First Name Basis Podcast

We want our children to embrace anti-racist education both at school and at home, but what does that actually look like?

We're talking about anti-racism in the classroom for the second week in a row because it's such an important topic to be thinking about right NOW. It might be a little early to be in full-on "back-to-school mode," but it's not too early to be contacting school administrators and teachers to let them know you're committed to helping create an anti-racist culture for your kiddos.

In this episode I interview Alexandria Scott — founder and editor-in-chief of Ditto Kids Magazine, an anti-racist magazine for kiddos — about everyday anti-racism in the home and in the classroom. Alex is a dear friend of mine, and she's a mom and professional who knows her stuff when it comes to anti-racism.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How to incorporate anti-racism into our everyday interactions with our kiddos.
• How parents and teachers can partner in teaching anti-racism.
• Concrete steps for talking to your children's teacher about creating an anti-racist and inclusive environment.

Listen in on your favorite podcasting app, but also RUN over to Ditto Kids to get your hands on this important resource. Alex announced recently that she is taking a break from making magazines and is in the process of selling out her inventory. So hurry on over to get Ditto Kids into your home and classrooms.

Bite-Sized Black History

Bite-Sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We have two different seasons featuring 12 different people in each season, and each season comes with a workbook with illustrations to color and reflection questions to discuss.

Fam Favorites

Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. And Fam Favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment "Ask Jasmine" where I answer one of your pressing questions. Sign up to get Fam Favorites in your inbox!

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Ditto Kids' website

Ditto Kids on Instagram

Classrooms should be places of growth, discovery and change, and as parents and caregivers we need to support teachers in fostering a positive environment for students.

And Patrick Harris II is a teacher who knows first-hand how important that is.

Patrick is one of my teaching idols, and he recently released a book about being a teacher titled "The First Five: A Love Letter to Teachers," where he talks about what it looks like to try to make change from within and the importance of creating school communities where our kids feel safe, empowered, loved and encouraged to figure out who they are. Whether you're a teacher, parent or caregiver, this book is one you'll want to read.

Patrick is a Black queer writer, storyteller, and middle school humanities teacher. He has won multiple national teaching awards for his leadership and innovation in the classroom. Teaching and creating is only part of who Patrick is. He is a big brother, a cat dad, lover of all things horror, a WWE fanatic and is obsessed with scenic hikes.

In this episode, Patrick and I discuss:

• Why teaching is political.
• How we can reframe our focus away from what students want to do as a career and instead help them see who they want to be now.
• Tips for finding a school that fits your family's values.
• What parents and caregivers can do to support teachers who are trying to make change at school.

Press play and I promise your appreciation for teachers and perspective on what a classroom should look like are going to change forever.

Bite-Sized Black History

Bite-Sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We have two different seasons featuring 12 different people in each season, and each season comes with a workbook with illustrations to color and reflection questions to discuss.

Fam Favorites

Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. And Fam Favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment "Ask Jasmine" where I answer one of your pressing questions. Sign up to get Fam Favorites in your inbox!

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Patrick's book, "The First Five: A Love Letter to Teachers"

Patrick's Instagram @presidentpat

Patrick's Twitter @presidentpat

Patrick's Facebook

Patrick's website

Patrick's podcast, The Common Sense Podcast

@blackgirlthatreads on Instagram

Song Credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams" and "Dive Down" by VYEN

You probably learned in school all about the story of Francis Scott Key watching the "rockets red glare" and "bombs bursting in air" as a prisoner on a British warship and turning the experience into "The Star Spangled Banner." But, in reality, there is a lot more to this story than you learned about in history class — and a lot of what you did learn in school was false.

In this replay of one of our Untold Stories episodes, we unpack the man behind "The Star Spangled Banner," how it became our National Anthem, and whether it truly represents American values. It's the perfect episode to revisit ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth was on June 19th, but there is still time to celebrate — in fact, the Fourth of July is a great time to talk about Juneteenth! We have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.

Even if you didn't celebrate on the actual day of Juneteenth, it's not too late to take the time to celebrate and reflect. So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!

Don't forget to use the code CELEBRATE15 for 15% off your purchase

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Annotated National Anthem

"The Short History of the War of 1812 in Maryland"

"Star Spangled Bigotry: The Hidden Racist History of the National Anthem" by Jason Johnson

"What So Proudly We Hail," Documentary from Morgan State University

"Francis Scott Key Opposed 'Land of the Free'" by Jefferson Morley, Zinn Education Project

"Where's the Debate of Francis Scott Key's Slaveholding Legacy" by Christopher Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine

"Star Spangled Banner Born From a Drinking Song 200 Years Ago," NPR

"The Fight for the Anthem" by Felicity Knox, Towson University

Oscar Stanton De Priest

"Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Resolution Paving Way to Remove Confederate Symbol from State Flag" by Brittany Shammas, The Washington Post

Song Credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams" and "Dive Down" by VYEN

We're packing our boxes and leaving the dry Arizona heat for the suburbs of Washington, D.C.!

This move has been in the works for two years now, and I can't believe it's finally happening! Carter and I have put a lot of thought into this move and where we want to raise our kiddos, and in this episode we're answering all of your questions about why we're moving. Press play to hear our story!

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth was on June 19th, but there is still time to celebrate, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.

Even if you didn't celebrate on the actual day of Juneteenth, it's not too late to take the time to celebrate and reflect. So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!

Don't forget to use the code CELEBRATE15 for 15% off your purchase.

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

"How Climate Migration Will Reshape America," The New York Times Magazine

Song Credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams" and "Dive Down" by VYEN

As a Black bi-racial person, learning about slavery growing up was so hard for me for so many reasons — it was traumatizing and heartbreaking to think about the conditions my ancestors lived through, it felt like a burden to be the only Black person in my class and having everyone look to me, and there were so many things that just didn't make sense to me about it, but asking those questions was the last thing I wanted to do.

With Juneteenth coming up this weekend, I've been thinking about slavery and things I wish I would have known when I was a kid, and I realized that there are 3 specific things that I wish an adult would have told me — that none of them did because they probably didn't know it themselves.

So in this episode, I want to help YOU learn those things so you can teach them to the kiddos in your life. Listen in to learn the 3 important truths your kids need to understand about slavery.

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.

The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!

Don't forget to use the code CELEBRATE15 for 15% off your purchase

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

First Name Basis "What is Juneteenth?"

First Name Basis "Talking To Your Children About Slavery"

First Name Basis "The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus"

"Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James Loewen

Ally Elementary

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Teaching Hard History Podcast created by Learning for Justice

"How The Word Is Passed" by Clint Smith

"30 Fun Things to Do in Nashville With Kids: The Best Family Friendly Attractions" *please note: I am linking this article because I want you to see how terribly they talk about plantation visits, I DO NOT recommend this article

Belle Meade: Historic Site & Winery

Song Credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams" and "Dive Down" by VYEN

I've always thought Mildred and Richard Loving's last name was kismet.

Mildred was a Black woman and Richard was a white man who loved each other, and just wanted to keep on loving each other.

On June 12, 1967, Richard and Mildred Loving won their landmark civil rights case against the state of Virginia. Because of the Lovings, states were no longer permitted to create racist laws that would prevent heterosexual couples from marrying one another because of the color of their skin. Their story is beautiful, powerful and inspiring.

Every year on June 12, we celebrate the Lovings, their love, and the love of interracial couples everywhere. As the product of an interracial marriage who is in an interracial marriage myself, I will be forever grateful for the Lovings.

In this episode you will hear interracial couples from all across the country share the importance of Loving Day and what it means to them and their families. If you're anything like me you'll need a few tissues for this one. And a special thank you to those who sent their stories and shared their love with us. Happy Loving Day!

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.

The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!

Don't forget to use the code LOVING15 for $15 off your purchase until 6/13/22!

Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 24, "The Loving Story"

First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 25, "Your Loving Day Stories"

Song Credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams," "Dive Down" by VYEN, and "Blue Dream" by Cheel

When a family member or friend chooses to come out to you, it is an extremely vulnerable moment for them, and how you respond is so important.

You may find yourself wondering what should you say that's affirming and loving — and what should you avoid saying that can be harmful.

This week on the podcast, we have Elena Joy Thurston to help talk us through how we can be better allies to our LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors.

Elena Joy is a member of the LGBTQ community and the executive director and founder of the Pride and Joy Foundation, an organization dedicated to reducing the rate of suicide and homelessness in the LGBTQ community by empowering parents and community members with the information and tools they need to be advocates. She also spends a lot of her time giving presentations and workshops about LGBTQ inclusion through her organization Elena Joy Experience.

In this episode, Elena Joy teaches us:

• Tips about things to say and do when someone comes out to you.
• Things to avoid when someone comes out to you.
• What straight people can do to help create safe communities for LGBTQ people.
• Why Pride Month is important and how families can celebrate.

Having Elena Joy on the podcast to share her insight, wisdom and heart was truly a joy, and I hope you take the time to listen and learn from her as well.

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.

The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!

Don't forget to use the code LOVING15 for $15 off your purchase until 6/13/22!

Send in your Loving Day submissions!

Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!

Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.

What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:

1. Your name
2. Where you are from
3. And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?

Send the voice memo to [email protected] with "Loving Day" in the subject line. If you'd like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.

The deadline for submissions is June 8, 2022.

I can't wait to hear from you!

Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Elena Joy Thurston's Instagram account @elenajoyspeaks

Elena Joy Thurston's Ted Talk "Conversion Therapy Almost Took My Life, Mindfulness Saved It"

Pride and Joy Foundation's Instagram account @pridejoyfoundation

Pride and Joy Foundation website

Elena Joy Experience website

Pride and Less Prejudice, an organization dedicated to providing access to LGBTQ inclusive books

The Trevor Project

Find your state's nonprofit LGBTQ advocate group. Many of them are named "Equality (insert the name of your state)," such as Equality Utah, Equality California, etc.

Check out our LGBTQ Pride bookshelf on the First Name Basis Bookshop. We linked all the books Elena Joy mentioned in the episode there and many more.

Song Credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams" and "Dive Down" by VYEN

If you've been here for a while, you've probably heard me say about a million times that race is a completely made up social construct — with no basis in biology — that is used to justify racism.

There are SO MANY examples in our society that prove just how made up race is, and this week in Part 2 of our two-part series, we're tackling a few of those myths and exposing them for what they are: big fat lies.

In this episode, we are breaking down two phrases that were born out of racism — Uncle Tom and Indian giver — as well as discussing common myths about Islam.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The origin of each of these phrases and how their "definitions" are exactly the opposite of reality.
• Why "Indian" is not a word you should be using if you are not Indigenous.
• Common myths about Islam and how the word "Islam" itself shows how false the myths are.

And don't forget, if you missed Part 1 about the one drop rule and blood quantum, be sure to listen to it on our website or through your favorite podcasting app.

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.

The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!

Don't forget to use the code LOVING15 for $15 off your purchase until 6/13/22!

Send in your Loving Day submissions!

Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!

Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.

What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:

1. Your name
2. Where you are from
3. And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?

Send the voice memo to [email protected] with "Loving Day" in the subject line. If you'd like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.

The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2022.

I can't wait to hear from you!

Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

First Name Basis Podcast: Season 6, Episode 1: "Racism is Built on a Big Fat Lie Pt. 1: The One Drop Rule and Blood Quantum"

"Why African-Americans Lothe Uncle Tom" by Dr. Patricia Turner, NPR

"The Tom Caricature" by Farris University and the Jim Crow Museum

"Uncle Tom From Martyr to Traitor" by Dr. Adena Spingarn

"The Story of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Spread From Novel to Theater and Screen" by Jane Ford, UVA Today

"The History Behind The Phrase 'Don't Be An Indian Giver'" by Lakshmi Gandhi

"Kris Jenner Uses the Term 'Indian Giver'" by Dr. Adrienne Keene, Native Appropriations Blog

First Name Basis Podcast: Season 5, Episode 17 "Teaching Children About Ramadan & Islamophobia"

Song credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams" and "Dive Down" by VYEN

We've got a few things coming up and I want to tell you all about them.

Don't worry, we'll have a new episode on Tuesday!

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations. 

Click the button below to sign up to be on the waitlist!

Send in your Loving Day submissions!

Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!

Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.

What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:

1. Your name
2. Where you are from
3. And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?

Send the voice memo to [email protected] with “Loving Day” in the subject line. If you’d like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.

The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2022.

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Policy Party

Joye Braun of the Indigenous Environmental Network has agreed to talk with us during our Policy Party on Tuesday, May 31, at 5:30 p.m. PT.

Let me tell you a bit more about Joye. She is the Frontline Community Organizer at IEN and a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She was was one of the first campers at Sacred Stone Camp, moved to Oceti Sakowin Camp, and was at Blackhoop or Seven Generations Camp during eviction of the camps. Joye’s history of community activism includes the long fought campaign against the Keystone XL, the project resurrected at the same time DAPL was renewed and continues to threaten her homelands. 

Joye travels extensively and speaks throughout the northern plains and participates in Indigenous gatherings in the U.S. and Canada speaking about the negative impacts the extractive economy has on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and more. She is also a wife, mother and grandmother.

I spoke to Joye recently on the phone and, let me tell you, she has some amazing stories, experiences and advice to give us.

Purchase your one time ticket here.

Purchase your ticket for this Policy Party and all upcoming parties by joining our Patreon community here.

As a former teacher and a mom, I have a recurring nightmare that I'm sure many of you share: a constant, ever-present fear of my children — and any other children — being exposed to or a victim in a school shooting.

It's an ever-present fear because it's an ever-present reality.

And this ever-present reality isn't only happening with school shootings but with gun violence at churches, in grocery stores — in places someone should never have to fear for their life.

We need more than moments of silence and trite words of condolence — we must speak up for real change. We need to feel more than outrage — we must take action. We need to do more than mourn the loss of life — we must fight to preserve life.

In this episode, we will talk about:

• How gun safety saves lives.
• Where you can go to stay up-to-date on current gun safety legislation.
• What real change we can make in our communities and that we can encourage our lawmakers to adopt.

I hope you'll join me in doing more than just holding your little ones close when these tragedies happen — hold them close then go out and fight to make the world safer for them.

Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Akilah Hughes Twitter

Clint Smith Twitter

"Guns Became the Leading Cause of Death for American Children & Teens in 2020," Time

"Gun Safety Policies Save Lives," Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

"Background Checks on All Gun Sales," Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

"Extreme Risk Laws," Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

"Secure Gun Storage," Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

"Repeal Stand Your Ground Laws," Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

"Stop Permitless Carry," Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

"Gun Violence Prevention," National Education Association

Song Credit: "Sleeper" by Steve Adams" and "Dive Down" by VYEN