The Butterfly Forecast (Melody Ehsani and Julie Burns Walker)

The Smooshies explore the major quest of pursuing life, as well as its flaws.

We’re back! With brilliant singer-songwriter and actor, Keri Hilson. We discuss the story of how we met, Keri's early years writing, and her many incarnations today—in performance and the personal.

Join Melody and Julie in this episode where they explore the roots of freedom, and how to establish it within individuals - as well as for us as a species.

This week Maurice Harris, founder of Bloom and Plume, brings us the inspiration as he shares how he became an extraordinary creative in life – in full bloom!

We're joined by long-time friend Justin Baldoni—actor, writer, director, producer, and author of the book Man Enough—to try to unpack just a little bit of what's behind his incredible energy.

Today, the wonderful Jerrika Hinton joins us on the podcast! We talk about the value of acceptance, flow, and transitions.

Today— we discuss our shifts in life, the importance of diverse relationships, and how news travels and affects us.

Welcome to the Butterfly Forecast! For the pilot, we share why we’re doing this—turning our personal conversations into public ones. We talk about the concept of the butterfly effect and how the smallest evolution of each individual can affect the collective. Sharing stories from our past, we also explore how WHAT we are is more important than WHO we are. Then, finally, a question for you and I both: what is in my design that I bring for the betterment of people, in this moment?

In this episode, our guest Keri Shahidi is in conversation with us about her family upbringing and how it shaped her foundation for paying it forward in life. We were really inspired by Keri's refined business acumen that centers people over profit. Whether it's in her role as a film/tv producer or as a mom — it makes no difference, she is continually finding creative ways to create a bigger table and make every project meaningful.

On today’s episode, we look at what blocks us from attaining and claiming a consciousness and movement towards world peace. Could it be a fear of losing what we think we have?

This week, singer and songwriter Andy Grammer returns! We discuss his songwriting process, creating in the pandemic, and the work it takes to find oneself.

This week we explore mistakes and process. If we have the freedom to question things, it gives us the opportunity to discover them. There’s no learning if there’s no questioning, which leads us to figuring out if it’s really about the outcome or the process? 

On today's episode, we are joined by Angelo Baque. Angelo is the creative director of the clothing brand Awake NY and founder of Baque Creative, a boutique creative agency.

We talk about how our beliefs shape our reality, finding inner peace, and the journey of finding tools and resources to help us move forward in this journey called life.

Today, Melody and Julie sit one on one for an essential conversation about movement and stillness—in our lives, work, and the world.

How does one trust their intuition and follow their instincts while navigating all the complexities of life? Today, we revisit one of our favorite talks with Anthony Kiedis, about how he stays in himself and true to his design—even when it’s hard.

This week, we share a special talk honoring the great people and forces that form the foundation of our knowledge, spirituality, and energy today.

On this episode, we are joined by our good friend Jon Gray. Jon is a co-founder of the Bronx based collective Ghetto Gastro. If you've ever seen or experienced one of their food presentations, it's literally like art.

After his tumultuous upbringing, Jon found a calling in fashion and combined food with art and design. His collective of Ghetto Gastro with his partners have created many tables big enough for everyone to sit at, encouraging and cultivating conversations about inclusion, race, and economic empowerment — traveling the world, taking the Bronx to the world, and introducing the world to the Bronx.

In this episode Jon talks a little bit about his why. We hope you enjoy it.

Our guests this week are Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter. They talk about building a new world informed by multiple cultures — birthed from one family.

It seems as though Afshin Shahidi has been a storyteller since birth. We follow his journey of how he has used film and photography to share those stories with us through his lens.

With his work ranging from serving as personal photographer to Prince for 20 years to spending 7 years creating a documentary for Olympian Tommy Smith, we look forward to the next part of his expression of telling his own stories.

Today! Join us for a special conversation with nail artist and designer, Chanell Boyd.

Nabil went into the deeps with us, sharing the process of how he ended up making his first feature film “Gully”.

This week Melody & Julie unpack the concept of friendship– what a true friend is and what inspires being one!

In this episode, Melody and Julie explore the phenomenon that we each are potential gifts to those we encounter. And at times, even without knowing, carry the mysterious potential of changing someone’s life.

Sam Fragoso, host of Talk Easy, returns to the show today! We talk about the importance of everyday connection, what it means to excavate lives on a microphone, and how the quest for world peace begins simply—with awareness.

To hear Sam's program, visit talkeasypod.com.

Evolution! Transformation! How do we get there? Come join our conversation!

How does one trust their intuition and follow their instincts while navigating all the complexities of life? We talk to Anthony about how he stays in himself and true to his design, even when it’s hard.

Today we're joined by poet, activist, and founder of The Nap Ministry, Tricia Hersey. We discuss sleep deprivation as a racial and social justice issue, rest as a form of resistance to white supremacy and capitalism, and napping as the portal to our greater reality.

What an incredible conversation we had, when Melody traveled to North Dakota and joined hoop dancer, healer, singer, and artist Jackie Bird at the Earth Lodge. Together, we discuss the importance of staying connected to the great spirit, ancestors, and our gifts.

Before the conversation with our guest this week, Julie and Melody reflect on the ineffable beauty of the creative process and the need to listen and trust yourself. Then, we sit with Flea (30:24), the bassist for The Red Hot Chili Peppers! We dive into how he uses his body as a vehicle, his mission to channel energy and live in the moment, who (and what) has influenced his course, and how we all process ego.

Today, Melody and Julie sit together for a special episode. They unpack how we often leave our decisions up to the divine, believing it will make the right choice for us, and what may be in store when we choose our own path.

Today, self-taught painter Jammie Holmes in conversation about how his life experiences informed his work and how contrast led him to creating the kind of life that would create a long lasting legacy for himself and his family. 

In today's talk, Melody and Julie address the recent tragedies due to gun violence, how we make sense of this moment, and the way it can guide us toward peace.

What is life for, but uncovering reality? Join us today for a special talk unpacking fate, purpose, and excellence.

Our guest today is extraordinary athlete and founder of Saysh, Allyson Felix. We discuss her early memories playing sports, growing through failure, and the powerful journey of motherhood.

Centered around the subject of truthfulness, Melody and Julie discuss what we can learn from a 2nd grade classroom, an inspiring passage from Nelson Mandela, and how we must hold onto honesty in the face of projections and deception.

This week, we're revisiting our episode from last season with Afshin Shahidi. Afshin has been a storyteller since birth and served as Prince’s personal photographer for twenty years. So, to commemorate Prince’s birthday last week, we wanted to replay this special talk about Afshin’s work behind the lens.

We'll be back next week with a new episode. Enjoy!

Jocy and Trae share their Native American roots and culture—reclaiming what was tried to be erased by colonization and living the fruits of the true legacy they inherited.

In an era where so many people identify as multi-hyphenates, Claudia is an inspiring model of how she's stitched together all the seemingly contrasting aspects of herself in life and work into one beautiful patchwork quilt.

In this episode, Melody and Julie discuss how cultural or mental beliefs manifest in the body — and what they can mean. Julie shares health trends she's tracked for decades working with populations all over the world, and Melody explores trends she's noticed in US culture and how she translates them to design.

Together, they highlight how keeping track of trends can bring you on a quest of self-actualization, which leads to world and inner peace.

Today, we’re joined by friend and excellent visual artist Paula Henderson. We reflect on art-making, the power of our bodies, and how we move through the world.

This week we sit with filmmaker and producer, Oge Egbuonu! We explore the mysterious nature of change, and how telling our own stories can break the cycle of life’s perceptions of us.

Today, we sit for a special episode with our friend and legendary talent manager, David Smith. We walk through his winding path, from modeling to acting to management, and how he uses these threads to guide artists today.

The Butterfly Forecast returns next week! Today, we're reflecting on Season 1 with excerpts from three of our favorite conversations. Tune in Tuesday, March 8th for the S2 premiere.

Brendon Babenzien — 0:45–15:35

Lauren London and Jada Pinkett Smith — 15:43–32:20

Tricia Hersey — 32:30–48:54

What is beyond love? Join us for a deep dive into what nurtures all kinds of love, with Elaine Welteroth and Jonathan Singletary.

Today, we're joined today by our dear friend and extraordinary poet Ruth Forman—where we discuss the recalibrating, transformative power of words.

This week, Melody and Julie sit with Los Angeles artist Lauren Halsey! Inspired by Afrofuturism and funk, her work focuses on the intersection of art, architecture, and community engagement. In our talk, we discuss the need to invest in people with love, the sanctity of her creative process, redesigning business, leading with grace, and how Lauren's work aims to remap South Central, where she grew up.

For this week's episode we go back to the beginning of us, unpacking our design, mutuality and stumbling. And how Julie’s near death experiences became her work.

Today, Melody and Julie sit with singer, songwriter, and long-time friend Andy Grammer. He unpacks early influences in film and sports, the evolution of his performing career, and how money and spirituality affect his creative process.

Welcome to today's special episode, featuring Marcia Pinna! Marcia's talents span many arenas, including stage set, color, and design for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

As you'll hear, she brings her architectural, technological, and artistic multi-medium background and knowledge to a variety of roles and capacities, making her, truly, a Jill of all trades.

Yaani King Mondschein is a well established actor and a hidden gem in the industry! What a pleasure to have a conversation that reveals the incredible strengths that are her real talent; the constant in her ever-evolving career.

How we choose the direction we take with life’s unknowns. A conversation with Edward Norton.

Today we sit for a special talk with Jeff Staple, diving into near-death experiences, how they change our perspectives on life, and reflections from these pivotal moments.

Julie flies to L.A. to surprise Melody for her birthday! Then, they are joined by Sam Fragoso (host of Talk Easy) to explore the connection between the origin of service, birthdays, and death. 

Today, Lauren London and Jada Pinkett Smith join us to talk about the unusual powers of one true friend.

Join us in an inspiring conversation about what resources really are, with musician, filmmaker and producer Sol Guy.

What hidden mythologies are you living with? Join us and find out.

On this special episode of The Butterly Forecast, Melody interviews Julie about her work as a medical intuitive and how she defines health in 2021.

Today, the Smooshies crack the door open (just a little bit) to explore how we approach our own evolution—and its opposite.

Today, Melody and Julie sit one on one to examine the local, national, and international news affecting us today.

Welcome to “The Butterfly Forecast”, where life is explored through the insights of the butterfly effect, and how the smallest changes made by an individual can change the outcome for the collective. Hosted by designer Melody Ehsani and medical intuitive Julie Burns Walker!

In this special episode with Lauren London we examine how personal loss has impacted each of us. We also discuss the ways we can stay connected to those who've transitioned and the spiritual growth that follows.

Today, we wanted to revisit one of our favorite talks with our good friend Jon Gray. Jon is a co-founder of the Bronx based collective Ghetto Gastro. If you've ever seen or experienced one of their food presentations—it's like art. We hope you enjoy our talk!

The Butterfly Forecast is back! We discuss the pursuit of world peace, as the individual and collective, lessons on mindfulness from Thich Nhat Hanh, and the difficult questions that guide us to change.

On the Butterfly Forecast today, we are joined with the beautiful, extraordinarily gifted artist, quilter, and educator Bisa Butler.

Today, Melody and Julie unpack the role of mentors in our lives.

Today, Melody and Julie return for a one on one conversation on love and how its many expressions can change our lives.

Brendon Babenzien (Founder, Noah NY) generously shares about the fruits that come with counter culture, how being on the outside has its benefits, and his charge for elevating consciousness.

What a dreamy time we had with our incredibly talented friend Travis Van Winkle—actor, activist, builder—where we talked about developing ourselves, as we invest in others.

Today: Join the Smooshies for an exploration into the differences between living life, and living survival.

Katonya Breaux (founder of Unsun Cosmetics) joins us in conversation this week as we talk about the unforeseen pain of loss and how pain also has the power to transform us forever.

In a world with seemingly everything at our disposal, why do we keep trying to create something new? This week, we explore creativity and how comparison creates competition.

Today, the Smooshies take a look at the possibility of humans being designed as mirrors for the infinite.

Smooshie and I return to the never ending reality of death, but this time from the unexpected gifts it brings.