What's Ray Saying?

By Ray Christian

What's What's Ray Saying? about?

Storyteller Ray Christian shares personal stories as a sixty-something combat veteran, historian, and goat-wrangling father of six living in the rural mountains of Appalachia, all told through the fabric of centuries of Black history.

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What's Ray Saying? episodes:

04.24.2024
Bonus: Snap Judgment - Acid Jump
A Ray story produced by Snap judgment: When morale is low among the paratroopers in his company, Sergeant Ray Christian takes them on an unexpected trip. Produced by Adizah Eghan, original score by Leon Morimoto. For more incredible stories from around the...
04.10.2024
Ray's Ruminations: Stay in your lane
In this episode Ray asks Tiffany if and when it is appropriate to speak about groups outside of your own, particularly should he do an episode about women.
03.27.2024
Bonus - RISK!: Black Lives #5
We know you love a good story, so here's another show we think you'll enjoy. RISK! is a live show and weekly podcast where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public, created and hosted...
03.13.2024
Ray's Ruminations: What's a Story?
In this episode, Ray reflects on the elements of a story, and in a conversation with Tiffany, gives an example of a story he is contemplating.
12.27.2023
A River Runs Through It
Ray goes back to Richmond and examines his evolution from ghetto kid to seasoned storyteller, taking a prideful look at the ways our environments and the bonds of family shape us. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray...
12.20.2023
What Do I Tell My Son About Being a Man?
In a drive to the airport with his son, Ray talks about the perilous crossroads he faced in defining his masculinity. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina....
12.13.2023
Letters Home
After getting a response from a 30-year-old letter, Ray explores a legacy of correspondence—from his personal experience writing for illiterate parents and soldiers to the fascinating role mail has played in Black military history. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and...
12.06.2023
Know Your Place
Ray has a candid conversation with scholar and journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika, looking at the historic legacy of Jim Crow, how each of their families learned to navigate these codes, and the ways both men work against the idea of “staying...
11.29.2023
This is the Sound of My Voice
A young Ray Christian becomes captivated by the mysterious voices coming out of the radio and quickly discovers that there are rules and repercussions to being Black and talking a certain way. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by...
11.22.2023
Black in the Military
Ray looks back on his decision to join the army, unraveling a complicated history of Black military service and reflecting on the surprising changes the armed forces made in his life. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray...
11.15.2023
Ruffling Through Our Closet
A look at Black fashion—from zoot suits to Soul Train to a complicated history of advertising. Plus, Ray reflects on the time he dropped out of school because he didn't have the right clothes. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and...
11.08.2023
Black Medicine
To better understand the treatment of the ills, injuries and minds of Black Americans, Ray reflects on his first experience of going to the doctor. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great...
11.01.2023
What's Ray Saying is Back!
What’s Ray Saying is back! Immerse yourself in a world of Southern-baked personal narratives, interwoven with Black American history, all told through the lens of Ray Christian's remarkable life. In each episode, the award-winning storyteller, combat veteran, historian, and devoted father...
04.18.2021
WRS Classic: Childs Play
In this episode, Ray explores the legacy of Black Children taken as slaves from Africa, growing up on plantations and the impact on their social worth and development in America.
08.21.2019
WRS Classic: Blacks and Indians
Ray explores the complex history and relationship between Black Americans and the Native people of America.
08.06.2019
WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 3—Challenging Authority
Ray explores Black leadership from the 1940s to now to reflect on it challenges and its legacies.
12.21.2018
WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 2—The Elite Class
Ray explores Black leadership from the emergence of an elite class, with varying perspectives and experiences.
06.14.2018
WRS Classic: Black American Leadership Part 1—Sources and Origins
In this episode part one of a three part series on Black leadership, Ray explores the origins of Black influence and authority in America.
02.26.2018
WRS Classic: Black Hair Issues
Ray explores the cultural and historical significance of Afro textured hair.
02.11.2018
WRS Classic: Black Americans and the Police
Ray explores the history and complicated relationship with Black Americans and the police.
01.31.2018
WRS Classic: Black in the City
Ray explores Black American association with the South and why Black are concentrated in urban areas of the country.
01.24.2018
WRS Classic: Black American Naming Practices
Ray talks about Black American naming practice, history, traditions and conventions from slavery to the 20th century.
01.13.2018
WRS Classic: The Storyteller's Journey Part 3
Ray completes the long journey of getting his stories heard, tells his life story and puts storytelling in context.
04.17.2017
WRS Classic: The Storytellers Journey Part 2
Ray continues to explore his storytelling journey after the RISK! show. He talks about his appearance on The Moth Radio Hour, a story in Readers Digest and his performance on Snap Judgment, the impact of this story and his reflections on...
03.29.2017
WRS Classic: The Storytellers Journey Part 1
This episode traces storytelling in African American culture, from its roots in Africa, through the Middle Passage and slavery, and continuing through time until today. Ray shares which stories white people hear, which stories are just for “family”, and reflections on...
01.08.2017
WRS Classic: An Imaginary Past
Ray looks at the origins of a false narrative of Black American history, its racist origins, the founder of revisionist history regarding the Civil War and Reconstruction, along with its influence on American society today.
12.30.2016
WRS Classic: Changes and Adaptation
Ray examines the nature of Black American assimilation into white culture.
09.19.2016
WRS Classic: Education—in Black and White
What, when, how, and why Blacks learned in the US as well as what others were taught about them, from the slave quarters to HBCU’s.
07.26.2016
WRS Classic: Dying While Black
What happens after death? Not in the metaphysical, existential sense. But quite literally, what happens after death? The history of the handling of bodies of Black decedents has been filled with interesting twists and turns, from blatant desecration to unusual rituals. Explore...
07.18.2016
WRS Classic: Line of Departure
This special episode marks a dividing line between the old and new, where you were and where you're going, what was and what will be. Follow the journey from "seasoning" of slaves, to the life of a domestic worker in the...
06.14.2016
WRS Classic: Brothers in Arms
From the birth of this nation until today, Ray explores the complexities of life as a soldier of color in the US.
05.11.2016
WRS Classic: Hunger
From food stamps to gov'ment cheese—what it meant, how it helped, how we felt about it then, and what we think about it now.
04.21.2016
WRS Classic: Complexion
A literal discussion of skin color—the range of visual nuances of appearances that we consider "Black", how those divisions came to be and their many implications. From the paper bag test and one drop rule to Rachel Dolezal, who is...
04.02.2016
WRS Classic: Life After Slavery
In this premiere episode, Ray details the hardships that Blacks experienced after slavery and explores the themes and patterns of struggle that continued through the generations and into his own life. This episode contains special music by Beej Gordy Brooks and...
03.26.2016
WRS Classic: Welcome to "What's Ray Saying?"
Want to know what this podcast is all about? Listen to Ray, the host, share a little of his vision and focus for the show as well as a little about himself.

What's What's Ray Saying? about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

What's Ray Saying? episodes:

Bonus: Snap Judgment - Acid Jump

Ray's Ruminations: Stay in your lane

Bonus - RISK!: Black Lives #5

Ray's Ruminations: What's a Story?

A River Runs Through It

What Do I Tell My Son About Being a Man?

Letters Home

Know Your Place

This is the Sound of My Voice

Black in the Military

Ruffling Through Our Closet

Black Medicine

What's Ray Saying is Back!

WRS Classic: Childs Play

WRS Classic: Blacks and Indians

WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 3—Challenging Authority

WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 2—The Elite Class

WRS Classic: Black American Leadership Part 1—Sources and Origins

WRS Classic: Black Hair Issues

WRS Classic: Black Americans and the Police

WRS Classic: Black in the City

WRS Classic: Black American Naming Practices

WRS Classic: The Storyteller's Journey Part 3

WRS Classic: The Storytellers Journey Part 2

WRS Classic: The Storytellers Journey Part 1

WRS Classic: An Imaginary Past

WRS Classic: Changes and Adaptation

WRS Classic: Education—in Black and White

WRS Classic: Dying While Black

WRS Classic: Line of Departure

WRS Classic: Brothers in Arms

WRS Classic: Hunger

WRS Classic: Complexion

WRS Classic: Life After Slavery

WRS Classic: Welcome to "What's Ray Saying?"