Whether or not you plan on drinking margaritas today, (no judgement) let’s uncover the the true history of Cinco De Mayo. So we’re not one of the people getting sippin' and eating today with no context, thinking today is Mexican Independence Day! In this episode, we discuss: What happened on this day in history One of the most common misconceptions…

Tax Day is creeping up on us! Ever wondered, why doesn’t anyone say Happy Tax Day? Cause doing taxes suck! With tax day right around the corner you could be doing one of these three things;(1) chillin, cause you have your ish together and already submitted your taxes, (2) scrambling to get your ish together to just make it to the deadline by the sk…

Did you know? Before the Civil War, one in four cowboys was Black, a fact that highlights their integral role in shaping the American West. In this captivating episode of "The Hidden History of Black Cowboys," we journey into the American West to uncover a piece of history that's often overlooked and that Hollywood tells us is white. With our speci…

Happy New Year! What mystical, magical power does January hold that makes it THEE month we swear we're going to get our mind, money, and of course, our spiritual lives, right? We head to the local craft store and buy the latest "Happy Me" Planner and all those damn stickers! Head home and binge-watch 10,000 hours of content about goal planning and …

Tis the season for reinventing ourselves, making list of ins and outs and creating the R word- New Year Resolutions - but ever wondered how New Year Resolutions all started? Listen to this episode to uncover how annual promises became an essential part of our lives- think ancient times and middle east. Fun fact: While 45 percent of Americans dive i…

Did you know? Before the Civil War, one in four cowboys was Black, a fact that highlights their integral role in shaping the American West. In this captivating episode of "The Hidden History of Black Cowboys," we journey into the American West to uncover a piece of history that's often overlooked and that Hollywood tells us is white. With our speci…

In this episode, we're diving into the rich history of Black folks in the world of surfing. Many text say the first accounts of surfing started in Hawaii in 1778 but evidence shows otherwise. From the shores of West Africa to the modern-day waves, we're uncovering how Black folks have been riding the waves since the 1640s and carving out safe space…

Celebrate the Barbie Movie premiere weekend by uncovering a fascinating journey through Barbie's history, shining a spotlight on the empowering story of Black Barbie. From Francie's flop to glamour of Black Barbie's, discover the inspiring evolution of this iconic doll! In this short bonus -solo episode your host Toya, gives you all the tea and rec…

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of how Black brilliance played a crucial role in shaping American Oyster culture. From pioneering techniques to thriving communities, we explore the remarkable contributions that have influenced the oyster industry and how we enjoy oysters today. Joining us is special guest Zella Palmer, a renowne…

This summer on the podcast, we're bringing together the pure joy of summertime with the thrill of uncovering untold histories that center around summer-themed topics. From the history of surfing to the history of Black cowboys. This summer session of podcast episodes is the adult summer camp you never knew you always wanted to go to. Where you see …

Did you know there was a time when July 4th was a Black holiday? Yep! Listen to find out when, why, and how Black folks made July 4th their own holiday, while also learning the remarkable ways movements and activists have used America's Birthday to continue the ongoing fight for equality. In this quick 30-minute solo episode , you'll learn: What do…

We're kicking off Juneteenth weekend with some Juneteenth facts and celebrating the podcast's 3-year anniversary. Did you know that this podcast was started on June 19th, 2020? In this week's solo dolo episode, explore 10 facts that everyone should know about this pivotal day, including the historical significance of General Granger's arrival in Te…

Did you know PRIDE month has a theme? Yep this year's theme is an important one and is one of the 7 facts we learn in this episode. Get ready to uncover hidden stories, meet trailblazing activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and celebrate the joyous spirit of love and inclusivity that defines Pride Month. This episode is a captivating…

Have you ever wondered how grillz, those shimmering gold or diamond-studded mouthpieces, came to symbolize style, status, and self-expression? Find out in this solo episode of "That Wasn't In My Textbook," where we explore the fascinating history of grillz, the iconic dental bling that has become synonymous with hip-hop culture. From ancient civili…

Have you ever caught yourself waiting until the last minute to complete a task, even though you know you should have started sooner? We all have! But if you haven't please teach me your ways. But have you ever wondered WHY we procrastinate? Is it really just a sign of laziness or poor time management skills? In this episode of we uncover the surpri…

Tax Day is creeping up on us! Ever wondered, why doesn’t anyone say Happy Tax Day? Cause doing taxes suck! With tax day right around the corner you could be doing one of these three things;(1) chillin, cause you have your ish together and already submitted your taxes, (2) scrambling to get your ish together to just make it to the deadline by the sk…

Did you know that in the 1960s the most popular 8th grade textbook only mentioned two Black people in the entire century of history that had transpired since the Civil War? Yep! So even though we celebrate Black History 365/24/7- Black history month was created to ensure that teachers and schools had to talk about Black History at some point in the…

Cue the fireworks and bring on the confetti; we're celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Yes, I recognize celebrating a 33rd anniversary is a bit odd. Still, considering the hard-fought battle to have the only "King" we recognize honored with a national holiday, I think it's worth celebrating this historic milestone. In th…

Happy New Year! What mystical, magical power does January hold that makes it THEE month we swear we're going to get our mind, money, and of course, our spiritual lives, right? We head to the local craft store and buy the latest "Happy Me" Planner and all those damn stickers! Head home and binge-watch 10,000 hours of content about goal planning and …

Does it seem like "everybody and their cousin" is on social media these days? If you've silently said to yourself, "It's just a fad that will die out soon," you may be surprised to learn that social media isn't exiting the stage anytime soon. It's center stage, baby! And will remain an integral part of our lives. Its presence is felt in our politic…

Does the looming recession have you ready to withdraw your money from the bank, dig a hole, and bury your money and head in the sand until someone gives the "all clear signal"? If so, you're not alone, but I NEED you to put down the shovel and tune into this episode of That Wasn't In My Textbook. Recessions and economic downturns are a part of our …

Do you know that June 19th is known as the Day of Freedom? Last year the President made June 19th, also called Juneteenth, an official federal holiday to commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. In this quick 20-minute episode find out 9 Facts that we ALL should know about today and why General Granger's arrival in Texas on June…

We know memorial day as the last weekend in May that honors veterans and marks the beginning of summer. But how did this holiday start? And who created it? Listen to this episode to find out the real history of memorial day, that includes Black folks. Here are key things to listen out for: Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day The Overl…

Whether or not you plan on drinking margaritas today, (no judgement) let’s uncover the the true history of Cinco De Mayo. So we’re not one of the people getting sippin and eating today with no context, thinking today is Mexican Independence Day! In this episode, we discuss: What happened on this day in history One of the most common misconceptions …

The history of the African head wrap is one that is steeped in controversy. Long before it was appreciated for its ability to compliment beautiful black hair, it was blamed for its association with slavery, seen as a sign of inferiority, and even outlawed. In this episode, Toya and Paola take us on a journey through time, while explaining the contr…

Long before it was a historic day and number used to identify cannabis use, the term 420 has been used for decades by a group of people who share no common medical or recreational agenda. This is an interesting and rare collection of stories and facts about 420. From the beginning until today's worldwide acceptance, walk takes you through time whil…

Before Gwyneth Paltrow was out here selling candles that smelled like her vagina. Thanks, Gwyneth, but I'll pass. This week's podcast guest, Denequa Williams Clarke of Lit Brooklyn, had already changed the game with ethically sourced fragrant luxury candles. Sometimes finding your center after a long day can only be achieved with a glass of wine, o…

Whether or not you like reality TV, you have to admit its one of the most popular TV genres that's definitely here to stay. So in this episode we trace when reality TV first showed up on our TV screens ( Hint it was 73 years ago). So while many of us think of reality TV as the Kardashian or The Real Housewives, reality television a much broader, wi…

Many of our textbooks tell this beautiful story of Thanksgiving Day being a historic fest that took place in America in 1621 where Pilgrims and colonizers broke bread together in peace and harmony. While it sounds beautiful many Historians have pointed out that the events surrounding the real Thanksgiving don't match up with the stories in our text…

Listen to the quick 20-min episode to get a brief overview of when and where this hypnotic erotic dancing began - that has men (and some women) throwing money women all over the world for centuries. Find out how this ancient ritual for reproduction and harvest has evolved into modern-day entertainment for men… and women. In this quick 20-minute sol…

Oftentimes ,when we hear the word minimalist, we think of boring neutral colors, and bare bone spaces, but it doesn't have to be that way. In today's History of Minimalism episode we trace the history of this art form that has became a lifestyle and we also look at how we can reimagine minimalism to fit our individual style and needs. Joined by the…

It’s that time of year that we all hate when the sunsets at 5pm- its actually quite depressing. Every year, twice a year, most Americans switch all the clocks forward, or backward, one hour for daylight saving time (DST) beginning and ending. BUT why do we shift time twice a year? And who came up with this? Cause I want to speak to management. List…

Your favorite history podcast has returned for Season 3. We're like the history class you never knew you wanted and that you don’t want to miss! Let face it, most history classes are boring, a lot of history topics seem ancient and therefore people think history is boring. But believe it or not history is very interesting. Season 1 and 2 has proven…

We're ending this 2nd season of the podcast talking about burnout. Something many of us may have experienced due to this past stressful year and a half juggling things like a pandemic, racism, asian hate, climate change, women rights and the list goes on. So yes, burnout is real and is now a legitimate medical diagnosis, that doctors can label you …

While many of our textbooks link astrology to Greeks, historians believe that astrology was actually birthed in Ancient Africa. So whether or not you believe in the power of the stars, moon and plants, this episode will help you uncover the history of astrology and the importance of timing- things that definitely wasn't in our textbooks. Joined by …

Do you know that June 19th is known as the Day of Freedom? And it's also our podaversary? Yep, June 19th, also called Juneteenth, is actually the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. In this quick 25-minute episode find out why General Granger's arrival in Texas on June 19th 1865, is a very impor…

Though the origins of Pride Month span back to the '50s, many people credit a specific event that happened in NYC on June 28, 1969, as the thing that set off the creation of Pride and the Gay Liberation movement: the Stonewall Riots. In this 14-minute solo episode, learn 5 facts that help us understand: What is Pride month How it started The symbol…

The conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians is long and complex and goes back 100 years. Many argue that their beef is religious but it is a land, control and power issue. In fact it's an issue we've seen play out in history time and time again. Joined by Tamar a member of the Palestine Youth Movement NYC chapter and a NYU graduate stude…

Did you know we're in Masturbation May? And that May 7th is National Masturbation Day? Now you might be wondering how we May became the golden month for all things self pleasure and we talk about all that and more in this short 14 minute episode. In this episode, we discuss: How we got this Masturbation Day and Month What's the definition of mastur…

Whether or not you plan on drinking margaritas today, (no judgement) let’s uncover the the true history of Cinco De Mayo. So we’re not one of the people getting sippin and eating today with no context, thinking today is Mexican Independence Day! In this episode, we discuss: What happened on this day in history One of the most common misconceptions …

I think it's safe to say that the year 2020 was the year of self-care. Now, while the self-care of today that we see on the gram seems to simply consist of only facials and bubble baths, self-care has deep roots and a radical history that definitely wasn’t in our textbooks. Joined by Les Alfred founder of Balanced Black Girl an online wellness comm…

Did you know 1 in 7 people in North America have at least one tattoo? And 70 percent of us tatted folks have more than one tattoo? We’re getting into all these facts and the history of tattoos in this episode with the dopest tattoo artist in the game Oba Jackson. In this episode we discuss: Where and why tattooing started in different parts of the …

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and drooled over the costumes? Well today we're celebrating the Black costume designers that are responsible for the drip, threads, swag -whatever you want to call - of our favorite characters from our favorite TV shows. Historically, Black and Brown folks haven't always been celebrated and reflected on scre…

Did you know that wine is the 3rd most popular drink in the world? Yep, following water and coffee wine is at the top of most people's drinking list. Understand the popularity of this grape drank, listen to this episode to uncover where wine originated (Hint: it's not France), the process of becoming a Sommelier and to get tips on how to select and…

Did you know that in the 1960s the most popular 8th grade textbook only mentioned two Black people in the entire century of history that had transpired since the Civil War? Yep! So even though we celebrate Black History 365/24/7- Black history month was created to ensure that teachers and schools had to talk about Black History at some point in the…

Do you remember everything that happened in 2020? We can all agree that 2020 was a tough year that felt like it lasted 12 months and 487 days. We can also all agree the two biggest issues that we faced this year was COVID-19 and the continuous fight against police brutality and racial injustice. BUT what other things happened in 2020? Better yet, w…

Unique drink recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, is a beautiful part of the holiday season in most families. While America's signature holiday drink is Eggnog, other Latin American and Caribbean countries have their own holiday drinks that are apart of their tradition- like Puerto Rico's signature holiday drink Coquito…

Did you know that there are 6 basic feelings we all experience when we're dealing with change? Yep, and it's all broken down by the change curve, a 51-year-old simple breakdown that walks us through the 6 emotions we ALL experience when things switch up on us. Essentially, the change curve explains and looks like, the emotional coaster that people …

Many of our textbooks tell this beautiful story of Thanksgiving Day being a historic fest that took place in America in 1621 where Pilgrims and colonizers broke bread together in peace and harmony. While it sounds beautiful many Historians have pointed out that the events surrounding the real Thanksgiving don't match up with the stories in our text…