UnLearned
by Katherine and Bill
UnLearned is a bi-weekly podcast focused on unlearning harmful narratives taught to us about blackness, womanhood, sexuality, and religion. Through our show, we hope to deconstruct these power structures and to create a space of relearning. As we share our stories, we hope that you will share yours. Together we can show that blackness means many things, that it is comprised of many stories, and that many voices make our choir.
Episodes
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Episode 79: Anti-Vaxxers and the Tuskegee Experiment
It’s a two for one! Kat and Billie talk about the public health crisis caused by anti-vaxxers while somehow, very loosely linking it to the Tuskegee Experiment. The post Episode...
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Episode 78: February 30th
Billie is taking back February’s lost days while him and Kat share hot takes on hot trash such as Michael Cohen, R. Kelly and Jussie Smollett’s bizarre attack. The post Episode 78: February 30th...
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Episode 77: Hotep Yo Life Up
Kat and Billie wrap up Black History month by discussing the contradictions of the Hotep movement and having a solid laugh while doing it. The post Episode 77: Hotep Yo Life Up appeared first on <a...
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Episode 76: Transracial Transgressions
Can a person be transracial? Can one feel that they were born the wrong race? The answer is no. Kat and Billie explains why. The post Episode 76: Transracial Transgressions appeared first...
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Episode 75: Toxic Masculinity, Take Two
Kat and Billie basically have one long Ya’ll Trying It about men and toxic masculinity. The post Episode 75: Toxic Masculinity, Take Two appeared first on <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 74: Burned to the Ground
We recap some of the worst moments of the year, learn about Black Wall Street and discuss cannibalism because we are living in the darkest timeline. Happy Holidays! The post Episode 74: Burned to...
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Episode 73: Eat the Rich!
This is what happens when you put Billie in front of a hot mic and ask him to discuss capitalism. The post Episode 73: Eat the Rich! appeared first on <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 72: Kill the Indian, Save the Man
We are back in time for your uncomfortable family Thanksgiving! We start the episode discussing the midterm elections, we learn about Native American Boarding Schools and finish with some Slay or Nay. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 71: Consent is Sexy
It has been a rough week for women. Kat and Bill talk about it and are ready to burn the patriarchy and rape culture to the ground. The post Episode 71: Consent is Sexy appeared first on <a...
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Episode 70: Unknowingly Wild
Kat and Bill start the episode with “This week in law enforcement” where they discuss cops who are really criminals. The then dive into the Incel movement and toxic masculinities. They end the episode with Black Girl Magic, White Boy Tragic, US Open edition. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 69: Y’all Trying It Minisode
Bill and Kat rant about their beef with People’s Gas in a special edition of Y’all Trying It. The post Episode 69: Y’all Trying It Minisode appeared first on <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 68: Back to Africa
In today’s episode, Willie Lynch’s letter is debunked, Kat and Bill talk about the concept of moving to Africa and the general litness of Black culture. The post Episode 68: Back to Africa appeared...
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Episode 67: A Little Shifty
Kat and Bill begin with the Summer Edition of Slay or Nay. They then go into the infamous but possible fictional Willie Lynch speech of 1712. They end the show with a new segment called Nappy Hair, Don’t Care where they just straight up talk about Black hair… deal with it. Read Willie Lynch’s...
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Episode 66: You’re Never Getting Your Money
Bill and Kat begins the episode with Y’all Trying It where they discuss two companies that are run by jerks. Bill is puzzled with Kat’s love of nature. Even though our lives feel like a daily dumpster fires, we can still find a thing or two to appreciate. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 65: Friendshipping UnLearned
Kat and Bill join Jenn and Trin in answering your friendship questions. The post Episode 65: Friendshipping UnLearned appeared first on <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 64: Republicans’ Personal Stylist
Kat and Bill start the episode with the newer segment Y’all Trying It where they go in on Bill Clinton, the no reach pouch and conservatives canceling their Netflix accounts. They then go in on these deplorable child interment camps and those implicit in allowing/defending them. They finish up...
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Episode 63: Mixed Metaphors, Mixed Women
Kat and Bill do a short and sweet episode for Memorial Day. They discuss the little know Black treasure, the Negro Motorist Green Handbook, that allowed Black motorist to safely road trip around the country in Jim Crow America. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 62: Illegality of Blackness
Kat and Bill ditch the segments and spend the whole show discussing the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850’s influence on modern day policing and the not so recent epidemic of white people calling the police on black people for simply existing. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 61: People Be Wilin’
Kat and Bill discuss Bill Cosby’s conviction, Kanye’s journey into the sunken zone and Janelle Monae’s glorious coming out. In the main segment, they discuss the consequences of being Black in White spaces and finish discussing the first Black female soldier, Cathay Williams. The post <a...
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Episode 60: Defiant Trespassing
Kat and Bill introduce a new segment Breathing While Black where we talk about black people just trying to live. They then go into gender identity, queer misogyny and gender policing. They later honor Alice H. Parker for her invention that paved the way for central heating. The post <a...
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Episode 59: The Grind
In honor of spring, Kat and Bill discuss the progress of this year’s goals in Slay or Nay. They then talk about rethinking the 9 to 5 and pros and cons of the gig economy. Can we change what work looks like within our generation? They finish by celebrating Black Women’s History month by...
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Episode 58: Rethinking Family Structures
Kat and Bill discuss the importance of voting and explore different family structures. Is the heteronormative American ideal of a husband, wife and 2.5 kids outdated? They also feature Navajo activist Annie Dodge Wauneka for Women’s History month. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 57: The N Word
Kat and Bill tackles the most infamous racial slur in the American vocabulary. Is it ok for white people and other non black people of color to use? Is there a difference between using it maliciously and just singing along with your favorite Kanye song? Also featured in this episode, Best Things...
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Episode 56: This Radical Sincerity Thing
In this episode, Kat and Bill bring back slay or nay because accountability matters.They dive into their feels on the opioid crisis and praise the hustle of Madam CJ Walker who continues to inspire us to live our dreams. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 55: Black Ass History Month
In this episode, Kat and Bill request that people keep pussy hats off of Harriet Tubman’s Harlem statue, stop acting like they don’t understand the concept of colorism and provide us with reparations. This episode begins a very exciting Black Ass History Month. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 54: Steaming Hot Takes
Kat forgot to turn on Bill’s mic for the first 10 mins of the episode. She tried to fix in post production so please refrain from dragging her on audio quality. Kat and Bill introduce a new segment: Hot Takes on Hot Trash where they let loose on the current events. Kat then demands for … <a...
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Episode 53: Feel It and Fix It
Kat is joined by Bill Bullock to try and figure out why most people are uncomfortable with honesty and genuine conversations. They also discuss the new White House tell all, Fire and Fury, and try to figure out if Trump is moronic or maniacal. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 52: Truman to Trump
In this episode, Kat explores to ignorance and incompetency of Harry Truman and how we may be doomed to repeat our past. This episode is sponsored by Overcast The post Episode 52: Truman to Trump...
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Episode 51: Halloween Lost and Found
Kat found the lost Halloween episode! In it, Kat and Sharlene discuss the new Marsha P Johnson Netflix documentary. Later, they reminisce Halloweens of past and present and the outlet it provides for queer identities. Lastly, they finish by talking about their favorite horror films. The...
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Episode 50: That’s My Purse, I Don’t Know You
Kat and Sharlene discuss the Penn State Paterno Riots of 2011 and try to figure out why they thought rioting was the right response. Next, they unpack rape culture and the recent attention on sexual harassment and assault. Lastly, they bring back Best Things where they admire Black Forest cake...
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Episode 49: Black Girls Abroad Encore
In honor of Kat’s journey to Thailand, she is doing an encore episode of Black Girls Abroad. Kat and Mesha recount their experiences traveling to other countries and how it helped shape their perception of America. Lastly, they remind you that cultures are not costumes and to be better this...
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Episode 48: Live from CPF, It’s UnLearned
UnLearned did a live show! Kat and guest host Marcelo discuss moving through the world in queer cis bodies of color. Thank you to the Chicago Podcast Festival for having us. The post Episode 48: Live...
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Episode 47: People Need Tune Ups Too
This week in politics: Healthcare is hard, Maxine Waters is a shining star and everyone us is mediocre. Main Segment: Kat and guest host Maryam discuss the impact of colonization and repeated trauma in communities of color. Remember, you can go to therapy simply because you want to. Black Girl...
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Episode 46: Femme Fatality
Season 3 starts now! Kat is back at it again with the help of her friends. Slay or Nay returns with the vengeance. Kat and Julie discuss living and loving as femme identified queer women. Kat goes on a rant outlining why your fave, Chris Columbus, is problematic. Come see UnLearned live! You can...
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Episode 45: Expect Nothing, Appreciate Everything
It’s the end of the season and Mesha and Kat have senioritis! They freestyle the episode and discussed all things trash. Mesha explores her conflicting feelings about Kelly Ann Conway while Kat strives to become a carefree black girl. The post <a rel="nofollow"...
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Episode 44: Getting Them Hands
This is the last episode before the season finale! Kat and Mesha start off the show with Slay or Nay where Mesha is killing it in the fitness and nutrition game. They then take deep dives into their past to analyze how their youth impacted their ability to love, be loved and express...
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Episode 43: Are Millennials Too Sensitive?
This week in science: Kat and Mesha discuss the March for Science and why you should be good to your mother… mother earth. In their main topic, they try to figure out whether millennials are too sensitive. At a party? Hear someone say something racist/homophobic/ableist/sexist? Is it worth it to...
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Episode 42: Daytime Pondering Minisode
Kat and Mesha try to figure out how a spouse can be considered a family member when you have a romantic relationship. They also ponder the relationship between street harassment and gender performance through clothing. They spotlight US Rep Maxine Waters and her general slayage. The post...
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Episode 41: Building On Your Progress
Mesha high key shames Kat in this month’s slay or nay. They then attempt to understand how their past has contributed to their negative emotions around food and fitness. Finally, they feature Jessamyn Stanley, a body positive, plus sized black fitness queen that shows us that every body is a...
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Episode 40: Late Night Thoughts Minisode
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Black Women’s History Month! April will be jam packed with features of some awesome Black women you may not know about. In this special minisode, Kat responds to listener’s comments on whether Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was transphobic in a recent...
Topics in this show
About this show
UnLearned is a bi-weekly podcast focused on unlearning harmful narratives taught to us about blackness, womanhood, sexuality, and religion. Through our show, we hope to deconstruct these power structures and to create a space of relearning. As we share our stories, we hope that you will share yours. Together we can show that blackness means many things, that it is comprised of many stories, and that many voices make our choir.
Hosted by
Katherine and Bill