela's ultimate goal is to break down the stigma of smoking pot for black people. After saying she herself should have her own brand of weed, she confessed she would like to have her own cookie company. Mackenzie Besos if you're listening, we've found a good cause for you to support.

Our second guest is Kate Willett (@00:38:37) is from the Bay Area in Cali and Shonali has flashbacks of rope sandals, unflushed toilets to when she lived in Santa Cruz, CA. Kate just made an appearance on Stephen Colbert which we will all get to see later this summer. Do you know what makes social media enjoyable? Kate has been spending time working on art she cares about, such as a book about contemporary masculinity with the working title "Good Guys." We can't wait to read it. The convo moves from deep hippie state to hookup culture - the good, the bad, the ugly. Kate is and has been doing great things including touring in India, China and Australia. Kate's brand of comedy in India blows Shonali's mind. Check out Kate's special on Netflix!

We #GetItOffYourChest (@1:02:00) with WDEK's great friend Mike Stuto! Christian would like to have the ear of his periodontist. Shonali explains what is supposed to happen in "the Quiet Lounge" at a spa. Mike Stuto will not have it anymore with the pretentiousness of vinyl lovers, which means he's talking about Shonali.

Our last guest is writer, singer, rocker Lenny Zenith, (@1:13:28) originally from NOLA and currently a long time New Yorker. As a kid, Lenny went to school at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts along with fellow students such as Wynton and Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. Lenny explains that even though his music has roots in new wave and punk rock, the aforementioned jazz artists were deeply influential on him, in terms of witnessing their talent, persistence and work ethic. Lenny is transgender and shares with WDEK an inspirational story of transitioning as a 14 year old in New Orleans. Lenny moved to NYC ready to rock and was a member of Jenifer Convertible, Tenterhooks and RZA. Only recently has Lenny been recording under his own name, Lenny Zenith. Lenny sings two of his songs during this episode, including a brand new unrecorded tune and one on his latest record What If The Sun called The Wish.

Thanks to our WDEK crew, Daria Huxley our photographer, Justin The Intern - Justin Hall for our great intros, Ezana Million our sound engineer and Lori Schwarz our Red Room hostess and bartender! Special thanks to Lenny who sold CDs after the show with proceeds going towards trans people of color. Thank you ALL! Follow us on all social media @wdekpodcast !