"Five years ago, America was in anguish. The killing of George Floyd didn’t just break hearts—it broke something deeper. It shattered illusions. It exposed truths that were too often ignored, too easily silenced.

Out of that pain, Colors was born.

Two friends—one Black, one White—looked each other in the eye and said, We have to talk. Not later. Not when it’s convenient. Now.

We launched this podcast not as experts, but as witnesses—witnesses to injustice, to discomfort, and to the urgent need for a real, human dialogue on race in America.

Chris Core joins me to talk about where things stand five years after we started this podcast. 

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

They say first impressions matter — but they’re not always right. You’ve heard the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and it holds true far beyond the pages of a novel. Someone’s appearance, voice, or background might tell part of their story, but never the whole truth. The quietest person in the room may have the loudest courage. The worn-out cover may hold the richest content. In a world quick to label and divide, taking the time to look deeper isn’t just kind — it’s wise. Because beneath the surface, every person carries a story you haven’t heard yet. This is the story of Dr. Wayne Curtis, a man who came up the rough side of the mountain.

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Susan Goodier, a white female resident of New York and New Mexico is struggling with the resurgence of "racism". So she's taking action. She shares what she's doing to contribute to improving the situation. 

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Gretchen Sorin is distinguished professor and director of the Cooperstown Graduate Program of the State University of New York and the author of Driving While Black. She has some deep concerns about where America's racial scene is today.

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Larry Pfeiffer, Larry Pfeiffer is the director of the Hayden Center, overseeing its development, operations, and activities. He's a former National Security Agency  Executive and talks to us about a very unfortunate anti-DEI incident at NSA during Black History month of this year. 

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Wade Dugger from the Washington D.C. area, a man of faith, says it's time to put that faith into action as anti-DEI and racist movements and actions spring up. 

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Mike Jakaitis, who like I, knew our colleague, the great WTOP radio news Anchor Dimitri Sotis for more than 30 years, joins us to honor Dimitri. Dimitri was a huge supporter of Colors and appeared on this program. He passed away suddenly on January 25, 2025 at age 55.

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera joins is to put in context the impact the Trump 2.0 deportation efforts is having on people and the country. She is a Professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Her areas of expertise are border studies, U.S.-Mexico relations, international security, migration studies and illicit networks. 

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Filmmaker Pablo Miralles, lost his home in the Eaton. He reflects on what he lost, what he's grateful for, the amazing neighborhood he came from in Altadena. He also shares a great story about his film "Can't We All Get Along", about Rodney King, whom he actually went to school with at John Muir High School in Pasadena.

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Everette Jordan grew up in Altadena, California. He now lives on the east coast, but he's still active in that community and has family there. He talks about the heartbreak, the devastation and the resilience of Altadena. 

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors.
• Check out our partner program on international affairs Global with JJ Green on YouTube. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.