Radiant Mix

In this solo-cast episode of Radiant Mix, I really wanted to talk about the new sitcom Mixed•ish on ABC. This breakout comedy about a mixed family has touched upon lots of typical mixed kid issues and I thought it would be fun to highlight a few that stood out to me. The show is the brainchild of Tracee Ellis Ross and is a fun spin-off from the popular Black•ish series, this time from the lens of teen Rainbow (Ross’s character). Her family is coming from a hippy commune to live in the “real world” in the 80s. I’m from the same “Gen X” era as Tracee, so the pop culture and mixed life references are amusing to observe and deeply relatable. Check out my two cents on this episode and I’d love to hear yours.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Introducing the new group program “Radiant Mix Connect”…a monthly insider circle (90-minute conference call) and an opportunity to build community to discuss all things within the mixed experience. Launching November 13th. Choosing sides….Are you hanging with the black or white group?  Do y

In this episode Hope McGrath has an insightful conversation with Tanya Katerí Hernández, an internationally recognized comparative race law expert and Fulbright Scholar who is the Archibald R. Murray Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law. Not only do we learn about Tanya’s powerful personal story, but she shares her expertise in anti-discrimination law, race relations, and beyond as we discuss her new book "Multiracials and Civil Rights: Mixed-Race Stories of Discrimination." This is one fascinating episode where we can learn new insights about the mixed-race experience and law, plus so much more. Learn something new everyday…Enjoy the show!   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Professor Tanya Katerí Hernández shares her personal story as an Afro-Puerto Rican woman which highlights the issue of colorism front and center within her family   Hair Wars— the plight of multiracial hair and its importance in our lives is real!   The growth of interracial relationships and the mixed-race children population does n

In this Radiant Mix episode, I introduce to you Zita Tulyahikayo, a Systemic Coach and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist from the UK. A mutual friend introduced us, shout out to Ainsley Connell, and we hit it off as we are both deeply invested in supporting and empowering men and women to live their best lives. Zita has a unique multicultural life experience with a mother from Barbados and father from Uganda. To add to the mix, she attended a Quaker private boarding school which had a strong, positive impact on her life.  It’s interesting to hear her perspectives on race and class and how they are quite different from the average American point of view. Zita designed a unique concept, Life Therapy, to empower people to reconnect deeply with themselves and their ancestors in order to transform trauma and live with more joy and freedom. In this interview, Zita breaks it all down. Enjoy.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Zita shares how she satisfied the need ‘to belong.’ The power of connecting back to your roots The differe

In this episode of Radiant Mix, Hope McGrath invites her mother Helen Boxwill to join her as a co-host for another episode. This time the two touch upon the touchy subjects of white privilege and the concepts of ‘white fragility.”  Helen Boxwill, a celebrated educator, lifelong activist and mother of biracial children for a few decades as insightful and empowering thoughts on the topic.  She even dishes come good advice to navigate difficult discussions about race with loved ones, tips on raising mixed kids and more.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Denial and resistance of white privilege The importance of freeing ourselves from the fear of talking about race across cultures Tips of how to navigate difficult conversations when ‘white fragility’ is front and center Transforming the oppression of racial difference and societal segregation Advice on raising mixed kids How to evolve past the comfort zone and nurture a multicultural existence if it is not the norm Navigating the typical mixed kid question…. “What are you?”  

In this episode of Radiant Mix, Hope McGrath is joined by her mother, Helen Boxwill, a celebrated educator and lifelong activist. They both spend time discussing current events such as domestic terrorism, the state of race relations in America, immigration, how to keep the faith and dive in or continue with your activism plus some insightful personal stories and inspiration to have hope and keep the faith.  “Eventually we will win because the arc of justice will prevail.” - Helen Boxwill SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Get to know Hope McGrath’s mom who has dedicated her life to activism, education and anti-racism work Learn tips on what it takes to commit to igniting positive change Storytelling of the fears and concerns of everyday citizens regarding race in America A few history lessons and important tragic news stories based on racism that must be discussed Expert activist suggestions on how to get involved. LINKS:   Blaming Trump is too easy: This is us.  Eddie Glaude, the chair of the Department of African America

Get ready for Part 2 of the Radiant Mix episode “Music is our best friend” featuring Eric Smith, CEO of Easy Star Records, as a co-host with Hope McGrath.  These two old friends continue the conversation about music and how it’s impacted their lives and the lives of a generation. Eric and Hope go down memory lane, having fun playing music historians, unveiling their favorite artists and some life-changing albums. The talk parenting, aging and the importance of staying current with your musical tastes and going out of your comfort zone. In this episode, these friends explore some of the change-maker artists that stand the test of time.   Check out our Spotify Radiant Mix playlist, for 24 hours of music that have inspired Eric and Hope over the decades.     Spotify Playlist    SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:   The power of music and its impact on music lovers   The technological advancements of the music industry and its effect on how we absorb music   Get inspired to get out of your musical comfort zone   Insights to

This week’s Radiant Mix episode features Eric Smith, CEO of Easy Star Records, a co-host with Hope McGrath, as they cover all things music and its importance in the lives of two mixed Generation Xers.  Music is the soundtrack of their lives and all of us music lovers. As long-time friends, the two have come together on the podcast to share how music influenced them as biracial kids coming from quite different backgrounds. This topic of music is so expansive that we are producing two episodes of Eric and Hope talking about the vast topic of music and how the decades of musical genres shaped their lives. Check out our Spotify Radiant Mix playlist, for 24 hours of music that have inspired Eric and Hope over the decades.  Just a tiny glimpse of their mixed musical perspectives. Spotify Playlist  SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: The power of music and its influence on time and space Race and Musical Genres Musical Segregation. What are we even talking about??? Hope McGrath and Eric Smith have fun playing music critics by sharing

This week on Radiant Mix, host Hope McGrath talks about some news topics near and dear to her heart and her major takeaways from the last few podcast episodes. Hope shares about her passion to spread the word about the Netflix film series “When They See Us” directed by Ava DuVernay. She also touches on the topic of interracial adoption citing the most recent Episode of the Facebook Live Series “Red Table Talk” hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith and her mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones. The actress Kristin Davis, best known from Sex and the City, talks about life being a mom of black children. Interesting stuff.  If you missed some previous Radiant Mix episodes, Hope shares mini-summaries of her favorite highlights from the most recent episodes. This Mash-Up is short and sweet yet packed with inspiration and a hope for a better tomorrow.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Real talk about the importance of the film series “When They See Us.” Politicians calling for policy change to America’s judicial system after “When They See Us” T

This week on Radiant Mix, we are so excited to feature Dr. Zaire Dinzey-Flores, Associate Professor of Sociology and Latino & Hispanic Caribbean Studies at Rutgers University.   Zaire has dedicated her life to studying and teaching about race.  This interview is a glimpse of two friends in deep conversations about race, class, family, parenting, fashion, life as a Dominican Black Latina growing up in Puerto Rico, identity, structural racism and so much more.  Zaire’s story really resonated to Hope’s mixed experience. Their lives..so different, yet so similar. Dr. Zaire Dinzey-Flores’ scholarship focuses precisely on how the built environment reproduces and archives race, class, and gender inequality. She is an author of her book "Locked In, Locked Out: Gated Communities in a Puerto Rican City" . In addition, she is one of the founding members of Black Latinas Know Collective, which an impressive collective of Black Latina Scholars. Get ready to be inspired. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: What life is like for Zaire as

On the Radiant Mix podcast this week, we feature Tetsuro Miyazaki, the Hāfu (half-Japanese, half-Belgian), photographer living in the Netherlands, who recently launched a gorgeous photography book, Hāfu2Hāfu, highlighting the mixed experience of half-Japanese people from all over the world. Hāfu is the Japanese term to refer to somebody who is biracial, while in America the nouveau term for biracial/multiracial is “mixed.” The label Hāfu derives comes from the English word ‘half,’ referring to half foreign and half Japanese. In this episode, Tetsuro Miyazaki shares about his inspiration for the Hāfu2Hāfu project, which offers us a glimpse inside the beauty and hearts of half Japanese people on a global scale.  Hope McGrath and Tetsuro both get real and open up while they challenge themselves to answer all kinds of insightful and fun questions about the mixed Hāfu experience that were posed in the Hāfu2Hāfu project.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Expand your mind and get inspired by insightful stories of the internationa

This episode of Radiant Mix features Kellie Wagner, the Founder and CEO of Collective, an NYC-based diversity and inclusion lab that transforms company culture in the startup space. Kellie has a unique perspective as a biracial woman, overcoming immense loss and spending much of her youth bouncing between drastically different cultures. All this life experience planted the seeds for the important work she is doing now.  Her company, Collective, supports high-growth companies as they build diverse, equitable teams, and drive sustainable change. Kellie Wagner has been featured in Forbes Magazine and is a sought-after speaker. Kellie holds a MFA from The New School, studied at NYU and sits on the Board of Directors for Experience Camps, a free grief camp for kids who have experienced loss. On the podcast Kellie shares her personal story of strength and triumph, we talk about the effects of current day politics and families, holding companies accountable when it comes to equity and inclusion and she offers expert

This week’s Radiant Mix episode is featuring Sebene Selassie, a celebrated meditation teacher, coach, and consultant. Sebene Selessie began studying Buddhism over 25 years ago and now teaches and practices all over the world. In this episode, Sebene drops some science and profound wisdom about the power of a spiritual path and community, self-care, insights on working through trauma, the art of welcoming challenges and the inside scoop on her upcoming book ‘Born to Belong.’ Want to shift your mindset just a little bit? Get inspired by Sebene Selassie. Show Highlights:  What inspired Sebene to practice Buddhism  The beauty and challenges of being different Get a glimpse of Sebene’s immigrant experience growing up and trying to adapt to a culture that you don’t know anything about   The necessity of having a sense of belonging  The journey of realizing she is and we all are ‘Born to Belong’  Reconciling individualism with the oneness of humanity  Looking inside yourself before you look to change the world  Wha

Radiant Mix welcomes the lovely Aileen Kyoko on the show with us today! Aileen is a multi-talented creative with a beautiful spirit. She's a playwright, actress, director, and producer, and she recently wrote a full-length play called The Year of the Solar Eclipse. Aileen is also producer and brand curator for The Wellness Expert, Randi Zin, of Beyond Mom. Listen in today, to find out more! Aileen Kyoko was raised in the Philippines, traveled the world in her youth and is now a proud New Yorker. Her creative work derives from a passion to explore love and relationships. In today's podcast, she shares openly about her identity crisis, the importance of patience with self-discovery, the power of the arts and creative expression and using one’s unique voice for the greater good. Look out for the fresh, updated version of Aileen Kyoko’s play The Year of the Solar Eclipse the first week of December 2019 at The Wild Project.   Tune in now, to hear Aileen's story! Show Highlights: An international perspective on on

"I was mixed before it was fashionable,” stated Tim Lounibos in this week’s episode. Tim Lounibos is an actor starring in the runaway hit series, Bosch, on Amazon Prime.  Tim, gained notoriety in the nineties when he was branded as part of 'an exciting new breed of Asian American actors with widespread mainstream appeal’. He took a break from acting for a while, and now he is back and working like crazy. Tim Lounibos is of German, Irish, and Korean descent and like most mixed kids had to do some major soul-searching to embody his identity as Asian American. Tim is one cool, down-to-earth, compassionate actor who really cares about humanity, the power of the arts, inclusion and openly shares his inspiring personal story. In this episode, Tim chats to Hope about life, Hollywood, love, enlightenment, and his unique slice of the mixed experience. “Whatever I’m involved in, I push for diversity, I push for inclusiveness, whether it’s in front of scenes or behind the scenes. Anybody I speak with I try to enlighten

We are excited to introduce, Eric Smith, the CEO and Co-Founder of Easy Star Records. The New York-based independent record label Easy Star Records has built an international roster of progressive reggae and dub artists over the past twenty years. Eric Smith and Hope McGrath, both biracial, have been friends for even longer than that time frame. Eric Smith and Hope McGrath, both biracial, have been friends for more than twenty years. In today's episode, we get an inside scoop of old friends talking about growing up in the 70s and 80s with white moms and black fathers, the drastic difference between growing up mixed in the suburbs vs. the city, music, Obama, parenting, raising second generation mixed-kids, and more. Tune in now for more!   Show Highlights:   Growing up as a city kid vs. suburban kid and being mixed in New York   What life is like living with two realities.   The beauty of being mixed is in flowing seamlessly through different worlds.   Segregated schools and it's effects   The history

Sharing our truth is not always easy, but sometimes it's really important. And laughter really does make the world go round. This week we're talking to Katie Malia, the self-proclaimed, ethnically ambiguous performer and writer from LA, and also the creator of the short-form scripted comedy web-series Almost Asian. Katie dares to be different and her show is a really fascinating perspective of the mixed experience, consisting of funny little vignettes of what life is like from the perspective of the mixed Asian woman. So, get your laugh on, and listen in to what Katie has to share on the show today. Through her Almost Asian web series, Katie has been featured in the Washington Post, Fast Company, and the Huffington Post. Almost Asian was also an official selection for the thirteen Film Festivals and a really exciting development is that the web series is expanding into a half-hour comedy program, with Margaret Cho on board as executive producer. On the show today, Katie and Hope talk about many different aspe

Do you think it's okay to openly share your opinions about other people's personal lives on social media? Today's interview is with the celebrated actor, Malik Yoba. He is quite dynamic and open, with a strong social media following where shares with deep compassion on things that matter to him. When Malik decided to share on Instagram about his Malik personal love life, which happens to be an interracial relationship, he received a wide range of comments, both positive and negative. Listen in to find out his reactions and response to the push back. Apart from being an accomplished actor, Malik Yoba is also a writer, director, producer, musician, activist, educator, and entrepreneur. In today's episode, he has an interesting conversation with Hope about race and modern-day interracial love, and also about life, activism, love, and the power of manifestation. Tune in now! Show Highlights: Malik talks about his initial reaction to the negative comments via Instagram and his take on inter-racial relationships

Today we're talking to a Mama who does not sit still! We're really excited to have Julie Young, a lawyer, turned non-profit executive, join us on today's episode. Julie is the founder of DreamMaker 3D, an organization that provides resources, connections, and inspiration for creatives and nurtures future leaders. In today's episode, Julie talks about her experience of growing up as a Korean adoptee raised with a white, American family. She discusses the challenges that trans-racial families face and she talks about getting in touch, and awakening to her Asian-ness. Listen in to find out more.  DreamMaker 3D has just produced their very first TIDE Film Festival, in Brooklyn. The festival highlights movies that are written, produced and directed by people of color. Julie also founded The Phenomenal Girls Club, a really awesome kids club that fosters learning, leadership, and friendship for girls of color. She's the creator, producer, and host of the web series Not Your Average for KoreanAmericanstory.org. and s

Welcome to the very first episode of the Radiant Mix podcast, with Hope McGrath. Hope has a blog called Radiant Mix, and with the podcast she will be celebrating and talking about the bi-racial, multi-racial, and multi-cultural life and experience and she will also be sharing some really wonderful stories around this theme. On the show today, Hope discusses some of the fears she's had around bringing the stories that she intends to share on the podcast to light, and she also explains what motivated her to launch the podcast. Listen in today to find out more about Hope's belief in the radiance of the mixed experience, and how she intends to make the world a better place. Hope's father is from Burundi, a small, Central African country near Rwanda. Her mother is American, with Italian and German/Jewish heritage. Her parents got married in the 1960s when racial mixing was still quite taboo. So, Hope comes from what is now known as 'The Loving Generation', which is a label for kids with one black, and one white pa