Before we sit down with Bun B, rap legend, educator, entrepreneur, and community builder, host Mark and producer Madi talk about why this episode hits different.

This isn’t just a story about hip-hop. It’s about healing, hustling, and using every platform, from music to meat patties, to make a difference. In this behind-the-scenes conversation, we dive into what makes Bun’s legacy so powerful.

This episode sets the rhythm.

This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union.

At East Coast Credit Union, we’re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

BETTER is back for season three with Mark Brand. Enjoy this quick tease of what you can expect from these new interviews with important change makers.

Andrew Knapp is today's guest; a dog-lover, photographer, illustrator, and a New York Times best-selling author! His dog Momo created an internet sensation by playing hide-and-seek all over the world. Andrew’s books about Momo include Let’s Find Momo!, Let’s Find Momo Outdoors! and more. His latest release was published just last week titled Let's Find Yaya and Boo at Home!: A Hide-and-Seek Adventure.

Find out more about Andrew Knapp, sign up for his newsletter & learn about his new book Find Momo Everywhere (which is viewable here and out in February) on his website: https://andrewknapp.com/

Follow along with Andrew and his furballs on Instagram.

This week, Mark's guest is Heather Plett, an international speaker, facilitator, writer, and life-long learner. She's the author of the book The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership and the soon-to-be-released book, Where Tenderness Lives: On Healing, Liberation, and Holding Space for Oneself. She is also the co-founder of the Centre for Holding Space. Mark and Heather talk about their respective journeys through grief and the tools that we can all use to hold space for ourselves and those around us.

Before launching her work in holding space, Heather worked in leadership and communications in government and non-profit. Having spent most of her adult life in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where she raised her three daughters, Heather has recently become nomadic while she decides where to settle next. (Read more about her here.)

Find her program here: afullbodiedlife.com
Order her book here: https://a.co/d/0n0lDbJ

This week's guest is award-winning broadcaster Ziya Tong. She is best known as the anchor of Daily Planet, Discovery Channel’s flagship science program. Her book The Reality Bubble won the Lane Anderson Prize for best science writing in Canada and was shortlisted for the RBC Taylor Prize. The book has been translated into multiple languages, and has earned praise from luminaries including Naomi Klein and David Suzuki who calls Tong’s book, “required reading for all who care about what we are doing to the planet.”

Tong also hosted the CBC’s Emmy-nominated series ZeD, PBS’s national prime-time series, Wired Science, and worked as a correspondent for NOVA scienceNOW alongside Neil deGrasse Tyson on PBS.

Ziya served as the Vice Chair of the World Wildlife Fund Canada and is now on the board of directors of WWF International. She is currently working on a new documentary called Plastic People, looking at the frightening impact of microplastics on human health.

Twitter: @ziyatong
Blue Sky: @ziyatong.bsky.social
Mastodon: @ziya@journa.host

http://ziyatong.com/

This week's guest is a legend, especially in the projects on the south side of Chicago, where every unhoused human he looks in the face feels acceptance, love and dignity. He is the CEO and Founder of Taste For Thee Homeless. In this episode, you'll hear him talk about discovering his purpose, making people of influence like Chance the Rapper support his cause, and what he's planning next. Follow along with Mike on his Instagram for more @TasteForTheHomeless.

Host Mark Brand has a conversation with entrepreneur, social innovator, and activist, James Anderson. *DISCLAIMER* This episode will touch on suicide; please find some resources below if you are struggling. After overcoming a childhood riddled with great challenges, James’ story is one filled with hope and redemption. James graduated from UCLA with double honors while simultaneously helping to create one of the world’s leading criminal justice reform organizations—The Anti-Recidivism Coalition. In this episode, he will also talk about his work with Next Chapter.

Previously at Guayakí Yerba Mate, James spent his time on their senior leadership team focused on the development and execution of the corporation’s social impact commitment to hire system-affected individuals, creating a world-class company culture, and ultimately using business as a force for good. His knowledge, achievements, and innovative solutions to contemporary issues has led to invitations to meet with high ranking political officials including President Barack Obama. One of his key messages is that we all carry an innate ability to create unparalleled change in the lives of others.

Recommended Suicide Resources:
In Canada: https://talksuicide.ca/
In the United States: https://988lifeline.org/

Anthony Demby has worn many entertainment-industry hats for more than two decades. From managing the careers of artists such as Childish Gambino and John Legend to advising global brands, his journey has been diverse and expansive. In 2010, Demby combined his recording label, artist management knowledge, and cultural curiosity to found Humbleriot, a New York-based intentional idea shop that utilizes music, culture, and social impact to create dynamic experiences and tell compelling stories. Additionally, he leads a mentorship program for international artists, musicians, and creators. His roster has included clients such as Google, Sonos, Oatly, HBO Max, The Red Hot Organization, For Freedoms, and many others.

Follow Anthony Demby on socials: @dembycratic and @humbleriot.

Artists Ant told us he loves right now in this episode: Yaya Bey, Yussef Dayes, and NeOne the Wonderer.