What podcasts have you been listening to lately? Right now, I’ve been listening to the new Jemele Hill Unbothered podcast. Have you heard it yet? It is really good!

I like to listen to podcasts when I am putting on my makeup (because it takes me 30+ minutes to do), while I’m working on my laptop, when I’m cooking or cleaning, and when I take my kids to the playground.

With FIVE children to care for, I think I have mastered the art of multitasking. Haha! Listening to podcasts while I am doing something productive, like cleaning my house, has become my way of staying up-to-date on trending topics.

Here are four podcasts that are currently on my podcast playlist.

Jemele Hill Unbothered podcast
Jemele Hill is Unbothered is on my Spotify podcast list right now! (Photo courtesy of Spotify)

Jemele Hill is Unbothered

Launched in mid-April of 2019, Emmy award-winning journalist Jemele Hill discusses a variety of trending topics on her new podcast Jemele Hill is Unbothered from news, politics, sports, entertainment, and culture.

Here are a few people Jemele Hill has interviewed on her podcast:

T.I.

Soledad O’Brien

Katt Williams

Ice Cube

Tichina Arnold

At the end of the podcast, Jemele does a short segment called “Fuck It I’m Bothered” where she discusses a topic that has been on her mind. She keeps it real and doesn’t hold back. It’s unfiltered and straightforward. To be real– she probably says exactly what we are thinking about the issues she discusses!

I recently listened to Jemele’s interview with Black Thought from The Roots and award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien and they were both really good! I started listening to The Roots music…oh, I would say probably my senior year of college. I enjoyed learning more about Black Thought and The Roots music history.

In her interview with Soledad O’Brien, Jemele said Soledad is her “journalistic crush.” I thought that was pretty cool because I, too, have been a big admirer of Soledad O’Brien. Just like Jemele, Soledad always keeps it real and says exactly what’s on her mind.

When I was in graduate school at Austin Peay State University, O’Brien hosted a discussion at the college. I wasn’t able to attend because I think I had a class that evening, but I had really wanted to go. (Boo!)

Anyway, that’s probably a little off-topic. LOL! But it was really good to hear Jemele Hill interview Soledad O’Brien. The two talked about O’Brien’s career in journalism, parenthood, and the state of journalism today.

Oh, and if you didn’t already know, Jemele Hill is a Detroit native! She recently shared her engagement photos from the Detroit Public Library and they were just beautiful!

bbs are trash podcast
bbs are trash is the perfect podcast for mamas who are fed up with the patriarchy in maternal and women’s health. You can also find encouraging and insightful topics on bbs are trash. (Photo courtesy of Spotify)

bbs are trash

I just started listening to the bbs are trash podcast and I LOVE IT! Founded by Aryn Drake-Lee and Trian Long-Smith, the two women discuss a multitude of motherhood topics. From sharing their birth stories (LOVED) to discussing patriarchal capitalism (INTRIGUING), these mamas don’t hold back!

When I listen to Drake-Lee and Long-Smith talk on their podcast, I honestly feel like I’m sitting with my girlfriends and listening to them talk about important motherhood and women topics. Topics that are SO important to me! I laugh. I get mad (referring to the troubling birth experiences both women had). And I nod my head over and over in agreement with their insightful commentary.

I also love that Drake-Lee and Long-Smith discuss Black maternal health and patriarchal capitalism. I think these are two very important topics that need to be discussed. They’re both issues that I have dealt with and still currently face with my own healthcare.

Seriously, go listen to bbs are trash. You will not be disappointed!

I love the Rapzilla podcast because it features faith-based R&B and hip-hop music. (Photo courtesy of Rapzilla.com)

Rapzilla

I love faith-based, inspirational music, but one problem I have with so-called Christian radio stations is there is NOT ENOUGH diversity in the music that is being played. This has been an on-going problem with the Christian music industry for many years.

When I was working on my undergraduate degree, I worked at two Christan music industry-related internships. The lack of diversity in radio air-play and just the artistry, in general, was appalling to me. That was over 15 years ago, though. Fast forward to 2019, I have noticed more diversity in Christian music artists, but there is still a huge gap in people of color being featured on the radio.

Rapzilla is a syndicated radio show that features hip-hop music and a diverse line-up of artists. Since Rapzilla isn’t featured on a Detroit-based radio station (that I know of), I listen to the podcast on Spotify.

I love it because I can find out who the new artists are and also hear hip-hop music from my favorite faith-based artists like Lecrae, KB, Derek Minor, and Andy Mineo. Rapzilla also features interviews with artists and various topics of interest.

I recently listened to “Conversation with Derek Minor: A Black & White Conversation About Race” and it was refreshing to hear a Christian-based radio station tackle important issues about racism and social injustice. (Something I feel is lacking in the Christian music community, but that’s another topic for another day.)

If you love faith-based R&B and hip-hop music, then give Rapzilla a try!

The Breakfast Club podcast
The Breakfast Club is another one of my favorite podcasts because it features celebrity interviews, cultural topics, and my favorite music artists in R&B and hip-hop. (Photo courtesy The Breakfast Club’s official Twitter)

The Breakfast Club

Not to be confused with the 90s hit movie The Breakfast Club starring Molly Ringwald, The Breakfast Club is also a nationally syndicated radio show. I listen to the podcast and watch the radio show on YouTube.

The radio show originates in New York City and is hosted by DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne tha God. (By the way, Angela Yee was recently in Detroit for Detroit Demo Day!) The Breakfast Club covers trending topics in entertainment, culture, music, and politics. They feature many different celebrities on the show, too.

In a way, you could say Rapzilla is similar to The Breakfast Club. Both groups cover the R&B and hip-hop scene, only one focuses more on faith-based music. Since I also enjoy listening to mainstream R&B and hip-hop music, I love The Breakfast Club because it keeps me up-to-date on entertainment news and new music.

I love the celebrity interviews the most because it’s cool to hear what one of my favorite celebs is working on or the celeb’s thoughts on a topic of interest. For instance, I recently watched Ava DuVernay’s interview on The Breakfast Club. The award-winning director discussed her latest Netflix series When They See Us and from just DuVernay’s talk about her work, I was riveted by the stories of the men who are known as the Central Park Five. (I’m still trying to emotionally and mentally prepare myself for watching the series.)

If you’re looking for a podcast that keeps you up-to-date on current trending topics and features interviews with celebrities and music artists, then I definitely recommend The Breakfast Club!


What podcasts are you listening to right now?

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    Written by

    Jennifer Hamra

    Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

    Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

    When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

    Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

    Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].