Shows
Strange FruitStrange Fruit: The Intersection Of Race And Family DynamicsConversations about the intersections of identify can be awkward, uncomfortable and sometimes emotionally exhausting -- especially when discussing race and gender. And especially when these conversations have to happen between parents and their children.
To that end, this week we chat with parents who are having very intentional conversations with their respective family members about ways the world assigns value to -- or holds stereotypical expectations of -- women of color.
We’re joined this week by two thought-provoking writers. Author Kay Bolden explains “Why Women in My Family Don’t Scrub Floors.” And later, Canadian writer Anam Ahmed is the m...2019-09-0635 minStrange FruitStrange Fruit: Black & Queer Stories In Fashion NewsFrom its practical and everyday uses, to Black celebrities and fashion icons donning it on red carpets, the durag is finally getting its just due. Fashion & beauty editor Jamé Jackson of TheBlondeMisfit.com joins us this week talk to us about her essay, "How the Durag Became a Political Statement." It illuminates the cultural and political significance of the durag, and how it’s always represented much more than just a hair accessory.
Later in the show we switch gears and turn our attention -- and the conversation -- to last spring’s Met Gala where fashion theme...2019-08-3146 minStrange FruitThe Segregated History Of Our Summertime SpacesThe official end of summer and LGBTQ pride season is fast approaching, but there’s still time to have some fun at some events in the region.
Now in its third year, OUTLOUD Musical Festival in Nashville features 14 LGBTQ+ artists across two stages, including headliners Greyson Chance, Kim Petras and Gia Woods.
OUTLOUD creator and producer Jack Davis joins us at the start of this week’s show to tell us what to expect at the festival happening on September 14.
We also speak with friend to the show Mike Slaton, Executive Director of the L...2019-08-2546 minStrange FruitThe Bar Is A Traditional LGBTQ Safe Space. But What If You Don't Drink?Sober spaces for LGBTQ folks to socialize are on the rise. With many of them facing social stigma, discrimination, harassment and violence, LGBTQ people are at a greater risk for drug and alcohol addiction than their straight counterparts.
We wondered just how easy or difficult it is for queer folks to commit to sober living when so much of gay social is tied to parties, nightclubs and bars and many of our community’s biggest Pride Festival sponsors are beer and liquor companies. In this week’s episode, we hear from four friends of the show who calle...2019-07-2845 minStrange FruitMental Health Help For Students and ActivistsIn recognition of Minority Mental Health Month, we continue examining issues affecting African Americans and their mental well-being – or the lack thereof.
In February 2016, 23-year-old Black Lives Matter activist MarShawn McCarrel took his own life on the step of the Columbus, Ohio courthouse steps. This March, the body of another social activist, 29-year-old Amber Evans, was found in a Columbus river, and her death was also ruled a suicide.
JoAnne Viviano, Health Reporter for The Columbus Dispatch joins us this week to discuss the toll that fighting for social justice can take on the mental hea...2019-07-2147 minStrange Fruit#MeToo Means Men, TooSocial movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp have brought greater attention to the issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault. These movements are largely focused on women and girls – so what about the nearly 1 in 4 men who have experienced sexual violence?
Zeke Thomas is a music producer, deejay and the son of NBA Hall of Famer Isaiah Thomas – and he’s a survivor of sexual assault and rape. In 2017, Thomas revealed in a nationally-televised interview that he was sexually assaulted at 12 years old, and then experienced date rape at the age 27, committed by a man he met on a da...2019-07-0750 minStrange FruitThe Decline And Resurgence Of Black FarmersIn 1920, black farmers in this country owned some 15.6 million acres of land, but by 1999 that number had fallen to 2 million. In 1910, there were nearly one million black farmers in America. In the year 1999, only 18,000 remained, and statistics showed that black farmers were disappearing at a rate five to six times that of white farmers.
Leah Penniman, farmer and educator at Soul Fire Farm in the Albany, New York, area, attributes the virtual disappearance of Black farmers to decades of discrimination against Black farmers by the US government – denying them farm loans, for example – and racist violence targeting land...2019-06-2951 minStrange FruitHow Aunts Are The Unsung Heroes Of Black FamiliesMothering within Black communities can take many forms. Dr. Patricia Hill-Collins coined the term “other mother” to describe a woman who cares for a child that is not biologically her own.
In many Black families, the role of the aunt has fit this function. Sometimes aunts are blood or marriage relatives but many of them are chosen family – mom’s best friend from college or the elderly neighbor down the street who looks after the community’s children. She can serve as a quiet confidant or a gentle authority figure.
This week we spoke writer Brandon T...2019-06-2335 minStrange FruitHow The Kentuckiana Pride Festival Can Be More InclusiveIn the US, June is recognized as LGBTQ Pride Month. Celebrations and festivities are held throughout the month to commemorate the rebellion that began at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969, and to celebrate the social and legal advances for LGBTQ people in the 50 years since.
This weekend in Louisville marks the return of the annual Kentuckiana Pride Festival, our city’s largest and longest-running annual Pride celebration. Our guest this week is the organization’s president and director, Allen Hatchell who joins us to discuss the festival’s headlining entertainment, vendors and what changes folks should expect this y...2019-06-1454 minStrange FruitStrange Fruit: Mothering While BlackWhile becoming a mother is often a wondrous, exciting and joyous endeavor, it can also be wrought with anxiety, fear and even danger for many black women.
We begin this week by speaking with author Dani McClain about the politics of black motherhood, and her TIME essay “I Won’t Let Racism Rob My Black Child of Joy.” In the essay, McClain recounts being pregnant with her first child in the summer of 2016 -- the same summer that Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota were killed by police.
“Reading the news of these me...2019-06-0741 min
StrangeFruitPodStrange Fruit #268: Yes, We're Still Talking About Who Can Say The N-WordNo matter how you spell it, say it, or intend for it to be received, the N-word remains a hot button issue. The rules seem pretty clear for white people - don’t say it, ever. But it gets more complicated for non-black people of color.
Writer and podcaster Olga Marina Segura joins us this week to discuss the complicated relationship between Latinx folks and the N-word. Even though she identifies as Afro-Latina (her father is a black man), Segura says she’ll never feel comfortable using the word as a term of endearment and challenges other Latinx folks to thin...2018-11-1126 min
StrangeFruitPodStrange Fruit #267: Getting Away With Murder?A teenager named Cameron Terrell was arrested in October on suspicion of murder in an alleged gang killing in South Los Angeles. Before you try to guess where this story is going, you should know: Cameron Terrell is a white, and from a wealthy L.A. suburb.
Terrell was able to make bail: $5 million.
At trial, he was acquitted of the charges, leaving some to wonder how differently Terrell's story might have ended had he been black, poor, and actually from the neighborhood where the shooting happened. Did the jury give him the benefit of the doubt because he was...2018-11-0428 minStrangeFruitPodStrange Fruit #266: Strange Fruit: A Bloodcurdling Conversation With 'Dracula' ActorsThis week actors Crystian Wiltshire and Neill Robertson join us to discuss their roles in the current production of “Dracula” at Actors Theater of Louisville. Actors Theater has been producing this vampire tale, based on Bram Stoker’s gothic vampire fable, each Halloween season for more than 20 years.
In Juicy Fruit, NBC News host Megyn Kelly offended just about everybody when she defended blackface and other racist costumes. Commentator Don Lemon weighed in and, of course, so do we!2018-10-2733 min
StrangeFruitPodStrange Fruit #265: A Conversation With LGBTQ Historian David WilliamsAuthor and historian David Williams joins us this week to talk about his new book "Secrets of Old Louisville" which is filled with the forgotten lore, hidden treasures and shocking secrets that are a part of the enchanted Louisville neighborhood’s history.
In 1982, Williams also founded one of the largest LGBTQ+ archives and libraries in the country, the Williams-Nichols Collection, which is now housed at the University of Louisville and contains more than 1,700 books, buttons, bar flyers and other LGBTQ+ memorabilia related to Louisville and the country.
Later in Juicy Fruit, Jai and Doc discuss rapper Remy Ma’s controversial stan...2018-10-2238 min
StrangeFruitPodStrange Fruit #264: 'Hey Friend!' Internet Sensation Zoie FentyThis week on Strange Fruit, Doc finally gets to interview one of her faves: Zoie Fenty, better known online as GotDamnZo.
Zoie has over 4 million followers on Instagram, where he's carved out a niche. He edits viral videos (especially videos of kids being funny) to make it look like he's having a conversation with the subject on Facetime.
He also watches outrageous hair and nail tutorial videos and posts his reactions.
Zoie joins us to talk about his work, how he got his start, and his favorite things about internet fame.2018-10-1536 min
StrangeFruitPodComing Soon on Strange Fruit: Sports! They are a thing in the newsComing up on this week's episode... Intern Brandon takes over with a show about sports news. Will he shoot a home run or strike out in the fourth quarter?2017-11-0700 min
StrangeFruitPodIdina MenzelTony Award-winning actor, signer, and songwriter Idina Menzel originated the role of Maureen Johnson in the Broadway and film versions of "Rent," kicking off a celebrated career and solidifying her place as an LGBTQ icon. She spoke to Jaison Gardner and Kaila Story, hosts of WFPL's Strange Fruit podcast, in anticipation of her appearance in Louisville next month.
Menzel will perform at the Louisville Palace on August 6th. Check out the Strange Fruit Facebook page for a chance to win tickets to the show and a meet & greet with the artistl.2017-07-2709 min
StrangeFruitPodComing Soon On Strange Fruit: Mother's Day!When you invite your mamas onto the radio, anything could happen. We learned a lot about each other, and we asked some of our friends to share stories about their mamas, too. Catch the full episode this weekend at strangefruitpod.org.2017-05-1100 minStrange FruitComing Soon On Strange Fruit: Mother's Day!When you invite your mamas onto the radio, anything could happen. We learned a lot about each other, and we asked some of our friends to share stories about their mamas, too. Catch the full episode this weekend at strangefruitpod.org.2017-05-1100 min
StrangeFruitPodCOMING SOON: Yaba Blay on Being a #ProfessionalBlackGirlComing up on Saturday's show, we talk with Dr. Yaba Blay about her new video series, "Professional Black Girl." Learn more here & listen this Saturday at strangefruitpod.org: http://yabablay.com/professional-black-girl/2017-02-2200 minStrange FruitCOMING SOON: Yaba Blay on Being a #ProfessionalBlackGirlComing up on Saturday's show, we talk with Dr. Yaba Blay about her new video series, "Professional Black Girl." Learn more here & listen this Saturday at strangefruitpod.org: http://yabablay.com/professional-black-girl/2017-02-2200 minStrangeFruitPodThis Week On Strange Fruit: Adele's Black FriendsDr. Brittney Cooper joins us this week to talk about Adele's Grammy Awards mention of her "black friends," and why we should look deeper than our initial irritation at her comments. Here's Dr. Cooper's article on it for Cosmopolitan: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a8775477/adele-black-friends-at-the-grammys/2017-02-1700 min
StrangeFruitPodDoc Sums Up Our Reaction to the Harriet Tubman TwentiesWe want you to listen to the whole show. But if you don't have time, this is a pretty accurate summary.2016-04-2200 min
StrangeFruitPodComing Up on Strange Fruit: Lea DeLaria!She was the first openly-gay comic ever to appear on American television, and now she plays Big Boo on the Netflix hit, Orange Is the New Black. Triple threat Lea DeLaria joins us this week to talk about her multi-faceted career (did you know she's released six jazz albums?), how OITNB proved that viewers were hungry for diverse and complex female characters, and what it's like being an out & proud butch lesbian in the entertainment industry.
Saturday night at 10 on 89.3 WFPL, or WFPL.org.
(Photo credit: Sophy Holland)2015-12-1700 min
StrangeFruitPodComing up on Strange Fruit: Soul Legend Jill Scott!Coming up this week on our 150th episode: Jill Scott!2015-12-1100 min
StrangeFruitPodComing Up on Strange FruitComing up on this week's episode of Strange Fruit:
More disrespect from UofL President James Ramsey, who agreed to meet with students of color but didn't let them speak, then accused them of being poorly-educated by the school, and badly-raised by their mothers.
WFPL Capitol Bureau Chief Ryland Barton helps us digest the results of this week's election and understand what might happen next.
And Dr. Carol Anderson was in Louisville this week to deliver the 9th Annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture, and she stopped by our studio to drop some truths about racism in America, from slavery to Ferguson...2015-11-0400 minStrange FruitBONUS FRUIT: Nicki vs. Taylor?Doc, Jai, and guest Joe Dunman weigh in on the Nicki/Taylor twitter beef surrounding the VMA nominations... and the perpetual narrative of white woman victimhood. And Geena Davis. (Our full episode with Dunman is here: http://strangefruitpod.org/news-round-up-with-marriage-equality-attorney-joe-dunman/)2015-07-3105 minStrange FruitStrange Fruit 125: Marriage Equality At Last!Friday was a historic day for the USA, and we spent it experiencing and documenting some of the sights and sounds of all the Decision Day activities here in Louisville! On this week's show, we share those sounds with you. Full Story: http://strangefruitpod.org/marriage-equality-at-last-sights-sounds-from-decision-day/2015-06-2729 min
StrangeFruitPodStrange Fruit #116 PromoA sneak peek at what's coming up on this week's episode of Strange Fruit!2015-04-2400 minStrange FruitStrange Fruit #108: "Emigrados" Brings the Universality of Immigrant Experiences to the StageThis week we meet Haydee Canovas, the director of a Spanish-language play called "Emigrados," running March 12-21 in Louisville. Part of the theater of the absurd tradition, the play observes two immigrant men, in a basement, on New Year's eve, and explores their relationship. While the actors in this production are both Mexican, the script itself doesn't specify a country of origin for its characters - nor does it tell us the country they're currently in. Canovas says this allows the play to comment on the experiences immigrants have in common. "Immigration is a universal theme," she says. "It's...2015-02-2729 min
StrangeFruitPodBonus Black History Month Fruit: Dr. Pauli MurrayGet hip to Dr. Pauli Murray! Friend to the show Dr. Brittney Cooper calls her "the most important legal scholar you've never heard of." Check out Dr. Cooper's work here: http://www.salon.com/2015/02/18/black_queer_feminist_erased_from_history_meet_the_most_important_legal_scholar_youve_likely_never_heard_of/2015-02-1801 min
StrangeFruitPodPROMO: Coming up on Strange Fruit #106Coming up this weekend on Strange Fruit, Frederick Smith, author of "Play It Forward," talks about the importance of three-dimensional black and brown characters in literature, and his own path to becoming a writer.
And charges are dropped against Shelton McElroy, a Louisville activist who was arrested after being asked to leave 4th Street Live. He says racism is at play in the entertainment complex's dress code enforcement.
Plus, all the tea from the Grammys, from Bey & Ledisi, to Kanye & Beck. We have a lot to catch up on... See you Saturday night at 10!2015-02-1300 minStrange FruitStrange Fruit #96: Human Rights Campaign Study Finds Louisville above Average on LGBT EqualityLouisville is looking pretty good this week! We recently got a 66% on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index—higher than the national average of 59%, and the highest rating of any city in Kentucky. The index looks at factors like non-discrimination laws, domestic partner benefits, openly gay elected officials, and more, and largely finds cities leading the way in the US, while states sometimes lag behind. This week we're joined by Cathryn Oakley of the HRC, who tells us more about the methodology, and how this year's study compares to previous years. In Juicy Fruit, we cover more Louisville ne...2014-12-0829 min
StrangeFruitPodPROMO: Strange Fruit #93Coming up on Saturday's show: Comedy legend Wanda Sykes! Plus, hip-hop scholar Mickey Hess, who co-authored a new biography of Ol' Dirty Bastard with Dirty's best friend, Buddha Monk.2014-11-1300 min
StrangeFruitPodStrange Fruit #88: PromoThis week on Strange Fruit, Fairness Campaign Director Chris Hartman joins us to talk about this week's Supreme Court decision (or lack thereof) about same sex marriage. We also give a shout out to the folks who have been working for three years to pass a fairness law in Berea; the measure was defeated this week. And in Juicy Fruit... that's so Raven. Need we say more?2014-10-1000 minStrange FruitAli Awards Red Carpet: Susan SarandonAli Awards Red Carpet: Susan Sarandon by StrangeFruitPod2014-10-0403 minStrange FruitPromo: Strange Fruit #82Nick Bowser and his wife Bianca are both transgender, and have made national headlines for following their own unique path to parenthood. This week, we'll talk to Nick about what it means to be a family, and his hopes for the future of the trans movement. In Juicy Fruit we focus on the anti-date-rape nail polish that's been in the news this week, and the state of consent on college campuses. And, of course, Beyoncé at the VMAs! Strange Fruit posts on Saturday morning at strangefruitpod.org, and airs Saturday night at 10pm on 89.3 WFPL.2014-08-2900 minStrange FruitPromo: Strange Fruit #81This week on Strange Fruit, UofL student Brina Joiner traveled to Ferguson, and stops by our studio to tell us what she saw there that we aren't seeing on the news. We also speak with Patrisse Cullors, of Dignity and Power Now, about the Freedom Ride to Ferguson she's co-organizing with our friend Darnell Moore. They're traveling as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, and while there are many ways to help, she says being there to protest in person has its own importance: "There's nothing like having and actual body on the front lines with you to...2014-08-2200 minStrange FruitStrange Fruit #80: Hands Up Don't Shoot: Fear in Ferguson, and at HomeLast Saturday, Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson shot an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown, multiple times, killing him. Since then, the situation in Ferguson has been ever changing. Protests and vigils were initially met with a heavy-handed response from the police, who were outfitted with paramilitary equipment that seemed disproportionate to the situation. Eventually, Missouri Governor Jay Dixon relieved the Ferguson PD of policing the situation, placing the town under control of the Missouri Highway Patrol. While all eyes are on Ferguson, the shooting of an unarmed black man by law enforcement is, sadly, a phenomenon that...2014-08-1529 minStrange FruitPromo: Strange Fruit #80This week on Strange Fruit, we speak with Rachel Lippmann of St. Louis Public Radio, and Bridjes O'Neill of the St. Louis American, about the shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer—and the aftermath in the community. We also hear from our Louisville Councilwoman Attica Scott about her fears for her own black son. "People need to understand that police officers are paid by taxpayer dollars," she says. "The budget is reviewed and approved by some local government to then pay these individuals to kill our babies. And that's not okay." Hear the full conversation and mo...2014-08-1400 min