In honor of Juneteenth, we will be talking about "The Mother of the Freedom Movement" - Rosa Parks. Rosa made history when she politely refused to give her seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Alabama when institutionalized racial segregation existed in the South (Jim Crow Laws). Her story is one of courage; she'll make you want to stand up for what' ... Show More
Today
206 - Let's Talk about Hair! (with Julia)
In this cozy winter episode, Shana is snowed in with her daughters on the East Coast after a big snowstorm. While it looks like a magical winter wonderland outside, things feel a little chaotic inside the house. Then Julia, who's seven, decides she wants to be a guest on the podc ... Show More
22m 24s
Feb 4
205 - Preposition Party with Lucas 🎉 Love, Caring, Passions & Worries
In this episode, Shana is joined by her husband Lucas for another fun Preposition Party. Together, they play a guessing game with common English prepositions while sharing personal stories about food, fears, parenting, moving, and unexpected passions. You’ll hear natural, real-li ... Show More
33m 22s
Jun 2023
Words Count For Nothing | Take A Walk
<p>Today the United States celebrates Juneteenth, the commemoration of the emancipation of slaves in America. Two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and nearly 90 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Union Army troops deploye ... Show More
8m 2s
Feb 2023
"In the Presence of Agape, Battles for Life Ensue" - Joy James & K. Kim Holder, In Pursuit of Revolutionary Love
<p>In this episode, Joy James returns to the podcast and is joined by K. Kim Holder. </p> <p>Holder was a member of the Harlem Chapter of the Black Panther Party and his dissertation <em>The Black Panther Party 1966-1972: a curriculum tool for Afrikan-American studies</em> was th ... Show More
1h 45m
Jun 2020
The History and Meaning of Juneteenth
<p>After 155 years, Juneteenth, a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved Americans, is being acknowledged as a holiday by corporations and state governments across the country. Today, we consider why, throughout its history, Juneteenth has gained prominence at moments of pai ... Show More
27m 49s
Sep 2019
The Birth of American Music
Black music, forged in captivity, became the sound of complete artistic freedom. It also became the sound of America. On today’s episode: Wesley Morris, a critic-at-large for The New York Times.“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find mo ... Show More
34m 33s
Aug 2023
The Supreme Court Crisis w/ Elie Mystal
Attorney, writer and political commentator Elie Mystal joins Laverne to talk about the radically conservative United States Supreme Court, the constitutional amendments through history and his eye-opening book, Allow Me To Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution. He expla ... Show More
47m 58s
Aug 2019
The Economy That Slavery Built
The institution of slavery turned a poor, fledgling nation into a financial powerhouse, and the cotton plantation was America’s first big business. Behind the system, and built into it, was the whip. On today’s episode: Matthew Desmond, a contributing writer for The New York Time ... Show More
31m 55s