Podcasts about american south

Send a textAnna Hamilton talks to us about the work of The Marjorie, Florida's independent reporting outlet dedicated to the critical intersection of social justice and the environment. Anna is the Co-Founder & Development Director for The Marjorie. She is a radio producer and oral historian whose work explores the cultures and environments of the American South. Anna has developed projects for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Southern Foodways Alliance, and reported for outlets including NPR and Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. The Marjorie is not your source for breaking news. Instead, they specialize in telling in-depth stories about Florida's environment that consider human values as well as important historical and cultural contexts. The Marjorie was named for three of Florida's iconic Marjories: author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, conservationist Marjorie Harris Carr, and advocate Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The Marjorie has collaborated with members of the Stories-To-Live-By project through panel presentations and resource sharing. You can connect with Anna and The Marjorie at themarjorie.org. Resources mentioned in this episode:Egmont Key: A Seminole Story (https://stofthpo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Egmont-Key-Digital-book-web.pdf)To cite this episode:Persohn, L. (Host). (2026, Feb 12). A Stories-To-Live-By Conversation with Anna Hamilton from The Marjorie. (Season 6, No. 7) [Audio podcast episode]. In Classroom Caffeine Podcast series. https://www.classroomcaffeine.com/guests. DOI: 10.5240/AB4B-EC88-D5E0-A7FF-E805-GConnect with Classroom Caffeine at www.classroomcaffeine.com or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The people running today's ICE hunt clubs may feel untouchable now. After all, people like them always do. But history keeps receipts and is utterly merciless with those who choose to hunt human beings. So did the American South after Reconstruction, when “posses” and “night riders” were praised as patriots until, in the 1950s and 1960s, we finally admitted to ourselves what they really were and did something about it. Georgia Judge Sounds the Alarm Over FBI's Raid. Trump Throws Childish Tantrum at Canada. Racist Alert! Laura Loomer is very upset at “Illegal aliens and Latin “hookers” twerking at the SuperBowl" and "This isn't White enough for me." How can we push back on the normalization of racism?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve Dubb is the senior editor of Economic Justice at Nonprofit Quarterly. He writes about solutions-oriented topics like the solidarity economy, cooperatives, community land trusts, and public banks. His writing has an activist focus, aiming to make economics more accessible and understandable. The discussion covered how structural racism has been used to depress wages and weaken labor unions, especially in the American South. While progress has been made, wage gaps between Black and white workers persist. A new Labor Institute for Advancing Black Strategists is being established at Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU, with support from Jobs with Justice. The institute aims to do research, document working conditions, train organizers, and help build a peer network of Black labor leaders in the South. The conversation emphasized that issues of race and class are deeply intertwined, and that nonprofits working on policy, workforce development, education, and other areas could benefit from partnering with labor organizing efforts. We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

James Naughtie continues his look at the ideas tying America's founding to the modern United States, asking how 'justice' has been understood by different generations of Americans.In this third episode, James travels to Alabama in the American South, to understand how the Civil Rights movement sought to connect American reality with the promises in its founding documents. He hears from people in Texas on both sides of the debate about abortion, revealing how a movement built to oppose abortion rights brought millions of Christians into politics and dramatically shifted the politics of America's highest court. And in Midwestern Wisconsin, he hears how political division has come to the administration of justice itself.Producer: Giles Edwards

For Shop Talk, we dive into the worst ice storm to ever hit the American South. And the Oxford, MS citizens who became a relentless Army of bloody do-gooders!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Otis WalkerOtis Walker was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and came up in the deep musical tradition of the American South. He cut his teeth in the music business in Muscle Shoals, absorbing the sounds, work ethic, and soul that have defined generations of legendary recordings. That foundation shaped both his playing and his approach to songwriting, grounding his music in feel, groove, and authenticity. http://www.makingascene.org

8:00 — Radley Balko is an investigative journalist. He writes the substack The Watch. His latest book is “The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist: A True Story of Injustice in the American South.” 20:00 — Elizabeth Jacobs is Professor Emerita of Epidemiology at the University of Arizona and a founding member of Defend Public Health. 33:00 — Marina Newman is Bayview-Hunters Point reporter for Mission Local. 45:00 — Emma Roth is a news writer at The Verge, where she covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more in the world of tech. The post The Militarized Trajectory of Federal Policing, Public Health Crisis in ICE Detention Facilities; Plus, SFUSD Initiated and Cancelled Contract with OpenAI; And, TikTok in US Politics appeared first on KPFA.

It is interesting to compare and contrast the genres of rock and roll with old time and string band music. In some ways, string bands can be more raw and intense than rock bands. No bridges. Odd tunings. Dancing to exhaustion. Music made for intimate social gatherings versus music made for the wide world. The stereotypes of old time musicians being country bumpkins have not been entirely erased, however our guests in this episode are making music that reveals how deep and refreshing that wellspring of what was the first original music export of America can be in a new context. Taking the intricacy and edge of old time, string band music and marrying that with the punch and strut of indie rock, we arrive at a hybrid, a musical animal that sings a song seldom heard in the roots music world. As Justin Osborne pointed out, “It's just been so fun and really educational for me too, because I think coming from the indie rock world, I underestimated what it was going to require of me to be able to hang. And I just, it's one of those things you don't realize how much you don't know. But it's been really enjoyable lessons in humility for me and really fun to learn, and to continue to realize how much I don't know.” Justin, of the Austin-based indie rock band SUSTO may never sound the same again after teaming up with Appalachian acoustic troubadours Clint Robinson and Jackson Grimm of Holler Choir, and they are soon to return with Volume 2 from their project SUSTO Stringband. In this episode, we get to hear from Justin, Jackson and Clint about their rock and string band amalgamation, the importance of strong songwriting, the joys of live performance, the advantages of playing festival shows and more, with music from both SUSTO Stringband and Holler Choir along the way. SUSTO Stringband Songs heard in this episode:“Rooster” by SUSTO Stringband, from SUSTO Stringband Volume 1“Friends, Lovers, Ex-lovers: Whatever” by SUSTO Stringband, performed live at The Albino Skunk Music Festival 10/02/25, excerpt“Tell My Blues” by SUSTO Stringband, performed live at The Albino Skunk Music Festival 10/02/25, excerpt“Hamlet Blues” by Holler Choir, performed live at The Albino Skunk Music Festival 10/02/25Thank you for listening, and we hope you can spread awareness of this endeavor and help us reach more music fans just like yourself. Please take a moment and give us a top rating on your podcast platform of choice, and where you can, a review. It makes a big impact on the ranking and therefore the visibility of this series to all the other music fans who also follow podcasts. This is Southern Songs and Stories, where our quest is to explore and celebrate the unfolding history and culture of music rooted in the American South, and going beyond to the styles and artists that it inspired and informed. - Joe Kendrick

[**New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.**]Today's guest is Mavis-Jay Sanders. Mavis-Jay is a chef and activist who works to uplift disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, and cares deeply about social justice. In their conversation, Mavis-Jay tells Andrew about her nomadic childhood, which took her everywhere from the American South and Southwest, to Alaska and Italy, and about the events that spun her culinary career towards its current focus. She also discusses the Community Kitchen project for which she served as chef in fall 2025.Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.Thanks also to Gage & Tollner for providing our location. Please keep Gage & Tollner in mind for drinking and/or dining in Downtown Brooklyn, and for special and private occasions. And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.Episode host/producer: Andrew FriedmanProducer: Roderick AlleyneVideographer/editor/mixer: Victor Michael Thelian THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!

It's been more than half a century since the publication of Silent Spring by the scientist and creative writer Rachel Carson. The seminal volume caught the attention of U.S. presidents, artists and musicians, spurring the environmental movement and leading to the eventual ban of the toxic pesticide DDT. Joining the Mongabay Newscast is environmental writer and director of the creative writing program at Middlebury College, Megan Mayhew Bergman. She unpacks the impact of Carson's work, which came under public attack from chemical companies seeking to discredit her, and how, eventually, the truth broke through. "We don't change our minds usually based on data. We change our minds based on emotion, but historically, it's been pretty taboo for scientists to include emotion in the way that they write. And I feel like Carson risked that here in a way that was really powerful." Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast, here. Image: Megan Mayhew Bergman. Image by Cameron Russell. Environmental writing and authors mentioned in this conversation: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Florida by Lauren Groff The Home Place by J. Drew Lanham Hope Is the Thing With Feathers by Christopher Cokinos How Strange a Season by Megan Mayhew Bergman Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald The Wild Flag by E.B. White Zora Neale Hurston Other works and authors mentioned: Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray Men We Reaped by Jasmyn Ward A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid Speak Memory by Vladimir Nabokov —- Timestamps (00:00) Changing hearts and minds (02:46) Rachel Carson's journey to Silent Spring (08:22) Controversy and impact (14:40) Room for a new voice (20:55) Bioaccumulation and what it means (24:07) "We don't change our minds based on data" (26:43) Recommended reads (35:21) The American South and environmental writing (39:57) Lessons for writers

In the United States, the stoicism and importance of the “working class” is part of the national myth. The term is often used to conjure the contributions and challenges of the white working class – and this obscures the ways in which Black workers built institutions like the railroads and universities – but also how they transformed unions, changed public policy, and established community.  In Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class (LIveright, 2023), Dr. Blair LM Kelley restores the Black working class to the center of the American story by interrogating the lives of laundresses, Pullman porters, domestic maids, and postal workers. The book is both a personal journey and a history of Black labor in the United States from enslavement to the present day with a focus on a critical era: after Southern Emancipation to the early 20th century, when the first generations of Black working people carved out a world for themselves. Dr. Kelley captures the character of the lives of Black workers not only as laborers, activists, or members of a class but as individuals whose daily experiences mattered – to themselves, to their communities, and to “the nation at large, even as it denied their importance.” As she weaves together rich oral histories, memoirs, photographs, and secondary sources, she shows how Black workers of all genders were “intertwined with the future of Black freedom, Black citizenship, and the establishment of civil rights for Black Americans.” She demonstrates how her own family's experiences mirrors this wider history of the Black working class – sometimes in ways that she herself did not realize before writing the book. Even as the book confronts violence, poor working conditions, and a government that often legislated to protect the interests of white workers and consumers, Black Folk celebrates the ways in which Black people “built and rebuilt vital spaces of resistance, grounded in the secrets that they knew about themselves, about their community, their dignity, and their survival.” Black Folk looks back but also forward. In examining the labor and challenges of individuals, Dr. Kelley sheds light on reparations and suggests that Amazon package processing centers, supermarkets, and nursing homes can be spaces of resistance and labor activism in the 21st century. Dr. Blair LM Kelley is the Joel R. Williamson Distinguished Professor of Southern Studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and incoming director of the Center for the Study of the American South, the first Black woman to serve in that role in the center's thirty-year history. She is also the author of Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson from the University of North Carolina Press. Dr. Kelley mentions Dr. Tera W. Hunter's To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women's Lives and Labors After the Civil War, Duke University's Behind the Veil oral history project, and Philip R. Rubio's There's Always Work at the Post Office: African American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In the United States, the stoicism and importance of the “working class” is part of the national myth. The term is often used to conjure the contributions and challenges of the white working class – and this obscures the ways in which Black workers built institutions like the railroads and universities – but also how they transformed unions, changed public policy, and established community.  In Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class (LIveright, 2023), Dr. Blair LM Kelley restores the Black working class to the center of the American story by interrogating the lives of laundresses, Pullman porters, domestic maids, and postal workers. The book is both a personal journey and a history of Black labor in the United States from enslavement to the present day with a focus on a critical era: after Southern Emancipation to the early 20th century, when the first generations of Black working people carved out a world for themselves. Dr. Kelley captures the character of the lives of Black workers not only as laborers, activists, or members of a class but as individuals whose daily experiences mattered – to themselves, to their communities, and to “the nation at large, even as it denied their importance.” As she weaves together rich oral histories, memoirs, photographs, and secondary sources, she shows how Black workers of all genders were “intertwined with the future of Black freedom, Black citizenship, and the establishment of civil rights for Black Americans.” She demonstrates how her own family's experiences mirrors this wider history of the Black working class – sometimes in ways that she herself did not realize before writing the book. Even as the book confronts violence, poor working conditions, and a government that often legislated to protect the interests of white workers and consumers, Black Folk celebrates the ways in which Black people “built and rebuilt vital spaces of resistance, grounded in the secrets that they knew about themselves, about their community, their dignity, and their survival.” Black Folk looks back but also forward. In examining the labor and challenges of individuals, Dr. Kelley sheds light on reparations and suggests that Amazon package processing centers, supermarkets, and nursing homes can be spaces of resistance and labor activism in the 21st century. Dr. Blair LM Kelley is the Joel R. Williamson Distinguished Professor of Southern Studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and incoming director of the Center for the Study of the American South, the first Black woman to serve in that role in the center's thirty-year history. She is also the author of Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson from the University of North Carolina Press. Dr. Kelley mentions Dr. Tera W. Hunter's To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women's Lives and Labors After the Civil War, Duke University's Behind the Veil oral history project, and Philip R. Rubio's There's Always Work at the Post Office: African American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

663. Part 2 of our conversation with Matthew and Melissa, hosts of the the "This Ain't It" podcast, covering their response to MAGA religion. Hosted by Matthew Teutsch, a scholar of African American literature and Director of the Lillian E. Smith Center, and his wife Melissa Teutsch, the show explores the intersection of culture, politics, and history. Together, they engage in deep conversations about civil rights, the power of rhetoric, and the ongoing struggle for social justice in the American South and beyond. By examining the "interminable" nature of systemic oppression, the Teutsches challenge listeners to embrace the responsibility of resistance through education and empathy. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "The Expedition of Hernando de Soto" was written by his companion Luis Hernandez de Biedma. "When we arrived, the queen sent us one of her nieces, in a litter carried by Indians. She sent the governor a present of a necklace of beads, canoes to cross the river with, and gave us half the village to lodge in. The governor opened a large temple built in the woods, in which was buried the chiefs of the country, and took from it a quantity of pearls, amounting to six or seven arrobes, which were spoiled by being buried in the ground. We dug up two Spanish axes, a chaplet of wild olive seed, and some small beads, resembling those we had brought from Spain for the purpose of trading with the Indians. We conjectured they had obtained these things by trading with the companions of Vasquez de Ayllon. The Indians told us the sea was only about thirty leagues distant." This week in Louisiana history. January 30, 1704. Bienville was told that "Pelican" was on its way to Mobile with 27 young women. This week in New Orleans history. Frostop on Jefferson Highway Closed January 30, 2007. Just a couple of blocks from East Jefferson High School on the corner of Phlox Avenue at 4637 Airline Highway, the Frostop Drive-in Restaurant was a popular stop for burgers and root beer.  Today Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits occupies the corner. Other local Frostop locations could be found around town back in the day, and a few still exist in the greater New Orleans area. These photographs are of the Frostop which was located on Jefferson Highway in the Jefferson Plaza Shopping Center (AKA Arrow Shopping Center) which were taken the day before it closed on January 30, 2007: This week in Louisiana. Visit the Alexandria Zoo. 3016 Masonic Drive Alexandria, LA 71301 Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM) Website: thealexandriazoo.com Email: info@thealexandriazoo.com Phone: (318) 441-6810 January is an excellent time to visit, as the cooler weather keeps many of the larger mammals more active: Louisiana Habitat: A 3.5-acre exhibit showcasing native species like cougars, black bears, and alligators in a natural swamp setting. The Train: The “Bayou Le Zoo Choo Choo” offers a 10-minute narrated tour around the perimeter of the park.  African Experience: Features a 17-foot waterfall and habitat for lions, flamingos, and giant tortoises. ). Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Party in NOLA / Happy Birthday.Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

In the United States, the stoicism and importance of the “working class” is part of the national myth. The term is often used to conjure the contributions and challenges of the white working class – and this obscures the ways in which Black workers built institutions like the railroads and universities – but also how they transformed unions, changed public policy, and established community.  In Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class (LIveright, 2023), Dr. Blair LM Kelley restores the Black working class to the center of the American story by interrogating the lives of laundresses, Pullman porters, domestic maids, and postal workers. The book is both a personal journey and a history of Black labor in the United States from enslavement to the present day with a focus on a critical era: after Southern Emancipation to the early 20th century, when the first generations of Black working people carved out a world for themselves. Dr. Kelley captures the character of the lives of Black workers not only as laborers, activists, or members of a class but as individuals whose daily experiences mattered – to themselves, to their communities, and to “the nation at large, even as it denied their importance.” As she weaves together rich oral histories, memoirs, photographs, and secondary sources, she shows how Black workers of all genders were “intertwined with the future of Black freedom, Black citizenship, and the establishment of civil rights for Black Americans.” She demonstrates how her own family's experiences mirrors this wider history of the Black working class – sometimes in ways that she herself did not realize before writing the book. Even as the book confronts violence, poor working conditions, and a government that often legislated to protect the interests of white workers and consumers, Black Folk celebrates the ways in which Black people “built and rebuilt vital spaces of resistance, grounded in the secrets that they knew about themselves, about their community, their dignity, and their survival.” Black Folk looks back but also forward. In examining the labor and challenges of individuals, Dr. Kelley sheds light on reparations and suggests that Amazon package processing centers, supermarkets, and nursing homes can be spaces of resistance and labor activism in the 21st century. Dr. Blair LM Kelley is the Joel R. Williamson Distinguished Professor of Southern Studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and incoming director of the Center for the Study of the American South, the first Black woman to serve in that role in the center's thirty-year history. She is also the author of Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson from the University of North Carolina Press. Dr. Kelley mentions Dr. Tera W. Hunter's To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women's Lives and Labors After the Civil War, Duke University's Behind the Veil oral history project, and Philip R. Rubio's There's Always Work at the Post Office: African American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In the United States, the stoicism and importance of the “working class” is part of the national myth. The term is often used to conjure the contributions and challenges of the white working class – and this obscures the ways in which Black workers built institutions like the railroads and universities – but also how they transformed unions, changed public policy, and established community.  In Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class (LIveright, 2023), Dr. Blair LM Kelley restores the Black working class to the center of the American story by interrogating the lives of laundresses, Pullman porters, domestic maids, and postal workers. The book is both a personal journey and a history of Black labor in the United States from enslavement to the present day with a focus on a critical era: after Southern Emancipation to the early 20th century, when the first generations of Black working people carved out a world for themselves. Dr. Kelley captures the character of the lives of Black workers not only as laborers, activists, or members of a class but as individuals whose daily experiences mattered – to themselves, to their communities, and to “the nation at large, even as it denied their importance.” As she weaves together rich oral histories, memoirs, photographs, and secondary sources, she shows how Black workers of all genders were “intertwined with the future of Black freedom, Black citizenship, and the establishment of civil rights for Black Americans.” She demonstrates how her own family's experiences mirrors this wider history of the Black working class – sometimes in ways that she herself did not realize before writing the book. Even as the book confronts violence, poor working conditions, and a government that often legislated to protect the interests of white workers and consumers, Black Folk celebrates the ways in which Black people “built and rebuilt vital spaces of resistance, grounded in the secrets that they knew about themselves, about their community, their dignity, and their survival.” Black Folk looks back but also forward. In examining the labor and challenges of individuals, Dr. Kelley sheds light on reparations and suggests that Amazon package processing centers, supermarkets, and nursing homes can be spaces of resistance and labor activism in the 21st century. Dr. Blair LM Kelley is the Joel R. Williamson Distinguished Professor of Southern Studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and incoming director of the Center for the Study of the American South, the first Black woman to serve in that role in the center's thirty-year history. She is also the author of Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson from the University of North Carolina Press. Dr. Kelley mentions Dr. Tera W. Hunter's To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women's Lives and Labors After the Civil War, Duke University's Behind the Veil oral history project, and Philip R. Rubio's There's Always Work at the Post Office: African American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

In the United States, the stoicism and importance of the “working class” is part of the national myth. The term is often used to conjure the contributions and challenges of the white working class – and this obscures the ways in which Black workers built institutions like the railroads and universities – but also how they transformed unions, changed public policy, and established community.  In Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class (LIveright, 2023), Dr. Blair LM Kelley restores the Black working class to the center of the American story by interrogating the lives of laundresses, Pullman porters, domestic maids, and postal workers. The book is both a personal journey and a history of Black labor in the United States from enslavement to the present day with a focus on a critical era: after Southern Emancipation to the early 20th century, when the first generations of Black working people carved out a world for themselves. Dr. Kelley captures the character of the lives of Black workers not only as laborers, activists, or members of a class but as individuals whose daily experiences mattered – to themselves, to their communities, and to “the nation at large, even as it denied their importance.” As she weaves together rich oral histories, memoirs, photographs, and secondary sources, she shows how Black workers of all genders were “intertwined with the future of Black freedom, Black citizenship, and the establishment of civil rights for Black Americans.” She demonstrates how her own family's experiences mirrors this wider history of the Black working class – sometimes in ways that she herself did not realize before writing the book. Even as the book confronts violence, poor working conditions, and a government that often legislated to protect the interests of white workers and consumers, Black Folk celebrates the ways in which Black people “built and rebuilt vital spaces of resistance, grounded in the secrets that they knew about themselves, about their community, their dignity, and their survival.” Black Folk looks back but also forward. In examining the labor and challenges of individuals, Dr. Kelley sheds light on reparations and suggests that Amazon package processing centers, supermarkets, and nursing homes can be spaces of resistance and labor activism in the 21st century. Dr. Blair LM Kelley is the Joel R. Williamson Distinguished Professor of Southern Studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and incoming director of the Center for the Study of the American South, the first Black woman to serve in that role in the center's thirty-year history. She is also the author of Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson from the University of North Carolina Press. Dr. Kelley mentions Dr. Tera W. Hunter's To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women's Lives and Labors After the Civil War, Duke University's Behind the Veil oral history project, and Philip R. Rubio's There's Always Work at the Post Office: African American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-south

In this episode, Michael and Beth Lee share what it was like growing up in the South and how the Southern way of life shaped their values, work ethic, and love for the outdoors. From small-town roots and family traditions to hunting, hard work, and lessons learned outside, this episode dives into what makes Southern living so special. Perfect for fans of outdoor podcasts, country living, hunting culture, and anyone who appreciates the traditions of the American South.

According to our favorite literary reviewer, Bethanne Patrick, these are the seven books that “will really matter” in 2026:* Land by Maggie O'Farrell — The Hamnet author returns with a luminous novel set in 1865 Ireland, two decades after the Great Famine. A father and son survey their region for the British—mapping the land in English when their hearts speak Gaelic. O'Farrell explores post-famine trauma, colonialism, and the mysterious pull of place, weaving in neolithic history and Irish wolfhounds that feel almost magical. As some characters emigrate to the New World, the novel asks what it means when land becomes identity, when a nation is defined not by commerce but by the places that feed our souls.* The Fire Agent by David Baerwald — A stunning debut from the Grammy-winning songwriter behind Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club. This 600-page thriller is based on Baerwald's own family history: his grandfather Ernst was sent to Tokyo as the purported sales director for IG Farben, the company complicit in the Holocaust. The novel spans continents and decades, from a 1920s throuple to Wild Bill Donovan's OSS becoming the CIA, complete with family photographs. Patrick calls it “a knockout”—not a potboiler, but a wild, scary ride where almost everything actually happened.* A Tender Age by Chang-rae Lee — The Pulitzer finalist delivers what his publisher calls “a spellbinding exploration of American masculinity and family dynamics.” Through an unforgettable Asian-American protagonist, Lee examines what it means to grow up with “double consciousness”—always aware of how the dominant culture perceives you, your family, your chances. Patrick places him alongside Jesmyn Ward as one of America's finest novelists.* Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward — The two-time National Book Award winner collects her nonfiction, including the devastating Vanity Fair essay about her husband's death from COVID at 33. “Respair” is Ward's resurrection of an archaic word: the repair that comes after despair. These crystalline essays on the American South, racism, and grief reveal the deep thought behind her remarkable fiction. Patrick sees it as essential reading for 2026—a creative grappling with everything America must face.* Backtalker by Kimberlé Crenshaw — A memoir from the architect of “intersectionality” and “critical race theory,” now under attack in the current administration. Structured in three parts—raising a back talker, becoming a back talker, being a back talker—it begins with young Kimberlé desperate to play Thornrose in a classroom fairy tale, passed over week after week. When she's finally chosen on the last day and the bell rings, her mother marches back to school and demands justice. That's where Crenshaw learned to speak truth to power.* American Struggle edited by Jon Meacham — For the 250th anniversary, the historian assembles primary documents proving that struggle is constant and non-linear in American history. Abolitionists spoke out in the nineteenth century; civil rights activists had to speak out again in the twentieth. From Abigail Adams's “remember the ladies” letter to Fannie Lou Hamer's testimony at the 1964 Democratic Convention, Meacham—no fan of the current administration—shows that the fight never stays won. Patrick sees it as essential for librarians, teachers, and younger readers.* John of John by Douglas Stuart — Patrick's sneaky seventh pick (I originally only allowed her six). The Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain returns to Scotland, this time the Isle of Harris, where men weave Harris Tweed on licensed looms. John McLeod is a fire-and-brimstone church elder; his son Cal returns from Glasgow art college with dyed hair and queer identity. What looks like prodigal son territory becomes something richer—father and son have more in common than either knows. Stuart captures a community tied to sheep farming and craft practices that feel centuries old, even as modernity crashes against the shore.Enjoy!Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Country music is in the midst of a grand renaissance. The genre - whose popularity was previously confined to the American South - is now climbing the charts, grabbing the attention of Gen Z audiences, and changing the perception of what it means to be a country listener. Streaming of the genre in the US rose by nearly 110% in the five years to 2024. And it's taking over markets all around the world. In the UK, the genre more than doubled its share of the singles market in two years. And Australia is now the third largest country music market globally. From ‘music city' - Nashville, Tennessee - we speak to artists and industry leaders to better understand where the country music boom came from, and where it's headed this year. How did country become so cool?To get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Ellie House(Picture: Neon lights spelling 'Music City Tonight' at Robert's Honky Tonk, Nashville. Credit: BBC)

Ottis Elwood Toole claimed to have murdered over one hundred people. While that number remains disputed, what we know for certain is horrifying enough. Six confirmed kills. A partnership with fellow serial killer Henry Lee Lucas that terrorized the American South. And quite possibly the most infamous child murder in American history. Born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1947, Toole emerged from a childhood so brutal it defies comprehension. Sexual abuse by his father starting at age five. A mother who dressed him in girl's clothing and paraded him around as the daughter she wished she'd had. A grandmother who took him on midnight trips to rob graves. Every adult in his life either exploited him or looked the other way.None of that excuses what he became.Toole drifted through the 1970s leaving a trail of suspicion across multiple states. He was a suspect in murders in Nebraska and Colorado before fleeing back to Florida each time. In 1976, he met Henry Lee Lucas at a Jacksonville soup kitchen, and the two formed a killing partnership that would span years and cross state lines.But it was the 1981 murder of six-year-old Adam Walsh that would make Toole's name infamous. Toole confessed to abducting the boy from a Hollywood, Florida Sears store, then recanted, then confessed again. This pattern continued for years while the Hollywood Police Department systematically lost every piece of physical evidence that could have secured a conviction. The bloodstained carpet from his car. The machete. The car itself. All gone.Toole died in prison in 1996 without ever being charged in the Walsh case. It took until 2008 for police to officially name him as Adam's killer. This episode examines how a man with a lengthy criminal history and an IQ of 75 managed to evade justice for so long. We explore the systemic failures that allowed him to keep killing, the victims whose names deserve to be remembered, and the legacy of one father's grief that changed how America searches for missing children. The Jacksonville Cannibal is a story about monsters. But more importantly, it's a story about the cracks in our system that allow monsters to thrive.

Today's guest is Michael Bedenbaugh, a political analyst and author, whose latest book, Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America, argues the need for political renewal in the United States and presents recommendations for such reforms in a historical context. Mike's diverse background includes five years of service in the US Navy, as well as previously serving as president and executive director of Preservation South Carolina, working to protect and preserve the state's historic places. In this episode, we discuss the current Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including the deaths of two civilians, the Trump administration's strategy in conducting these operations and the general atmosphere that has been created since Trump's return to power, and how the United States as a whole can put a stop to these actions and the general pervasive divide in the country. Full bio American author and political thinker Mike Bedenbaugh is a respected voice in constitutional principles and American governance, historic preservation, and community development. Born with a reverence for history, he served as the former president and executive director of Preservation South Carolina, where he led numerous initiatives that demonstrated the economic and cultural value of historic preservation. Mike's diverse background includes five years of service in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS South Carolina, studies in international studies and history at the University of South Carolina and Columbia University, and leadership roles in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. He was CEO of Post No Bills, Inc., a product marketing firm that collaborated with corporate powerhouses like Phillip Morris USA, RCA Records, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, and MGM. He has also served on his hometown's city council while his efforts in community revitalization and historic preservation earned him the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor. As a member of Preservation Action in Washington, D.C., he continues to advocate for policies that strengthen local communities and honor America's heritage. A native of Prosperity, South Carolina, Michael remains deeply involved in his home state's development while contributing to national discussions on governance and civic engagement. His work exemplifies the principle that understanding the past is crucial to shaping a better future. His book, Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America, is an outcome of his lifelong passion for his community, state, and nation, and was inspired by America's founding fathers and the principles that birthed a nation. Mike firmly believes the American South has had a profound impact on shaping the political culture of the USA, asserting that one cannot truly understand America without understanding South Carolina. His perspective as a descendant of twelve generations of white Southern landowners provides a grassroots understanding of the unique traditions that define Southern culture. He aims to share the real lived experience of the South, reflecting the complexity and richness of Southern history and its impact on the broader American story. Driven by a mission to revitalize America's founding ideals, Mike hosts the podcast Reviving Our Republic with Mike Bedenbaugh, where he explores the intersection of history, politics, and community development. His unique approach combines grassroots activism with a deep understanding of constitutional intent, offering fresh insights into modern political challenges within the United States.

In Johnny Cash International: How and Why Fans Love the Man in Black (University of Iowa Press, 2020), Michael Hinds and Jonathan Silverman examine transnational and translocal fandoms and the legacy of Johnny Cash beyond the United States. Hinds and Silverman explore Cash fandom through YouTube comments, fan pilgrimages to the American South, and other unique relationships to the Man in Black. Hinds and Silverman use ethnography, documentary, and fieldwork and discover the ways Cash transcends race, class, geography, and politics. Cash's identity as an American performer finds a way to inspire fans worldwide. Starting with their experiences with Cash fans in Norway and Northern Ireland, Hinds and Silverman expand their exploration into the legacy of Johnny Cash to show the ways fans use modern technology and real-world fan communities to create global fan sites and cultures. Hinds and Silverman's Johnny Cash International is a unique and thoughtful book into why fans love the Man in Black. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In Johnny Cash International: How and Why Fans Love the Man in Black (University of Iowa Press, 2020), Michael Hinds and Jonathan Silverman examine transnational and translocal fandoms and the legacy of Johnny Cash beyond the United States. Hinds and Silverman explore Cash fandom through YouTube comments, fan pilgrimages to the American South, and other unique relationships to the Man in Black. Hinds and Silverman use ethnography, documentary, and fieldwork and discover the ways Cash transcends race, class, geography, and politics. Cash's identity as an American performer finds a way to inspire fans worldwide. Starting with their experiences with Cash fans in Norway and Northern Ireland, Hinds and Silverman expand their exploration into the legacy of Johnny Cash to show the ways fans use modern technology and real-world fan communities to create global fan sites and cultures. Hinds and Silverman's Johnny Cash International is a unique and thoughtful book into why fans love the Man in Black. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/music

662. Part 1 of our conversation with Matthew and Melissa, hosts of the the "This Ain't It" podcast, covering their response to MAGA religion. Hosted by Matthew Teutsch, a scholar of African American literature and Director of the Lillian E. Smith Center, and his wife Melissa Teutsch, the show explores the intersection of culture, politics, and history. Together, they engage in deep conversations about civil rights, the power of rhetoric, and the ongoing struggle for social justice in the American South and beyond. By examining the "interminable" nature of systemic oppression, the Teutsches challenge listeners to embrace the responsibility of resistance through education and empathy. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Dorothy Day wrote the article, “Florence Is a Communist.”     “Do you know what Communism is, Florence?”    “Yes, I am a Communist,” Florence stated, and afterward when we were alone together in the kitchen she went into more details about her beliefs.     “Communism,” she stated, “is to help the poor.” So the poor of the small town of Jacobi where she came from, were quite ready to be enrolled in the ranks of the Communists.     There were about eighty Negroes signed up with the Communist group in her little town in Louisiana, and in the neighboring towns of Lettsworth, Lagonia, Batchelor, Torras and Susport there were groups of from forty to sixty in each town.     They were not doing anything much at present, not even meeting, she explained, since the young Communist organizer who had been keeping contact with them had been jailed and run out of town. He had been transferred by the Party to another state, so there the matter was halted. This week in Louisiana history. January 23, 1680. Bienville born in Montreal, Canada, 12 of 14 children.  This week in New Orleans history. The Clio streetcar ran from January 23, 1867 until September 1, 1932.  This line originally ran from Canal Street up to Clio Street to Magnolia Street, returning on Erato and Carondelet Streets. In 1874, it was extended across Canal Street to Elysian Fields, making it the first streetcar line to cross Canal Street. It was extended at both ends from time to time, before giving up its territory to newer lines in 1932. This week in Louisiana. January 31, 2026 The Legends of Hip Hop Tour Shreveport Municipal Auditorium 705 Elvis Presley Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101 Website: shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com Email: info@shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com Phone: (318) 841-4000 A star-studded concert featuring some of the biggest names in classic hip hop. Lineup & Details This event takes place in the historic venue where Elvis Presley got his start: 7:00 PM: Doors open to the public. 8:00 PM: Show starts. The Lineup: The 2026 tour features performances by Webbie, Ying Yang Twins, Trina, and Lil' Keke. The Venue: The “Muni” is a National Historic Landmark, offering an intimate and high-enenrgy atmosphere.  The After-Party: Many local downtown Shreveport bars host unofficial after-parties following the show. End: Approximately 11:30 PM. Note for Listeners: This is an all-ages show, but parental discretion is advised due to concert volume and lyrical content. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

This week on the BBC Introducing in Oxfordshire & Berkshire podcast, Dave meets Henry Grace to hear about his upcoming album ‘Things Are Moving All Around Me', and Henry's playing live in session too - watch the video here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0mwm45zOur Connection series continues - where bands recommend bands - and this time Lauren gets to know The Autumn Saints, who bring together the sound of the American South with the energy of British post-punk. Plus, there's another excellent tip for 2026 from Alex - the incredible Jessy Blakemore!Here's this week's track list: • SISTRA - Double Edged Sword Pedro Santos - I Don't Know Me shallowdaze - Need to Know Joe Hicks - More to Me Alex Blyth - Pretty Privilege (Stripped) Oscar Dunbar - Anytime Deva St. John - Cold Water White Label - New To Me EVILLE - BLOW UP [tipped by Alyx Holcombe at BBC Radio 1 Rock] Lost Velvet - Dark Cells The Jacques - All the other Sinners Yellow County - Jungle SHAN - rainwater Henry Grace - This is the Place Henry Grace - Passing Through (live session) Phoebe Rea - Anybody Else? Kanadia - Slide Off The Earth Caseyy - Hiiah [tipped by Jaguar at BBC Radio 1 Dance] Jessy Blakemore - with you Tom Webber - Taurus Sadie Fine - 3AM The Autumn Saints - Show Me How May Tumi - Somebody Sometimes Elmiene - Golden DARLAH - Rain Wildmoor - Fight or Flight  • If you're making music in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, send us your tunes with the BBC Introducing Uploader: https://www.bbc.co.uk/introducing/uploader

MC Taylor from Hiss Golden Messenger is here to discuss life in Durham, North Carolina and the time he spent in San Francisco, California, the Grateful Dead and Dead Kennedys, why he was so fascinated by the American South, he decided to move there 20 years ago, his love for the Band and the motifs in their music, if his academic background in American studies, folklore, and history offers him much perspective on the current state and future path of his country, his decision to work with Chrysalis Records and what may have inspired any new songs he may have written and recorded for a new Hiss album, how travel and touring can inspire him as an artist, his Winterruption 2026 dates in Edmonton and Winnipeg, other future plans, and much more.EVERY OTHER COMPLETE KREATIVE KONTROL EPISODE IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO PATREON SUPPORTERS STARTING AT $6/MONTH. Enjoy this excerpt and please subscribe now via this link to hear this full episode. Thanks!Thanks to Blackbyrd Myoozik, the Bookshelf, Planet Bean Coffee, and Grandad's Donuts. Support Y.E.S.S., Pride Centre of Edmonton, and Letters Charity. Follow vish online.Related episodes/links:Ep. #1034: Sean Wilentz on Bob Dylan's ‘Through The Open Window'Ep. #1025: Esther RoseEp. #1013: Carson McHoneEp. #1011: Saul WilliamsEp. #1009: SuperchunkEp. #986: John CongletonEp. #982: Jake Xerxes FussellEp. #980: Alan SparhawkEp. #963: DestroyerEp. #932: Tim HeideckerEp. #896: The Folk ImplosionEp. #878: Ted LeoEp. #875: Ann PowersEp. #847: RosaliEp. #799: Allison RussellEp. #752: Yo La TengoEp. #746: H.C. McEntireEp. #630: Nathan SalsburgEp. #507: Robbie RobertsonEp. #217: Do You Compute – The Story of Drive Like JehuEp. #109: Jello BiafraSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/kreative-kontrol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day this Monday, January 19th, I'm delving into the story behind this remarkable man. How does a Black man born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929, a man whose grandparents were sharecroppers in a post slavery American South, a man subjected to Jim Crow laws that intentionally sought to hold him down, rise to such great heights as to become the only single American with his own dedicated national holiday? Let's fix that. Support the show! Join the Patreon (patreon.com/historyfixpodcast)Buy some merchBuy Me a CoffeeVenmo @Shea-LaFountaineSources: NPR "I Have a Dream Speech"History.com "Martin Luther King Jr. "NAACP "Martin Luther King Jr."History.com "Jim Crow Laws"The King Center "About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."Forbes "How Martin Luther King Jr. Improvised 'I Have a Dream'"Wikipedia "Martin Luther King Jr."Shoot me a message! Support the show

Author Michael Twitty discusses his fascinating new book, Recipes from the American South, the genesis of the project, and the mission between the recipes.Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez  Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters. THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!

How and why did the South's history, culture, and politics shape the region's nuclear and energy industries? And how is that history linked to broader developments in the nuclear and energy industries—nationally and globally? Radioactive Dixie: A Nuclear History of the American South (U Georgia Press, 2025) by Dr. Caroline Peyton answers those questions as it traces the origins of the U.S. South's love affair with the atom.The South contains more nuclear reactors than any other region in the United States and much of the nation's radioactive waste. This book shows how the South's atomic footprint resulted from a decades-long effort by Southern politicians, industry figures, universities, and government officials to transform the American South into a nuclear-oriented region. Waving the atomic talisman, the nuclear industry served as one pivotal part in a larger project of regional modernization—a process that began in the nineteenth century and lasted more than a century. From this perspective, bomb plants and nuclear reactors promised to expand the South's economy and to cast its identity as a center of modern industry, science, and engineering and as a producer of cheap, limitless energy. Radioactive Dixie is the first book to chronicle this regional story that had national implications. Southern history informed national siting decisions, regulatory oversight, and attitudes toward the various nuclear projects that proliferated in the post–World War II period. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

How and why did the South's history, culture, and politics shape the region's nuclear and energy industries? And how is that history linked to broader developments in the nuclear and energy industries—nationally and globally? Radioactive Dixie: A Nuclear History of the American South (U Georgia Press, 2025) by Dr. Caroline Peyton answers those questions as it traces the origins of the U.S. South's love affair with the atom.The South contains more nuclear reactors than any other region in the United States and much of the nation's radioactive waste. This book shows how the South's atomic footprint resulted from a decades-long effort by Southern politicians, industry figures, universities, and government officials to transform the American South into a nuclear-oriented region. Waving the atomic talisman, the nuclear industry served as one pivotal part in a larger project of regional modernization—a process that began in the nineteenth century and lasted more than a century. From this perspective, bomb plants and nuclear reactors promised to expand the South's economy and to cast its identity as a center of modern industry, science, and engineering and as a producer of cheap, limitless energy. Radioactive Dixie is the first book to chronicle this regional story that had national implications. Southern history informed national siting decisions, regulatory oversight, and attitudes toward the various nuclear projects that proliferated in the post–World War II period. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

How and why did the South's history, culture, and politics shape the region's nuclear and energy industries? And how is that history linked to broader developments in the nuclear and energy industries—nationally and globally? Radioactive Dixie: A Nuclear History of the American South (U Georgia Press, 2025) by Dr. Caroline Peyton answers those questions as it traces the origins of the U.S. South's love affair with the atom.The South contains more nuclear reactors than any other region in the United States and much of the nation's radioactive waste. This book shows how the South's atomic footprint resulted from a decades-long effort by Southern politicians, industry figures, universities, and government officials to transform the American South into a nuclear-oriented region. Waving the atomic talisman, the nuclear industry served as one pivotal part in a larger project of regional modernization—a process that began in the nineteenth century and lasted more than a century. From this perspective, bomb plants and nuclear reactors promised to expand the South's economy and to cast its identity as a center of modern industry, science, and engineering and as a producer of cheap, limitless energy. Radioactive Dixie is the first book to chronicle this regional story that had national implications. Southern history informed national siting decisions, regulatory oversight, and attitudes toward the various nuclear projects that proliferated in the post–World War II period. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society

How and why did the South's history, culture, and politics shape the region's nuclear and energy industries? And how is that history linked to broader developments in the nuclear and energy industries—nationally and globally? Radioactive Dixie: A Nuclear History of the American South (U Georgia Press, 2025) by Dr. Caroline Peyton answers those questions as it traces the origins of the U.S. South's love affair with the atom.The South contains more nuclear reactors than any other region in the United States and much of the nation's radioactive waste. This book shows how the South's atomic footprint resulted from a decades-long effort by Southern politicians, industry figures, universities, and government officials to transform the American South into a nuclear-oriented region. Waving the atomic talisman, the nuclear industry served as one pivotal part in a larger project of regional modernization—a process that began in the nineteenth century and lasted more than a century. From this perspective, bomb plants and nuclear reactors promised to expand the South's economy and to cast its identity as a center of modern industry, science, and engineering and as a producer of cheap, limitless energy. Radioactive Dixie is the first book to chronicle this regional story that had national implications. Southern history informed national siting decisions, regulatory oversight, and attitudes toward the various nuclear projects that proliferated in the post–World War II period. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-south

The book, Gullah Culture in America (Blair Publishing), chronicles the history and culture of the Gullah people, African Americans who live in the Lowcountry region of the American South. Written by Wilbur Cross in 2008, it chronicles the arrival of enslaved West Africans to the sea islands of South Carolina and Georgia; the melding of their African cultures, which created distinct creole language, cuisine, traditions, and arts; and the establishment of the Penn School, dedicated to education and support of the Gullah freedmen following the Civil War.Dr. Eric Crawford, editor, of the book's second edition (2022), is a Gullah Geechee scholar and Associate Professor of Musicology at Claflin University in Orangeburg. He joins us to talk about Gullah culture and about updating the late Dr. Cross' book.This is an encore presentation from September 29, 2023.

Chalk this one up to making myself do something when I was not sure I had it in me. Have you accomplished something even though you were not feeling it that day? I bet you have. And I bet that you, too, benefited from having willed yourself into action. This episode is one of those examples for me. After a full day of interviewing artists and staff at the fall 2025 Albino Skunk Music Festival, I was ready for bed, but I gathered up just enough resolve to wait past midnight to interview The Ruen Brothers. It was the first interview I have conducted that late — the time stamp on the audio file of our conversation reads 1:37AM — but it was well worth it. I hope you agree upon hearing this episode. The Ruen Brothers perform at The Albino Skunk Music Festival 11/03/25Photo: Flash Thompson Songs heard in this episode:“Cabin on the Hill” by The Ruen Brothers, performed live at The Albino Skunk Music Festival 10/03/25“Desert Showers” by The Ruen Brothers, from Awooo, excerpt“Bonfire” by The Ruen Brothers, from Awooo, excerpt“Unknown” by The Ruen Brothers, performed live at The Albino Skunk Music Festival 10/03/25, excerpt“Secret Agent Man” by The Ruen Brothers, performed live at The Albino Skunk Music Festival 10/03/25Thank you for listening, and we hope you can spread awareness of this endeavor and help us grow. Please take a moment and give us a top rating on your podcast platform of choice, and where you can, a review. It makes a big impact on the ranking and therefore the visibility of this series to all the other music fans who also follow podcasts. This is Southern Songs and Stories, where our quest is to explore and celebrate the unfolding history and culture of music rooted in the American South, and going beyond to the styles and artists that it inspired and informed. - Joe Kendrick

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp engages in a rich conversation with Michael Twitty, a renowned culinary historian, food writer, and author of acclaimed works such as 'The Cooking Gene' and 'Kosher Soul.' Twitty provides insightful commentary on his journey and his role in culinary history, emphasizing the significance of food as a medium for experiencing and expressing cultural identity, spirituality, and community. They discuss the broad and diverse nature of Southern cuisine, its historical context, and the intertwining of various cultures that shape it. The discussion also touches upon the challenges faced by people of color in getting their culinary stories published, and Twitty's motivations behind writing his latest cookbook, 'Recipes from the American South.' The episode underscores the profound connections between food, culture, and empathy, as well as the importance of storytelling in preserving culinary heritage.Michael W. Twitty is an acclaimed culinary historian, and author of the two-times James Beard Award-winning book The Cooking Gene, as well as Rice and Koshersoul. He has written for many publications and been featured throughout print and broadcast media, including the Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS, and NPR's The Splendid Table. He has given over 500 public talks and appeared in numerous series, including Taste the Nation and High on the Hog.Follow Michael on Instagram: @thecookinggeneThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

A key factor to creating a thriving city is justice. This conversation examines the past in order to create a more just future for all Memphians, together. Jessica Van Dyke, the legal director and co-founder of the Tennessee Innocence Project, and Jasper St. Bernard, the visiting assistant professor of history in the American South for the Institute of Race and Social Transformation at Rhodes College share their expertise and experience in creating a community centered in reflection, knowledge, and due process. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Ida B. Wells Ida B. Wells anti-lynching campaign Tennessee Innocence Project Institute of Race and Social Transformation at Rhodes College Turley Center for Community Engagement The People's Grocery Lynchings (Thomas Moss, Will Stewart, Calvin McDowell) Lynch Law in All Its Phases Shelby County Jail (also known as 201 Poplar) This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Ever wonder what medieval England looked and sounded like? In Old English, the word hord meant "treasure" and your wordhord was the treasure of words locked up inside you. A delightful new book uses the language of that period to create a vivid look at everyday life. Plus, a shotgun house is long and narrow with no hallway -- just one room leading into the next. It's an architectural style with a long history stretching from Africa to Haiti and into the American South. And: say you accidentally cut someone off in traffic, and you know it's your fault. What's a quick, clear way to communicate that you're sorry? NO texting allowed! All that, and feaking, feather merchant, gradoo, spondulicks, echar un zorrito, tocayo and cueto, a take-off quiz, and an onomatopoeic Old English word for "sneeze." Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org. Be a part of the show: call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewhere in the world, call or text +1 619 800 4443. Send voice notes or messages via WhatsApp 16198004443. Email words@waywordradio.org. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we ask: What will be the hottest food trend of 2026? Kim Severson returns with her predictions for the year ahead, where grandmothers, vinegar, and ASMR will reign supreme. We also get caught up on the latest in food lingo — "swangy" is the new flavor to watch out for. Plus, author Sho Spaeth gives us a lesson in homemade ramen and John T. Edge reckons with life, legacy and food in the American South. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

After two turbulent decades in the ice trade, Frederic Tudor had finally made it. Expanding into the American South had paid off, with cities like New Orleans delivering steady profit. But Tudor's insatiable appetite for risk kept pushing him to bet everything – again and again – even as losses mounted and disaster loomed.As he entered his 50s, Tudor seemed ready to slow down. But when he was offered the opportunity to ship his ice halfway around the world to India, he couldn't resist expanding his business once more. And just when it seemed he had mastered the trade he built from nothing, one final gamble threatened to undo everything he'd spent decades building.Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to American History Tellers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-history-tellers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In “How a Humble Crab Dish Became the Soul of Tampa,” Gravy producer Nicole Hutcheson travels across Tampa to trace the story of a lesser-known local dish—crab chilau. Every city has a dish that says something true about the people who built it. In Tampa, that dish is crab chilau. Made with blue crabs and simmered in tomatoes, garlic, spices, and served over pasta, crab chilau is shaped by Sicilians, Cuban and Afro-Cuban families, and Tampa's Black community—each group adding a twist to make it their own. Hutcheson's journey travels from historic Ybor City to rapidly gentrifying corridors of the city, and even knee-deep into the marshy waters of Tampa Bay. Along the way, she meets the people carrying crab chilau forward today: Enzo Pardo, a Sicilian chef reimagining the dish through his own heritage; Jesus Puerto, a Tampa native who returned home after decades away to stake his claim; and Reggie Nelson, an enterprising businessman and chef building a name for himself while preserving a culinary legacy rooted in community. Listeners hear first-hand how crab chilau isn't a single recipe. Instead it's what happens when different cultures, customs, and lived experiences come together in the same pot and city. No one version is the same—some are spicier, some brown the sauce until it resembles a stew. Others keep it closer to a sofrito. Add-ins like ground beef, smoked sausage, and snow crab aren't deviations; they're evidence of a dish built to evolve and feed a crowd. Through personal encounters in kitchens, restaurants, and the outdoors, Hutcheson shares how crab chilau reflects the way Tampa's food culture itself was built: informally, collaboratively, and without a singular owner. From cooks freestyling the pot to meals designed to nourish entire neighborhoods, the dish tells a larger story about gathering, creativity, and culture. Crab chilau is a living record of how cultures meet and adapt. Listeners will walk away from this episode with a deeper sense of Tampa's identity and place in the American South. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics discussed, by month:JanuaryThe year opened with Donald Trump's second inauguration and a rapid slate of executive actions, including a controversial move that effectively kept TikTok alive after a brief shutdown. The ceremony highlighted a conspicuous alliance between Trump and major tech figures — framed as an early signal of an AI-driven, business-friendly Trump 2.0 — alongside cultural flashpoints like Elon Musk's gesture that sparked online backlash.FebruaryTrump reintroduced tariffs on Canada and Mexico, triggering market volatility and a sense that the second administration would closely resemble the first. The episode became a turning point for media and political observers, who noted both reduced hysteria compared to 2017 and a more subdued press landscape shaped by declining ratings, clicks, and subscriber growth.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.MarchA historic blizzard paralyzed much of the American South, hitting northern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and especially the Dallas–Fort Worth area, where hundreds of thousands lost power. The storm stood out as a rare reminder of infrastructure vulnerability in regions unaccustomed to severe winter weather.April“Liberation Day” marked Trump's sweeping tariff announcement, forcing long-time free-trade conservatives to publicly accept policies they once opposed as markets reacted sharply. The moment crystallized tensions within the GOP coalition, highlighted generational backlash from Gen Z voters, and underscored growing anxiety about the economy, inflation, and job security.MayTrump announced a major economic deal with Qatar, bringing Middle East politics and foreign influence — particularly within right-wing media — into sharper focus. The deal coincided with intensifying divisions inside conservative circles over Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the broader regional conflict, exposing deep fractures within the MAGA-aligned media ecosystem.JuneThe U.S. carried out targeted airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in one of the year's strangest and most anticlimactic geopolitical moments. Despite intense speculation and internal right-wing conflict over the prospect of war, the strikes produced no immediate escalation, quickly fading from public attention after briefly dominating political discourse.JulyCatastrophic flooding in Texas over the July 4th holiday killed at least 135 people, with the destruction of a girls' summer camp becoming a focal point for grief and anger. The discussion centered on loss of life, questions about building in known flood zones, and the emotional toll of reporting on tragedy.AugustA surprise U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska brought Vladimir Putin to American soil for the first time in years, framed as a tentative step toward ending the war in Ukraine. SeptemberThe assassination of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA event in Utah dominated the conversation as the defining story of the year. The killing reshaped right-wing media, hardened attitudes around speech and retaliation, exposed moral failures in online discourse, and accelerated the rise of figures like Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes amid what is described as a profound loss of cohesion on the right.OctoberThe longest government shutdown in U.S. history paralyzed Washington and revealed how little clarity even insiders had about its endgame. While it failed to specifically earn the Democrats what they publicly said they wanted, the shutdown ultimately functioned as a political weapon, energizing Democrats in off-year elections while deepening public cynicism about governance and leverage politics.NovemberDemocratic overperformance in off-year elections, including Virginia and New Jersey, reframed the shutdown as a tactical success rather than a policy-driven fight. That momentum quickly curdled into skepticism, with voters sensing a power grab and turning on Democrats once the immediate political payoff was achieved.DecemberThe Trump administration's pardon of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández — convicted of facilitating large-scale cocaine trafficking — sparked debate over executive power, corruption, and contradictions in U.S. anti-narcotics policy. The month closed with a broader reflection on “state of exception” politics, where violence and extralegal force are justified as necessary to restore order, a theme tied back to both Trump's actions and the year's broader political unrest.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:21 - January00:11:10 - February00:15:47 - March00:18:38 - April00:25:41 - May00:31:54 - June00:37:08 - July00:47:04 - August00:52:22 - September01:27:14 - October01:30:03 - November01:34:48 - December01:44:15 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Black-eyed peas, a traditional New Year’s food in the American South, are an important staple all year long around the world. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren dig into the history of this hardy legume – plus the science of minimizing beans’ musical properties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By 1816, Frederic Tudor had spent a decade shipping New England ice to Cuba—with little to show for it. Setbacks and vanished profits nearly ruined him, and a gamble on shipping tropical fruit had left him barely solvent. Then a chance conversation sparked a bold new idea: expand the ice trade into the American South. Tudor rushed to South Carolina, only to clash with state officials who refused to grant him a monopoly on trade – a tactic he'd come to rely on. Their refusal forced him to rethink everything, and revise his strategy. But just as he began to find success, a series of catastrophes threatened his health, and events were set in motion that would transform the Ice King's future forever.Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to American History Tellers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-history-tellers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abhay shares a deep, and engaging conversation with Nitin Bajaj, co-founder of the American South Asian Network, and host of the INDUStry show, the longest-running talk show dedicated to the journeys of South Asian entrepreneurs and executives. They explore themes of immigrant entrepreneurship, personal growth, community building, and the importance of daily rituals. Nitin shares his journey from feeling like he lost his 'superpower' as an immigrant to finding new strengths in building relationships and community. Nitin and Abhay also highlighted the vision behind ASAN and the optimism for the future of the South Asian community in the United States.  Stand up paddleboarding was optional (at least this time).Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:05 The Importance of Daily Rituals05:55 Immigrant Entrepreneurship: Past and Present08:48 Personal Growth and Letting Go of Superpowers11:53 Connecting the Dots: From Pilot Dreams to Entrepreneurial Success17:59 The Impact of Conversations on Personal Development20:55 Building Community and Access through ASAN25:09 The Vision Behind the American South Asian Network28:12 Balancing Community and Measurable Outcomes32:05 Optimism for the Future of the South Asian Community33:59 Who is Nitin Bajaj?For more information about Nitin please visit https://nitinsbajaj.com/about/For more information about ASAN please visit https://americansouthasiannetwork.com/

Full disclosure time here on the READING MCCARTHY podcast.  When Ridley Scott's film The Counselor arrived in theaters with its very own shiny McCarthy screenplay, I was underwhelmed.  We'd been waiting for over half a decade for The Passenger and had no idea we'd be almost another ten years waiting for that project (and of course we had no concept of Stella Maris at the time). I found interesting elements in the film but didn't think it held together. But people smarter than me (such as my three guests in this program) convinced me to return to it it and here we are in a 2-parter.    Appearing for the first time is Dr. Russell Hillier, whose consideration of the screenplay sparked my interest in returning for another bout: he is Professor of English at Providence College, Rhode Island. He is the author of two books, Milton's Messiah (Oxford University Press, 2011) and Morality in Cormac McCarthy's Fiction: Souls at Hazard (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017), and he is coeditor of Combined Lights: Comparative Essays on the Writings of John Donne and George Herbert (University of Delaware Press, 2021). Additionally, he has published articles on many authors in many journals. Returning as well is the excellent Dr. Dianne Luce. She is the author of Reading The World. Cormac McCarthy's Tennessee Period, University of South Carolina Press, 2009, and Embracing Vocation: Cormac McCarthy's Writing Life, 1959-1974, U South Carolina Press 2023. She is currently working on a second volume of Cormac McCarthy's Writing Life, covering 1974-1985.  Bryan Giemza holds a Ph.D. and J.D. and is the Provost's Fellow for Outreach and Engagement in the Honors College at Texas Tech University.  His books include Irish Catholic Writers and the Invention of the American South as well as Images of Depression-Era Louisiana: The FSA Photographs of Ben Shahn, Russell Lee, and Marion Post Wolcott (2017). His book Science and Literature in Cormac McCarthy's Expanding Worlds was published by Bloomsbury in 2023. As always, listeners are warned: there be spoilers here.  Film trailer excerpts from The Counselor, directed by Ridley Scott, distributed by 20th Century Fox, 2013.  Thanks as always to Thomas Frye, who composed, performed, and produced the music for READING MCCARTHY.  The views of the host and his guests do not necessarily reflect the views of their home institutions or the Cormac McCarthy Society.  Download and follow this podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  If you're agreeable it'll help us if you provide favorable reviews on these platforms.  To contact the host, please reach out to readingmccarthy@gmail.com.  Support the showStarting in spring of 2023, the podcast began accepting minor sponsorship offers to offset the costs of the podcast. This may cause a mild disconnect in earlier podcasts where the host asks for patrons in lieu of sponsorships. But if we compare it to a very large and naked bald man in the middle of the desert who leads you to an extinct volcano to create gunpowder, it seems pretty minor...

The second Trump administration has made tearing down parts of the federal government a priority. And some of those efforts have been literal. In October, President Donald Trump ordered the demolition of the White House's East Wing to make way for the construction of a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom. He's also given the White House a gilded makeover, bulldozed the famed Rose Garden, and even has plans for a so-called “Arc de Trump” that mirrors France's Arc de Triomphe. So what's behind all of this? Art historian Erin Thompson—author of Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments—says that whether it's Romans repurposing idols of leaders who had fallen out of favor or the glorification of Civil War officers in the American South, monuments and public aesthetics aren't just about the past. They're about symbolizing power today. On this week's More To The Story, Thompson sits down with host Al Letson to discuss why Trump has decked out the White House in gold (so much gold), the rise and recent fall of Confederate monuments, and whether she thinks the Arc de Trump will ever get built.Producers: Josh Sanburn and Artis Curiskis | Editor: Kara McGuirk-Allison | Theme music: Fernando Arruda and Jim Briggs | Copy editor: Nikki Frick | Digital producer: Artis Curiskis | Deputy executive producer: Taki Telonidis | Executive producer: Brett Myers | Executive editor: James West | Host: Al Letson Donate today at Revealnews.org/more Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at Revealnews.org/weekly Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky Listen: Fancy Galleries, Fake Art (Reveal)Listen: Will the National Parks Survive Trump? (Reveal)Read: Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments (W. W. Norton & Company)Read: America's Tech Right Is Obsessed With Building Giant Statues (Bloomberg)Read: Nearly 100 Confederate Monuments Were Toppled in 2020. What Happened to Them? (Mother Jones)Note: If you buy a book using our Bookshop link, a small share of the proceeds supports our journalism. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 The Arduous Southern Tour and Charleston's Splendor — Nathaniel Philbrick — In 1791, Washington undertook a grueling three-month, 2,000-mile tour of the American South over "impassable" roads designed to unite the fragmented southern states with the federal government. This journey into "terra incognita" required construction of a custom carriage and immense logistical coordination involving supplies, security, and official ceremonies. In Charleston, Washingtonwas welcomed with extraordinary luxury built entirely upon the institution of slavery and enslaved labor. Philbrickinterweaves his personal research methodology, describing the role of librarians in historical investigation, and recounts climbing the spire of St. Michael's Church. Standing 186 feet in the air where Washington historically stood created a "historical vortex," dramatically bridging the temporal gap between the eighteenth century and contemporary historical consciousness. 1755

Sally Mann is a photographer and a New York Times bestselling writer. She is best known for making large-format black and white photographs of the people and places in her immediate surroundings: her children, her husband, and the rural landscape of her home state and the American South. Sally was born in Lexington, Virginia, the youngest of three children to Robert and Elizabeth Munger. Her father was a doctor and gave Sally his old Leica camera to play with. After university, she wanted to be a poet but she spent more than a decade as a commercial photographer while starting a family of her own and exhibiting her work on a small scale. She published her first book of photographs in 1984. That same year, she began taking pictures of her three children for a series called Immediate Family, which brought her both renown as well as infamy for touching on ordinary moments in their daily lives – playing, sleeping, and eating, sometimes while naked – but also speaking to larger themes such as death and cultural perceptions of childhood, rendering familiar subjects “both sublime and disquieting”. In the mid-1990s, she began to move away from the family pictures in favour of photographing the landscape around her. Much of Sally's body of work comes from observing what is closest at hand because, she says, “The things that are close to you are the things that you can photograph the best.” She has explored the identity of the American South, and her relationship with her place of origin, as well as mortality and decay, and the effects of muscular dystrophy on her husband. In her latest book, Art Work, she considers the challenges and pleasures of the creative process. Sally continues to live on the 800-acre family farm near Lexington with her husband Larry and a number of dogs. DISC ONE: Köln, January 24, 1975, Part I - Keith Jarrett DISC TWO: Take This Hammer - Odetta DISC THREE: Trustful Hands - The Dø DISC FOUR: Oh Holy Night. Composed by Adolphe Adam and performed by Concert Choir of St Andrew's School, Delaware and Virginia Mann (Soprano) DISC FIVE: Moby Dick (an extract of Chapter 3) Written by Herman Melville and narrated by Frank Muller DISC SIX: County Seat - Emmett Mann DISC SEVEN: Vivaldi: Oboe Concerto in C major, RV 452: 2. Adagio. Performed by Heinz Holliger (Oboe), I Musici (Ensemble) DISC EIGHT: You Are My Friend (Live) - Sylvester BOOK CHOICE: In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust LUXURY ITEM: Paper and a pencil CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: You Are My Friend (Live) - Sylvester Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah TaylorDesert Island Discs has cast many photographers away over the years including Eve Arnold, Val Wilmer and Vanley Burke. You can hear their programmes if you search through BBC Sounds or our own Desert Island Discs website.

This week, we're taking a trip through the South and its food – how it tells the story of a region shaped by migration, memory, and culture. First, we talk with scholar and writer Michael W. Twitty about his new book, Recipes from the American South, a sweeping look at the many communities – Black, white, Indigenous, immigrant – whose traditions built Southern cooking as we know it. Michael reflects on the histories that define the region and leaves us with his recipe for Maque Choux, the Louisiana classic made of corn and peppers. Then, we turn to writer and filmmaker Deb Freeman for a deeper look at one of the South's most influential voices: Edna Lewis. Her new PBS documentary, Finding Edna Lewis, traces how Miss Lewis's rural Virginia roots shaped her cooking and her revolutionary impact on American food. Deb shares why Lewis remains essential today and what we can still learn from her.Our annual cookbook giveaway is live!  To enter for free, visit splendidtable.org/cookbookBroadcast dates for this episode: December 5, 2025 (originally aired)Subscribe to @TheSplendidTable on YouTube for full podcast episodes and full-length video interviews!Donate to The Splendid Table today and we will show our appreciation with a special thank-you gift.

Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom – MacArthur Genius award winner and brilliant chronicler of our times – unmasks the American stories that got us to this place—and explains, with amazing precision and clarity, how we can imagine our way out.  We discuss:  - How the MAGA story broke through and became the winning story; - How money hijacked democracy;  - The little-known history of the Black Panther party of the American South;  - Why Responsibility is Freedom; - How to frame and reclaim the American story through radical humanity: art, truth, creativity, and community.  Join us for this riveting, smart, funny conversation about power, hope, and writing a freer future.  About Tressie:  Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom is a professor and principal investigator with the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NY Times columnist, and 2020 MacArthur Fellow. Her work has earned national and international recognition for the urgency and depth of its incisive critical analysis of technology, higher education, culture, media, class, race, and gender. Recent accolades include being named the 2023 winner of the Joseph B. and Toby Gittler Prize by Brandeis University for her “critical perspective and analysis to some of the greatest social challenges we face today,” the recipient of the 2025 Thomas Wolfe Prize, and a 2025-26 National Humanities Center Fellow. Her most recent book, THICK: And Other Essays was listed as one the 30 best nonfiction books of the last 30 years by the L.A. Times Festival of Books. Two books are forthcoming with Random House Books. Follow Tressie:  @tressiemcphd on Instagram  @tressiemcphd.bsky.social on Bluesky  Follow We Can Do Hard Things on: Youtube — @wecandohardthingsshow   Instagram — @wecandohardthingsTikTok — @wecandohardthingshow