The Take On

Broadway Podcast Network

Amir Yassai is a queer Muslim unicorn who won’t shy away from any conversation. I live on Bravo TV and Real Housewives are my Xanax. I’ll talk dismantling racism, homophobia & transphobia while still making you laugh. Comedy is at the center of everything I do. Chatting with Amir will be like chatting with an old friend with a lot more sass. If you love to talk Bravo & drag queens while laughing and also like to talk mental health, then this is the podcast for you. Newsflash I’m A LOT.  FOLLOW AMIR: Instagram: @amiryassofficial read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Ep44 - Jake Hunter // @JakeHunterOfficial // TikTok Finds
Aug 31 2021
Ep44 - Jake Hunter // @JakeHunterOfficial // TikTok Finds
Jake Hunter Joined The Take On and we talked all things being an influencer and mental health. Jake understands that have millions of followers or an Emmy will NOT necessarily bring you happiness (btw he has both those things). We talk about happiness and how it’s more of a process rather than a destination. Jake is all James Dean exterior (FYI he’s gorgeous!) but all marshmallow and sweet on the inside. Jake created hilarious TikToks but has an amazing energy on Clubhouse and creates safe spaces for people to be their most authentic selves. If you’re feeling down and need a quick pick me up, then this is the episode for you. More about Jake: Jake Hunter is an Emmy winning actor and producer with over 1.5 million social media followers in Los Angeles, CA. Jake acted alongside Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones in The Comeback Trail, slated for release later in 2020. He is also producing the Shakespeare adapted play King Lear starring Al Pacino. On the digital front, Jake has showcased his comedic side on TikTok where his “Karen” themed series received over 125 million views. He was recently recognized by the Washington Post for his videos and currently has brand deals with Bang Energy, Draft Kings, and Raw Sugar. FOLLOW JAKE: Instagram: @jakehunterofficial Twitter: @JakeLHunter TikTok: @JakeHunterOfficial FOLLOW AMIR: Instagram: @amiryassofficial Twitter: @amiryasstweets TikTok: @AmirYassOfficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep39 - Nadya Okamoto // @nadyaokamoto // TikTok Finds
Jul 27 2021
Ep39 - Nadya Okamoto // @nadyaokamoto // TikTok Finds
Nadya Okamoto joined The Take On. And we are talking about all things Periods! Menstruation. That time of the month. Aunt Flo. Being on the Rag. There is so much intrigue and shame around something biological that happens to bodies every month. And it’s not always women’s bodies there are so many people who are assigned biologically female and no longer identify as such who have periods. Nadya is destigmatizing periods and breaking down the patriarchy. We also talk the tampon tax, and how having periods in many parts of the world means it’s the end of your formal education. Nadya is an outspoken period activist and is attempting to educate people about how to fully embrace their periods. Join us as discuss periods and the many ways we as a society can support people who have periods every month. If you're feeling like you want to unpack a topic that should not be taboo anymore then this is the episode for you. More about Nadya: Nadya Okamoto is a 23-year-old Harvard student. In early 2020, Okamoto co-founded August, a lifestyle brand working to reimagine periods. As the Today Show describes, “August is a growing online community aiming to "re-imagine and redefine the period experience to be powerful and dignified," with members who engage in conversations about how to properly use menstrual cups or what it's like to be a transgender man having a period, for example.”  Nadya Okamoto is also the Founder of PERIOD (period.org), an organization fighting to end period poverty and stigma that she founded at the age of 16. Under her leadership as Executive Director for five years, PERIOD addressed over 1.5 million periods and registered over 800 campus chapters in all 50 states and 50 other countries. In 2017, Nadya ran for public office in Cambridge, MA at age 19 — at the time, becoming the youngest Asian American to run. In 2018, Nadya published her debut book, Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement with publisher Simon & Schuster, which made the Kirkus Reviews list for Best Young Adult Nonfiction of 2018. Nadya is also the former Chief Brand Officer and current Board Member of JUV Consulting, a Generation Z marketing agency based in NYC. She has been recognized on the lists of Forbes 30 under 30, Bloomberg 50 “Ones to Watch” and People Magazine's Women Changing the World.  Learn more at www.nadyaokamoto.com FOLLOW NADYA: Instagram: @nadyaokamoto & @itsaugust TikTok: @nadyaokamoto FOLLOW AMIR: Instagram: @amiryassofficial Twitter: @amiryasstweets TikTok: @AmirYassOfficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep37 - E! Nightly Pop's Nina Parker
Jul 6 2021
Ep37 - E! Nightly Pop's Nina Parker
Nightly Pop in the House! Nina Parker joined The Take On. Nina Parker is a force of nature in the entertainment industry. We talked about her place as a black woman in the entertainment industry from her time at TMZ to hosting Love and Hip Hop to now Nightly Pop. Nina also saw a missing opportunity in the fashion industry for fashionable plus-sized clothing so she partnered with Macy's & is now building her empire. We talk about her unique on camera relationship with Hunter March. If you love gossip and celebrities and want a laugh, then this is the episode for you! More about Nina: Nina Parker is the co-host of E!’s “Nightly Pop” and an E! News correspondent who can be seen appearing on E!’s “Daily Pop,” “E! News,” and “Live from the Red Carpet.” Parker began her career working at a local NBC news affiliate in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles where she assisted with the growth of TMZ, serving as talent, producer, and weekend manager of the website turned television show. Nina has served as an entertainment news correspondent for “The Insider” on CBS, and as the host of the reunion shows for VH1’s top rated franchise, “Love and Hip Hop.” Parker has made numerous television appearances as a pop culture expert on popular shows such as “The Wendy Williams” show and “The Talk,” and as a contributor and fill in host for “Access Live” on NBC. FOLLOW NINA: Instagram: @mzgossipgirl Twitter: @MzGossipGirl FOLLOW AMIR: Instagram: @amiryassofficial Twitter: @amiryasstweets TikTok: @AmirYassOfficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep35 - Canine Intervention's Jas Leverette
Jun 8 2021
Ep35 - Canine Intervention's Jas Leverette
The handsome and magnetic Jas Leverette from Netflix’s Canine Intervention Joins The Take On. Jas’s energy is infectious and it will feel like you had 3 cups of coffee after listening to this episode! We discuss his early days in Oakland and how he has become one of the premier dog trainers in the world. We dive into what it means to be Black and Muslim in America and how his story speaks to many intersections and generations. We also talk a second season of the show and how haters/online trolls have tried to cancel Jas for practices that are widely used in the dog training profession. I smell the haterade from here. If you’re a fan of Canine Intervention or hearing from a kind heartedly amazing human then this is the episode for you! Woof Woof. More about Jas: Dog trainer Jas Leverette was born in New York and grew up in Oakland, and is Cali K9® founder, owner, dog trainer, and canine behavior expert. As a child, he owned and trained dogs and horses, played youth football with the Oakland Dynamites, and participated in equestrian sports, including jumping, dressage, vaulting and trail riding. At Oakland High School, he played football and was an Oakland Athletic League wrestling champion for four years. Jas Leverette is the star of Canine Intervention, streaming worldwide on Netflix. He has appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, TMZ, and numerous news and lifestyle shows. Visit CaliK9.com for more info. FOLLOW JAS: Instagram: @calik9 & @calik9training FOLLOW AMIR: Instagram: @amiryassofficial Twitter: @amiryasstweets TikTok: @AmirYassOfficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep34 - Sander Jennings
May 25 2021
Ep34 - Sander Jennings
Sander Jennings is the face of an LGBTQIA+ ally and he joined The Take On. We break down what it means to be an ally to the queer community. As a reality TV veteran with 6 seasons of hit TLC show I Am Jazz under his belt he talks growing up on TV. Sander is a force on social media and really knows how to use his platform to uplift his sister Jazz and other trans people who need an ally like Sander. If you’re looking to be uplifted, then this is the episode for you! More about Sander: Hi, my name is Sander Jennings. I am a 22-year-old who recently graduated from the University of Florida and am now working toward receiving my Master’s in Digital Strategy. I am well known for being the brother of my inspiring sister, Jazz Jennings. Although being a supportive family member is an essential aspect of my life, there is so much more you should know about me.  All my life, I have served as a positive role model on how to properly love and support your LGBTQ+ sibling. Through my appearances on my family’s tv show, I am Jazz; I spread motivational messages to encourage others to follow their passions and stand up for what they believe in. I have also begun to use my large social media following to spread love and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. I have made it my mission to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community because I believe all people deserve equal protection in society. My number one goal in life is to help others. Therefore, I build my brand around philanthropy and improving the community. I support you! If you are a company, charity or individual looking for advice or a collaboration, please reach out! I am always looking for new opportunities, so I would be more than happy to provide advice or potentially serve as an ambassador for your brand.  FOLLOW SANDER: Instagram: @sander_54 TikTok: @sander_jennings FOLLOW AMIR: Instagram: @amiryassofficial Twitter: @amiryasstweets TikTok: @AmirYassOfficia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep32 - Let's Fucking Date's Serena Kerrigan
Apr 27 2021
Ep32 - Let's Fucking Date's Serena Kerrigan
Serena. Fucking. Kerrigan. I mean with a middle name that is Fucking she does NOT disappoint. Serena Fucking Kerrigan joins The Take on and I’m gagged! We have a ball! She has built an empire during a pandemic. Dating Show. Card game. Confidence coaching. And the list goes on. When does she sleep you ask? She’ll sleep when she’s dead. Serena has a way of creating a fantastic persona that she parlayed into a dating show on Instagram Live called Let’s Fucking Date. And that’s just what she did. Now having completed the second season with various sponsors on deck she has created a monster hit. And it has a lot to do with the way Serena engages her fans in a very organic and intimate way. I’m in awe of what she has created and you will be too! If you’ve been looking for something to encourage you to stop looking for perfection and just do the damn thing, then this is the episode for you! MORE ABOUT SERENA: Born and raised in New York City, Serena Kerrigan is an entrepreneur, CEO and internet personality. In 2020, Serena launched her own production company, SFK LFG LLC, dedicated to empowering women to be the best version of themselves. At the start of the pandemic, Serena observed the changing digital dating landscape and seized an opportunity to create, produce and host the first reality show entirely on Instagram Live: Let’s Fucking Date, where Serena goes on a set-up, blind first date while thousands of her fans and friends watch in real time. Immediately following the date, Serena hosts a live after show, allowing her friends, celebrity guests and followers weigh in and discuss what they've just witnessed. The show became an instant sensation, amassing over 2 million views, capturing six figure sponsorship deals from major advertisers including Bumble. It has been picked up by the likes of Forbes, CBNC, The Today Show, Elle and InStyle Magazine. She also created a dating card game based off the show, which has sold over thousands of decks within months of launch. Let’s Fucking Date is a clear example of the power Serena has to mobilize her highly engaged fan base, even during times of unprecedented crisis and tumult. FOLLOW SERENA: Instagram: @serenakerrigan Twitter: @serenakerrigan FOLLOW AMIR: Instagram: @amiryassofficial Twitter: @amiryasstweets TikTok: @AmirYassOfficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices