Broke-ish®

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 he 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!

In this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Joshua Poe, an urban planner, community organizer, and geographer from Louisville, Kentucky to discuss gentrification and urban capitalism, and the threat to Black lives resulting from White Supremacist greed. Utilizing Breonna Taylor's tragic murder, Mr. Poe explains how many of the issues in Black communities - such as militarized policing, food deserts, and inequitable education - are tied to gentrification and predatory, racist real estate practices. Tune in the hear the discussion!

In this episode, Amber and Erika discuss the multi-billion dollar dieting industry in America, and how it works in tandem with White Supremacy to push an image of health and wellness that often leaves Black people - particularly Black women - feeling inadequate, insecure, and unable to achieve the "ideal" of healthiness. We discuss how dieting often conflates healthiness with Eurocentric beauty standards, ignoring body diversity, and promoting the cultural superiority of White bodies and food norms. Not only does the diet industry financially prey on Black people, but it also promotes and encourages self-hate and conformity with White ideals. Tune in to hear what we have to say!

On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by activist and political thinker, Corregan Brown, to discuss the importance of the local political landscape and why Black people must start leveraging their political power in ways other than just voting. By recalling his own personal experiences running for local office, Corregan shares with Brokers the impact that Black voices can make being involved in municipal, county, and statewide policy making. Looking beyond presidential politics and national elections provides us with an opportunity to influence decisions that reverberate up to the national level. Tune in to get the scoop!

In this episode, Amber and Erika discuss poverty shaming and the ways that racism and capitalism conspire to propagandize us into believing that the working poor and impoverished are only on the bottom due to bad choices and lack of ambition and work ethic. However, we break down the data and systemic ish that reveals some of the real reasons behind wealth inequality and the myth of working one's way up from the bottom to the top. Tune in to get the scoop!

In this week's episode Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Calvin Schermerhorn of Arizona State University to discuss slavery, capitalism, and reparations. Dr. Schermerhorn helps draw a straight line from slavery's fueling of American capitalism to the inequity and wealth disparities that plague Black America today. We also discuss the need for reparations and this nation's antagonism to righting the wrongs inflicted by chattel slavery. Tune in to see what we're talking about!

Amber and Erika are back in this inaugural episode of Season 4! Not only are they taking a stroll down memory lane to recount the origins of the Broke-ish Podcast, but they also spill the beans on the new direction the show is headed. Tune in to get the scoop on the remixed Broke-ish and what's in store for Season 4!

In this episode, Amber and Erika are recapping Season Three of Broke-ish. They discuss the highs and lows of the season, including Amber's arrival as a permanent co-host, the amazing guests who have joined us, and the topics covered. But we also wax about the impacts of COVID-19 on the podcast and our nation, discussing ways we can hopefully emerge from this historical moment with a renewed commitment to our shared humanity and true equity. Press play to hear what we have to say!

On this week's episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Jeanelle Hope, an Assistant Professor of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies at Texas Christian University, to discuss the historical and current disparities in the American educational system. From slavery to Brown v. Board of Education and beyond, Dr. Hope discusses both the historical underfunding of Black schools and the inequitable treatment our students have suffered and the long term economic impacts of those disparities on our communities. Tune in to hear our discussion!