Shows
Starving Artist Development PodcastFinding Your Voice in Journalism: Jada VasserIn this episode of the Starving Artist Podcast, host Gabrielle Caruthers interviews Jada Vassar, an award-winning journalist and recent Michigan State University graduate. They discuss Jada's journey into journalism, her writing process, the challenges she faced during her internships, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Jada shares her experiences navigating new environments, the influence of her cultural identity and music on her work, and offers advice for aspiring journalists. The conversation highlights the resilience and creativity of Detroit's cultural artists and the significance of their contributions to the community.TakeawaysJada's journey in...
2026-01-2944 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsBeing Black in the film industryHost Jada Vasser and guest Janae Vasser discuss the emergence of Black directors and actors in the film industry, detailing the struggles and challenges they face as they deal with pay inequality and discrimination from audiences.
2025-03-3150 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsRepresentation in literatureHost Jada Vasser and guest Reiel Ghiglia discuss the importance of seeing yourself in different book genres, along with highlighting the importance of Black authors in the space of literature. They also discuss the pertinence of staying up to date with the news, and how book bans target authors of marginalized identities.
2025-03-2434 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsThe importance of Black financial literacyHost Jada Vasser and guest Destinee Alston dive into the importance of representation in the business world and learning about finances.
2025-03-1742 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsPartying dos and don'tsOn today's episode host Jada Vasser with guest Victoria Winfield, give anecdotes and tips about navigating the party scene at MSU as a Black student including which parties and bars Black students visit based on how welcoming it is.
2025-03-1039 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsThe impact of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performanceHost Jada Vasser, along with reporter Demonte Thomas, dive into Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl performance and pay respect to Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance to emphasize how Black artists use their music as an avenue to challenge society's ideas about how the community is treated.
2025-02-2448 min
The Journalism SaluteJada Vasser, Human Resources Manager, The State News (Michigan State University)In this episode, we are joined by Jada Vassar, Human Resources Manager for the State News at Michigan State University and host of the award-winning podcast 'All Shades of Chocolate'. Jada discussed her journey into journalism, the impact of her family and upbringing in Detroit, and her various roles at the State News, with an emphasis on her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and her current role, which she created. She also shared her experiences with the New York Times Student Corps, her internship at Planet Detroit, and her aspirations in journalism. ...
2025-02-1137 min
Houselights from The State NewsBreaking down “Quiet on Set”Host Liz Nass and guests Jada Vasser and Demonte Thomas break down the stories and nuances behind the new HBO Max show, “Quiet on Set,” highlighting the abuse behind Nickelodeon.
2024-04-1545 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsBlack binge: Our favorite forms of entertainment mediaOne of the best forms of relaxing is binge watching or binge reading. In this episode, hosts Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser and Anthony Brinson III will talk about their favorite Black TV shows, movies or books and discuss the impact it had on them growing up or even the impact it still has on them till this day.
2023-12-0546 min
Going DeeperLove at first "site"Unfortunately, there were some technical difficulties when trying to record this episode. Our first recording got lost on the computer, and the second recording lost a bit of the beginning of the audio as well. We still were able to save most of our second recording to get out to you all after our short hiatus, and we hope you all love this week's episode. Hosts Elle Fromm, Anthony Brinson III and Jada Vasser will be talking about our own experiences with online and long distance relationships.
2023-11-1729 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsGet on your dang Zoom!We're back guys! With the return, hosts Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser and Anthony Brinson III have some amazing news to share towards the end of the episode. We're also going to talk about productivity during this time of the year, overcoming hardships and getting through things the best way we know how.
2023-11-0735 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsSo random!Just like the title says, hosts Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser and Anthony Brinson III will talk about some random topics. We discussed things about Black hair and perms, how we prefer to make sandwiches and anything else we thought of. Also, if you get the title reference, you're so cool!
2023-10-0339 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsSugar, spice and everything foodWho doesn't love food? Hosts Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser, Anthony Brinson III and guest Elle Fromm dive into their joy of cooking food, its cultural significance, how they grew up with food and the types of dishes they enjoy eating.
2023-09-2630 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsMan in the Mirror: Michael Jackson tributeThe "King of Pop" and arguably the greatest artist of all time, hosts Jada Vasser, Shakyra Malone and Anthony Brinson III are talking about Michael Jackson and how he became one of their favorite artists ever.
2023-09-1932 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsWelcome Back!SEASON 2 BABY! Hosts Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser and Anthony Brinson III introduce themselves once again as they make their return. It's such an honor to be back for a new season, and we're grateful for everyone tuning back in.
2023-09-1230 min
What’s On Ya Mind PodcastTell me what's on ya mind, Episode 7: Featuring Dr Christina Myers and my fellow host of the All Shades of Chocolate podcast, Jada Vasser and Shakyra MaboneThe first half of the interview is from an episode of the All Shades of Chocolate podcast from The State News. I had the honor and the privilege of interviewing Dr Myers and it was one of the best experiences I've had in my life and in my Journalism career. This interview had tons of insightful information and powerful emotion and I hope you all enjoy this episode!!
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2023-05-081h 33What’s On Ya Mind PodcastTell me what’s on your mind, Episode 6: Featuring Jada Vasser pt. 2I had the pleasure of welcoming back a close friend of mine and co-host of the All Shades of Chocolate podcast from The State News, Jada Vasser. An incredible person and such an incredible individual overall and it’s always great to have her on the show.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anthony-brinson-iii/support
2023-05-082h 50
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: 'Just chill'We've made it to the end of the semester! It's been such an honor starting this platform and being able to share our voices. We are so grateful for all of our listeners and supporters who make this possible. On this week's episode, hosts Anthony Brinson III, Jada Vasser and Shakyra Mabone talk about their tips and tricks to get through finals week.
2023-04-2730 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: 'Girl, this is my JAM!'The impact music can have on the mind and soul is immense and our appreciation for what music has done for us is just as big. On this week's episode, hosts Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser and Anthony Brinson III discuss their love for music and their favorite artists.
2023-04-2027 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: Growing up in the inner city versus the suburbsHosts Anthony Brinson III, Jada Vasser and Shakyra Mabone have copy chief Claire Grant on the pod to discuss growing up in different situations, both geographical and financially, and how those experiences shape your perspective.
2023-04-1327 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: 'Who can I run to, when I need love?'On this week's episode, hosts Shakyra Mabone, Jada Vasser and Anthony Brinson III discuss mental health in the Black community, as well as their personal journeys and methods to cope when things get tough.
2023-04-0631 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: 'Don't touch my hair'While living the Black experience everyday, many of our best and worst experiences come from our hair — it can be our biggest form of confidence, but also showcase our biggest insecurities. Hosts Jada Vasser, Shakyra Mabone and Anthony Brinson III dive into everything that comes with Black hair on this week's episode.
2023-03-3032 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: Navigating journalism through a Black perspectiveHosts Jada Vasser, Shakyra Mabone and Anthony Brinson III have the pleasure of interviewing Christina Myers, assistant professor of journalism at Michigan State University, for this episode. She gave her thoughts on navigating through journalism in the Black perspective and spoke about her journey in earning her doctoral degree.
2023-03-2328 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: Behind the scenes at The State NewsOn this week's episode of All Shades of Chocolate, hosts Shakyra Mabone, Anthony Brinson III and Jada Vasser had the pleasure of interviewing the editor-in-chief of The State News, Sa'Mya Overall, discussing her journey and what it means to her to have this position.
2023-03-1629 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: The importance of Black loveIt's one thing to talk about the importance of Black love in our community but it is even more important to talk about loving ourselves. Join hosts Jada Vasser, Anthony Brinson III and Shakyra Mabone in a discussion about the steps we take to love ourselves and how we've learned to love others even through our own pain or insecurities.
2023-03-0229 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: The death of Tyre NicholsContent warning: This episode of All Shades of Chocolate vividly discusses topics such as police brutality and racial violence.In this week's episode of All Shades of Chocolate, hosts Anthony Brinson III and Jada Vasser give respects to the late Tyre Nichols and discuss the impact his death had on them and the Black community.All Shades of Chocolate is a weekly podcast covering all things Black culture publishing weekly on Thursdays.
2023-02-0926 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: How fashion influences the Black community with N Crowd President Takai TaggartThere are people who stand out and there are people who stand out in style. Join Anthony Brinson III, Shakyra Mabone and Jada Vasser for their interview with Takai Taggart, president of N Crowd, talking about what it's like to start a Black fashion magazine at a predominately white institution.All Shades of Chocolate is a weekly podcast covering all things Black culture publishing weekly on Thursdays.
2023-02-0324 min
All Shades of Chocolate from The State NewsAll Shades of Chocolate: Stating All FactsHosts Anthony Brinson III, Jada Vasser and Shakyra Mabone start off The State News' newest podcast talking about their experiences at MSU as Black students and discussing ways to overcome obstacles at a PWI. All Shades of Chocolate will be a weekly podcast covering all things Black culture publishing weekly on Thursdays.
2023-01-2623 minWhat’s On Ya Mind PodcastTell me what’s on your mind, Episode 1: Featuring Jada VasserThe beginning of my long awaited interview series, featuring Jada Vasser
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anthony-brinson-iii/support
2022-12-091h 57
Houselights from The State NewsJ Lo's name change, Britney Spears' unwanted biopic, Black Panther 2 reviewHost Liz Nass is joined by senior copy editor Jada Vasser to discuss "Twitter Tea" about Jennifer Lopez wanting to change her last name to Affleck and Britney Spears' opinion about a rumored biopic based on her life. Nass mentions "The Office" Rainn Wilson's name change for climate change awareness. Moving on to reviews, Nass and Vasser discussed their take on the new hit movie, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Vasser goes in-depth on why the actresses should be nominated for an Oscar and Marvel's way of delivering tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. Nass and Vasser then d...
2022-11-1630 min
The Dinner Table Podcast from The State NewsThe importance of Black mental health at MSUGriffin Wiles has special guest senior copy editor Jada Vasser discuss her article about black students navigating their mental health at MSU. Wiles also has podcast coordinator Shakyra Mabone talk about her experiences with mental health at MSU as a black student.
2022-10-0629 min