29: Gabriella Angotti-Jones on Waves, Words, and Wildness
In this episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela talks with photographer, journalist, and surfer Gabriella Angotti-Jones (@ga.briella) about carving space in the often-exclusive world of surf media and doing it with radical honesty. Gabriella opens up about growing up as a Black surfer in Southern California, breaking into legacy newsrooms, and why she left it all behind to tell stories on her own terms.Her stunning photo memoir I Just Wanna Surf blends raw surf culture with intimate explorations of race, gender, joy, and burnout. In this conversation, Gabriella shares how the ocean became both refuge and rebellion, and why creative freedom especially for women of color is worth fighting for.🎞️ Order Gabriella’s book: gabriellaangojo.rocksSocial Media Tags:Gabriella Angotti-Jones: @ga.briellaSelema Masekela: @selemaWhat Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast#WhatShapesUs #GabriellaAngottiJones #IJustWannaSurf #SurfCulture #WomenInMedia #BlackSurfers #PhotoJournalism #SurfPhotography #SelemaMasekela #RepresentationMatters #WomenWhoCreate #WhatShapesUsPodcast
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28: Chris Benchetler on Purpose, Partnership, and Creating Through the Chaos
In this deeply moving episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela sits down with professional skier, visual artist, and filmmaker Chris Benchetler (@chrisbenchetler) to explore a life shaped by mountains, creativity, and unwavering love. From his legendary skiing career and collaborative art projects with The Grateful Dead to co-parenting and creating through his wife Kimmy Fasani’s cancer battle, Chris shares an emotional and inspiring journey about purpose, resilience, and radical support.The two discuss fatherhood, the healing power of nature, and the story behind the acclaimed documentary Butterfly in a Blizzard an intimate portrait of Kimmy's cancer diagnosis and their evolving love story. Chris opens up about choosing family over ego, finding catharsis through creativity, and how his latest film project Mountains of the Moon honors the spirit of late NBA legend Bill Walton.Whether you’re an artist, athlete, partner, or parent, this conversation is a powerful reminder of what it means to show up, let go, and keep carving your line through life’s hardest terrain.Social Media Tags:Chris Benchetler: @chrisbenchetlerSelema Masekela: @selemaWhat Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast
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27: Trevor Andrew on Snowboarding, Gucci Ghost, and the Power of Obsession
In this soul-stirring episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela sits down with cultural shape-shifter Trevor Andrew (@troubleandrew)—Olympic snowboarder, musician, visual artist, and the creator behind the globally recognized persona Gucci Ghost. From dropping into the halfpipe at the Nagano Olympics to dropping genre-defying albums and art installations, Trevor reflects on a life fueled by fearless creativity and obsessive passion.Trevor opens up about leaving Nova Scotia at 14, visualizing success in spaces where he was told he didn’t belong, and how snowboarding gave him the mental strength to push boundaries in music and art. With humility and humor, he talks about fatherhood, artistic integrity, finding purpose in pain, and embracing a fluid identity in a world that wants you to choose a lane.Whether you’re a skater, creator, parent, or just someone figuring out how to chase your vision with everything you've got—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Social Media Tags:Trevor Andrew: @troubleandrewSelema Masekela: @selemaWhat Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcastHashtags:#WhatShapesUs #TrevorAndrew #GucciGhost #Snowboarding #OlympianArtist #CreativeJourney #SelemaMasekela #GucciGhostArt #AltCulture #FearlessCreativity #SkateAndCreate #WhatShapesUsPodcast
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26: Tony Hawk on Reinvention and the Legacy of Skate Culture
In this special episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela sits down with the most iconic figure in skateboarding history, Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk). Together, they dive deep into the incredible journey that took Tony from a bullied kid hiding his skateboard in high school to the global pioneer who changed action sports forever. Tony shares raw, powerful stories about the highs and lows of his career: from the near-collapse of skateboarding in the early '90s, to the life-changing night he landed the first-ever 900, to the unexpected explosion of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game.Beyond the tricks and trophies, this conversation is about perseverance, community, and building a culture that now belongs to everyone. Whether you're a lifelong skater, an X Games fan, or someone who appreciates stories of grit and evolution, this episode captures a rare look inside the mind of a true cultural architect.Follow us:Tony Hawk: @tonyhawkSelema Masekela: @selemaWhat Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast#WhatShapesUs #TonyHawk #Skateboarding #XGames #TonyHawkProSkater #SkateCulture #ActionSports #SkatingLegends #SelemaMasekela #Resilience #SkateboardingHistory #ExtremeSports #CulturalIcons
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1:51:57
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25: Tyler Bereman on Motocross, Mental Health, and the Power of Resilience
In this emotional and adrenaline-charged episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela sits down with freestyle motocross legend Tyler Bereman (@tylerbereman) for an unforgettable conversation about risk, legacy, and healing. From his preschool dreams of going pro to 14 X Games medals, Tyler opens up about his deep-rooted passion for two wheels, the influence of his family’s racing lineage, and his relentless pursuit of creativity through freeriding.But this episode goes far beyond dirt bikes. Tyler gets real about the toll of repeated injuries, including devastating concussions, and the quiet battle with mental health that followed. He shares how grief, therapy, and a commitment to self-work helped him heal from trauma—and why projects like Red Bull Imagination and Zion’s House are reshaping how athletes approach performance, purpose, and vulnerability.Whether you’re a fan of motorsports, an athlete dealing with your own mental health, or someone who’s just looking for a powerful story of grit and growth—this one’s for you.Follow us:Tyler Bereman: @tylerberemanSelema Masekela: @selemaWhat Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast#WhatShapesUs #TylerBereman #FreestyleMotocross #RedBullImagination #MentalHealthAwareness #MotocrossCulture #XGames #ActionSports #SelemaMasekela #TwoWheelTherapy #ZionsHouse #HealingThroughSport
What Shapes Us is an exploration into the incidents and accidents that shape us into being. Selema Masekela, a relentlessly curious narrator of the human experience, takes us on a journey through personal anecdotes from his own life and in depth, conversational exchanges with a wide landscape of dynamic and interesting individuals. Athletes, activists, artists, critical thinkers, disruptors; anyone with a unique perspective on this thing called life, is welcome to contribute answers to the always evolving question...What Shapes Us
Colombia