Party on the Potomac

Back from their own personal fall recess, Kiara and Michele wonder - is 2020 about to give us the season finale we want? They reflect on the major losses of the year, including any semblance of a presidential debate, and try to understand what type of person hates Christmas decorations. Taxes, tapes and testing round out the episode, and COVID chickens come home to roost.

As Joe Biden accepts the Democratic nomination for president, Kiara and Michele wrap up four nights of the first-ever virtual DNCC. They share who they think was the best host, best speeches, and overall highlights from the week. There were Audre Lorde quotes, amazing eyebrows, and fabulous wardrobe choices. Beau Biden was omnipresent, and his father delivered on his big moment. Instead of the usual balloons falling from the rafters of an arena, finale was elevated with a fireworks display and an outdoor, physically distanced rally - which Kiara was here for. The hosts are finally hitting a beach, and will be taking a break to prepare for the weeks leading up to November 3rd.

Kiara and Michele watched as Kerry Washington hosted night three of the Democratic Convention, which quickly became Ladies Night. The strength and power of women across the country was clearly on display, as the last Democratic nominee implored people to become a poll worker while donning her suffragette white. Liz Warren reminded everyone that Black Lives Matter, and the 44th President gave an urgent and moving plea to the electorate. Kamala Harris gave the best speech of her life, and put to rest any questions about her identity.

Night two of the Democratic Convention brings Kiara and Michele lots of feels, as the emotional personal stories of Jill and Joe Biden are shared with video and family testimonials. Kiara really loves how accessible this convention is for people who have mobility, hearing, and chronic illness issues, and Michele appreciated how the roll call allowed the party to be more thoughtful and inclusive of different kinds of Democrats to announce their state’s votes - namely Judy and Dennis Shepard and Frank Guttenberg. Kiara was looking for a tambourine in Michele’s apartment, and Michele wonders why so many Republicans keep showing up and the wrong convention.

On the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Committee Convention, Kiara and Michele were very impressed with the production of the first-ever virtual convening. Eva Longoria was fabulous in her suffragette white as host, while Americans from coast to coast shared stories about love and loss in the time of COVID and why they are supporting the Biden-Harris ticket. Kiara questioned the use of the imagery of black liberation activists, while Michele had concerns about performative support for BLM. One important speaker was notably absent, while there were several speakers on “country over party” who the hosts could’ve done without. We got major throwbacks from an Amtrak montage, one senator gave the country major 90s energy (even if it wasn’t real?), and there was a whole lot of Midwest nice going on.

Kiara and Michele discuss how 46-1’s response to the pandemic is creating a disastrous situation for vulnerable people and families, dispel myths about the racial wealth gap, and analyze the road map that Congressman John Lewis left us in his final words. A very tanned President Obama issued a critical call to action during his eulogy, and appeared on the first episode of Forever FLOTUS’ new podcast. The Have A Seat Award winner is a super spreader and, yes, Black IS king.

Kiara and Michele record this week’s episode 100 days from Election Day, and explain how the country does not need a repeat from 2016. Baseball is back, but it’s unclear for how long. John Lewis’ homegoing celebration begins, and the Have A Seat Award winner better not show his face at any of it. Two hip hop legends gave us much-needed uncle vibes on Instagram, and the hosts share specific actions you can take to truly help us make America great.

Kiara and Michele talk about the loss and impact of two elder statesmen who helped shape America - and left us a blueprint for how to move forward. As Georgia Democrats face a big question, 85 infants in one Texas county test positive for COVID-19, and many school districts are racing to reopen at the expense of safety (and some private schools are hiring epidemiologists!). There were Twitter controversies abound this week, and the hosts talk about the pandemic’s impact on hunger. Michele gives the Have A Seat Award to a rapper from the Midwest and Kiara is still holding out hope for a safe beach to go to.

Kiara and Michele are finally baaaaack 111 days before the 2020 elections! After a months-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ladies catch up on politics, pop culture and, yes, “parties.” They share some of their favorite black vintners and black-owned wineries, what we should be looking for when reopening schools, a new accessory maker that they love, Big Rich Texas, Hispanics and Biden, and the new cover of Vogue Magazine. The Have A Seat Award recipient this week is especially tough for Kiara, and Michele did NOT need to come to the (red) table. The hosts are in search of a pandemic-friendly beach on the east coast to drive to, but wear your damn mask!

The Democratic field radically transforms in a matter of 72 hours, and Kiara and Michele walk through what happened and who is left in the wake of Super Tuesday. The Have A Seat Award has multiple winners this week, Amy vs. Pete comes to a head, and black voters matter over everything. Kiara had a powerful trip to New York, and Michele kicks off frozen drinks season!

The South Carolina Democratic debate and primary hit the country at the same time as the coronavirus, and similarly, panic and fear have taken hold of people. Michele got her Tarot cards read at a cocktail festival, and Kiara was in Charleston for the big event. Black History Month ended, Women’s History Month started, Rep. Clyburn resuscitated an entire campaign, and a primer on Super Tuesday make up the rest of the episode. The Have A Seat Award winner will literally make you sick, and Lent has inspired the hosts to make tough choices.

On the heels of the Senate’s cover up of 46-1’s abuses of power, Kiara and Michele analyze what it all means for 2020. The “State of His Mind” address happened, and so did some smart recycling. Kiara was back in the Big Easy with some dynamic black women, and Michele gives the Have A Seat Award to a very deserving winner. A candidate t-shirt controversy during Black History Month, debate responses, and the best press conference ever round out this episode.

On February 3rd, voters in Iowa were supposed to kickoff the path for the next Democratic Presidential nominee… but it didn’t quite happen. Given displacement and economic disparities that have gripped many cities across the country, Kiara and Michele consider whether the Hawkeye State would choose a candidate that will help set economic policies that would help close the income gap in the U.S., or leave a suffering status quo. The Have A Seat Award winner has something to do with that, and the hosts chart their paths through D.C. gentrification and discuss a local citywide candidate they are supporting.

Following the response to Episode 8, Kiara and Michele share additional reflections on how they manage their time, stress, wellness, and mental health with demanding professional and personal lives. The elusiveness of 'work-life balance,' guilt trips, and the importance of checking in are covered on this short bonus.

While reacting to the New York Times’ endorsement in the Democratic primary, Kiara and Michele dive into mental health and wellness issues. They discuss how the government invests (or does not) in prevention and treatment, the role insurance companies play, the presidential candidates’ positions on mental health, and the impact that suicide has had on both of their families. Michele gives the latest Have a Seat Award, and Kiara talks about the difference between how people addicted to opioids have been treated versus victims of the crack cocaine epidemic that ravaged black and brown communities in the 80s and 90s.

On the first episode in the new decade, Kiara and Michele talk about how much things have changed - but stayed the exact same. Resolutions, impeachment, #Megxit, and police traffic stops are covered, and for the first time, Michele's Have A Seat Award is a three-way split. And, even after having foot surgery, Kiara has decided to jump on the latest wellness app craze.

With a historic impeachment vote looming in the House, Kiara and Michele think about authority - who has it, who doesn’t, how its used to build power for some people while rendering others without access to resources. The hosts are fully in the Chrimmuh spirit as they run down a list of holiday concerts and parties they recently attended, while trying to get to the bottom of who makes good chicken wings in DC.

Back from a break, Kiara and Michele talk about traditions they want to keep - and those that can die a quick death. They share the joy of their most recent trip to one of their favorite cities, and name the winner of the second Have A Seat Award. Abortion rights, housing segregation, Julian Castro, and the Atlanta Democratic Debate dominate the majority of this episode, which includes a nod to the first Black woman to reach both the North and South Poles. **TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion and description of sensitive women's health issues.**

With yet another candidate jumping into the 2020 fray, Michele announces the recipient of the first Have A Seat Award. For 'On The Dais,' the women discuss rapper T.I.'s ridiculous and hurtful practice of virginity testing his daughter, while wondering who is protecting black girls. Kiara invites everyone to make s'mores with her on a DC rooftop, and celebrates 50 years of Sesame Street.

One year from the 2020 elections, Kiara and Michele dive into what accountability truly means, and whether or not elections are enough to hold politicians accountable. A billionaire endows Spelman College with a Chair for Queer Studies, the DNC is doing something right, it’s officially Christmas time (NO DEBATE), and Michele confirms that black folks do indeed Electric Slide at weddings in Napa Valley.

In this introductory episode, hosts Kiara and Michele tell the stories of how they “got” to DC, why they started the POPcast, pay tribute to two iconic,culture-defining black women, and talk tribalism in TV - and politics.

Episode 102 starts the on-going #POPcastdc topic of black women’s role and participation in electoral politics. Kiara recalls the story of an enslaved woman who sued for reparations and won, and Michele’s paternal midwestern roots are explored.