Can We Talk RnB? Podcast

In this episode, Ian Von sits down with legendary screenwriter and producer Michael Elliot, whose pen has shaped some of the most beloved depictions of Black love and Black life on screen. From Brown Sugar and Just Wright to Like Mike and Netflix’s Ruth & Boaz, Michael breaks down how he found storytelling in his 30s, the very real grind behind his Hollywood break, and why love remains the center of his work.

They dive deep into:


Why Black love stories don’t always get box office support—even when the culture reveres them.


How R&B and hip hop literally birthed Brown Sugar.


The tension between our appetite for crime/drama versus romance on screen.


How faith, sensitivity, and emotional honesty became Michael’s “superpower” as a writer.


The impact of streaming and new formats (like vertical storytelling) on Black creators.

The conversation is equal parts masterclass, testimony, and love letter to Black romance in film.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb
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Ian Von catches up with Phabo backstage in New Orleans during his tour run with Ari Lennox for an honest conversation about life on the road, performing for Ari’s loyal R&B audience, and how every city brings a different energy to the show.

Phabo also breaks down his new project Ratchet & Blues, the creative freedom behind it, paying homage to classic R&B, and how touring has helped him grow as an artist and performer. They also talk fan-building, the business side of touring, Ari Lennox’s impact on modern R&B, and what’s next — including Blue Note performances and a full Ratchet & Blues tour.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes

Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Welcome
0:24 On Tour in New Orleans
0:42 Life on the Road & Venue Energy
1:11 First Hometown Performance
1:51 The Making of Ratchet & Blues
2:31 Full Creative Control & DIY Vision
3:01 Defining the Ratchet & Blues Sound
3:28 Classic R&B References & Juke Joint Energy
3:45 Favorite Album Moments
4:03 Tour Lineup Breakdown
4:33 Learning From Ari Lennox
4:49 Ari Lennox’s Originality & Influence
5:25 Balancing Male & Female Energy on Tour
6:03 Three Different R&B Styles on One Stage
6:33 Ari’s Stage Production & Hotel Concept
7:03 Watching the Headliner Every Night
7:23 Standing vs. Seated Crowd Energy
7:32 Ari Lennox’s R&B Fanbase
8:11 Love, Vulnerability & Ari’s Music
8:41 Matching Energies Across the Show
9:18 Best Intro Songs for New Fans
9:48 Nostalgia vs. Originality in Production
10:12 Favorite Lyrics & Standout Tracks
10:23 Touring, Ticket Sales & Music Business Talk
10:58 Sold-Out Tours & Building a Fanbase
11:29 Real Impact Beyond Social Media Numbers
12:02 Real-Life Support vs. Digital Metrics
12:18 Why New Orleans Crowds Matter
12:39 What’s Next After the Tour
13:04 Blue Note Shows Announcement
13:20 Touring Ratchet & Blues Properly
13:39 Balancing Music & Podcasting
14:03 Tour Status Check
14:13 Closing Thoughts & Gratitude
14:24 Outro & Sign-Off
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In this special live episode, Ian Von sits down backstage at Tipitina’s with powerhouse singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sam Pounds, along with his musical collaborators Family Company. Fresh off soundcheck and just minutes before showtime, they break down Sam’s journey from North Carolina church roots to producing for Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg, crafting the Day Shift theme song, and ultimately landing on the legendary Death Row Records.

They dive into why real instruments, live arrangements, and human feel still matter in an AI-driven era, how they channel the spirit of the late 60s/early 70s soul greats, and why this New Orleans show is one of the most important of Sam’s career. The crew also touches on the new single “Queen”, the sound and philosophy of Family Company, and what it means to build a tribe that’s committed to real R&B and soul.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ian Von sits down with Denmark-born, London-based artist Marie Dahlstrøm to explore her journey from a small town with no R&B scene to becoming a standout voice in UK modern soul. They discuss her independent approach, move to London, and how motherhood has reshaped her creativity and vulnerability.

Marie breaks down her albums Like Sand and Good Life, plus her latest single “Frostbite.” The conversation also touches on gospel’s influence on R&B, the value of real musicianship, and making honest, emotionally grounded music while balancing art, family, and mental health.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes

Chapters
0:00 Intro & Welcome
0:55 Moving from Denmark to London
3:08 Discovering R&B & Gospel
4:29 Going Pro & Staying Independent
6:27 Defining Her Sound
7:48 Influences & “American” Sound
9:20 Musiq Soulchild Influence
10:20 Writing from Real Life
11:19 Music as Therapy
12:40 Like Sand Creation Story
14:06 “Home With You” Breakdown
15:01 Good Life & Motherhood
16:21 Balancing Family & Music
17:26 Touring with Kids
18:18 Album Growth & Process
19:26 Staying True in the Studio
21:03 Motherhood & Focus
22:09 New Vulnerability
22:35 Songwriting Process
23:25 Feeling Exposed in Music
24:20 Authenticity in R&B
26:21 Collaboration Style
27:00 Health, Routine & Balance
28:03 Working with Daniel
29:01 R&B Around the World
30:21 Gospel Roots of R&B
32:00 Musicianship vs Programming
33:24 Artists She Loves
34:47 Quick Fire Questions
36:32 Meaning Behind Good Life
37:28 “Frostbite” Story
39:00 Closing & Outro
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In this episode, Ian Von sits down with rising R&B artist RJ The Weirdo to unpack his unique sound, his bold honesty in songwriting, and his mission to bring accountability and emotion back to R&B.

RJ opens up about the story behind his name, the influence of his father and Dallas’ diverse music scene, and how genre-bending, vulnerability, and raw truth shape his music. He and Ian dig into the culture of “toxic” relationships, why honest male perspectives matter, and how R&B can once again be a space where men and women truly hear each other.

They also walk through RJ’s debut project At Least She’s Beautiful—from the headspace he was in while creating it, to standout tracks like “Perfect One” (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) and “Tricks Are For Kids.” RJ shares how fatherhood softened and deepened his love for women, the guilt and grind of pursuing music while parenting, and how being homeless in L.A. and ghostwriting led him to being signed to Ty Dolla $ign & Leon Thomas’ EZMNY.

This is a powerful, vulnerable conversation about artistry, manhood, love, and the beauty of just telling the truth.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices