Black Pod Class

We had the honor of interviewing the fabulous Taz & MaRah from the amazing true crime podcast Sistas Who Kill. We learned about their production process, the show's amazing impact on the true crime genre and their journey into becoming podcasters. Enjoy!

In this captivating podcast episode, Zainat and Sierra, students of the Black Podclass, engage in an enlightening conversation with one of the hosts of the “Black Girl Charmed” podcast. Hosted by Peggy ‘Max’ Olson, a Trinidadian American, alongside her best friend Jonelle, the podcast delves into the nostalgic allure of the early 2000s hit "Charmed." Join the discussion as Zainat and Sierra uncover Peggy's initial fascination with "Charmed" and how the series resonated with her as a young black girl growing up. Peggy reflects on the evolution of her relationship with the show over the years, transitioning from a fan of its magic and sisterhood to a deeper appreciation of its thematic depth and representation. Sit back and enjoy as Peggy shares insights into the podcasters and influencers who have influenced her approach to podcasting, highlighting their unique styles and storytelling techniques. As a bonus, she offers her perspective on the reboot of "Charmed," analyzing its strengths and weaknesses compared to the original series.

The Black Podclass is joined by hosts Shay Payne and Briea Parks! In this episode, Shay and Briea, both accomplished black women in the nursing profession, share their insights and experiences working in the high-stakes environment of the Labor and Delivery Unit. Shay Payne brings her expertise as a seasoned labor and delivery nurse, with a passion for maternal health and patient advocacy. Briea Parks, equally dedicated to her profession, offers a unique perspective shaped by her years of experience in the field. Together, they navigate through the joys, challenges, and heartfelt moments encountered in their daily work, shedding light on the realities of labor and delivery nursing. Tune in as they share stories, provide valuable tips, and advocate for the well-being of both mothers and babies in "The Laborhood" podcast. A little bit more on their background, Shay is a certified Midwife from Greensboro, NC. In 2016, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Winston-Salem State University. As a nurse, she gained labor and delivery experience in high-risk obstetrics, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. For the next 2 years, she became captivated by holistic, low-intervention births. In 2019, she transitioned into a management role and excelled at a new Birthing Center in Winston-Salem, NC. It was there where she became a Certified Nurse in Inpatient Obstetrics and started her climb to Clinical Midwifery. Shay also has a Masters Degree in the Science of Nursing from Frontier Nursing University. Briea also is an alumnae from Winston-Salem State University, she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and a minor in psychology in 2015. After obtaining her degree, she began working as a cardiac telemetry nurse. In 2016, she became a labor and delivery nurse. In 2019, Briea transitioned to a leadership position where she became a charge nurse at a birthing center. In 2020, she received a Masters of Science in Nursing Leadership from Western Governors University. In 2021, she received a national certification in inpatient obstetric nursing. Now, she continues to work as a labor and delivery staff nurse and is a travel nurse.

In this episode, we explore the unique perspectives and insights offered by two remarkable hosts: Sadhana Jackson and Joseph Vivens of "First Off" and Joseph Vivens of "Wizarding Black Lit." Hosted by Inayat Jain, this podcast interview aims to highlight the significance of Blackrepresentation in media and entertainment through the lens of podcasting. Sadhana Jackson and Joseph Vivens, hosts of "First Off," brings her experiences as a parent navigatingthe complexities of raising children in contemporary society to the forefront of her podcast. Witha keen eye for insightful conversations, they explore the challenges and triumphs of parenthood,offering a refreshing take on familial dynamics. Joseph Vivens, the creative mind behind "Wizarding Black Lit," combines his passion for literature and Black culture to craft a podcast that celebrates Black voices in the realm ofmagical storytelling. Through captivating discussions, Joseph invites listeners to explore the rich tapestry of Black narratives within the fantasy genre.

Podcaster Bio:Dr. Reighan Gillam is a professor, podcaster, and author. Gillam holds a BA in Anthropology and Afro-American and African Studies from the University of Virginia, and a PhD from Cornell University. She has previously taught as an assistant professor of Anthropology at the University of Southern California and now at Dartmouth College. Her work delves into the intersection of racial ideologies, anti-racism, and protest, particularly focusing on Afro-Brazilianmedia production and its portrayal of Black experiences. Her newest book, "Visualizing Black Lives: Ownership and Control in Afro-Brazilian Media," explores these themes. The professor's next project, "Diasporic Agency: Transnational Racial Leverage and Challenges to Exceptionalism," examines Afro-Brazilian engagement with African American culture and politics. Dr. Gillam was elected to the Executive Committee of the Brazilian Studies Association and has received prestigious fellowships from institutions such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Mellon Foundation. In her role as host of the New Books Networkpodcast, she showcases academic works and contributes to public understanding of Black Studies, Media Studies, Latin American Studies, and Anthropology. She is dedicated toassisting students in their academic and career endeavors by providing courses on Black culture, visual culture, social movements, and the African Diaspora. Episode Summary:In this podcast interview, Lizzie and Anouchka discuss Dr. Gillam's academic background and what led her to the fields of Anthropology and Black studies. We also talked about how her background in Afro-Brazilian Media influences her current work as a professor and podcaster. Additionally, Dr.Gillam shares her journey from studying anthropology to becoming a podcaster and how she balances her various interests. Finally, this episode concludes with a discussion of Dr. Gillam's future endeavors and advice for aspiring scholars/podcasters interested in exploring topics related to anthropology, black culture, and media studies.

On this episode of the Black PodClass, Lily, Eric, and Andrew interviewed Corey Gumbs. Gumbs is an entrepreneur and podcast development strategist. He is the founder of the Black Podcasters Association, and owns Black Label Media. Episode Summary:This podcast episode covered plenty of topics relating to the struggles of podcasting and how to make the small changes to see big results. The episode’s special guest, Corey Gumbs provides all the insight you need to become a successful entrepreneur and podcaster in the newly formed, yet to be figured out, podcast industry. The key to it all is learning how to manage, maintain, and learn from the audience while providing the content that you want to produce. Finding your target audience and breaking down with yourself or your team on how you can be useful to that audience and find a way to value and monetize your content.

Have you ever wondered or told your best friend “We should start a podcast”? In this week’s episode, long-time best friends Franchesca Ramsey and De’Lon Grant of the “LemmeFix It” podcast spill the secret to hosting a podcast with your best friend—without it resulting in a falling out—while still juggling a personal life, self-care, multiple hobbies and jobs, and mental health. Ramsey and Grant are both multi-hyphenates in the entertainment industry with credits ranging from staff writer on the now (unjustly) canceled iCarly reboot to ensemble cast member in Tony Award-nominated Broadway musicals to supporting actor in various Hollywood TV and film productions, and much more. Inspired by conversations they’ve had during their frequenthours-long phone calls, each episode of“Lemme Fix It” centers around Ramsey and Grant taking TV shows, events, celebrities, movies, music, etc. from the early zeitgeist and rebranding, or “fixing” them for today’s world. Over 6 months and 32 episodes later, Ramsey and Grant’sfriendship—and podcast—is still thriving. Maybe it is possible to mix business with pleasure!–Keep up with “Lemme Fix It” on Instagram: @fixitpodFranchesca Ramsey: @chescaleighDe’Lon Grant: @thedelondotcom

In today’s episode, we have the honor of interviewing Nikesha Williams, host of Black & Published Podcast. Her podcast is one that delves into the journey of writers, poets and storytellers as they reflect on their writings and give insight into what the process looks like under the literature umbrella. Her platform is a source to amplify narrators who she feels are underrepresented, and she shines light on their accomplishments.  During this interview podcast, we talk a lot about her journey into podcasting, her recent publications with insight into what’s next, and her overall process into how her podcast is run. She has a very unique style as to how she operates her guest choosing process, she talks about that as well. 

M. Foss, better known as the TV Doctor, joins us to tell us all about herself and her podcast, The TV Doctor. TV critic by nature and nurture, works to “prescribe” us the very best show or episode to help us when we’re in need. With episodes ranging from prescribing tv treatments to healing homesickness, PTSD, and even iron deficiency. We asked many questions to M. Foss about her journey to becoming a podcaster, lessons she has learned in her production, show recommendations for her audience, and even her favorite show.

On this episode, David and Dylan interviewed Leslie and Lynne Streeter. Leslie and Lynn are co-hosts of the “Fine Beats and Cheeses'' podcast. They are sisters from Baltimore, Maryland with a passion and fascination for pop culture. Leslie is a University of Maryland graduate who nowworks as a columnist for the Baltimore Banner. Leslie is also the author of “Black Widow”, a story about her losing her husband with a spin of her own unique humor and storytelling on the topics of grief and loss. Lynne works as a playwright, actor, teaching artist, singer, director, andthe founder and artistic director of Building Better People Productions. In this episode we got Leslie and Lynn’s take on what a black podcast is and where they fall in the category. We also covered their background and influences that they use when making their own podcast. We even found out about some of their favorite pop culture moments and the impact they have on them today. You can listen to more of Lynne and Leslie’s pop culture conversations on their podcast “Fine Beats and Cheeses”.

Join the class discussion with this week’s episode of the Black Podclass with Candace Boyd Simmons of the “Black Girls Eating” podcast and Odochi Ibe and Maurice Licorish of “Black & Snerdy” podcast! Candace Boyd Simmons is a journalist, editor, host, digital consultant and co-host of the Black Girls Eating podcast. The podcast’s focus is to talk, educate, and advocate for justice, Black Girl Magic, and well-seasoned food. Odochi Ibe is a writer and expert in social justice, health and wellness, and documenting the human experience. Maurice Licorish is a stand up comic and writer. The two co-host the Black & Snerdy podcast where they discuss pop culture, nerdy and political topics. This episode discussed the benefits of owning a Patreon as a podcast host, defining what is a “Blerd” (Black nerd), and turning your “nerdy” topics and obsessions into your podcast. You can find these creators at: @blackgirlseating @tanorriastable @foodlovetog on Instagram and X. Additionally, @thatsod.e @licorishislegit on Instagram and X. This episode is produced by Joulisa Francis.

Tune in to this week’s episode of the Black Podclass with our featured guests: Malliron Hodge Host of Baddies with Business podcast and Krystal Hill, an audio producer and editor. Hodge is an entrepreneur and liberatory design thinking coach. She has a passion for collaborating and supporting Black women and listening to their stories. Hill advocates for helping historically underrepresented communities tell their stories. She is currently the Director of Business Development of EditAudio, a full service podcast production company that is on a mission to make the audio industry more representative of what the world actually looks like. Our guests gave more insight on what is considered a “Black Podcast,” what it is like creating their own podcast business, the importance of showcasing Black voices and much more! Our guests can be found at @krystalsplaysradio on Instagram and @Baddieswithbusiness on Instagram and Facebook. Produced by: Joulisa Francis

In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Deena McKay, founder and host of the Black Tech Unplugged podcast. This podcast highlights Black individuals who innovate and work in the tech industry. Deena started the podcast to provide representation for Black people in the tech industry, as well as to share tips and advice for those who are interested in getting into the industry. During our conversation with Deena, we delved deeper into her experience with podcasting, including her production process and the topics she covers on her show. To find out more about Deena and her work, you can follow her on Twitter at @BlkTechUnplged and on Instagram at @blacktechunplugged. This episode was produced by Madeline Seck. 

Show notes: Our first guest is Bethany Hawkins. CEO & Founder of "Crackers In Soup, LLC" Bethany Hawkins (she/her), a seasoned professional with over 18 years of corporate experience, serves as the CEO and Founder of Crackers In Soup, LLC. As a Black woman who understands the challenges of not being heard, Bethany's mission is to amplify historically underrepresented voices through podcasting. Under her leadership, Crackers In Soup has produced an extensive portfolio of podcast episodes, including the award-winning "Chatting Over Chowder" and "Sis, Please." Crackers In Soup has recently won the "Big Budget Sound Award" from Sonic Bloom presented by Libsyn at ShePodcast. Instagram @bcrackersinsoup Our Next guest is Alexandra Rago. She is the CEO of "Ambitious Minds Inc." Alexandra began her career working in Urban Marketing and radio promotions for major labels like G-unit, Koch Records, and Columbia Records/Sony Music. She has worked with artists like 50 Cent, | Cole, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Brandy, Ray I, Maxwell, and Jim Jones. Since founding Ambitious Minds in 2011, the agency has developed from being solely a talent management organization to producing podcasts, events, content, e-commerce brand development shipping, and fulfillment. The company now mainly focuses on managing and producing podcasts such as Kid Fury & Crissle of The Read, Whoreible Decisions, and Sistas Who Kill. You can find her on Instagram @ambminds    In this episode, we had a lovely chat with Bethany and Alex. We discussed topics such as the assumptions and stereotypes of creating podcasts, how they each got started in the podcast industry, how it feels to be a part of a new industry, and how to find your niche.  This episode was produced by Madeline Seck.

The Black Podcast is joined by Kelechi Okafor, Sequoia Holmes, and Dr. Rianna Walcott. In this episode, The Black Podcast discussed Black language. We played a word association game to compare Black British vs. African American slang particularly used in California, the DMV, and Baltimore. We looked at similarities and contrasted different ways we use slang in different regions. Then we talk about how each of them got into podcasting as a way to break barriers to Black conversation.  Kelechi Okafor is from Britain, has Nigerian heritage, actress, director, astrology lover, and The creator of the “Say Your Mind” podcast that ended on January 29, 2024. This podcast looked at current affairs and popular culture through a Black British lens. Now she is the host of the new podcast “Meet Me at The Alter” published in March of this year. You can find her Instagram, @kelechnekoff.  Sequoia Holmes is from California, loves astrology, and has been podcasting since 2016. She is currently on her 4th podcast. She is the host of the podcast “Black People Love Paramore.” Funny enough, *not* a Paramore podcast. This podcast explores the common & uncommon interests of Black people. You can find her on Instagram: @bplppod Dr. Rianna Walcott is from the UK and is a communication professor at the University of Maryland. She Works in the Black Communication and Technology at the Communications department.  Her PhD research focuses on Black British identity presentation in social media spaces. By taking a mixed-methods approach to investigating Black British social media usage. You can connect with her on LinkedIn: Rianna Walcott   This episode was produced by Madeline Seck.

Tune in to this Black Podclass episode with Scarlet Estelle! Scarlet Estelle Hernandez is a passionate Fall Out Boy enthusiast and respected figure in the music industry. With extensive experience working with global production companies, Scarlet brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the industry to her role as host of "Sugar We're Going In." The podcast explores the evolution of Scarlet’s favorite band: Fall Out Boy. Each episode weaves together the genres of pop-punk and hip-hop as she discusses the dynamics between these themes within Fall Out Boy’s musical history. Our guest stated her podcast was "a love letter to the black community." She discussed how she was able to turn her love and obsession for Fall Out Boy into a podcast and gave the students tips on how to promote your podcast, gaining attention through social media, creating unique episodes, and much more. She can be found at @scarletestelle and @sugarweregoinin on X and Instagram. Produced by: Joulisa Francis

The Black Podclass is joined by the influential hosts Rodney Carmichael and Sidney Madden! The two host the remarkable NPR podcast, “Louder Than A Riot,” which discusses Black culture through the lenses of the hip hop genre. Louder Than A Riot has made important strives for the podcast industry by being NPR's first narrative podcast series. Carmichael is a music journalist who currently covers hip-hop from a national perspective at NPR. His stories involve reporting and criticism to focus on black cultural production and all its sociopolitical implications. Sidney Madden is a reporter for NPR Music. Since 2020, she has served as co-host and co-creator of Louder Than A Riot, along with guest hosting All Songs Considered and producing Tiny Desk Concerts. The two hosts discussed the evolution of their podcast, the current state of the shifting podcasting industry, and working as Black reporters in the journalism industry, despite the obstacles they face. Students also got the chance to ask the two hosts about the production of their podcast episodes. Be sure to tune into their second season that particularly examines who hip-hop marginalizes, and issues of misogynoir within Black culture. Also, check out their Twitter and Instagram accounts: @sid_madden and @rodneyology. This episode was produced by Joulisa Francis.

Join the Black PodClass as we explore Anuli Akanegbu’s BLK IRL Podcast! The BLK IRL podcast is an audio docuseries that explores the complexities of Black creative work and Black contemporary life through research and conversational interviews with Black artists, content creators, scholars, entrepreneurs, activists, marketing experts, and cultural critics. Anuli is a qualitative researcher, independent podcast producer and marketing consultant that focuses on the Black contemporary life and complexities of Black creative work. Throughout the episode, this episode explores how Anuli started her podcast after being an avid podcaster listener since 2008. She expresses how determines her stories by if the context can be understood by multiple generations through her usage of explementary commas. Also, the process of utilizing different editing features, such as music during the episodes, and importance of reference lists. To hear more about Anuli's work, she can be found at @blkirl on Instagram and Twitter. This episode was produced by Joulisa Francis

In this Episode on The Black Podclass we had guest speaker, Arionne Nettles. She is a lecturer and director of audio journalism programming at Northwestern University's Medill School. She is a culture reporter who has contributed to outlets such as the New York Times Opinion, Chicago PBS station WTTW, and NPR affiliate WBEZ. She is also the host of the HBCU history podcast Bragging Rights and Is That True? A Kids Podcast About Facts. She is a Ph.D. student at DePaul University, studying educational leadership in higher education, and her book, We Are the Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything, will be published with Chicago Review Press in 2024. This episode was produced by Madeline Seck.

Welcome back to season 2 of the Black PodClass! Our first guest speakers include: Dr. Monica Cox (host of “Stop Playing Diversity” podcast), Dr. Monica Wisdom (host of “Black Women Amplified” podcast) and L’Oreal Thompson Payton (host of “LT in the City” podcast). These wonderful women spoke about their experiences navigating the world of podcasting as Black women and the importance of Black culture with our society. Students engaged with our guests by asking questions about how their podcasts have affected their personal lives and how to appropriately interview guests. The podcasters wrapped up this episode by the guests giving our students advice about starting their journey into the podcasting field. Stay tuned for Dr. Cox’s book “Stop Playing Diversity: Nine Unexpected Lessons from the Workplace Frontlines,” set to release on March 23rd and Mrs. Payton’s book, “Stop Waiting for Perfect,” out now! Additionally, you can find these guests at @Blackwomenamplified @ltinthecity and @drmonicacox on Instagram. This episode was produced by Joulisa Francis.

This podcast highlights the experiences of a black student-athlete on a college basketball team. The guest, Ben Murphy, shares how his father's NBA career inspired him to play sports and how his mother encouraged him to participate in multiple sports throughout his childhood. He shares that he works hard to maintain his academic responsibilities alongside of his athletic commitment. He is proud of his upbringing, his cultural identity, and his pursuit to improve in his sport. A vital aspect of this podcast is about student athletes' motivation, family influence, and academic priorities. Ben's parents and siblings are his role models, with his dad playing in the NBA and his mom being a dentist. He prioritizes his schoolwork before basketball practice to manage the demands of being a student-athlete. Ben's dad, Ronnie Murphy, is a role model because of his hard work and dedication to his family. Ronnie was “Drafted 17th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1987 NBA Draft,” (judolphins.com). Next, the podcast dives into Murphy's athletic career, cultural background, and the UMD basketball team dynamics. Ben shared his experience of overcoming a brutal injury and staying motivated to return to basketball, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and community support. Ben and Daniel discussed the value of engaging with local communities through athletics, with Ben sharing his experience of helping out at his old high school and providing wisdom to younger players. Ben highlights the diversity of the basketball team, including players from different cultures and countries. Ben, Haley, and Daniel discuss the team's unique dynamic, including the mix of different ages and experiences and the importance of camaraderie and teamwork. An essential part of the podcast is when Haley and Daniel ask questions about Ben's aspirations for his current life and his future, his cultural identity, and the challenges he has faced and how he overcame them. Ben shares his goals of being a great teammate and contributing to the broader conversation around diversity and inclusion in athletics. He also shares how schools and athletic organizations can better support diverse student-athletes by recognizing and addressing issues within their communities. He says if there were ever a situation he felt passionate about, he would not hesitate to use his social media platform to speak out against it. To wrap up, the podcast discusses Ben’s athletic achievements and obstacles faced by himself and other black student-athletes. Ben, a black student-athlete at Maryland, overcame obstacles such as a lack of recruitment and a torn ACL, all leading him to his destiny: to play for his home university. His experience as a black student-athlete has taught him to work harder to prove himself and overcome stereotypes. Daniel discusses the song "My Boo" and its origins. UMD basketball players sparked a viral internet trend called ‘the running man challenge’ while dancing to this song. Jaylen Brantley was interviewed with USAtoday.com and said: “‘We dance every day for our teammates in the locker room,’ said Brantley. ‘We’re the goofballs. So we were like, Hey, let’s make a video and make everybody laugh.’” This is why Haley and Daniel included this song on the podcast. It is an iconic masterpiece created by two of the players on the team, so we just wanted to add it in for its significance and relevance to the topic. Haley then mentions the reasoning behind using the song “Levels” for the intro and outro, because it is a tradition that the song is played at every home UMD men’s basketball game’s warmup. We conclude with mentioning our podcast’s name once again and thanking everyone for listening.

On today’s episode, I had the chance to interview my father Michael White, on his experiences living in Baltimore city. We talked about his personal childhood, and whether outside factors, such as the Baltimore Riots of 1968 and the process of redlining, affected his upbringing and the people he surrounded himself with. He put an emphasis on the importance of being active while avoiding drugs and alcohol, which was common use where he was raised. We also took a dive in contemporary portrayals of Baltimore, mentioning the famous tv show The Wire that is based on the city as well as the 2015 protests from the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died on his way to police custody. My father compares the similarities and differences he sees in Baltimore now versus back then and gives advice to the next generation regarding moving up in the world. Hope all of you enjoy it!

My name is Brenny Rodriguez and in my one and only episode, I talk about the correlation between breed-specific legislation and racism. In this episode, I also have my friend Diana who is the owner of a pitbull named Canelo. I asked Diana some questions regarding her experience as a pitbull owner and her opinion of pitbulls overall. Breed-specific legislation refers to rules, policies, or laws that only apply to certain dog breeds. Considering the pitbull is banned in many counties, homes, and even some countries, in this episode I explain how these bans have nothing to do with the breed but instead with the idea that the pitbull has been labeled a black-owned breed. Here are the links to the sources I referred to in the episode: Racism and the American Pit Bull Dog Breed Restrictions in Housing The Black Man's Dog: The Social Context of Breed Specific Legislation Black America's Dog

Host: Welcome to my podcast, "Breaking Barriers: Embracing Vulnerability in Athletics," where we delve into the significance of acknowledging vulnerability and seeking support for mental well-being, particularly within the context of Black individuals and women in sports. I'm your host Ariana Wright, and today we're joined by a very special guest, Nyla Cherry, a fellow track athlete and student here at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Kimberle Crenshaw is a pioneer in the study of race field and is often referred to as the “Mother of Intersectionality”. Her research largely explores how identities merge and create different marginalization which affects these intersected individuals in complex ways (Crenshaw, 1991). Race, gender, class, and sexual orientation are the primarily discussed identities Crenshaw studied. By coining the term "intersectionality," Crenshaw urges us to appreciate the nuanced experiences of individuals who may face a blend of discrimination or privilege. It's like understanding that someone's journey isn't just about being discriminated against for one thing but navigating a complex web of challenges or advantages. Our goal is to explore firsthand how our interviewee feels her experience as a multiracial queer woman has been affected by her intersecting identities and allow space for conversations like this to become more normalized.

What do you do when you want your ideas to be seen and heard at your job? In this podcast episode, 2 black female professionals Pamela Wilson and Tracy Epps talk about their experiences with performance in the workplace and the differences between industries they have worked in. Does performance have to do with your appearance? How often are you code switching? How authentic can you be while performing? What does it look like for the black community to not carry the burden or stress of workplace performance? Join us in answering these questions while we are taken through the different career paths of these amazing women. 

In this episode of the Black Pod-class, Alex Hong interviews Tait Brooks, the Director of Diversity Training and Education at the University of Maryland, College Park. Alex and Tait discussed the media representation that Tait looked up to, the significance of representative media, the ever-present need for more diverse stories in entertainment, and the benefits of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion with a DEI expert!

Our episode deals with black athletes in college football. We aim to inform, entertain, and further, the dialogue surrounding race and college sports. Our podcast will be roughly 25 minutes and broken into four primary sections. The podcast will begin with a 30-second to one minute introduction. In the introduction, Aidan will introduce our group as the host, review our main topic, and give a "table of contents" type breakdown for the rest of the podcast. In the first section, he will spend about 5 minutes looking at the college football landscape. He'll review demographic statistics, football's economic side, and modern college football's general shape. We want to use this as a foundation before entering the narratives sections. In the second section, we will go over two black college football players' success stories. We chose two players that football fans will recognize but whose stories would also interest non-sports fans. After these stories, we interview a black former college football player. This primary interview will be about ten minutes. We will interview him about his experience as a black athlete on and off the field. After the interview is finished, we'll move into our final section. We will spend five minutes tying the sections together and have a four-way conversation about the future of college football. We want to open a dialogue promoting equity in college football. We will talk about possible changes in the league and what we want to see. We will tie it back to the four previous sections. Lastly, we will add an outro that thanks our listeners and promotes the rest of the Black pod class episodes. We will also include any necessary credits in this section.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Stephanie Shonekan. She is a professor of ethnomusicology and the dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Maryland. She earned her doctorate in ethnomusicology and folklore with a minor in African American studies from Indiana University. In addition to her experience working in higher education, Dr. Shonekan is the creator of the podcast Cover Story which uncovers the histories behind popular covers of classic songs. This episode consists of an engaging conversation where we discuss the roots of Dr. Shonekan’s passion for music, the importance of music in black culture, and her creative process for recording her own podcast.  Produced by Anastasia Avrine, Gustavo Gurgel, Lily Park, and Taylor Wallace 

Dr. Narketta Sparkman-Key is an award winning speaker, published researcher, professor and scholar. She is an expert in self-esteem development, DEI, women leadership and vulnerable populations. Dr. Key is the Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Global Affairs at James Madison University since 2022. There she is also responsible for Faculty Title IX adjudication and the Inclusive Research and Pedagogies Seed Fund. Dr. Key is also the host of the podcast called Making It Plain, which is dedicated to discussing issues that influence black communities, black families and black women.

Dr. Breniel Lemley is a children's podcast researcher, she mainly researches kid’s podcasts. She has a nice list of credentials: BA in Psychology with a minor in music from University of San Francisco, MA from Northwestern University, and recently acquired her PhD from Northwestern University as of this past summer. Has a plethora of research experience. TV is still #1 when it comes to media choices for kids. She thinks that children could benefit from educational podcasts, depending on how kids are engaging with it. The average length of a children's podcast was about 15-20 minutes; though, they were for kids who were 6-10 years old. Children podcasts have an ad break in-between and segments to keep their attention. The shorter the podcast is the better they will be able to keep their focus. In her bio, she has a focus on mental health stigma, including how talking about mental health issues has become less stigmatized, and thankfully, Society is more open to it, talking about it is very liberating, and erodes away the stigma over the years. She has always been an avid podcast listener and she became curious into the kid’s TV shows that have podcasts. The media is constantly evolving to the point where the research can’t keep up. She also mentioned how research takes forever. The rules & regulations that apply to TV have not made their way into the podcast world. 

Odochi Ibe and Maurice Licorish are podcast hosts who have gained recognition for their show, "Black and Snerdy." Their podcast often covers topics related to pop culture, including discussions about nerdy subjects with a particular focus on issues such as mental health awareness and social justice, especially related to combating racism and challenging stereotypes. Their podcast typically incorporates elements of humor, candid conversation, andcultural insights, discussing various aspects of nerd culture while intertwining discussions about mental health awareness and dismantling systemic issues like white supremacy. Production credits: Ariana Wright

Hi everyone! Today we have Dr. Jenn and Darren with us who are the hosts andcreators of “ThatBlackCouple” podcast. Jenn is queer, androgynous Black woman, anabolitionist, a lover of all Black people, and an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University in theDepartment of Political Science. Jackson’s research is in Black Politics with a focus on BlackFeminist movements, racial threat, gender and sexuality, and political behavior. Jenn’s Bio:Jenn M. Jackson (they/them) is a queer, androgynous Black woman, an abolitionist, a lover of allBlack people, and an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University in the Department of PoliticalScience. Jackson’s research is in Black Politics with a focus on Black Feminist movements,racial threat, gender and sexuality, and political behavior. They are a columnist at Teen Vogueand the author of the forthcoming books BLACK WOMEN TAUGHT US (Penguin RandomHouse, 2024) and POLICING BLACKNESS (University of Chicago Press, 2024). Jackson haswritten peer-reviewed articles at Public Culture, Politics, Groups, and Identities, Social ScienceQuarterly, and the Journal of Women, Politics, and Policy. Jackson received their doctoral degreein Political Science at the University of Chicago in 2019. Daren’s Bio:Daren W. Jackson (he/him/they) is an asexual novelist and storyteller who offers narratives aboutindividuals who are overlooked in mainstream literature. A recent MFA graduate from The NewSchool for Liberal Arts in NYC, he is hard at work on his debut novel. This mild-mannered,Southern California native is a die hard fan of all things Marvel or Star Trek. Daren’s bookreviews have been featured at the Chicago Tribune and his editorial work has been featured onVSB and VIBE. ThatBlackCouple:ThatBlackCouple podcast is a podcast about the realities of Blackness and adult life.Their goal is to create a space for Black millennials to discuss and embody adult life on theirown terms.

In this episode, hosts Emma Calcutt, Madison Coccaro, and Aidan Lawrence engage in acompelling conversation with our esteemed guest, Aaron Wright. Aaron, a senior journalismstudent at the University of Maryland, offers valuable insights into the realm of podcast editingand journalism. During the discussion, Aaron generously shares his wealth of experience andpractical tips garnered from his work on the "The Off Beat" podcast. Additionally, he delves intohis ability to authentically convey lived experiences through his own podcast, "The Afro Files,"while navigating the challenges of editing for organizations like the Diamondback. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of Aaron's meticulous research methods, his podcastpreferences such as scripted content, a preference for audio-only formats, and his overallapproach to crafting compelling narratives. Aaron also provides valuable reflections on hisjourney in journalism and internships, illustrating how these experiences have informed hisprowess in creating and editing podcasts. The episode concludes with Aaron graciously sharinghis insightful advice for individuals embarking on their podcasting journey. Tune in for athoughtful exploration of the podcasting landscape, enriched by Aaron's expertise and genuinepassion for the craft. Please read Aaron’s bio below:Aaron Wright is a senior Journalism major with a certificate in African American Studies. Eversince he switched majors from Letters and Science, he’s written for The Black Explosion, TheDiamondback, WMUC's Drop the Pop, WMUC's Weekly Roundup, hosted a show on WMUC-FM called "The Afro Files," and did internships for The Baltimore Banner and The FauquierTimes. Currently he is Co-EIC of The Black Explosion and the audio editor for TheDiamondback's podcast "The Offbeat." His pronouns are He/Him/His. All his podcast experienceis in doing live shows of "The Afro Files," doing the advanced podcasting capstone and editingan episode (by the time of this class) for The Offbeat. He has listened to Louder than a Riot,Code Switch, Rough Translation and now getting into The Read. Production Credits:Emma Calcutt, Madison Coccaro, Aidan Lawrence Music Credits:bedtime after a coffee by ikkun (ex. Barradeen) | https://soundcloud.com/ikkunwastakenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US Episode transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OBoJqKHvKggEGaeQpjvIVz27ugaZ_APpmEwl77fWRqY/edit?usp=sharing

Our guest speaker for our episode is Dr. Lauren Malone. She is from Texas, but spent most of her adult life in Iowa, where she got her bachelor’s in English from Central College. She then went to study in London and received a master’s in Professional Writing, then returned to Iowa for her PhD in rhetoric and Professional Communication. She studies digital rhetoric, justice-centered curriculum, literature, and Black American rhetoric. She is currently a second year assistant professor at the University of Tampa. Dr. Malone discussed how people in London view America from her experience in London. It is mixed and not as negative or positive as many think. The student podcast about the history of radio announcements was one that stood out to Dr. Malone. Malone also discussed anonymity and the importance of visual anonymity especially. Dr. Malone went into the details of the difference between education in Iowa and in London. The main difference was that in London you have less assignments overall but they are usually big projects that you have to complete. She also discussed teaching classes in a more game style as compared to a strict lecture based style. She referred to it as “gamifying” the classroom. She mentioned how among other professors, some are a fan and some are not a fan of gamifying their classrooms. Dr. Malone stressed how through accessibility and understanding concepts, social justice can be facilitated through podcasts. The discussion concluded with Dr. Malone discussing how there isn’t an age preference in professors when it comes to deciding to gamify their classes.  Production Credits: Matthew Rodriques Alex Hong Brenny Rodriguez  Lauren Malone

We first asked questions specifically relating to Dr Snipes’ and Dr Fine’s work at SIUE. Dr. Fine talked about how to further advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as her connection to the sociocultural aspect of intercollegiate athletics among black studentathletes. Her work starting out as a practitioner, as well as outside events such as the BLM movement in regard to the death of George Floyd, were catalysts for her work in student affairs. We asked Dr. Snipes whether his educational plans changed because of thepandemic in regards to his Phd, and the reasons he decided to research/teach about the importance of spirituality and religion on the college campus. He talked about how the pandemic in fact positively influenced his teaching and the necessity to have conversations in relation to religion and meaning. We also discussed their podcast Blacktivism in the Academy. Outside sources such as Invisible Man by Ralph Elison were discussed in terms of the pursuit of identity as it relates to identity assignment on the college campus. Dr. Snipes discusses his all-timefavorite guest on the podcast, while Dr. Fine reveres her love for Season 4 of their podcast.Finally, the duo talked about important pieces of advice for those starting their own podcasts, which include being open to new ideas, having fun, and hiring a good editor. Production Credits:Alex Turner, Caleb White, Daniel Rudden, Haley Scheinberg Music Credit: Silent Partner. “West.” 2014. Youtube, West - Silent Partner (YouTubeRoyalty-free Music Download) - YouTube Episode transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P2DhNEN-ffHYGDrnwpWx6wAUm5EJQLrwRcEtXBXGBwc/edit?usp=sharing

In this week’s Black PodClass Podcast episode, students Joulisa Francis and Madeline Seck interviewed Dr. Nicole Carr. Dr. Carr is currently an assistant professor at Texas A&M University who teaches African-American Literature and culture. Her studies primarily focus on black feminism, reproductive justice, and health. She noted her new documentary film, “High-Risk Black Mothers Protecting Themselves and Their Babies,” will be released in October 2023, presenting her research on the disadvantages and injustice of Black women regarding their reproductive health. The students asked about her upbringing in Florida and what inspired her to write the article “A Love Letter to Miami.” Dr. Carr provided insight into what living in the diverse melting pot was like and how black culture is prominent within South Florida despite its assumptions of being mainly Latin. Furthermore, she discusses the adjustment of currently living in conservative Texas and what inspired her to teach African-American Literature. Additionally, she describes how she discovered podcasting through her passion for black literature and recommended to the class her favorite novels she has discovered throughout the years. You can find her “Bookstagram,” Lovers in the Library on Instagram. Episode transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EvgI4P3Cyg1vUXfOBlj68hzdU5nxAJxT8RAPVFKMEAw/edit?usp=sharing

For our first guest, we welcomed the wonderful Monica Wisdom, host extraordinaire of the Black Women Amplified podcast. Monica shared her journey to becoming a podcast host, her process for publishing her episodes and her insights into the future of podcasting. She gave the students advice on starting their own podcasts. Monica also discussed her approach to interviewing and storytelling. Check out our very first episode! The Black Pod Class podcast is hosted and produced by the students and professor of the Black Podcasts class, taught at the University of Maryland by Dr. Briana Barner. Monica's bio: Monica's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and her diverse career has taken her through various industries, placing her among giants in the field. Her adventurous spirit has led her into the realms of cosmetology, publishing, and the music industry. Monica's expertise and dedication earned her a prestigious role as part of the esteemed educators' team at Sebastian International. Later, she assumed the position of Director of Education for Salon Resources, the distributor for Sebastian International. In this capacity, she crafted classes, workshops, and product launches that left an indelible mark. As a multifaceted professional, Monica has collaborated with celebrities and renowned companies, including The Isley Brothers, Lela Rochon, Kevin Mayes (Black Panther), Nina Gancy (The Matrix), Great Lengths Hair Extensions, Carole’s Daughter, Atlantic Records, Yoruba Records, and DreamWorks Records. Her mastery caught the attention of major news outlets such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Clear Channel, and Fox, leading to interviews and features across her wide range of expertise. Monica's career also encompassed influential roles as the Director of Operations for In Magazine and Today in Church Magazine. In these positions, she played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the magazines, ensuring brand continuity and compelling features. Monica had the privilege of interviewing notable celebrities about their spiritual lives, including Kirk Whalum, Eric Roberson, Evander Holyfield, and Isaac Bruce, to name a few. Her work shared space alongside contributions from renowned figures like Joyce Meyers, TD Jakes, and Joel Olsten. Amid her multifaceted career, Monica embarked on a profound spiritual journey, confronting the scars of her traumatic childhood and generational wounds. This inner exploration led her to a profound study of the Divine Feminine under the guidance of world-renowned teachers, Dr. Caroline ‘Isis’ Fuqua and Bettie Spruill. Monica also became an initiate of Transcendental Meditation and a devoted student of Yogini Nithyananda. This spiritual evolution culminated in Monica's role as the creator and founder of the Black Women Amplified podcast, where remarkable black women from around the world share their incredible stories. Distinguished guests such as best-selling author Jayne Allen, Tony Award-winning actor Tonya Pinkins, and Leatrice Ellzy, the Director of Programming at the Iconic Apollo Theater, have graced the podcast.  Monica's unwavering desire to empower Black women to share their stories, be seen, and embrace their power gave birth to The Amplify Academy, an extension of Black Women Amplified. This platform is dedicated to centering Black women and offers masterclasses, VIP coaching, and an upcoming membership, all designed to uplift and empower.