Podcasts about very smart brothas

Notes and Links to Chris L. Terry's and James Spooner's Work        For Episode 211, Pete welcomes Chris L. Terry and James Spooner, and the two discuss, among other topics, the exciting release of Black Punk Now and reader response, the seeds for the book and the rationale for certain structures in the book, the balance between a punk aesthetic and fair treatment and pay for artists, Black punk as joy and liberation and catharsis, exciting new movements and artists in Black Punk and its attendant creative pursuits, and what Chris and James wish for the book's future.        Chris L. Terry is the author of the novels Black Card (Catapult, 2019) and Zero Fade (Curbside Splendor, 2013), which was named Best Book of the Year by Slate and Kirkus Reviews. Mr. Terry's short work has appeared in PANK, Razorcake, Very Smart Brothas, and more. He has taught for PEN America, Writing Workshops LA, and Storycatchers Theatre.       James Spooner is an American film director, tattoo artist, and graphic novelist. He is best known for his 2003 documentary film Afro-Punk, and for co-founding the Afropunk Festival. He also directed the 2007 narrative film White Lies, Black Sheep. His first graphic novel, titled The High Desert, was published in 2022.     Buy Black Punk Now!   Read an Excerpt from Black Punk Now   James' Website   Buy The High Desert by James   Buy Black Card by Chris   Read about Afro-Punk Documentary At about 2:20, Pete welcomes back Chris-the first two-time guest! and asks about seeds for the book and about the initial reaction to the book's publication    At about 6:00, James responds to the same questions as above: seeds for the book and the book's connections to his work with AfroPunk   At about 11:10, Chris shouts out Cecilia Flores at SoftSkull and the use of the tattoo framing in one interview in the book; he also discusses “creating Black spaces” with joy   At about 11:50, James mentions the cover of the book, “having the time of their lives” and Black Joy   At about 12:40-14:50, Chris responds to Pete's questions about the book's title's genesis and the “timeliness” of the book   At about 14:50, Pete cites James' Introduction to the book and James responds to Pete's question about Black Punk's rise with regard to concerts and exposure and its connection to corporatization    At about 19:15, Chris talks about the balance between the DIY ethos of punk and the newer generation's keen ways of valuing their work and including more interested people    At about 22:30, James reminisces on the different scenes in punk circles when he was doing concerts   At about 25:05, Pete and Chris highlight the book's Roundtables and interviews, particularly with Bobby Hackney, Jr., and key quotes that show Blackness and punk to be inextricable, as well as the openness of the book's contributors    At about 28:15, Pete asks about punk rock and how it came from rock-originated by Black musicians and became associated with white musicians; Chris describes this     At about 30:30, James describes “major” Black figures and Black bands who were and are at the forefront of so many movements; he shouts out Soul Glo and Zulu and draws connections between the older and newer   At about 34:15, Chris uses his West Coast tour from 2002 as an example of how   At about 34:40, The three talk about the great Fishbone and The Last Action Hero soundtrack   At about 36:15, Pete asks about Blank punk and compliments the book's variety and its politics and discussion of gender fluidity and other important issues; Chris speaks on punk as a lifestyle, and not just a style of music   At about 39:20, Pete wonders about any evolution in the ways in which women and nonbinary people have been treated in recent years of punk; Chris and James discuss challenges that still remain, as well as what they list as incremental victories   At about 44:05, Pete highlights quotes and interviews from the anthology and the ways in which catharsis is demonstrated through Black punk lifestyles   At about 46:05, Pete asks James and Chris about their process in picking a favorite Black punk songlist   At about 47:25, James and Chris respond to Pete's questions about how they want the book to survive and thrive in coming years, and the rationale on having the book softcover right away   At about 49:15, Pete highlights engaging work from James and Chris in the anthology   At about 50:20, James and Chris talk about exciting future projects   At about 52:30, James and Chris give out their contact info and social media    You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I'm @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I'm @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch this and other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you're checking out this episode.    Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl     Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting my one-man show, my DIY podcast and my extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast    This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I'd love for your help in promoting what I'm convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.    Please tune in for Episode 212 with Theresa Runstedtler, award-winning scholar of African American history. Her work focused on intersection of race/masculinity/ labor/sport, and her recent:  Black Ball: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood, and the Generation that Saved the Soul of the NBA.    The episode will air on November 14.

We're joined this week by Devin McGhee (@devinkielle) & Brit Kirkland (@brit.kirkland), Black, queer founders of Deon Libra. Get into our chat about the inspiration behind Deon Libra, Black stress, clean eating, starting a business with your partner, and some super solid bad queer opinions from Dev and Brit. Shoutouts:Shana: they.j - they are transgender and invisibly disabled writer, artist and tarot reader. I read their poem called Be (Out loud) where it shared different components of our intersectional identities and celebrated them. Check them out on IG @theyj.fromspaceKris: Slutty Vegan - 100% plant-based burger joints in the ATL area (with products in Costco nationwide) founded by Pinky Cole.  Follow on IG @sluttyveganatlDevin: Deon Libra launching this Fall 2022, we've been working on this for 4yrs. Our company is a safe space that gives a fuck about Black people. Follow @deonlibrabodyBrit: Damon Young - American writer and editor. Co founder of Very Smart Brothas. Check out his book What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker. Follow on Twitter: @DamonYoungVSB

The last time writer Damon Young was on Into America was back in the summer of 2020. He spoke about his New York Times op-ed, “Yeah, Let's Not Talk About Race––Unless You Pay Me” where he talked about the awkward and sometimes inappropriate questions he was often asked about race. Well, now he is getting paid with his new advice column, “Ask Damon,” in the Washington Post where readers can ask him anything and everything.Damon, who is the author of the book “What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker” and a co-founder of the blog Very Smart Brothas, says he loves leaning into uncomfortable thoughts, and he's ready to unpack the messy situations of strangers. So this week on Into America, Damon joins Trymaine to talk about this new venture, what qualifies him to give advice, some of the worst advice he's ever received, and what his conversations around race look like now. He and Trymaine also answer some burning questions from listeners. For a transcript, please visit msnbc.com/intoamerica. Follow and share the show on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, using the handle @intoamericapod.Thoughts? Feedback? Story ideas? Write to us at intoamerica@nbcuni.com.Further Listening and Reading:Into America: Please Stop Talking to Me About RaceYeah, Let's Not Talk About Race, Unless You Pay MeSubmit a Question to Damon Young

Very Smart Brothas co-founder Panama Jackson is Cheats guest on this episode of the Cheats Movement Podcast. Panama is hosting the amazing podcast POWER: Don King. The podcast goes into the life of the most notable boxing promoter of all time. From Don's early days as a number runner in Cleveland to promoting the Rumble in the Jungle to promoting a young Mike Tyson and seeing it all collapse, King has seen it all. He's also been in the mix of it all — the good and the bad. Don has been sued by everyone. He's been accused of cheating everyone. And, yet, he's still here...still staking his claim in a game that is known to suck the very life out of the talent it promotes. Panama and Cheats also talk about Panama's career as a culture journalist and a few projects he's working on post VSB. It's a great conversation. Thanks to the VPM/ICA Media Center for hosting the Cheats Movement Podcast. Please subscribe to the Cheats Movement everywhere podcasts are available and on YouTube. @theFamilyPN

On this episode of THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW, Neeley and Chris talk about Twisted Sister Guitarist JJ French saying that comedians should censor themselves. This doesn't go well with the guys. Following, they review an article from a woman that thinks that white men want to return to work because it's secretly a "white boys club". Get all our episodes at www.theclassicmetalshow.com. Interact with The Classic Metal Show at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. **NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to see if their opinions are true or not.** Please take a moment to subscribe, share and leave us a 5 Star Review for this episode! It helps us grow and do better episodes for YOU!! WEBSITE: http://www.thecmsnetwork.comTHE CMS PODCAST NETWORK: https://www.cmspn.comHEAVY METAL TELEVISION: https://www.heavymetaltelevision.netCMStv: https://www.cmstv.netCMSRadio: https://www.cmsradio.netCMSPN App: Search "The CMS Network" In Your iOS or Android App Store!Become A VIP On Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.comRUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/cmsBITCHUTE: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cms/ODYSEE: https://odysee.com/@ClassicMetalShow:aROKU: Search "The Classic Metal Show" in the Roku ChannelsAMAZON: Search "The CMS Network" To Add Our ChannelSOCIALSMinds: https://www.minds.com/ClassicMetalShow/Parler: https://parler.com/cmspnGab: https://gab.com/theclassicmetalshowLocals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.comGettr: https://gettr.com/user/chrisakinCENSORED BIG TECH:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmspnTwitter: https://twitter.com/cmsrocksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmspn1/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCMSPodcastNetwork**NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to see if their opinions are true or not.**#theclassicmetalshow #comedy #parody #neeley #chrisakin #shockjocks #popculture #sex #hardrock #heavymetal #celebrities #socialjustice #socialmedia #woke #politics #humor #dating #relationships

The 80z Babies are joined by guest Panama Jackson from Very Smart Brothas on a very special, very smart installment of Put You Up where Panama introduces the fellas to his first favorite hiphop album - De La Soul is Dead.

Damon (Young) joins Panama this week to talk about his exit from Very Smart Brothas and what he will be working on in the future. Along the way though, and in typical (and lengthy) VSB-fashion, they discuss white teen movies and the differences from Black teen movies, Jay-Z and Nas on "Sorry Not Sorry," what the old VSB was like and how it will be different in the future and what would make for the best VSB tattoo. It's basically a standard issue discussion with #DemVSBBoyz. This podcast is Blacktastic.Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Edited by Panama JacksonMusic:Intro: "Morning Rituals" by Berto AntonioOutro: "LMK" by Berto AntonioMusic used with permission and can be found on Berto Antonio's 2020 release, WRTHY, available on all streaming platforms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Pass The Peas, a brand new podcast brought to you by VerySmartBrothas and TheRoot.com, hosted by VSB co-founder, Panama Jackson. Check out this weekly show about Black pop culture every Friday wherever you get your podcasts!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where is the line between a culture vulture and an opportunist? Today's guest is Panama Jackson, the Senior Editor of Very Smart Brothas. Listen as we discuss the trademarks filed for ‘SpelHouse', the portmanteau of two predominant HBCU's, Spelman College and Morehouse College. Should the college student behind the company ‘Legacy History Pride' be able to own the trademark or should it preserved for the college institutions to claim? Let's continue the conversation over in the Genius Lounge. Let me know what you thought of the episode and the questions it raised for you. Before you head over there, make sure to share this episode with three people. Visit the Genius Lounge. Visit Very Smart Brothas & Connect with Panama Jackson on Twitter Want to schedule a time to speak with Attorney Murray? Do that here. Not registered in the Protect Your Brand Startup Guide Mini-Course? Register here-- https://laconyamurray.com/freecourse

Panama is joined by his VerySmartBrothas.com partner, author, podcaster and writer-extraordinaire Damon Young. Dem VSB Boyz talk the 2016 Washington Post profile that Panama thought would cost him his day job because of the behind-the-scenes happenings in VSB land. They also discuss the acquisition of VSB by Univision in 2017 that turned VSB into a vertical of TheRoot.com; how it happened, why it happened and what that process was like for them individually and as a duo. Check it out! Link to the Washington Post article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/very-smart-brothas-is-the-blackest-thing-that-ever-happened-to-the-internet-period/2016/11/21/9b62b5aa-8719-11e6-a3ef-f35afb41797f_story.html Intro Music: Berto Antonio "Morning Rituals" Break Music: You Gon' Have To Figure That Out Yourself Outro Music: Berto Antonio "LMK" from his debut EP, WRTHYhttps://open.spotify.com/album/7G4ZtHQLxEYUg1DPfXSNTQ?si=zLp8nhgbRpiIujqXnOAtdQ Produced, Recorded, Edited and Mixed by Panama Jackson

Recorded by Twenty Summers on August 18, 2020. All Rights Reserved.Authors Damon Young and Rion Amilcar Scott kick off the first-ever virtual Twenty Summers festival with an epic, sprawling conversation about barbershops, Covid’s impacted on their work, Lovecraft Country, humor in writing, I May Destroy You, Kanye West, Black success, and the perils of white validation.Damon Young is a writer, critic, humorist, satirist, and professional Black person. He's a co-founder and editor in chief of VerySmartBrothas—coined "the blackest thing that ever happened to the internet" by The Washington Post and later acquired The Root—and a columnist for GQ. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, LitHub, Time Magazine, Slate, LongReads, Salon, The Guardian, New York Magazine, EBONY, Jezebel, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. His debut book, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker, won the Barnes & Noble Great Discovery Prize for Nonfiction (2019).Rion Amilcar Scott is the author of the story collection, The World Doesn’t Require You (Norton/Liveright, August 2019), a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award. His debut story collection, Insurrections (University Press of Kentucky, 2016), was awarded the 2017 PEN/Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction and the 2017 Hillsdale Award from the Fellowship of Southern Writers. His work has been published in journals such as The New Yorker, The Kenyon Review, Crab Orchard Review, and The Rumpus, among others.

On this episode, Panama is joined by VerySmartBrothas.com (and everywhere else) contributor, Shamira Ibrahim as they talk about Vulture's "100 Songs That Define New York Rap, Ranked" list, of which Shamira contributed (link below). They discuss the rankings, omissions, and Sham's specific contributions to the list and because life is hilarious, Ray J gets some love towards the end. Link to Vulture list: https://www.vulture.com/article/new-york-rap-songs-ranked.html Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Edited by Panama Jackson Intro Music: Berto Antonio "Morning Rituals" Outro Music: Berto Antonio "LMK" (from his debut EP, WRTHY: https://open.spotify.com/album/7G4ZtHQLxEYUg1DPfXSNTQ?si=CcgLmivvT1iMRetEGMdyCw)

When it comes to race relations, 2020 has caught a lot of us off guard. When protests broke out in response to the killing of Geroge Floyd, we saw diverse crowds out in the streets. More and more white people began asking what they could do to uproot the racism that plagues America. These conversations on race are crucial. But as writer Damon Young points out, they can also be really strange.Damon Young is Black, a senior editor at The Root, and founder of the blog Very Smart Brothas. He’s also the author of “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker.” Young noticed an uncomfortable pattern: more and more white people want to start conversations about race. He says there’s a time and a place to talk about things like police violence, lynching, and slavery. That time is not while he’s taking a walk around his neighborhood or standing in line for ice cream.Young wrote about his experience in a New York Times op-ed entitled, “Yeah, Let’s Not Talk About Race––Unless you pay me.” On this episode of Into America, Trymaine Lee talks with Young about how he finds humor in these moments and how it shapes his work as a Black writer.For a transcript, please visit https://www.msnbc.com/intoamerica.Further Reading and Listening:Yeah, Let’s Not Talk About Race. Unless you pay me.The first time I realized what my Blackness meantInto an American Uprising: White Accountability

The 80z Babies are joined by special guest Panama Jackson from Very Smart Brothas in a discussion of the history of hiphop as protest music.

Get ready for a humorist writers' satirical observation of "what's going on" in the world today. We break down the below and much more with a truly special voice, Damon Young. “It’s just too fucking much to always have to be angry and alert. To always have to be ready and willing to challenge whiteness. To always have a perfectly pithy tweet or a thousand-word screed ready in response to the next Trayvon Martin, the newest Sandra Bland, and the latest Eric Garner, and to feel all the same feelings again. And again. And again. I just wanted a fucking break.” - #DamonYoung :: Damon Young is the author of “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker.” - A Memoir in Essays and founder of VerySmartBrothas.theroot.com #VSB “It’s natural to be outraged. It’s natural to be angry.” “I think there’s a value in articulating that absurdity and allowing other people to recognize that too.” - @damonyoungvsb (IG) WATCH • LIKE • SHARE • SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to our YoTube Channel Follow us on Instagram @globalbrotherspodcast We are also streaming on all platforms: Google Podcasts | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Radio Public | Copy RSS | Pocket Casts “Live global and prosper!” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/globalbrotherspodcast/message

Danielle chats with Damon Young, co-founder of the website Very Smart Brothas and author of What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker. Danielle and Damon discuss his book’s examination of the angst, anxiety and absurdity of being black in America. They dig into the process of embracing blackness, one which requires us to acknowledge the indoctrinated anti-black ideas that exist within all of us so that we are able to consciously deconstruct and extract them. Damon also talks about parenting black children and the challenge of reconciling two essential and deeply contradicting lessons – that black children can be whatever they want to be, and the truth about the history of race in America and its realities today.Host: Danielle MoodieExecutive Producers: Danielle Moodie & Adell ColemanProducer: Andrew MarshelloDistributor: DCP Entertainment See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damon Young is writer, critic, humorist, satirist, and professional Black person. He's a co-founder and editor in chief of VerySmartBrothas -- coined "the blackest thing that ever happened to the internet" by The Washington Post -- and a columnist for GQ. Damon's writing -- which vacillates from anthropological satire and absurdist racial insights to razor sharp cultural critique and unflinching indictments of privilege and bias -- has often generated praise from from his peers. Ava DuVernay called his voice "clear and critical." Michael Eric Dyson said he's "one of the most important young voices in humor writing today." And Kiese Laymon called his work "the best of American twenty-first century writing." Damon's debut memoir -- What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir In Essays (Ecco/HarperCollins) -- is a tragicomic exploration of the angsts, anxieties, and absurdities of existing while black in America, and won Barnes & Noble's 2019 Discover Award. It was also longlisted for the PEN America Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award, nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and is a Krause Essay Prize nominee. NPR, which named it one of the best books of 2019, called it an "outstanding collection of nonfiction." Damon currently resides in Pittsburgh's Northside, with his wife, two children, and his faithful bottles of Nexium and Lisinopril. Find Damon on social media: @damonyoungvsb @verysmartbros and @damonyoungvsb (twitter) damonjyoung.com ----- DiDi Delgado is creating change (unapologetically). http://linktr.ee/thedididelgado https://thedididelgado.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-full-set-podcast/support

This is a two for one! As we gear up to celebrate our 100th episode soon, we're getting around to releasing some of the episodes that we never put out for one reason or another. This is one of those. Recorded back in February 2018, and based on an article from Very Smart Brothas, we decided to share how each of us listen to hip hop and what draws us in. Some people listen for the beat first. Some people, the lyrics. Some of us just need a vibe. How do you listen? Then we transition to what will likely become the death of the CD. The "news" of Best Buy discontinuing the sale of CDs had just broke, so we talk about that and how we feel about the future of music consumption. They not gone yet, but how do you feel like we're gonna have to say farewell to CDs anytime soon? How does that impact how you purchase/listen to music? Leave all your thoughts and opinions below in the comments as you enjoy this new, but old, episode! #PullUpAChair

In this episode, Professor Ledewitz talks race with author Damon Young. Young, one of the founders of VerySmartBrothas.com and the author of “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker” shares his doubts about Dr. King’s idea. With his usual humor and insight, Young challenges the idea that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice. From why white audiences love famous black people but can still be racist at heart to how he tackles the challenge of socializing with Trump supporters, Ledewitz and Young have a frank discussion of class, race and politics. Young’s latest piece was an Op-Ed in the Sunday, December 1, 2019 edition of The New York Times, “In Defense of Woke.”

“I’M A BLACK WOMAN WHO WRITES FOR BLACK WOMEN ABOUT BLACK WOMEN. PERIOD.” — Nikeshia Elise Williams Damien Lamar was compelled to speak more with this week’s guest who he originally met at a PB&J (Party Benefit & Jam) Jam Session at the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida a few weeks ago. There, Nikeshia Elise Williams presented her 20x20 slide and “spoke about the state of education and how despite decades of attempts at integration, schools are still segregated which has led specifically to the situation that Duval County School finds themselves in; with the fight over the half-cent sales tax, [and] the schools that it would benefit, and the political wrangling in the city over that issue.” She discussed the parallels of the education system in Chicago and feels the root cause are based on issues surrounded by race. “I feel like across the United States, teachers are taken for granted. They’re not protected. They don’t get paid well enough. They don’t get the credit for what they do (especially at the elementary or secondary level.) … We, as a nation need to take better care of our teachers because are literally taking care of our children.” About Nikeshia Elise Williams Nikesha Elise Williams is an Emmy award-winning news producer and author. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and attended The Florida State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Communication: Mass Media Studies and Honors English Creative Writing. Nikesha’s debut novel, Four Women, was awarded the 2018 Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Award in the category of Adult Contemporary/Literary Fiction. Four Women was also recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists as an Outstanding Literary Work. Nikesha is a full-time writer and writing coach and has freelanced for several publications including ESSENCE, Very Smart Brothas, and Shadow and Act. Both Four Women, The Appeal of Ebony Jones and Adulting are available on Nikesha Williams’ on Amazon. Visit her website, or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ or contact her on good old-fashioned email. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tastetestlive/message

Damon Young is a writer, critic, humorist, satirist, and professional Black person. He's a founder of VerySmartBrothas, a columnist at GQ, and a senior editor at The Root. His debut memoir, What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker (Ecco/HarperCollins) is a tragicomic exploration of the angsts, anxieties, and absurdities of existing while black in America.Episode Questions:• What feeds into assumptions of how we're supposed to interact with the world?• Have you experienced people making assumptions about who you were or how you should act based on any facets of your identity?• Have you ever yielded to the pressure to "perform" behaviors and attitudes to fit an image?• How do you feel about this notion of performance at this juncture of you life? How do you perceive yourself?• How can self perception resist the motion of performance?• How does it help you figure what you can do or offer in the work of social transformation?• What role does humor have in social transformation work?• Why might people develop humor in social change?• Why might humor be necessary in our resistance?• Damon made a really good point when he named said that "if we want to fight and resist and transform, we have to use all parts of ourselves." What parts of yourself are easy to access and leverage in movement work?• What parts of yourself are challenging to bring forward?•  "When a group of people is colonized or occupied, language is the first victim." This stood out because language is so vital because us is what we use to frame ourselves, to tell our stories as well to seek and speak truth. How do you consider or use language in your personal and social transformation work?Sign up for Andre's Hope & Hard Pills Newsletter at his website. Catch up with Andre on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook.Of course, this podcast couldn't happen with out the support of our wonderful patrons! Click here to become a patron of the Hope & Hard Pills Podcast on Patreon for exclusive content. A special thank you to our Top Tier patrons who help make all the things we're doing possible!Find out what Alicia is up to at her website and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.New Music: I Want You (Marvin Gaye Cover) by Andre HenryMusic: Supa Dred II (Wake Up) & It Doesn't Have To Be This Way by Andre Henry

Panama Jackson lives the life that most Black people aspire to. Co-founder of the popular Verysmartbrothas.com, Jackson has found a way to live unflinchingly and unapologetically Black! While he admits, it's not the easiest road to travel down, the peace of mind that comes with it is worth it. While in town for SpelHouse homecoming, the Morehouse grad stopped by Atlantabis City Market to speak with the CashColorCannabis Podcast about verysmarybrothas.com, being a professional Black person, covering the Black experience and more. This episode is sponsored by Peake ReLeaf

On today's episdoe of The Short Stacks our guest is Damon Young. Damon is the co-founder of Very Smart Brothas, a senior editor at The Root, and the author of What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker . We talk today about the anxieties of releasing a memoir into the world, public apologies, and getting blurbs from people you admire. There are no spoilers today. You can find everything we talk about on today's episdoe on The Stacks Website: www.thestackspodcast.com/2019/05/06/ss12 Connect with Damon: Damon's Instagram | Damon's Twitter | Damon's Facebook Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | The Stacks Website | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Patreon | Goodreads SUPPORT THE STACKS Audible - Get your free 30 day trial and free audiobbook download at

Demetria (finally) has a long overdue chat with one of her favorite writers and bestie-in-her-head, Damon Young, co-founder of Very Smart Brothas and author of "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker. Your favorite writer's favorite writers chat about Game of Thrones, gentrification, public transparency, short sentences, Michelle Williams, why Darius Lovehall is the ultimate fuccboi and (so, so, much) more....  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writers Damon Young and Kiese Laymon both are on book tour, promoting their acclaimed memoirs. And while they've been friends via social media for years, they'd never met face to face before recording a conversation for Death, Sex & Money. The two sat down together to talk about basketball and body image, money anxieties, and why being a "good dude" might be more about fear than anything else.  Damon Young is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Very Smart Brothas, and the author of "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker". Kiese Laymon is a professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Mississippi, and the author of "Heavy: An American Memoir". Audio excerpts courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from HEAVY by Kiese Laymon, read by the author. Copyright © 2018 by Kiese Laymon. Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Writer Damon Young writes about race and culture for the site he co-founded, Very Smart Brothas.com. His new book “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker” is filled with sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking essays about himself, his family, and what it means to be a Black man in America. Plus you’re invited to add to WBEZ’s calender of cool things to do this summer

With over 2.5 million weekly “Very Smart Brothas” readers, a GQ column and new Harper Collins book “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker,” Damon Young is artfully illuminating life as a black man in 21st century America.   “So many of the narratives about being black in America are ensconced in deep trauma,” says Damon. “And yes, we do deal with racism, oppression and structural inequality, but I hope my writing shares that there is also beauty, love, passion, and humanity in that experience, too.”   Damon shares his take on the role white privilege played in the killing of 17 year-old unarmed black teenager Antwon Rose II by a white former East Pittsburgh police officer, the conversation about homophobia he hopes is sparked by a chapter in his new book, and how systemic inequality has led him to experience the “hyper-cognizance” of his blackness.   Damon talks with host Grant Oliphant about why Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix comedy special “Nanette” is definitely in his “love” column, and whether having an infant son really means that he can “finally start respecting men as people.”   His writing is a seamless weaving of intelligence, humor and heartfelt empathy, not unlike the man himself. Experience the full spectrum of writer Damon Young on this episode of “We Can Be.”     “We Can Be” is hosted by The Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. This episode contains adult language.

Damon Young is a writer, a cultural critic, a co-founder of Very Smart Brothas, and one of the most prominent Black voices on the internet. His first book is a memoir called "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker." It is a collection of personal essays that reflect on the angst and the absurdities of life as a Black man in modern-day America. Damon spoke with Jill Hopkins on The Morning AMp about some of those personal experiences, and what made the time right to write this book. Photo by: Sarah Huny Young The Morning AMp airs M-F 8-10 AM on Vocalo 91.1 FM in Chicago and streaming at vocalo.org

The MahoganyBooks & Very Smart Brothas Book Club started in October 2018 with "the specific intention to have fun, open, and sometimes controversial book inspired conversations in a culturally inspiring location in the heart of Anacostia, Washington, D.C." Months later, the program has becoming a lively monthly gathering for book lovers who reside east of the Anacostia River and all eight wards of the District of Columbia.  In this episode of "Live From The Library" we sit down with the creators of the book club -- Derrick Young, co-founder and co-owner of MahoganyBooks, and Panama Jackson, co-founder and senior editor of Very Smart Brothas -- to chat about: The book club's evolution and importance to its surrounding community. MahoganyBooks' first year as a brick and mortar store after existing online for a decade. Very Smart Brothas efforts to share the joy of reading with its community of followers. 

Home with Shamira aka @_ShamGod. Today we discuss the ideas of home and belonging with Shamira aka @_ShamGod. Shamira is a Brooklyn-based writer by way of Harlem, Canada and East Africa who comments on issues including culture, identity and politics and likes all things Dipset. You can join her in waxing poetically about chicken, Cam’ron, and gentrification via her bylines at VerySmartBrothas, The Root, Teen Vogue , The Cut and a digital publication near you. Check out her website a www.shamirathefirst.com

Episode 45 caps off the trilogy of Panama Jackson (of Very Smart Brothas) featured episodes. Tune in as the fellas discuss topics including: The GOOD Music 7 song albums roll out , Travis Scott vs. Nicki Minaj, Jay Rock, The Superfly Soundtrack, YG - Stay Dangerous, Eminem's new album, and more... #80zBabies

The 80z Babies are joined by guest and Very Smart Brothas co-founder Panama Jackson in a discussion of the BET 2-part special "The Bobby Brown Story"

Panama Jackson, the senior editor of Very Smart Brothas joins us to talk about his post reflecting on some of the most smug people in traffic. We talk about several drunk people who made the extra special police blotter this week. Should bikes be allowed to just roll through stop signs and stop lights? Vaping is clouding your windshield. Ford is going all electric. Is that the death knell for the company? And one guy got kicked out of the airport lounge for life. All that and more on the Driving You Crazy Podcast.   Contact: DrivingYouCrazyPodcast@Gmail.com Jayson: twitter.com/Denver7Traffic or www.facebook.com/JaysonLuberTrafficGuy Joseph: twitter.com/josephdenver7   Production Notes: Open music: jazzyfrenchy by Bensound Music into first break: This Morning by Lobo Loco Music out of first break: Take To The Skies by Forget the Whale Close music: Latché Swing by Hungaria

Hey gang.  We riff real quick on a USA today article and video embeded in a webpost by the root. 

Wondering how you can turn that lemonade stand into a world renowned beverage brand? Or at least how to make a few bucks from that moonlight activity you love? We explore what it takes to convert your side hustle into a full blown money-making enterprise with the Co-Founder of Very Smart Brothas, Panama Jackson. Ben & Malcolm also cover the fallout from ABC's cancellation of Roseanne and welcome the show's very first live, in-studio audience. Pick your platform. Listen to this episode now! Hosts: @mydm1 and @malcolmonmoney Music: @beatsbybeemen and @brandonalexanderwilliams Speak you mind! Leave us a review or send us an email at info@manageyourdamnmoney.com.

This week Brandon and Deej tackle "This is America", Japanese Family Rentals, and fighting back against giant internet service providers. First we look, "Black Life, White Wife and The Art Caught In the Middle" by Panama Jackson (@panamajackson) at Very Smart Brothas. Panama contributed a couple of audio drops to give us an inside track on his wrangling with Donald Glover aka 2018 replacement for Kanye West (we kid, we kid (maybe) @ 9:26. Next, Deej takes us across the other, larger pond with "Japan's Rent-A-Family Industry" by Elif Batuman (@BananaKarenina) at The New Yorker. We finish up with with "A Public Option For The Internet" by Alex Shepard (@alex_shephard) at The New Republic. Hit sendthelinkpodcast.com and sign up to get the weekly link in your inbox! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/send-the-link/support

When mainstream culture stereotypes the anger of Black women as ugly or destructive, or when it dismisses “sassy” Black women by laughing them off, it does so because it knows this Black female rage is powerful. In this passionate manifesto, Cooper, co-founder of the Crunk Feminist Collective and recipient of the Black Feminist Rising Award from Black Women’s Blueprint and the Newswomen’s Club of New York, draws on examples from Serena Williams to Michelle Obama to her own grandmother to show how rage can fuel both political and personal accomplishments. Reminding us that 94% of Black women did not vote for Trump, Cooper exhorts all Black women to claim the anger they have rightfully earned and speak out against injustice of all kinds. Cooper is  in conversation with Damon Young, editor-in-chief of VerySmartBrothas.https://www.politics-prose.com/book/9781250112576Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With The Internets abuzz after the debut of Spike Lee's update on his 1986 feature film debut, She's Gotta Have It, we felt it was only right to assemble the homies to discuss the show's portrayal of modern love in gentrified Brooklyn. We're joined by writer and Editor-In-Chief of TheExtraordinaryNegroes.com Synitta Walker and Shamira Ibrahim, contributor to Very Smart Brothas, Washington Post, and other outlets, to unpack the Netflix series, whether its take on sexuality and polyamory reflect dating in the 2000 and the 17, challenges in writing Millennial television characters, and healthy ways to juggle lovers.

Season 2 is almost over! This week Kamau and Hari are joined by Damon Young (Co-founder of VerySmartBrothas.theroot.com) and David Litt (author of "Thanks, Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years") to discuss the power of the pen. Young explains Pittsburgh culture and headline structure. Litt lets us in on the challenges and triumphs of writing for President Barack Hussein Obama. If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, call in and tell us what YOU'VE learned this season by dialing 646-389-3721. Your voice may appear in next week’s finale episode.Follow our guests!Damon Young (@VerySmartBros)David Litt (https://www.thanksobamabook.com)Resource:Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund (www.mariafund.org)Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

This is a preview of a bonus premium episode. Support the show and get double the episodes by subscribing to bonus episodes for $5/month at patreon.com/champagnesharks. Also, remember to review and rate the podcast in Itunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/champ…d1242690393?mt=2. We discuss the recent Very Smart Brothas "Straight Black Men are the White People of Black People" Discussed in the episode: Straight Black Men Are the White People of Black People by Damon Young http://verysmartbrothas.theroot.com/straight-black-men-are-the-white-people-of-black-people-1814157214 "What Are The Drums Saying, Booker?" by Adolph Reed https://libcom.org/files/ReedWhatAreTheDrumsSayingBooker.pdf "Black Like Mao" by Robin D.G. Kelley and Betsy Esch http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccbh/souls/vol1no4/vol1num4art1.pdf Yvette Carnell's definitive takedown of the Damon Young article: "Straight Black Men are the White Men of Black People ???? Really?!?! 9/20" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xc4K5UDDZs My Twitter thread in response to this article: https://twitter.com/RickyRawls/status/910261591219871749 "My Response To ‘Straight Black Men Are The White People of Black People’" by Talitha V. Anyabwele http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-girl-responds-to-straight-black-men-are-the_us_59c630ede4b0f2df5e83ae88 "It’s Funny How 1 Title Can Fuck Up the Game: Thoughts on the Response to Damon’s Piece About Black Men" by Panama Jackson http://verysmartbrothas.theroot.com/it-s-funny-how-1-title-can-fuck-up-the-game-thoughts-o-1818726125 White Gay Pay Wage Gap: "Unequal Pay: The Gay Wage Gap" by Joe Pinsker https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/06/gay-men-women-lesbian-earnings-wage-gap/396074/ Black Gay Pay Wage Gap: "Alarming Princeton Study Reveals Gay Black Men More Likely to Get Higher Salary Than a Straight Ones" by BRAINUSER1 http://www.eurweb.com/2015/03/alarming-princeton-study-reveals-gay-black-men-more-likely-to-get-higher-salary-than-a-straight-ones/ The thread listing so-called Black male privileges https://twitter.com/commandr_nchief/status/911217859858243584

This week, the writers at VerySmartBrothas released a column stating that "Straight Black Men are the White People to Black Women." Well, such a statement deserves critique and critical analysis, which is what we do here. Are black men just like white people to black women? Listen in, and you decide. I'm joined by Sean Scott. If you like what you heard click like and subscribe to us on iTunes or Soundcloud or wherever you go for your podcast. Do not let this be the last time we hear from you or you hear from us! Follow us on Facebook, and if you want to be heard, you can always leave a voice message at 202-854-1996. https://afrosapiophile.com/ www.facebook.com/AfroSapiophile/ www.twitter.com/JohnnySilverclo @johnny-silvercloud

Kim Jong Un Responds, Police State or Naw?, VerySmartBrothas Article Review

In the latest installment of An Extraordinary Recap, we're joined by our beige brother from another Panama Jackson of Very Smart Brothas and writing ass writer Law Ware to discuss the latest and greatest in of the fourth episode of season two of HBO's Insecure, "Hella LA". And for more from The Extraordinary Negroes: Facebook: The Extraordinary Negroes Twitter: @theextranegroes, #IAmExtraordinary Instagram: @theextranegroes Email: theextraordinarynegroes@gmail.com And if you're interested in supporting our movement, we graciously accept Patreon and PayPal donations.

We're back with the podcast you need: Part 2 with Damon Young of VSB. If you haven't already, don't forget to listen to Part 1: PB60: “Overnight Success” ft. Damon Young of Very Smart Brothas. This episode is equally colorful but tackles more serious topics like life, health, and personal finance. Our discussions include: What it's like to have new money with old problems like being the first to make it while balancing staying #woke and authentic with #TheStruggle How not having enough money may have caused Damon to ignore a health scare for years that could have cost him his life The 15-year journey to become an "overnight success" and the book deal with Ecco (HarperCollins) that's changed his life forever The impact raising a child has had on Damon's views on finances, his upbringing, money, and what he plans to teach his daughter about money in the future References #BreakingNews - VSB gets acquired: The Root Is Gaining 2 Very Smart Brothas Damon Young on VSB: Money Isn’t Everything…Unless You Don’t Have It, then Yeah It’s Everything Damon Young on GQ Behind the Brilliance Podcast: Ep 117 ft Lisa Nicole Bell and Damon Young A New Generation Emerges: Xennials Born 1977-1983 Would-Be Parents Underestimate and Unprepared for Potential Costs of Raising a Baby How Much You'll Spend on Childcare ICYMI – VSB feature: How Marcus Got $26,000 in Debt in Less than 72-Hours Announcements Check out our PATREON page! We’re raising funds to grow the show so we can create more great content that helps you get ahead professionally and financially. Read Marcus’ book on how he buried and dug his way out of over $30,000 in debt by age 30, Debt Free Or Die Trying, on Amazon. Looking for more career development and debt freedom tips? Join our email list at PaychecksandBalances.com/email for exclusive content including show updates, digital giveaways, and more. We don’t spam. We just keeps it real. Yes, keeps. LIKE us on Facebook.com/PaychecksandBalances or follow us on Twitter @PayBalances and Instagram at the same name!

This week we're joined by Damon Young of VSB for the first of a 2-part discussion. Damon is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of the black culture cornerstone, VerySmartBrothas.com. He has had his work featured on places like Slate, The Root, Ebony, Essence, HuffPost and everywhere the cool kids hang out on the e-corner. Last but not least, he's working on a book of essays to be published by Ecco (HarperCollins). He lives in Pittsburgh, really likes pancakes, and Damon is a busy man, so we're happy he took the time out to speak with us and the questions that have plagued the internet for years, like: why do men love Dodge Chargers (and her cousin, The Dodge Challenger)??? On part 1 of our entertaining discussion with Mr. Young we cover: How Damon went from rag to riches covering the journey from bad plagiarist poet to great authentic writer after finding his own voice, "I can swim now, but only because someone pushed me in the pool." - Mr. Young He breaks down one of the hardest lessons he learned in his writing career, how it shaped him then and now, and why "STFU is free." The impact money, or the lack thereof, had on his personal life and professional decisions, "I didn't have enough money to afford free sh*t." Why making good money is nice but having more money than your neighbors is what really drives people. On Part-2, we'll discuss how money changes your outlook and how people view you, Damon's view on the True Cost of Parenting, and much more. Stay tuned and tune in! References Money Isn't Everything...Unless You Don't Have It, then Yeah It's Everything Behind the Brilliance Podcast: Ep 117 ft Lisa Nicole Bell and Damon Young Money only makes you happy if you have more than neighbors ICYMI - PB26: Behind the Brilliance ft. @LisaNicoleBell ICYMI - VSB Feature: How Marcus Got $26,000 in Debt in Less than 72-Hours Announcements Check out RockStar Finance’s Directory of Personal Finance Blogs (and Resources) from @BudgetsAreSexy. This is a great resource for all things personal finance. You can show support to us and these other awesome personal finance blogs by clicking here. We’re on Soundcloud! Check out our PATREON page! We’re raising funds to grow the show so we can create more great content that helps you get ahead professionally and financially. Read Marcus’ book on how he buried and dug his way out of over $30,000 in debt by age 30, Debt Free Or Die Trying, on Amazon. Looking for more career development and debt freedom tips? Join our email list at PaychecksandBalances.com/email for exclusive content including show updates, digital giveaways, and more. We don’t spam. We just keeps it real. Yes, keeps. LIKE us on Facebook.com/PaychecksandBalances or follow us on Twitter @PayBalances and Instagram at the same name!

We're coming back atcha with another great episode! We're talking to Laura Fuentes, the CEO of Fuentes Media, Founder of MOMables, and a Lifestyle Entrepreneur. She's the Author of 3 cookbooks, Executive Producer of video campaigns, makes television appearances, has competed (and won!) on Food Network, and often partners with brands in digital campaigns in both English and Spanish. With her background in Global Economics, MBA in Business Development, and 7 successful years growing her online businesses, Laura helps other entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses in LauraFuentes.co. We also dive into some of the heavier things that have been happening in the last few weeks including the Bill Cosby mistrial and the Philando Castile verdict. As well as touching on that superb Teen Vogue article, How to Masturbate If You Have a Vagina. Lastly, we're honoring Valerie Castile and all the other mothers who have tragically lost children to police brutality. We touch on the importance and power of her rage, but this article from Very Smart Brothas sums up what we're feeling perfectly.  

Season 6 was a solid collection of conversations from an eclectic array of folks including writers, entrepreneurs, actors, and artists. I'm grateful to the amazing guests who generously shared their time and opened up about their experiences and lessons learned. I'm also grateful to you, the listener, for joining me in this special little community of people who want to be, do, and have more as we celebrate what we've got. I've recapped 7 episodes from Season 6: 108 - Eric Bahn : entrepreneur + investor at 500 Startups 109 - Jamila Daniel : television writer, Star on FOX 111 - Tamara Floyd : blogger turned entrepreneur 115 - Tina Lifford : star on OWN's hit television show Queen Sugar 117 - Damon Young : writer + founder, Very Smart Brothas 121 - Dr. Andrew Newberg : neuroscientist + author of How God Changes Your Brain 128 - Tiffany Dufu : Author of Drop the Ball + Chief Leadership Officer at Levo Drop a line and let me know what you thought about Season 6! @LisaNicoleBell on Twitter, Facebook + Instagram Season 7 launches on July 27.  

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin talk with ESPN’s Howard Bryant about racism in Boston sports. Damon Young also joins to discuss LaVar Ball and the “black basketball dad,” and David Epstein analyzes Nike’s effort to engineer a sub-two-hour marathon. Racism in Boston sports (??): A conversation with Howard Bryant, the author of Shut Out: A Story of Race and Baseball in Boston, about the recent racist heckling at Fenway Park and the history of racism in the city and on its sports teams. LaVar Ball (??): Damon Young of Very Smart Brothas discusses his conflicted feelings about Lonzo Ball’s father and the specific role black parents play in their kids’ athletic development. Nike’s marathon gambit (??): Assessing Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:00:25 marathon, Nike’s marketing of its Breaking2 event, and whether we’ll see more attempts to break the two-hour barrier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin talk with ESPN’s Howard Bryant about racism in Boston sports. Damon Young also joins to discuss LaVar Ball and the “black basketball dad,” and David Epstein analyzes Nike’s effort to engineer a sub-two-hour marathon. Racism in Boston sports (??): A conversation with Howard Bryant, the author of Shut Out: A Story of Race and Baseball in Boston, about the recent racist heckling at Fenway Park and the history of racism in the city and on its sports teams. LaVar Ball (??): Damon Young of Very Smart Brothas discusses his conflicted feelings about Lonzo Ball’s father and the specific role black parents play in their kids’ athletic development. Nike’s marathon gambit (??): Assessing Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:00:25 marathon, Nike’s marketing of its Breaking2 event, and whether we’ll see more attempts to break the two-hour barrier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 80z Babies return with special guest Shamira (from Very Smart Brothas) with an in depth discussion of her VSB piece on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Is the album overrated?? *gasp* Join your favorite hiphop haters for a discussion that becomes a Salute Me or Shoot Me that becomes a Make it a Classic.

A Milwaukee, Wisconsin native, Sheree L. Greer founded The Kitchen Table Literary Arts Center to showcase and support the work of ancestor, elder, and contemporary women writers of color. The author of two novels, Let the Lover be and A Return to Arms, and the short story collection, Once and Future lovers, Sheree recently published a writing guide for student writers, Stop Writing Wack Essays. She is a VONA alumn with work featured on Very Smart Brothas, AutoStraddle, Ms. Fit Magazine, and Hypertext. Sheree teaches composition, creative writing, fiction workshop, and African American literature at St. Petersburg College in Florida. How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writers on how to get in the chair, tricks to stay in it, and inspiration to get your own words flowing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shamira (of Very Smart Brothas) joins the 80z Babies for a quick discussion of the latest and greatest in hiphop news including Drake's new playlist/album More Life, Beyonce, and the current feud between Nicki Minaj vs. Remy Ma

DJ & Winfred talk about the latest news, highlight a stupid funny piece from VerySmartBrothas.com and dive into Trump's Plan for Da Blacks. Hint: it ain't great.

On this second installment of The Brown Liquor Report Presents "Black Now", we were joined by Panama Jackson from Very Smart Brothas to discuss the importance of independent black media in the Age of Trump and Alternative Facts. How should mainstream media handle this administration's attempts to discredit them? How responsible are media in creating this monster before and after the primaries? Are we concerned that certain independent news websites that we turn to the for the facts could be taken offline by an administration that is looking more and more totalitarian by the hour? How do we spread the news if that happens? All of these topics and more were discussed this week on yet another amazing, hilarious, and informative episode of the Brown Liquor Report. So sit back, relax, pour yourself a glass of Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year Old, and get into this new new!

This episode is the perfect kickoff to Black History Month. Writer and Very Smart Brothas founder Damon Young (a self-described Professional Black Person) joined me for a funny and fascinating conversation about his journey from basketball star to writer. Beyond sharing his witty observations, Damon gets personal and talks about how getting married changed his art for the better, why desperation has been useful for his craft, and so much more. Say hi to Damon and tell him what you thought of this episode: @verysmartbros Topics Covered: -The realization Damon had that led him to give up his basketball career (he's still a Pittsburgh hoop legend) -Why 'Dick and Haiku' is the grandfather of 'Netflix and Chill' -Damon's stint as a teacher and his made up curriculum -How Very Smart Brothas was born and how Damon thinks about its growth -The serendipitous events following the release of Damon's first book -Damon's advice to aspiring full-time creatives -How Damon thinks about parenting, being an outsider, and managing his time -and much more Hit me up and let me know what you thought of this episode: @LisaNicoleBell Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB117

In this episode, we chop it up with our big homie Panama Jackson of Very Smart Brothas and Jas Hands of Brown Liquor Report for a very special (and our very first) live episode. Immediately following our first live event, "A Very Extraordinary Watch Party" at Johnny Pistolas in Washington DC, we hopped on the mic and got busy for the culture. The event itself sold out, so shout to everyone who came through and showed us love.

The Brown Liquor Report crew had the privilege of recording with the good brother, Jay Connor from The Extraordinary Negroes, one of the hottest podcasts out in these Black Podcast streets right now. He's in town from the City of Angels for "A Very Extraordinary Watch Party," a collaborative event between The Very Smart Brothas and The Extraordinary Negroes for BET's "The New Edition Story" on January 26, 2017 at Johnny Pistolas in Adams Morgan. Oh, and BLR's very own DJ Black Shah will be on the 1's and 2's mixing up something nice for the partay! On this episode, we discussed how The Extraordinary Negroes came into fruition, our thoughts on the "New Edition Story", the Women's March and the meaning of the word "feminist", and Trump's first week in office. So, sit back, relax, pour yourself a glass of Hennessy Privilege (neat), and enjoy another phenomenal episode of The Brown Liquor Report.

In our debut episode, we come out the gate strong and chop it up with the most notable pair of VerySmartBrothas we could find: The esteemed Damon Young and Panama Jackson. In this nearly two hour long extravaganza, waffles, pancakes, and french toast learn their fate in our power rankings, we extol the virtues of Sisqo's "Thong Song", and in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we take some time to discuss how these issues have impacted the Black community. And because we love ya'll, Beyoncé might've made ya'll sign up for Tidal, but we're giving you this precious gospel for free.