Leila travels back to Cuba —and to her 20s —in this special episode about Havana, dance, hair, proud negras, and finding your voice. This story is told in collaboration with Meditative Story, hosted by Rohan Gunatillake.

Leila travels back to Cuba —and to her 20s —in this special episode about Havana, dance, hair, proud negras, and finding your voice. This story is told in collaboration with Meditative Story, hosted by Rohan Gunatillake.

Cuba Libre: A Meditative Story 

It’s a term of endearment but not everybody wants to be your “Auntie.” Today, Leila and Hana unravel some of the emotions and stereotypes tied to being an “Auntie.” They did into the deeper connections to ageism, the evolving meaning of the term, and discuss the weight of “respectability handles” within Black culture.

It’s a term of endearment but not everybody wants to be your “Auntie.” Today, Leila and Hana unravel some of the emotions and stereotypes tied to being an “Auntie.” They did into the deeper connections to ageism, the evolving meaning of the term, and discuss the weight of “respectability handles” within Black culture.

Don't Call Me Auntie

Interest in psychedelics is ramping up. People are even claiming that psychedelics can help heal racial trauma. But should we believe the hype? Can psychedelics bring us pleasure and joy? Or is the new psychedelic gold rush perpetuating the same old harm? Producer Natalie, takes hosts, Leila and Hana, on a sonic trip to talk to a few new and seasoned psychonauts: Tonya Mosley, host of Truth Be Told and Fresh Air, decolonized psychedelic educator and practitioner, Buki Fadipe, and psychiatric nurse practitioner and organizer, Kwasi Adusei.

Interest in psychedelics is ramping up. People are even claiming that psychedelics can help heal racial trauma. But should we believe the hype? Can psychedelics bring us pleasure and joy? Or is the new psychedelic gold rush perpetuating the same old harm? Producer Natalie, takes hosts, Leila and Hana, on a sonic trip to talk to a few new and seasoned psychonauts: Tonya Mosley, host of Truth Be Told and Fresh Air, decolonized psychedelic educator and practitioner, Buki Fadipe, and psychiatric nurse practitioner and organizer, Kwasi Adusei.

You Trippin'?

Today, The Stoop has a special episode. The war in Hana’s home country, Sudan, continues. Hana has been feeling the conflict here at home in the States. Today we pause and take a moment to reflect on the music that has been holding people together, and we highlight the voices of Sudanese Americans who are living through a reality that their homes may never be the same. Many thanks to the kids of SANC School in California, musician Mazin Jamal and legendary songstress Salma Elassal for her songs of longing that carry us through these hard times.

Today, The Stoop has a special episode. The war in Hana’s home country, Sudan, continues. Hana has been feeling the conflict here at home in the States. Today we pause and take a moment to reflect on the music that has been holding people together, and we highlight the voices of Sudanese Americans who are living through a reality that their homes may never be the same. Many thanks to the kids of SANC School in California, musician Mazin Jamal and legendary songstress Salma Elassal for her songs of longing that carry us through these hard times.

Pausing for Sudan

Hana has a dilemma. As a diasporan, is she basically a diluted African? This question arises when Hana and Leila travel to conduct workshops at a conference in Kenya. Hana finds that she’s questioning her place —she’s African, but she’s a diaspora African —and she wonders how she’s seen, and what her role is, as someone who flies in from the West. In Nairobi, Hana gets some advice on diaspora privilege from Africa Podfest’s Melissa Mbugua, then in California she chats with fellow diasporans who are also asking, how should we conduct ourselves in Africa?

Hana has a dilemma. As a diasporan, is she basically a diluted African? This question arises when Hana and Leila travel to conduct workshops at a conference in Kenya. Hana finds that she’s questioning her place —she’s African, but she’s a diaspora African —and she wonders how she’s seen, and what her role is, as someone who flies in from the West. In Nairobi, Hana gets some advice on diaspora privilege from Africa Podfest’s Melissa Mbugua, then in California she chats with fellow diasporans who are also asking, how should we conduct ourselves in Africa?

A Diaspora Dilemma 

How do you talk about death without talking about death? Discussions about succession planning, and what the future looks like when your loved one is gone, are tough. Leila explores legacy through a conversation with her mom, Vicki, who is planning to have her work as a gallerist live on for the next 100 years. We also meet Lauren Rosa Miller, who tells her personal story about taking over her family business and explains why she’s teaching others to have hard conversations.

How do you talk about death without talking about death? Discussions about succession planning, and what the future looks like when your loved one is gone, are tough. Leila explores legacy through a conversation with her mom, Vicki, who is planning to have her work as a gallerist live on for the next 100 years. We also meet Lauren Rosa Miller, who tells her personal story about taking over her family business and explains why she’s teaching others to have hard conversations.

Legacies 

Whether it's the way we talk,  the music we hear, or the clothes we wear- many Black people at some point were made to feel 'not Black enough’, including Leila and Hana. In this special episode, Leila explores with broadcast journalist Joshua Johnson what it means to be told she ‘talks white’, Hana talks to a psychologist as she wonders if she has to like everything Black to avoid getting called out, and we go deep with comedian W. Kamau Bell who's felt awkward in Black circles and in front of Black audiences. What does it mean to be ‘Black enough’?

Whether it's the way we talk,  the music we hear, or the clothes we wear- many Black people at some point were made to feel 'not Black enough’, including Leila and Hana. In this special episode, Leila explores with broadcast journalist Joshua Johnson what it means to be told she ‘talks white’, Hana talks to a psychologist as she wonders if she has to like everything Black to avoid getting called out, and we go deep with comedian W. Kamau Bell who's felt awkward in Black circles and in front of Black audiences. What does it mean to be ‘Black enough’?

Stoop Special: Black Enough

Hana’s writing a book of Sudanese folktales that have been handed down through generations in her family, but some questions have been haunting her. Should they be translated? Does she even own the right to retell these stories? And the biggest question of them all- a secret within the stories that she must confront. To guide her, she talks it out with African American storyteller Diane Ferlatte, and Rwandan folklore scholar Brenda Umutoniwase- plus Hana gets honest with her Aunt Sohair..

Hana’s writing a book of Sudanese folktales that have been handed down through generations in her family, but some questions have been haunting her. Should they be translated? Does she even own the right to retell these stories? And the biggest question of them all- a secret within the stories that she must confront. To guide her, she talks it out with African American storyteller Diane Ferlatte, and Rwandan folklore scholar Brenda Umutoniwase- plus Hana gets honest with her Aunt Sohair..

Once Upon a Problem

One of the hardest practices is self-love, especially when it feels like the world is against you. Today we hear the story of Regina Louise, an author and personal growth coach, who learned how to define love on her own terms after growing up in and out of foster care.  Regina finds her voice in a story that shows us that true love doesn’t always come from the outside.

One of the hardest practices is self-love, especially when it feels like the world is against you. Today we hear the story of Regina Louise, an author and personal growth coach, who learned how to define love on her own terms after growing up in and out of foster care.  Regina finds her voice in a story that shows us that true love doesn’t always come from the outside.

I Belong to Me

Did someone say, Afro-futuristic audio space drama? We got you. What is the problem with Duran Durag? Find out in this intergalactic Blackity-Blacktic space comedy, His Saturn Return. From Pineapple Street Studios’ production The 11th, creator, writer, and performer Sai Sion stars in a cosmic audio drama as he plays the cocky and charming, smooth and clumsy and always getting into trouble Duran Durag. It’s high time for Duran to learn some important life lessons. The all-knowing DJ Saturn is not playing when he sends this young Black space alien on a series of challenges that reveal what it is to live in a universe that doesn’t orbit around ego. Will the missions he’s sent on ground him, or will his swagger get in the way of growing up?

Did someone say, Afro-futuristic audio space drama? We got you. What is the problem with Duran Durag? Find out in this intergalactic Blackity-Blacktic space comedy, His Saturn Return. From Pineapple Street Studios’ production The 11th, creator, writer, and performer Sai Sion stars in a cosmic audio drama as he plays the cocky and charming, smooth and clumsy and always getting into trouble Duran Durag. It’s high time for Duran to learn some important life lessons. The all-knowing DJ Saturn is not playing when he sends this young Black space alien on a series of challenges that reveal what it is to live in a universe that doesn’t orbit around ego. Will the missions he’s sent on ground him, or will his swagger get in the way of growing up?

His Saturn Return

The Stoop podcast digs into stories that are not always shared out in the open. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba start conversations and provide professionally-reported stories about what it means to be Black and how we talk about blackness. Come hang out on The Stoop as we dialog about the diaspora.

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Weird

The Stoop podcast digs into stories that are not always shared out in the open. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba start conversations and provide professionally-reported stories about what it means to be Black and how we talk about blackness. Come hang out on The Stoop as we dialog about the diaspora.

The Stoop

For many of us, success and 'making it' also means you're expected to help out and support your family. Whether you're Black American, or a child of Black immigrants- that 'Black Tax' is often something you're going to be thinking about. Today we get personal with a story from Mwende Hinojosa who explains how What's App brings her Kenyan family together but it can also be very...taxing.  

For many of us, success and 'making it' also means you're expected to help out and support your family. Whether you're Black American, or a child of Black immigrants- that 'Black Tax' is often something you're going to be thinking about. Today we get personal with a story from Mwende Hinojosa who explains how What's App brings her Kenyan family together but it can also be very...taxing.

Ep 38: That Black Tax

What's it mean when someone says you "sound white"? In this episode we explore voice, and unpack what it means linguistically, socially, and professionally when you're black but supposedly "sound white." As always, we love you for loving The Stoop. Drop some stars on our podcast and put down a review - we appreciate every new set of ears! Contributors: @1A @jejihnson322 Chinaka Hodge (@chinakahodge)   Editor:  Sound Design: Seth Samuel Illustration: Neema Iyer (@Neemascribbles) Digital Production/PodOps: Megan Jones

What's it mean when someone says you "sound white"? In this episode we explore voice, and unpack what it means linguistically, socially, and professionally when you're black but supposedly "sound white." As always, we love you for loving The Stoop. Drop some stars on our podcast and put down a review - we appreciate every new set of ears! Contributors: @1A @jejihnson322 Chinaka Hodge (@chinakahodge) Editor:  Sound Design: Seth Samuel Illustration: Neema Iyer (@Neemascribbles) Digital Production/PodOps: Megan Jones

Episode 4: The problem with "sounding white"

"It's not hard for a black man of my caliber to say I love you." But is it?  Many black people say they never heard I love you much growing up, including both Leila and Hana, hosts of The Stoop. In Episodes 2, we examine the reasons why we don't hear I love you, and what that means. We talk to inmates at San Quentin state prison, a professor who studies black male emotional expression, and Stooptalk with Al Letson about I love you in his home. Did you hear I love you growing up? #blacklove #blackfamilies Want more Stoop? Go to our website www.thestoop.org. There you will find videos, audio shorts, behind-the-scenes peeks, and more. We drop preview audio clips, photos, and all kinds of interesting etcetera on social - so follow us on Twitter, and Instagram (@thestooppodcast) and on Facebook (stooppodcast) to get the latest and to see the conversations around our shows. Have an idea or question? hangout(at)thestoop.org.  Like what you hear? Drop some stars on The Stoop and put down a review - we thank you for listening. Credits: Thanks to Al Letson (@Al_Letson) and Serie McDougal (@SerieMcdougal) for contibuting to this episode. Sound Design: Chris Hoff Illustration:  Neema Iyer Digital Production/PodOps: Megan Jones

"It's not hard for a black man of my caliber to say I love you." But is it?  Many black people say they never heard I love you much growing up, including both Leila and Hana, hosts of The Stoop. In Episodes 2, we examine the reasons why we don't hear I love you, and what that means. We talk to inmates at San Quentin state prison, a professor who studies black male emotional expression, and Stooptalk with Al Letson about I love you in his home. Did you hear I love you growing up? #blacklove #blackfamilies Want more Stoop? Go to our website <a href="http://www.thestoop.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thestoop.org</a>. There you will find videos, audio shorts, behind-the-scenes peeks, and more. We drop preview audio clips, photos, and all kinds of interesting etcetera on social - so follow us on Twitter, and Instagram (@thestooppodcast) and on Facebook (stooppodcast) to get the latest and to see the conversations around our shows. Have an idea or question? hangout(at)<a href="http://thestoop.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thestoop.org</a>.  Like what you hear? Drop some stars on The Stoop and put down a review - we thank you for listening. Credits: Thanks to Al Letson (@Al_Letson) and Serie McDougal (@SerieMcdougal) for contibuting to this episode. Sound Design: Chris Hoff Illustration:  Neema Iyer Digital Production/PodOps: Megan Jones

Episode 2: Why is it so hard for some black folks to say I love you?

Should we support Black no matter what? We discuss the pressure to conform with liking all things Black, even when you don’t. Whether it’s Black art, the Black politician, or a hashtag. The feeling that we have to always align is tied to a psychological concept called 'social desirability bias.' We’ll break down why we do it with a Black psychologist from Stanford, hear from a culture critic who says we shouldn’t succumb to it, and hosts Hana and Leila question their own motives.

Should we support Black no matter what? We discuss the pressure to conform with liking all things Black, even when you don’t. Whether it’s Black art, the Black politician, or a hashtag. The feeling that we have to always align is tied to a psychological concept called 'social desirability bias.' We’ll break down why we do it with a Black psychologist from Stanford, hear from a culture critic who says we shouldn’t succumb to it, and hosts Hana and Leila question their own motives.

Ep 33: All Black Everything?

Season 2 is here! We explore the history of colorism, from Compton to the markets in Sudan. Dissecting a Hollywood casting call, and asking why are Black people bleaching their skin? It gets personal.

Season 2 is here! We explore the history of colorism, from Compton to the markets in Sudan. Dissecting a Hollywood casting call, and asking why are Black people bleaching their skin? It gets personal.

Episode 11: Pretty for a dark-skinned girl

When Oprah's longtime hairstylist Andre Walker created the hair typing system, he didn't expect it to become what it is today.  The chart has helped a lot of Black naturals understand their textures but it's also created some tensions when it comes to the lack of  representation of 4C women. From our hair history, to  hair salons, and a chat with Mr. Walker himself--we get to the bottom of why some people feel tangled up in this hair chart.    Special thanks to Author: Ayana Byrd: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America 

When Oprah's longtime hairstylist Andre Walker created the hair typing system, he didn't expect it to become what it is today.  The chart has helped a lot of Black naturals understand their textures but it's also created some tensions when it comes to the lack of  representation of 4C women. From our hair history, to  hair salons, and a chat with Mr. Walker himself--we get to the bottom of why some people feel tangled up in this hair chart.  Special thanks to Author: Ayana Byrd: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America

Episode 13: Are you a 4C?

"You're black, but you ain't BLACK black." Like many African kids in the US, Stoop host Hana Baba was ridiculed for being from Africa. She was called names like "African booty scratcher." And the name calling came only from the black kids. What's behind this black disconnect and where did it come from? The Stoop explores this with a young Sudanese American and her African American friends.

"You're black, but you ain't BLACK black." Like many African kids in the US, Stoop host Hana Baba was ridiculed for being from Africa. She was called names like "African booty scratcher." And the name calling came only from the black kids. What's behind this black disconnect and where did it come from? The Stoop explores this with a young Sudanese American and her African American friends.

Episode 5: You called me African what?

Let's hit pause and take a breath. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba break from the chatter of stoop talk to send out a special double episode that allows for a moment of grace, a place where one can catch a breath and regroup in order to move forward. What revives and sustains your soul? For Leila, it's dance. For Hana, it's music. Like what you hear? Drop some stars on The Stoop and put down a review in iTunes or Stitcher - we thank you as always for listening. Credits Contributors: Leila Day &amp; Hana Baba Sound Design: Leila Day  Stoop logo: Jef Cunningham Digital Production/PodOps: Megan Jones

Let's hit pause and take a breath. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba break from the chatter of stoop talk to send out a special double episode that allows for a moment of grace, a place where one can catch a breath and regroup in order to move forward. What revives and sustains your soul? For Leila, it's dance. For Hana, it's music. Like what you hear? Drop some stars on The Stoop and put down a review in iTunes or Stitcher - we thank you as always for listening. Credits Contributors: Leila Day &amp; Hana Baba Sound Design: Leila Day  Stoop logo: Jef Cunningham Digital Production/PodOps: Megan Jones

Episode 3: PAUSE

Tone it down, Angry black woman. A conversation with two black women in the corporate world who sometimes tone it down in order to avoid stereotypes. What's behind the Angry black woman stereotype, and what's it doing to people psychologically?

Tone it down, Angry black woman. A conversation with two black women in the corporate world who sometimes tone it down in order to avoid stereotypes. What's behind the Angry black woman stereotype, and what's it doing to people psychologically?

Episode 8: Angry black woman

He was the perfect little brown baby. His name was Solomon. Thick curly hair, chubby legs and eyes closed with dark black lashes. Solomon's story is one that affects thousands of families whose babies are twice as likely to die before reaching the age of one, and Black mothers are up to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes. This story is personal as we go deep into a personal story behind the statistic.Two sisters remember a child lost, search for answers, and discover the answer to a lingering question.

He was the perfect little brown baby. His name was Solomon. Thick curly hair, chubby legs and eyes closed with dark black lashes. Solomon's story is one that affects thousands of families whose babies are twice as likely to die before reaching the age of one, and Black mothers are up to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes. This story is personal as we go deep into a personal story behind the statistic.Two sisters remember a child lost, search for answers, and discover the answer to a lingering question.

Episode 14: The birth of Solomon

We end this season by going deep into how we express ourselves at the intersection where spirituality meets artistic expression - and how that intersection can be complicated.  We meet Alia Sharrief- a Black Muslim woman hip hop artist who raps about her faith, Black girl magic, and social justice - despite the haters. And Leila takes us to an Afro-Cuban dance class to get in touch with the Orisha, and has some questions about others, that lead to questioning herself. 

We end this season by going deep into how we express ourselves at the intersection where spirituality meets artistic expression - and how that intersection can be complicated.  We meet <a href="https://aliasharrief.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alia Sharrief</a>- a Black Muslim woman hip hop artist who raps about her faith, Black girl magic, and social justice - despite the haters. And Leila takes us to an Afro-Cuban dance class to get in touch with the Orisha, and has some questions about others, that lead to questioning herself.

Episode 21: Rhythm & Spirit

We're getting into the myths surrounding the coronavirus and discussing how Covid-19 could have a different impact on black people. We also hear from workers in the service industry who share their stories about how they are pushing through. Let’s stoop it out together.

We're getting into the myths surrounding the coronavirus and discussing how Covid-19 could have a different impact on black people. We also hear from workers in the service industry who share their stories about how they are pushing through. Let’s stoop it out together.

Ep 37: Together and apart

What’s a sound that embodies blackness? In this episode we ask around and then get deeper into conversation with Glory Edim, the founder of Well Read Black Girl, a Brooklyn based book club and online community. What’s it mean to be well read? This special Stoop episode was recorded live at WNYC's The GreenSpace, and goes deeper into conversations about what it means to return to Africa, how to create inclusive community, and really, how black are we?

What’s a sound that embodies blackness? In this episode we ask around and then get deeper into conversation with Glory Edim, the founder of Well Read Black Girl, a Brooklyn based book club and online community. What’s it mean to be well read? This special Stoop episode was recorded live at WNYC's The GreenSpace, and goes deeper into conversations about what it means to return to Africa, how to create inclusive community, and really, how black are we?

Ep 29: Sounds from a Well Read Black Girl

Our babies and their hair. We hear how two parents discuss hair with their kids. Author Robert Trujillo wrote a book about his son, Furqan's, first flat top. Then we meet  Fatima Jones and he daughter Aponi, and listen in on an intimate conversation about hair, pride and love.  To find the book Furqan's First Flat Top, by Robert Liu-Trujillo. Illustration by Robert Liu-Trujillo

Our babies and their hair. We hear how two parents discuss hair with their kids. Author Robert Trujillo wrote a book about his son, Furqan's, first flat top. Then we meet  Fatima Jones and he daughter Aponi, and listen in on an intimate conversation about hair, pride and love.  To find the book Furqan's First Flat Top, by Robert Liu-Trujillo. Illustration by Robert Liu-Trujillo

Episode 20: My child's hair

The Stoop goes to the low country of South Carolina to uncover some of the hidden history of the Gullah Geechee. The mix of African cultures in the deep south eventually transformed into a unique language and culture that is Gullah. Lean in for this one. We outchea!

The Stoop goes to the low country of South Carolina to uncover some of the hidden history of the Gullah Geechee. The mix of African cultures in the deep south eventually transformed into a unique language and culture that is Gullah. Lean in for this one. We outchea!

Episode 22: Gullah Geechee

When a ballet teacher told co-host Leila Day that her back should be straight on the ground, no light shining through, and Leila couldn't make it happen, her dreams to be a ballet dancer disappeared. The world of classical ballet is extremely difficult to break into, and for those who do, there's a lot that comes with it, especially when you're "the only". This episode looks at breaking the line.   We talk about ballet, bodies, and skin tone with former ballerina Aesha Ashe, and dance educator and writer Theresa Ruth Howard.

When a ballet teacher told co-host Leila Day that her back should be straight on the ground, no light shining through, and Leila couldn't make it happen, her dreams to be a ballet dancer disappeared. The world of classical ballet is extremely difficult to break into, and for those who do, there's a lot that comes with it, especially when you're "the only". This episode looks at breaking the line. We talk about ballet, bodies, and skin tone with former ballerina Aesha Ashe, and dance educator and writer Theresa Ruth Howard.

Episode 12: Breaking the line

What can love look like when your partner might not ‘get it’? In this episode we talk to interracial couples having difficult conversations around race, love and identity at a time when racial tensions are high. We also hear from Professor Shantel Buggs author of the study ‘Dating in the Time of #BlackLivesMatter’, who interviewed dozens of women to see whether awareness of racial issues mattered when they were choosing a partner, asking how socially aware do  you expect your non-Black partner to be?

What can love look like when your partner might not ‘get it’? In this episode we talk to interracial couples having difficult conversations around race, love and identity at a time when racial tensions are high. We also hear from Professor Shantel Buggs author of the study ‘Dating in the Time of #BlackLivesMatter’, who interviewed dozens of women to see whether awareness of racial issues mattered when they were choosing a partner, asking how socially aware do  you expect your non-Black partner to be?

Episode 25: You may not get it, but I love you

Thin nose, high cheekbones, kinky hair, what you got in your blood? Your blood won’t lie, but does it determine your identity? We meet two women- Uzaz Shami, a Nubian woman who didn’t expect her results, and Shonda Buchanan who has always identified as Native American but isn’t always accepted as that.  What percent of an ethnicity makes you part of that group, and does it even matter?

Thin nose, high cheekbones, kinky hair, what you got in your blood? Your blood won’t lie, but does it determine your identity? We meet two women- Uzaz Shami, a Nubian woman who didn’t expect her results, and Shonda Buchanan who has always identified as Native American but isn’t always accepted as that.  What percent of an ethnicity makes you part of that group, and does it even matter?

Episode 24: What's in your blood?

It's that silent acknowledgement. That "I see you," moment. But not everyone is a nodder. We send producers on the streets to see if the nod is still going strong, and hear from one hesitant nodder who breaks down why it's not always been her thing.

It's that silent acknowledgement. That "I see you," moment. But not everyone is a nodder. We send producers on the streets to see if the nod is still going strong, and hear from one hesitant nodder who breaks down why it's not always been her thing.

Episode 23: The Nod

Black homophobia is real- and we meet two influential people who are fighting it - each in their own inspiring way. Bishop Yvette Flunder, and author and activist Darnell Moore are Black, queer and free. This episode is delves into the language we use, the things that need to be said, and the celebration of black boy joy and intimacy. 

Black homophobia is real- and we meet two influential people who are fighting it - each in their own inspiring way. Bishop Yvette Flunder, and author and activist Darnell Moore are Black, queer and free. This episode is delves into the language we use, the things that need to be said, and the celebration of black boy joy and intimacy.

Episode 17: Black, Queer and Free

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

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