The Secrets of My Success: Podcasting, Photography, and Beyond

Intertwining podcasting, photography and publicity

Hello, Azarians. As the year comes to an end, I want to take a moment to reflect on what I have accomplished and what I am looking forward to in 2024. It has been a challenging but rewarding year for me, as I got back into podcasting and photography, two of my passions that I had neglected for a while. I also made some important connections with nonprofits and art organizations that I hope to collaborate with in the future. Here are some of the highlights of my year:

Podcasting

I relaunched my podcast, Cupcake Chats, in October, and since then I have published four episodes. My podcast is about personal experiences and relationships, and I aim to provide insight on everyday interactions that most of us encounter to my listeners. I have received several questions asking how I’d handle particular scenarios from my audience, and I am grateful for their support and engagement and want to bring back my #AskTheAzaian segment in 2024. Some of the topics I covered this year include self reflection, releasing dead weight and celebrating breakthroughs (both small and big). You can listen to my podcast on all streaming platforms from iHeartRadio to YouTube or visit my website jzonazari.com for more information

Photography

I rediscovered my love for photography this year, and I invested in several Sony lenses to improve my skills and creativity. I explored different genres of photography, such as nature and musical events, and I learned a lot from several peers. I also participated in 50th anniversary of the Bayou Classic, TikTok’s 1st live concert series ‘In The Mix’ and AFROPUNK, where I had the opportunity to showcase my work and network with other photographers. Some of the photos I am most proud of this year I plan to release in a photo book that I’ll announce in mid-2024. You can see more of my portfolio during quarterly installments that I’ll upload via my website jzonazari.com.

Nonprofits and Art Organizations

One of my goals for this year was to get more involved with nonprofits and art organizations that share my values and vision. I believe that art and culture are essential for social change and community development, and I want to use my podcast and photography skills to support their causes and amplify their voices. I connected with Save the Music and the Chicago School system this year, and I learned about their missions, challenges, and opportunities. I also contributed to several student forums that they organized and participated in starting RFGreatness with a client of mines. I am looking forward to working with them more closely in 2024, and I have some projects in the works for the local teenage youth and artistic creatives to bring them opportunities to tell their stories and to utilize their talents.

Conclusion

This year has been a journey of growth and discovery for me, and I am thankful for all the experiences and people that made it possible. I hope you enjoyed reading this summary of my year, and I would love to hear from you. What were your achievements and challenges this year? What are your plans and hopes for 2024? Leave a comment below or send me an email at jzonazari@substack.com. Thank you for being part of my community, and I wish you all the best for the new year. Stay tuned for more podcast episodes and photos coming soon!!