Slate of Affairs
by Slate of Affairs
Slate of Affairs is a podcast dedicated to critical conversations about pop culture and politics brought to you by Black and brown voices. Lived and IN COLOR! Join hosts Tatiana Sterling, Blake Gardner, and Daniel Huecias every other Tuesday for a brand new episode.
Episodes
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Black FUTURES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS HERE! The Slate of Affairs team look to the future and highlight Blackness in pop culture and politics. Tatiana is celebrating baby Fenty; Blake is looking to cop new joggers; Daniel is just generally confused. If you are in California and would like to schedule a…
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Pop Culture Predictions '22
WE ARE BACK! Happy New Year to all from The Slate of Affairs team. Pop out your crystal balls because this week we sit down to discuss of our pop culture predictions for 2022. Tatiana is excited about a new Sitcom; Blake is celebrating the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.; Daniel is embracing his...
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Hard & Fast Times at CCF
Happy holidays, baby! We are ending the year with an episode near and dear to our mental trauma. This week, the team unpacks their years of servitude at the Cheesecake Factory, offering varying perspectives on the restaurant. Enjoy the episode and we will see you in 2022! If you are in California...
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Mississippi Goddam!
*This episode comes to you a week later than we anticipated. Finals, you know? Some information may have changed by the time you're listening* The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a case which challenged a Mississippi state law banning abortions...
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Are We Surprised?
On August 25, 2020 Kyle Rittenhouse, then seventeen years old, traveled from his residence in Illinois with an assault riffle to join to protests and riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the shooting of unarmed black man, Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two and injuring a third....
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Slate on a Plane
With the holidays around the corner and vaccination rates increasing, air travel is booking up! This week the team discusses the increased hostility taking place on airlines and the overall travel experience in the age of COVID-19. Tatiana taps into her inner thespian roots to celebrate the…
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Boo! (There It Is)
Boo! We are back! Halloween is around the corner, the weather is gloomier, and ghosts are roaming the streets. This week the team sits down to talk about ghosts, ghost stories, and ghost films. Tatiana celebrates Drake's birthday; Blake is catching everyone up on Black excellency; Daniel is…
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Ghost Astrology
Mercury is in retrograde for the third and final time of 2021 and it has people going insane! The Slate of Affairs team discusses their feelings about astrology and compare their zodiac, moon, and ascending signs. We are bringing this episode to you a bit late, so we are giving you the RAW and...
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Yo Soy _______.
It is Hispanic Heritage Month! But what does that even mean?! Is the Hispanic experience universal to all Spanish speaking communities? This week the Slate of Affairs team dives into all things Hispanic Heritage Month related and discusses their own experiences and identities under the umbrella...
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And the Governor Is...
TOO MUCH has happened this week! By the time you are listening to this episode, the results of California's gubernatorial recall election just might be in. While only one-third of the Slate of Affairs team will be participating in this election, the implications of this race are crucial on a...
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In the Wake of Ida
Hurricane Ida took landfall in Louisiana, devastating residents and leaving many without power in its wake. Shortly thereafter, Ida continued its path through several northeastern states, flooding parts of New York. The Slate of Affairs team discusses their own personal experiences with Hurricane...
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AFFAIRS ASIDE | OnlyFans EXPERIENCED with Brittanie Somday
We are back with another minisode in Affairs Aside! This week, Tatiana sits down with Brittanie Somday, sex worker and content creator, to talk about her experiences and perspective on the world of digital sex work. Make sure to follow her on Twitter, and if you are so inclined, subscribe to her...
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MCU Better Werk
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has stepped into phase 4 of its franchise with several new projects, The latest being The Eternals! The Slate of Affairs team sits down to discuss the excitement surrounding the most diverse Marvel movie to date while also addressing the difficulties connected with…
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Vaccination Nation U.S.A.
After a brief hiatus the team is back! With the Delta variant spreading rapidly throughout communities, political leaders are beginning to enforce stricter policies surrounding vaccinations. The Slate of Affairs team discusses their views on vaccine mandates. Tatiana weighs in on the shower…
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AFFAIRS ASIDE | Breaking Stigma with Athena Kills
With our hosts scattered across the nation, we bring you our very FIRST MINISODE, Affairs Aside! In light of DaBaby's homophobic rant at Rolling Loud, Daniel speaks with drag entertainer and HIV advocate Athena Kills to discuss HIV stigma and the importance of HIV education. Thank you again to...
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Space, Jam-Packed with Edward Castle
Our beloved cohost, Daniel Huecias, takes a hiatus this week! The Slate of Affairs team calls upon Edward Castle to fill in! The team discusses the recent slew of billionaire space explorations and the various layers associated with this new frontier. Tatiana is NOT a Bennifer stan; Blake gets…
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#FREEBRITNEY
Following a very public mental health crisis in 2007, the pop singer Britney Spears was deemed unfit to care for herself or her finances. As a result, Britney's father, Jamie Spears, became the conservator over her and the entirety of her estate, having remained in this position for over a…
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The Release of Bill Cosby
The #MeToo movement started a revolution for survivors of sexual assault, unearthing the actions of several male celebrities. America's Dad, Bill Cosby, was convicted of sexual assault in 2018 and was recently released from prison due to a technicality; the previous District Attorney had promised...
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One Year and Counting
It's our ANNIVERSARY/FIRST BIRTHDAY! It has been an entire year since the Slate of Affairs team first brought the pod to the people. The team discusses their growth over the year and their hopes for the future of the podcast. Tatiana still listens to Heaux Tales every day; Blake celebrates Meghan...
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The Jubilee of Juneteenth
On June 17th, 2021, Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the day all enslaved people in The United States were freed following the Civil War. The Slate of Affairs team dedicates this episode to the celebration of Juneteenth! Since being gone, Tatiana...
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Outtakes TAKE TWO!
Do you ever wonder what gets left out of the final cut? While the Slate of Affairs teams takes care of some business, enjoy this blunderful outtakes episode. We will be back in your feeds on Friday with a very special episode celebrating Juneteenth! Blake refuses to let Tatiana finish her lines;...
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Pride EXPLORED with Huan He
PRIDE month is HERE and NOW! In the absence of our resident questioning queen, the Slate of Affairs team is joined by our special guest Huan He. The team explores the genesis of PRIDE, critiques PRIDE in the modern-day, and explores pride on a personal level. Blake applauds Naomi Osaka; Huan...
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Talks the TikTok
Amidst a global pandemic, people from all over the world have turned to the social media app TikTok! The Slate of Affairs team discusses the phenomenal rise of the app, the benefits, and the bland. Blake celebrates the redistribution of police funds in San Francisco; Tatiana thirsts over a...
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Abolition EXPLAINED with Professor Alisa Bierria
As police violence continues to surge and mass incarceration plagues our communities, people call for the abolition of police and prisons. Tatiana sits down with Professor Alisa Bierria, a professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California Riverside, to discuss the...
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Keeping It 100
And on the 100th day, Biden gave us vaccines! It has been 100 days since Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were inaugurated, occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The Slate of Affairs team dives into the highs and lows of the first 100 days and expresses what they expect to see from this administration…
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Going for the Gold!
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO! The 93rd Academy Awards took place this past weekend with some of the most diverse nominations in history. The Slate of Affairs team gets into the historic wins of the night and obviously gets into the fashion. Blake campaigns for LeVar Burton to be the permanent host of...
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Cannabuss' It Open
Happy 4/20, y'all! Weed the people at Slate of Affairs speak the truth on the grassroots of cannabis and the fast-changing culture surrounding the bud! The team discusses the negative stigmas surrounding marijuana use, government regulation, and our experiences with cannabis. Blake questions the...
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Sweeping Up with the Kardashians
Last week a member of the Kardashian/Jenner collective broke the internet, AGAIN! An unedited photo of Khloe Kardashian was posted on Instagram, prompting the Kardashian legal team to burst into action, removing the image from all corners of the internet. The Slate of Affairs team examines social...
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The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Georgia is on the minds of the Slate of Affairs team! On March 25th, Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp, signed into law a 98-page measure placing numerous voting restrictions in the state. The legislation was met with much contempt from Georgians and organizers on the ground. This week the Slate of...
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Once Upon a Daytime in Studio City
SHAROOOOOON! CBS Studios' the Talk is on an indefinite hiatus following intense backlash cohost Sharon Osbourne has received regarding her treatment of fellow cohost Sheryl Underwood. The Slate of Affairs teams dives into a conversation surrounding accountability and racial inequality in...
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A Most Turbulent Year
The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards were held this past weekend, and we are covering it all in What's Happening! In our Headline segment, the Slate of Affairs team reflects on an entire year of living in the COVID-19 pandemic, pondering the prospects of 2021. Blake celebrates Black cinema; Tatiana…
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Bloop (There It Is)
Finally, it's happened to me! 2/3 of the Slate of Affairs team finds themselves in the trenches with finals week at UCR/UCSB! Given the heavy academic load, we've arranged a special blooper episode for you. Sit back and listen to the outtakes, the blunders, and the bloopers. Blake considers…
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In the Name of AAPI Solidarity with Huan He
This week, the Slate of Affairs team discusses the importance of solidarity amongst marginalized communities. Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities have faced a stark increase in violence this past year. Daniel interviews Huan He, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Southern...
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Cruz Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Texas is in the midst of a climate catastrophe, leaving communities devastated without leadership. The Slate of Affairs team discusses the various dynamics at play, examining the state's lack of leadership. Pinche Ted Cruz! Slate of Affairs also celebrates the 30th episode of the pod! Blake...
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Black History THEN + NOW with Dr. Jill M. Humphries
Black History Month is here, and Black excellence continues! This week, Blake interviews Dr. Jill M. Humphries, professor of Africana Studies at the University of Toledo, discussing the Black history of past and present. Blake celebrates the newest addition to the royal family; Tatiana talks of a...
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Valentine's '21: Crazy, Stupid, Self-Love
LOVE is in the air! The Slate of Affairs team plays the dating game and talks about radical forms of love, honoring the Valentine’s Day spirit. The team also covers Super Bowl '21! Tatiana picks an eligible bachelor, Blake is#teamwhiteroses, and Daniel is reading us novels (non-romantic) in...
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Black History NOW
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH! To kick off the month, The Slate of Affairs team talks about their Black history experiences in K-12 education and their personal lives. Blake celebrates Cicely Tyson's legacy. Tatiana is NOT here for the Cheaper By the Dozen remake. Daniel praises the queen of subtle...
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The Capitol Hill We Climb
Inauguration 2021! Let’s get loud! The historic inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris brought us hope and hilarity. The moments! The coats! The memes! The performances? Blake lives for Chloe x Halle’s Bussit challenge, Tatiana slips up and confuses two legendary divas, and Daniel is stans...
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You Down with P.I.C.? Yeah, You Better Not Be
This past week the federal government executed the only female inmate on death row, Lisa Montgomery. The Slate of Affairs team has a difficult conversation about the Prison Industrial Complex and mass incarceration in the United States. Tatiana is thrilled about Malcolm & Marie. Blake celebrates...
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It's All Down Capitol Hill From Here with Edward Castle
Coup! There it is! This week the Slate of Affairs team covers insurrection on Capitol Hill. We welcome our special guest, artist Edward Castle, to help explain the caucasity. Blake praises Jazmine Sullivan’s Tiny Desk performance. Tatiana is HERE for Saweetie’s Best Friend. Daniel applauds…
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Vaccine and Heard with Keni Lasitani
Happy New Year! Slate of Affairs is back! After a short holiday break, the team is here to discuss the current events surrounding COVID-19 and vaccine distribution, interviewing our FIRST guest on the pod. Blake celebrates his own Black excellence, Tatiana has some demands for the new year, and...
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New Year, Same Three!
Goodbye 2020! Hello 2021! Slate of Affairs will be back with a brand new episode on Tuesday, January 5th. We look forward to bringing you something fresh for future episodes with interviews and special guests. Happy new year! See you next Tuesday!
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The Recap Episode
ISSA RECAP! 2020 has been a year filled with historical moments. It was the year of the worst global pandemic in modern history, the year of historic elections, and it was the year we brought the pod to the people! The Slate of Affairs team recaps the year that seemed never-ending and speaks...
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The Christmas Episode
The holidays are among us, and The Slate of Affairs team is celebrating and reminiscing! This week they talk about all things holiday traditions and favorites. Blake emphasizes the importance of presentation, Tatiana shares her Spotify streams, and Daniel HAS NEVER SEEN HOW THE GRINCH STOLE...
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The Grammys Episode
With the 2021 Grammy nominations just released, the Slate of Affairs team project the winners and close seconds, discuss the controversial nomination process, and talk about those snubbed this year. Blake is well ahead on holiday spirits, Tatiana calls out the latest Supreme Court decision, and...
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The Thanks(?)Giving Episode
With Thanksgiving around the corner, the Slate of Affairs team discusses the historical truth behind the holiday and what the holidays mean to them personally. Blake STANS Megan Thee Stallion, Tatiana reveals she may subscribe to Onlyfans, and Daniel does not like turkey…and…
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The Diversity Episode
Media companies have been pledging to represent more diversity in their works. This week, the team discusses what they would like to see happen with diversity in entertainment. Blake gives a shoutout to Blue Ivy, Tatiana has an epiphany over Rihanna, and Daniel celebrates Cori Bush’s…
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The Election Episode
This week the 2020 Election ended in history being made with the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The team discusses what this win means for them and what this means for the country. Blake celebrates the new faces in politics, Tatiana enjoys Leslie Jones on Twitter, and Daniel is watching...
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The Halloween Episode
With Halloween right around the corner, the team reminisces over their favorite Halloween memories and encourages everyone to celebrate with safety in mind! Blake praises the queen of reality television, Tatiana shows support towards Amber Rose, and Daniel expresses his more ominous side. Stay...
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The Affordable Care Episode
The Supreme Court is tasked with the responsibility of making monumental decisions that shape the country. The constitutionality of The Affordable Care Act will soon be one of those. The team discusses their views on universal healthcare. Blake lends support to John Legend and Chrissy Teigen,...
About this show
Slate of Affairs is a podcast dedicated to critical conversations about pop culture and politics brought to you by Black and brown voices. Lived and IN COLOR! Join hosts Tatiana Sterling, Blake Gardner, and Daniel Huecias every other Tuesday for a brand new episode.
Hosted by
Slate of Affairs