The Takeback Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jess Pillay and Angelica De Anda
Welcome to The Takeback Podcast, where women of color creatives come together to inspire, empower, and encourage each other. Hosted by Jess Pillay, an Indo-Fijian-American independent singer/songwriter, and Angelica De Anda, a Mexican-American licensed mental health counselor and singer, each episode explores and elevates the stories of women of color who are artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, writers, and more as they navigate and take back creative environments that weren't necessarily designed with them in mind. Visit thetakebackpodcast.com to learn more and join the creative revolution.
That’s all she wrote, folks! In this special season finale and final episode of The Takeback Podcast, Angelica and Jess discuss the labor of love that this show has been and why they made the difficult decision to end the podcast. But before that, they have a heartfelt and candid conversation with The Takeback’s sound engineer and audio wizard, Sam Cook-Stuntz, about the vital importance of white allyship in racial equity work. Sam humbly reflects on his continuous learning about racial equity as a white man, and gives tips to other racially or economically privileged members of the creative sector on how they can build more equity in their business practices. The episode closes with Angelica and Jess recommending a few of their favorite BIWOC businesses, brands, and causes, followed by some final reflections about the experience of making this show.
To all of our listeners, guests, volunteers, and supporters: Thank you for joining us. While this ultimately turned out to be a shorter-lived project than we had planned, we are so grateful that you chose to go on this 14-episode journey with us. We couldn’t have done this without you! Please stay in touch with Angelica and Jess on their individual social media accounts (links below). Because their creative adventures are far from over–even if it’s time to say farewell to this podcast. Thanks again for your support. We wish you all a happy, prosperous, and creative new year.
NOTE: Our episodes are moving to YouTube! We will no longer be distributing this show to the major podcast streaming platforms, but you will be able to find all 14 episodes archived at youtube.com/@thetakebackpodcast.
Resources & References:
Homespun Audio
Jess’s favorite WOC-owned businesses:
The Creativity Loft
Lummi Nation’s Tokitae (Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut)/Lolita Project
Angelica’s favorites favorite WOC-owned businesses:
Noir Lux Candle Company
Luz y Tierra
Stay in touch with Jess:
Website: jesspillaymusic.com; sign up for Jess’s email list.
Instagram: @jesspillaymusic
Stay in touch with Angelica:
Website: https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/angelica-de-anda-kirkland-wa
Instagram: @yourlatinatherapist
Find The Takeback Podcast on YouTube
Izzie Chea, who is a Dominican-Mexican-American content creator, music educator, storyteller, and mental health advocate, is the Takeback Podcast’s guest this week! In this solo episode, Angelica chats with Izzie about her musical upbringing, her decision to follow in her mother’s footsteps and pursue musical education professionally, and how she pivoted her piano teaching business to accommodate remote and virtual learning during the pandemic. She also shares the experience of receiving her ADHD diagnosis as an adult and how she's utilized her own learning about neurodivergence to equip others who are facing similar issues and diagnoses. Izzie is passionate about using social media as a platform to destigmatize mental health and foster community–and if you’ve seen her Instagram, it goes without saying that she is crushing it! Don’t forget to check out the links below to see where Izzie spends her time online and some of her favorite resources for our listeners!
Resources & References:
Where to Find Izzie
Milkshake Linktree
YouTube Channel
Patreon
Buy Me a Coffee
Izzie’s favorite WOC business recommendation:
Booklandia (Instagram)
In this week’s episode, Querida Duncalfe—who is an author, podcaster, community activist, and blogger—reflects on the parallels between her social justice work and her creative life. She shares about the ups and downs of resilience, her nonlinear road to education, and the significance of creating bonds with people who share her values. Don’t forget to check out the links below for resources shared by Querida in this week’s episode!
Resources & References:
Where to Find Querida:
Querida's Instagram
Something True Blog
Something True Apparel
Peace by Piece Book
Querida’s favorite WOC brand and book recommendations:
Lip Bar
Cole Arthur Riley
Candace Bebo's Book: Red Lip Theology
Andre Henry's Book: All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep:
In Episode 11, Honduran-born beauty blogger, YouTuber, and social worker, Kate Piura shares how she shows up in underrepresented spaces, especially for the Latinx community. Katie, Jess, and Angelica discuss Katie’s many creative passions and how she uses social media, make-up, and blogging to build community with others. She shares her thoughts on the importance of mentors and representation in media, and gives practical advice to our listeners about setting good boundaries in one’s creative work.
Don’t forget to check out the links below to see which BIWOC businesses and brands Katie recommends in this episode!
Resources & References:
Where to Find Katie: @introspectivepiura (Instagram)
Child Haven Therapy:
YouTube
YT Creator Recommendations:
Kathleen Lights
Jackie Ina
Sun Kissed Alba
Nedra Tawwab
The Truth Doctor
Katie’s favorite WOC Business/Brands Recommendations:
Rare Beauty
Pure Heart Candles
This week, The Takeback Podcast celebrates 10 episodes! Co-hosts Jess Pillay and Angelica De Anda dive deep into the topic of imposter syndrome. They share their personal stories, and provide tools and resources for people—especially women of color creatives—to fight back when imposter syndrome strikes. Check out the links below for more resources from this episode.
If this episode struck a chord with you, please share with others and consider leaving us a positive rating and review on your podcast platform of choice. This gets our podcast into the ears of more listeners. We appreciate your support and feedback! Learn more about our work at thetakebackpodcast.com.
Resources & References:
Family culture that supports imposter syndrome (IG post, part 1)
Family culture that supports imposter syndrome (IG post, part 2)
Imposter Syndrome Institute
How to Battle Imposter Syndrome (Article)
5 Types of Imposters
Negative Thinking Traps
White Supremacy Culture (by Dr. Tema Okun)
What perfectionism looks like in imposter syndrome? (IG post)
Ditching Imposter Syndrome
In Episode 9, we talk with Manuela Guillén, a Latina freelance visual artist, art educator, and small business owner based in Philly. Manuela, Angelica, and Jess discuss art and its role in advocacy, social change, and how storytelling can bridge communities. Manuela reflects on her time living in the Dominican Republic and Miami and how her cultural background has inspired her art. She also shares how, no matter what, she is determined to stay true to her personal values while she expresses herself through her creative work. Check out the resources and references below for more information on where you can find her art and how you can support her through Patreon and Etsy!
If this episode inspired you, please consider leaving us a positive rating and review on whichever podcast platform you’re listening on so we can help get this podcast into the ears of more listeners. We appreciate your support and feedback! Learn more about our work at thetakebackpodcast.com.
Resources & References:
Manuela Guillén:
Official Website
Patreon
Manuela's Etsy Shop
Manuela’s favorite spot where she’s created street art: @iglesiasgardens (Instagram)
Manuela’s favorite WOC business recommendation: @la_tienda101 (Instagram)
This week, Seattle-based singer/songwriter Rani Weatherby takes us through her creative journey: from the influence that Elton John, the Flight of the Concords, and the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra had on her musicianship, to stand-up comedy nights with her ukulele, and gigs with her band, Champagne Honeybee. Rani, Jess, and Angelica go on to discuss the complexities of burnout as women of color creatives and the critical importance of self-care. Rani also shares how the name Champagne Honeybee came about and how she pivoted and learned to re-engage with her creative craft during the pandemic.
Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to leave us a rating and review so that more people can discover this podcast! We really appreciate your feedback.
You can also follow us on Instagram at @thetakebackpodcast and visit our website at thetakebackpodcast.com to learn more about our show.
TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: Please note that domestic violence is mentioned briefly around the 10 and 11-minute mark.
Resources & References:
Find Rani Weatherby online: Official Website | Instagram | Facebook
"Where Can I Run?" (Official Music Video)
Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra - YouTube Channel
Janelle Monáe on Instagram
Beck: Mixed Business (Official Music Video)
Rani’s BIPOC business/brand rec: Eighth Generation: Website | Instagram
Technically speaking, safe jobs are a myth. We’ll let you ponder that one as we introduce Sherry-Lynn Lee, an LA-based musician at heart who spent years expressing her creativity through her data science job in Silicon Valley before switching gears and becoming a full-time songwriter and music producer. Sherry-Lynn tells us what it was like growing up on the tropical island of Mauritius in an Asian household and how that impacted her musical journey. She also shares some wise and practical advice on how to successfully leave your “safety” job and things she has done to take creative control in her own life. Don’t forget to check out the Nuances Podcast, which she produces and co-hosts, as well as her musical duo, 23rd Hour, and her solo work!
Resources & References:
Nuances Podcast
Sherry-Lynn’s Solo Work and Music Services
23rd Hour
“Wasted Space” Music Video: “I took a pencil jar and did something so it sounded like a hi-hat, and then I took a notebook that had a hard cover and I made that a kick, and thenI used a business card as a kind of slap clap thing.”
Sherry-Lynn’s WOC Business Recommendation: Mad Potters Shop
What does it mean to identify as a creative? Chelsea Green, a Washington born-and-raised writer and CPA, joins us in our sixth episode to share her experience wrestling with that question. Chelsea talks about how she balances her creative flow as a writer while still working a traditional 9 to 5 job, shares her favorite tips for handling imposter syndrome, and talks about the importance of standing up for justice – even when it’s not the popular thing to do. Don’t forget to check out her latest published piece in Bold: Stories About Living Out Loud (an anthology by The Pathfinders Collective), and be on the lookout for her debut novel, which she hopes to publish soon!
Like the conversations you’re hearing on this podcast? Please leave us a review and a 5-star rating, and share this episode with a friend or two! You can also check out our website for more information about our show at thetakebackpodcast.com.
Resources & References:
Bold: Stories About Living Life Out Loud
Chelsea’s Writing Playlist (Spotify)
Chelsea’s favorite BIWOC business, brand, or product: Insight Timer App by Fran D
Chelsea's favorite summer read: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (book)
Follow Chelsea on Instagram: @chelsea_green
In our fifth episode and the second part of Angelica De Anda’s story, Angelica explains why she got into the mental health profession and discusses the legacy she dreams of leaving for her bicultural daughter. She then takes us through some favorite self-care practices and reflects on how her creative journey has influenced her work as a therapist. She and Jess also give listeners tangible tips on finding a therapist! Explore the resources below for the directories mentioned in this episode.
TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: Note that mental health challenges, grief, loss, and suicide are mentioned around the 5-minute mark.
Resources & References:
Follow Angelica on Instagram
Anything for Selena (Podcast)
The Body Keeps the Score (Book)
Therapy Directories:
- Therapy Den
- Inclusive Therapists
-
Latinx Therapy
- Latinx Therapy Instagram
- Latinx Therapy Podcast
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Therapy for Black Girls
- Melanin & Mental Health
In our fourth episode, our co-founder and co-host Angelica De Anda reflects on how she reclaimed her name and cultural roots. She shares how music has always been a consistent thread in her life: from childhood experiences in church, to not practicing her instruments, to meeting Jess in choir during their first year of college. Angelica also takes us back to a core high school memory where she landed the lead role in a musical production (in true Sharpay and Gabriella fashion—for all you High School Musical fans out there!).
Resources & References:
Follow Angelica on Instagram
Angelica on Therapy Den
In the third episode of The Takeback Podcast, Jess digs deeper into her music and mental health journey. She describes the influence Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) had on her artistry, discusses significant family events and relationships, her education, and the pressures of keeping up with societal expectations. Jess and Angelica address the heart of this podcast: what is it like as a woman of color to navigate and make a career in the independent music industry?
TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: This episode strikes a few chords regarding mental health. Note that depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies are mentioned around the 12-minute mark.
Resources & References:
jesspillaymusic.com
Jess Pillay on Bandcamp
Tightrope Walker (Rachael Yamagata)
Till We Have Faces (C.S. Lewis)
In the second episode of The Takeback Podcast, Jess & Angelica dive head first into Jess's story: what it was like to grow up as an Indo-Fijian-American in the Pacific Northwest, how and why Jess fell in love with music, and that time a teacher crushed her acting dreams.
Visit our official website & sign up for our email newsletter: thetakebackpodcast.com
Resources & References
The Forgotten Girmityas
Shine On Official Music Video
jesspillaymusic.com
In this first episode of The Takeback Podcast, best friends and co-hosts Jess Pillay and Angelica De Anda discuss why they decided to start this podcast. They also talk about how everything leads back to therapy and fangirl over their favorite Asian American singer/songwriter, Rachael Yamagata, who inspired the name of this show.
Official trailer for The Takeback Podcast, where women of color creatives come together to inspire, empower, and encourage each other. Hosted by Jess Pillay, an Indo-Fijian-American independent singer/songwriter, and Angelica De Anda, a Mexican-American licensed mental health counselor and singer, each episode explores and elevates the stories of women of color who are artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, writers, and much more as they navigate and take back creative environments that weren't necessarily designed with them in mind. Visit thetakebackpodcast.com to learn more and join the creative revolution.