In this season episode, our hosts Nathan, Journey, and Taylyn explore the intimate connection between music and identity. In this captivating exploration, our hosts delve into the intriguing question: Is our music taste a reflection of our personality?

Topics covered in this episode:

• Do you use music as a coping mechanism?
• Exploring the therapeutic power of music in our lives.
• If you could describe this point of your life with a song, what would it be?
• How have you seen music transform others (friends, community, society)?
• Spotify Wrapped: Reflecting on the year through the lens of your music choices.
• How does your current music taste reflect this era of your life?
• How do you discover new music?

And the grand finale: A live performance by the special guest, Seraiah Nicole!

-------------------------------------

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program of Love Now Media thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

-------------------------------------

Connect with us + send us feedback about this conversation!: https://www.instagram.com/lovenowmedia/

Subscribe to Love Now Media’s email newsletter: https://lovenowmedia.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0041ce173b4fea702d8a7df79&id=33a4fa05bb

Connect with Seraiah Nicole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seraiahnicole/

-------------------------------------

Credits: Hosts: Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Lead Producer: Tezarah Wilkins

Producer(s): Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Videographer: PhillyCAM

Editing: Nathan Mutale

Special Thanks to: PhillyCAM

In this episode, our hosts Nathan, Journey, and Taylyn tackle the dynamic intersection of youth and politics! In this episode, our hosts delve into the question that resonates across generations: Why should young adults care about politics?

Topics covered in this episode:

• What do the youth know about the election? Exploring political awareness among the younger generation.
• Are we taught in schools/at home about the election?
• Why is there an age limit for young age but not for old age? Analyzing the impact of differing age limits on political participation and influence on newer generations.
• How do their ideals affect the newer and changing generations? Understanding the ripple effect of political ideologies.
• Some of us are able to vote & some of us not: Examining the complexities of voting rights and participation.

—-------------------------------------

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program of Love Now Media thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

—-------------------------------------

Connect with us + send us feedback about this conversation!: https://www.instagram.com/lovenowmedia/

Subscribe to Love Now Media’s email newsletter:

https://lovenowmedia.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0041ce173b4fea702d8a7df79&id=33a4fa05bb

—-------------------------------------

Credits:

Hosts: Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Lead Producer: Tezarah Wilkins

Producer(s): Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Videographer: PhillyCAM

Editing: Nathan Mutale

Special Thanks to: PhillyCAM

In this special episode, our hosts Nathan, Journey, and Taylyn bring us into their world of self-love. By bringing out pictures of their younger selves, they embark on a journey of self-reflection, and shower some much-needed love on their inner child.

Topics covered in this episode:

• What is something you wish you could tell your younger selves?
• What do you love about where you are now? Reflecting on personal growth and accomplishments.
• Why is there a trend of self-hatred? Exploring societal influences and personal struggles.
• Two-faced self-love promotion: Unmasking the paradox of self-love in today's culture.
• Generational Self-Love: Passing the torch of love through generations and nurturing a positive self-image.

—-------------------------------------

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program of Love Now Media thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

—-------------------------------------

Connect with us + send us feedback about this conversation!: https://www.instagram.com/lovenowmedia/

Subscribe to Love Now Media’s email newsletter:

https://lovenowmedia.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0041ce173b4fea702d8a7df79&id=33a4fa05bb

—-------------------------------------

Credits:

Hosts: Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Lead Producer: Tezarah Wilkins

Producer(s): Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Videographer: PhillyCAM

Editing: Nathan Mutale

Special Thanks to: PhillyCAM

In this episode, our hosts Nathan, Journey, and Taylyn dive into the intriguing world of stan culture, where we question norms and explore the boundaries of admiration. This conversation explores the thin line between being a fan and being obsessed.

Topics covered in this episode:

• At what point is being a fan unhealthy?
• Battle of fandoms
• Separating the art from the artist: Defending problematic behavior and the ethical dilemmas.
• How does this affect the artists?
• Cancel Culture: Its impact on both fans and artists.
• Making a trend out of everything: From "core" to aesthetics and mental wellness.

—-------------------------------------

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program of Love Now Media thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

—-------------------------------------

Connect with us + send us feedback about this conversation!: https://www.instagram.com/lovenowmedia/

Subscribe to Love Now Media’s email newsletter:

https://lovenowmedia.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0041ce173b4fea702d8a7df79&id=33a4fa05bb

—-------------------------------------

Credits:

Hosts: Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Lead Producer: Tezarah Wilkins

Producer(s): Nathan Mutale, Journey Moses, Taylyn McMillan

Videographer: PhillyCAM

Editing: Nathan Mutale

Special Thanks to: PhillyCAM

It’s time to have a talk about the talk. Our hosts are joined by special guest, Mystkue. Mystkue is a sex educator and expert. Listen as the group discusses–and are awed by–STI statistics, sexual health practices and big facts! Let’s explore the line between intimacy and sex, shall we?

Topic: Where do we draw the line between intimacy and sex?

Conversation Questions:

• How do you believe that sex being so accessible in the media is impacting young adults? Some potentially just discovering this new world?
• Are we as a generation educated enough on accurate sexual education to participate?
• Do you think the pressure for intimacy in YA has gotten better or worse over time
• What kind of harm does the oversexualization of YA in the media do to teens
• Do you believe that how we are taught romantic relationships affects how we approach sex and intimacy?

Guest Info:

Mystkue Woods, M.ED (she/her) is a dedicated and detail-oriented sexuality arts educator and consultant. She specializes in integrating expressive art modalities to enhance programming that promotes positive attitudes toward sexual health through engaging workshops and experiences via Mystkue Publications, L.L.C

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Follow us on Instagram

Oh, the drama! Our hosts discuss why society seems to thrive off of drama and the media’s obsession with it. Is drama an escape from reality? Let’s talk about it.

Topic: Why does society seem to thrive off drama?

Conversation Questions:

• Do you think social media has a more positive or negative effect on YA development?

• Where do you get your news & what makes that source trustworthy?

• What does the obsession with gossip platforms say about where society is

• Who does drama benefit?

• How do rumors impact the people spreading them and the people they’re about?

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Follow us on Instagram

On today's episode, our hosts are joined by special guest Keyssh to discuss the lows and in-betweens of higher ed. Keeysh is an activist, poet, & founder of DecolonizePhilly. The friends explore societal pressures, accessibility, and its relevance.

Topic: Who is college for and who can actually access these resources?

Conversation Questions:

• Why do you think college is presented as this necessity to being successful in life?

• Who actually benefits from going to college and who doesn’t?

• What are some alternatives for people who don’t want to go to college?

• Why am I viewed as “unprepared for the world” because i don't wanna go to college

• What strays people away from college?

• What can college do for me but put me in debt?

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Follow us on Instagram

In this episode hosts Nathan, Journey, and Taylyn discuss the intersection of fashion and perception. Do expensive shoes make you more important? Are trends cool or uncool? These are all questions that lead us to ask “Do clothes make the [wo]man?”

Topic: Does how you dress affect how you are perceived?

Conversation Questions:

• Who/What inspires your style?

• What is the latest trend you found yourself following?

• Are there any other styles you incorporate into yours?

• Have you ever been bullied/teased about how you dressed & felt like you had to change?

• Why should i care about what you're wearing?
  

Love Now Media is an empathy-centered media company that uses storytelling to advocate for justice, wellness and equity.

Dinner w/ Friends was produced by Love Now Media's Young Professional Storytellers Program thanks to the Philadelphia Foundation and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The YPS program equips youth ages 13-19 with multimedia real-world experience in 21st-century reporting, narrative ownership, and leadership development.

Follow us on Instagram