What if we told you there's an entire book dedicated to the things Black folk say? Historically Black Phrases by jarett hill and Tre'vell Anderson introduces and explains sayings like "I AIN'T ONE OF YOUR LIL' FRIENDS" to "WHO ALL GON' BE THERE?". The book is a blend of the many things you grew up hearing and their definitions and usage all in one …

We should all be free to be, free to love, and be celebrated in that process - if not by others, then definitely by ourselves. In this episode, Hana and Leila explore three stories that center queerness and spirituality, Black drag culture, and shifting relationship structures through polyamory. Through it all, the episode guests had to wrestle wit…

It's our 100th episode! We're celebrating by going back to some special episode moments over 10 seasons of the show. Some made us laugh, others made us cry, some moments made us question whether we should really go there, and others made us even question ourselves. It's a look back, behind the scenes, of what makes The Stoop, The Stoop. Thank you f…

Welcome to our Mother's Day special! There are many unexpected ways that people step into parenting. In this special from The Stoop, we hear stories about redefining family on your own terms. We explore the term ‘Auntie’ and how some women find it problematic, we hear about the challenges of IVF for Black women, and we meet a family that shows us h…

Hana loves perfume, and there’s a long heritage of traditional perfume making in Sudan. But sometimes, sweet smells come with some controversy. As she explores the history of racism and colonialism in the global perfume industry with perfume enthusiast and historian Razan Idris, she discovers an intriguing story about an iconic Sudanese scent that …

This is an ode to Black men's voices. Celebrating some of the voices that soothe, excite, or give us a sense of feeling grounded. Over the years, Black men’s voices have symbolized comfort, affection, and authority in pop culture. From the baritone of Barry White to the reliable tone of James Earl Jones, we're celebrating voice. We also meet voice …

“When can we allow somebody to cry and be transparent?” WNBA player Chamique Holdsclaw asked at the height of her career as a pro basketball player. Chamique's willingness to address her mental health changed her life. In this episode, Chamique talks about the Black pride that can get in the way of healing, what she’d like for people to consider wh…

Hana is trying to enjoy the Sudanese music she loves, but something isn’t feeling right. The war in Sudan continues, and has destroyed with it a lot of the country’s cultural landscape, including places where the country’s music once lived. She’s wondering - what will happen to Sudan’s musical heritage? She talks it out with Leila and with Haneen S…

Many children dream of being wildlife experts after watching hours of nature shows, but as grown-ups, it’s rare to meet a Black nature ecologist. Today we hear some unbelievable nature stories with carnivore expert Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. She shares the most fascinating challenges in her career from facing the racialized history of conservation work to…

Get your popcorn! It’s movie night on The Stoop. Whether during filmmaking booms or busts, Black entertainers and filmmakers found a way to show Black love on screen. We explore the history of love in Black movies with film scholar Dr. Artel Great. From the first Black kiss filmed in the 1800s, to the 90's romance renaissance and beyond, we go down…

This season we're leaning into love in all its forms — starting with the city of love, Paris. Leila meets with Sutanya Dacres, an American in France, who transformed her life after heartbreak through the joy of cooking. She also lets us in on the secret ingredient that makes French life feel so romantic.…

The Stoop is back with season 10! This season, Leila and Hana are exploring love in its many forms.By Hana Baba and Leila Day

Sometimes it’s easier to hold back than be completely honest, especially when talking about some of the themes that are brought up on The Stoop. Today Hana and Leila share some moments that made them uncomfortable but also made them realize the importance of sharing the discomfort. As we approach our 100th episode, let’s be 100% real.…

Hana spends a day in Nairobi with Kenyan Instagram comedian, Hope Hajir. Hope made it to the U.S. and was living her life when a tragic event gave her pause. While many people who reach the U.S. find ways to stay, Hope decided to return to Nairobi and talks about the experience of not wanting to live the American Dream.…

This summer, The Moth and The Stoop are getting cozy and sharing stories. Today, we invite special guest, Suzanne Rust, the host of The Moth storytelling series, to share a tale she loves. This story is by Ivan McClellan, a photographer who lives in Portland, Oregon. Ivan found something very unexpected in his hometown of Kansas City, Kansas when h…

What’s it like when everyone at home speaks a language you don’t understand? That’s the story of Claudia, a Ghanaian American who grew up not speaking her home language —her ‘Mother Tongue’. But everybody else did, including her own siblings. The effects were real: disconnect, frustration, shame, and at some point a full on identity crisis. We also…

Leila travels back to Cuba —and to her 20s —in this special episode about Havana, dance, hair, proud negras, and finding your voice. This story is told in collaboration with Meditative Story, hosted by Rohan Gunatillake.By Hana Baba and Leila Day