Author

This week on Behind the Mic, I’m joined by fellow REVOLT Podcast Network veteran and media powerhouse, Lalaa Shepard. Lalaa is the creator of The Progress Report, one of Atlanta’s most respected platforms for hip hop and culture. From her early days working with Cincinnati artists to building genuine relationships in Atlanta’s music scene, Lalaa’s journey is rooted in hustle, intention, and community.

B-Sides Track of the Week:
Lalaa shares “Hot Boyz” by Kai Cash, a standout track from one of her favorite emerging artists.

Lalaa opens up about how her upbringing and work ethic shaped her path from college to the strip clubs of Atlanta where she learned the real mechanics of the music business. She breaks down how The Progress Report became an essential stop for artists, producers, and tastemakers in Atlanta’s hip hop ecosystem.

Featured Quote:
“I’m just a student of the game. I’ve been in love with music and journalism since I was a little kid.”

Chapters:
00:52 Meet Lalaa Shepard
01:26 Lalaa’s Journey in Music and Journalism
03:18 The Progress Report and Atlanta’s Music Scene
05:25 Challenges and Inspirations
14:36 Rapid Fire: Overrated or Underrated
16:22 Lalaa’s Love for Sports

Don’t forget to subscribe to Behind the Mic wherever you listen or watch podcasts. Leave us a five-star rating, drop a review, and hit that like button on YouTube. We’re building this community with your support.

Follow Lalaa Shepard:
Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube: @LalaaShep
Website: TPR Media Group
Instagram: @TheProgressReport101

Behind the Mic: Powered by REVOLT Podcast Network is hosted by me, Wize Grazette. Special thanks to The Indie Creative Network and Storytime Studios for editing and producing this podcast.

Welcome to the final episode of the Clarity Series on the Island Woman Podcast, a space for Caribbean women who, like me, are rethinking success and ready to move with intention.

In this episode, “Clarity in Action: A Success Blueprint for Caribbean Women Over 40,” I’m exploring how to turn your clear vision into bold, grounded decisions without burnout, hustle, or upending your life.

Whether you’re a seasoned expert, an emerging leader, or a purpose-driven creative, this episode will help you:
✅ Move toward your redefined vision of success
✅ Align your time, energy, and money with your vision
✅ Recognise and act on opportunities with confidence
✅ Let your Caribbean cultural values guide your leadership and voice

This episode is especially for Caribbean women who want more visibility, financial freedom, and ownership of their time without starting from scratch.

Ready to move from clarity to action with support?
Explore the Clarity & Visibility Package — a 1:1 experience to help you define your vision, refine your message, and show up with cultural confidence.
📅 Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/diannensquires/discovery-call

🎨Clarity Series Sponsor:Made Alive Design & Co.
For intentional visuals and video editing that bring your message to life.
Contact them:
Instagram: @madealive.design;
Email: akeem@madealive.me

Other Episodes in the Clarity Series:
EP. 9 – Career Fog to Focus: 4 Clarity Anchors for Women Redefining Success
EP. 10 – Speak Clearly About Your Work Without Being a Showoff

Like this episode?
👍👍🏾 Like
🗨️ Comment
📤 Share
🔔 Subscribe for more clarity, calm, and cultural confidence as you build a new vision of success Island Woman style.
#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomen #RethinkSuccess #VisionToAction #ClarityAndVisibility #IslandWomanEthos #CaribbeanVoices #CulturalConfidence #DianneSquires

It’s time for another wild, funny, Host episode including a nostalgic Wahala segment — I Know Black People inspired by an old Dave Chapelle skit. From 90’s sitcom trivia to decoding Black social cues and communication, we test our knowledge of Black culture..

Then we dive into the controversial but hilarious question: Why are Black men like this? Why are Black men more loyal to their barbers then their significant others? Why is loyalty to your fade stronger than loyalty to your bae? (yeah Chatgpt wrote this) Let’s talk about it. It’s all jokes though!

✅ Hilarious Black culture trivia
✅ Kickbacks, sitcoms, and subtle communication
✅ Real talk about Black male behavior

––Music Credits–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

RIDDIM | Afrobeat Library | Music For Content Creators
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm9_E41jmVA
Creative Commons — Attribution – CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Affiliated YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/c/KaseemBada

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Sober Soldiers, today we’re going from Katlehong to DAKAR, as the legendary Kwesta joins us in studio to talk legacy, bars, and what it means to be built different. We also delved heavily into his brand new album, the pen that never dulls, and staying rooted while evolving. Tap in

This week, the girls are back with Part 2 of our powerful conversation: What does it mean to be seen and still be silenced?

From Cassie’s leaked abuse footage and the industry’s shameful silence, to Halle Bailey being harassed just for being a mother, to Megan Thee Stallion still having to prove she’s worthy of protection—this episode digs deep into the emotional toll of being a visible Black woman in a world that claims to celebrate us but refuses to protect us.

Main Topic:
• The double bind of visibility: hyper-visible but still vulnerable
• DEI may be fading, but anti-Black woman bias is thriving
• The emotional and creative toll of constantly having to “be strong”
• How to build your CareFree Survival Kit: joy rituals, real boundaries, and radical softness

HOT or NOT: Culture + Media Edition
• Forever Netflix: Black girl/boyhood nostalgia and literary gems
• Is public support for Black women real or just performance?
• “Dandy” style: celebration or cultural erasure?

Who Said Dat? – Black Fashion & Culture Remix
Guess who dropped these iconic quotes about fashion, power, and presence. Was it Solange? Pharrell? Naomi? We’re testing the crew and giving flowers.

Get Free Segment:
We’re done shrinking. From money to love to how we show up online—we’re claiming our full selves.
I’m no longer shrinking myself when…” — and neither should you.
⸻
🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation using #CareFreeBlackGirl

Follow us:
Instagram: @CareFreeBlackGirlInc
Twitter: @CFBGPod