Best The Kitchen Sisters & Radiotopia Podcasts (2025)

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After 15 months of displacement...from Up First 30:08

2d ago30:08

30:08

Recently, the White House announced its plans to ask Congress to rescind funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If the plan passes, there could be serious consequences for the public media ecosystem. Rather than tell you why we think public media is important, we are sharing this piece from NPR's Up First. This story is one of the best…

1
Pie Down Here: Listening Back—Alabama Sharecroppers and Communist Organizers, 1930s 37:43

8d ago37:43

37:43

Pie Down Here — Produced by Signal Hill In the 1980s, when Robin D.G. Kelley was 24 years old, he took a bus trip to the Deep South. He was researching and recording oral histories with farmworkers and Communist Party members who had organized a sharecroppers union in Alabama during the Great Depression. Kelly used those oral histories to write his…

1
Introducing: Harlem Queen 13:37

16d ago13:37

13:37

Today we're sharing the first episode of Harlem Queen, a historical audio drama detailing the powerful story of “Policy Queen” and “gangster” Madame Stephanie St. Clair. Madame St. Clair had a powerful impact on building the Harlem community underground and aboveground and defining the Harlem Renaissance. Our goal is for you to be entertained, educ…

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A Tribute to George Foreman: An Unexpected Kitchen—The George Foreman Grill 22:38

23d ago22:38

22:38

In 2004, we opened up a phone line on NPR asking people to tell us about their Hidden Kitchens— secret, underground, below the radar cooking, and how people come together through food. One caller told us about immigrants and homeless people, who didn't have official kitchens, using the George Foreman Grill to make meals and a home. Did George Forem…

1
Jason and Isabelle Revisit My Mother Made Me 6:09

24d ago6:09

6:09

In October 2024, Apple Podcasts launched a new initiative to highlight narrative series, including designating a new show every month as a Series Essential, celebrating the finest storytelling and the medium’s greatest achievements. My Mother Made Me is the March 2025 selection. For this special occasion, we asked Jason to sit down with his mother …

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Alternate Realities from Embedded 27:55

1M ago27:55

27:55

Today, we're sharing the first episode of a new limited-run series from NPR's Embedded, "Alternate Realities". Zach Mack and his dad are living in separate realities, and it's tearing their family apart. Like so many Americans, Zach's dad has gotten swept up in conspiracy theories. After years of circular arguments, the father challenged his son to…

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Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston - Revisiting Manzanar 44:49

1M ago44:49

44:49

In 1981 The Kitchen Sisters interviewed Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston for a story about life on the homefront during World War II. Jeanne told stories of her childhood growing up in Manzanar, a hastily built detention camp surrounded by barbed wire and armed guard towers in the midst of the Owens Valley in the Mojave desert, where Japanese Americans wer…

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Red for Revolution 6 - I Love Paris 41:30

1M ago41:30

41:30

As tensions escalate and hearts are both shattered and healed, our season one love story reaches its climax in the City of Love. Jazmine’s family surprises her with a graduation trip to Paris, but little do they know, she has a surprise of her own in store. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direct…

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Red for Revolution 5 - Send in the Clowns 43:11

2M ago43:11

43:11

As tensions between Jazmine and her mother boil over, Grandma Ella steps in, guiding the three women to confront the painful reality of intergenerational homophobia. Meanwhile, back in the 1970s, the stakes soar for Ella and Lorraine’s relationship as young Ella is falsely accused of a crime. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by …

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The Tom Luddy Connection: The Man, The Movies, The Rolodex 53:14

2M ago53:14

53:14

Tom Luddy was a quiet titan of cinema. He presided over the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley for some 10 years, co-founded and directed The Telluride Film Festival for nearly 50 years, produced some 14 movies, match-made dozens of international love affairs, and foraged for the most beautiful, political, important, risky films and made sure there w…

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Red for Revolution 4 - He Looked Beyond My Faults 29:22

2M ago29:22

29:22

Jazmine holds space for Ms. Lorraine as she shares her story of substance abuse, inspiring a conversation about grace and self-acceptance. Meanwhile, back in the 70s, a younger Lorraine confesses her substance abuse to Ella, generating a difficult impasse between the two. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with…

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House/Full of Black Women 52:59

2M ago52:59

52:59

For almost a dozen years, 34 Black women gathered monthly around a big dining room table in an orange house on Orange Street in Oakland, CA — meeting, cooking, dancing, strategizing — grappling with the issues of eviction, erasure, gentrification, inadequate health care, and the sex trafficking of Black women and girls overwhelming their community.…

1
Red for Revolution 3 - Stormy Weather 32:06

2M ago32:06

32:06

As Jazmine grapples with self-acceptance, Grandma Ella and Ms. Lorraine feel compelled to share their respective insecurities. This leads to a poignant recollection of the day a power outage compelled a young Ella and Lorraine to reveal their deepest secrets and vulnerabilities. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smi…

1
Red for Revolution 2 - Never Will I Marry 47:37

2M ago47:37

47:37

Jazmine uncovers her grandmother's journals, shedding light on previously unknown aspects of her inner life and igniting the tale of how Ella and Lorraine reconnected in 1971, New York City for a taping of the TV show Black Dreams after their passionate first encounter in Gary. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smit…

1
Spotlight on Black Pet Care Entrepreneurs 36:30

3M ago36:30

36:30

Lured in by a blackboard sign on the street in Davia’s neighborhood announcing “Spotlight on Black Entrepreneurs,” we enter the creative and growing world of Black-Owned Pet Businesses. Lick You Silly dog treats, Trill Paws enamel ID Tags, The Dog Father of Harlem's Doggie Day Spa, gorgeous rainbow beaded Dog Collars from The Kenya Collection, Sir …

1
Red for Revolution 1 - I’ve Got a Crush On You 34:47

3M ago34:47

34:47

After the assassination of a Black female revolutionary, an unexpected romance blossoms between the two women left in her wake—an apolitical jazz singer and a radical activist. While in the present day, college-bound Jazmine embarks on a journey to find her grandmother's first love and document their love story. Red for Revolution is created, writt…

1
Radiotopia Presents: Red for Revolution 2:21

3M ago2:21

2:21

Red for Revolution is an enthralling audio drama that tells the passionate love story between jazz singer Lorraine Giovanni and activist Ella Ali. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of 18-year-old Jazmine, who is coming of age and seeking wisdom from her grandmother, Ella. As Jazmine conducts heartfelt interviews with her grandmother, li…

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The Anti-Inaugural Concert: Leonard Bernstein, Richard Nixon and the "Plea for Peace" music of 1973 Inauguration 33:14

3M ago33:14

33:14

Lady Gaga, Marion Anderson, Beyoncé, Frank Sinatra, Pete Seeger, Maya Angelou — musicians and poets have been powerful headliners at inauguration ceremonies across the years signaling change, new beginnings and reflecting the mood of the country and a new administration. In January 1973, following the Christmas bombing of Vietnam, conductor Leonard…

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Best of Radiotopia - Weight For It 40:43

4M ago40:43

40:43

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Weight For It - “Into Thin Air." It's not too late - Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is still on! Donate to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - This Day in Esoteric Political History 20:27

4M ago20:27

20:27

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - This Day in Esoteric Political History - “Dick Cheney Shoots Friend In The Face”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - The West Wing Weekly 1:01:42

4M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The West Wing Weekly - “The American President”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - The Stoop 34:59

4M ago34:59

34:59

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Stoop - “This Ain't Texas, It's Africa." It's not too late - Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is still on! Donate to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - Song Exploder 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Song Exploder - “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Our House." It's not too late - Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is still on! Donate to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - The Recipe with Kenji and Deb 38:12

4M ago38:12

38:12

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Recipe with Kenji and Deb - “Popcorn”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 40:15

4M ago40:15

40:15

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative - “Just a Girl with a Microphone." Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Edna Lewis: Christmas in Freetown 5:56

4M ago5:56

5:56

Edna Lewis was a legendary American chef, a pioneer of Southern cooking and the author of four books, including The Taste of Country Cooking, her memoir cookbook about growing up in Freetown, Virginia, a small farming community of formerly enslaved people and their descendants established in 1866. Before she began writing books, Edna had been a cel…

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Best of Radiotopia - Radio Diaries 14:03

4M ago14:03

14:03

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Radio Diaries - “The John Birch Society”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - Normal Gossip 1:01:37

4M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Normal Gossip - “The Suite Life of Rachelle and Kelsey”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - The Mortified Podcast 30:37

4M ago30:37

30:37

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Mortified Podcast - “The Origin Story”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - The Memory Palace 9:54

4M ago9:54

9:54

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Memory Palace - “Lost Jobs”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! And you can buy The Memory Palace book here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - The Kitchen Sisters Present 12:43

4M ago12:43

12:43

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Kitchen Sisters Present - “Tupperware”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - Hyperfixed 33:55

4M ago33:55

33:55

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Hyperfixed - “Casey Wants to Believe”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - The Heart 10:43

4M ago10:43

10:43

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Heart - “EPILOGUE | Letter to Gaza”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Cecilia Chiang Spills the Tea 27:01

4M ago27:01

27:01

On the occasion of her 80th birthday in 2000, The Kitchen Sisters, along with food writer Peggy Knickerbocker, visited the home of Cecilia Chiang, the legendary Chinese-American restaurateur, chef and founder of The Mandarin Restaurant in San Francisco for a bit of an oral history. Cecilia Chiang introduced regional Chinese cooking to America in th…

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Best of Radiotopia - Hang Up 49:55

4M ago49:55

49:55

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Hang Up - “Speed Dial”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - Ear Hustle 53:21

4M ago53:21

53:21

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Ear Hustle - “What's Up, Michael Freeman?”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - Benjamen Walker's Theory of Everything 1:12:44

4M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Benjamen Walker's Theory of Everything - "Not All Propaganda is Art" episode 1. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Best of Radiotopia - Articles of Interest 50:16

4M ago50:16

50:16

Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Articles of Interest - “Nudity”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Catherine Bauer Wurster, Housing Advocate: A Thoroughly Modern Woman 49:00

5M ago49:00

49:00

A pioneer in her field, Catherine Bauer Wurster was advisor to five presidents on urban planning and housing and was one of the primary authors of the Housing Act of 1937. During the 1930s she wrote the influential book Modern Housing and was one of the leaders of the "housers" movement, advocating for affordable housing for low-income families. Ca…

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Beyond Architecture: The Fantasy Worlds of Phyllis Birkby 45:28

5M ago45:28

45:28

Pushed to the side and rarely credited for her architectural work at Davis Brody, Phyllis Birkby became a significant figure in extending the lesbian women's movement to architecture during the 1970s. Her environmental fantasy workshops played a crucial role in galvanizing the community, providing a creative and empowering space within a male-domin…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

The Kitchen Sisters & Radiotopia Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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