Episodes
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Shared Roots: Humanity, the Foundation of Kindness
After five months away from the microphone, sisters Audrey and Melannie are back, catching up and returning to what matters most. The world is chaotic. So much is happening at once that everything is out of focus, and kindness is getting lost in the noise. So the sisters go back to our shared...
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Sacred Work, Compromised Standards: The Qualifications, the Process, and the Answers Department of Commerce Owes Us About The Reparations Study
Note: Sister Melannie is on the mic solo in this episode. Sister Audrey is on a wellness break. The story continues — and what you are witnessing is relentless coverage of one of the most consequential accountability conversations happening in Washington State right now. Sit down and get...
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Our Sacred Work: The Milk Ain’t Clean
You can put new curtains on the windows, light a candle, and set the table real nice — but if the milk ain’t clean, everything you pour it into is spoiled. Washington State made history when it funded the Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Reparations Study — only the fourth statewide...
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Black History, Black Futures: A Conversation with Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland
This episode of What Say U? is a whole experience — rich, spirited, and full of that unmistakable energy that happens when three Black women sit down together with purpose. The Sisters welcome Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland for a conversation that is equal parts truth‑telling, celebration, and...
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Community, Accountability & Policing: A Conversation with LAAPAC
In this episode, the Sisters talk with Ria J Johnson-Covington of the Lakewood African American Police Accountability Committee (LAAPAC) about community safety, accountability, and building stronger relationships between Lakewood’s African American community and the Lakewood Police Department....
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When the System Shows Its Hand: Sacred Work, Shady Process
Okay family, pull up a chair because we need to talk. Washington State recently became the third state in America to fund a reparations study for African Americans, and it should be a moment to celebrate. The Legislature allocated $300,000 in seed funding, and the Washington Equity Now Alliance —…
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Finding Purpose After Work: Sisters in Conversation
Are you retired, laid off, or simply in transition? This episode is for YOU. The sisters dive into a dynamic and heartfelt conversation about creating a fulfilling life after work—on your terms. Discover how to embrace this new chapter with purpose, passion, and joy. From volunteering to lifelong...
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Unintended Racism: A Lesson Learned
Guest: Marguerite Martin, Entrepreneur, Social Influencer, and alumna of the American Leadership Forum Tacoma/Pierce County Senior Fellows Program with Melannie In this honest and brave conversation, Melannie, Audrey, and Marguerite explore a moment from a leadership workshop where Marguerite...
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Kindness TRUMPS All!
After some time away from the mic, sisters Audrey and Melannie return with a powerful episode that’s part personal journey, part revolutionary challenge. Episode Highlights Personal Updates & Testimony The sisters catch up on their life journeys since the last recording one year ago, with Audrey...
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Mom Alean
This is a very special episode as sisters Audrey and Melannie celebrate their mother Alean’s 85th solar return. In the heartwarming and insightful conversation, Mom Alean joins her daughters in the studio to discuss her favorite topic: politics among many things. The discussion is candid, fun and...
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Speak “Truth” to The People: Elections, Justice, and Change
Sisters Audrey and Melannie reunite on the mic after being away for some time. They catch up on current events, specifically digging deep into the polarizing vibe around the national elections and impact on the minds of the people. They welcome special guest Carol Coleman Mitchell, founder and…
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Havin’ Our Say: A Conversation With Black Women Leaders in the Washington State House of Representatives
Sister Melannie, also known as Peace Queen, is solo on the mic as Sister Audrey continues her radical healing journey! Please send your prayers and good vibes! In this episode, Peace Queen delves into what it truly means to lead, advocate, and thrive as a Black woman in political leadership. She...
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Episode 63—All About the Good Trouble!
Production Note: Sister Melannie is on the mic solo. Sister Audrey continues her healing journey. Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., who is widely known as “Dr. Diversity” joins Melannie to unveil their exciting new collaboration at Pacific Lutheran University within the Continuing Education Department....
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Episode 62: Anti-Blackness
In a thought-provoking conversation, Melannie discusses the critical issue of Anti-Black racism and Anti-Blackness with author and truth-teller Dante King, alongside Rev. Brandy Renée McMurry from the Spiritual Care team at the University of California San Francisco. They draw attention to the...
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Episode 61—Run Kizzy, RUN! The Emancipation of Dr. Karen Johnson
Dr. Karen Johnson, the first-ever Director of the Washington State Office of Equity, was abruptly terminated by Governor Jay Inslee on May 17, 2023. This decision caused a significant fallout, leaving huge numbers of individuals feeling bewildered, hurt, enraged, and emotionally shattered. In…
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Episode 60—Emancipation Celebration: Freedom is a Mindset!
Sisters Audrey and Melannie joyfully return to the microphone after an extended absence. During their time away, significant events have unfolded in the world, as well as in their personal lives. This episode serves as an honest reflection on the challenges, struggles, and “darkness” that caused...
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Episode 59—It’s the System
In this episode, the sisters talk about Tyre Nichols and the sadly familiar circumstances of his murder. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 58—The People’s Gathering
Guest host Bishop Gwendolyn Phillips Coates joins Sister Melannie in conversation with Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. Dr. Moore is the founder of the White Privilege Conference and the White Privilege Institute. He joins the conversation to discuss his upcoming presentation at The People’s Gathering: A...
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Episode 57—The World is a Ghetto
Inspired by the 1972 song The World Is a Ghetto” recorded by the band War, Melannie and Audrey cover a variety of topics in their “keepin’ it real” fashion relevant to their personal development and growth.
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Episode 56—The Antidote to White Supremacy Culture is Black JOY
Sisters Audrey and Melannie unite on the microphone after several weeks away. They catch listeners up on what’s been happening with them which leads to their emotional discussion about the “toll” Black people pay existing in White Supremacist Culture. Their conversation is raw and unapologetic....
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Episode 55—The Divided States of America
What will it take for America to unite on banning assault weapon purchases by individual citizens? The sisters share their perspectives; as always, keeping it real! Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 54—What White Women Said & A New Way to Learn
The Sisters chat with Christine Harrison, Melannie’s White Woman friend who recently completed her doctoral research on White Women Teaching in majority-Black and Brown Classrooms. Christie shares the concept of her study and findings. In the second half-hour, the Sisters and Dr. Harrison are...
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Episode 53—Desperate Racists: The Tide Is Shifting
As more and more “everyday people” choose to opt-out of the racist system this country was built upon, the die-hard racists are showing their desperate ways. Join the sisters as they discuss examples of what that desperation looks like, both nationally and locally. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 52—White Peoples’ Mess (formerly known as “Caucasity”)
The Sisters breakdown a broader term to describe the behavioral actions of whiteness – examples are explored. Links “Karen” Meltdown in Victoria’s Secret updates about Breonna Taylor Channel 253 membership
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Episode 51—Revelations: the Mashup
Listen in as Melannie shares her experience from attending the 2022 National White Privilege Conference. The sisters discuss the various revelations that resulted. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 38 (encore): Caucasity
This encore episode discusses the concept of Caucasity: the audacity of white people. Meaning, the willingness to take bold risks only white people feel safe doing. Join the Sisters as they provide recent examples of their lived experiences with caucasity in the workplace and their strategies to...
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Episode 50—”Firsts” with Ben Kweku-ldun
In this episode of What say U? the sisters talk “firsts” with Ben Kweku-ldun, owner of the Elmina Bay Resort in Ghana, West Africa; Melanie on location in Ghana and sister Audrey from her home in Tacoma. Ben blazed a trail of “firsts” as an executive and board member of prestigious organizations…
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Episode 49—”Black in Blue” with Carmen Best
This episode, the Sisters are joined by former Seattle Chief of Police Carmen Best to discuss her recent book “Black in Blue,” leadership as a woman of color, and policing. Links Black in Blue Channel 253 membership
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Episode 4 (Encore): Living While Black
In this special “encore,” we revisit Episode 4, Living While Black, where the sisters discuss situations where white people call the police on black people and offer recommendations on how the situation can be avoided. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 48—Walking The Talk: A White Woman’s Testimony
Join the sisters in a refreshing conversation with Christine Schwyn Harrison, a white woman who is on an intentional journey living as an anti-racist. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 47—Critical Race Theory: Can You Handle The Truth?
Critical Race Theory (CRT) – what exactly does that mean? The sisters welcome Dr. Amy Young, Professor of Communication & Chair of the Department of Communication at Pacific Lutheran University, as she deconstructs what CRT is and isn’t. If you want to get woke(er), this is for you! Links The...
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Episode 46—How soon we forget
The sister reflect on how soon we forget significant events such as police-related homicides and more. (Recorded right before the twentieth anniversary of September 11.) Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 45—The Air We Breathe: Understanding White Supremacy Culture
Sisters Audrey and Melannie unpack the characteristics of White Supremacy Culture and how it shows up in daily life. They share examples of recent experiences engaging with it and urban wisdom on how to navigate it all. Links White Supremacy Culture Characteristics (.pdf) Cycle of Socialization…
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Episode 44—Where “Rights” begin and “Privilege” ends!
The sisters discuss how exercising one’s “right” to not wear a mask or get the COVID vaccine directly correlates to the loss of privilege (and lives). Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 43—White Can Do Right
The sisters tackle the question of “good white people” and how white can do right. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 41—Black Lives Matter: Ask The Expert
Sakara Remmu, Chief Strategist for the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance, brings background, knowledge, intel and receipts on the Manuel Ellis murder conviction update AND Pierce County Sherrif, Ed Troyer’s journey to accountability for his EGREGIOUS caucastic behavior. Links Channel 253...
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Episode 40—It’s 2021… Do You Know Your Teenager?
Sisters Melannie and Audrey are joined by 14-year-old Jalean, their granddaughter and great niece (respectively)! Girlfriend is spilling generation Z “tea” about what your teens may be thinking. Don’t miss out on this truth-tellin’ episode… even if your “baby” ain’t a teen… yet! Links Channel 253...
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Episode 39—The Mashup Episode – So much to say, So little time!
In their unique style, listen in on the Sisters’ journey with the COVID vaccine, C-suite commitment to anti-racism, police accountability and reform (nationally and locally) and their “living while black” perspective on other recent events. Links Channel 253 membership Lavender Rights Project
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Episode 38—Caucasity in the Workplace
Caucasity is the audacity of white people. Meaning, the willingness to take bold risks only white people feel safe doing. Join the Sisters as they provide recent examples of their lived experiences with caucasity in the workplace and their strategies to combat it. Links Caucasity Supreme Channel...
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Episode 37—Black Lives Matter! – What’s The Problem?
Black and brown people continue to be murdered by police across America. George Floyd is on trial for killing himself rather than Derrick Chauvin (the Minneapolis police officer who actually murdered him). The Sisters discuss why there is STILL debate, by many, about the declaration – Black Lives...
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Episode 36—Why You Do That?
Pierce County Sheriff, Ed Troyer is facing extreme pressure to resign after he claimed a Black newspaper delivery driver threatened his life. He later changed his story. The “receipts,” evidenced by the 911 recording and his official statement to the police, are in vast contradiction. In other...
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Episode 35—How Did We Get So “Twisted Up” About Racism Anyway?
The sisters go deep to understand why racism is what it is and how it continues to disease our communities. They examine their concerns through the academic lens of cycles of socialization and liberation then translate the meaning in their own “urban” way. This is real talk ya’ll. Links Cycle of...
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Episode 34—COVID-19 (Do a personal analysis!)
What are you willing to sacrifice to save Human Lives? The sisters discuss individual choices people make during the pandemic that may contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Are these personal choices contributing to life… or death? You decide. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 33—Resurrection of Love
Sisters Audrey and Melannie discuss strategies for people to have crucial conversations with family members, co-workers or anyone that is different from them, centered in love, for the purpose of accelerating the anti-racist movement. Links Crucial Conversations Channel 253 membership
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Episode 32—Desperate Times
Join the Sisters as they discuss the depth of “caucasity” that led to the INSURRECTION (the egregious attack on American democracy) at the nation’s capitol building. Links South Sound Anti-Racist Project Caucasity Urban Dictionary Definition Antebellum Trailer Channel 253 membership
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Episode 31—Lead with Love in 2021
Sisters Audrey and Melannie welcome the New Year with an inspirational discussion about the power of leading with LOVE as the way forward in 2021. Links Channel 253 membership
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Episode 30—Mommy knows best
The sisters share the mic with their mother, Alean Cunningham. This inspirational discussion is centered in generational experiences, knowledge and the wisdom she passed on that is the foundation of shaping them into the women they are today. Links Channel 253 membership
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does What Say U? have?
What Say U? currently has 80 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is What Say U? about?
Real Sisters, Real Talk
How often does What Say U? release new episodes?
What Say U? has 80 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to What Say U??
You can listen to What Say U? on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts What Say U??
What Say U? is created and hosted by Channel 253.
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