We recently caught up with rapper, poet, and producer Joshua Luke Smith to talk about about music, confidence, and positivity online.

Think Before You Type: Why did you start making music?

Joshua Luke Smith: I started writing music out of the curiosity of what could happen. It was that simple. It was as if I stumbled across a laboratory full of potions when I first picked up the guitar and started strumming chords. The liberation and trepidation of being able to create…. anything. From there it became solace, a place to explore my thoughts and craft words that would speak to the chaos around me.

TBYT: How would you describe the style of your music?

Joshua: I would say it’s what would happen if Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) could rap (ha!). It’s story telling, folk music that feels at home in His Hop.

TBYT: You have a very positive presence online. Why is that important to you?

Joshua: I write to Speak Into the Chaos. To speak words of life and hope in the midst of some darks days. Whether it’s a tweet, a song or speaking to a room full of people, it’s a soapbox I can stand on, and I don’t take that for granted!

TBYT: If you could speak to someone who is being cyberbullied, what would you say to encourage them?

Joshua: I would say you are not the words that have been spoken over you, nor are you defined by the pain others have chosen to hurl at you. You’re meant to be here. You matter and you have a future worth waking up for. I would say I’m sorry. Not because I’m involved but because it breaks my heart every time someone is subjected to the hurt that another has not found healing for. I would say you are not alone, though I know it feels like it. I would say Hope is Real and Help is Real.

TBYT: What is one positive way that you would like to see the internet change?

Joshua: I’d love to see nothing written and about anyone, anywhere by another person who wouldn’t say the same words if they were together standing in the same room. It’s harder to hurt another person when you can see you shared humanity.

TBYT: It takes a lot of confidence to get up on stage and perform in front of people. What advice would you give to someone who needs the confidence to get up in front of even a small crowd?

Joshua: Don’t run away from your nerves. To be nervous is to recognise you’re about to do something drenched in purpose. If it doesn’t cost you, it’s not worth as much. Embrace that feeling, own it, and hold onto the truth that your voice, your story, your song matters. Ask for feedback. Be humble. Take people on the journey with you.

TBYT: If you could play a show anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Joshua: I think it would be NYC. The home and birth place of Hip Hop.

TBYT: What is the biggest thing that you want people to take away from your music?

Joshua: That what it means to be human is far more sacred and special thing than they realised.

TBYT: What do you have coming up in 2018?

Joshua: ALOT. New music, touring Europe and the U.S. More poetry. More opportunity to live with less fear. The chance of being a better man, a more caring husband and a more faithful friend.

We recently caught up with Steph Ng, the founder of Body Banter, to talk about body image, positivity online, and how others can get involved with her online platform.

Think Before You Type: What is Body Banter?

Steph: Body Banter is an online platform that aims to open up the discussion about body image issues through sharing ideas and opinions using varied and creative formats (e.g. videos, written pieces, spoken word, artwork, photographs). By encouraging more people to speak up about their experiences and ideas, Body Banter aims to bring to more widespread attention the problematic way we judge and evaluate bodies and to highlight the diversity inherent in both the people that experience body image issues as well as in the ways that these issues are experienced.

TBYT: What prompted you to start your organization? 

Steph: I suffered from anorexia nervosa in my early teens, and therefore understand firsthand how poor body image can affect both mental and physical wellbeing. I didn’t realize that I had an eating disorder until I became quite physically ill, and it was extremely hard for my family to find help for me during my recovery process, largely because we (including me) didn’t have any idea what an eating disorder, let alone anorexia, was! I realized that this had a lot to do with the fact that in Chinese culture, mental health problems are rarely talked about, as they are considered quite taboo and shameful. This avoidance is extremely problematic, as media portrayals of unrealistic body shapes and the number of individuals who develop body image issues and eating disorders are only on the rise in this day and age! Many people don’t realize that their mental state is a problem until physical symptoms arise, which can often be debilitating and even life-threatening. In short, I started Body Banter because I want people to be able to learn about self and body love before the media teaches them to hate and punish. I want to show people that as isolating as the experience of negative body image can be, that these experiences are diverse and happen to others of such diverse backgrounds, and that we can heal together, as a global community. There is too much negative online media, and I want Body Banter to be part of the growing movement towards a more positive online environment.

TBYT: When was the last time that a stranger made you smile? 

Steph: To be honest, a stranger makes me smile everyday! I really like to make friends in unexpected places, and if I can find something in common with someone random on the street (like the same taste in funky colourful leggings!), I often can’t help but strike up a conversation and see where it leads! Obviously, I rarely end up staying in contact with someone whose leggings I complimented, but I do end up walking away with a big smile and a big dose of positive vibes! 🙂

TBYT: What would you say to someone who has been cyberbullied?

Steph: First of all, I would say to NEVER suppress your feelings of hurt, or to tell yourself that those feelings are not “valid.” Find someone you trust and confide in them – expressing hurt is an integral part of the healing process. Secondly, I would tell them not to delay seeking help. I consider it one of the bravest behaviours to assert power over situations that often feel out of your control. Moreover, it is often the case that seeking help allows you to understand just how many people are also experiencing the same thing, and how much support is available to you.

TBYT: How can we spread positivity online? 

Steph: A great way to start is just to be more conscious of the way we use our words. You can never tell how personally affected someone might feel when you comment on their photo or their post. If you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say it! Another tip is to never engage in heated arguments online. It is often difficult to tell what the person is really thinking or feeling in the moment, even if you know that person personally, and is the perfect place for misunderstandings to occur.

TBYT: What has been your favorite experience with Body Banter?

Steph: My favorite experience with Body Banter thus far is when someone Facebook messaged me to say that having once struggled with body image issues as a result of media influences, they found Body Banter to be a very positive and empowering online presence. It totally made me tear up! 🙂 I always say that Body Banter doesn’t need to change the world (though it would be pretty cool if it did!) – it just needs to make positive impact on someone’s life, or at least challenge someone to reconsider problematic stereotypes/assumptions that they have previously taken for granted.

TBYT: What are your goals for Body Banter in 2018? 

Steph: With regards to the Body Banter website, I would definitely like to see more people contribute video or written pieces, and share more perspectives on their experiences with body image. I also just started a Body Banter club at Duke, and my main goal is for the discussion about body image to expand within the Duke community! One big goal is to create a discussion based workshop that can be delivered by students, to students, with the aim being to spread ideas about body positivity while also seeking to understand more perspectives about body image.

TBYT: How can people get involved with Body Banter? 

Steph: Body Banter’s mission is for the sharing experience to be a conversation, so optimally people would not only share their own ideas, but also respond to ideas that interest (or even annoy!) them in their daily lives. I also want to add that the more original and creative the format of sharing is, the better! For example, we have received art pieces, and even a stop-motion video!

We recently caught up with indie-folk singer-songwriter Kyle Britton. Here’s what he had to say about the internet, music, and upcoming project.

What inspired you to get involved with music?

As kids, I think everyone would agree, that we’re all involved in music. We see those viral videos of babies dancing before that even know how to crawl. Music is born with a place in our souls. Some people grow up and find other things they enjoy or ways to make a living….I guess I never grew up.

How has the internet played a role in your career?

The internet is a global audience at your fingertips; it’s business deals and networking; it’s merchant services, banking, product manufacturing. Aside from recording the album in a studio and performing live, the internet is where I do all my business.

Who are your musical influences?

My brother and my father. My brother is a fantastic songwriter and musician and my pop’s a old school country strummer. I loved when my dad use to pick up a guitar and sing some old Hank Williams, I wanted to be able to do that. My brother motivates me without even knowing it. He writes such clever songs that it pushes me to try to keep up.
What is the best part of being a musician?

Heading to some small town, with your guitar in the backseat, knowing that there’s a group of people who wanted you to come into their lives and share what you’ve created is a pretty cool feeling. So, I guess the best part has to be connecting with a crowd who finds personal uses for your art and they use it to improve their emotional state.
You recently released a new EP. What was your favorite part of making the EP?

I loved producing it! It was so much fun thinking about all the different sounds and instruments we could use. I learned a simple rhythm on the castanets for ‘Fire Walker’, stuff like that was really fun for me.

When you’re down, what do you do to pick up your mood?

I like to get my feet dirty when I’m down. Hitting the hiking trails is absolutely the best thing I can do lift my mood. Usually, when I’m out there all alone for miles, I’m singing out loud, working on a tune, or just exercising my voice.

We’re really passionate about encouraging other young people to use the internet for good. What’s one positive way that you would like to see the internet change?

The internet is an amazing tool. I’m not sure if youths today even know what encyclopedias are…and that’s a good thing! We have almost unlimited information sitting in our pockets. I suppose if there was a change to the internet it would have to be a change in how it’s being used. And that’s up to the parents or guardians to implement positive internet using habits.

What advice do you have for young people who are dealing with cyberbullying?

It never feels good to hear people being nasty to you. But you have to take into account who’s doing the bullying and why the heck you care what they think. When you realize there are very few people you actually care what they think, bullying gets much easier to deal with.

What do you have coming up for the rest of the year? 

My wife and I are heading to Bali for our honeymoon! After that we get back and go on tour in October. We’ll be staying on the west coast just heading up and down and back again. We have another video set to release in October as well. And hopefully one more video to release before the end of the year. Jewelia (my wife) and I are currently in development of a new single we might try to record for the holidays.

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Khloe, a little girl making a big difference by reaching out to homeless people in her community!

Can you describe Khloe Kares and the Work that you do?

Khloe Kares is an organization where I make these really cute bags called “Kare bags” with my grandma. Then we fill these bags with such items as toothbrushes and toothpaste, lotion, socks, conditioner and shampoo, wash cloths, soap, clean shirts, feminine products and other items. The stuff in the bags should last you about a month.

What prompted you to start the organization?

I would see the same homeless people everyday on my was to school. So I started asking my mom why they were there or how they become homeless. And when she would tell me, it made me sad, and I wanted to do something to help.

What advice do you have for other young people who want to make a difference in their communities?

Don’t let your age stop you from doing what you want. You can do anything at any age. And tell your parents about your ideas and get their support.

Our mom has been a big part of our organization. It seems like your family is also very involved in Khloe Kares. Who is involved and what do they do?

My whole family is involved. From my mom driving me around to my grandma helping me make bags and teaching me how to sew. My dad helps with all the heavy stuff, and he helps keep everything organized. All my other family is very supportive.

What do you think the future holds for Khloe Kares?

Well, right now we are getting ready for our toy drive. We are doing things with the Anne Douglass center at the LA Mission on skid row, and we are doing a “paint with me” project with the kids that visit their moms in the shelter. And we have a community potluck coming up around Thanksgiving. I also have a few speaking engagements. So I stay busy! Khloe Kares is here to help the community, and one day I might even have my own community center!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a veterinarian. I love animals, and I love watching animal surgeries on YouTube. I got to visit a vet hospital, and I was so excited to be there. I don’t know if I want to specialize in small or large animals just yet.

How would you like to see kids your age get involved in helping others?

I want them to do their part. Get involved in something that will make a difference. It doesn’t have to be like what I’m doing, but it can be something they are interested in.

In what way can others get involved with Khloe Kares?

People can donate items to Khloe Kares, or they can donate money to help with the stuff we buy to fill the bags. My friends that are homeless deserve nice things too, so we give out the good stuff in the Kare bags.

This January we had the privilege of presenting to students at three elementary schools in Columbia, SC. We managed to film some of our favorite moments and put together a fun behind the scenes vlog.

If you are interested in having us speak at your school, church, or event please email info@tbytinc.org.

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Think Before You Type: You are the founder of the organization I Am that Girl. Can you explain the work that you all do and your inspiration for starting it?

Alexis Jones: I’m a full time motivational speaker, and I get to travel all over the world reminding girls that they are awesome. My inspiration for it, if I’m being honest, is that I built it because I desperately needed it.

TBYT: You’ve stated that your organization’s mission is about “turning self doubt into self love”. That’s such a noble cause. What are some ways that you help girls have this internal transformation?

Alexis: I think the first way is by reminding girls that it’s not really their fault for feeling so bad about themselves and for being so mean to themselves because with the consumption of 10+ hours of media a day and consuming over 3K perfectly airbrushed brand images daily, we’re actually programmed to be insecure. That being said, I offer a broader definition of “beauty.” One that includes integrity, sense of humor, intelligence, athleticism, passion, creativity and myriad of other things that allow girls to rock what they got- so that “pretty” isn’t our only pursuit.

TBYT: You have made your voice heard in a variety of settings. That has to take a lot of confidence. What advice do you have for young girls who are working on finding their voices and mustering up the confidence to share their greatness with the world?

Alexis: I think the best way to find your voice and muster up more confidence is by doing things that scare you! Whether it’s signing up for a new dance class, learning a new language or taking a trip somewhere you’ve always wanted to go- I think when you have the courage to step outside your comfort zone, that you’re able look in the mirror and have Brave look back at you!

TBYT: What’s your favorite quote?

Alexis: “She took a leap of faith and built her wings on the way down”

TBYT: Who is your role model?

Alexis: Hands down, my mom. She’s my best friend and the coolest person that I know.

TBYT: What encouragement do you have for young people who are being cyberbullied?

Alexis: Watch the new documentary I just produced called A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story and know that despite what mean things people say, the awful things they call you, and the inhumane things they do- they are hurting exponentially more than you can even imagine. Rather than respond with the same toxicity they used, please respond with grace and love… it’s the only way we’re ever really going to change the world!!

Thanks for reading! 

Lauren from TBYT interviewed actress Amanda Buhs about her role in a new anti-bullying film, “A School Paper”. https://www.facebook.com/aschoolpaper
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/111818481

Thanks for listening  🙂

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It’s time for the second semester of school to start. We’re daring you to set a goal for this portion of the school year!

Find out more about Think Before You Type at:
http://tbytinc.org/

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We know it’s been waaaaay too long since our last Dare, but they’re back! AJR joined us in our first November Dare. It’s super simple, send out one positive tweet. It can be directed towards one person, a couple people, or everyone. We really want to see what nice things you have to say, so be sure to mention us in your tweets, our twitter is @powerofwords_.

Find out more about Think Before You Type at:

http://tbytinc.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/powerofwords_
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thinkbeforeyoutype
Tumblr: http://think-before-you-type.tumblr.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkBeforeYouType

Have a great couple of weeks 🙂