I Interviewed the Writer Behind Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen 🎤

Act I: The Mind Behind Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen  😈
Act II: DTE Hiking Club’s Next Phase — Instagram 📸
Act III: Master Your Sleep 🌙

Hell’s Kitchen’s Very Own: Alicia Keys 🔥

I’m not even gonna lie to you — I’m hype to share my latest podcast with y’all.

I interviewed the writer of Hell’s Kitchen: The Musical, Kristoffer Diaz.

We dug deep into the labyrinth of creating a Broadway production based on the life and music of Alicia Keys.

As a native of Hell’s Kitchen, this interview means a lot to me.

And after over two years of consistent podcasting, I’m declaring this one as one of my best ever.

Putting Us On The Map 🗺️

When this Broadway production was first announced a few years ago, I felt proud.

“We forreal on the map!” I said to myself.

So many people know Hell’s Kitchen for different things: the restaurant and bar scene, the proximity to Times Square, or its chaotic street life.

It’s funny – I can’t go one week without someone telling me they’ve never met anyone “actually from” Hell’s Kitchen, even though there are plenty of us. And we’re talented as hell.

Over here, we’re culturally inclined: musically, artistically, theatrically — anything that involves performance and creativity.

Alicia Keys, one of Hell’s Kitchen’s most notable natives, represents that not-so-subtle genius that so many of us embody.

So to see her story come together on a Broadway stage, just steps from HK, feels warm and heartfelt to this rough-edged Hell’s Kitchener.

You can only imagine the gratitude I felt when I got the call to interview the man who lifted that story to life …

Power to The Pens 🖊️

Writers never get enough credit.

That’s why I brought the writer of a famous Broadway play onto my podcast, because somebody has to speak up for us.

Writers are the backbone of any memorable production — whether it’s a classic movie, a song, a novel, or even those shamelessly indulgent scripted TikToks.

It’s easy to dismiss writing for the glamour of actors and performers, but words make scenes and ideas come to life.

What’s a snappy, bingeable show without crisp and memorable dialogue?

What would a pop star’s tour be without the talented writers who make those songs spark?

What’s a high-production film with lackluster writing?

We all see what happens when we let anybody write a movie …

Bringing Hell’s Kitchen to Life 🪄

Kristoffer is an OG in this entertainment thing.

A graduate — and now professor — of NYU’s musical theater program, he worked his way up through the competitive world of theater, pivoting to scripts and playwriting once acting didn’t pan out.

The Yonkers native has been working on Hell’s Kitchen for over a decade, perfecting the production alongside Alicia to make sure every moment feels as hip-hop and Hell’s Kitchen as possible.

“We’d be joking around and writing songs,” Diaz says of Alicia. “Then I’d suddenly remember — oh right, this is a musical genius I’m working with.”

Their hard work and chemistry paid off. Hell’s Kitchen earned 13 Tony nominations, winning 2 Tony Awards (Best Leading Actress and Best Featured Actress), plus the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

The show is now set for a 28-city North American tour, beginning in Cleveland, Ohio this season.

Diaz is grateful and humbled by the success.

A proud Nuyorican, he represents the increasingly Latino landscape of Broadway.

Back over here in Hell’s Kitchen, I’m just as thankful, and ready for the chance to make a name for myself and to put on for my people.

It’s time to represent, and I’ve never felt more prepared.

Hiking Club: The Instagram 📲

Down to Earth Hiking Club and the Ise Collective held a successful and rewarding Hike n’ Chill event in Harriman State Park this weekend.

Over 70 (!) hikers came together for an outdoor challenge in the breathtaking autumnal foliage — colors that only upstate New York can boast.

Ise hosts hikes once per year — at Down to Earth, we’re up in the mountains once a month, and we’re ready to grow.

That’s why I’ve booted up the DTE Hiking Club Instagram — this is the central hub for news, updates, content and all things DTE hiking.

I know a lot of y’all get your DTE hike updates through the newsletter, but now we’ve got everything in one place. Tag us if you have pics!

Stay tuned for the next Fall hike, and see you on the mountain soon!
🌎

Master Your Sleep 👑

When you Master Your Sleep, the “buzz” you seek becomes presence.

Steady dopamine.

Life itself becomes a reinforcing cycle of pleasure and intrigue.

Not your social media feed.

When you Master Your Sleep, you stop chasing spikes from caffeine and sugar, because your floor is high enough.

Let me be very clear about this: Good sleep is not a luxury.

It’s your foundation, and you deserve the best one possible. 

That’s why I’ve been building a master class on quality sleep, perfecting the tools and frameworks so your life is creative, powerful and rewarding.

As a Down to Earth reader, you’ll be among the first to experience it.

You can expect 🎁

🗺️ Personalized lifestyle blueprints: Meal plans, sleep schedules, nutrition guidance, supplement ladders, restful exercises and more.

🧑🏾‍💻Immersive 1:1 coaching sessions: Over seven weeks, we’ll identify and eliminate hidden obstacles blocking your sleep, map out a plan to reset, and explore multiple routes of healing until your energy is unstoppable.

🧰 Downloadable toolbox bundles: Quick-action checklists, streamlined audio files designed to help you drop into deep focus, unwind fully, and fall asleep faster, whenever you need it.

🌎 Lifetime Access to All Materials: Return to the tools and resources anytime, with permanent access to your blueprints and all your sleep recovery content.

Stay Tuned! 📺

We’re still fine-tuning the program, so tally your interest on the poll below.

When it drops, you’ll have first priority.

I’m starting with my people because I’m confident that good sleep and health will bring us all up. 

🌙🌎