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PODCAST

It"s Personal Podcast

Gary R. Gray Jr

Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what it means to be growing, moving, becoming. He peels back the layers, questions his “accomplishments,” wonders out loud if he’s living a full life. It’s vulnerable. It’s honest. It’s personal.Other times,

arts

All Episodes

40:34

Ep. 144 Nina Mata on her debut picture NEW, family...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2025/06/07

In this episode, I chat with the insightful Nina Mata—author of A Place for Fire and The Legend of the Hummingbird. We dive into her journey as a writer, debut children's book NEW, the cultural roots that inspire her stories, and how nature, family, and heritage intertwine in her work. Nina shares her thoughts on crafting stories that celebrate resilience, belonging, and the magic found in everyday moments. This conversation is rich with warmth, wisdom, and the power of storytelling.📚 A Place for

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39:17

Ep. 143 Betty C. Tang on Parachute Kids, Identity,...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2025/04/21

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Betty C. Tang—author and illustrator of the powerful graphic novel Parachute Kids. We talk about her childhood, the real-life inspirations behind her work, and how identity, immigration, and family shaped the heart of her storytelling. Betty opens up about the emotional roots of Parachute Kids and what it means to tell stories that matter. This one’s full of heart, art, and personal truth.📚 Parachute Kids is available wherever books are sold!Follow

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47:36

EP.142 Quartez Harris chats NEW BOOK and what happen...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2025/03/05

Quartez Harris, a poet and teaching artist whose work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Ohio Poetry Association’s Poet of the Year for his collection We Made it to School Alive. Quartez is set to release his debut picture book, Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer, with Little Brown in January 2025. Born in Springfield, Ohio, he faced significant challenges due to a learning disability but found strength in words. As a second-grade teacher, he captured his students' voices

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32:19

Ep. 141 Lit Agent TELLS ALL about the industry, and...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2025/02/26

I’m excited to introduce you to Jenissa Graham, a Literary Agent at BookEnds Literary Agency. Jenissa began her publishing career at Writers House, starting as an intern and working her way up to the Subrights department as the Global Licensing and Media Rights Assistant. In 2022, she joined BookEnds Literary as an Associate Agent and Subrights Manager, where she began building her client list while also supporting the agency in Film/TV, Merchandise, and Audio. In 2024, she transitioned to agenting

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43:56

EP.140 Jess is a public health professor, but in all...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2025/02/11

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jess Owens-Young. By day, Jess is a public health professor, but in all her free time, she’s a passionate artist. Her work beautifully captures the essence of living as a Black person in the U.S., exploring various dimensions of Black life through acrylics, oil pastels, and inks. Jess also creates digital illustrations that reflect these themes, often focusing on life in the interior, including houseplants and other living beings. She draws inspiration from

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26:07

EP.139 Black Muslim author, Rahma Mohamed shares...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2025/02/05

I talk to Rahma Mohamed, who was born and raised in Hargeisa, Somaliland. At just eight years old, her family immigrated to Canada, where they settled in Quebec. Rahma faced many challenges as she entered her first formal school, grappling with the French language while being the only Black Muslim girl in her class. Despite experiencing bullying, she persevered and became the first in her family to graduate from university, mastering both French and English. website:

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31:05

P.138 Hanna Cha Caldecott Honor Award-Winning...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/10/30

Hanna Cha, a Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator and writer known for her enchanting storytelling through art. Hanna shares her journey from a vagabond life between Seoul and the U.S. to becoming the creator of beloved books like *Tiny Feet Between the Mountains* and *The Truth about Dragons*. Learn about her creative process and what inspires her whimsical illustrations. With insights into her experiences at the Rhode Island School of Design and life in Boston with her cuddly cat Hobac, Hanna

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36:52

EP.137 Nikki Grimes Rhymes and Reasons: Exploring...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/10/21

Nikki Grimes was born in Harlem and spent her childhood moving through various neighborhoods in New York. As a foster child from a broken home, she faced constant farewells to new friends. In this challenging environment, reading and writing became her lifelines. When she had no one to confide in, Grimes poured her thoughts and feelings into poems and stories. An enthusiastic reader, she would check out library books during the day and read late into the night with a flashlight.Website:

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43:34

EP. 136 Jason Reynolds on Finding Strength in...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/10/08

Jason Reynolds shares his thoughts on life, the transformative power of storytelling, and the deep influence of his mother throughout his journey. We dive into his latest work, 24 Seconds from Now, which he describes as a love story for the ages, highlighting the intricate connections between love, identity, and personal growth. Our conversation explores the vital importance of normalizing anxiety and vulnerability, discussing how these themes resonate not only in Jason's writing but also in our

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46:38

EP. 135 Banned Books, Life and Samira Ahmed

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/10/06

Samira Ahmed discusses her new book, This Book Won't Burn, which explores family life and the alarming issue of book bans in America.In this episode, Ahmed dives into the importance of storytelling and the challenges faced by diverse voices in today's literary world. She reflects on her experiences growing up in a multicultural family and how those experiences shaped her writing.Listeners can expect a thoughtful conversation about the intersection of literature, identity, and advocacy, along with

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27:46

EP. 134 Me & Mama author/illustrator Cozbi A. Cabrera...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/08/09

Cozbi A. Cabrera: Illustrating and Writer for Young Readers with Representation in Mind Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator Cozbi Cabrera takes us on a journey through her creative process, sharing intimate moments from her childhood that have deeply influenced her goal of providing authentic representation for young readers through her work. In this episode, Cozbi opens up about her path to becoming a published author and illustrator, the mentors who have guided her along the way, and

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33:40

EP. 133 Michael Arceneaux on Family, Loss & His Book...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/08/02

Michael Arceneaux shares COPING WITH LOSS of his mother and the essays in his new book "I Finally Bought Some Jordans" that reflect on his close relationship with his mom and the complexities of family. Arceneaux discusses the mix of humor and heavy issues in his writing, including topics like personal finance, celebrity encounters, and navigating the pandemic. His candid reflections on family, grief, and his journey to self-acceptance provide an intimate look into his life and creative process

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49:02

EP. 132 Tony Keith Jr. and HOW THE BOOGEYMAN BECAME A...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/07/26

Poet, writer, and educator Dr. Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry. The audio experience is a true delight, with Tony's writing and narration shared with such passion and joy - it truly sounds like a rap album!Tony dreams about life after high school, where his poetic voice can find

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28:08

EP. 131 CHILDREN'S BOOK CAN REALLY change the world...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/07/19

Artist and author Gracey Zhang shares insights into her diverse creative portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her art and writing. From her early days exploring the world through her travels, to her immersion in the vibrant art scene at one of the top art schools in the world, Gracey's path to artistic success has been a winding and inspiring one. Delve into the inspirations behind her beautiful picture books and her deep appreciation for the power of visual storytelling. Discover

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43:09

EP. 130 Luana Horry, editor at HARPER COLLINS, chats...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/07/12

Luana Horry, a passionate SENIOR EDITOR at HARPERCOLLINS Children's Books, who is revolutionizing the world of children's literature. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, a hub of extraordinary talents, Luana has made it her mission to diversify the publishing industry and amplify underrepresented voices. As a trailblazer in her field, Luana has worked on beloved titles such as "Not Quite Snow White" and "My Hair," championing stories that reflect the rich diversity of our world. Her unwavering

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40:00

EP 129 Award WINNING author NICK BROOKS talks PROMISE...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/07/05

Best SELLING AUTHOR, Nick Brooks, the mind behind the critically acclaimed novel "The Promise Boys," talks about RELATIONSHIPS, and the music industry. Nick delves deep into the personal experiences that have shaped his literary journey, from his time creating music and working with renowned record labels, to the profound impact of becoming a "girl dad" and the importance of amplifying Black and Brown voices.Discover how these unique facets of Nick's life have infused his writing with a raw

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42:32

EP. 128 Ellen Oh, STUCK between cultures and WRITING...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/06/27

Acclaimed children's book author Ellen Oh takes us on a captivating journey, sharing insights into her diverse literary portfolio and the personal experiences that have shaped her writing.From her early days as a lawyer and college instructor to her transition into the world of children's literature, explore Ellen's path to literary success. Delve into the inspirations behind her middle grade novels and her love for this age group. Discover how Ellen's own experiences navigating the complexities of

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43:26

EP. 127 Fredrick Joseph, speaks on family, Palestine,...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2024/06/21

Fredrick Joseph, New York Times Best Selling author, thought-provoking speaker, and advocate for equity and social justice, joins us for a captivating conversation. Fredrick will discuss his new poetry collection "We Alive, Beloved," which explores a new genre that seeks to find joy in moments of difficulty.Whether illuminating the beauty of being Black, highlighting the hope that can be found in childhood, or sharing intimate truths revealed on a mental health journey, this collection will appeal

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00:20:59

#ItsPersonal V.126 Saadia Faruqi on Ali the Great and...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2023/08/08

As we sit down with Saadia Faruqi, a talented writer and advocate for diversity in children's literature. Saadia shares her inspiring journey of writing books that resonate with her daughter, with a strong desire for her to see herself represented in literature. We explore the importance of having range in writing, capturing the early years, middle school, and older ages to cater to a wide audience.Saadia also discusses her mission as a Pakistani American writer and the significance of discussing

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00:35:46

#ItsPersonal Podcast V.125 Antonio Michael Downing,...

It"s Personal Podcast ·

2023/08/07

Join us on this episode of the podcast as we dive deep into the life and experiences of Antonio Michael Downing, author, musician, and speaker. Antonio shares his journey growing up in Toronto and the profound influence his grandmother had on his life and family. We explore the pressures that people of color face when creating and the challenges of letting go of control when it comes to something you've built and created. Antonio also shares his perspective on life as a bounty of creativity, and

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157 results

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