Identified with Nabil Ayers
Episodes
Betsy Lerner on Writing Your Truth and The Tension Between Honesty and Fear
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with bestselling author and literary agent Betsy Lerner to explore identity, family history, and ...
Ryan Kattner on growing up between cultures and finding community through music
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever found community through your art? In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with musician Ryan Kattner to talk about growing ...
Musician Damon McMahon on Processing Family History Through Music
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How much of who we are is shaped before we ever have a say? In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with musician Damon McMahon, formally...
Acclaimed Chef Camille Becerra on Her Puerto Rican Roots
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to raise yourself across cultures—and carry tradition forward through food? In this episode of Identified, chef and author Cam...
Is Blood Really Family? Podcaster and Writer Traci Thomas on Chosen Family
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is Blood Really Family? In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with Traci Thomas, creator and host of The Stacks Podcast, to explor...
Comedian Tim Heidecker on the Power of Chosen Family
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by acclaimed comedian, actor, and musician Tim Heidecker for an unexpectedly candid conversation ...
Rapper Cakes Da Killa on Growing Up Queer and the Women Who Raised Him
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if your most formative identity traits come from people you didn’t grow up with? In this powerful episode of Identified, rapper and queer i...
Bandsplain Host Yasi Salek on Defining ‘Home’ Across Cultures
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers speaks with Bandsplain host Yasi Salek, who shares a moving, honest account of growing up Iranian...
Massima Bell on Coming Out, Gender, Identity, and Building Her Chosen Family
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers speaks with Massima Bell—music producer, model, activist, and co-creator of Transa—about her jo...
Jad Abumrad: The Family Stories That Changed Everything
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers is joined by Jad Abumrad—artist, musician, journalist, and creator of R...
"You Look Just Like Her": Writer Casey Kahn on Secrets, Hidden Siblings, and Defining Family
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nabil Ayers is joined by writer Casey Kahn, who opens up about her personal journey through adoption, identity, and ancestry. Casey was adopted a...
Bestselling Author Dani Shapiro on Family Secrets and the Religion She Left Behind
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this deeply personal episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by Dani Shapiro, the bestselling author and host of the podcast Family Secre...
Masma Dream World on Spiritual Ancestry and Building Family Through Sound and Food
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by Devi Mambouka, the artist and producer behind Masma Dream World, for a reflecti...
David Cross on Growing Up in Chaos, Comedy as Survival, and Becoming a Dad
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with David Cross—Emmy-winning comedian, writer, and actor, best known for Mr. Show with Bob...
Youngmi Mayer on Korean-American Identity, Generational Trauma, and the Truth About Family
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers talks with Youngmi Mayer—comedian, author, and host of the acclaimed Feeling Asian podcast—abou...
John Legend on Ancestry, Identity, and Raising a Family with Chrissy Teigen
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this standout episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with EGOT-winning artist, activist, and cultural icon John Legend to talk about family, ...
Khruangbin’s Laura Lee on Building Family on the Road, Tracing Her Mexican and Spanish Roots, and Finding Chosen Family
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by Laura Lee, founding member and bassist of the globally acclaimed band Khruangbin, for a vulner...
Chase Jarvis on Loss, Legacy, and Reconnecting with His Dad
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with acclaimed artist, author, and entrepreneur, Chase Jarvis, for a candid and deeply reflective...
TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe on Grief, Creativity, and the Family That Shapes Us
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this profoundly personal episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers speaks with musician, actor, and visual artist Tunde Adebimpe—best known as a fou...
Musician and Author Neko Case on Her Ukrainian Roots, Lost Records, and a Wrestling Aunt
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by acclaimed musician and author Neko Case for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation about inheri...
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello on Race, Roots, and Growing Up in Suburban Illinois.
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the premiere of Identified Season Two, Nabil Ayers speaks with musician and activist Tom Morello about his extraordinary upbringing and journey tow...
Looking Back on Season One of Identified.
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
That's a wrap on Season One of Identified. In this final recap episode, Nabil Ayers revisits memorable conversations with guests. Highlights include I...
Activist Nelini Stamp on family Dynamics, Experiences of Grief, and the Definition of Family.
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the season finale of Identified Season One, Nabil Ayers interviews activist Nelini Stamp. In their conversation, Nelini reflects on her upbringing ...
Musician Mac McCaughan on Performing Music with His Family, Superchunk, and Founding Merge Records.
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers talks with musician and record label founder Mac McCaughan. They discuss the various ways McCaughan de...
Graphic Novelist, Tattoo Artist, and Filmmaker James Spooner on His 20 Siblings and Navigating Life’s Unexpected Bonds
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with graphic novelist, tattoo artist, and filmmaker, James Spooner. They delve into the nuances...
Chef Olia Hercules on Documenting Her Family History, Survival, and the Role of Family Gatherings as Therapy
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews Ukrainian chef and food writer, Olia Hercules. Olia reflects on her efforts to document...
Musician Sinkane on Sudanese Culture, Early Musical Influences and Finding Community in Family
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews Ahmed Gallab, the musician behind Sinkane. Ahmed shares his multicultural upbringing, sp...
Fabi Reyna of Reyna Tropical on Cross-Border Identities, The Influence of the Ocean, and Transforming Anger Into Creativity
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with Fabi Reyna, founder of She Shreds Media and musician behind Reyna Tropical. They discus...
Hermanos Gutiérrez Discuss Their Brotherly Bond, Musical Beginnings, and Family Legacy
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers explores the deep familial connections and musical journey of the brothers Alejandro and Estevan Gutié...
Musician and Broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal on Uncovering Family Histories and Their Influence on Personal and Cultural Identity
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews the accomplished musician and broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal. Nabihah reflects on her family hi...
Musician Norman Brannon on Finding Family Among Hare Krishnas and Hardcore Music
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with musician Norman Brannon to explore his complex journey of identity and family. Norman d...
Renowned Publisher Lisa Lucas on Multicultural Upbringing, Chosen Family, and Finding Connection.
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers speaks with Lisa Lucas, a prominent figure in the publishing world. They explore Lucas's diverse upbr...
Thursday Frontman Geoff Rickly on His Familial Bond with the Band and Adopting the Survival Skills of His Fascinating Ancestors
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with Geoff Rickly, lead vocalist of the band Thursday. They discuss Geoff's intriguing family his...
Kismet Chefs Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson on the Familial Nature of Running a Restaurant and Business.
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Nabil Ayers, author and host of Identified, as he delves into the complex world of family and identity with chefs and restauranteurs Sara Kramer ...
Comedian Moshe Kasher on Addiction, Subcultures, and Finding Family in Comedy
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews comedian, actor, and author Moshe Kasher about his unique path through various subcultures ...
Actor Ione Skye on Her Relationship with Donovan, Her Close Bond with Her Mother, and Redefining Family as a Parent.
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews actor Ione Skye about their shared experiences of growing up without their famous musician ...
Musician and Comedian Reggie Watts on His Military Childhood, Dealing with Loss, and Turning Friends into Family
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Nabil Ayers on Identified as he delves into the concept of family and identity with comedian, actor, and musician Reggie Watts. Reggie discu...
Foo Fighters' Nate Mendel on Band Brotherhood, His Special Relationship with Taylor Hawkins, and His Non-Traditional Family Upbringing.
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews Foo Fighters bassist Nate Mendel. Nate shares insights from spending nearly three decades w...
KCRW Host Novena Carmel on Reconnecting with Her Musician Father and Navigating Blended Families.
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers sits down with Novena Carmel, host of KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic and singer in the jazz choir The...
Musician Dawn Richard on Hurricane Katrina, 'Making the Band,' and Her New Orleans Roots.
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Nabil Ayers interviews musician Dawn Richard about her life and career, deeply intertwined with the city of New Orleans and her ...
Song Exploder's Hrishikesh Hirway on Music's Healing Power.
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers interviews Hrishikesh Hirway, the renowned musician and podcaster behind Song Exploder. They discuss ...
What is Family? The Inaugural Episode of Identified.
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the inaugural episode of 'Identified,' host Nabil Ayers introduces the podcast's mission to explore family and identity through personal stories an...
Introducing: Identified.
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. Dive into the intricate world of fa...