Grwn Talk

Tanya does NOT sleep. And it's clear when you hear her talk and see what she's been able to accomplish. She's the definition of a strong, confident woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. I can't wait for Elijah to learn from her! 

Topics we discussed 
- Be courageous 
- Take risks 
- Stay ready for opportunities 
- Seeking therapy 
- Dancing for yourself 
- Don't clip the wings 

WATCH to the whole episode here: 

 Links! 
Tanya: https://www.instagram.com/tanyayvonne/ 
Andrew: https://www.instagram.com/tontonthenomad/ 

Grwn Talk 
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCopqLT0SS0m8JMIABukw9Aw 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grwntalk/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grwntalk/

Calvin is one of the co-owners of Soundbox Studios in Houston, TX. On this episode, we talk about lessons from the service industry, more dance history, and the importance of being able to communicate and build relationships with people. Also, don't get psyched out with the ender...I kept the camera running and he dropped EVEN MORE gems in the last 20 minutes. 

Links! 
Calvin: https://www.instagram.com/calvin32/ 
Andrew: https://www.instagram.com/tontonthenonmad/ 

Grwn Talk 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grwntalk/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grwntalk/ 
 

Men are notoriously bad at taking care of their mental health.  On this episode, Chris comes back and speaks as a previous mental health case worker.  We’ve both struggled in the past, and I can say with full confidence that he’s helped me overcome some deep struggles.  Here are my lessons learned.  

• It’s ok to be vulnerable
• say I LOVE YOU
• appreciate your partner
• spend more time on your passions
• separate manhood from leadership
And so much more.  

Comment below - what did YOU take away from this conversation?

Links!
Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisrodgez/
Andrew: https://www.instagram.com/tontonthenomad/

Grwn Talk  
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCopqLT0SS0m8JMIABukw9Aw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grwntalk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grwntalk/

Duy Nguyen exemplifies personal integrity, hard work, and working towards building his legacy.  He is a co-owner of Soudnbox Studios in Houston, TX, a working professional, family man, and a big reason why I chose to move to Texas.  I hope you enjoy this episode; I know I did!

• Houston Dance Community History
• Wyldstyl Dance Team
• Being an Immigrant
• Building legacy
• How our dads impacted us without even knowing

Listen to the whole episode here:
 

Links!
Duy: https://www.instagram.com/duwell_sbs/
Soundbox Studio: https://www.instagram.com/soundboxtx/
Andrew: https://www.instagram.com/tontonthenomad/

Grwn Talk  
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCopqLT0SS0m8JMIABukw9Aw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grwntalk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grwntalk/

The dance community has such a rich history, and I'm lucky to speak with J Vaughn on this episode.  He has been a leader in the community for over a decade, danced on legendary teams such as Formality and Urban FX, and directed SGBM for 7 years.  He not only knows the history, he was a big part in shaping it.  

On this episode, we discuss...

• How the dance community came to be
• THE NAPKIN
• Passing the torch / Keeping your identity
• Being a leader in and out of the community
• learning to say NO

Watch the whole episode here:
 https://youtu.be/i6wT-G6cl7s

Follow J Vaughn https://www.instagram.com/j_vaughn/
Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/tontonthenomad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grwntalk
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCopqLT0SS0m8JMIABukw9Aw

Resources

• How to be anti-racist (Ibram X Kendi) - https://amzn.to/37tOsxv
• White Fragility (Diangelo) - https://amzn.to/2Y4KJDw
• Miseducation of the Negro (Woodson) - https://amzn.to/2UIm31k
• Autobiography of Malcom X - https://amzn.to/2N4DNzD
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Kiyosaki) - https://amzn.to/3fu406T

**These are amazon affiliate links.  Any money raised from these purchases will be donated to a locally owned black business .

Recap

On this episode, we quickly learned why asking, "How do I be a Black ally?" is a lazy question.  We also get into why not being racist isn't enough.  You have to be ANTI-RACIST. 

Joshua Carr is a long time friend and he was gracious enough to sit down and talk openly about the current climate since the murder of George Floyd.

Topics

• "How do I be an ally"
• Growing up Black
• Black-Asian relations
• How to raise anti-racist children
• Repost Culture
• Breath

You can also watch video footage of this episode at:
https://youtu.be/zOBiSE18ev0

Follow us

Joshua Carr - https://www.instagram.com/_justcarr/
Just Carr Podcast -https://open.spotify.com/show/08KsXufUAwhJQBFAKIhCaj?si=pFVM0w5ARbCSQRDnhlAJvw 
RealTalkTelevision -https://www.instagram.com/realtalktelevision/

Andrew Ton - https://www.instagram.com/tontonthenomad/
Grwn Talk Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Grwn-Talk-103017348124580/?view_public_for=103017348124580
 

What does it take to be a leader? How important is it to have a group of friends to grow up with? 

This week we get to talk to Sean Salvino. He’s the previous director of the Houston dance crew Galing, recently engaged, and a working professional for the city’s hospital system. I wanted to know how he was able to accomplish it all, and he consistently gave a humbled answer. 

Whether he admits it or not, he’s impacted a lot of lives and is a legend in the making. 

Follow him on Instagram at: @seangc
Follow me on Instagram at: @tontonthenomad

Listen to the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/Ho7kwIl265E

Cliff Ledesma is considered an Original Gangster (O.G.) of the Houston Community.  And it's no wonder why.  He tackles the hard things first in all aspects of his life and it's given him the reputation of being a perfectionist, trailer blazer, entrepreneur,  and an overall stand up guy.  Elijah has a lot to learn from this man.   On this episode we talk about...

• Coaching children vs adults
• Playing favorites
• What it's like to run a business
• NSYNC > Backstreet Boys
• Only putting out your best
• How he choreographs
• and so much more

Follow us on instragram
@tontonthenomad
@cliffscuts

Watch the whole episode here:
https://youtu.be/A5BxRCr30Os

I have so much to learn when it comes to being a man, husband, and father.  Honestly, it's overwhelming!  

The best way to learn is talk to someone who's already been there.  Chris is someone I've admired from afar for years, and this was a great way for us to get to know each other.  I have so much respect for him.  This is a longer conversation, and I wish we could have recorded even more.  Chris was dropping nuggets of wisdom left and right.  On this episode, we talked about...

• Dating someone with children
• Lazy Parenting
• Male Ego & Masculinity
• Having the SEX talk
• And so much more

Watch the video on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/xn_MnYHMUro

Follow us on social media 
Andrew https://www.instagram.com/tontonthenomad/
Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisrodgez/
TheSportsTrapp: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC489VHmzKucV_oADxjrGm3w

Taylor is back and we discuss the concept of work-life balance! Is it real? Can you make it work? We've both had to navigate our careers and passions for dance. Now there is a new plate to balance: parenthood. 

We also give updates on 

• 9 month old Elijah
• Kids on leashes
• Dancing on our dream teams
• Being creative after having kids

Watch this episode on youtube at:
 

 Thanks for watching and don't forget to FOLLOW!  New episodes every Monday for all my grwn folk.