Broke-ish®

In this episode, Amber and Erika debunk the lies surrounding Critical Race Theory and discuss why so many people are invested in disseminating false information and political misstatements around what was, until recently, a relatively unknown interdisciplinary area of study usually reserved for graduate students. Tracing its historical origins to the aftermath of the 1960s Civil Rights Movements, CRT combined legal reasoning and sociological concepts to explain why desegregation did not lead to full racial equality for Black people. Tune in to the episode to hear what we have to say!

On this payday, Amber and Erika are joined by special guest, Jen Kinney, to break down the ins and outs of anti-racism. Jen, our editor, is not only a treasured member of the Broke-ish family; she is also a writer, podcaster, and true ally in the fight against injustice. Through historical references, sociopolitical analysis, and Jen's personal experiences, we lay out what it means to be truly anti-racist, and why it's not the same as just being "not racist". Take a listen and learn the difference!

In a Broke-ish first, Amber and Erika venture beyond the borders of the United States to discuss the current unrest in Israel and Palestine, specifically the unjust displacement and evictions of Palestinians and the Israeli government's discriminatory policies towards Palestinian people. In diving into the creation of the State of Israel, Amber and Erika expose the connections to European imperialism and settler colonialism, which are the roots that this nation is founded upon as well. In exploring America's unwavering loyalty to Israel and the common thread of White Supremacy in marginalizing and oppressing Brown and Black bodies globally, this conversation highlights the impacts of broken worldwide systems and the "ish" it inflicts on all people at the bottom of the racial hierarchy. You won't need your passport to embark on this historical trek around the world!

This week Amber and Erika are joined by Reverend Mia Michelle McClain to discuss how weaponized theology combines with insidious White Supremacy and latent self-hate to render the Black Church socially and politically ineffective while also perpetuating harmful pathologies of pain and spiritual dysfunction. Pastor Mia helps us to challenge many long-standing beliefs held by Black evangelicals, in addition to offering insight into how the Black Church can reclaim its place as a center of empowerment, activism, and social justice.

Season Five is here, and Amber and Erika are kicking things off by catching up with the Brokers about what's been going on in both their personal lives and current events. From COVID to the murder of George Floyd, they highlight the broken "ish" around us that continues to disproportionately impact Black America. And finally, the ladies spill the tea about what you can expect from this season's episodes and how we highlight not only systems but the people working to both rise above and deconstruct the brokenness. We're back (and still Black) like we never left, so tune in to hear what we have to say!!

In this episode, join Amber and Erika as they "look back at it" and discuss the highlights of Broke-ish season 4! If you missed any of this season's episodes, this is the perfect way for you to catch up and get the scoop on the discussions and fabulous guests. We hope you'll tune in to the finale episode and look back at this season with us!

This week, Erika is talking about all things Black History. She explores the history of Black History Month and asks if we still need it, does it benefit us, and is it broken. Pull out your best MLK suit or Rosa Parks dress and listen as we think about the celebration in a new way.

This week, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Cindy Ayers Elliott, CEO of Footprint Farms, LLC in Jackson, Mississippi to discuss the substantial, but little known role that Black farmers play in American agribusiness as well as the ways that systemic racism and White Supremacy have undermined Black farmers' industry prominence and financial gain. Using both a historical context plus her own unique experiences as a Black business owner and woman, Dr. Ayers Elliott offers us a unique insight into Black struggle and excellence in the agricultural industry.

In a capitalistic world where "the hustle" and "the grind" are consistently glorified, productivity is prized as proof of both inherent value and meaningful ambition. In this week's episode, Amber and Erika discuss the unique ways that we as Black people often feel the pressure to be productive and define ourselves by what we do. Starting with the brutal commodification of chattel slavery, the episode explores how American capitalism has imbued into Black bodies a belief that rest is laziness and that we are only worthy to the extent that we are working. We talk about ways to reject this mindset and rest as resistance. Tune in to hear what we has to say!

In this week's episode, Amber and Erika are joined by former Broke-ish co-host Delina McPhaull and attorney Tiffany Kamuche to have an honest conversation about the intricacies and nuances of Blackness. So often American Blackness is framed against a subtext that assumes we all have the same experiences and beliefs. In this two-part conversation, we first discuss Blackness as an identity - where we enter into it, how our childhoods shaped it, and our beliefs about now in adulthood. Next, we discuss how the context of our Blackness shapes our thoughts and opinions on a range of contemporary issues, from politics to entertainment. Tune in to this two-part episode and hear what we have to say!