Black Country Music Stars on Diversifying The Genre

Black Country Music Stars on Diversifying The Genre: On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Mara S. Campo looks at the foundational role of Black Americans in country music, and the barriers to entry that still exist. First we hear Mara’s conversation with professor Francesca Royster, author of “Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions.” Then Mara talks with country music singer Brittney Spencer who was one of Rolling Stone’s 25 artists to watch in 2023. We round out the show hearing grammy-nominated Mickey Guyton speak with Mara about paving the way for other Black women in country music. by Our Body Politic

52 min listen

How Native Women Are Working to End the MMIW Crisis: On this special episode of Our Body Politic produced in partnership with Level Forward, we highlight the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) crisis. Guest-host Andrea Ambam, an Artist and Host of Level Forward’s More to Talk About, speaks with Lorna Cuny, a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe from South Dakota and Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Medicine Wheel Ride and Darlene Gomez, attorney at her law firm Darlene Law, who serves on the MMIW-R Task Force for New Mexico and is General Counsel for Medicine Wheel Ride, about The Medicine Wheel Riders, a national group raising awareness about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s crisis. Then Andrea Ambam speaks with Alecia Onzahwah, about her efforts to arm Indigenous women with information (through The Skye Woman Project) and tools to defend themselves (through Skye Woman Beauty). We round out the show with Andrea speaking with Prairie Rose Seminole, co-director by Our Body Politic

56 min listen

Can BIPOC Musicians Shape the Future of Classical Music?: Can the world of classical music become more inclusive given its history? On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Celeste Headlee, a journalist and best-selling author, speaks with Professor Philip Ewell, professor of music theory at Hunter College about the history of classical music and Blackness. Then Celeste speaks with professor and Harpist Ashley Jackson about the significance of performing the works of Black female composers. Celeste is also joined by 8-time Grammy-winning musician Christian McBride on the links between jazz and classical music. We round out the show with Lara Downes, concert pianist, musical creator and host of the NPR video series Amplify, about performing for others and her hope for making an impact on the next generation. by Our Body Politic

49 min listen

Innovative Solutions For A Growing Nationwide Mental Health Crisis: Guest host Mara S. Campo, Anchor and Managing Editor at Revolt Black News, looks at the ongoing national mental health crisis and talks to people who are working outside the box to make a difference. by Our Body Politic

50 min listen

Black Maternal Matters: On this episode of Our Body Politic, Farai Chideya looks back at our conversations around Black Maternal health. First, she speaks with Aftershock co-director Tonya Lewis Lee and film subject Shawnee Benton-Gibson. Then, we hear from Dr. Rachel Hardeman about racism as one of the root causes of health disparities in the U.S. After, author Anna Malaika Tubbs talks about her book The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation. We round out the show with Tressie McMillan Cottom who speaks about her horrific labor and delivery experience. by Our Body Politic

50 min listen

How Black Women are Leading the Soft Life Movement: On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Mara S. Campo looks at the idea of the “soft life” as a form of self care for Black women. Mara speaks with Dr. Judith Joseph, a board certified psychiatrist, and Chair of Women in Medicine Collaborative at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons about the concept. Mara also talks with the founder of Saddie Baddies, Priscilla O. Agyeman about using her skills to teach women how they can embrace a soft life. We round out the show with Zee Clarke, author of Black People Breathe who offers practical methods to embrace rest. by Our Body Politic

57 min listen

1. Jan 6th: An American Story - Legal Eagles: PART 1: By now, the story of what happened on January 6 2021 is seared into the public psyche. But there is still an untold story. Many of the investigators and team leads on the January 6th Committee were people of color. In this podcast, we bring you the story of their leadership, and why their mix of lived experience as descendents of enslaved people; children of immigrants; or immigrants themselves deeply shaped the committee’s quest to protect and uphold a multiracial pluralistic democracy. The story they tell about the inner workings of the committee also reveal deep rifts over the role of race and Christian Nationalism in the insurrection, and how much of that inquiry should be told while proving former President Trump’s role in the insurrection. As America winds up with endless court cases over the former President and his alleged co-conspirators, it is also, arguably winding up for an increase in domestic violent extremism. In by Our Body Politic

35 min listen

2. Jan 6th: An American Story - 187 Minutes: PART 2: The investigators take listeners behind the scenes to show what went into the investigation and how a case was built against former President Donald Trump. What was it like to stare down and depose avowed white supremist Proud Boy Enrique Tarrio, who wants to destroy their way of life? The team offers new insight as to why law enforcement failed to stop the insurrection. The tension builds as there is a running clock to present their findings on nationally televised Prime Time hearings. by Our Body Politic

30 min listen

3. Jan 6th: An American Story - America In Black and White: PART 3: The investigators take us deep inside to reveal how race touched every piece of the January 6th investigation. Their perspective is necessary to show how ethnic identities still define so much of how this nation operates. Stephanie Jones, who was an editor on the January 6th report and daughter of one of the leads on the Kerner Commission of the 1960s, provides historical context on how the government does – and doesn’t – address structural racism by Our Body Politic

22 min listen

4. Jan 6th: An American Story - The Book of Purple: PART 4: This explosive episode reveals how senior investigator Candyce Phoenix, who led the Purple team, pushed for a different narrative – one that was ultimately shoved aside. Named the “Book of Purple,” this treasure trove of testimony lays bare the nation’s root causes of white supremacy in explaining former President Trump’s rise to power. Our Body Politic is the first journalism organization to tell this story – why it was sidelined, and what this means for democracy and America’s future. by Our Body Politic

34 min listen

5. Jan 6th: An American Story - The Lawmakers: PART 5: In this episode, we turn our mics to the elected officials who ran the House committee. We speak with Chairman Bennie Thompson, who endured racial terrorism as he grew up in a small town in Mississippi; Rep. Jamie Raskin, who has logged 25 years as a law professor at American University to give him a deep Constitutional framing of the investigation, and finally, former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger, who has endured death threats as a result of joining the January 6th committee. We learn from all these legislators what it took to meet this moment in history. by Our Body Politic

35 min listen

6. Jan 6th: An American Story - Why January 6th is Not Over: PART 6: January 6th neither began nor ended on that date. The legal and moral implications of January 6th continue to this day; and also, the roots of the insurrection stretch back centuries, to the founding divides of this nation over race and religion. In the final episode, we pull from our own show archives – best selling authors, counterterrorism experts, investigative reporters and academics – to lay out why January 6th is far from over. by Our Body Politic

28 min listen

OBP’s Best Books of 2023 with Tananarive Due, Linda Villarosa, and Baynard Woods: On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya looks back on some of our favorite conversations with authors this past year. First we hear Farai’s conversation with author Linda Villarosa about her latest book “Under the Skin” and the dangers of medical racism. Then guest host Karen Grigsby Bates speaks with Baynard Woods, about his book “Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness.” We round out the show hearing Farai’s conversation with award-winning author Tananarive Due about her latest spooky book, “The Reformatory” and the true family story that inspired it. by Our Body Politic

57 min listen

Conversations on Care: How to Give a Good Apology and Music for Mindfulness: On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya looks back on our best advice from guests about how to take care of our relationships, communities, and ourselves. First we hear Farai’s conversation with authors Susan McCarthy and Marjorie Ingall about what it means to give and receive an apology. Then Farai talks with professor Andrea Roberts about celebrating Black Memory and Freedom on Juneteenth. We round out the show by listening back to Farai’s conversation with Jasmine Lamb, founder of Whut We Share and singer Geminelle about making music for mindfulness. by Our Body Politic

50 min listen

A Love Letter to Hip-Hop: How Women Shaped the First 50 Years: On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Callie Crossley, who is a host and commentator for GBH Boston, looks back at the first 50 years of women in Hip-Hop with educator and MC Queen D and author and cultural critic Aisha Durham. Then Callie talks with journalist Brooklyn White about the iconic Missy Elliot, the first woman Hip-Hop artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We round out the show by hearing from our viewers about what Hip-Hop means to them and the impact it’s made on their lives. by Our Body Politic

54 min listen

Mobilizing for 2024: The Power of Ballot Initiatives and Engaging Black and Asian American Voters: On this episode of Our Body Politic, Sayu Bhojwani, guest host and founder of Women’s Democracy Lab, speaks with Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director at The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center about the power of ballot initiatives. Then Sayu talks with Grace Choi, CEO & Founder of Karis Consulting Group and LaTosha Brown, Co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund about mobilizing diverse voters. We round out the show with host Farai Chideya’s conversation with Tiffany Hammond, author of “A Day with No Words” about creating community while raising two sons with autism. by Our Body Politic

59 min listen

2023 Labor Movements And An Immigrant Capitol Sergeant’s Perspective On the January 6th Insurrection: On this episode of Our Body Politic, Karen Attiah, guest host and Columnist for the Washington Post, speaks with labor journalist Kim Kelly about the past year in labor movements in the U.S. Then Karen talks with journalist, activist and documentarian Rokhaya Diallo about the anti-racist protests in France. We round out the show with part 2 of Farai Chideya’s conversation with Former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant, Aquilino Gonell about his new book, “American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy. by Our Body Politic

57 min listen

OBP Rewind: The Gift of Health And Deb Haaland on Being an Indigenous Leader: On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya listens back to some of the conversations she is thankful for this year. First, is Farai’s most recent interview with Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland. Then Farai speaks with Renata Joy, founder of Pure Joy Wellness and Dionne C. Monsanto, Founder of Joyous Ocean about gratitude for good health. We round out the show with guest host Imara Jones and her interview with Oklahoma State Representative Mauree Turner, and then hear The Grio’s Natasha Alford in conversation with Jemele Hill about the gift of allyship in women’s sports. by Our Body Politic

49 min listen

Living Data: Insights on Cultural Competency and the American Mindset: On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya talks with Shannon-Janean Currie, vice president at Benenson Strategy Group, which conducted our inaugural survey for our Living Data series. Farai then speaks with Cathy Cohen, the founder and director of GenForward Survey about the importance of polling. Then, Farai, Cathy Cohen and Shannon-Janean Currie, discuss the main GenZ survey takeaways. We round out the show with Farai in conversation with Former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant, Aquilino Gonell about his new book, “American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy.” by Our Body Politic

56 min listen

Examining Election Day, VP Kamala Harris’s Ratings, and America’s History of Division: On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Sayu Bhojwani talks with Adriane Lentz-Smith, associate professor of history at Duke University about polarization, division and the politics of rage. Sayu then speaks with Christina Greer, Moynihan Public Scholars Fellow about what’s behind the low approval numbers for Vice President Kamala Harris. We round out the show with Sayu in discussion with Andrea Mercado, Executive Director, Florida Rising and Fernand Amandi, Pollster, strategist, MSNBC analyst about takeaways from the 2023 election. by Our Body Politic

50 min listen

How Poll Workers, the Supreme Court, and Medical Biases Impact U.S. Democracy: On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Karen Grigsby Bates talks with Virginia Kase Solomón, CEO of the League of Women Voters, about the threats and issues poll workers face protecting democracy. Karen then speaks with Melissa Murray, NYU law professor and host of the podcast Strict Scrutiny about some of the cases SCOTUS will hear this term. We round out the show with Karen discussing how to navigate medical bias with artist, author and doctor, Shirlene Obuobi. by Our Body Politic

62 min listen

What Horror Noire Reveals About American Society: On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya is celebrating the spooky season with Black women creators of horror. First we hear her conversation with Louisiana-based writer and director Zandashé Brown on expanding the canon of Black Southern gothic horror. Then Farai speaks with Tonia Ransom, author and creator of the award-winning horror fiction podcast Nightlight. We round out the show with award-winning author Tananarive Due talking about her newest book, ‘The Reformatory.’ by Our Body Politic

56 min listen

Israel-Hamas Conflict and Roxane Gay On Her Latest Book ‘Opinions’: On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Hagar Chemali, Creator and Host of Oh My World! talks with SiriusXM Host and MSNBC columnist Nayyera Haq and Global Opinions Editor for The Washington Post, Karen Attiah, about the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. We round out the show with a conversation between host Farai Chideya and author Roxane Gay about her new collection of essays, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.” by Our Body Politic

50 min listen

Redistricting Battles: Exploring Their Impact from Los Angeles to Alabama: On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Karen Grigsby Bates talks about redistricting and newly redrawn maps in Alabama with Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Then Karen looks at redistricting on the city level with Los Angeles City Council Member Nithya Raman who represents the 4th district. We round out the show with Karen speaking with Jenisha Watts, senior editor at The Atlantic about her October cover story which details her upbringing in a crack house in Lexington, Kentucky. by Our Body Politic

56 min listen

How Native Women Are Working to End the MMIW Crisis: On this special episode of Our Body Politic, we highlight the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) crisis. Guest-host Andrea Ambam, speaks with Lorna Cuny, Co-Founder of the Medicine Wheel Ride and Darlene Gomez, who is General Counsel for Medicine Wheel Ride, about The Medicine Wheel Riders, a national group raising awareness about the MMIW crisis. Then Andrea speaks with Alecia Onzahwah, about her efforts to arm Indigenous women with tools to defend themselves. We round out the show with Andrea speaking with Prairie Rose Seminole, co-director of the documentary We Ride for Her. by Our Body Politic

56 min listen

The Dangers of Medical Racism and Our GOP Debate Recap: On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya, speaks with Linda Villarosa, journalist, author and educator about the dangers of medical racism. Then Farai speaks with Donald K. Sherman, Executive Vice-President of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, about section three of the 14th amendment to the Constitution and whether it can be used to hold former President Trump responsible for his actions leading up to the January 6th insurrection. We round out the show with Sabrina Rodriguez, National Politics Reporter for The Washington Post and Danielle Moodie, Political commentator, host of Woke AF Daily and Democracy-ish for our Sipping the Political Tea roundtable. They will help us unpack the recent GOP primary debate. by Our Body Politic

58 min listen

Georgia Politics: Voter Mobilization and A Democrat’s Journey to the GOP: We’re celebrating our third year anniversary at Our Body Politic! We started this journey covering the 2020 election, so let’s continue on that path by covering one of the states that will be key in the next election - Georgia. On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya, speaks with Kendra Davenport Cotton, CEO of the New Georgia Project about mobilizing voters in the peach state. Then Farai speaks with Georgia State Representative Mesha Mainor about her decision to switch parties and become the first Black Republican woman serving in the Georgia Assembly. We round out the show with a report by host Farai Chideya about the efforts by the Burning Man festival to diversify, straight from Burners of color. by Our Body Politic

56 min listen

"Whose Vote Counts? Suspended Florida Prosecutor Worrell’s 2024 Run and Political Lawsuits”: From redistricting to Governors acting against the will of the people, we explore, whose vote counts? On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya, speaks with Elected Florida State Attorney Monique Worrell about being suspended by Governor Ron Desantis, and running for office again. Then Karen Grigsby Bates, founding member of NPR’s Code Switch Team AND Our Body Politic co-host, speaks with Michigan State Representative Donavan McKinney about suing over new state legislative maps. We round out the show with Farai speaking with fashion icon Bethann Hardison about her legendary career and her work to diversify the fashion industry. by Our Body Politic

59 min listen

The Rising Danger Of Extremism In America: One of the biggest threats facing Americans today…is extremism. What can be done to combat the rising danger of extremist events in the United States? On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya, speaks with Kristofer Goldsmith, founder and CEO of Taskforce Butler, about engaging veterans in the fight against extremism. Then Farai gets a debrief from journalist and Our Body Politic team member Joanne Levine, who attended the Mom’s For Liberty Annual Summit. They’re an organization that has been designated to have “racist” and “extremist ties. We round the show out with our Sippin’ the Political Tea roundtable that includes Robert P. Jones, the president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute and Anthea Butler, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor in American Social Thought and chair of the department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, about the connections between religion, race, politics and violenc by Our Body Politic

50 min listen

Can BIPOC Musicians Shape the Future of Classical Music?: Can the world of classical music become more inclusive given its history? On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Celeste Headlee, a journalist and best-selling author, speaks with Professor Philip Ewell, professor of music theory at Hunter College about the history of classical music and Blackness. Then Celeste speaks with professor and Harpist Ashley Jackson about the significance of performing the works of Black female composers. Celeste is also joined by 8-time Grammy-winning musician Christian McBride on the links between jazz and classical music. We round out the show with Lara Downes, concert pianist, musical creator and host of the NPR video series Amplify, about performing for others and her hope for making an impact on the next generation. by Our Body Politic

49 min listen

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Black Country Music Stars on Diversifying The Genre

Black Country Music Stars on Diversifying The Genre

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