Igniting Change Through Storytelling: Orine Askew's Inspiring Journey

V\O Artist Show Intro: 00:00:00

Your voice is your superpower. Use it. Welcome to Ignite My Voice Becoming unstoppable. Powered by Ignite Voice Inc. The podcast where voice meets purpose and stories ignite change.

Deep conversations with amazing guests, storytellers, speakers and change makers.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:00:20

The higher power lit a fire under my butt and said, listen, like, if you're gonna do this, you gotta bring it.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:00:27

Today's episode, Our guest calls it her cloak of shy. Something she wore for years until life set it on fire.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:00:36

Yeah, literally. A house fire took almost everything.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:00:40

And that moment changed her life. She stepped into her life to find what's real.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:00:46

From quiet kid to confident creator. She learned that courage doesn't mean you stop being nervous, it means you show up anyway.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:00:55

Her story is about music, resilience and the power of being unapologetically yourself.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:01:01

Because when authenticity takes the stage, confidence follows.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:01:05

Our guest is Orine askew of the DJO show. She's an afro indigenous and two spirit.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:01:13

Award winning DJ from BC's west coast.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:01:15

And she definitely lights the world with her inner fire.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:01:19

I actually had a really dramatic experience when I first started DJing. My house was involved in a house fire. Oh yeah. And I just started DJing like my mobile company.

And then the neighbors had an accidental fire and it spread over to our place and the only thing I thought to grab was my DJ gear. Wow. So don't want to lose that. Exactly. Expensive. Exactly.

So when I started telling that story and the effect it was having on the crowd, like the first time I told it, it was at a youth conference, an indigenous youth conference in Ottawa. And everybody in the auditorium was crying, every single person. And coming up to me and hugging me and saying, you know, we've been there.

They raised a bunch of money for me and I'm like. So my entrepreneurial hat went on and I was like, wow, I'm having this effect on people by just telling my story about what happened to me.

ever since then, that was in: 2012

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:02:21

Well, you were authentic, right?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:02:23

Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:02:25

And you chose to share your real story, your real self. And you probably learned to do it from that moment on, right?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:02:32

Exactly. And I think the best people to learn in front is young people. Cause they'll tell you the truth, right? Even kids, especially little kids.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:02:43

I have a 7 year old and an 11 year old, they tell the truth all the time. They'll say anything.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:02:50

Exactly. And I think that was great practice. And I've done probably over 100 motivational speeches since then across the country.

And I think it's great when younger people learn to do public speaking. And that's why I say I'm kind of jealous, because I wish I had that when I was younger.

But the fact that I'm doing it, hopefully they can do it as well and not be shy like I was.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:03:11

Well, you're encouraging people and empowering people just by showing up to be who you are.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:03:16

You're leading the way.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:03:17

You're mentoring, you're modeling.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:03:18

That's important.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:03:19

What a flip, though.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:03:20

Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:03:21

You know, I write about you in my book because you were fascinating to watch. You didn't say much in class. I remember, for the, well, first year or so, but it didn't look like you were shy to me.

It kind of looked like you just chose not to speak for that while. And then I remember in second year, you just started to speak. And it wasn't that. It was you deciding, I'm gonna come out or I'm gonna do it.

It just was like a light bulb went off. You just went, okay, I'm ready.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:03:54

Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:03:54

Do you remember that time?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:03:56

I totally do. And I think it was about breaking down walls.

Cause I remember with a former instructor, I did a project on the end of my first year, and it was an interview with a breakdancer. And they took me in their office, and they said, you know, like, what was that? Like, do you even care about being here?

And I started crying, and she said, don't worry. I've had grown men cry in my office. What's wrong? And she said, do you think you don't belong here? And I said, yes.

And she said, is it because you're black and indigenous and queer? And I said, yes. And she just laughed. And she said, that's hilarious, because that's not true.

You probably belong here more than a lot of other people do. So ever since I had that little pep talk, I went to the beat, which is virgin 94.5 now, in between my first and second year.

You don't even have to do that. And I did a practicum for that summer. It's probably one of the best summers ever. And that's when I was interning.

You know, they made me do everything. It was hilarious.

Like, I remember they had me fold shirts for eight hours one day, grabbing coffee, almost falling, sent to McDonald's with 16 debit cards for lunch for all of the staff. I love the DJs there. DJ Flippo. I'm a huge fan. We, like, share music. We do gigs together. He's incredible and he's still there.

But I think that just that was it. I'm like, wow. Like, gave me so much confidence and the fact that I can do it, I can do it.

And in between first and second year, that's when the light went on.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:05:25

Oh, yeah. Well, you know, shyness is a fascinating thing. I think a lot of people would say, oh, I was born shy, so there's nothing I can do about it.

And I'm gonna be like this the rest of my life, right? You get labeled. How did you get out from under that? Did you see yourself as a shy kid?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:05:44

Say, yeah, very quiet. I'm the youngest out of 10 grandkids and just always called Baby. Like, my nickname was Baby O in the family.

That reminds me of one time we had to read off the teleprompter here and I wore a Baby O shirt because I didn't get the memo. We were supposed to dress up. So it said the teleprompter is a baby on my shirt. But some memories are coming flooding back.

But I've always seen this, like, what I'm doing right now. I've seen it in my head since I was 13. I haven't DJ for Janet Jackson yet, but that's something I really want to do.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:06:16

You will feel it.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:06:18

Yeah, for sure. And the fact that I could see that, like, I've been performing on stages and, you know, lip syncing and stuff since I was really, really young.

And I've loved music, like, everything is just. I had to find what it was. But music's always been there and I've been, like, going around it, but now I've learned how to use it to my ability.

So it's like my passion, using it as a career following.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:06:42

You weren't shy then when you were performing what you wanted to, I guess.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:06:47

Exactly, exactly. That's exactly it.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:06:49

You're following your passion and you have a vision.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:07:00

I see me on a stage with lots of fog and lasers, and I do it now, like, I'm also a hip hop artist. That's something I've gone into. It's another realm of music. And I've performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, like, on stage.

Like, I saw that. I saw that in my head, like me rapping in the orchestra behind me, like, playing the violin and the cellos.

Like, I've done it and I saw that, like, years and Years ago.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:07:26

So the dream you had as a kid, you watched it unfold for real?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:07:30

Exactly. Exactly.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:07:32

Wow.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:07:33

We're trying to help other people find keys to their own discoveries and unlock their freedom from fear and their voices. Was that something that just happened for you naturally, or did you learn that somewhere, that skill?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:07:48

I think it's something that I learned along the way because it's one thing to, like, have these dreams, but somebody actually there to say that you can do it. And I have business coaches, incredible women in my life who've been there since the beginning of my DJing career.

And it's like, I don't know if you know. Her name is Gina Jackson. She was a graduate from the television program, like, years ago. She's older than me, but she's done a lot.

Like, I always joke about it, how she created reality TV because she was on that show Blind Date. Oh, really? Yeah. She did her practicum there, and she was like, it was ridiculous. We put two people together that should have not been on a date.

Right. So I'm like, she's doing this. She was working for the Squamish Nation at that time, and she was a small business officer.

So when I started out, I went to see her and she's just so motivating, like powerhouse woman. Now she has her own reality television show on APTN called the Bears Lair. It's about indigenous entrepreneurs, kind of like the Dragon's Denver.

And I've helped coach some contestants. So someone like that in your corner just telling you you can do things because you don't think it can be reality, but it can. It can.

And having the right people to motivate you and say, even just one person. Yeah, you can do that. Totally.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:09:05

That one small sort of support from one person, just say, hey, you can do it, can mean so much and can change the trajectory of a life. And I know that you're mentoring young people as well with everything that you do in your speeches.

Does fear ever come up for you when you're about to go on stage and present?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:09:31

Oh, definitely. And what I've been taught is, you know, if you're nervous and you have fear, it just means it's important to you.

So sometimes I wonder if you're not nervous. I don't know if that's a good thing, but there's some type of nerve there. Always. Always.

But then it's like when you get on stage and you're performing or whatever type of show I'm seeing, it's like there's no better energy than that. And then it was just. They're just gone. And I feel better that I can just be my authentic self. It's not like another person.

I always say that about my branding. It's just me, Oren. It's not another business entity. Like, everything is me.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:10:09

You're in your authenticity. You're in your presence. You're in your purpose. You're in your passion. That's so powerful.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:10:15

Yeah, totally.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:10:16

And you've worked to get there. You know, we talk about we can be our own worst enemy, right?

And sometimes we have certain statements in our personal narrative that really eat at us, that really hold us back. You know, somehow we've learned those negative thoughts in our story. And you've managed, with some help, to rewrite that narrative. Right.

Do you remember what some of those negative thoughts were that held you back?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:10:46

Yeah, definitely the probably that I couldn't do it. Like, you know, you have a dream in your head and you see it all, but it's like, how do I get there? How do I do that?

And I feel like I've totally worked my way up. It's something I'm trying to teach the young people with the changing of technology, they want things right away.

But I'm like, no, you want to be a dj, you got to start with birthdays and weddings. Like, it's the best experience you'll ever get and kind of just work your way up. And that's exactly what I did.

And not a fun experience at all times, but just. I know it's not a place that was permanent, and you got to do what you don't want to do to get to where you want to go.

I know it might sound a little cliche, but it's completely true.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:11:28

And sometimes we learn from failure, too. When you make a mistake, then you can grow from that.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:11:33

Totally. Totally.

And it's funny because, you know, I'll play mixes for friends and stuff, even since I started, and sometimes they'll have a little bit of criticism, like, what? What are you saying? Doesn't sound the same as the last one. What are you saying? It's like learning how to take that criticism.

It's not yes all the time, which sometimes I think it should be, but it's. It's not, right? So learning how people say no, or you don't get all the opportunities that you go out for, that's a part of the learning as well.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:12:02

I mean, shame plays a role there that we talk about quite a bit, that if you don't Receive that message from people, well, you end up taking it on and shaming yourself for not being good enough or screwing up or maybe I didn't have the skill in the first place, and what am I doing? Why did I even try this? And you have to learn to overcome that, right?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:12:24

Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:12:24

And turn it around.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:12:26

Totally. Yeah, we totally are our own worst critics, for sure.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:12:30

We talk a lot about the imposter syndrome. Have you had that?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:12:34

Oh, yeah, definitely. Yeah.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:12:36

It's one of those syndromes where it's that negativity in your head that can really get you out of being in the moment, can't it? It can take you out of being purposeful.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:12:48

How did you overcome that?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:12:50

I definitely have to think about where I've come from and all the work that I've done. You know, even coming to this school, you know, very intense program, very good program. I always talk about. It just prepares you for out there.

And that's how I have to remind myself, you know, when I'm on my way up to a podium to be a guest speaker or do a territory acknowledgement or what have you, I have to remember, like, I belong there. Probably out of everybody in the room, I probably belong there the most. So I have to remind myself about those things.

And it's taken time to get to that level of confidence.

But just doing it and getting so much experience and my background and education and business training, just all of that combined, like, I have to remember that I belong there. And I've done all that stuff. So I have a seat at the table. I should be there.

I always talk about it in my speeches how humans are weird because they have to go through something traumatic to get. Get it. So my motivation for being a speaker is so they don't have to go through traumatic experiences to understand.

Like, I feel like with the fire that I mentioned before, I say in my speeches, like, the higher power lit a fire under my butt and said, listen, like, if you're going to do this, you got to bring it. And ever since then, I've just thought about life differently. Like, the material things I lost in the fire do not matter.

I got out with my life and my DJ gear, and that's my livelihood, you know? And I tell these kids, I'm like. I'm like a superhero. I got out a lie without a scratch on me, like someone was trying to tell me something that day.

And I've just flown with that since then, and it's been incredible. So something like that.

If I can teach them to not have to go through something like that to understand that meaning and that feeling and why I do the things I do. Maybe they'll do it for that reason as well. So that's what motivates me.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:14:50

Or maybe death is a great teacher or the threat of it and we can't avoid it. Like, there's no easy way around it. Maybe somebody can't tell us that directly. We've got to experience it. Right?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:15:03

Yeah.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:15:03

And we talk about that in our books, that death is a great motivator because we have so much fear around death. But when you actually face that fear of death, it opens you up to really enjoy your life and to go do what it is that's meaningful to you.

And you found that. And by helping other people, you're creating a better world for all of us. That's huge.

And when we think back to where you started, here you sit and you're full of charm and charisma. We talk a lot about charisma as something that we can uncover. Some people think you either have it or you don't. What's your take on that?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:15:48

Definitely, I think the charisma comes with confidence, for sure. And, like, the levels that I've taken and what you're talking about me being a shy person. Like, a lot of people say that.

Like, my business coaches say that you came in my office and you're this shy little girl. You're like, I want to be a dj, but, like, not anymore. Like, we can't get you to shut up. But it's definitely something you can learn.

And I think being put in front of an audience has helped too. Like, you're going to mess up. I've messed up. Or, like, forgotten what I was supposed to say or anything like that.

You just have to do it if that's what you want to do. There's no easy way around it. You just have to.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:16:23

And the audience doesn't know that you've forgotten what you were going to say because they never knew what you were going to say in the first place. Right. So it kind of doesn't matter. And when you get out of your own way and make things that don't matter not matter, then you're golden.

It's easier, isn't it?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:16:37

Totally. And I think everybody has a story, you know, and that's what young people will come to me, and they're like, oh, like, how do you do what you do?

And I'm like, you can do what I do. You have a story to tell. Something's happened. In your life that would probably help somebody. You know, people think or they get down on themselves.

They're like, oh, my life's so boring, I didn't do anything. But then they have an incredible story to tell about their lives and what they've been through, you know, and they inspire me.

When I talk to some of these young people, these like innovators across the country, like, wow, you're like 20 times further than I was at your age. So it's like giving them the confidence to get out there and tell their story. Because storytelling is it.

That's how I learn the best is through other people's stories. It's pretty incredible.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:17:22

Stories are what connect us because they reveal vulnerability and authenticity and that gives us that way to relate to each other. Stories are so important. We talk about that in our books as well, don't we?

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:17:38

Yeah. It's a bridge to the unknown. It can help people make a leap into a different world. Right. You can follow the story to get there.

When you're telling a story as a self confessed shy person in front of an audience, do you view the audience in any particular way?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:17:56

Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:17:57

How do you work in front of a whole bunch of people staring at you?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:18:00

I've heard of that analogy so many times. We laugh at that analogy.

But I think it's something that they were trying to teach us at BCIT as well, is just talking like you're talking to a friend and making it personable. Like it's not like the old school days or it's like the 50s announcer.

You know, people want to hear, they want to be talked to just like, just like a normal person. Like you want to be your friends. So I remember they said when we were doing on air, stuff here is to put a picture up of your best friend.

It's just like you're having a conversation with them. Like that's what people want to hear nowadays. So I, I look at the audience as just like a friend. Like they're my friends.

Especially if they're cheering or yelling, Osho, like a million times. This is pretty amazing.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:18:43

What energy you must get from that.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:18:45

How fun. Yeah, totally. It's like if I put energy into it, they're gonna give it right back to me. Especially when they start dancing and stuff.

So sometimes it's hard when they don't, don't dance.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:18:57

And then what happens in your head, oh my gosh, I'm not doing it right. Or they're not liking it and. And then you just gotta get over it. Right, Exactly. Keep Going. Cause they'll get there.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:19:04

Yeah, exactly. They take some time. Usually towards the end of the event, they start requesting things.

I'm only here for five more minutes, but I've been here for three hours, a little late. I talk about in my speeches, it's like almost rebellious to be a positive person right now. Interesting. Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:19:28

Wow.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:19:28

You're, like, going against the grain. So I'm like, be that person. Be that rebel. Like, be positive. You know, talk about the future.

There's so many things, like, we could get down about that are going on in the world. And, you know, your problems are somebody's dreams, you know, like, I haven't experienced anything worse than being displaced by a house fire.

You know, it's like, it could be a lot worse. It can totally be a lot worse. So I try to get that message out, and I get that compliment all the time. Like, on my branding.

They're like, people are like, oh, my goodness, I saw your social media. Like, it's just so great. And you're just out there being yourself and just being so positive and motivating people to be better.

And I was like, look, that's how it should be. Right off the top. Yeah, exactly. And I don't think I would be like that if that didn't happen to me.

I had that experience of the fire because it just makes you put things into perspective. Like, the way I tell my story in the motivational speeches, it's like I was half asleep, and then I woke up and it was 8 in the morning.

And then I saw a big gust of smoke and flames. And then I peered in my room. I was in my Batman underwear because I love Batman, but I was in Batman pajamas.

And I peered the room and I looked, and all I thought to grab was my suitcase with my turntables and my laptop, and I was kicking down doors, and I even looked for my brother. I don't even like my brother. Superhero ring. I know, right? Kicking down doors and, you know, it's just the adrenaline rush.

Like, I can't even put that into words. But people hear that and they're like, what?

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:21:01

Wow.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:21:01

That puts everything into perspective.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:21:04

One more important everything, though. You could have gone the opposite way. You could have said, poor me. I don't have this, I don't have that. But you went the positive way.

It's interesting that we have that choice. Did you feel that that was a choice?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:21:19

Yeah, definitely. Because, yeah, like you said, I could have just stayed there.

And I don't want to say play the victim but you have those moments and I think it's important to have them. But just don't stay there. Don't stay there. Because I did. I remember I got invited out to an indigenous youth conference, like two weeks later.

And I didn't want to go because I'm like, I don't have any clothes, you know? And one of my cousins, hi, Tam, he said, you know, you gotta go. We'll figure the clothes things out for you. You gotta go. This is a huge opportunity.

I hadn't even really been out to the east coast before, like, leaving Vancouver. And I'm out there all the time now, which is awes. My first trip to Ottawa and he really motivated me to do that. It's just like, don't worry about it.

Like, it's a new experience and that's what I love. Now I have all these opportunities dropping in my lap because I think it's just.

I don't know, it's just the stuff I put out there, you've cultivated that.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:22:17

You curated that. What you put out, you get back, right? That's a credit to you. And what it is that you're putting out, that's fantastic.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:22:29

Have you had a chance to go beyond Canada now and do some talks around the world?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:22:34

No, I've gone to the US a few times, but I did see a card reader and they said, I'm gonna blow up internationally, so that's kinda cool. So here it comes.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:22:44

Can I get your autograph now?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:22:45

Let's get it.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:22:45

Here's a pen.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:22:46

Let's go.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:22:47

And we know you, and we can say that we know you. And I love that. I love being a part of your story. Just knowing you and seeing how successful you've been and how you're encouraging so many people.

You inspire me.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:23:01

So this kid who had this vision of doing all these things, and now you've done a lot of them. What's next for Arene?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:23:11

Yeah, definitely. I think more speaking. Cause DJing is great. I've been doing it for 12 years, but I don't know, my back is.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:23:21

Oh, you're getting old.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:23:22

Getting oldurene.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:23:23

Don't talk to us about that.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:23:26

But I just want to hand that down to the younger people and teach them how to do it. So I'm really enjoying getting more speaking gigs and traveling for it and definitely want to take it overseas, that's for sure.

Because I've done North America. And so the card reader, I want to make sure that they were correct.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:23:45

I want to see your card reader too.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:23:47

Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:23:48

What would be your main message?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:23:50

Just to do what you're passionate about.

You know, it's not like, it's not always going to be an easy road and sometimes you have to do what you don't want to do to get to where you want to go. Like, I remember when I first started DJing, I was working three customer service jobs and DJing on the side.

I think it's just starting from humble beginnings and just knowing that that wasn't permanent. You know, it's going to change, it's going to get better.

And in the last, like, probably five years, it's really paid off for doing that, doing that work. It might not happen in five years, it could happen in 10 years, it could happen 20 years, but it'll happen. And you just have to stick with it.

Like, your passion doesn't fade, it just gets better. Especially when you open yourself up to the world and just be yourself. I can show you what they're really doing.

But, yeah, it's this instant gratification. Right. And sometimes people will say DJing is easy, but it's not the whole technical part about it.

Everything else you have to deal with, like the business aspect, like, I do everything myself. I don't have, like a booking agent. I do it all on my own. Right. So it's. You're busy. Yeah, it's the first. It's everything.

It's the business of it, it's the interaction. Because I've met a lot of artists who have so much talent, but then the business communication is not there. So it's like you can't have it all.

But for me, I've. I don't wanna say I have it all, but I'm just saying, like, I have more experience doing all of that on my own. So it's. So it's different.

It's very different.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:25:22

And do young people hear the message?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:25:24

You think, oh, yeah, definitely. And you should learn how to do. I think that's my message, is they should learn how to do everything on their own.

So they kind of know what's going on, even down to the accounting. Right. But once you get to a point, you can hand it off to somebody else. But I think it's a good experience to do it all on your own.

And that's something that they taught us here at bcit. They teach you how to be like a contractor, to do things on your own, like freelance.

That's a great experience that everybody should have that wants to get into this industry. Because then you know what? It's like multi skilled. Yeah, exactly.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:25:58

Is there something that if you went back in time that you would say you would do differently or you would change about your trajectory?

Guest Orene Askew: 00:26:06

Probably taking more risks. Something I talk about. I've never left Vancouver. Like I was born and raised here and I haven't left for like a job or anything like that.

And that's something I still want to do eventually, maybe another city. Even if it's for like six months to get out of, you know, the kind of the comfort zone of being.

Because I remember being at bcit, that's what they said. You got to get out there and get your street cred. Go work at a country station in Chatwin, bc.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:26:34

I don't know about street cred, but.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:26:37

To be crazy, okay.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:26:40

To experience that. Right? And for me, my thing was like, well, I think my community needs me right now.

And I think my community's kind of spoiled with me right now, to be honest. So maybe something different for a little bit, but that's definitely something I want to. I want to experience at least once in my life.

Is living somewhere different.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:26:59

Risk can be scary. Risk tolerance. There's lots of people who don't have that risk tolerance. But you got to get out there. You got. It's facing your fear.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:27:07

Exactly.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:27:08

Especially now that you're getting old. You only have so much time. Right?

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:27:12

So Kevin and I know this all too well.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:27:14

Okay.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:27:15

Just voice of experience over here.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:27:17

Our time's running out.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:27:18

So much older than us.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:27:19

Kevin, that's awesome.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:27:23

Thanks, Irene.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:27:24

Yeah, no worries.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:27:25

Thank you. I just, like, I really mean that. I'm inspired by you and I'm so impressed by you. I just love seeing all the things that you're doing.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:27:33

Oh, my God. I know her. Thank you. It's so funny. The other day I went to an event, a friend's event, because she's moving back to South Africa.

And I still get a little, I don't wanna say uncomfortable, but when people are fangirling me, I'm just like. I'm like, why? This one girl's like, oh, I've never been so close to you, like, physically. Oh, my God, it's DJ Oce. Sean.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:27:56

That's so serious.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:27:59

It's hilarious.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:28:01

But we all have our little moments of fame and. And you know, you might feel that way to somebody else who feels that to somebody.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:28:06

Exactly. But like, I'll be at the grocery store and I feel eyes on me, like peering through the. The shelf. And I'm like. They're like, sorry.

Well, are you DJ Ojo? Like, yeah, can I get a phone with you? I was like, yeah. Especially kids, they're like, hey, you're at my school.

They, like, run from the other side of the grocery store. It's so cute.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:28:24

I love it.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:28:26

It's nice to be humble through all that. Yeah.

Guest Orene Askew: 00:28:28

Yeah.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:28:29

Wow. Transformation doesn't always come gently, does it?

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:28:34

Sometimes it takes a fire, literal or emotional, to reveal who we really are.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:28:40

She didn't wait for permission to shine. She built her own light.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:28:44

And that's an invitation for each of us to stop waiting and start creating from who we are.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:28:51

Oren is one of a kind, and we're grateful to have had this chance to chat.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:28:55

Change isn't always easy. And if you're ready to step out of your own shadows and ignite Your.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:29:01

Voice, visit ignitemyvoice.com and book a session with one of our talent developmenters.

Co-Host Kat Stewart: 00:29:06

Your voice has power and your story.

Co-Host Kevin Ribble: 00:29:08

It's the spark the world's been waiting for.

V\O Artist Show Intro: 00:29:12

Ignite my voice. Becoming unstoppable. Your voice is your superior superpower.

V\O Artist Show Intro: 00:29:18

Use it.