Over the past year or so, podcasts have become increasingly popular. For those who don't know what a podcast is, it's a digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or portable media player. Podcasts usually come as a series, and you are able to subscribe to them to keep track. I first was introduced to podcasts about three years ago. Although I enjoyed the series that I listened to, I noticed that there was a lack of Black presence in this arena. There was no talk on Black politics, Black pop culture, and Black experience by Black people. I eventually gave up on the podcast world because of this. However, last year I was reintroduced, and this time around I found that Blackness was slowly but surely gaining representation in the podcast world. With that being said, here are my top three of my favorite podcast series that I've gotten into. Black by popular demand.
1. The Read
Unfiltered and unapologetic, "The Read" is a show that always keeps it eight more than 92 with you. Hosted by popular youtuber, Kid Fury, and a bomb woman by the name of Crissle, the read is a show that isn't afraid to leave anything untouched. From Black pop culture to discussing social justice, there is not one episode that will leave you feeling unfulfilled. New episodes occur every Thursday. You can find and listen to the show on Soundcloud, and/or iTunes.
2. The Friendzone
Hosted by Dustin Ross, Asante, and HeyFranHey, "The Friendzone" is a fairly new podcast just started doing the latter part of 2015. Taking a similar approach to "The Read", "The Friendzone" podcast does sometimes discuss pop culture and politics. However, what I've found to be the main focus of the podcast is its advice. What I love about "The Friendzone" is its discussion of mental health and hygeine; From discussing the importance of it being OK to disconnect from the constant sadness, anger and heaviness of what's going on with police brutality and Black lives to not being afraid to touch the sensitive subject of the elements family. This podcast makes you dig from deep within your soul and bring to the forefront topics and struggles that you are afraid to discuss aloud. This show is important in that the discussion of mental health is often a subject that goes untouched within the Black community. I didn't realize how much I needed this show until I listened to it. No podcast will leave you unfilled. If you need a nice mental cleaning, this is the show for you. You can find and listen to the show on Soundcloud, and or iTunes.
3. Myliek Teele: #MyTaughtYou
Want to know how to make phenomenal entrepreneurial decisions? Subscribe to Myliek Teele. As someone who looks to build my own brand in the near future, this podcast has been successful in informing me. Myliek Teele is the founder of curlBOX, a popular and exclusive monthly subscription box filled with different products for natural hair. What has started as a small company has now turned into one that has partnerships with Walmart, Target, Carol's Daughter and Shea Moisture. These are all multi million dollar companies. Myliek's story and work ethic has inspired many, so her podcast is really a gift and gives hope that maybe I can achieve whatever I work for. You can find and listen to the show on her website and or iTunes.
As the podcast world grows, I am proud of the success that these shows have achieved. "The Read", "The Friendzone", and "#MyTaughtYou" have showcased unapologetic, and unfearing Blackness. These podcast have showed that Blackness far exceeds the boundaries that it is often placed in. They discuss what we are taught to remain silent on. They give us the ability to breathe in knowing that the everyday struggles and obstacles we face are common and that they are okay. To ignore these podcast is to do a disservice to yourself. Check them out.
