Best Meja Podcasts (2024)

1
The Man Who Fell to TERF 1:03:28

8M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Ready to get the inside scoop on the recent Doctor Who special controversy? Stay tuned as we, your hosts Rachel and Phoebe, react to the backlash regarding the inclusion of a transgender character. We'll navigate the choppy waters of representation in media, and discuss whether there's ever a "right" way to include transgender characters. Prepare t…

1
Transpiration Special: Robin Hague, Changing Orbits for Corsets 1:05:34

8M ago1:05:34

1:05:34

Have you ever wondered what it means to truly be yourself? Join us in a heart-to-heart conversation with Robin, a brave individual who shares her enlightening journey of self-discovery and transition. This captivating episode unfolds Robin's tale of unveiling her true identity during the pandemic; an extraordinary period that had us all locked away…

1
MLK NOW 2024 - BOB Reward Club - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 23:05

8M ago23:05

23:05

Mark your calendars for a free event featuring Black-owned businesses, speakers, children’s activities, vendor tables and more at ⁠MLK NOW 2024⁠ by BOB Rewards Club, held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Ave. Bridge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (BOB stands for Black-owned businesses.) Black business owners: There is still time…

1
Transpiration Special: The Many Facets of Rachel 32:23

8M ago32:23

32:23

Ever wondered how it might feel when your identity is at odds with the world's perception of you? Rachel, a remarkable trans woman and mother of four, sheds light on this experience. In a talk given to a global audience at her workplace during Transgender Awareness Week, Rachel courageously shares her personal journey of self-discovery and resilien…

1
The Trans that Time Forgot 1:05:45

8M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

Have you ever wondered about the rich tapestry of transgender history and the challenges we face today? Journey with us, Rachel and Phoebe, as we traverse through the annals of time, retelling the often overlooked stories of our trans ancestors like King Henry III of France and the group "Rebecca and her daughters". We celebrate the beauty in the d…

1
The Bonfire of the Tranities 56:38

10M ago56:38

56:38

The unprecedented rise of transphobia, which is shaking the very core of our societies, is the burning topic of our discussion today. This unnerving wave of discrimination has prompted the UK government to redefine the concepts of 'man' and 'woman' to 'biological sex', paving the way for a potential withdrawal from the UN's European Convention on H…

1
S2 E9- Being Heard: MeJa Pinkney, Activist and Public speaker 36:32

10M ago36:32

36:32

Teacher, activist, and motivational speaker MeJa Pinkney shares her valuable perspective on being an educator beyond the classroom. According to MeJa, the focus often is on what kids are doing rather than why they're doing it. Join our conversation with returning guest MeJa as she shares more insights on how to inspire our students beyond the curri…

1
Transpiration Special: Oliver Radclyffe, from Her to Paternity 1:18:41

10M ago1:18:41

1:18:41

On this transpiration special edition, we get down and dirty with transmasc author Oliver Radclyffe, talking about every aspect of his life, from an upper-class girl breaking gender boundaries, and mother of four, to his eventual coming out at a motorcycle rally, the euphoria of aligning with his gender identity, and the challenges and delights of …

1
Nope Springs Eternal 53:21

10M ago53:21

53:21

Ever found yourself puzzled and curious about gender dysphoria? Let us, Rachel and Phoebe, be your guides on this journey, taking you through the complexities of this condition, its symptoms, common misconceptions, and varied treatment options. Drawing from the well of our personal experiences, we offer a uniquely empathetic perspective on the disc…

1
S2 E8 - Being Heard: Florida Shooting at Dollar General 22:16

10M ago22:16

22:16

The hosts discuss the Florida shooting at Jacksonville Dollar General. According to CNN, "It took less than an hour for the gunman to travel from the Family Dollar – where investigators believed he initially planned to carry his attack – to nearby Edward Waters University and then to the Dollar General where he killed three victims, according to th…

1
Satan Transed Our Child 31:51

10M ago31:51

31:51

How well do you truly understand the vibrant spectrum of transgender identities? Get ready to challenge and expand your perspectives as we share personal stories, debunk myths, and provide helpful insights about the transgender experience. Beginning with the pivotal question "How do you know you're trans?", we navigate the complex terrain of transg…

1
Transpiration Special: Meja Foss's Race Against Time 1:09:41

11M ago1:09:41

1:09:41

Meeting Meja Have you ever given much thought to the complex and challenging journey that comes with transitioning? What if you were not just transitioning, but doing so rapidly and globally? Meet our extraordinary guest Meja Foss, a trans woman who decided to take charge of her destiny, racing against time and borders to transition medically and s…

1
Balls in a Mason Jar 31:18

11M ago31:18

31:18

Have you ever wondered about the journey of transition, or have questions about it that you're afraid to ask? We're Red and Freckles, your trans agony aunts, ready to address your queries, thoughts, and concerns. Join us as we set the stage to celebrate the diversity and beauty of being trans, and shed light on every facet of the transition journey…

1
S2 E7 - Being Heard: Bobbye Wagner, The Pink Canopy 19:17

11M ago19:17

19:17

Bobbye Wagner, writer and producer of a documentary film entitled ‘The Pink Canopy’. This film reveals the life of an Iowa Educator and her battle with a mental illness.

1
S2 E6 - Being Heard: Teresa Zilk, Stories to Tell My Daughter 22:38

12M ago22:38

22:38

Teresa Zilk, Creator of Stories to Tell My daughter, discusses the experience behind story telling with co-host Lya

1
S2 E5 Part 2 of 2 - Being Heard: Andrea Smith, Survivor, List Maker, and Happiness Maker 24:22

1y ago24:22

24:22

Part 2 of Andrea Smith, Survivor, List Maker, and Happiness Maker sharing her story as a survivor of domestic violence.

1
S2 E4 Part 1 of 2 - Being Heard: Andrea Smith, Survivor, List Maker and Happiness Maker 13:27

1y ago13:27

13:27

Andrea Smith, Survivor, List Maker and Happiness Maker shares about her experience with domestic violence as a black woman.

1
S2 E3 - Being Heard: Juneteenth 17:32

1y ago17:32

17:32

According to Smithsonian Institute, "Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. "…

1
S2 Ep 2 - Being Heard: MeJa Pinkney, Teacher, Activist and Motivational Speaker 25:16

1y ago25:16

25:16

Teacher, activist and motivational speaker MeJa Pinkney uplifts her students in the classroom, and battles for them outside of it.

1
S2 Ep 1 - Being Heard: Dana James, Black Iowa Newspaper Publisher 33:51

1y ago33:51

33:51

Black Iowa News founder Dana James makes history with the Black Iowa Newspaper.

1
Ep 23: Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations with LaNisha Cassell of the African American Museum of Iowa 24:30

1y ago24:30

24:30

Ep 23: Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations with LaNisha Cassell, executive director of the African American Museum of Iowa, on celebrating Juneteenth and the museum's renovation. Get to know the African American Museum of Iowa.

1
Episode 22: Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations with Mayor Quentin Hart of Waterloo, Iowa 28:21

1y ago28:21

28:21

From the Ying Yang Twins and Ginuwine concert in June to the Lost Island Themepark and Waterpark and a new grocery store, Mayor Quentin Hart says Waterloo is moving forward.

1
Episode 21: Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations with Kari Bassett and the Black History Research Collective 24:34

1y ago24:34

24:34

Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations with Lya & Dana delve into Black Iowa history with Kari Bassett of the Black History Research Collective.

1
Being Heard: Episode 20: 'What the hell happened to Iowa' podcast host Rekha Basu talks about just that.' 25:56

1+ y ago25:56

25:56

Renown columnist Rekha Basu ticked through some of the things she feels make Iowa a great place to live: Edna Griffin fought for civil rights seven years before Rosa Parks. Iowa was the third state to legalize gay marriage. Interracial marriage was approved before neighboring states. Iowa welcomed Southeast Asian refugees to the state in the 1970s.…

1
Being Heard: Episode 19 — Going deeper on DEI 20:03

1+ y ago20:03

20:03

Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations with Lya and Dana spoke with Audrey Kennis, diversity, equity and inclusion director for the city of West Des Moines, delves into what DEI is and how the city of West Des Moines is embedding the principles in its service to residents. #2blackpodcast #DEI #inclusion #equity…

1
Being Heard: Episode 18 - Saluting Women’s History Month 15:46

1+ y ago15:46

15:46

Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations with Lya and Dana salutes all women during Women's History Month and celebrates the 40-year career of Dawnelle Conley, deputy district director of the Iowa District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

1
Being Heard: Episode 17- "When it comes to friends, you have to be willing to promote or demote accordingly." 33:43

1+ y ago33:43

33:43

Rap group Whodini famously pondered the meaning of friends. Lya & Dana, co-hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations, discuss what it means when your friends support you, and what it means when they don't, and why it's necessary to have tiers of friendship. #2blackpodcast #blackiowanews #friends #support #tuesdaytalks…

1
Being Heard: Episode 16 - ‘Dementia is the disease’ 29:53

1+ y ago29:53

29:53

Edith Crawford, a community volunteer with the Greater Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, has experienced what it's like to care for a loved one with dementia. She also knows Blacks are twice as likely as whites to have the disease. That's why she's working to spread awareness. She also hosts an Alzheimer's support group at 2 p.m. on the …

1
Being Heard: Ep 15 - Stop being surprised when people of color own businesses 17:33

1+ y ago17:33

17:33

Lya, co-host of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations, highlights Pots and Shots, which mixes house plants and cocktails, and encourages community and networking in Waukee, with owner Temeshia Bomato. #2blackpodcast #potsandshots #womanownedbusiness #plants #cocktails @potsandshotsiowa

1
Being Heard: Ep 14 - The Black Iowa history they didn't teach you about in school 22:22

1+ y ago22:22

22:22

Leo Landis, state curator of the Iowa Historical Society, sits down with Lya & Dana of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations. Landis uncovers some of the key people and places important to Black Iowa History that you may not know about. #2blackpodcast #blackhistorymonth #blackiowa

1
Being Heard: Ep 13 - "Should we continue to watch videos of police brutalizing Black motorists?" 35:33

1+ y ago35:33

35:33

Lya & Dana, co-hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations, ponder whether or not to watch the viral videos of Black motorists being subjected to police brutality — like in the cases of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, and and George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. #2blackpodcast

1
Bonus: Happy Valentine’s Day 0:21

1+ y ago0:21

0:21

Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none”

1
Being Heard: Episode 12 - "Iowa's school vouchers: 'I view it as theft. I view it as racism'" 32:32

1+ y ago32:32

32:32

Ultimately, this is the end goal — to have the populace be dumbed down. To have the populace not be able to connect the dots." Lya and Dana discuss the controversy surrounding school vouchers and the tenuous future of education in Iowa. #2blackpodcast #schoolvouchers #Iowa #education

1
Being Heard - Episode 11: Beloved Black actress Nia Long recently decried using the terms "Black Movies" and "Black Famous," which she told Buzz Feed "hold us back." 32:41

1+ y ago32:41

32:41

Beloved Black actress Nia Long recently decried using the terms "Black Movies" and "BlackFamous," which she told BuzzFeed "hold us back." Lya & Dana, co-hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations discuss movies, HBCUs, Black media and why they are unapologetically Black and proud. #2blackpodcast #blackgirlfollowtrain #blackgirlmagi…

1
Being Heard: Episode - 10: "Every condition requires a doula, honey." 46:12

1+ y ago46:12

46:12

Giving birth is sacred, says Clem the Doula. And, it can be difficult and deadly for Black women who must navigate Iowa's predominantly white health care systems, where Blacks are six times more likely than whites to die during or after childbirth, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Doulas wrap mothers in support and edu…

1
Being Heard: Episode 9 - "See Black women as human beings and not some type of super women." 31:22

1+ y ago31:22

31:22

During the holidays and in everyday life, Black women are the glue. They prioritize taking care of their children, families and communities with too little thought to taking care of themselves. They push through work while they're tired and underpaid. Then, they overwork at home and in their communities. Often, their public personas don't align wit…

1
Being Heard: Bonus - Mashup 0:50

1+ y ago0:50

0:50

We will be taking a break before the New Year. We hope you will take time to rest and of course catch up on our past episodes. Here is to wishing EVERYONE a Happy Holiday. #2blkpodcast #2blackpodcast #holiday #winter #rest #podcast #HappyNewYear2023

1
Bonus: Happy Holidays 2022 0:24

1+ y ago0:24

0:24

We want to wish you a Happy Holidays!!!

1
Being Heard: Episode 8 - "In order for there to be progress, we also need the youth to be paying attention." 31:50

1+ y ago31:50

31:50

People ask Waverly Zhao, Johnston High School student, why she's so interested in politics. Zhao has already run for public office and won — representing students on the Johnston School board. Next, she'll serve as Legislative Page in the Iowa Legislature. Zhao tells Lya & Dana, hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations how and wh…

1
Being Heard: Episode 7 - "I'm a whole damn woman." 30:54

1+ y ago30:54

30:54

Seeta Lee, an educator, writer and self-care coach, learned something revolutionary about herself: She's "A Whole Damn Woman." Lee is CEO of Whole Damn Woman, a feminist self-care education company. Self-care is about "more than massages" Lee told Lya, co-host of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations. Lee coaches people to rid themselv…

1
Being Heard: Episode 6 - "Why does my side of town not look like the other side of town?" 38:04

1+ y ago38:04

38:04

Waterloo, Iowa Mayor Quentin Hart, in his fourth term, told the hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations he "made it into office" by working for people — in whatever capacity he could. Now, he's helping to spearhead citywide transformation —with an emphasis on equity — in the town of about 68,000 people, of whom 18% are Black. Wh…

1
Being Heard: Ep 5 "“Does the U.S. need another Donald Trump presidential run?" 32:31

1+ y ago32:31

32:31

Lya & Dana contemplate the possible fallout from another Donald Trump presidential run. Will it lead to more bigotry in the world? Grab a coffee as Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations tackle Trump. #2blkpodcast @Lya I think that’s all you need for now.

1
Being Heard: Episode 4 - "How are your children?" 35:30

1+ y ago35:30

35:30

A group of concerned Black educators and parents have developed an interest group for a Des Moines chapter of the National Black Child Development Institute. Anita Fleming-Rife, a retired educator, hopes to rally people around Black students' math and reading proficiency and implement programs and advocacy initiatives. She decried the test scores a…

1
Being Heard: Episode 3 - "What you write down, you retain." 18:31

1+ y ago18:31

18:31

Whether you use Bullet journal, RocketBook, memo record, or still use a Franklin Covey planner, Lya & Dana, the cohosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations, discuss the best ways to to stay organized. #journaling #2blkpodcast #bulletjournaling #organization Watch us on our YouTube Channel 'Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conv…

1
Being Heard: Episode 2 - ‘Aren’t you glad you live in Iowa?’ Depends on the results of the Nov. 8 midterms. 18:08

1+ y ago18:08

18:08

Americans go to the polls today, Nov. 8, 2022, to vote in the midterm elections. On Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations, hosts Lya and Dana urge Black Americans to think about those high grocery and utility bills, how they had to keep pushing during the coronavirus pandemic and run, not walk, to the polls. #2blkpodcast #midterms #ele…

1
Being Heard: Episode 1 - "It's going to be really Black" 27:03

2y ago27:03

27:03

Corey Dion Lewis, The Healthy Project Podcast host, and creator of the My City My Health Equity Summit on Nov. 11 at Mainframe Studios in downtown Des Moines. "It's going to be really, really Black." That's how Corey Dion Lewis describes his inaugural My City My Health Equity Summit in Des Moines, Iowa. Forget some stuffy conference. Lewis told pod…