KeyBARD
Welcome to the KeyBARD Podcast, hosted by Artist/Educator Thembi Duncan.
In each episode, Thembi sits down with trailblazers, visionaries, and innovators who are shaping the landscape of our world. From distinguished educators to acclaimed artists and tech pioneers, KeyBARD offers a platform for thought-provoking conversations that transcend boundaries and spark new ideas.
Whether you're passionate about the arts, intrigued by technology, or committed to advancing education, KeyBARD has something for everyone.
Subscribe to stay up to date!
Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768
Episodes
38 episodes
The REALM: Redesigning Education with Victoria Forsman and Jessica Slayback
Host Thembi Duncan welcomes Victoria Forsman and Jessica Slayback, co-founders of The REALM (Redesigning Education and Living Meaningfully), a vibrant educational community in Santa Mon...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 18
•
43:42
Faith and Fearlessness in Theatre with Deidra LaWan Starnes
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan talks with award-winning actor, director, and educator Deidra LaWan Starnes for an unfiltered conversation about her lifelong career in theatre. With honesty, humor, and heart, Deidra r...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 17
•
1:13:30
Advocating for Children in Foster Care with Sharon Dunlevy
Sharon Dunlevy shares her journey from special education to foster care advocacy, offering deep insights on trauma-informed education, caregiver collaboration, and what it takes to truly support v...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 16
•
1:04:19
Using AI to Reshape Real Estate Investing with William Hollis
In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with William Hollis (or just “Hollis”), a self-taught software engineer, real estate investor, and now the founder and CEO of
•
Season 2
•
Episode 15
•
57:51
Ethical Web Design and Digital Storytelling with Warren Wilansky
In this episode, Thembi sits down with Warren Wilansky, founder and president of Plank, a digital agency with more than 25 years of experience designing meaning...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 14
•
26:25
Shaping Theatre through Black Women’s Stories with Fatima Quander
In this episode of KeyBARD, I sit down with actor, director, and educator Fatima Quander, whose 20+ year career in theater is deeply rooted in research, collaboration, and cultural responsibil...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
55:42
Theatre, Film, and Building Community with J.J. Johnson Part 2
Part 2 of 2Our discussion continues with actor, writer, and teaching artist J.J. Johnson taking us deeper into his creative process. He shares what it’s like to navigate the vulnerability, pressure, and freedom of creating a ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 12
•
1:00:11
Stories of Black Boy Joy with J.J. Johnson Part 1
In Part One of this two-part conversation, Thembi sits down with actor, writer, and teaching artist James J. Johnson, known to many as J.J.He opens up about growing up as a quirky, intelligent, and imaginative kid in the small town of Fr...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 11
•
41:36
Transformational Leadership in Performing Arts and Education with Jared Redick
This episode of KeyBARD features Jared Redick, an award-winning, sought-after master teacher, choreographer, and coach whose leadership has shaped the global dance community. A third-gener...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
50:40
What Makes Us Human in the Age of AI? with Dr. Ilke Demir
Dr. Ilke Demir, Senior Staff Research Scientist, IntelWhat makes us human in the age of artificial intelligence?In this episode, Thembi speaks with Dr. Ilke Demir, a pioneering research scientist whose work explores the int...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
45:33
Placing Black LGBTQIA+ Stories Center Stage with Alan Sharpe
Alan Sharpe, ACTWhat does it take to build a theatrical legacy that centers the lives and truths of Black LGBTQIA+ folx? In this episode, Thembi sits down with prolific playwright, director,...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 8
•
57:57
Faith and the Strength to Begin Again with Keta Newborn
Keta Newborn: A Life Rewritten Through TheatreThere are moments in life when everything seems set—the destination clear, the plan solid. And then, something unexpected happens, shifting everything we thought we knew. Today’s guest...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
46:44
Instructional Design that Meets the Moment with Dr. Dwayne Wood
From Military Leadership to Instructional Design: Dr. Dwayne Wood on AI, Education, and Rethinking GradingIn this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan interviews D...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
1:00:48
Crafting Theatre with Love at the Root with Eric Ruffin
In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed director and educator Eric Ruffin to explore the artistry, history, and purpose that fuel his work. We talk about his unexpected journey fro...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
59:11
Shifting the Paradigm of American Theatre-making with Keith Hamilton Cobb Part 2
What kind of art would you create if money was no object? What stories would you tell? It’s a powerful question, but in American theatre, too few artists ever get to explore it. In Part 2 of my conversation with actor/p...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
1:09:49
Artistic Integrity in American Theatre with Keith Hamilton Cobb Part 1
In this episode I speak with award-winning actor and playwright Keith Hamilton Cobb, and this conversation was so rich that I had to split it into two parts. In part 1, we talk about Keith’s training and his early years as an actor. We get into...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
1:14:19
From Netflix to Neulight with Jose Moreno
Thembi talks with Jose Moreno, Founder and CEO of Neulight, an ed-tech company leveraging AI to help K-12 educators support student success.In this episode, we discuss:✅ What it’s like to transition from streaming tech to educatio...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 2
•
49:13
Season 1 Recap with Nadia Duncan
What in the world is a KeyBARD, anyway? In this episode, I sit down with my daughter Nadia to reflect on the first season of the pod and look ahead to Season 2. We get into the heart of why I started the podcast, from the joy of dee...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
14:51
Joy, Healing, and the Power of Storytelling with Farah Lawal Harris
S1. E20.“There's always an aspect of joy, because otherwise, what's the point?”In this episode, Thembi speaks with playwright, poet, and artistic leader Farah Lawal Harris<...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 20
•
1:05:50
Exploring Identity and Emotion in Children’s Books with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
The Power of Storytelling: Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich on Writing, Identity & Empowering Young Readers“Story was just the foundation of my life.”In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan speaks with award-winnin...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 19
•
1:06:27
Building Children's Self-Esteem Through Hip-Hop with Chad Harper
In this episode of KeyBARD, Host Thembi Duncan sits down with Chad Harper, founder and CEO of Hip Hop Saves Lives, a social entrepreneurship that uses hip-hop as a tool for education, em...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
55:09
Crafting Theatre of Empowerment and Transformation with Caleen Sinnette Jennings
S1. E17. "I wanted to write the roles that I wish somebody would write for me."Thembi talks with Caleen Sinnette Jennings about her journey as an actor, director, playwright, educator, and arts leader, including her memories of being in...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
1:16:13
Building a Legacy of Originality and Artistic Innovation with W.Ellington Felton
In this episode of KeyBARD, singer, poet, actor, and emcee W.Ellington Felton opens up about his artistic journey, creative process, and love for teaching. He talks with host Thembi Duncan ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 16
•
2:02:30
Preserving Broadway’s Musical Treasures with Michael Lavine
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan sits down with Michael Lavine, a celebrated music director, performance coach, sheet music expert, and Broadway archivist. With a career spanning...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
36:58
Driving Equity and Innovation in Technology with Helynsia Brown
Helynsia Brown: Leading with Purpose in Tech and Social JusticeIn this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan speaks with Helynsia Brown, a technology executive whose career spans the U.S. Air Force, the National Museum of ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
41:41