WHY DO YOU LOVE PODCASTS?

I love podcasts for the autonomy they offer both consumers and creators. As a podcaster I appreciate the freedom to discuss what I want to, how I want to. My opinion isn’t being held back by a board of trustees or behind walls of compliance. My creativity isn’t held back by prescribed structure, or what people are used to listening to at 10 am. I’m not saying people should go around saying and doing what they want without consequences. There’s an old saying in the Black American community: f*ck around and find out. I just think the world is more fun when folks have the freedom to f*ck around.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST POD YOU EVER LISTENED TO?

The first podcast I had ever heard was WTF with Marc Maron. This was back in the day before I was a comedian, before I ever aspired to be a guest (pretty please Mr. Maron with a microphone on top). What delighted me about it was its simplicity and spirit. It was just a hilarious man talking to his guests about life, which often led to Marc using humour to navigate quite tender things. Not to be a wimp, but that’s quite an important life skill.

WHICH PODCASTER MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

Oh, this is definitely a tie between Helen Bauer and Josh Jones. Listening to Helen and Josh makes me wonder if I’ve lived a life – because if I have then why don’t I have a zillion incredible stories on tap? Listening to them makes me both concerned that childhood trauma has robbed me of my memory, and concerned for their safety. Maniacs. Helen can be heard on her pod Trusty Hogs and her old pod Daddy Look at Me, Josh can be heard on his new pod Hard Sell and his old new pod Chatting with Cherubs.

WHICH PODCAST HAS EDUCATED YOU THE MOST?

Hands down, The Guilty Feminist podcast. I don’t think I truly understood what being a feminist meant before I encountered it. I knew how I felt, what I believed. I knew that something was wrong with Texas. I knew that there were forces working to hold women back and weigh us down, but I didn’t have the language to express it.

I have had the privilege of co-hosting The Guilty Feminist, and sitting next to Deborah Francis-White over the past 4 years while we meet activists has taught me so much about myself and the world.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SHOW OUR READERS MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF YET?

The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema. Before I go on, I want you to know I do realize that none of these answers have been funny. This one won’t be either – it’s gunna be sincere and earnest. For that I’m sorry. The show’s purpose is to “facilitate your journey home to yourself” using psychology, spirituality and artistic practice. I’m an incredibly spiritual person but you don’t have to be to connect to this offering. You just need to be curious about yourself, your needs, your healing and living your (wait for it…) best life.

Over the past few years, when I’ve found myself feeling hurt, lost or far from myself, this podcast has been a beautiful resource. It features 30 minute episodes on topics ranging from addressing self abandonment, overcoming perfectionism, even dealing with racial trauma. It’s an incredibly important resource and I’m honoured to recommend it.

Listen to FOC It Up on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Want more from Issue #024? Check out interviews with Marc Maron, Dick & Dom and podcast recommendations galore! Read the magazine here >> 

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We hope it helps you find podcasts that narrate the unrecounted nuances of black history, and powerful stories that have been forgotten.

Have we missed off an episode you think is a must-listen? Let us know on Twitter or email us info@podbiblemag.com and we can add it on.

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about? 

We’re best friends, blogger Amanda Millie and screenwriter Amelia Fergusson. So, what do you do when you don’t have a name for your podcast? Un-name it of course. Our podcast is Name To Be Determined:  we get together in Amanda’s London Hackney abode to talk sh*t. Literally! Okay, maybe literally is the wrong word. But, if you’re like us and love a good chit chat on topics ranging from being kidnapped at birth (yes, that happened to Amanda) to nearly being roped into joining a religious cult, to crazy dating stories, and motherhood (yes, we’re also mothers!) you’ll love Name To Be Determined. We are no holds barred and not afraid to say the opinions that some people may have but are too scared to vocalise themselves. 

What was the first podcast you ever listened to? 

Amelia’s first podcast was Casefile and the first one Amanda ever listened to was the first season of Serial with the Adnan case.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place? 

We have always had some funny discussions and some interesting life experiences and we wanted to share them with a wider audience. (Surely we’re not the only ones who’ve experienced what we have). We wanted to be able to share our passion on a platform where we had creative control and could put out something that we love.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from? 

3ShotsofTequila is one we like. From an audience perspective we really enjoy Small Town Murder and have been listeners of their podcast since inception. We love small town murder and 3ShotsofTequila because you can just tell that they are being authentic and try to themselves. They’ve all managed to build successful brands based on being who they are. They’re also all super funny and we love to laugh.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast? 

We haven’t really got round to inviting guests yet. But if we could have one guest that would excite the both of us, it would be Dave Chapelle. He is the king of comedy in our eyes, and we have spent so many lazy Sunday afternoons in our younger days, just binge watching his videos.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster? 

Preparation is key, having talking points. And the importance of editing! Also, to not be scared to be our authentic selves. There’s so much political correctness these days! At its core, our podcast is just two friends talking about a range of topics that interest us without any filters.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast? 

Our first episode, Where we’re meant to be, is quite poignant as it introduces us in a way that allows us to ponder on how the moment of recording may never have happened at all. Amanda was kidnapped at birth and Amelia was returned to social services as a baby. From a cosmic perspective, we were certainly supposed to come together in this life. We also discuss our own journeys in motherhood. So, overall a great introduction to us both!

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you? 

Check out the show via https://kite.link/nametobedetermined or find us on Instagram @nametobedeterminedpodcast & @mandsmillie

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about? 

My name is Cherise Hamilton-Stephenson. I am a presenter and producer born and raised in South London, embedded in UK culture. I have a passion for contemporary politics and social issues, and committed to platforming underrepresented, diverse and minority voices. The disconnect between traditional news and minority Millennials/Gen-Z, the feeling is that their stories were not being platformed and this inspired me to create my podcast Interconnected Voices. Interconnected Voices takes you behind the news headlines and combines insightful political commentary with personal stories from a wide variety of underrepresented, diverse and minority voices. I tell their stories through a mixed-media format of visual and audio.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to? 

Scene on Radio – I was hooked from the first episode, exploring the relationship between race, class and sports in American Society. I was intrigued by the interesting facts and the archive footage that was sourced. The hosting was informal, making it an easy listen, coupled with a sensitive approach to contributors who shared their stories on difficult topics.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place? 

I became bored of consuming news that I could not relate to. I also felt that the reporting did not explore how issues and topics would affect young people. Starting a podcast was a good way for me to combine my passion for giving a voice to those presently voiceless, utilising my journalism and radio production skills to connect with young audiences that no longer consume news through traditional channels.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from? 

Before I created Interconnected Voices, I listened to a few politics podcasts to get a general idea of formatting, such as, Gaslit Nation. However, I would say that feedback from my listeners really helped me to develop the mix media style and contemporary format of Interconnected Voices. I was keen to have strong visuals and branding to capture people’s attention.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast? 

I really admire female political commentators, with strong points of view and a desire to make equality the norm in our society. I would love to interview Afua Hirsh, broadcast journalist and author platforming issues on race, class and gender. It would be great to gain her point of view on how to improve the criminal justice system and race relations in the UK.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster? 

I have learnt two big lessons: consistency is key; as humans we create habits. The best way to build a listenership is to consistently put out content, as much as you can. Also, have fun! The best thing about creating audio is the freedom to change your format, style, and sound, experimenting with different interview styles to fit your chosen topic; evolving your podcast and not letting it become stagnate. For example, my new series ‘Black Voice Collections’ is a series of anecdotes and reflections portraying the realities of being Black and British – the highs, the lows and all that’s in between. The episodes are a completely different style to series 1 & 2, they are 3 – 6 minute long episodes with beautifully designed soundscapes and fire promo videos for each episode created by Bridey Addison-Child and Phoebe Langley Gussin.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast? 

Each podcast series has a different theme, topics and production style; therefore, I feel there’s an episode for everyone. However, I would say Series 2, Episode 3, ‘The Universal Credit Trap’, is an insightful episode highlighting how the UK’s benefit system affects minority millennials/Gen-Z. It’s a perspective that is not often given a platform in mainstream media. Also, in this episode, we executed Interconnected Voice’s production style with an eclectic mix of archive, soundscape and balanced narrative.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you? 

They can find out more about me on my personal Instagram: @ailliyah_cherisex and Twitter: @AilliyahCherise. For Interconnected Voices episodes and exclusive content, they can follow @interconnected_voices on Instagram.

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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While Reni’s recommendation was for Blacticulate’s eponymous podcast, it was Stories That Stick that caught our attention. We at Pod Bible love a programme that offers something new not only in topic but in production. We were immediately drawn to the structure of founder Ade’s show, which invites guests to tell their own story and share stories that have impacted them. 

Each episode begins at the end. The guest is first asked to speak about death, which may seem an odd place to start but perfectly establishes a person’s thought process for how they live their life. If we know how someone imagines, copes with, or theorizes death, we better understand the parameters they exist within today. From there, our host asks that his interviewee breaks their life into decade-long chapters, beginning with their first ten years.

Not only does this make for an easily digestible podcast, but it creates a shared nostalgia when paired with story recommendations from the episode’s guest, spotlighting a different book in each “chapter” of their own story. It’s hard not to fall into one’s own reminiscences during the first chapter, often peppered by beloved children’s books or familiar stories from religious texts.

When exploring shows that are new to us as listeners, creating a structure that we can easily latch on to helps to ease us into unfamiliar territories. Structures based in Q&A sessions, particularly those that remain consistent from episode to episode, create an excitement as we begin to imagine our own answers and build a sense of familiarity and camaraderie with the guests – their answers ebbing and flowing with our own.

An excellent podcast structure is reliant on its host. A quality host creates consistency for their listeners, while still remaining flexible for their guest. Ade’s soft-spoken guidance feels gentle, steering the conversation expertly without editorializing someone else’s experience. In episode 15, with Christina Moore of Don’t Skip Media, his guest off-handedly mentions the experience of growing up as the child of immigrant parents. Ade thoughtfully encourages her to explore that experience, and she opens up beautifully, allowing the listener a much deeper insight regarding her childhood. The deft way with which he supports her examination of what, moments earlier, seemed like an off-handed reference to something many listeners may not have experience with shows us how seriously Ade takes his work. It is always easy to allow a guest to move beyond something – especially something they have a shared understanding of, or something the guest may have explained in a pre-interview – but it does not serve the audience to allow those moments to pass us by.

We suggest you also don’t let Stories That Stick to pass you by, either. You can explore the podcast’s page on the Blacticulate website, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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Allow me to be clear: this is a highly successful, beautifully produced and well-researched podcast that does not need or seek our recommendation. And frankly, it would be lazy and thoughtless of me to simply drop the suggestion you listen to a two year old podcast on the topic of anti-racist activism as though that were enough.

It’s not enough.

The topics that Ms. Eddo-Lodge covers are important and relevant, but they were always important and relevant. The show may seem particularly poignant today, even though it was released in early 2018, but that only serves to highlight how late so many of us are to the table. As the programme once again climbs the podcasting charts, Reni commented via her Twitter account that a large podcasting company she and her team had pitched to once called it “broccoli”.

I have no idea what kind of vegetable this podcast would be (and frankly I love broccoli) but I do know it is a stunning piece of audio. Before we even get the chance to dive into the discussion and context, we are first confronted with incredible production quality and an opening sequence I will not likely forget any time soon. Opening credits and theme music are often overlooked in podcasting, and producer Renay Richardson sets about giving the listener a British history lesson in racism right from the moment you press play.

Over the course of the series, each topic brings us new guests, experts in their fields and participants from moments in anti-racist (and some wholly racist) moments of a nation’s history. Both host and producer offer the listener not only context and shape the takeaway of each discussion, but allow them to breathe – not so that we may relax, but in order to make us uncomfortable. There are moments when the last lines of an interview seem to hang in the air and the hair on the back of my neck stood as I waited for the catharsis of correction or rescission. Neither came – and that is the reality of the discussion of racism.

The concept that anyone ever called About Race “broccoli” is mind-boggling. Discussions of race and activism are not some unappealing item on our plate that we have no choice but to take in if we want to grow big and strong. A quality podcast is one that is created to either inform or entertain, but deftly uses its own medium as a tool to tell the story. About Race offers layers, not only in the language of the speakers, but in removing the visuals – and what we as listeners must confront about ourselves and our own deeply learned racism when Reni casually mentions the race of the person to whom she is speaking.

About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge is not recommended, it is required. You can find out more about the team of Black creators behind the podcast on the show’s website, and you can listen to all nine episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts.

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