All Rev'd Up

Spring Cleaning: What Are You Getting Rid Of?

Have you ever wondered how all 'Black folks' know the same line dances, cook the same foods on certain holidays or all know the dos and don'ts, culturally? The Revs discuss the good and not-so-good social norms in the Black community.

As Black journalists are becoming more vocal and seemingly more attacked by their counterparts and even current political leaders, The Revs discuss how Black media professionals can remain steadfast in their pursuits while maintaining their authenticity.**All Rev'd Up was named one of the top 15 WGBH podcasts to listen to in 2025 by FeedSpot! View the entire list at podcast.feedspot.com.

In this episode of the All Rev'd Up podcast, The Revs honor the profound legacy and ongoing influence of Black women in music. Through compelling stories and powerful reflections, they celebrate the artists who have shaped the past and those who continue to inspire the present.

In this Black History Month episode, The Revs discuss affirmative action, the state of the country and its rapid changes regarding DEI, Black History Month and Juneteenth; and to most of the topics, they have one question: "why?"

In this Valentine's Day-inspired episode of the All Rev'd Up Podcast, The Revs explore the themes of finding and valuing Black love. Join us as we discuss the importance of Black love, its cultural significance, and how to nurture and celebrate it in today's world.

For years, whispers and rumors surrounded P. Diddy and R. Kelly, with legendary stories hinting at misconduct. Yet, despite the mounting evidence and the increasing number of victims, the world remained silent. Only when the pain and suffering of so many could no longer be ignored did the truth begin to surface.In this episode of The All Rev'd Up Podcast, we dive deep into the reasons behind our silence in the face of wrongdoing. Why do we hesitate to call out the injustices we witness? Join us as we explore this pressing question and uncover the societal and psychological factors that contribute to our reluctance to speak up.Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that challenges us all to break the silence and take a stand against injustice.

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024 the United States of America voted 58% for President Donald Trump leaving 42% for Vice President Kamala Harris in a decisive victory for the MAGA Republican. Now, weeks and months away from the “day after,” The Revs reflect on what the results of the 2024 Presidential election say to the nation, and to the world.

President Obama was the President of Hope, and The Revs are claiming that VP Harris will be the first female President of the United States – the President of Joy! In this Post-DNC; Post All Rev'd Up S7 Special Episode; The Revs discuss VP Harris's predecessors, what they see coming for her campaign, and more. 

For generations, the Black community has had coded phrases or gestures with varied meanings within those who understand each signal. One of those beloved acknowledgements is that of 'The Nod.' In the Season 7 finale, The Revs break down the nod, their respective encounters with giving or receiving the gesture, and more. 

From the Cha Cha Slide to the Electric Slide, coordinated routines – affectionately known as line dances, or hustles – have been embedded in Black families' parties and cookouts, HBCU campuses and beyond. The Revs discuss the "why" in this portion of Black culture, its importance, and more. 

Did you know that Juneteenth is the longest-celebrated Black holiday, although it wasn't nationalized until 2020 – when George Floyd was killed? In this episode, The Revs discuss what's changed over the last four years, the holiday's roots, reparations, and more.

Tupac and Biggie. Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj. Now Drake and ...what seems like everyone. Kendrick Lamar is the latest rapper to go bar for bar with Mr. OVO and fans are wondering: is it over? Is this the rap battle of rap battles? Are they promoting violence? The Revs answer this and more in this week's episode.

As Caitlin Clark , Angel Reeves, Kamilla Cardoso, and so many others' names have been buzzing for their outstanding college seasons and transitions into the WNBA, social media is saying that women's basketball is going to 'take off.' The Revs challenge this revelation to some as a relief to others, as women's college and professional basketball has been on the radar of basketball fans for years. Will 2024 set the precedent for deserved recognition, pay and attention for women in this sports and those to come?

In the wake of Beyoncé's Act II, "Cowboy Carter," music fans across the globe brought up an argument that isn't new to music: if Black artists belong in the country genre. With social media, news outlets and day-to-day conversations in an uproar on both sides of the debate, The Revs chime in on Country Music's Roots. 

DEI was all the rave amid BLM protests and racial tensions in America. As of the last year or so, DEI advances in colleges and Corporate America are slowly fading. Could this be the beginning to the end? The Revs discuss the issue and the solution.

As Black History Month has transitioned into Women's History Month during this election year, The Revs discuss democracy from 1619 to 2024 to American rights and freedoms.

As Black History Month 2024 comes to a close, The Revs discuss the importance of Black people being paid their worth, those willing to pave their own pay due to gatekeeping and who the Black gatekeepers are.

The Revs reflect on where they were when hip hop started, how the genre impacted them, and how it's evolved since 1973.

The last time the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was in Boston for a national convention, was 1982. This year, they returned. After both taking their own time apart from national membership and returning, The Revs discuss the strides the NAACP has and hasn't taken over the years.

As the highest court of the land has reversed the legislation that once protected and allowed equal and fair consideration of groups historically discriminated against in the college admissions process, The Revs reflect on their college journeys and how this decision will affect generations to come.

Established as a federal holiday in 2021 – 156 years after the initial issuance of the freedom of Black people in America, attempting to celebrate Juneteenth in 2023 still comes with roadblocks. With critical race theory being banned in schools, complaints of the holiday not being united, lack of teaching of Juneteenth in schools, The Revs ask, “how do we still celebrate Juneteenth?”

As we honor and mourn the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, the Revs call attention to the Black soldiers who helped shape Memorial Day holiday origins.

After the New York Subway murder of Jordan Neely, his attacker claimed that he was being a Good Samaritan, as he felt like his life – and the lives of other riders – was in danger. The Revs discuss their thoughts on the incident, and what they think should happen next.

In light of the shooting of Kansas City teen, Ralph Yarl, The Revs discuss the issues and fears of Black people continually being shot – and possibly losing their lives because they made a mistake. Tiredly and with frustration, they try to come to a conclusion and ask the repetitive question, “when is enough, enough?”

After expressing their dismay regarding gun control, two of the three members of the “Tennessee Three” were expelled from their roles in the state's House of Representatives. Democratic lawmakers Justin Jones and Justin Pearson – both Black men – demanded stricter laws surrounding guns just six days after another mass shooting in America. The Revs discuss their views on the Representatives' treatment, what democracy looks like in 2023, their projections for Tennessee and other states, and more.

It's been three years since President Joe Biden was sworn into office with his right-hand woman, Kamala Harris as the Vice President: the first woman and Black person to serve in the role. Though being more than halfway through their term, some ask if Harris is capable of holding this position and other question why the question is even being raised, when Harris has proven herself to be more than qualified to serve in the nation's second-highest office. As Women's History Month comes to a close, The Revs weigh in on their thoughts on Harris' job thus far – and their perception of her in the role – in the podcast's Season 6 opener.

In a special episode for Black History Month, The Revs discuss “the embrace” from overall blackness to the recently unveiled artwork from Leslie Jones. How do you embrace?

Through another wave of the pandemic, racial unrest, political achievements and everything in between, The Revs discuss 2022 for Blacks in America as the year – and Season 5 of All Rev'd Up – come to a close.

As current Massachusetts residents, The Revs discuss their experiences, initial and current thoughts about the state of Boston with special guest, Boston's Senior Advisor on Racial Justice in Equity and Inclusion, Lori Nelson.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday – the kick-off of the end-of-the-year holiday season – The Revs discuss the importance of being grateful, what they're grateful for and what they're looking forward to in this last part of the year.

The day after the 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections, The Revs discuss their political party preferences, thoughts on voting over the years, and most importantly: if they voted this year and their reasoning(s) behind the decision.

In a conversation with the Revs, All Rev'd Up producer, Kavontae Smalls discusses his work as a journalist, producer and social media manager, in addition to serving as a producer on All Rev'd Up.

In a conversation with the Revs, All Rev'd Up producer, Kyla L. Wright discusses her work as a journalist, advocate and entrepreneur, in addition to serving as a producer on All Rev'd Up for the last three seasons.

While Kim Kardashian has gained acclaim from social media and scandals to high-profile A-list relationships, the socialite is accused of her rise being on the backs of Black women. The Revs discuss the plight of Kardashian's career, and how some resolve can come from the relative discourse amid her fame.

As Serena Williams – the greatest tennis player of all time – announced her “evolution” or retirement from the sport, the Revs discuss her legacy, the future of the sport and the barriers Williams has faced and broken as the world's greatest.

In the Season 5 premiere, The Revs discuss the efforts in getting WNBA superstar Brittany Griner home from Russia, where she's currently serving a sentence for possession of less than a gram of cannabis oil. Will Griner step foot on US soil again, or will she be forced to serve her recently-appointed nine year sentence?

On June 24, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. The landmark 1973 case granting women the legal right to an abortion was struck down in Dobbs v. Jackson case originating in Mississippi. Now without federal protections, many states have placed severe restrictions or outright banned abortions and the hardest to be hit by these laws will be the poor and Black and brown women. In this episode of the All Rev'd Up podcast, The Revs discuss the impact overturning Roe will have on Black folks.

As February winds down, The Revs reconvene for a special episode dedicated to Black History: beyond the month. The month, used by some to complain about being the shortest month to celebrate Black History, but nonetheless is still used to celebrate pillars that came before those today; and The Revs discuss celebrating not only Black History, but the present of Black Americana, as well.

In the season 4 finale, The Rev's discuss the latest trend on “Black Twitter,” which discussed Black slang, phrases and colloquialisms. The viral topic lead with, “the African American urge…” From “gone with your bad self,” to “my bad,” The Rev's go tit-for-tat with their favorite sayings and may have introduced the audience to a few new ones; now, give us the 411…what's your go-to “urge?”

After Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. were found guilty on multiple counts, but specifically in the murder of 25-year-old Amaud Arbery, many ask if the unarmed Black jogger truly received justice. From Black pastors' presence in the courtroom being questioned, to a defense attorney inhumanely discussing Arbery's alleged “long, dirty toenails,” The Revs weigh in on their thoughts on the trial, the outcome, and the future of America's justice system regarding Black lives.

Kyle Rittenhouse was recently acquitted for two murders and one attempted murder during the Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the August 2020 shooting of Jacob Black, an unarmed Black man. Rittenhouse's defense pled not guilty on all counts, saying that the then 17-year-old's yielding and firing of an AR-15 rifle was actually self defense. For this reason, some are calling him a hero and vigilante. Others are calling him a white supremacist and villian. Hear the Revs' out on their thoughts on the nationally-criticized trial, and what they predict to happen next.

Inspired by the new Netflix film starring Tessa Thompson, “Passing,” The Revs discuss the various ways in life where people potentially “pass” as other things, from race and beyond. Listen, analyze, dissect and ask yourself if you pass as anything.

As an “out” member of the LGBTQ+ community, Lil Nas X has recently been extremely upfront and personal about his life in his music and in his social media posts, which has upset folks like DaBaby and Boosie Badazz. Could it be that Lil Nas and others are defining the holistic view of Black manhood in the 21st Century?

On July 10, 2020 Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith took to the Red Table to share about her “entanglement” with songwriter, singer and rapper, August Alsina, who is 20 years her junior. The Red Table created dialogue about relationships, healing and in many ways, hope for the future. The Revs break down marriage, gender roles, boundaries, and what marriage really is.

On October 5, 2021 Dave Chapelle's final Netflix comedy special, “The Closer,” dropped. The comedian cracks on the COVID vaccines, DaBaby and feminism but his regular – and controversial – stand-up topic stirred up more drama. Jokes about the LGBTQ+ community yielded social media debates, discussions and debacles about if Chapelle went too far, this time. The Revs discuss their opinion on the topic, holding space for those impacted by the special.

On September 22, 2021, Black cinema lost a legend. Melvin Van Peebles was an unrecognized genius and Renaissance Man. MVP's “Sweetback” was one the first films about black people that unapologetically and unabashedly to turn away from the white gaze. Case in point: When "Sweetback" drew an X rating from the MPAA (The Motion Picture Association (MPA), MVP used to his benefit. In this episdoe, The Revs remember MVP's legacy and his beginning with “Sweetback.”

Robert Sylvester Kelly aka "R. Kelly" was found guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering and faces years in prison. Many of his crimes were perpetrated against Black women and many within the Black community knew it long before his conviction but was he given a pass until now? The Revs dive into this controversial man's life and the impact it has had on the Black community.

Much of life in America, and across the globe, grounded to a near halt due to COVID-19. The shutdown in America came as a national resignation that the virus has taken hold and hijacked normalcy, replacing it with fear and uncertainty. The sounds of clapping, cheers, and banging pots and pans from streets, windows and rooftops were public displays of gratitude to thank healthcare workers and first responders. The Rev's will talk about the importance to pause and give thanks during a pandemic as it's still with us.

In a post-George Floyd era, there is broader recognition of Juneteenth, the holiday celebrated by many African Americans acknowledging the day enslaved Black people were freed. How is the holiday being received today, by a new generation and will it bring Black Americans closer to true liberation and freedom or is this another example of the commodification of Black pain? The Revs, Emmett G. Price III and Irene Monroe break it down in this episode.

As we mark the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre, the Revs reflect on this moment and what it means for people in America today, and the remaining survivors from that horrific day 100 years ago. What lessons can be learned and what about reparations?