Shows
Broke-ish®The Ugly Truth About Trump’s One Big Beautiful BillOn this episode, Amber and Erika are unpacking the details of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, the legislative centerpiece of President Trump’s presidential agenda. We take a deep dive into who the tax cuts and who benefits from them, and we also explore the areas, such as military and immigration enforcement, where the bill has increased spending. But most importantly, we delve into the largest cuts to social safety net programs in American history. Cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and student loan funding are all existential threats to all working class people, but especially Black people. Relying on Malcol...
2025-08-151h 07Broke-ish®Community Conversation: The Brokers’ Comment on the ADOS Debate On this episode—a Broke-ish first—Amber and Erika are diving into the comments and responding directly to what the Brokers have to say. Many of you had strong opinions about Episode 114, where we did a deep dive into the ADOS movement and Black unity across the diaspora. Community accountability is essential to liberation, and this episode was our attempt to pause and listen to our community’s opinions, concerns, and constructive criticism about our discussion on unity and Black freedom. Press play to join the conversation!
2025-08-011h 11Broke-ish®Make it Make (Dollars and) Sense: What Malcolm X Taught Us About MoneyOn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Calvin Schermerhorn, author of “The Plunder of Black America: How the Racial Wealth Gap Was Made”, to discuss the economic status of Black Americans. Despite the propaganda that Black people have less wealth due to poor choices, laziness, and missed opportunities, Dr. Schermerhorn points us to the historical data that clearly demonstrating that Black Americans have been continuously and systematically exploited and de-capitalized through racist laws, racial violence, and outright theft. We also examine Malcolm X’s vision for economically independent and vibrant Black communities and the extent to which...
2025-07-151h 04Broke-ish®U.N.I.T.Y. - Black Politics Beyond AmericaOn this episode, Amber and Erika are discussing Black politics and how the fight for liberation of descendants of enslaved people here in the United States is connected to the fight of other African people in the diaspora. We are joined by journalist and teacher, Salifu Mack, and Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Kehinde Andrews, to examine black liberation politics in America and the degree to which those movements see themselves connected to broader Pan-Africanism. Finally, we look at what we can learn about the fight for freedom from Minister Malcolm X’s teachings and political philosophy. Tune in to get th...
2025-07-011h 18Broke-ish®Do You Want a Revolution?: What Malcolm X Taught Us About LiberationOn this payday, Amber and Erika are joined by Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Kehinde Andrews, to discuss his latest book, “Nobody Can Give You Freedom: The Real Mission of Malcolm X”. Malcolm X, the foundational inspiration of Season 11, articulated a vision of Black radicalism and liberation that informs how we engage the global fight against anti-Blackness and systemic oppression. Dr. Andrews helps us clarify Malcolm’s liberatory strategies and political ethos—compellingly outlining America’s injustice to the broader quest for freedom for all people of African descent. This season’s episodes will not just focus on the broken “ish”, but each payday...
2025-06-151h 11Broke-ish®Welcome B(l)ack!!Season 11 of Broke-ish is here! Amber and Erika are back for a new season, and they’re kicking things off by bringing the Brokers up to speed about what went down during the break. After the shenanigans, the duo laid out their vision for Season 11 and how Season 10 inspired its format. Season 10’s episodes were based upon debunking the ever plentiful myths and misstatements of our most infamous guest: John Hope Bryant. Like Season 10, this new season will be centered around a central figure, but it will be in celebration and pursuit of his ideals instead of debunking them. Malc...
2025-06-0155 minBroke-ish®It’s Over Now: Goodbye Season 10!Well, it’s over now! Amber and Erika have officially said, “Farewell” to Season 10. What was supposed to be a single episode featuring John Hope Bryant turned into a rundown of financial literacy’s “greatest hits”, which we spent the season debunking one at a time. In this final episode, we recap the season and highlight our motivation behind this strategy and what we hope you learned. As always, we can’t wait to come back and talk about all the “ish”! It’s over now, but we’ll be back soon!
2025-03-0151 minBroke-ish®Myth Buster #7: Poverty is a MindsetOn this payday, Amber and Erika explore the impact of generational poverty on Black communities and the systemic barriers to wealth accumulation. Joined by Taylor Darks, a PhD candidate at Florida State University, who studies reparations policies, we lay out the evidence that poverty is more than a mindset. Dr. Darks highlights the Evanston, Illinois reparations program, which provides $25,000 for homeownership or repairs, and the controversy surrounding cash payments. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of reparations, the role of black women in the movement, and the challenges posed by the current political climate. The hosts acknowledge...
2025-02-1554 minBroke-ish®Myth Buster #6: “Racism exists, but I’ve proven it’s a barrier you can get over”On the first payday of Black History Month 2025, Amber and Erika find themselves yet again debunking John Hope Bryant’s foolish, false assertion that “racism is a barrier that Black people can get over.” The second Trump presidency has people questioning that contention, but this episode demonstrates that racism has been entrenched in every aspect of American life - politically, economically, socially, and culturally - since its inception. Through discussion of three key eras in history, we demonstrate that racism was literally designed to be insurmountably imbued into every system and institution such that it would restrain Black people in eve...
2025-02-011h 12Broke-ish®Myth Buster #5: Black Americans Didn’t Get the MemoOn this payday, Amber and Erika discuss the concept of "model minorities" and how it relates to the expectations placed upon Black descendants of enslaved people to use tools like financial literacy to “pull themselves up by the bootstraps”. They highlight the challenges faced by Black Americans compared to other ethnic minorities and immigrants. Dr. Patrice Sims, a sociologist, joins the discussion to explain her book "The Fallacies of Racism," which addresses the fallacies that perpetuate racial inequality. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the epistemology of ignorance and the need for addressing racism at individual, institutional, and societal leve...
2025-01-151h 02Broke-ish®Myth Buster #4: The Computer Doesn’t Know What Race You AreOn this New Year’s Payday, Amber and Erika are busting another myth from our interview with John Hope Bryant. Bryant casually remarked, “If you go to the computer at midnight, the computer doesn’t know what race you are.” The evidence, however, suggests that that is false, and technology and AI is laden with the same biases and racism present within our society. Our guest, Memme Onwudiwe, a Harvard trained space lawyer and EVP of AI company Evisort, breaks down the basics of emerging AI and explains how bias can creep into seemingly neutral technology. We also discuss real exa...
2025-01-011h 02Broke-ish®Myth Buster #3: Banks Don’t Care What Color you AreOn this payday, Amber and Erika are continuing the “Myth Busters” series, debunking the erroneous statement that banks are race neutral and “don’t care about color”. Dr. Justene Hill-Edwards, University of Virginia professor and author of “Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman’s Bank”, joins us to discuss the first bank in American history created for Black Americans. Not only does Dr. Hill-Edwards’ book offer insight into the challenges faced by the formerly enslaved during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, but it also illuminates the racism and inequity that is foundational to the American banking system. Fu...
2024-12-1551 min
Get Real. Get Loud. With Purpose.SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Erika Rothenberger and Amber Griffiths Show up FULLY in 2025! PLUS BONUS FREEBIES!SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Join Erika Rothenberger and Amber Griffiths as we deliver an EARLY deep dive into how you can show up more fully in 2025!Erika, the host of Grit, Grace & Glitz Podcast shares key tips on how to increase your connections and build confidence to show up more authentically in business.We explore some of the ways you can START NOW to elevate key pieces of your Brand so that you readily attract more of your most IDEAL people and build deeper relationships.Looking for a way to expand your efforts to...
2024-12-1025 minBroke-ish®Myth Buster #2: Slavery and Race NeutralityAmber and Erika are back on this payday debunking another one of John Hope Bryant’s false statements. During his interview, Bryant contended that slavery as an institution was race neutral and existed long before the colonized iteration primarily rooted in anti-Blackness. Dr. Kehinde Andrews, renowned author, scholar, and historian joins us to unpack why this statement is misleading and erroneously dismissive of the residual impacts of anti-Black colonization and enslavement. Starting with the Arab slave trade and feudalism, we trace the defining markers of anti-Black enslavement and its intentional enduring effects. Press play to listen!
2024-12-0154 minBroke-ish®Myth Buster #1: Financial Literacy is the Civil Rights Issue of this GenerationAmber and Erika promised to spend the remainder of Season 10 debunking the financial literacy myths you heard in Episode 1. Well, we’re making good on that promise by interrogating John Hope Bryant’s claim that “financial literacy is the civil rights issue of this generation”…whatever that means. Broke-ish All-Star and our Black Liberation Media comrade, Dr. Jared Ball, joins us to unpack the fallacies and insidious white supremacy underlying the statement. Join us to learn why capitalism and a good budget won’t save us from this broken “ish”! This episode is supported, in part, by the Jane Nelson...
2024-11-151h 07Broke-ish®Financial Literacy Myths: The Greatest HitsWhew, chile! Broke-ish is starting Season 10 with a bang - literally and figuratively. John Hope Bryant, chairman and CEO of Operation Hope, the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of financial literacy resources, joins us to discuss the ins and outs of financial literacy. But the conversation gets interesting when Amber and Erika push back on Bryant’s belief in a colorblind and race neutral economic system in which anyone can succeed if they are financially literate. Throughout this interview, you’ll hear some of the most common myths on the virtues of financial literacy as a tool to achieve equity...
2024-11-011h 08Broke-ish®Sayonara Season 9!!And just like that, it’s a wrap on Season 9! Amber and Erika pause to look back on the highs, lows, and in-betweens of Season 9 and muse about what we’ve learned, our hopes for the future, and what you can expect in Season 10! America is still Broke-ish, but we are we resolved, determined, and excited about creating a better future for us and by us. Tune in to hear our reflections on this season!
2024-08-1649 minBroke-ish®Sistas, Y’all Alright?: Sonya Massey, Kamala Harris, and the Black Woman’s Rollercoaster In this episode, Amber and Erika pause to reflect on the horrific murder of Sonya Massey and the ascendance of Kamala Harris to the Democratic presidential nominee - all in the same week. We discuss how both women reflect different, yet ugly truths, about the unjust American police state. And we also reflect on the unique emotional impact of both events on Black women. Can we truly mourn Sonya Massey and simultaneously celebrate Kamala Harris? Is representation still a valuable indicator of progress? Can we hold the tension of Kamala’s identity as a law enforcement agent while still ce...
2024-08-0159 minBroke-ish®Objection! Broke-ish Examines the Judicial BranchOn this payday, Amber and Erika are examining America’s third branch of government, the judiciary, and its often overlooked role in upholding the unjust systems at the base of this country. We examine three recent rulings - the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Chevron Doctrine and expand presidential immunity and the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling dismantling the Fearless Fund - that reveal how judges can wield their power to promote inequitable political agendas. Next, we discuss how nefarious politicians co-opted the playbook of the Civil Rights Movement to dismantle judicial equal protection and racial remediation. Tune in to...
2024-07-151h 04Broke-ish®Brokeish University: Civics 101 (They Don't Really Care About Us) ReplayOn this payday, Amber and Erika are throwing it back to an oldie but goodie: Civics 101! So many of us are disturbed, angered, and concerned about the state of our current political affairs - especially after the first presidential debate. But this episode reminds us that our focus needs to go beyond the pageantry of it all to the structural and systemic ways that our government conspires to disempower the common man. So run this one back to get ready for this crazy election cycle!
2024-07-0152 minBroke-ish®The Case Against White Jesus - “Christian” Consumerism, Capitalism, and ExploitationOn this payday, Amber and Erika discuss America’s hijacking of Jesus and the church’s complicity with inequity, exploitative capitalism, and anti-blackness. We are joined by Stephanie M. House-Niamke, a sociologist whose work centers on power, access, and choice, across the areas of race, gender, and religion. Stephanie helps us see how problematic theological frameworks like the prosperity gospel and manifest destiny have resulted in the church being an extension of many of the same exclusionary, unjust practices propagated in our broader society. We also explore whether and under what conditions the Black church can return to itself, extr...
2024-06-151h 04Broke-ish®The Miseducation of the Negro ContinuesOn this payday, Amber and Erika are talking about the unprecedented attack on America’s public schools by conservative Republicans seeking to ban DEI efforts and replace fact-based curricula with ideological propaganda. Joined by Mike Hixenbaugh, investigative journalist behind the podcast series “Southlake” and author of the New York Times bestselling book “They Came for the Schools.” We look at how one suburban town’s fight against diversity initiatives highlights the role racism plays in shaping public education. We also drill down to the dark money driving the efforts to defund public schools and promote vouchers in its stead. Unsurprising...
2024-06-0156 minBroke-ish®The Call is Coming from Inside the House: Anti-Blackness in Black FaceOn this payday, Amber and Erika deep dive into anti-blackness propagated by other Black people. Although we usually focus on whiteness and white agents of anti-blackness, this episode looks at the unique harms to our community when Black leaders and influencers peddle in anti-blackness. From pathologizing Black people to blaming and shaming us for problems directly caused by white supremacist systems, we unpack how to identify anti-blackness and why white supremacy is invested in amplifying Black agents of it. Using examples like Emmanuel Acho, Al Sharpton, Candace Owens, Charlemagne the God, and Roland Martin, we show that anti-blackness is...
2024-05-151h 07Broke-ish®Millionaire Myths DebunkedOn this payday, Amber and Erika are debunking millionaire myths. Despite what we see on social media and television, most people will never ascend to the status of millionaire. But even for those who do, it doesn’t always equate to a life flush with cash and no financial worries. And this is, of course, especially true for Black people. We get back to the basics by first explaining how to calculate net worth and then exploring the different asset classes that are included. Next, we discuss who is most likely to be a millionaire and how they got th...
2024-05-011h 00Broke-ish®Financial Literacy Awareness Month: What Every Black Person Needs to KnowOn this payday, Amber and Erika are “celebrating” Financial Literacy Awareness Month. We discuss what financial literacy looks like and how it is distinct from and related to financial education. Although, the Brokers know that financial literacy is not the antidote to the racism and inequitable capitalism that conspires against Black people, we look at the role of understanding money and economics as a means of survival. Walk with us as we navigate what it looks like to be financially savvy AND invested in dismantling this unjust capitalist system. Take a listen to get the steps!
2024-04-151h 04Broke-ish®Here We Go Again: The “Secure DC” Crime Bill and Oppressive PolicingOn this payday, Amber and Erika discuss “Secure DC”, the new crime bill recently enacted in the nation’s capital that harkens back to the “tough on crime” approach of the 80s and 90s. Despite history and data overwhelmingly demonstrating that increased policing and carcareal punishment do not reduce crime, we attempt to unpack the reasons why our policy makers constantly revert to this losing strategy. But most importantly, we highlight the anti-Blackness at the core of over-policing and criminal justice policies that ignore the poverty, inequity, and lack of resources that often fuel criminal activity. Press play to get the sc
2024-04-011h 04Broke-ish®Scratching and Surviving: Evictions and the Affordable Housing CrisisOn this payday, Amber and Erika are talking housing insecurity, poverty, and how a lack of access to affordable housing disproportionately impacts Black people. Joined by Bill Holston, the Chief Operations Officer of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, we discuss the nationwide inconsistency in tenants’ rights against landlords, the historical and legal events that created systemic inequity, and why poverty and insufficient resources impact people beyond just where they can afford to live. This episode was inspired by Matthew Desmond’s ethnographic book, “Evicted”, and we share themes from the book which highlight America’s long, dirty history of housing di...
2024-03-1558 minBroke-ish®“We’re Baaaack…and Earth is Still Ghetto” Broke-ish is back for Season 9!! Amber and Erika are so excited to kick off a new season. We start off by catching up and pouring the tea on what we’ve been up to during the break. Next, we recap the hottest current events, a sobering reminder that Earth is still really ghetto and there’s so much broken “ish” that needs fixing. From Donald Trump’s pending civil and criminal cases to morally bankrupt CEOs, we recap the current events that illuminate our need to continue to dismantle the brokenness that ensnares us. Most importantly, we offer a glimpse in...
2024-03-011h 05Broke-ish®Wealth, Power, and Communal AccountabilityOn the final episode of this season, Amber and Erika grapple with the quandary of Black billionaires. Can we root for those who have found success at the highest levels while still calling out their harm? Is it ever acceptable to publicly call out Black elites in front of the White gaze? Is it “hateration” to not support Black elites on the basis that their actions are harmful to our community by reinforcing inequity? We wrestle with these questions, acknowledging that there is no clear answer or easy solution. We end the season resolved to hold the tension and pres...
2023-12-151h 01Broke-ish®Silence, Violence, and Toxic Celebrity Culture: Lessons from Cassie’s Lawsuit against DiddyOn this Payday, Amber and Erika are discussing the explosive sexual misconduct lawsuits against some of today’s most iconic celebrities, including Diddy, Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Iovine, Russell Simmons and Aaron Hall. Cassie, a singer and Diddy’s former girlfriend, seemingly opened the floodgates with her lawsuit against Diddy and his related entities, alleging among other things, that she was repeatedly raped, drugged, beaten, and trafficked. We start by looking at the changes in the law that allowed these victims to come forward and pursue justice many years after the alleged offenses occurred. Next, we unpack the broken “ish” that ena...
2023-12-011h 02Broke-ish®Protecting What's Mine: A Creative's Fight for Intellectual Property On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by platinum-selling R&B diva Nicci Gilbert of the iconic trio Brownstone. Nicci is a singer, songwriter, and film and stage producer who created the stage play “Soul Kittens Cabaret” in 2003. Nicci subsequently filed suit against the Starz network and others alleging that the hit show “P-Valley” uses the same plot line and wrongly infringes upon copyrighted elements of Soul Kittens Cabaret. Through her own experience, Nicci explains what intellectual property is and how difficult it can be for Black creatives in particular to protect their work. She candidly discusses the entertai...
2023-11-1558 minBroke-ish®A New Way Forward: Community Real Estate Development as a Pathway to Affordable HousingOn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Maggie Parker, the founder and CEO of Innovan Neighborhoods to discuss a new, more equitable way of creating affordable housing: through community development. Maggie walks us through the process, which includes putting the voices of community members at the forefront of the development conversation, empowering marginalized developers committed to equity, and using the right funding partner. We also discuss the historical and present systemic barriers that have made access to housing difficult of Black people. Maggie highlights how equitable development often takes much longer than the traditional process and introduces...
2023-11-0156 minBroke-ish®We Got Something in Common: What Palestine and Israel Teaches Us About the Global Struggle for LiberationOn this episode, Amber and Erika discuss the current war between Israel and Palestine, diving into the complexities on both sides. We explore the creation of modern Israel against the backdrop of historical atrocities committed against the Jews and the Palestinian resistance to apartheid and for self-determination. Like most of the broken “ish” around us, this crisis has everything to do with propping up white supremacy, western influence, and settler colonialism in the Middle East. Looking at examples of American racism and other global resistance movements, we note that this is the same playbook used throughout the world to oppr...
2023-10-151h 04
Amplified ImpactBreaking Through Your Own Ceilings and Embracing Your Multi Passionate Self With Erika ConnollyIn this episode, Erika Connolly Erika's words touched my soul when she shared how my authenticity had a profound impact on her. She mentioned, "I just found that you did it in such a natural, authentic way, where I just wanted to hug you and not tell you to buzz off and get out of my inbox or like, you know, so I was like, if she can do that, and be so authentic. I'm like, I need to learn that or maybe I can do that too."But not just that, Erika is going to share...
2023-10-0622 minBroke-ish®We All We Got: A Community Care ConversationThis week Amber and Erika have a personal and heartfelt conversation about how we as Black people have to navigate our relationships with each other against the backdrop of a system that actively conspires to break us down. While we are all in this struggle to varying degrees, some of us are more broken than others - by generational trauma, financial insecurity, mental illness, and all the ish that we confront. How do we do our own work while holding space for our siblings who are more broken? How do we offer support while acknowledging the role of choices...
2023-10-011h 10Broke-ish®Lights, Camera, (Affirmative) Action! This payday, Amber and Erika are unpacking the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. We discuss the significance of the Court holding that race conscious admissions policies violate the 14th Amendment. But more importantly, we walk through how this ruling highlights America’s historical dishonesty regarding the enduring impact and present perpetuation of systemic racism. Finally, by revealing who the people and institutions are behind this litigation, we drop the scoop on the far reaching implications of this case and what’s coming next. Take a...
2023-09-011h 04Broke-ish®Everything Ain’t What it Seems: Adoption and Anti-BlacknessOn this episode, Amber and Erika are unpacking the insidious ways that White Supremacy infiltrates the American adoption system. Lia, co-host of the podcast “Adoptees Crossing Lines” and an adoptee, walks us through the systemic inequities that often lead to adoption. Through both her personal experience and statistics and data, Lia describes how lack of assistance with job security, housing, and food often disproportionately results in Black and Brown children being removed from otherwise loving families and placed for adoption. Lia also discusses the lack of oversight and transparency in many adoptions, with children being put in families that have...
2023-08-151h 04Broke-ish®We’re Baaack!!! - Season 8 is Officially HereSeason 8 of Broke-ish is officially back! Amber and Erika couldn’t wait another minute, so we cut our hiatus short to get back to work. Of course, we had to catch up with the Brokers and let y’all know what we’ve been up to and the changes life has brought about. We also know that the “broken ish” didn’t take a break just because we did, so we recapped some of the notable current events that happened while we were on break. Most importantly, we offered a peak into what you can expect this season and how you can...
2023-08-0158 min
Aliens Watching Reality TVPremium Episode 3: Love Is Blind Season 1 Couples - Amber and Barnett (Sample)Our premium season recapping Love Is Blind season 1 continues on Patreon with Barnett and Amber (and Jessica and LC!). Subscribe to our Patreon for just $5 a month to listen to the rest of this episode and get an additional full-length episode every single week!https://www.patreon.com/AliensWatchingRealityTV(We recorded this episode before we found out that Barnett actually sold his house to pay off *his* debts, not Amber's - don't miss yesterday's tangent episode to catch up on how the producers manipulated that storyline.) Aliens Watching Reality TV is hosted by...
2023-05-2110 min
UNABRIDGED FAITH™, Biblical Mindset, Motherhood, Encouragement, Rest31 | Erika’s Secret Weapon to Becoming More Productive & More Restful as a Busy Wife & Mama - Stewardship Series By Erika Diaz - CastroAloha Sweet Sisters!!
You are in for a treat today!! Erika is sharing the secret weapon that allowed her to become more productive & have more time for the things that are most important (including rest)!
I know, it sounds too good to be true, but good news, it isn't!! Erika even gives us three reasons WHY this "secret" is legit & gives us very practical examples! Enjoy!!
All my love always,
Your Sister,
Paige!!
How to connect...
2023-04-2013 minBroke-ish®Sista to Brotha: A Community Conversation on Black Male EmploymentOn this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Algernon Austin, the Director of Race and Economic Justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. We discuss Dr. Austin’s latest article, “Black Women’s Views on Black Men’s High Rate of Joblessness.” Dr. Austin helps us unpack some of the systemic reasons why the Black population is the only demographic where there are fewer employed men than women. From both the relational perspective and the communal impacts, Dr. Austin’s research clearly demonstrates that Black male employment is an issue that undeniably and...
2023-03-151h 10Broke-ish®To Be Us: Working While BlackOn this episode of Broke-ish, Amber, and Erika are joined by Tosca Davis and Dr. Cedrick Smith, the co-founders of To Be Us Productions, to discuss their groundbreaking film, “To Be Us: To Work.” The documentary film, which won “Best of Film” at the International Black Film Festival, chronicles a cross-section of working Black people sharing their experiences with racism, micro-aggressions, and the accompanying insidious hostility in their respective industries and workplaces. These heartfelt, painful stories are a sobering reminder of how inescapable racism is for all Black Americans and how we must endure it to survive in this world. B...
2023-03-011h 17Broke-ish®Gentle Parenting in a Rough and Racist World: The Black Parents’ BurdenThis payday, Amber and Erika are joined by Adrienne Fikes, the Soul Power Coach and Founder of the Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria, Virginia. Adrienne helps us unpack the often insidious ways that racism seeps into the pathology of Black people, impacting our family dynamics and parenting choices. It is undeniable that living in a society that denies our full humanity shapes our norms, values, and sense of self - all things that affect how we parent. We examine the increasingly popular trend of “gentle parenting”, reflecting on the ways that it fails to account for the realities of p...
2023-02-011h 20Broke-ish®We Ain’t in Good Hands After All: Racism and the Insurance IndustryOn this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Michael DeLong, Research and Advocacy Associate from the Consumer Research Federation of America, to discuss how racism insidiously and nefariously impacts the American insurance industry. Michael walks us through the factors that are used to calculate the cost of insurance for most people - credit, education, zip code, and job titles, just to name a few. As expected, the racial disparities inherent in those factors naturally spill out into the pricing of insurance and handling of insurance claims. We discuss some real-world examples of insurance discrimination and the im...
2023-01-1559 minBroke-ish®Black to Life, Black to Reality: Creating Community and Connection on Social MediaOn this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Fernanda Meier, a photographer, educator, activist, and digital nomad to discuss the unique, subversive ways that Black people - particularly Black women and femmes - have utilized social media to build community and advocate for equity and justice. Fernanda walks us through the value of community in digital spaces and how social media has been a space of togetherness, sharing, and connection. But just like everything built against the backdrop of capitalist greed, Black social media is not immune to the anti-blackness, patriarchy, and phobias that pervade society at...
2023-01-011h 18Broke-ish®We Can’t Give Up Now: A Look Back at 2022 and What It’s Taught UsOn this episode - the last of 2022 - Amber and Erika are looking back at one of the most eventful years in recent history. From Amir Locke’s untimely death by police at the top of the year, to Brittney Griner’s release near the end, we look back over the notable events of 2022. But most importantly, we’re discussing lessons that we can all learn about the broken “ish” that forms the backdrop of our lives. Although there is much to despair, we’ve come too far to give up in our fight for liberation and justice. We’re using the l...
2022-12-151h 07
The Cyber Queens PodcastBeing the Diversity Hire in Cyber w/ Amber DeVilbiss**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **In this episode, The Queens dive into the difference of being hired into cyber as the “diversity hire” or being “hired for talent.” Today’s featured guest is Amber DeVilbiss (@engineeramber) - Security Advisor at GuidePoint Security. Amber has spent the past 14 years in cybersecurity, she wrote and published a children’s cyber security book “The Little Cyber Engineer,” and is the founder of a non-profit Teach Kids Tech. Amber and...
2022-12-0742 minBroke-ish®Been Around the World and Still Broke: Why the Great Migration Didn’t Work On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Broke-ish all-star, Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, to discuss the economic impact of the Great Migration on Black Americans. Post-Reconstruction and against the backdrop of Jim Crow, many Black people fled the South for the North and Midwest in hopes of less oppression and more economic opportunity. But new research on the long-term success of the Great Migration actually casts doubt on whether Black families proved to fare better as a result of the move. Dedrick walks us through both the history and the data to demonstrate how rising costs of living, inflation...
2022-12-0156 minBroke-ish®We Just Wanna Be Free: An Abolitionist Framework for Ending Mass Incarceration This episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Michelle Williams of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Michelle, an activist, and abolitionist, shares with us the story of Kevin Johnson, a Black man sentenced to death for taking the life of a police officer at 19 years old after witnessing the sudden death of his younger brother. Michelle details the trauma, neglect, and abuse that filled Kevin’s life prior to his conviction. Next, we discuss how the consistent disregard for Kevin’s traumatic past highlights the inequities that necessitate a reimagined societal framework and criminal justice system. We walk...
2022-11-151h 10Broke-ish®(Do Not) Hear Ye’, Hear Ye’: On Kanye West and How Black People Help to Uphold White SupremacyOn this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are jumping head first into current events by discussing Kanye West’s disastrous interview on the Drink Champs Podcast. We start by breaking down the anti-semitism, misogyny/misogynoir, pro-capitalist delusions, and racist tropes that pervaded the interview. Next, we outline what Kanye’s vapid comments teach us about the ways that Black people can be invested in upholding White Supremacy and oppressive capitalism. Kanye’s statements about Jews and women also demonstrate how oppressive systems are thrive off of pitting marginalized people against each other. Capitalism won’t save us and neither...
2022-10-311h 05Broke-ish®What About the Children? - CPS, Black Lives, and Community CareOn this episode, Amber and Erika discuss Child Protective Services (CPS) and its often overlooked role as a powerful ally and agent of law enforcement. Along with our guest, Amanda Wallace of Stop CPS, a former CPS investigator in North Carolina with over a decade of experience, we are diving into how CPS is often biased against Black families and disproportionately exercises its power to the detriment of Black children. Amanda walks us through the history of CPS, revealing its racially discriminatory roots, and then shares with us first-hand accounts of how policies and procedures can mix with systemic...
2022-10-1558 minBroke-ish®Say It Loud: Black, Disabled, and Proud!On this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by activist and artist, Leroy Moore, to discuss the often ignored world of Black disabled people. Leroy is a Grammy award-winning poet, speaker, and the founder of Krip Hop Nation, a collective of disabled artists and musicians. Through his own personal experiences combined with his advocacy and activism, Leroy sheds light on how ableism joins with racism to especially impact disabled Black people. He also opens up about the sad reality that Black justice movements like Black Lives Matter and the NAACP often fail to be inclusive of and se...
2022-10-0142 minBroke-ish®Broke-ish University: Civics 101 (They Don’t Really Care About Us)Welcome to Civics 101! Amber and Erika are taking the Brokers back to school with this episode. So many of us have been propagandized in school and through media to believe that our nation is a democracy founded by the people for the people, and that voting and political participation were intended to keep government directly accountable to the people. However, through detailing the circumstances under which our nation was founded and the great distrust that many Founders harbored towards common people, it is clear that this nation never intended for everyday people to wield political power or exert significant...
2022-09-1552 minBroke-ish®Here We Go Again! Here we go again, Brokers! Amber and Erika are back for the Season 6 opening episode. Not only do we catch up, but we discuss all the new things coming this season. From audio and visual episodes (we fancy now!) to our new membership in the Black Power Media Network and our expanded platform - we are giving you the scoop on everything you can expect in the upcoming episodes. We can’t wait for y’all to join us in our new adventures as we try to expand our reach and dive deeper into the broken “ish” that’s always try...
2022-09-0146 minBroke-ish®Run it Back!! - The Season 6 RecapCan you believe another season of Broke-ish has come to an end?! In this episode, Amber and Erika are running back all the season’s episodes and guests, discussing the highlights of Season 6. Through recapping the takeaways from each episode, we remind the Brokers why we took a broadened approach to discussing the broken ish in America beyond finances and money. Racism is entrenched into every aspect of American life, corrupting all of its systems and institutions. Our goal this season was to use each episode to provide an expanded lens into more of the ways that racism conspires to...
2022-06-151h 05Broke-ish®Back to the Future: What an End to Roe v. Wade Means to Black America This episode Amber and Erika are discussing the leak of Dobbs, et. al. v. Jackson, et. al., the Supreme Court case which allegedly overturns the landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade protecting the right to access abortion as healthcare. First, we outline the history of Roe and then discuss the potential significance of its holding in other areas of life, including marriage, sexual freedom, and access to contraceptives. Through an intersectional analysis, we also highlight why the debate over abortion is especially nuanced for Black birthing people. Carceral injustice, lack of access to care, skyrocketing costs, wage discrimination, and...
2022-06-011h 03Broke-ish®A Blunt Conversation on the Racial Implications of Legalizing MarijuanaOn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Lawrence Grandpre, co-author of “The Black Book” and Director of Research for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Our fellow Black Power Media mate helps us to understand the basics, explaining the difference between hemp, CBD, THC, and marijuana. Next, we dive into this nation’s historically racist and unjust drug laws, which coupled with terrorized policing, has resulted in generations of Black people being criminalized and now shut out of the increasingly lucrative legalized marijuana business. Lawrence helps us unpack what “street economies” can teach us about political and economic self-determination and why le...
2022-05-151h 07Broke-ish®Work, Work, Work: A Celebration of International Workers’ DayOn this week’s episode, we are celebrating May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day around the world. Amber and Erika are joined by Kim Brown, journalist, veteran activist, and our fellow Black Power Media comrade to discuss the historical significance of May Day and the global fight against capitalist inequities. With a special emphasis on both the contributions of Black people in the pro-labor movement, as well as the challenges to equity and ownership that we still face, this episode reminds us that all labor has value deserving of respect and just compensation. Tune in to get the...
2022-05-011h 04Broke-ish®Behind the Garments: Why Fast Fashion Fuels Environmental and Economic RacismOn this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Whitney McGuire, an attorney, fashion law expert, consultant, strategist, and co-founder of Sustainable Brooklyn. We discuss how some of our favorite fast-fashion brands are rapidly causing environmental havoc by proliferating waste, exploiting BIPOC workers, subjecting employees to hazardous conditions, and depleting natural resources. This phenomenon is part of the vicious cycle of racial capitalism that enables poverty and creates dependency on cheap items that ultimately cause long-term harm to all of us. We also explore the ways that the pushback against environmental racism and for sustainability has largely been wh...
2022-04-151h 04Broke-ish®Our Hair-itage: Black Hair in AmericaOn this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are discussing a deeply personal, complex topic: Black hair. Specifically, we examine the pressures of respectability, professionalism, and assimilation on our relationship with our hair. Through stories of Black people being banned from graduation ceremonies, losing job opportunities, and facing harassment because of how they choose to wear their hair, this episode dives into both the economic and emotional toll of this especially vicious arm of White Supremacy. As we unpack the unhealthy pathologies and trauma that many of us carry regarding our hair, we hope to reclaim the power, beauty...
2022-04-011h 09Amplified ImpactWhat is Stress & Why Are Our Thoughts and Beliefs So Important with Erika BelangerIn this episode, Amber interviews Erika Belanger, a life coach, host of On & Off Your Mat podcast and yoga teacher helping her students go from surviving to thriving.Erika shares with us the importance of stress management and why our thoughts and beliefs are so important. She will share with you a handful of tools to know when you are stress and how to regulate your nervous system.02:41 - defining stress07:49 - first possible indicators of stress13:45 - tips to help you19:46 - going from surviving to thriving
2022-03-1837 minBroke-ish®We Ready: Black Resistance and Survival in a Racist WorldOn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Kalonji Changa, one of the founders of Black Power Media, national coordinator of the FTP Movement, and author of “How to Build a People’s Army”. We discuss Black resistance, survival, and holistic self-defense and why America is so antagonistic to Black people asserting agency over our ability to survive in a racist, White supremacist society invested in our destruction. Through both historical and tactical lenses, Kalonji outlines America’s intentional attempts to mischaracterize the non-violence that anchored the Civil Rights Movement, while also demonizing Black people taking up arms and practici...
2022-03-1556 minBroke-ish®Cryptocurrency 101: The Dollars & (Non)Sense of it All…In this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by a Broke-ish All-Star, Dr. Jared Ball, to discuss the ins and outs of cryptocurrency. Dr. Ball combines his expertise in media literacy with his personal interest in cryptocurrency to show us how savvy messaging creates the illusion of a crypto market that’s inoculated from the racism and inequality that plagues traditional financial markets. But a little deep-diving reveals the inescapable reality that racism, sexism, scheming, and wealth disparities exist everywhere - even in the crypto universe. Tune in to get the scoop on whether cryptocurrency is a sour...
2022-03-011h 08Broke-ish®The “WHY” of “DEI” - The Lowdown on Diversity, Equity, and InclusionIs it D-E-I? E-I-D? J-E-D-I? Or is this really all just a waste of time and a capitalist guise to positively impact the bottom line? Amber and Erika are joined by Corporate HR Specialist and DEI Guru, Diontha Fancher, to unpack the truth behind America’s present obsession with DEI initiatives. Beyond the corny workshops and slogans, we are unpacking DEI’s historical roots, who can and should be doing the work, where the money is flowing, and the silver linings of positivity that can encourage us all. Diontha takes us below the surface to the core frustrations of effectively doin...
2022-02-1543 minBroke-ish®This Land Ain’t Your Land, This Land is Our Land!On this week’s episode, Amber and Erika discuss land loss, the coded way that racially motivated land theft is often referred to in this country. Our guests are Kavon Ward and Ashanti Martin of Where Is My Land, a non-profit organization that helps Black families reclaim ownership of land that has unjustly been taken from them. Most notably, Where Is My Land assisted the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce in regaining ownership of Bruce Beach in 2021 after it was stolen from their family through a racist eminent domain proceeding in the 1920s. Through a historical analysis of how pr...
2022-02-011h 05Broke-ish®Race and Economics: The Unfinished Civil Rights MovementReady or not, you can’t run. You can’t hide; America’s unjust, racist economics are gonna find you!! In this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Algernon Austin, the Director of Race and Economic Justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, to discuss how capitalism and economics often function as the invisible, undiscussed arm of American racism. Dr. Austin starts with a historical exposit on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and this nation’s intentional attempts to sanitize, downplay, and outright erase Dr. King’s work for Black economic liberation and his belief that this...
2022-01-1553 minBroke-ish®Here We Go Again!Here we go again, Brokers! Amber and Erika are back for the Season 6 opening episode. Not only do we catch up, but we discuss all the new things coming this season. From audio and visual episodes (we fancy now!), to our new membership in the Black Power Media Network, and our expanded platform - we are giving you the scoop on everything you can expect in the upcoming episodes. We can’t wait for y’all to join us in our new adventures as we try to expand our reach and dive deeper into the broken “ish” that’s always try...
2022-01-0150 minBroke-ish®Look Back at It: Season 5 RecapThey say, “Time flies when you’re having fun!”, and Season 5 has definitely flown by so quickly. On this Season 5 recap, Amber and Erika take a stroll down memory lane and discuss all the highs and lows of the season, including the takeaways from each episode and the wisdom imparted by our guests. We also spill the tea on what we’re working on and the new things you can expect in Season 6. Tune in to look back at it with us!! Links for giving: 1. Haiti: http://www.elevateherinternational.org/ https://secure.a...
2021-10-1555 minBroke-ish®Ain’t None of Us Free Until We All Free - The Remix: Haiti and Black AmericaOn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Haitian native, Dieula Previlon, to discuss both the beautiful history and present-day environmental and political crises in Haiti. Dieula, who is a trauma counselor, ordained minister, and non-profit executive, offers us unique insight into both the factual occurrences and the real impacts on the hearts and bodies of people living and surviving through it. We start by recounting the courageous history of Haiti’s founding, which is rooted in a successful revolt by enslaved Africans against the French colonialists. Then we look at the ways that historical racism, unjust capitalism, an...
2021-10-011h 09Broke-ish®What’s the 411?: The Media and Misinformation in Black AmericaOn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Jared Ball, Professor of Communication and Africana Studies at Morgan State University and expert in media literacy. Dr. Ball, an honorary member of the Broke-ish family, helps us to trace the origins of the media’s power in our society and the ways that powerful elites profit by curating the messages that they want society to believe and buy into. Dr. Ball gives the Brokers a historical overview of how racism within the media shapes the messages about Black people and blackness within America. He also provides us some pr...
2021-09-1559 minBroke-ish®The Price of Black Pain: Money and the Movement for Social JusticeOn this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are discussing how not all skinfolk are kinfolk in Black social justice circles. It gets a bit messy as we call out some of your faves and interrogate whether they do more harm than good elevating the stories of victims of police brutality. We question the motives and methods of well-known activists and try to figure out where all the Black Lives Matter money is. Take a listen to the episode to hear what we’re talking about!
2021-09-0155 minBroke-ish®Money & MarriageOn this episode, Amber and Erika discuss money, marriage, and the unique ways that systemic and economic inequities burden Black love. The impacts of mass incarceration, wage and education gaps, student loan debt, and gender expectations can combine with other societal and cultural barriers to make building an effective financial partnership within a marriage especially difficult. Tune in to hear the hosts’ personal experiences and the objective data on the joys and pains of combining romance with finance!
2021-08-1551 minBroke-ish®Fifty and Fabulous: 50th Episode Family Reunion!Broke-ish is officially fifty episodes in, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than a family reunion! Broke-ish co-founder and former co-host, Delina McPhaull, stopped by to interview Amber and Erika. No topic was off-limits as we strolled down memory lane, discussed current events, and of course, we cut up a little and had some fun! Through our reflections on Broke-ish’s past impact and our hopes for its future, this fiftieth episode is all about the love, joy, and familial connections that empower us to fight for justice and freedom. So throw on your favo...
2021-08-011h 08Broke-ish®Don’t Hate The Playa: Black Athletes, Activism, Agency, and OwnershipOn this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are discussing Black Athletes - the challenges faced at the highly competitive collegiate level, the impact on mental and physical wellness, finances, and of course, the increasing social and political activism in and out of the sports arena. Joined by Jarrett Drake and Destanie Sykes, two former NCAA Division I athletes, who provide a firsthand account of the unique ways Black collegiate athletes are commodified and expected to produce without the benefit of ownership or monetary compensation. They also offer their insight into why so many professional athletes are leveraging their...
2021-07-151h 00Broke-ish®Little White Lies: Critical Race Theory 101In this episode, Amber and Erika debunk the lies surrounding Critical Race Theory and discuss why so many people are invested in disseminating false information and political misstatements around what was, until recently, a relatively unknown interdisciplinary area of study usually reserved for graduate students. Tracing its historical origins to the aftermath of the 1960s Civil Rights Movements, CRT combined legal reasoning and sociological concepts to explain why desegregation did not lead to full racial equality for Black people. Tune in to the episode to hear what we have to say!
2021-07-0140 minBroke-ish®Why Being “Not Racist” Ain’t Enough: Anti-Racism 101On this payday, Amber and Erika are joined by special guest, Jen Kinney, to break down the ins and outs of anti-racism. Jen, our editor, is not only a treasured member of the Broke-ish family; she is also a writer, podcaster, and true ally in the fight against injustice. Through historical references, sociopolitical analysis, and Jen’s personal experiences, we lay out what it means to be truly anti-racist, and why it’s not the same as just being “not racist”. Take a listen and learn the difference!
2021-06-1552 minBroke-ish®Ain’t None of Us Free Until We All Free: Black America Israel, and PalestineIn a Broke-ish first, Amber and Erika venture beyond the borders of the United States to discuss the current unrest in Israel and Palestine, specifically the unjust displacement and evictions of Palestinians and the Israeli government’s discriminatory policies towards Palestinian people. In diving into the creation of the State of Israel, Amber and Erika expose the connections to European imperialism and settler colonialism, which are the roots that this nation is founded upon as well. In exploring America’s unwavering loyalty to Israel and the common thread of White Supremacy in marginalizing and oppressing Brown and Black bodies glob...
2021-06-0143 minBroke-ish®No Weapon Formed Against Us: The Black Church and Oppressive TheologyThis week Amber and Erika are joined by Reverend Mia Michelle McClain to discuss how weaponized theology combines with insidious White Supremacy and latent self-hate to render the Black Church socially and politically ineffective while also perpetuating harmful pathologies of pain and spiritual dysfunction. Pastor Mia helps us to challenge many long-standing beliefs held by Black evangelicals, in addition to offering insight into how the Black Church can reclaim its place as a center of empowerment, activism, and social justice.
2021-05-151h 06Broke-ish®B(l)ack Like We Never Left: Season Five is Here!Season Five is here, and Amber and Erika are kicking things off by catching up with the Brokers about what’s been going on in both their personal lives and current events. From COVID to the murder of George Floyd, they highlight the broken “ish” around us that continues to disproportionately impact Black America. And finally, the ladies spill the tea about what you can expect from this season’s episodes and how we highlight not only systems but the people working to both rise above and deconstruct the brokenness. We’re back (and still Black) like we never left, so t...
2021-05-0134 minBroke-ish®Look Back at It - Season 4 in ReviewIn this episode, join Amber and Erika as they “look back at it” and discuss the highlights of Broke-ish season 4! If you missed any of this season’s episodes, this is the perfect way for you to catch up and get the scoop on the discussions and fabulous guests. We hope you’ll tune in to the finale episode and look back at this season with us!
2021-02-1532 minBroke-ish®The (Broken)Promised Land: The Plight of Black American FarmersThis week, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Cindy Ayers Elliott, CEO of Footprint Farms, LLC in Jackson, Mississippi to discuss the substantial, but little known role that Black farmers play in American agribusiness as well as the ways that systemic racism and White Supremacy have undermined Black farmers’ industry prominence and financial gain. Using both a historical context plus her own unique experiences as a Black business owner and woman, Dr. Ayers Elliott offers us a unique insight into Black struggle and excellence in the agricultural industry.
2021-01-1549 minBroke-ish®Never Enough: The Myth of Productivity as a Measure of Success in a White WorldIn a capitalistic world where “the hustle” and “the grind” are consistently glorified, productivity is prized as proof of both inherent value and meaningful ambition. In this week’s episode, Amber and Erika discuss the unique ways that we as Black people often feel the pressure to be productive and define ourselves by what we do. Starting with the brutal commodification of chattel slavery, the episode explores how American capitalism has imbued into Black bodies a belief that rest is laziness and that we are only worthy to the extent that we are working. We talk about ways to reject thi...
2021-01-0149 minBroke-ish®All Black Everything: An Honest Conversation on the Diaspora, Diversity, and Difference in Black America (Part 2)In this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by former Broke-ish co-host Delina McPhaull and attorney Tiffany Kamuche to have an honest conversation about the intricacies and nuances of Blackness. So often American Blackness is framed against a subtext that assumes we all have the same experiences and beliefs. In this two-part conversation, we first discuss Blackness as an identity - where we enter into it, how our childhoods shaped it, and our beliefs about now in adulthood. Next, we discuss how the context of our Blackness shapes our thoughts and opinions on a range of contemporary is...
2020-12-1549 minBroke-ish®All Black Everything: An Honest Conversation on the Diaspora, Diversity, and Difference in Black AmericaIn this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by former Broke-ish co-host Delina McPhaull and attorney Tiffany Kamuche to have an honest conversation about the intricacies and nuances of Blackness. So often American Blackness is framed against a subtext that assumes we all have the same experiences and beliefs. In this two-part conversation, we first discuss Blackness as an identity - where we enter into it, how our childhoods shaped it, and our beliefs about now in adulthood. Next, we discuss how the context of our Blackness shapes our thoughts and opinions on a range of contemporary is...
2020-12-0142 minBroke-ish®Human Ownership to Home Ownership: Racial Capitalism in Real EstateIn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Joshua Poe, an urban planner, community organizer, and geographer from Louisville, Kentucky to discuss gentrification and urban capitalism, and the threat to Black lives resulting from White Supremacist greed. Utilizing Breonna Taylor’s tragic murder, Mr. Poe explains how many of the issues in Black communities - such as militarized policing, food deserts, and inequitable education - are tied to gentrification and predatory, racist real estate practices. Tune in the hear the discussion!
2020-11-1554 minBroke-ish®Who Taught You to Hate Yourself: Dieting and White SupremacyIn this episode, Amber and Erika discuss the multi-billion dollar dieting industry in America, and how it works in tandem with White Supremacy to push an image of health and wellness that often leaves Black people - particularly Black women - feeling inadequate, insecure, and unable to achieve the “ideal” of healthiness. We discuss how dieting often conflates healthiness with Eurocentric beauty standards, ignoring body diversity, and promoting the cultural superiority of White bodies and food norms. Not only does the diet industry financially prey on Black people, but it also promotes and encourages self-hate and conformity with White idea...
2020-11-0151 minBroke-ish®Get Low: Why Black Political Power is More than Just Voting in National ElectionsOn this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by activist and political thinker, Corregan Brown, to discuss the importance of the local political landscape and why Black people must start leveraging their political power in ways other than just voting. By recalling his own personal experiences running for local office, Corregan shares with Brokers the impact that Black voices can make being involved in municipal, county, and statewide policy making. Looking beyond presidential politics and national elections provides us with an opportunity to influence decisions that reverberate up to the national level. Tune in to get the scoop!
2020-10-1553 minBroke-ish®It Ain’t My Fault: The Lies that Capitalism Tells Us About Poverty and the Working PoorIn this episode, Amber and Erika discuss poverty shaming and the ways that racism and capitalism conspire to propagandize us into believing that the working poor and impoverished are only on the bottom due to bad choices and lack of ambition and work ethic. However, we break down the data and systemic ish that reveals some of the real reasons behind wealth inequality and the myth of working one’s way up from the bottom to the top. Tune in to get the scoop!
2020-10-0146 minBroke-ish®Why We’re Still Talking About Slavery 150 Years Later...In this week’s episode Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Calvin Schermerhorn of Arizona State University to discuss slavery, capitalism, and reparations. Dr. Schermerhorn helps draw a straight line from slavery’s fueling of American capitalism to the inequity and wealth disparities that plague Black America today. We also discuss the need for reparations and this nation’s antagonism to righting the wrongs inflicted by chattel slavery. Tune in to see what we’re talking about!
2020-09-1542 minBroke-ish®Broke-ish: What's in A Name?Amber and Erika are back in this inaugural episode of Season 4! Not only are they taking a stroll down memory lane to recount the origins of the Broke-ish Podcast, but they also spill the beans on the new direction the show is headed. Tune in to get the scoop on the remixed Broke-ish and what’s in store for Season 4!
2020-09-0133 minBroke-ish®Season 3 RecapIn this episode, Amber and Erika are recapping Season Three of Broke-ish. They discuss the highs and lows of the season, including Amber’s arrival as a permanent co-host, the amazing guests who have joined us, and the topics covered. But we also wax about the impacts of COVID-19 on the podcast and our nation, discussing ways we can hopefully emerge from this historical moment with a renewed commitment to our shared humanity and true equity. Press play to hear what we have to say!
2020-07-0135 minBroke-ish®Still Separate, Still Unequal: American Educational Inequality with Dr. Jeanelle K. HopeOn this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Jeanelle Hope, an Assistant Professor of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies at Texas Christian University, to discuss the historical and current disparities in the American educational system. From slavery to Brown v. Board of Education and beyond, Dr. Hope discusses both the historical underfunding of Black schools and the inequitable treatment our students have suffered and the long term economic impacts of those disparities on our communities. Tune in to hear our discussion!
2020-06-1552 minBroke-ish®Myth of Black Buying Power with Jared Ball (Pt.2)In this epsiode Amber and Erika continue their conversation with Dr. Jared Ball of Morgan State University in a discussion of his new book, “The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power." Dr. Ball sets the record straight and provides insight into real ways we can leverage our power to affect change. Tune in to see what else he has to say.
2020-06-0129 minBroke-ish®Myth of Black Buying Power with Dr. Jared Ball (Pt. 1)This week, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Jared Ball of Morgan State University to discuss his new book, “The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power”, where he debunks many of the racist misconceptions about Black capitalism and purchasing power. Dr. Ball enlightens the Brokers on the unholy alliance between White capitalists and the Black business elite that fueled the notion that Blacks have one trillion dollars worth of spending power. Discussing both the motives for this falsity and the true state of Black America’s finances, Dr. Ball sets the record straight and provides insight into real w...
2020-05-1536 minBroke-ish®The Rona The RemixAmber and Erika are back this week with another episode on how the Corona Virus pandemic is ripping the covers back to reveal that structural inequity has long existed in America’s DNA and is simply being exposed by these troubling times. After several weeks of quarantine, the hosts discuss both the anecdotal and factual ish that’s got Black America struggling to survive in the wake of COVID-19. Check out this week’s episode to get the ‘Rona Remix!
2020-05-0143 min
Broke-ish®Financial State of the Black Union: Interview with Dedrick Asante-MuhammadIn this episode, Amber and Erika are talking with Dedrick Asante-Muhammad of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition about the landmark study he co-authored, “The Road to Zero Wealth." Dedrick gives Black America’s financial pulse and offers insight on whether there’s been any positive headway in getting us off the road to zero wealth by 2053. Tune in to the episode to get the 411!
2020-04-1552 minBroke-ish®The Corona Virus: Locked in and Locked OutAs the Corona Virus aka COVID-19 brings life across many countries to a screeching halt, Amber and Erika discuss the unique ways that this global health crisis impacts Black Americans. We cover it all: health insurance, or lack thereof; implicit biases in the delivery of medical services; underemployment and wage gaps; childcare; access to healthy, affordable food; and even keeping the good ole’ doors of the church open! Tune in to this episode and see how “the ‘Rona” really got us outchea struggling in these inequitable, unjust American streets!
2020-04-0139 minBroke-ish®Closing the Racial Wealth Gap: Is There Really More Than One Way To Skin A Cat?Is there really more than one way to skin a cat when it comes to closing the racial wealth gap? Can personal financial coaching and individual wealth management lead to macro systemic changes in racist, American capitalism? Amber and Erika sit down with Dr. Nicole Garner Scott of Legacy or Lose to compare and contrast their views and approaches to closing the racial wealth gap and how both sides can work together on the goal of achieving equality and economic justice for our people. Check out what we have to say in this Episode.
2020-03-1549 min