From fiction to comedy to just two dudes talking, the rise of podcasting as a mainstream medium has resulted in a myriad of quality shows on any topic you’re interested in. In addition to our current political climate and the public’s yearn for socially aware content, this created the perfect storm for the development of great audio shows on social justice. Here are a few of them:
1. Our National Conversation About Conversations About Race: With a rotating cast of hosts, About Race hosts lively discussions about “culture, identity, politics, power, and privilege” that debunk the post-racial America myth. In a time in which we all seem to be talking past each other or not talking at all, these honest and candid discussions are refreshing and necessary while providing a multiracial, complex perspective on the topics at hand.
2. Popaganda: Bitch Media’s Popaganda looks on pop culture and media through a feminist lens. Sometimes accompanied by incredible guests that include badass activists, great artists, smart writers and notable thinkers, Bitch’s editors analyze popular culture and its portrayal of race, gender, class and sexuality in an engaged, fun and all-in-all feminist discussion.
3. Sooo Many White Guys: Dope queen, Phoebe Robinson comes to the rescue of your bland, all white (at best beige featuring the one token poc) media feed with this very funny and candid show. Robinson interviews mostly non-white, non-male artists, performers and personalities that are currently killing the scene.
4. Undisclosed: Originally a Serial spin-off, the Undisclosed podcast evolved into the forefront for criminal justice reform as they use their platform to investigate cases of wrongful convictions, and in the process of doing so, create an engaging narrative show. If Making a Murderer was your introduction to the atrocities that the U.S. criminal justice system allows, this is a way to be aware and push for reform.
5. Code Switch: NPR’s Code Switch resists the binary while talking race, ethnicity, and identity. With an all journalists of color team, the show explores the shifting panorama of culture addressing those hard questions like how to handle casual racism, how much cultural context to give in benefit of white people and what does “objectivity” mean for journalists of color.
6. Naked & Inside Out: Naked & Inside Out is a beautiful podcast that highlights the lives of members of the LGBTQ+ community. The show shares the personal journeys of each of these individuals, forming a very human and empowering narrative of their lives.
If you are left wanting more socially aware content for your ears you can also tune in to #GoodMuslimBadMuslim
and See Something Say Something for a show on the muslim experience. For the latinx’s perspective you can check out Latino USA or the beautifully produced Spanish-language show, Radio Ambulante. Other feminist shows include: Refinery 29’s Strong Opinions Loosely Held and The Guardian’s What would a feminist do?. If you’re looking for something more general and wonky, No Jargon interviews scholars and professors about current social issues; providing insight, research and evidence, but with one condition: no jargony talk.
