In episode six, Nicole chops it up with DJ Ben Ha Meen. DJ Ben Ha Meen is a native of Third Ward, Texas. He is an alumnus of Howard University, where he studied film and television. Ben Ha Meen is the co-creator of the graphic novel Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze (Penguin Randomhouse). and a self-published author of the children's book The World Is Yours. A world-renowned DJ and music producer, a WGA screenwriter (American Gods), and a pioneering podcaster (FORALLNERDSSHOW, The Combat Jack Show).

In this in-depth convo, DJ Ben Ha Meen shares his journey from growing up in Houston's Third Ward to becoming a successful DJ, filmmaker, and author. He reflects on the cultural influences of his upbringing, his passion for music and storytelling, and the challenges he faced in the creative industry. The discussion also delves into his collaboration on the graphic novel Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze with creative geniuses Mellow Brown and Tom Mandrake, and the importance of writing authentically. Throughout the conversation, DJ Ben Ha Meen emphasizes the power of creativity, resilience, and the impact of storytelling on culture and society.

Purchase Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze, written by DJ Ben Ha Meen and Mellow Brown and illustrated by Tom Mandrake.

Listen to the ForAllNerdsShow.

Oracle Card: "Escape" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Imagination and Reality

01:37 Roots in Third Ward, Texas

03:00 The Influence of Literature on Perspective

04:10 The Journey into DJing

04:10 The Evolution of a DJ's Craft

07:54 Cultural Influences and Musical Diversity

09:43 Soulmate Stories and Past Lives

09:54 The Early Influences of Film and Writing

10:15 Intentionality in Education and Career Choices

12:36 Navigating Economic Realities and Artistic Aspirations

14:23 Building Connections and Crews at Howard University

15:44 The Evolution of DJing and Filmmaking Skills

18:28 From DJing to Writing for American Gods

21:35 Breaking into Hollywood: A Personal Journey

24:53 Facing Adversity: Personal Stories of Struggle

30:27 The Transformative Power of Writing

34:15 Collaboration in Creativity: The Making of Purple Haze

41:20 Astro Punk and Collaborative Creation

43:32 The Role of Black Music in Revolution

46:55 Genre Defiance and Creative Process

50:06 The Poetry of Jimi Hendrix

52:17 DJ Ben Ha Meen Answers the OM Closing Five

Of Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create.

Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear.

Find Of Monsters on IG.

Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode five, Nicole chats with Erika T. Wurth. Erika's novel, WHITE HORSE, is a New York Times Editors Pick, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, an Indie Next List Book of the Month, and a Target Book of the Month. She is both a Kenyon and Sewanee fellow, and Kenyon faculty. She’s published in Buzzfeed and The Writer’s Chronicle and is a narrative artist for the Meow Wolf Denver installation. She is an urban Native of Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee descent. She’s a professor of creative writing and lives in Denver with her partner, step-kids, and two incredibly fluffy dogs. Her novel, THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904, is out with Flatiron Books.

In this convo, Erika kicks it with Nicole about her experiences with childhood fears, the complexities of adult life, and the cultural influences that shape her writing. She reflects on her identity as a Native American woman and the importance of representation in literature. Erika shares insights into her creative process, the role of music in her life, and the significance of confronting personal and societal monsters. The discussion culminates in an exploration of her latest novel, The Haunting of Room 904, which intertwines themes of family, loss, and the supernatural.

Purchase The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth.

Oracle Card: "Boogeyman" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.

Chapters

00:00 Confronting the Boogeyman: Childhood Fears and Monsters

04:24 Creating Monsters: Universal Fears and Cultural Contexts

06:40 Identity and Heritage: The Urban Native Experience

13:38 Coming of Age: Cultural Awareness and Personal Growth

17:45 The 90s: Music, Monsters, and Growing Up

22:39 Facing Real-Life Monsters: Personal Stories and Resilience

25:55 The Importance of Authenticity in Native Art

26:49 Influential Native Writers and Their Impact

29:14 Erika Wurth's Literary Journey and Diverse Works

34:35 Exploring 'The Haunting of Room 904'

46:03 The Role of Indigenous Folklore in Writing

50:07 Erika Answers the OM Closing Five

Of Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create.

Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear.

Find Of Monsters on IG.

Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode four, Nicole chats with Luminous author Silvia Park. Silvia grew up in Seoul and split their time between Korea and America. They received a BA from Columbia and MFA from NYU, in addition to completing the Clarion Workshop in 2018. Their short fiction has been published in Black Warrior Review, Joyland, Reactor, and reprinted in the 2019 Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. Luminous is their first novel.

In this conversation, Silvia discusses the complexities of launching her book, the commodification of genius, and the intersection of cli-fi, sci-fi, and folklore in her writing. She reflects on cultural identity, the struggles of language, and the impact of education and class dynamics in Korea. The conversation delves into the haunting nature of loss, the creative process, and the importance of research in writing. Park emphasizes the significance of writing our futures and the role of monsters in society, ultimately encouraging writers to embrace their creativity and imagine a better world.

Order LUMINOUS by Silvia Park.

Oracle Card: "Dinner" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.

Chapters

00:00 The Cognitive Dissonance of Book Launches

03:09 Exploring the Concept of Genius

05:26 The Irony of Modern Genius

08:00 The Legacy of Octavia Butler & Zora Neale Hurston

10:21 The Intersection of Cli-Fi, Sci-Fi, and Folklore

12:42 Cultural Identity and Language

14:58 Navigating Childhood and Education

17:28 The Journey into Literature

19:32 The Haunting Nature of Grief

22:17 The Storyline of Luminous

34:17 Exploring Grief Through Immortality

34:55 The Cycle of History and Technology

37:07 The Journey of Writing: From Burnout to Joy

38:49 Overcoming Creative Sludge: The Importance of Letting Go

40:51 The Metaphor of the Tiger: Extinction and Replacement

47:38 Writing for the Unseen: Who is the Audience?

49:02 Crafting Beginnings and Endings: The Art of Closure

52:29 Research as a Joyful Exploration

55:52 The Balance of Pantsing and Outlining

57:59 Silvia Answers the OM Closing Five

Of Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create.

Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear.

Find Of Monsters on IG.

Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.