The Masks We Wear

In this special episode of The Masks We Wear, journalist Taylor Crumpton speaks about her path from social work into journalism, beginning during the first Trump administration and later shifting into music and cultural criticism as a way to decompress while still treating pop culture as inherently political. Taylor discusses burnout for Black journalists, newsroom training and mentorship, and the current collapse of mainstream media through layoffs, while highlighting the rise of journalist-led independent outlets and the need to demand more from institutions. She shares key influences, career highlights, artists she hopes to interview, and goals for a hip-hop feminist legacy.Connect with Taylor on Instagram @taylorcrumpton and check out her portfolio: https://www.taylorcrumpton.com/(00:00) - Welcome(00:18) - Taylor’s Journey(02:12) - From Politics to Music Writing(04:10) - Journalism Under Attack(07:25) - AI and Industry Advice(09:01) - Influences and Career Highlights(12:35) - Dream Interviews and Artists(15:26) - Finding Your Voice(17:54) - Boundaries and Ethics(25:34) - Objectivity Is a Myth(29:00) - Hip Hop’s Gone MAGA(32:26) - Legacy and Women in Media(36:01) - 10 Albums(37:59) - Final Thoughts

In Part 2, journey with me as I connect with professionals, educators, parents, and creatives who walk us through some novel approaches to facing up to the reality -- both what it is and what it isn't -- of neurodiversity. Special Thanks to Dr. Nora EkeanyaDr. Jeff GardereReverend Tamera KabembaVaughan HarrisonDavid F. WalkerMusic CreditsLofi Chill by DELOSound from Pixbay Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=2kN6HNEYc0TK_PNe"Take it slow" by tomhhttps://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=fyG9urNIYL0Fcble

In Part 1, we'll explore how neurodiversity is portrayed in the media, masking, the societal pressures behind those facades, and politics. Special thanks to: Tomar Alexander The Different Spectrums Podcast Kenneth Mims Dr. Michelle Meyer Bendita C. Malakia Andrew Robinson Music CreditsLofi Chill by DELOSound from Pixbay Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=2kN6HNEYc0TK_PNeVoices by Rexlambo  https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=RrHYOZGO1Mugu8Kv

This episode explores how celebrities and public figures — often idolized or scrutinized — wear emotional masks to hide their pain, trauma, or inner turmoil. We dig into the pressures of fame, toxic perfectionism, public opinion, and the toll it takes on mental health. By looking at real-world figures and fictional parallels, we create a dialogue around visibility, vulnerability, and the cost of hiding behind an image. GuestsKelsey Russell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelscruss/ Pervis Taylor III https://www.pervistaylor.com Special thanks to Genesis Powell and Racquel Benjamin too!Music CreditsVoices by Rexlambo https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=T6YXMGb0BcENFXsf “Take it slow” by Tomh https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=bBNTCyi6qujZy7ak “Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=UgIi8lNtP_Npg9kz

Sometimes the hardest story to rewrite... is our own. Join me and Relando Thompkins-Jones as we unmask and rewrite origin stories. Whether we’re healing from trauma, shaking off labels the world put on us, or finally seeing ourselves with fresh eyes—rewriting an origin story is an act of resistance, an act of liberation.My episode on Social Justice Origin Stories: https://youtu.be/-GxD-HCS8SI?si=gh-vr22erOlVhAoQFollow Relando for more! Website: ⁠https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories⁠Instagram:  ⁠@SocialJusticeOriginStories ⁠Music Credits: "Take it slow" by Tomh.https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=aqNLogvKVlTwG0hHhttps://hypeddit.com/tomhwavCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Music promoted by Audio Library "Voices" by Rexlambo https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=-n8mOdAmyLYICMv2 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Music promoted by Audio Library:

In this episode, I speak with music artist and comic book creator, BAYANI about his personal journey and identity. We explore what it means to rep your culture like a banner and how to fight bigotry with creativity and voice.

In this episode, we’ll explore how societal forces—such as trauma, oppression, injustice, and neglect—can shape individuals into the so-called “villains” of our world. We’ll analyze how pop culture, politics, and comic books reflect these ideas, showcasing characters who were pushed into villainy by their circumstances rather than being inherently evil. Are these individuals truly the masterminds of their own downfall or simply victims of a system that failed them? This discussion will not only touch on fiction but reflect on real-world stories of individuals who were labeled as “monsters” by society—yet, when we look closer, we see the deeper systemic and psychological roots of their actions. Kwanza Osajyefohttps://blackmaskstudios.com/category/creators/kwanza-osajyefo/ Dr. Judith Halaszhttps://webapps.newpaltz.edu/directory/profile/judithhalasz  Dr. Scott T. Allison https://psychology.richmond.edu/faculty/sallison/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-we-need-heroes/202205/the-monomyth-of-the-villain. Music Credits Prod. Dosis Beats https://youtu.be/RNn4hEm_B0Y?si=T-1-Ue2cQxIThDpB  NK Music https://youtu.be/tGpypPiPbVE?si=hWl3nWhz4zhUnl7i  dozu beats x unfacedhttps://youtu.be/UGbxCDNhP0c?si=vK3-fSBywEewDsFv   Prod. Noah Samuelhttps://youtu.be/CyJZI3dIx60?si=wg7JIors4JtbOXe3 Prod. Riddiman https://youtu.be/SZdEtGBxY0U?si=2AaD3uw4eqLDq8HP 

We’re diving into men’s mental health and how the “superhero complex” impacts the way men see themselves. We’ll explore how fictional icons grapple with trauma, masculinity, and the burden of always having to be strong.  Joining us are Adhim DeVeaux (creator of the comic, "The Unforgiving Scruff") and Dr. Keith Edwards (author of "Unmasking Toward Authentic Masculinity") for profound conversations on men’s mental health and unmasking. This episode breaks down the myths about what it means to be a man. Because true strength isn’t about suppressing pain—it’s about facing it.  Adhim DeVeaux & “The Unforgiving Scruff” https://thescruffcomic.com/    Dr. Keith Edwards https://keithedwards.com/   Resources Express Yourself Black Man https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/The Mankind Projecthttps://mankindproject.org/ HeadsUpGuys https://headsupguys.org/ The Weight Room  https://thebbweightroom.com/ EVRYMAN  https://evryman.com/members-page/  Recommended podcasts for men: https://www.notquitezen.co/post/mental-health-podcasts-for-men/ Music Credits  NK Music  https://youtu.be/tGpypPiPbVE?si=hWl3nWhz4zhUnl7i  Prod. dozu beats x unfaced https://youtu.be/UGbxCDNhP0c?si=vK3-fSBywEewDsFv Pink - smooth chill rnb type beat - “slow down”  https://youtu.be/O3aFCjZIv_s?si=4-ZgCgPU4-35j8mn

In our first episode, we dive deep into the masks we put on every day—the ones we use to hide our pain, protect ourselves, and navigate a world that doesn’t always see us for who we truly are. I share my own story as someone who has wrestled with identity, mental health, and the struggle to belong.   Through a mix of personal narrative, honest conversations, live discussion, storytelling through comics and anime; we explore the weight of expectation, the scars we carry, and how the masks we wear can be both terrifying and freeing.  Music Credits: Prod. DOZU x unfaced NK Music