In this episode of the Creator Spotlight Series, Daniel Lee turns the camera around on Mario Hines — co-founder and CEO of Appraise the Phrase LLC, and the guy who normally makes this show go from behind the scenes. They get into how they each identify as creators (Mario calls himself an "inertia breaker"; Daniel keeps landing on a Proverbs verse about drawing out the deep water in people), how they actually do their research, and why storytelling has to be the thing holding it all together.

From there they get into the gap between how they see their work and how people receive it, why neither of them wants to be so serious that they scare off the audience, and how they both lean on external feedback to get out of their own heads. Mario talks about why he makes a habit of telling people what he sees in them, and they trace how their friendship (almost four years in now) kept turning into creative collaboration just because they kept saying yes and meaning it.

The back half gets into Mario's vision for where ATP is headed, how he approaches season planning for a show that has to last, and which creative form each of them is leaning into right now. Daniel tells Mario that interviewing is where he's growing fastest, but writing is still pull-ups for him — his favorite, and the hardest. They close on something Mario said that's worth sitting with: you're never late. You may miss windows, but you're never late.

Mario Hines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsuhmi_mario/

Twitter: https://x.com/ItsUhMe_Mario

Creator Spotlight Series

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxyK0z7vXpzXCJLZEffuRnO8jFhIPDQp9

Appraise the Phrase

Website: https://appraisethephrase.com/

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand

In this episode, Daniel Lee interviews Naji Grampus, VP of Streaming and Strategy for [Sony] Orchard and host of Cigar Talk. They discuss Naji's journey from his childhood in New York to his career in the music industry, highlighting the influence of community and politics on his path. He also shares his experiences in college, his transition from politics to music management, and the challenges he faced along the way.

Naji emphasizes the importance of building relationships, resilience, and creating opportunities for oneself in the competitive music landscape. He discusses his activism in music, particularly in relation to community issues, and the founding of his label, 24-8 Music Group, which aims to empower artists.

Naji also reflects on the significance of nepotism in uplifting others and his transition from music to boxing, emphasizing the role of networking in both fields. In this conversation, Naji discusses his approach to interviewing boxers, emphasizing the importance of research and creating a comfortable dialogue. He shares his experience hosting a press conference and his aspirations to be a significant voice in boxing.

Naji reflects on the evolving landscape of boxing, the impact of new players in the industry, and his thoughts on the future of the sport. He also shares his personal journey of building a brand and offers inspiration to others pursuing their dreams.

Naji Grampus (@NajiChill)

Cigar Talk Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJlQxX07lbA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cigar.talk/

https://www.instagram.com/najichill/

Twitter: https://x.com/cigartalkpod

https://x.com/NajiChill

Creator Spotlight Series

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxyK0z7vXpzXCJLZEffuRnO8jFhIPDQp9

Appraise the Phrase

Website: https://appraisethephrase.com/

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand

In this episode of the Creator Spotlight series, Daniel interviews Kyle Alex Brett, a movie producer and attorney based in Los Angeles. Kyle shares his journey from a corporate lawyer to a Creative Executive at Blumhouse, discussing the roots of his creativity, the impact of storytelling, and the influence of films like Get Out on his career choices.

He emphasizes the importance of being proactive, networking, and adding value in the entertainment industry, while also reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of his path. In this engaging conversation, Kyle Alex Brett shares his insights on navigating the creative process, the importance of putting oneself out there, and the power of storytelling in film. He discusses his experiences in moderating conversations with industry leaders, the role of luck in success, and the significance of embracing failure while minimizing regret.

Follow Kyle on twitter and Instagram at @kyalbr!

Appraise the Phrase

Website: https://appraisethephrase.com/

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand

In this edition of the Creator Spotlight Series, Daniel interviews Monique Henry, a former engineer turned screenwriter and producer. Monique shares her journey from engineering to the entertainment industry, highlighting the pivotal moment when she watched the film Parasite and realized her passion for storytelling. She discusses the challenges of transitioning careers, the importance of community support, and her experiences in a writer's room.

Monique also talks about her film festival, her nonprofit organization aimed at helping young artists, and her upcoming projects, including a game show and an app. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the significance of perseverance, self-identity, and the creative process.

Monique Henry (@mspeacherino)

Website: www.whatwewatch.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwwfilmtv/

https://www.instagram.com/mspeacherino/

Twitter: https://x.com/wwwfilmtv

https://x.com/mspeacherino

Appraise the Phrase

Website: https://appraisethephrase.com/

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand

The Monarch Brand has partnered with The Appraise the Phrase Show to bring a monthly series called the Creator Spotlight Series. This series is designed to platform individuals in the visual, performance, culinary, and language arts spaces — all spaces that are important to both ATP and The Monarch Brand alike.

In this episode, Daniel interviews Professor Larry Jenkins, a prominent figure in music education and the co-producer of the Grammy-winning album The Urban Hymnal. They discuss Larry's early love for music, the vibrant culture of HBCU bands, and the challenges and rewards of teaching music.

Larry shares insights into the hard work behind producing an album, the importance of networking in the music industry, and his journey as a co-founder of the band Brassfield. The conversation highlights the significance of education in the arts and the impact of mentorship on students' lives.

This episode was originally released in June 2025.

Larry Jenkins

Website: https://www.profjenkins.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profjenkins/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Profjenkins

Brassville: https://www.brassville.band/

Appraise the Phrase

Website: https://appraisethephrase.com/

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand

The Monarch Brand has partnered with The Appraise the Phrase Show to bring a monthly series called the Creator Spotlight Series. This series is designed to platform individuals in the visual, performance, culinary, and language arts spaces — all spaces that are important to both ATP and The Monarch Brand alike.

In this episode, Daniel speaks with Kaila Davis about her journey as the founder of Crazy Sexy Craft, a beer education brand. She shares how her curiosity and the support of her network led her to start the business, despite not fitting the typical beer enthusiast profile. Kaila emphasizes the importance of trying new things and having an open mind, which has been key to her success in the beer industry.

This episode was originally released in April 2025.

Kaila Davis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazysexycraft/

Appraise the Phrase

Website: https://appraisethephrase.com/

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand

The Monarch Brand has partnered with The Appraise the Phrase Show to bring a monthly series called the Creator Spotlight Series. This series is designed to platform individuals in the visual, performance, culinary, and language arts spaces — all spaces that are important to both ATP and The Monarch Brand alike.

Dejouir Brown is an artist, graphic designer, muralist, and musician out of Pittsburgh, PA. In the first interview of the series, Daniel spoke with him about his creative journey, his inspirations, his clothing brand, Peace of Mind, and how he sees the art world advancing in Pittsburgh.

This episode was originally released in June 2025.

Dejouir Brown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jouirnoe/

Everything Else: https://songwhip.com/jouirnoe

Appraise the Phrase

Website: https://appraisethephrase.com/

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand

In this episode, Daniel discusses the new direction of The Monarch Brand and the podcast, the events that led to the pivot, what he would've done differently if he were to start the business over, and explains his process of freeing himself from the pressures of running a business.

Like, follow, subscribe, etc.!
Podcast: https://www.themonarchbrand.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AO3MyB...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themonarchbrand
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themonarchb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonarchbrand