'Closer Look' staff remembers 'Best of 2023' interviews

On Tuesday, supervising producer Tiffany Griffith shared her top interview picks.

First on her list were Rose’s conversations with Katie Leikam, a Decatur-based psychotherapist and gender specialist, and three local parents. During the broadcasts, Leikam explained to listeners the potential impacts Georgia’s SB 140 could have on LGBTQ youth.

Parents Linda Grabbe, Jonathan Smith and Sarah Price also discussed their experiences raising gender-fluid children.

Lastly, we revisit Rose’s conversation with NASA Astronaut Victor Glover, who will make a historic voyage to the moon this year as the first person of color on a lunar mission.

During his May 2023 visit to “Closer Look,” he discussed his journey to becoming an astronaut and ongoing efforts to increase diversity at NASA.

Lashawn’s Picks

On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” we look back on the most compelling conversations of 2023, as selected by producer LaShawn Hudson.

Hip-hop turned 50 in 2023. In honor of the musical milestone, “Closer Look” launched its “Hip-hop @ 50” series. We revisit Rose’s conversation with Jeezy. For PART 1 of the conversation, the Grammy-nominated recording artist, entrepreneur and author discussed his upbringing, the power of faith and what led him to pursue a career in music.

We then revisit Rose’s conversation with Lana Michele Moorer, better known by her stage name MC Lyte. The pioneering emcee talks about her love for music and reflects on her journey to create a name for herself in a male-dominated industry.

Lastly, for PART 2 of Rose’s conversation with Jeezy, the southern trap music star reflected more on his life, his new book, “Adversity For Sale,” and explained how a conversation with T.I.P. changed the trajectory of his career path.

Daniel’s Picks

On Thursday’s special edition of “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we look back on which conversations of 2023 that producer Daniel Rayzel found the most interesting.

First up, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Angela Davis, where the legendary civil rights activist spoke with Rose about environmental activism and her decision to return a proclamation from the City of Atlanta.

Her action came as the city moved forward with plans to build a $90-million police and fire training facility at the Old Atlanta Prison Farm site, a location where prisoners worked in poor conditions for several decades.

Next, we revisit an interview from April 2023 when Kat Albrecht, an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia State University, spoke about the “Serial Effect, ” research that explores how crime dramas and podcasts influence how people interpret and understand the legal system.

Lastly, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Claire Dunning, an assistant professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland and the author of “Nonprofit Neighborhoods: An Urban History of Inequality and the American State.” Dunning discussed the “nonprofit industrial complex” and why she feels it’s an inequitable replacement of government responsibility.

Rose’s Picks

Friday marks the conclusion of the “Best of 2023”series with a selection of interviews selected by show host Rose Scott. First up, we go back to revisit Rose’s conversation with Zarickus Worthy and his daughter, Zymeriya. The Worthy’s discuss their self-published children’s book, “The Drills.” The book sheds light on how gun violence impacts all communities.

Lastly, we revisit “Closer Look’s” top conversation of the year, Rose’s one-on-one interview with civil rights icon Xernona Clayton. The pioneering broadcasting journalist and Trumpet Awards founder, who was honored with an 8-foot statue in downtown Atlanta, talks candidly about her life, her passion to help others and the importance of operating in excellence.