The Responsibility of Storytelling | Baudelaire on Podcasting

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with writer and podcast producer Baudelaire for a wide-ranging conversation on Black liberation, audio storytelling, and the responsibility that comes with telling cultural history. Baudelaire shares his journey from producing award-winning shows like Atlas Obscura to developing The Vodou Project, a long-form audio documentary tracing Haitian Vodou across Africa and the diaspora. The conversation explores why audio remains one of the most intimate storytelling mediums, how colonial narratives shape public understanding, and why some stories must be told without slowing down for mainstream comfort. This episode moves through heritage, spirituality, journalism, podcast sustainability, and what it means to create work that honors ancestors while speaking directly to Black audiences. Whether you're a podcaster, writer, audio producer, or listener interested in culture, history, and intentional storytelling, this conversation offers depth, honesty, and perspective. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 05:00 Storytelling, Black History, and Finding Voice 10:00 Audio as Intimacy, Responsibility, and Legacy 15:00 Vodou, Ancestral Lineage, and Global Connection 20:00 Memory, Ancestors, and Challenging Colonial Narratives 25:00 Creating for Black Audiences, Heritage, and Legacy 30:00 Depth in Storytelling and Independent Podcasting 35:00 Sustainability, Funding, and Industry Realities 40:00 Afros & Audio, Community, and Collective Support 45:00 Meaning, Reflection, and Listener Takeaways 50:00 Where to Find Baudelaire and Closing Thoughts To learn more about Baudelaire visit: www.BauKnows.com Follow on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/baudelaire or X @Baudelaire To listen to the pilot episode of The Vodou Project visit: Vodou Project on Apple Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.