Baltimore is one of many aging American cities that is plagued with both a lack of affordable housing, and a surplus of vacant homes. But a local non-profit is addressing both those issues, and teaching community members to rebuild their neighborhoods one house at a time. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Shelley Halstead, who founded Black Women Build in Baltimore. 

Guest: Shelley Halstead, founder of Black Women Build

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

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A Word: Build Black Better

The Slate Race and Identity feed features new episodes from a variety of shows in the Slate podcast network. From One Year, to What Next, to A Word...With Jason Johnson and more, you’ll get informative and thoughtful reporting and analysis on the many ways race and identity shape the world around us.

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Former President Donald Trump and his supporters are furious after his conviction on all 34 counts related to his hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by legal analyst Yodit Tewolde to discuss the path to the conviction, key moments in the trial, and what the verdict says about the justice system.

Guest: Legal analyst Yodit Tewolde

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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A Word: Not So Smooth Criminal

Everyone has a different birth experience. 
Obstetricians and midwives are well-known members of the birth team. Along with the pregnant person, they are central to labor and delivery.
Doulas are lesser known, but they can provide essential support for pregnant women and their loved ones. 
On this week’s episode of Well, Now: What to expect when working with a doula with Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow.
If you liked this episode, check out: Overcoming a Complicated Pregnancy
Well, Now is hosted by Maya Feller, CDN and Kavita Patel, MD.
Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.
Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.
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Well, Now: How Doulas Make Childbirth Safer For Everyone

Haiti has suffered under decades of crises, but the latest may be its most intractable. Violent criminals are now effectively in charge of the country, after years of assassinations and political instability left a power vacuum. As a new international force prepares for an intervention, A Word host Jason Johnson discusses the current troubles with Patrick Gaspard, leader of the Center for American Progress. They explore how Haiti fell into such dire circumstances, the role that American guns and policy have played, and how Haitian Americans and the U.S. government could help Haiti find stability.

Guest: Patrick Gaspard, chief of the Center for American Progress

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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A Word: Haitian Chaos, American Neglect?

Allegations about Sean “Diddy” Combs had been circulating, but it wasn’t until surveillance footage of the mogul assaulting his then-partner Cassie began circulating on social media, that his response changed from defensive to apologetic. 

Guest: Sidney Madden, reporter for NPR Music and co-host of Louder Than a Riot.

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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
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What Next: Diddy’s Reckoning

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: don’t scare me like that, colonizer.

Understanding the legacy of colonialism is a project relatively few Americans have undertaken — and most have done so only relatively recently, at that.

But understanding the forces that led to the foundation of this country, and the creation of modern racism as we know it, is an important project. And it’s one that is also increasingly hard to bring into schools — especially in places like Florida.

Barry Mauer of UCF joins us once again to argue for teaching the ongoing project of colonialism… in the name of stopping it.

If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can email the show: hearmeout@slate.com

Podcast production by Maura Currie.

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A Word: Build Black Better

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