Getting Close UP!

For the Season 7 finale of Getting Close UP!, Danielle sits down with Damilleo Stacks—and if you think being a rapper is simply about putting words over a beat, Damilleo has a few bars, a psychology lesson, and probably a therapy session waiting for you.
Damilleo takes Danielle inside what he calls “the story in between the lyrics,” explaining how growing up in Boston, studying psychology and music with an emphasis on songwriting, and a lifelong fascination with understanding people shaped him into the lyricist he is today. The conversation dives deep into his project Fat and Handsome, a musical therapy session where
Damilleo manages to be the artist, the patient, and occasionally the frustrated client. He opens up about self-image, difficult moments from his childhood, finding self-acceptance, and how those experiences became part of the storytelling woven throughout the project.
We’re closing Season 7 by reading between the lyrics. Pull up a purple chair one more time—it’s time to get Close UP! with Damilleo Stacks.
You can check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/ACtzOdrk38g  

What happens when an artist stops making herself smaller and finally gives herself room to grow? Airrisa Renee is finding out—and she’s turning the volume all the way up.
On Season 7, Episode 11 of Getting Close UP!, Danielle sits down with St. Louis singer, songwriter, producer, and storyteller Airrisa Renee for a conversation about finding her creative voice, trusting the process, and making music that doesn’t just sound good—but makes you feel something.  
Airrisa takes us inside the world of Palpitations, revealing the stories, characters, emotions, and sometimes beautifully chaotic creative process behind her music.  She talks about experimenting with production, her love of writing and vocal arrangements, and why songwriting just might be her artistic superpower.
The conversation also gets personal as Airrisa reflects on overcoming the tendency to make herself smaller, learning to take up space creatively, and developing a voice that has grown from soft and reserved into something far more fearless and expressive. And with new music, ambitious visuals, and plans to bring Palpitations to life through a live recording, she’s nowhere near finished growing.
Singer. Songwriter. Producer. Storyteller. Airrisa Renee has plenty of creative lanes—and apparently, she plans on driving in all of them. It’s time to get Close UP! with Airrisa Renee.
You can also check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/JSqojF4R890 

What happens when you take a little heartbreak, add some hope, throw in a few instruments, and highlight it all with a whole lot of joy? You get Po Mia.
For Season 7, Episode 10 of Getting Close UP!, Danielle takes the purple chairs on the road to St. Louis for a conversation with singer, songwriter, Po Mia, an artist who isn’t afraid to explore the darker parts of life while still finding a little light in the process.
From turning personal struggles into relatable songs and finding community within the St. Louis music scene, Po Mia proves that sometimes the best art comes from taking everything life hands you—the good, the bad, and the complicated—and making something colorful out of it.
The stories get personal, the music gets therapeutic, and Danielle brought the highlighter. It’s time to get Close UP! with Po Mia.
You can also check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel:  https://youtu.be/TGZiDhsV_WU 

What happens when you mix theatre training, stand-up comedy, a quick wit, and just enough life experience to know that sometimes you have to laugh at the madness? You get Emily Bruns.
On Season 7, Episode 9 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox welcomes Lawrence native Emily Bruns of NDA Comedy to the purple chairs for a conversation about finding the funny, stepping onto the stage, and carving out her own space in comedy.
Emily takes Danielle behind the punchlines as they talk about her theatre background, her journey into comedy, the experiences that influence her material, and what it takes to turn an idea—or an awkward moment—into something that gets a room laughing.
And while NDA Comedy might sound like we're legally prohibited from telling you what happens in this episode, fortunately, nobody made Danielle sign anything.
Actress. Comedian. Lawrence native. And proof that sometimes the best way to deal with life is to find the punchline. Pull up a purple chair—it’s time to get Close UP! with Emily Bruns.
You can also check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel:  https://youtu.be/b8QWOrhjbs8 

What does a rapper look like? If your answer involves the usual larger-than-life persona, Iker might make you rethink the image.
On Season 7, Episode 8 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox welcomes Kansas City rapper Iker to the purple chairs—and behind his laid-back, unassuming personality is an artist with plenty to say. Iker may not fit the stereotypical image of a rapper, and that’s exactly what makes his story interesting.
Away from the microphone, he’s a husband and dad, balancing family life with the passion, discipline, and creativity it takes to pursue his music. But when it’s time to pick up the mic, that quiet demeanor gives way to an artist who knows how to turn his thoughts, experiences, and perspective into something worth listening to.
Danielle and Iker talk about his journey into hip-hop, the inspiration behind his music, his creative process, and how being a husband and father influences both the man he is and the artist he continues to become. Because sometimes the person with the quietest presence has some of the loudest things to say.
Husband. Father. Rapper. And definitely not interested in fitting neatly into a box. Pull up a purple chair—it’s time to get Close UP! with Iker.
You can also check out the video version of our episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/RmWeyQH_fT0 
 

Turn it up, speak your mind, and prepare to Return To Madness! 
This week on Getting Close UP!, Danielle sits down with punk rock band Return To Madness for a conversation where the music is loud, the opinions are louder, and staying silent definitely isn’t part of the setlist.
The band gets candid about their journey, their sound, and how their political views, social observations, and perspectives on the world around them help fuel their music and shape their creative direction. For Return To Madness, punk isn’t just about distorted guitars and pounding drums—it’s also a platform for expression, questioning the status quo, and putting their convictions into chords.
Danielle digs into how those beliefs make their way from conversation to songwriting, how the band balances message with music, and why punk rock continues to be the perfect place for artists who have something to say—and aren’t particularly interested in whispering it.
Politics, punk, passion, and plenty of MADNESS—yeah, we went there!
Whether you agree, disagree, or just came to rock out, this episode proves that music has always had the power to start a conversation.
You can also check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/A9ZiKGxupcs 

Getting Close UP! featuring Mikey P aka LID13 S7E6
What happens when the man behind the mic is just as comfortable on the beat as he in the chair of his podcast?
On Season 7, Episode 6 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox sits down with Mikey P aka LID13 for a conversation that brings both sides of his creative world to the purple chairs.
Mikey P gets candid about his music, his journey as an artist, and what fuels his creativity. Then the tables turn as the podcast host becomes the interview guest, giving Danielle the inside scoop on We Outside Live Cast and what it takes to create conversations that keep people tuned in.
And because talking about the music just isn't enough, Mikey P turns up the volume with a performance of his newest song, “Amps & Booms.”
Artist. Podcaster. Personality. Performer. Mikey P wears a lot of hats—and Danielle is getting underneath a few of them.
We Outside... but today, we're in the purple chairs. It's time to get Close UP! with Mikey P aka LID13.
You can also check out the video version on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/-BCXZKhgeso?si=XBL7nxAdEBP_q6Jo 
 

What happens when three distinct voices, three personalities, and one shared vision come together? You get EleveN2wenty2.
In Season 7, Episode 5 of Getting Close UP!, host Danielle Cox welcomes Darius, Kai, and JaNay to the purple chairs for a conversation about the music, the chemistry, and the creative connection behind EleveN2wenty2.
From finding their individual voices to learning how to blend them into something uniquely their own, the trio gets candid about their journey, their group dynamic, and what it takes to create together without losing what makes each of them stand out. Because when you put three artists in the same room, harmony isn't just something you hear—it's something you have to build.
Three voices. One group. Plenty of personality. It’s time to get Close UP! with EleveN2wenty2.
You can also check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel:  https://youtu.be/iIMy9Cj9i5M 

Some people write words. Others bring those words to life. Today's guest does both.
Zoie Magic is a poet and rapper whose thought-provoking lyrics and captivating performances remind us that every verse has a story, every rhyme has a purpose, and every stage is an opportunity to inspire. With equal parts passion and precision, she's turning poetry into conversation and music into a movement.
Today, Danielle gets up close and personal with Zoie as they talk creativity, confidence, spoken word, hip-hop, and the experiences that continue to shape her artistic journey.
The microphone is live, the verses are ready, and the magic is about to unfold. Welcome to Getting Close UP! featuring Zoie Magic.
You can also check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/9S71jLOkstA?si=Tr2SnXEw65CU1XIj  

Ready for the Queer Narrative Festival? So are we—and who better to get us festival-ready than the incredible duo behind it all? This week, host Danielle sits down with Lindsey Kinney and Waleska Rodriguez Kruger, Co-Executive Directors of No Divide KC, to pull back the curtain on the inspiration, mission, and heart behind the Queer Narrative Festival.
From creating spaces where every story matters to building stronger, more connected communities for underserved populations, this conversation proves that representation isn't just important—it's transformative.
Along the way, expect plenty of laughs, meaningful insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn vision into impact.
Whether you're planning to attend the festival, passionate about community advocacy, or simply love hearing stories from changemakers making a difference, this is one episode you won't want to miss. 
You can also view the video version of the episode on our YouTube Channel:  https://youtu.be/fD5XSYhGUjs