Art that reflects a lived experience is more vital than ever. Beyond allowing us an opportunity to learn about others, it also gives us the chance to have something to believe in. I find it very important to have people that I can believe in when it comes to life, and today’s guest is someone I deeply believe in; the amazing Lana Lubany. She’s a Palestinian-American pop artist who makes some of the most compelling music I’ve heard in years, and her latest EP is a shimmering example of that. It’s called YAFA, and features Lana questioning her place in the world. How the internal turmoil of having to ask oneself “Where do I belong?” can be so intense and specific to one’s journey, and yet, also starkly universal. Throughout this last bonus episode of the season, I chat with Lana about each song off YAFA and the ways they reflect where she’s been, where she’s at, and where she’s going.

There’ll be a more in-depth announcement in December, but this is a good time to share that throughout the upcoming winter months, I’ll be releasing a special mini-season of the podcast. That season will contain conversations between me and a good friend of mine who’s a journalist covering the events at the West Bank. This is going to be a very different iteration of the podcast and I’m very much looking forward to you hearing it. Be sure to follow me on Instagram at @kenamiphoto and that you’re also following the podcast wherever you stream podcasts do you don’t miss out.

I mention it within the intro for this, but holy f*cking sh*t, Jamila Woods is on my podcast. If you’re unfamiliar with her, Jamila is a supremely talented singer, writer, poet, and activist. Musically she creates these worlds where you can safely pour your emotions into. Socially, she strives for a similar feeling with how she uses her voice, her platform, and the spaces that she commands. She’s an artist that feels one of a kind on so many levels, and we’re witnessing the growth of her artistry in real time. Her latest album, Water Made Us, is that deeply personal exploration that all artists have to make but the way Jamila’s gone about it is truly next level. Throughout our conversation, we discuss the universal themes of the album, the way relationships shape all of our lives, and one of my favourite topics: celebrating the messiness of life.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a fellow photographer on the podcast, and it does bring a massive smile on my face to finally introduce you to my friend Jennifer McCord. This bonus chat with Jenny is essentially a part 2 of the Half Moon Run pod that dropped earlier this week. Jenny is a photographer primarily based in London that takes the kind of photos that makes us go “damn, I wish I took that.” She has a signature perspective and approach to her work, which is conveyed by how she captures people in stark moments of emotional intimacy. A Jennifer McCord photo is the kind of photo where you can see someone bare, but never weak. Where you can see a person conveying conviction without ever feeling forced or contrived. Throughout her career, Jenny’s toured with incredible musicians has photographed numerous celebrities in portraiture, and has become the photographer for our recent guests, Half Moon Run, where she beautifully provided creative direction for their Salt album. We chat about all that and more on this very special bonus episode of the podcast, enjoy.