Episode 23

full
Published on:

4th May 2024

Rewind Episode: You Tube University (or learning things from YT) with Wanda "Godsbratt" Ford

Come with us back to April of 2023 and our conversation about YouTube University, the term people use about learning things on YouTube. Our guest was the DELIGHTFUL Wanda "Godsbratt" Ford, who is a podcaster and makeup artist. We talk about the vast opportunities to learn skills fron YouTube, how Wanda picked up her podcasting and MUA skills on the app (and has changed her life) and how the internet levels the playing field by making the ability to learn a new skill available to everyone. This was a really fun conversation with someone Leslie and Lynne have known since 1985.

Wanda “GodsBratt” Ford is a no nonsense, tell it like it is, what you see is what you get type of person. She doesn’t judge, she’s compassionate, empathetic, and stands in her truth. All of it. The good the bad and the ugly. Wanda has been working since she was fourteen years old, and her first job was in a doctor’s office as a front desk receptionist after school. She was always “different “ but she was ok with that. She wore pumps and skirts with silk blouses to school while most her age preferred jeans and tennis shoes. She’s worked at places like University of Maryland Department of Human Genetics, various Healthcare insurance companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Willse and Associates, a third party administrators, and Optimum Choice. With each position she has made some lifelong friendships and earned the respect of the upper level supervision with outstanding professional references from them all.

However her passion has always been about all things beauty, from clothing, to hairstyles, to makeup. So much so, she used to get in trouble for sneaking and wearing make-up in middle school. Her love of make-up just came naturally. She is a self-taught MUA who learned how to do make-up by watching YouTube videos and endless hours of practicing. For years others have been “speaking life” into her and her “make-up ministry “ and finally she decided to step out on faith to do what comes so naturally to her. Wanda felt like to have so many people to believe so strongly in her talent, who was she to continue to doubt herself? From there she stepped out on faith and hasn’t looked back since.

She’s been using make-up by a black owned company called Playing In Makeup By Yolondo or PIMBY for the last few years. It’s really high quality and budget friendly and she’s always told anyone who would listen about how good this brand is, especially when she does her makeup lives an Facebook and TikTok. Recently the brand owner made her an affiliate of PIMBY. WHAT AN HONOR!!!!

She’s also the host of a podcast called “Watching Wanda’s World “ In doing this podcast, she has found her purpose. #EmpowerUpliftSupportInspireMotivateEncourage. She hosts guests and discuss topics that speak to her spirit. Guests that show people that it’s never too late to turn your life around or reinvent yourself in a positive manner. She also showcases black-owned businesses that deliver a good product as well as excellent customer service.

She’s just a country girl living in the city, trying to make a positive difference in the world.

Show artwork for Fine Beats & Cheeses

About the Podcast

Fine Beats & Cheeses
with Leslie & Lynne
Fine Beats & Cheeses with Leslie & Lynne celebrates cheesy pop culture.

About your hosts

Leslie Gray Streeter

Profile picture for Leslie Gray Streeter
Leslie Gray Streeter is an author, veteran journalist, and speaker whose memoir “Black Widow” was published in March 2020 by Little, Brown, and Company. She is the lifestyle columnist for the Baltimore Banner, formerly the longtime entertainment and lifestyle columnist and writer for the Palm Beach Post. A native of Baltimore, Md, and a University of Maryland graduate, she and her work have been featured in The Miami Herald, the Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlantic, the Today show, SiriusXM, O, The Oprah Magazine, and more. She lives with her son Brooks in her hometown of Baltimore. She’s a slow runner, an amateur vegan cook, and a true crime and “Law and Order” enthusiast.

Lynne Streeter Childress

Profile picture for Lynne Streeter Childress
Lynne Streeter Childress is an actor, director, teaching artist, and playwright. She is the founding artistic director of Building Better People Productions, a theater for young audiences company in Annapolis, MD. Her 28-year career in professional theater includes performing at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, and Adventure Theatre and teaching for institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library and Baltimore School For the Arts, where she is currently a member of the theater faculty.  Lynne has seen firsthand how theater can communicate the most important things in the clearest and most interesting of ways, especially to young people. She lives in Annapolis, MD, with her husband and son.