Best Baratunde Podcasts (2024)

1
Colette Pichon Battle — On Knowing What We're Called To 1:02:38

15m ago1:02:38

1:02:38

There is an ecological transformation unfolding in the places we love and come from. On a front edge of this reality, which will affect us all, Colette Pichon Battle is a singular model of brilliance and graciousness of mind and spirit and action. And to be with her is to open to the way the stories we tell have blunted us to the courage we’re call…

1
Kate DiCamillo — On Nurturing Capacious Hearts 54:16

4d ago54:16

54:16

In her writing, it is Kate DiCamillo's gift to make bearable the fact that joy and sorrow live so close, side by side, in life as it is (if not as we wish it to be). In this conversation, along with good measures of raucous laughter and a few tears, Kate summons us to hearts "capacious enough to contain the complexities and mysteries of ourselves a…

1
Wisdom, Solace, and Courage for 2024 2:58

11d ago2:58

2:58

A special two-month season of On Being starts May 9. Freshly curated conversations from across the On Being archive. Big new conversations and extra offerings. To be present to the suffering and sorrow of this world from a place of love. To accompany each other in this — and accompany the young. To honor the fragility of being human. To keep our ca…

1
When Black Fashion and Sports Collide with Writer Mitchell Jackson 28:54

1M ago28:54

28:54

NBA fashion takes center stage as Pulitzer Prize winner Mitchell Jackson discusses his book, "Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion," which celebrates the athletes who have catapulted style to the forefront of sports dialogue. Jackson also gets honest about the hardships that led him to write and shares his personal history while testing his know…

1
Fighting Systemic Racism in Medicine with Dr. Uché Blackstock 43:40

2M ago43:40

43:40

Racism is killing Black people, and Emergency Room Physician Dr. Uché Blackstock is working tirelessly to course correct. Her New York Times best-selling book "Legacy" is meant to educate the masses about the systemic inequity affecting patients and those wishing to be healthcare providers. She joins The Blackest Questions as a history maker to dis…

1
Celebrating Queer Black History with Dr. David J. Johns 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

Queer Black history makers are highlighted during Black History Month on The Blackest Questions. Dr. David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, takes us to church, celebrating trailblazers who deserve all the flowers. Some you may know, others maybe not, but just like in every episode with host Dr. Christina Greer, …

1
The Unhidden Minute ~ Black History In 60 Seconds 1:20

3M ago1:20

1:20

Hosted by James Edward Mills, this series delivers each day in the month of February a compelling audio story via podcast in about 60 seconds. Each narrative offers a brief glimpse into the life and times of Black men and women who have shaped our cultural identity. The series is called Unhidden Minute. I hope you’ll join us.…

1
Comedian Leslie Jones is Raw, Real, and Relatable 30:44

5M ago30:44

30:44

Comedian, actress, and host Leslie Jones kicks off a new year on The Blackest Questions with advice on being true to yourself. She gets candid about the racism and misogyny plaguing Hollywood and explains how she deals with the haters. She also talks about her memoir and shares personal stories about her early career as she discusses prominent Blac…

1
The Best of The Blackest Questions Pt. 2 30:49

5M ago30:49

30:49

We're ending 2023 with a bang! In this star-studded episode of The Blackest Questions, host Dr. Christina Greer is joined by some of our favorite guests, including Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Anderson, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Touré, Harry Lennix, Kem, Michelle Buteau, Egypt Sherrod, and Mike Jackson. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva…

1
The Best of The Blackest Questions Pt. 1 34:59

5M ago34:59

34:59

We've had a year filled with amazing conversations, lots of learning, and endless laughter. In this special episode of The Blackest Questions, we mash up some of our favorite guests, including Stephen A. Smith, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, Chef Jernard Wells, Gina Yashere, Baratunde Thurston, Cullen Jones, and Josh Johnson, to play an epic gam…

1
The People's Tree Stands 5:29

6M ago5:29

5:29

Immediately following my return from Washington D.C. - I mean on the flight home – I was inundated with kind words of support and condolences for the demise of my Christmas Tree. Due to excessively high winds early in last week of November 2023, it is indeed true that the beautifully decorated holiday tree provided to the White House by the Nationa…

1
Nick Cave — Loss, Yearning, Transcendence 1:03:59

6M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Here are some experiences to which Nick Cave gives voice and song: the "universal condition" of yearning, and of loss; a "spirituality of rigor"; and the transcendent and moral dimensions of what music is about. This Australian musician, writer, and actor first made a name in the wild world of ’80s post-punk and later with Nick Cave and the Bad See…

1
A Word from Krista 2:22

6M ago2:22

2:22

A little musing on this season, the spectacular finale headed your way — and ways to stay connected in the time ahead. Subscribe to the The Pause Find our Starting Points Peruse our Libraries And on YouTube, grab a Poem to Carry in Your PocketBy On Being Studios

1
Baratunde Thurston is Teaching Us How to be Black and Good Citizens 42:47

6M ago42:47

42:47

This entertaining and educational conversation with Emmy-nominated and New York Times Best-Selling author and comedian Baratunde Thurston was nominated for a Shorty Impact Award. The awards honor purpose-driven work that makes the world a better place. In this episode, Thurston shares laughs with longtime friend Dr. Christina Greer as they talk abo…

1
Sara Hendren — Our Bodies, Aliveness, and the Built World 1:01:26

6M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Our built world is designed around something called "normal," and yet every single one of our bodies is mysterious, and constantly adapting for better or worse — and always, always changing. This is a fact so ordinary — and yet not something most of us routinely pause to know and to ponder and work with. But Sara Hendren has made it her passion, br…

1
Christiana Figueres — Ecological Hope, and Spiritual Evolution 1:19:41

6M ago1:19:41

1:19:41

The ecological crisis we are standing before is at once civilizational and personal — intimately close to each of us in the places we love and inhabit, and unfolding at a species level. And as much as anyone alive on the planet now, Christiana Figueres has felt the overwhelm of this and stepped into service. She gives voice so eloquently to the gri…

1
The Ultimate Black History Lesson with Secretary Lonnie Bunch 45:04

6M ago45:04

45:04

Legendary historian and the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Lonnie Bunch, joins The Blackest Questions for an intimate one-on-one discussion about some of the country's forgotten Black historical figures. Bunch talks about his heroes and gets candid about what needs to change in museum leadership across the board. He also desc…

1
Clint Smith — What We Know in the "Marrow of Our Bones" 1:04:22

7M ago1:04:22

1:04:22

This phrase recurs throughout Clint Smith's writing: "in the marrow of our bones." It is an example of how words can hold encrypted wisdom — in this case, the reality that memory and emotion lodge in us physically. Words and phrases have carried this truth forward in time long before we had the science to understand it. Clint Smith is best known fo…

1
“Dance Party” by Clint Smith 2:25

6M ago2:25

2:25

Clint Smith reads his poem, “Dance Party.” This poem is featured in Clint’s On Being conversation with Krista, “What We Know in the ‘Marrow of Our Bones.’” Find more of his poems, along with our full collection of poetry films and readings from two decades of the show, at Experience Poetry. Clint Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic. His narrati…

1
“Ode to Those First Fifteen Minutes After the Kids Are Finally Asleep” by Clint Smith 1:55

6M ago1:55

1:55

Clint Smith reads his poem, “Ode to Those First Fifteen Minutes After the Kids Are Finally Asleep.” This poem is featured in Clint’s On Being conversation with Krista, “What We Know in the ‘Marrow of Our Bones.’” Find more of his poems, along with our full collection of poetry films and readings from two decades of the show, at Experience Poetry. C…

1
[Extended] Clint Smith with Krista Tippett 1:48:38

6M ago1:48:38

1:48:38

This phrase recurs throughout Clint Smith's writing: "in the marrow of our bones." It is an example of how words can hold encrypted wisdom — in this case, the reality that memory and emotion lodge in us physically. Words and phrases have carried this truth forward in time long before we had the science to understand it. Clint Smith is best known fo…

1
Three Skills for Staying Calm, Sane, and Open in a Chaotic World | Krista interviewed by Dan Harris for Ten Percent Happier 1:05:34

7M ago1:05:34

1:05:34

From Krista: I loved being interviewed by Dan Harris as much as I've ever enjoyed being on the other side of the microphone (as the saying goes). He drew things out of me I didn't know I had to say. And I'm so impressed with him as a human being, and what he's created with Ten Percent Happier. I hope you might enjoy this! Listen to Ten Percent Happ…

1
Latanya Sweeney — On Shaping Technology to Human Purpose 1:01:21

7M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

You may not know Latanya Sweeney's name, but as much as any other single person — and with good humor and grace as well as brilliance — she has led on the frontier of our gradual understanding of how far from anonymous you and I are in almost any database we inhabit, and how far from neutral all the algorithms by which we increasingly navigate our …

1
[Unedited] Latanya Sweeney with Krista Tippett 1:24:48

7M ago1:24:48

1:24:48

You may not know Latanya Sweeney's name, but as much as any other single person — and with good humor and grace as well as brilliance — she has led on the frontier of our gradual understanding of how far from anonymous you and I are in almost any database we inhabit, and how far from neutral all the algorithms by which we increasingly navigate our …

1
Showing Grace & Sharing Life Lessons with Actress Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins 34:28

7M ago34:28

34:28

Actress Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins joins The Blackest Questions to talk about her journey to help people heal with her powerful podcast "Trials to Triumphs." She also discusses the significant impact her HBCU experience had on her, what's next for her Hollywood career following the success of "Dear White People," and why Vanessa Williams is o…

1
Matthew Sanford – The Body's Grace 57:19

7M ago57:19

57:19

A wondrous, buried treasure from the 20-year On Being archive, with renowned yoga teacher Matthew Sanford. Be prepared, as you listen to what follows, to take in subtleties and gracefulness you've never before pondered — or tried to feel in yourself — in the interplay between your mind and your body. Matthew has an immensely energetic physical pres…

1
Baratunde Thurston — How to Be a Social Creative 1:09:36

7M ago1:09:36

1:09:36

Baratunde Thurston is a comedian, writer, and media entrepreneur. He has eyes open to the contradictions, strangeness, and beauty of being human. He looks for learning happening even amidst our hardest cultural tangles. And he intertwines all of this, innovatively and searchingly, with his lifelong joy in the natural world. The kaleidoscopic view o…

1
On Screen or On Stage, Actor E. Roger Mitchell Loves the Craft 33:49

7M ago33:49

33:49

With more than 25 years in the game, actor E. Roger Mitchell still gets the same excitement on the set of Tyler Perry's, A Jazzman's Blues as he did when showing up to his first acting job. The seasoned actor shares many laughs and stories with Dr. Christina Greer about his childhood in Miami and his passion for creating Black content with BET. The…

1
Reid Hoffman — AI, and What It Means to Be (More) Human 1:23:20

7M ago1:23:20

1:23:20

In this season of On Being and those to come, we are going to train the core human questions on the emerging “generative AI.” Beyond the hype and the doom, what is this new technology calling us to as human beings? What is our agency to shape it to human purpose, and how might it bring us — literally — to our senses? This inaugural conversation wit…

1
Feelin' Love from the Lovies 1:32

7M ago1:32

1:32

theGrio Black Podcast Network is proud to announce that two of our original podcasts, Being Black: The '80s and theGrio Daily, have received nominations from The Lovie Awards for their outstanding work. Click here to vote for Touré and here to vote for Michael Harriot and spread the word! Let's show the world we value Black storytelling. See omnyst…

1
Kerry Washington — Acting as a Devotional Practice 1:05:17

8M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

“Becoming other people” for a living, as Kerry Washington likes to describe her craft, turns out to be a revelatory lens on the high drama that is the human condition. As a “learning actor,” a kind of actor/anthropologist, she has brought elegance and moral rigor to all kinds of roles: as the uber-glamorous, tough-as-nails Olivia Pope on Scandal; a…

1
Good Laughs and Great Eats with Chef Jernard Wells 37:37

8M ago37:37

37:37

Celebrity Chef Jernard Wells and host of Cleo TV's New Soul Kitchen, talks about some of his favorite meals and shares secrets about his southern cooking style. He also reflects on pivotal moments in his career that shaped his success, including cooking for Tyler Perry and curating a supper club at The Historic Hampton House. See omnystudio.com/lis…

1
Kate Bowler — On Being in a Body 1:00:22

8M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

We love the theologian Kate Bowler's allergy to every platitude and her wisdom and wit about the strange and messy fullness of what it means to be in a human body. She's best known for her 2018 book Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I've Loved) — a poetic and powerful reflection on learning at age 35 that she had Stage IV colon cancer…

1
Kate Bowler — A Blessing for the Life You Didn't Choose 1:55

8M ago1:55

1:55

This blessing is featured in Kate’s conversation with Krista, “On Being in a Body.” It's published in her book The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days. Kate Bowler's beloved books include Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) and most recently, The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days. …

1
A New Season of On Being Is Coming 1:39

8M ago1:39

1:39

A big conversation to live by starting NEXT WEEK — every Thursday — from September 21. Loss — and love. AI — and the intelligence that lives in our bodies. Kerry Washington, Kate Bowler, Reid Hoffman, Latanya Sweeney, Nick Cave, Baratunde Thurston … and more. Subscribe, tell your friends, and buckle your (metaphorical) seatbelts.…

1
Michelle Buteau Is Doing More Than Surviving, She's Thriving 24:10

8M ago24:10

24:10

Comedian, actress, author, host, and producer Michelle Buteau stays booked and busy. The New Jersey native is more popular than ever following the launch of her book and adaptation for Netflix "Survival of the Thickest." Not much of a game player, the hilarious mom of twins joins The Blackest Questions hesitantly but ends the trivia game show on a …

1
Former NFL Player Tre Boston Trades a Football For a Hard Hat 29:19

9M ago29:19

29:19

Former NFL star Tre Boston and his wife Cierra share their love for philanthropy with Dr. Christina Greer as they discuss their new show on The Weather Channel that helps families renovate their homes destroyed by natural disasters. The husband and wife, who are used to working together, will instead play each other to see who gets to take home The…

1
Gina Yashere: Charming Hollywood One Joke at a Time 30:57

9M ago30:57

30:57

Gina Yashere, the comedian, actress, showrunner, and co-creator of 'Bob Hearts Abishola,' shares some of her favorite comedic moments with The Blackest Questions host Dr. Christina Greer. The pair also dive into Yashere's Nigerian and British influences, her current comedy tour and her support of the actors and writers strike that has brought Holly…

1
Fighting the Good Fight with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley 35:11

10M ago35:11

35:11

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley brings her confidence and smarts to The Blackest Questions. No stranger to breaking the mold, the Massachusetts representative shares her passion for women in politics and explains why Black representation should be a priority for all of us. She also discusses her childhood influences and what's next as she fights for …

1
Laughing & Learning with Comedian Roy Wood Jr. 34:31

10M ago34:31

34:31

July is comedy month at theGrio and The Blackest Questions welcomes comedian, actor, radio personality, and writer Roy Wood Jr. In recent years he's been a fixture on Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show' and his hosting gig at this year's White House Correspondents Dinner was a slam dunk. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Christina Greer will test Wood…

1
"Love is still the only revenge. It grows each time the earth is set on fire." 2:19

10M ago2:19

2:19

From Krista: I have been texting this exquisite poem from our archives to my beloveds. Perhaps it will touch you — hold you — as it is touching and holding me. ON ANOTHER PANEL ABOUT CLIMATE, THEY ASK ME TO SELL THE FUTURE AND ALL I'VE GOT IS A LOVE POEM To call the young Pakistani-American poet, Ayisha Siddiqa, a "climate activist" feels too simpl…

1
Talking Comedy, History, and Black Art with Diallo Riddle 44:00

10M ago44:00

44:00

Comedy Month at theGrio continues with a spotlight on the award-winning comedic writer, producer, and actor Diallo Riddle. Host Dr. Christina Greer is a massive fan of Riddle's HBO hit South Side and the pair chat about the show's successful run and its impact on culture. They also dive into Riddle's history with Black art and talk comedy OGs Marlo…

1
Amanda Seales Provides Some Laughs & Harsh Truths 47:49

10M ago47:49

47:49

theGrio is highlighting the art of comedy all month long and The Blackest Questions welcomes the always funny, always honest actress, comedian, and artist Amanda Seales. She talks about the evolution of her career with Dr. Christina Greer and the two bond over their love for the movie 'Coming To America.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf…

1
Anthony Anderson & Cedric The Entertainer Are The New Kings Of BBQ 20:56

11M ago20:56

20:56

They can act, and they can make us laugh, but can they ace The Blackest Questions history exam? Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer join Dr. Christina Greer to test their Black history knowledge and dish about their new A&E series Kings of BBQ. The pair have been friends for years and have now teamed up to share their friendship, and love o…

1
Christian Cooper, The Man Who Refuses to Stop "Birding While Black" 34:38

11M ago34:38

34:38

An afternoon with the Central Park Karen in 2020 opened the world's eyes to the dangers of "birding while Black." Christian Cooper made it out of the situation safely but it forever changed his life and had an undeniable effect on the birding community as a whole. Cooper has now made it his life mission to introduce birding to minority communities …

1
Meet Kalen Allen: Smart, Funny & Fierce 53:05

11M ago53:05

53:05

As we celebrate Pride Month, Dr. Christina Greer speaks with host, social media favorite, and Beyoncé super fan Kalen Allen who brings laughs and high energy to The Blackest Questions. He talks about his passion for academia, travel, and his hopes of creating a gender-nonconforming fashion line. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Hip Hop Edition: How Much Does Music OG Touré Really Know? 55:51

11M ago55:51

55:51

In this Hip Hop edition of the The Black Questions, theGrio's own music journalist, author Being Black :The '80s podcast host, and self-proclaimed hip-hop head Touré joins The Blackest Questions for a special Black Music Month episode. From Wu-Tang Clan and Nicki Minaj to The Geto Boys and Jay-Z, Dr. Christina Greer tests Touré's music history know…

1
From Poetry Unbound: Benjamin Gucciardi — The Rungs 16:07

11M ago16:07

16:07

Hello friends, it is a joy to introduce the new season of Poetry Unbound, which is underway. As Krista shares at the top, this episode has everything in it that makes Poetry Unbound such a gift in a noisy podcast world. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to Poetry Unbound for new episodes every Monday and Friday through July — and stay tuned for …

1
L Morgan Lee: A LGBTQ+ History Maker 43:16

12M ago43:16

43:16

As we honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, Dr. Christina Greer gets to know Tony-nominated actress L Morgan Lee from Broadway's breakout hit 'A Strange Loop.' Lee talks about her commitment to supporting transgender youth and shares the story of a surprise Facebook message that changed her life. See omnystudio.com/listener f…

1
Olympian Cullen Jones Strives for Gold Outside the Pool 35:08

12M ago35:08

35:08

Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones is a history maker who dedicates his post-competition life to helping others. Not only is he passionate about teaching people water safety but he's also leading the charge to close the racial gap in competitive swimming. Jones joins The Blackest Questions to talk about his community work, test his Black history kn…

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Baratunde Podcasts

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