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.
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Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 62 minutes
- Episodes
- 39
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
An Actor's Purpose, Resilience, and Joy with Jefferson A. Russell
In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with the brilliant and beloved Jefferson A. Russell, a powerhouse stage actor and resident company member of Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, …
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…
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 th…
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 trul…
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 Raise AI, a pl…
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 meaningful, accessible, and stor…
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 resp…
Theatre, Film, and Building Community with J.J. Johnson Part 2
Part 2 of 2
Our 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 vulnerabili…
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, inte…
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-ge…
What Makes Us Human in the Age of AI? with Dr. Ilke Demir
Dr. Ilke Demir, Senior Staff Research Scientist, Intel
What makes us human in the age of artificial intelligence?
In this episode, Thembi speaks with Dr. Ilke Demir, a pioneering research…
Placing Black LGBTQIA+ Stories Center Stage with Alan Sharpe
Alan Sharpe, ACT
What 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, dire…
Faith and the Strength to Begin Again with Keta Newborn
Keta Newborn: A Life Rewritten Through Theatre
There are moments in life when everything seems set—the destination clear, the plan solid. And then, something unexpected happens, shifting…
Instructional Design that Meets the Moment with Dr. Dwayne Wood
From Military Leadership to Instructional Design: Dr. Dwayne Wood on AI, Education, and Rethinking Grading
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan interviews Dr. Dwayne Wood, an e…
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 from …
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 Par…
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 Ke…
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 …
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…
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 about her jou…