Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what it means to be growing, moving, becoming. He peels back the layers, questions his “accomplishments,” wonders out loud if he’s living a full life. It’s vulnerable. It’s honest. It’s personal.
Other times, he brings folks along—educators, authors, parents, artists, people who carry stories in their pockets and wisdom in their scars. Especially those from the Global Majority. The ones often unheard. The ones worth listening to.
Together, they talk identity, joy, loss, memory, meaning. They ride the back roads of becoming.
This space is human. Unscripted. Yours.
Find Gary everywhere @GaryRGrayJr.
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Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what it means to be growing, moving, becoming. He peels back the layers, questions his “accomplishments,” wonders out loud if he’s living a full life. It’s vulnerable. It’s honest. It’s personal.
Other times, he brings folks along—educators, authors, parents, artists, people who carry stories in their pockets and wisdom in their scars. Especially those from the Global Majority. The ones often unheard. The ones worth listening to.
Together, they talk identity, joy, loss, memory, meaning. They ride the back roads of becoming.
This space is human. Unscripted. Yours.
Find Gary everywhere @GaryRGrayJr.
EP. 130 Luana Horry, editor at HARPER COLLINS, chats PETE THE CAT & Books and music | It's Personal
It's Personal Podcast
43 minutes
1 year ago
EP. 130 Luana Horry, editor at HARPER COLLINS, chats PETE THE CAT & Books and music | It's Personal
Luana Horry, a passionate SENIOR EDITOR at HARPERCOLLINS Children's Books, who is revolutionizing the world of children's literature. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, a hub of extraordinary talents, Luana has made it her mission to diversify the publishing industry and amplify underrepresented voices.
As a trailblazer in her field, Luana has worked on beloved titles such as "Not Quite Snow White" and "My Hair," championing stories that reflect the rich diversity of our world. Her unwavering dedication to inclusive content has transformed the landscape of children's books, ensuring that every child can see themselves reflected in the pages they read.
Luana's vision extends beyond just representation - she aspires to empower Black authors to explore a wide range of genres, moving beyond the confines of trauma-focused narratives. By cultivating diverse and innovative storytelling, she aims to inspire young readers and foster a deeper understanding of the human experience. With collaborations that span from Pete the Cat to renowned figures like Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, Luana's impact on the publishing world is undeniable.
Listen to audio versions here:
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-grayarea-podcast/id1433551931?mt=2
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2f3XyNgnVLk0rqEeebK57y?si=CDLYL6_iRMeGNQaxC7pmAA
Zencastr: https://zencastr.com/It-s-Personal-Podcast
Soundcloud: https://shorturl.at/xamld
It's Personal Podcast
Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what it means to be growing, moving, becoming. He peels back the layers, questions his “accomplishments,” wonders out loud if he’s living a full life. It’s vulnerable. It’s honest. It’s personal.
Other times, he brings folks along—educators, authors, parents, artists, people who carry stories in their pockets and wisdom in their scars. Especially those from the Global Majority. The ones often unheard. The ones worth listening to.
Together, they talk identity, joy, loss, memory, meaning. They ride the back roads of becoming.
This space is human. Unscripted. Yours.
Find Gary everywhere @GaryRGrayJr.
