Broke-ish®

By Amber Sims & Erika BrownSociety & Culture Business

Broke-ish® episodes

September 01, 2022 Ep. 68 - Here We Go Again!
Here we go again, Brokers! Amber and Erika are back for the Season 6 opening episode. Not only do we catch up, but we discuss all the new things coming this season. From audio and visual episodes (we fancy now!) to our new membership in the Black Power Media Network and our expanded platform - we are giving you the scoop on everything you can expect in the upcoming episodes. We can't wait for y'all to join us in our new adventures as we try to expand our reach and dive deeper into the broken "ish" that's always trying to keep us down and out. Take a listen because we are back!!
47 min
June 15, 2022 Ep. 67 - Run it Back!! - The Season 6 Recap
Can you believe another season of Broke-ish has come to an end?! In this episode, Amber and Erika are running back all the season's episodes and guests, discussing the highlights of Season 6. Through recapping the takeaways from each episode, we remind the Brokers why we took a broadened approach to discussing the broken ish in America beyond finances and money. Racism is entrenched into every aspect of American life, corrupting all of its systems and institutions. Our goal this season was to use each episode to provide an expanded lens into more of the ways that racism conspires to break us and leave us broken. Tune in to see if we accomplished our mission!
1 hr 6 min
June 01, 2022 Ep. 66 - Back to the Future: What an End to Roe v. Wade Means to Black America
This episode Amber and Erika are discussing the leak of Dobbs, et. al. v. Jackson, et. al., the Supreme Court case which allegedly overturns the landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade protecting the right to access abortion as healthcare. First, we outline the history of Roe and then discuss the potential significance of its holding in other areas of life, including marriage, sexual freedom, and access to contraceptives. Through an intersectional analysis, we also highlight why the debate over abortion is especially nuanced for Black birthing people. Carceral injustice, lack of access to care, skyrocketing costs, wage discrimination, and affordable housing are all part of the equation in family planning for many people. Because these societal ills disproportionately affect Black people, it highlights the necessity of abortion being part of comprehensive medical care. Take a listen to get the facts and our point of view!
1 hr 4 min
May 15, 2022 Ep. 65 - A Blunt Conversation on the Racial Implications of Legalizing Marijuana
On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Lawrence Grandpre, co-author of "The Black Book" and Director of Research for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Our fellow Black Power Media mate helps us to understand the basics, explaining the difference between hemp, CBD, THC, and marijuana. Next, we dive into this nation's historically racist and unjust drug laws, which coupled with terrorized policing, has resulted in generations of Black people being criminalized and now shut out of the increasingly lucrative legalized marijuana business. Lawrence helps us unpack what "street economies" can teach us about political and economic self-determination and why legalizing marijuana could potentially be a key component to reparations and Black political autonomy. Tune in to get the scoop!
1 hr 8 min
May 01, 2022 Ep. 64 - Work, Work, Work: A Celebration of International Workers' Day
On this week's episode, we are celebrating May Day, also known as International Workers' Day around the world. Amber and Erika are joined by Kim Brown, journalist, veteran activist, and our fellow Black Power Media comrade to discuss the historical significance of May Day and the global fight against capitalist inequities. With a special emphasis on both the contributions of Black people in the pro-labor movement, as well as the challenges to equity and ownership that we still face, this episode reminds us that all labor has value deserving of respect and just compensation. Tune in to get the scoop on why we should all be invested in uplifting and supporting a thriving labor movement.
1 hr 5 min
April 15, 2022 Ep. 63 - Behind the Garments: Why Fast Fashion Fuels Environmental and Economic Racism
On this week's episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Whitney McGuire, an attorney, fashion law expert, consultant, strategist, and co-founder of Sustainable Brooklyn. We discuss how some of our favorite fast-fashion brands are rapidly causing environmental havoc by proliferating waste, exploiting BIPOC workers, subjecting employees to hazardous conditions, and depleting natural resources. This phenomenon is part of the vicious cycle of racial capitalism that enables poverty and creates dependency on cheap items that ultimately cause long-term harm to all of us. We also explore the ways that the pushback against environmental racism and for sustainability has largely been whitewashed, erasing the pioneering contributions of Black activists and organizers. Tune in to listen and learn on this important topic!

1 hr 5 min
April 01, 2022 Ep. 62 - Our Hair-itage: Black Hair in America
On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are discussing a deeply personal, complex topic: Black hair. Specifically, we examine the pressures of respectability, professionalism, and assimilation on our relationship with our hair. Through stories of Black people being banned from graduation ceremonies, losing job opportunities, and facing harassment because of how they choose to wear their hair, this episode dives into both the economic and emotional toll of this especially vicious arm of White Supremacy. As we unpack the unhealthy pathologies and trauma that many of us carry regarding our hair, we hope to reclaim the power, beauty, and freedom to love our entire bodies - head to toe. Tune in to join the conversation!
1 hr 10 min
March 15, 2022 Ep. 61 - We Ready: Black Resistance and Survival in a Racist World
On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Kalonji Changa, one of the founders of Black Power Media, national coordinator of the FTP Movement, and author of "How to Build a People's Army". We discuss Black resistance, survival, and holistic self-defense and why America is so antagonistic to Black people asserting agency over our ability to survive in a racist, White supremacist society invested in our destruction. Through both historical and tactical lenses, Kalonji outlines America's intentional attempts to mischaracterize the non-violence that anchored the Civil Rights Movement, while also demonizing Black people taking up arms and practicing communal independence self-care. Tune to learn about the past and how you can be prepared in the present!
57 min
March 01, 2022 Ep. 60 - Cryptocurrency 101: The Dollars & (Non)Sense of it All…
In this week's episode, Amber and Erika are joined by a Broke-ish All-Star, Dr. Jared Ball, to discuss the ins and outs of cryptocurrency. Dr. Ball combines his expertise in media literacy with his personal interest in cryptocurrency to show us how savvy messaging creates the illusion of a crypto market that's inoculated from the racism and inequality that plagues traditional financial markets. But a little deep-diving reveals the inescapable reality that racism, sexism, scheming, and wealth disparities exist everywhere - even in the crypto universe. Tune in to get the scoop on whether cryptocurrency is a source of wealth and financial freedom for Black people, or simply another money scheme that overpromises and under-delivers.
1 hr 9 min
February 15, 2022 Ep. 59 - The "WHY" of "DEI" - The Lowdown on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Is it D-E-I? E-I-D? J-E-D-I? Or is this really all just a waste of time and a capitalist guise to positively impact the bottom line? Amber and Erika are joined by Corporate HR Specialist and DEI Guru, Diontha Fancher, to unpack the truth behind America's present obsession with DEI initiatives. Beyond the corny workshops and slogans, we are unpacking DEI's historical roots, who can and should be doing the work, where the money is flowing, and the silver linings of positivity that can encourage us all. Diontha takes us below the surface to the core frustrations of effectively doing equity work and reminds us why liberation is every person's job in every space they occupy. Tune in to get the scoop and learn all about why we DEI!
44 min

About Broke-ish®

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In the Broke-ish space, we talk about being broke—broke and Black in America. We talk about all the unbelievable *ish that America has done to black people to keep us in this Broke-ish state. We've…