The Bootstrap

Follow The Bootstrap
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A fun and mostly, light-hearted effort to lend our voices to the swelling cacophony of progressive, social justice minded professionals out there who just want to see a better world.


    • Sep 9, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 78 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Bootstrap with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Bootstrap

    Episode 84 – Idle Men and Wild Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021


    We’ve been waiting with baited breath for this episode. Visual artist and historian (and future marine biologist) Lydia Marie Hicks joins the Bootstrap to share some history about Idlewild, its people and its future. Sit back and enjoy. You might learn a thing or two.

    Episode 83 – Simone and the Twisties

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021


    I just want to know if black women can be excellent, not risk their lives and just exist. We dig into some of the news out of the Tokyo Olympics. We had some technical difficulties, so please excuse the poor sound quality.

    Episode 82 – Juneteenth, Capitalism and Dog Sitting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021


    We discuss the celebration of a new holiday that nobody needed as well as the fact that most in the majority won’t know why they are getting a day off work. Capitalism is a mutha…and Rachel’s dog sitting gig gets in the way!

    Episode 81 – COVID Comes Rushing Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021


    Well, thanks to my anti-vax bro’s, COVID numbers are going in the wrong direction…plus new varients

    Episode 80 – Happy 4th

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021


    “What to the Negro is the 4th of July”. It seemed appropriate to repost my reading of the famous Frederick Douglas speach from a year ago. Happy belated Juneteenth!

    Episode 79 – Policing…Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021


    Once again we are ranting about policing in America. From slave patrols to the Rodney King to George Floyd and all of the killings and brutality of the past year, cops continue to be a menace to society.

    Episode 78 – MTG and the Scourge of Congressional White Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021


    This week it’s just the two of us. So we took some time to examine the beef between AOC and MTG. Also, we explore our travel options for them America finishes falling.

    Episode 77 – Help Wanted…N-words Need not Apply

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021


    Examining the newly minted COVID worker shortage. Why won’t these lazy people get up and get a job?!?

    Episode 76 – The Verdict is in

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021


    Welcome back! This week we are taking a look at the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial as well as a brief discussion of our television viewing habits.

    Episode 75 – Chauvin, Vaccines and The Real World

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021


    A lot going on. We touch on the trial of Derek Chauvin, the corporate response to Georgia’s restrictive voter laws and much much more!

    Episode 74 – Diabetes and Sex Addiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021


    Well, America feels like America again. As COVID-19 case numbers begin to drop, we have had our first mass shooting incident of the year and a white man in Oklahoma chose to attach black children at a basketball game. This is America..

    Episode 73 – We Can Never Be Royals

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021


    A little bit of discussion about the “bombshell” revelation that the Brittish royal family might carry a hint of racism or white supremacy…shocking. Plus, Biden’s stimulus passes, so maybe I’ll get my money. We shall see. Also, does representation really equal progress?

    Episode 72 – Where's My Money?!?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021


    Joe Biden is messing with my money. I want my $2000 stimulus and now it’s $1400…and now there are new income restrictions that will mean that many won’t get anything for the next round of stimulus. Very disappointing. Also, racists are mad that Dr. Seuss’s estate has decided to be less racist. YOLO!

    Episode 71 – Passing the Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021


    Not much happened this week…Seriously, aside from the usual injustices and everyday annoyances of American life, nothing radical or out of the ordinary happened. So we just passed the time.

    Episode 70 – From Russia with Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021


    Tonight we are joined by a very special guest. Sean Thomas has spent the last two decades in media in almost every role from radio DJ to news anchor. He is currently working as news anchor for Russia Today, Russia’s state run, 24 hour english language news outlet (Russian CNN?). We dig into the situation […]

    Episode 69 – Black History Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2021


    Surprise, surprise. The white people didn’t learn much about Black history while they were in school. Actually, neither did the Black guy. The gang shares what they remember learning about Black history as kids and we ponder why we learned so little in school. Happy Black History Month!

    Episode 68 – Will the Real Racists Please Stand Up?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2021


    What is a racist and why does the term bother white people so much? Me and my white crew dig into this discussion and try to understand some of the ways that this term impedes progress.

    Episode 67 – Insurrection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2021


    Soooo, last week we witnessed a failed coup. I had to bring the crew back form their haiaitus so we could talk about this. 45’s reign is over but he’s not going quietly…

    Episode 66 – Animation, Representation and Porn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2021


    This one goes left pretty quick. We started out talking about BIPOC representation in animated movies and ended up spending our evening debating the efficacy of porn. I love this job…(wish I got paid)

    Episode 65 – Post Thanksgiving and Sliding into X-mas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2021


    Fresh off of Thanksgiving and ready to finish our leftovers, an election result still eludes us. Happy Holidays everyone and get ready for the Georgia runoff!

    Episode 64 – Kelly Stafford, More election Shenanigans.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2021


    It’s a family affair! Anna joins us as well as Dr. Amy to discuss more post election attrocities.

    Episode 63 – Post Election and Cuties with Dr. Amy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2021


    Well, the election happened and we won’t have a clear winner until…Also, Dr. Amy joins us to talk about the movie Cuties and all that needless controversy. Enjoy.

    Episode 62 – Almost the Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2021


    The election is only a few days away. Who will win? Who will cheat? Who knows?

    Episode 61 – Bill Burr, VP's and Vaccines

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2021


    Bill Burr riffs on white women (correctly). The vice presidential debates and a look at the upcoming covid vaccine through the lense of America’s history of experimentation on black people.

    Episode 60 – Cuties, Debates and Trump's Coronavirus Adventures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021


    In this episode, we talk about the controversy surrounding the movie “Cuties.” Also Biden and trump’s debate performances and it looks like trump and many in his camp have tested positive…

    Episode 59 – RGB has Died and Still No Justice for Breonna

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021


    The title says it all. More bad news in an unjust world.

    Episode 58 – Deep Thoughts…Also Trump is Trash

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021


    The crew comes together to discuss more current events during the covid apocolypse, plus the explosion in Lebanon.

    Episode 57 – Progressives' Frustration with Magical Negroes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021


    Just the crew riffing on progressives, primaries, racism and more of Mango Musselini’s shenanigans…

    Episode 56 – Binders Full of Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2020


    We have a full house tonight with some incredible women. Dr. Amy joins us once again, as well as Dr. Nelia, and Tonya to talk about womens issues in the context of the struggle. So grateful for the conversation this evening.

    Episode 55 – Happy 4th of July!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020


    Ed is flying solo tonight and we all know that can be dangerous. He shares some wise words from the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglas. Happy 4th, everyone…

    Episode 54 – Aunt Jemima, Ally Fatigue and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2020


    Matt Gaetz goes off, SCOTUS makes some key decisions, Aunt Jemima is retired and white people are exhausted…

    Episode 53 – Women in the Movement (Jihadi Ed)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2020


    This week, we are joined by Dr. Amy Bonomi who helps us examine why women have been largely ignored during the movement for Black lives and the wider implications of patriarchy and violence toward women as a public health crisis. We are also fortunate to welcome Cedric back to the show. Pretty soon, we won’t […]

    Episode 52 – We Leave for One Week and All Hell Breaks Loose!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020


    So, we decide to take one week off to collect ourselves and the cops kill ANOTHER black man and then the world collectively decides to rise up…Who am I to argue? Black Lives Matter!

    Episode 51 – If I Had a Trillion Dollars…

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020


    We continue to revisit updates in the tragedy that is the Ahmaud Arbury case.We also give a brief salute to Breonna Taylor. Then we take a minute to dream like Jeff Bezos.

    Episode – 50 – Continuing to Examine Tragedy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020


    We talk about updates in the Ahmaud Arbery case and examine the next tragedy that is the murder of Breonna Taylor. My friend Dionardo graced us with his presence, once again, and brought some much needed wisdom and truth. Enjoy.

    Episode – 49 – I Shouldn't Have Watched the Video

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020


    Unfortunately, I saw the video of Ahmaud Arbery losing his life and I am not in a good place. Two dear and trusted friends join the show this evening and we talk through this tragic injustice. Enjoy the uncomfortable silences…

    Episode 48 – More Biden, More Protests, More Corona

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020


    We have a brief discussion about the sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden, examine the continued protests at the Michigan Capitol building and how white privilege plays into being allowed to yell in a cops face with no consequences.

    Episode 47 – Rona Protest Updates…Karen, Please!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2020


    We disect the shear caucasity of the ongoing protests happening in Michigan and other states with Democratic governors. Also, white women are trying to move in and appropriate oppression…go figure…

    Episode 46 – Wisconsin, Bernie and the Capitol Protests

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2020


    Wisconsin holds an election. Bernie and his supporters are NOT helping and people in Michigan are protesting the governors restrictions put in place for everyone’s safety…

    Episode 45 – Bye Bye Bernie

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020


    Bernie is off the trail. Governor Whitmer gets ’bout it and Karen is Karen. Also, vote or die…literally.

    Episode 44 – School's Out for Summer…OR 10 Things I Hate About You

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020


    We took some time to talk through our lists of 10 things we secretly hate that other people love and also, school’s cancelled for the rest of the year and Michigan has been declared a disaster zone.

    Episode 43 – The Rona is Real!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020


    Well, it’s here. It’s real and we are confined to quarters…unless we decide to leave. In this episode, we are reporting live from the apocalypse. Orders have been issued to stay indoors, but most are not following. Meanwhile, our president seeks validation…We hope Scotty is ok.

    Episode 42 – Coronavirus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2020


    Welcome back to the Bootstrap. We are reporting live from the apocalypse. Since we are essentially off work, we all had time to join in this week and give our take on the virus and the president's terrible response to it.

    Episode 41 – Super Tuesday

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2020


    In this episode we talk about other more interesting stuff as we occasionally check the super Tuesday primary results. We also take a look at the looming pandemic. It’s looking very much like a Biden candidacy is in our future…

    Episode 40 – J-lo, Trump, Black History

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2020


    We are back from our hiatus with all of the manly men. Rachel had to sit this one out so all of the fellas decided to talk about the halftime show, trump and some other stuff along the way.

    Episode 39 – Harriet Tubman, Michael Vick & White Privilege

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2019


    This week we have our first ever 5 star review and as promised, I asked them to join us on the show. Our special guest joins us for a discussion about the movie Harriet, Michael Vick, white privilege and other fun topics. Enjoy!

    Episode 38 – Raise Better White People

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2019


    In this episode Rachel and I discuss the sorry state of our Detroit Lions as well as Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Workout. We also discover the racist “nextdoor” and top it all off with a little Jim Crow. Cheers, everyone!

    Episode 37 – #TheChickening

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2019


    This week we discuss the Popeye’s phenomenon and the pathologizing of black behavior. We also visit the gynecologist with our teenager…oh wait, that was T.I. plus a couple of other topics. It was a slow news week and we were tired. Bonus: Scotty was able to join us.

    Episode 36 – #StillInOccupiedTerritory #JamesBaldwin #AllByMyself

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2019


    Ed is left alone to his own devices tonight and decides to revisit an old article from one of his favorite authors. James Baldwin’s “Report from Occupied Territory” brings incredible clarity and insite to the tragic state of police brutality and unequal justice in America. All of this has happened before and all of it […]

    Episode 35 – #TheBlackoutEpisode #Thewhitestblackguysyouknow

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019


    Our friend Cedric returns to the show and we are left all by ourselves. We get into the Atatiana Jefferson case, Ibram Kendi, religion and more!

    Episode 34 – #Forgivenessisaweapon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2019


    In this episode, we are back after 2 weeks and we talk about the Amber Guyger trial, forgiveness and the hug heard ’round the world. We also delve into the impeachment and my darker predictions about the future of Trump’s America. …Plus blackface again…

    Claim The Bootstrap

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel