in proximity
July 3, 2025
01:13:10

IN PROXIMITY: IRONHEART with Chinaka Hodge

From the Def Jam Poetry scene to the set of a major Marvel TV show, Oakland-raised writer, poet, rapper, actor, playwright, and screenwriter Chinaka Hodge knows how to tell an epic story. Her most recent project, the Marvel TV series IRONHEART, released to Disney+ in June. Starring Dominique Thorne, IRONHEART tells the story of “bad girl genius” Riri Williams on a mission to be the greatest inventor of her generation, which she says doesn't mean much without the resources to bring her ideas to life. Riri resorts to alternative means to get said resources, meeting a host of friends and foes, including an A.I. based on her best friend, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. (played by Lyric Ross), and Parker Robins, also known as “The Hood” (played by Anthony Ramos). To give us insights into pitching, writing, and running IRONHEART, Chinaka sits down with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo and her longtime friend, Proximity Media founder and IRONHEART executive producer, Sev Ohanian.

(3:25) Get Reel

(6:00) Chinaka and Ironheart’s Origin Story

(21:30) Writing Ironheart Was Personal

(34:02) SUITS

(40:25) Unmatched Energy On Set and Beyond

(45:53) Into Chinaka’s Office

(48:18) Sev and Chinaka in Film School

(56:41) Chinaka as a Playwright

(1:00:17) The Ironheart Writer’s Room

(1:08:20) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY: IRONHEART with Chinaka Hodge

July 3, 2025

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Ironheart is a production of Proximity Media and Marvel Studios

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Host, Director, and Producer: Paola Mardo

Editor, Sound Mixer, Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Director of Photography: Jonathan Chung

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Production Intern: Jun Sawada

Special Thanks: Patrick Epino, the Proximity Media team, and to our listeners.