Stars and Stars with Isa
Episodes
Hip-Hop Visionary Ishmael Butler on Finding Freedom in Music
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Isa Nakazawa sits down with Grammy-winning rapper and producer Ishmael Butler. Known for his work with the groundbreaking 90s hip-hop trio ...
Laraaji Takes Us to the Cosmos
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, musician and composer Laraaji has used sound and laughter to help listeners access deeper awareness. A pioneer of ambient music, Laraaji’...
Diane Guerrero Is Channeling Her Aquarian Weirdness
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Diane Guerrero rose to fame in her role as Maritza Ramos in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. As her platform grew, she sought ways to make ...
Briahna Joy Gray Is a Leo Stellium and Proud
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As a Taurus rising, journalist and writer Briahna Joy Gray has always been values-driven. As the former National Press Secretary for Bernie Sanders, B...
Nimay Ndolo on Her Saturn Return, Gamifying Sobriety, and Embracing Her Rage
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Content creator Nimay Ndolo understands the power of comedy and language to galvanize people toward change. With her Mercury in Virgo in the 11th hous...
Tiana Major9 Is Debunking Scorpio Myths
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Tiana Major9 just released her debut album November Scorpio, a sonically rich record that reflects her signatur...
Comedian Malik the Oracle on Finding Balance in Our Birth Charts
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week comedian and writer Malik El, or better known as Malik the Oracle, sits down with Isa. They discuss how Malik balances his deep value for ju...
Actress Rowan Blanchard on her witch lineage and honoring her growth
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Actress, artist and activist Rowan Blanchard had to navigate growing up in the public eye. Having worked as an actress since she was five years old, t...
Introducing – La Brega: Season Three
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The hit podcast returns from Futuro Studios for its third season. La Brega tells stories of the Puerto Rican experience.In Season 3 of La Brega, we’...
Indya Moore: Curiosity Is My Prayer
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Indya Moore is an award-winning actress who has used their voice to elevate and fight for the lives of people of color, trans and nonbinary people. As...
Breaking Down 2026 Astrology: Major Shifts and What to Expect
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably heard a lot about how eventful, and maybe even scary, the 2026 astrology is going to be. In this episode, Isa Nakazawa goes beyond t...
Aquarius Viet Thanh Nguyen on Embracing Mystery
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and professor Viet Thanh Nguyen is learning to embrace vulnerability these days. Fatherhood in particular has softened h...
Ericka Hart Is Dismantling Oppressive Ideas About Sex
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As an Aquarius rising, Sagittarius sun and Scorpio moon, writer and sex educator Ericka Hart was born to subvert norms, dismantle oppressive myths and...
Naley by Nature on Revolution and the Power of Her Love
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With nearly 400,000 social media followers, Naley by Nature combines stunning visuals with a resolute and powerful commitment to cover stories from Pa...
adrienne maree brown on the Power of a Loving Correction
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
adrienne maree brown is always cultivating a garden of healing ideas. Informed by decades of movement facilitation, somatics, science fiction scholars...
Saeed Jones Is a Self-Proclaimed Party Hermit
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, poet and podcast host Saeed Jones effortlessly moves between registers of depth and levity. He inspires his listeners to think critically whil...
Noami Shimada on Learning to Cry and Be Soft
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up in the fashion industry, writer Naomi Shimada first became known for sharing the dirty secrets of the plus-sized fashion world. In 2019 she...
Rico Nasty Is Giving You Nothing But Eras
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rapper and artist Rico Nasty strives to always bring a new and unique sound with every project she releases, from her early mixtapes in high school to...
Mal Wright Is a Soft Lovergirl
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mal Wright’s chart is all about transforming through difficult things. From starring in season 1 of Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Queer Love, where her...
Hala Alyan on Motherhood, Displacement, and Being Palestinian
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning author, poet and clinical psychologist Hala Alyan has always turned to storytelling as a way to make sense of the world around her. Her ...
W. Kamau Bell Is Asking the Right Questions
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
W. Kamau Bell is an Oakland-based standup comedian, host, director, and producer. From his CNN docuseries, United Shades of America, to his weekly new...
Tourmaline Knows Our Dreams Are Possible
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Artist and activist Tourmaline always grounds her work in archiving and honoring legacy. It’s why her new book Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsh...
Author Akwaeke Emezi Can See Real Magic
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host Isa Nakazawa sits down with New York Times bestselling author Akwaeke Emezi to discuss divinity, transformation and the erotic. With their Gemini...
Kiese Laymon on Writing With Confidence, Integrity and Tenderness
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From his critically acclaimed memoir, Heavy to his new children’s book City Summer, Country Summer, award-winning author Kiese Laymon has a gift for...
Chinaka Hodge on Balancing Creative Fire With Earthly Discipline
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh off creating and executive producing Marvel’s Ironheart on Disney+, screenwriter Chinaka Hodge is not interested in playing it safe. A true Le...
Sudan Archives Loves Her a Freaky, Devoted Scorpio
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In her newly released album, The BPM, Gemini rising violinist and singer Sudan Archives gives voice to parts of herself that once lived in the shadows...
J Wortham on Slowing Down, Honoring Boundaries and Laughing at the Hard Stuff
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and oral historian J Wortham is ready to set boundaries, slow down and laugh at the hard stuff. With so much Scorpio in their chart, J spoke to...
Vico Ortiz Will Never Flirt With a Pisces
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Actor, drag king and activist Vico Ortiz thrives in the often messy space of “becoming.” In May, Vico debuted their solo show, Rise of a King, whe...
Vic Mensa on Vulnerability, Violence, and Masculinity
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum selling rapper and Chicago’s very own Vic Mensa is a master at owning his voice. In June, Vic released his newest r...
Raquel Willis Needs You to Be Defiant
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hailed as a woman of the year in 2025 by Time Magazine, Raquel Willis has been a natural storyteller since she was a child. In 2023, she published her...
Introducing Season Two
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Stars and Stars with Isa, host and astrologer Isa Nakazawa sits down with some of the most talented creators and thinkers of our time, to find out ...
adrienne maree brown: virgo sun, scorpio moon, aries rising
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
adrienne maree brown is always cultivating a garden of healing ideas. Informed by decades of movement facilitation, somatics, science fiction scholars...
Jade Fox: Leo Sun, Leo Moon, Aries Rising
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Content creator and authority on all things culture & fashion, Jade Fox is the internet’s go-to expert on androgynous and masc style. Her work has b...
Kimberly Drew: Leo Sun, Taurus Moon, Pisces Rising
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Curatorial director at PACE Gallery in New York, writer, and fulltime Leo, Kimberly Drew is a curator of beauty and pleasure. Kimberly has published t...
Madison McFerrin: Scorpio Sun, Libra Moon, Gemini Rising
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Independent singer, songwriter and producer, Madison McFerrin has deep roots in music. Her grandfather Robert McFerrin Sr. was the first Black man to ...
Sophia Roe: Scorpio Sun, Libra Moon, Cancer Rising
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sophia Roe is known for her delicious meals, gorgeous plating and blunt honesty. She’s also a James Beard Award winning chef, writer, and Emmy-Award...
Diane Guerrero: Cancer Sun, Aquarius Moon, Scorpio Rising
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Diane Guerrero rose to fame in her role as Maritza Ramos in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. As her platform grew, she sought ways to make ...
Renee Goust: Virgo Sun, Leo Moon, Libra Rising
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up on the border, Mexican-American singer-songwriter Renee Goust is unafraid to transgress artificially drawn lines. She works within and also...
Naomi Shimada: Cancer Sun, Aquarius Moon, Sagittarius Rising
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and model Naomi Shimada grew up between Japan and Spain in a multilingual family. She entered the fashion industry as a model at age 13 when sh...
Jill Louise Busby: Sagittarius Sun, Capricorn Moon, Scorpio Rising
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jill Louise Busby is affectionately known by her social media handle jillisblack. In 2016 she went viral for critiquing what passed as progressive. Bu...
Tonya Mosley: Taurus Sun, Cancer Moon, Virgo Rising
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning journalist Tonya Mosley is motivated by deep curiosity and a true interest in understanding people. That’s what informs her work as th...
Shannon Shaw: Gemini Sun, Libra Moon, Capricorn Rising
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shannon Shaw’s signature is to channel her layered feelings into her art. As the founder and vocalist of the indie punk band Shannon and the Clams, ...
Nasim Lahbichi: Virgo Sun, Taurus Moon, Gemini Rising
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chef and creator Nasim Lahbichi grew up eating Puerto Rican meals with his mom, learning Moroccan recipes from his dad and eating Italian dinners at h...
Gabby Rivera: Virgo Sun, Aquarius Moon, Sagittarius Rising
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gabby Rivera is a writer, podcast host, and storyteller. Her young adult novel Juliet Takes a Breath was critically acclaimed and she is the first Lat...
Alexis Pauline Gumbs: Gemini Sun, Aquarius Moon, Cancer Rising
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Self-described “Black Feminist Love Evangelist,” Alexis Pauline Gumbs has been widely praised for her incisive thought and inspired prose. The aut...
Johnny Sibilly: Virgo Sun, Aquarius Moon, Gemini Rising
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Actor and producer Johnny Sibilly is known for his roles in the hit show Pose, the reboot of Queer as Folk, and the award-winning HBO show Hacks. As a...
Vanessa Benavente: Sagittarius Sun, Leo Moon, Aries Rising
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Benavente currently plays none other than Mary, the mother of Jesus herself, on Netflix’s The Chosen. Vanessa describes the years that led u...
Danez Smith: Leo Sun, Libra Moon, Sagittarius Rising
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As an award-winning poet, writer, and performer, Danez Smith’s words are always right on time. This year they released their latest poetry collectio...
Jahi Sundance: Capricorn Sun, Virgo Moon, Cancer Rising
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
DJ, producer, and musician Jahi Sundance’s Cancer Rising allows him to build sonic and emotional worlds for his listeners. His Cancer’s sensitivit...
Karla Cornejo Villavicencio: Cancer Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Libra Rising
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is the award-winning author of two books: her nonfiction debut, The Undocumented Americans, and her latest, a novel called...
Prentis Hemphill: Sagittarius Sun, Scorpio Moon, Aquarius Rising
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A writer, therapist, and political organizer, Prentis Hemphill moves through the world with the intensity, depth and the tenderness of their Scorpio m...
Raveena Aurora: Libra Sun, Aries Moon, Cancer Rising
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From making history as the first Indian woman to perform at Coachella to revitalizing the Desi-futurist genre across three studio albums, Raveena Auro...
Maria Hinojosa: Cancer Sun, Pisces Moon, Virgo Rising & Special Isa Interview
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For our six-month anniversary, we’re bringing you a special edition of Stars and Stars with Isa! The one and only award-winning journalist Maria Hin...
Peyton Dix: Taurus Sun, Libra Moon, Virgo Rising
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the writer, podcaster and social strategist Peyton Dix, diving into the messy corners of the internet feels like second nature. Her work centers o...
Nella Rojas: Scorpio Sun, Capricorn Moon, Scorpio Rising
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nella Rojas is a Latin Grammy winning singer and songwriter whose music is a fusion of folk sounds from her home country of Venezuela, with flamenco, ...
Jes Tom: Sagittarius Sun, Capricorn Moon, Aries Rising
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian, writer and actor Jes Tom has worked on HBO’s Our Flag Means Death and voice acted on Adult Swim’s Tuca & Bertie. Their solo show, Less L...
Daymé Arocena: Aquarius Sun, Aquarius Moon, Cancer Rising
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Born in ‘90s Havana, Cuba, Daymé Arocena has been surrounded by music her whole life. The singer, composer and arranger is deeply influenced by the...
Bay Davis: Aquarius Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Libra Rising
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For Bay Davis, a community organizer, poet, and model from South Central L.A., beauty and justice are deeply intertwined. Her advocacy for those silen...
Stephen Satterfield: Aries Sun, Aries Moon, Cancer Rising
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Satterfield is an award-winning food writer and sommelier, and you may know him as host of the Netflix docu-series “High on the Hog: How Afr...
Mireya Ramos: Capricorn Sun, Aquarius Moon, Aries Rising
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Musician Mireya Ramos is a Latin Grammy winning singer, composer, and founder of Flor de Toloache, an all-female mariachi band. Flor de Toloache went ...
Kathy Iandoli: Pisces Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Pisces Rising
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In her nearly 25 years in the music industry Kathy Iandoli has become known for showing the humanity of musicians behind the sheen of fame. She’s wr...
Benjamin Earl Turner: Scorpio Sun, Scorpio Moon, Pisces Rising
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Benjamin Earl Turner is a recording artist, actor, writer, educator and multi-hyphenate on shows like Blindspotting, Rap Sh!t and Snowfall. Ben captiv...
Jessica Dore: Aries Sun, Aquarius Moon, Aquarius Rising
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Dore's skepticism of fate is the culmination of her roles as a writer, tarot reader, and licensed social worker blending the secular with the ...
Gaby Moreno: Sagittarius Sun, Virgo Moon, Virgo Rising
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gaby Moreno is a Grammy-award-winning Guatemalan singer-songwriter and guitarist whose bilingual lyrics take listeners on vivid journeys. She was awar...
Bayo Akomolafe: Virgo Sun, Aquarius Moon, Pisces Rising
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Bayo Akomolafe is a widely celebrated international speaker, teacher, author, and self-described "recovering psychologist.” As a Virgo Sun, Aqua...
Roxane Gay: Libra Sun, Libra Moon, Libra Rising
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Roxane Gay’s writing explores sexuality, race, feminism, and body image, often through her own personal experiences. From reality TV to that prestig...
Yesika Salgado: Cancer Sun, Taurus Moon, Sagittarius Rising
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Poet and writer Yesika Salgado is a two-time National Poetry Slam finalist and the recipient of the 2020 International Latino Book Award in Poetry. In...
Rico Nasty: Taurus Sun, Taurus Moon, Aquarius Rising
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rico Nasty began releasing mixtapes online, self-teaching and innovating when she was in high school, leading to collaborations with rapper Lil Yachty...
Fariha Róisín: Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon, Cancer Rising
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Multidisciplinary artist, poet, and writer Fariha Róisín is a Capricorn Sun and Cancer Moon and Rising. Host Isa Nakazawa sits down with Fariha to u...
Saeed Jones: Sagittarius Sun, Taurus Moon, Libra Rising
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Poet, writer, and podcast host Saeed Jones is a Sagittarius Sun, Taurus Moon, and Libra Rising. Our host, Isa Nakazawa, leads Saeed to reflect on how ...
Maya Murillo: Aries Sun, Aries Moon, Pisces Rising
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maya Murillo came up in the early days of social media, when she started making humorous videos on Vine and YouTube at 16. The internet sweetheart and...
Zach Stafford: Pisces Sun, Pisces Moon, Leo Rising
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Zach Stafford is a journalist, podcast host and producer whose wide-ranging work explores pop culture, queer joy and loss, and police brutality among ...
JC Carter: Pisces Sun, Cancer Moon, Taurus Rising
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jahad Chris Carter also known as JC, created The Hopeless Romantic Society, an interview series about love’s adventures and misadventures with milli...
Ana Fabrega: Leo Sun, Scorpio Moon, Gemini Rising
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, comedian, and actor, Ana Fabrega is a Leo Sun, Scorpio Moon, and Gemini Rising. Our host, Isa Nakazawa, teases out how Ana’s multiple Virgo ...
Bethany Cosentino: Scorpio Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Cancer Rising
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Singer-songwriter Bethany Cosentino has reinvented herself over and over again and in the process helped define the indie sound of the aughts. Bethany...
Jia Tolentino: Scorpio Sun, Aries Moon, Leo Rising
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino has lived what she describes as a “conventional life.” And yet, she’s always questioning everything—taking not...
UMI: Aquarius Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Cancer Rising
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Singer, songwriter, multidimensional healer and artist Umi is on a journey of transcendence and she wants to take you there with her. Astrologer host ...
W. Kamau Bell: Aquarius Sun, Scorpio Moon, Taurus Rising
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
W. Kamau Bell is an Oakland-based standup comedian, host, director, and producer. He is best known for hosting the CNN docuseries United Shades of Ame...
aja monet: leo sun, cancer moon, virgo rising
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Surrealist blues poet, aja monet, is a Virgo rising, Leo sun, and Cancer moon. Astrologer and host Isa Nakazawa sits down with aja to explore how her ...
Introducing: Stars and Stars with Isa
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a show where we look to the stars above with the stars below. Each week our host and astrologer, Isa Nakazawa, sits with the most talented art...