This week, I got to sit down with fellow Baltimore native and dear friend, D Watkins, a prolific and beyond talented author and artist. While D and I both grew up in Baltimore, our paths to success weren't paved the same. We got deep into what Baltimore meant to us growing up, how it’s shaped who we are, growing our brands here and the power of having a good group of people around you.

D Watkins is professor at the University of Baltimore and the Editor at Large at Salon.com. He was a writer on the HBO series We Own This City and New York Times bestselling and award winning author of The Beast Side, The Cook Up, Where Tomorrows Aren’t Promised, We Speak for Ourselves and Black Boy Smile. He most recently won a 2024 James Beard Media award!

d-watkins.com
Find him on social at @dwatkinsworld
https://www.salon.com/writer/d_watkins
Black Boy Smile

This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp.com.

On today's episode, Hilton chats with co-host Mollie Lee and his content producer, Ryan Rhodes, about the making of his pilot, Planterior with Hilton Carter. Hilton gives some behind the scenes, or behind the leaves, if you will, takes on how it all came about, how the episode got to where it is today and what's next for the show. Mollie and Ryan toss a few audience questions at him as well and have a few laughs along the way.

If you haven't seen the pilot episode of Planterior with Hilton Carter, you can stream it now on MAX and Discovery+

On today’s episode, Hilton takes a field trip to Sewickley, PA to chat with his lovely friend and interior designer, Leanne Ford. Leanne is one of the most renowned interior designers in America, whose style has inspired many throughout the world. Leanne and Hilton sit in her yard and discuss her love for interior design, fashion, songwriting, the color white and to Hilton’s dismay, her hatred for indoor plants. To be honest, this episode sounds like two old friends just catching up and having a few laughs about life and art.

Some might know Leanne from the hit show on HGTV called Restored by the Fords, with her and her brother Steve Ford, but Hilton knows her from being the amazing designer and connector that she genuinely is. Leanne has been creating incredible collections with brands over the years and has one of the most vibiest collections with Crate and Barrel and Crate and Kids and a new collection with Semihandmade all available now. She created a magazine called FEEL FREE, and her latest book, The Slow Down, will arrive on 10/1/2024. She’s an all around rockstar and badass, and that’s not just in design, as you’ll find out in this episode. Give it a listen and enjoy!

“The road goes on forever and the party never ends”

https://www.leanneford.com/

Pre-order a copy of her new book, THE SLOW DOWN now! https://www.leanneford.com/the-slow-down

LF for Semihandmade: https://www.semihandmade.com/pages/leanne-ford

LF for Crate and Barrel: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/collaborations/leanne-ford/1?st=leanne%20ford

LF for Crate and Barrel Kids: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/kids/leanne-ford/1