Harlem's Very Own Podcast

By Justin Winley, Jude Steffers-Wilson, Ahmad K. Simmons

A variety talk show mixing comedic riffs with insightful conversation and diverse guests. Representing the opposite ends of Harlem, the Beast from the East and the Best of the West bring their eclecti... more

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FAQs about Harlem's Very Own Podcast:

How many episodes does Harlem's Very Own Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.

Harlem's Very Own Podcast episodes:

February 08, 2021 Performing in Color
Happy Black History Month, Beloveds! For our first February episode, Harlem's Heroes break intellectual bread with a cadre of talented young Black creatives of the stage and screen. In our biggest discussion since S1E4, these brilliant guests give insights well beyond their years on why awards shows need work (or abolition); staying inspired through the funk of inactivity; expressing yourself in a sea of the identical, and much more.

FEAT. Justin freezing, in true actor fashion, and forgetting his AKAs at the top!

This is our first episode edited by Mister Federico Perez whose work with Tiny House Audio you can check by clicking his name.

Don't forget to follow Harlem's Very Own Playlist here or here!
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1h 36min
January 22, 2021 The Tao of Garcia (with Sifu Richard Garcia)
[LIGHT REMASTER with updated intro: 5/2/23]
The Dragon of the East descends on Harlem's Very Own Podcast. Finally, beloveds, the long awaited (for us anyway) interview arrives! Justin and Jude's gung fu teacher comes to the show to discuss his martial arts journey, the appeal of Bruce Lee's philosophy, his love for Cobra Kai, and so much more.

FEAT. Some 80s-themed rapid fire questions at the end, and a high school story you just gone have to hear.

Rate and review us wherever you're listening, we'd greatly appreciate it!
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1h 8min
January 11, 2021 The Soul Purpose
Happy New Year, Beloveds!

HvO is entering a new era. This episode sees two-time guest and Friend of the Show Ahmad Simmons officially appointed as the third mic to Jude and Justin. With his added dynamic the boys discuss Disney Pixar's latest heart-wrencher, 'Soul', and some of the controversy it cropped up.

But FIRST: Dre's divorce [2:35], McGregor's return [12:28], & chaos at the Capitol [26:10].

FEAT. A round of Top 5 at the end, Pixar edition.
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1h 29min
December 21, 2020 A Marvelous Christmastime
Joy to the world, more Marvel news has come! Harlem's Heroes have fought their way through the beast that was 2020, coming out more seasoned and capable in the end. Who knew Marvel would throw all these gifts our way right before the finish line?

Before Jude ever swung a kettlebell, and before Justin ever wrote a poem, they were both nose down in comic books. And they haven't had a full chance to express just how nerdy they can get. So, on this final episode of the year, they invite their boy Ahmad Simmons back on the show to help them do just that.

BUT FIRST! Money or The Maverick [2:30]; Lupe's Vaccine Fiasco [25:25]; and Behind Bars for Bars [42:00].

MAIN SEGMENT: Marvel News + Movie Theater Blues [1:08:45]

FEAT. Justin absolutely abusing the word "interesting" and a round of Terrence Howard impressions at the end.
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1h 59min
December 01, 2020 Movemba, Mo Problems?
This week on HvO,

We've just finished Movember (aka No Shave November, aka No Nut November) and Harlem's Heroes have some questions about how much work all these national months are actually doing--especially ones that are based on deadly and widespread diseases like cancer. They crack open a tough topic and discuss men's health in general, with all the usual flavors of humor and sobriety.

BUT FIRST! A Family Reunion, Chappelle Showin' Out, and Lori Harvey's Wishlist.

FEAT. Jude and Justin doing their best impression of Aku, the Shapeshifting Master of Darkness.
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1h 40min
November 16, 2020 Lady Liberty's New Boo (feat. Just Too Opinionated)
On this week's episode, HvO has its first major crossover with another podcast -- Just Too Opinionated! Zuher Ibrahim and Ali Dorsett are two political science graduates from Pace University whose podcast gives voice to political events and history from a POC POV. They call into the show to help Harlem's Heroes parse some of the difficult and unclear questions about America, not just in the wake of this election, but looking to the future.

FEAT. Jude's uncanny new superpower to guess anyone's favorite alcoholic beverage!

Click here to find out who your local representative is.

Read up on the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, and learn how you can help.
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1h 11min
November 02, 2020 Birthday Suit
On the Season Four premiere of HvO, Harlem’s Heroes celebrate their FIRST ANNIVERSARY! Doing this show for a full year has been a lot of work and we never really stopped to let you, dear listener, get to know us. So today, Justin and Jude have each prepared three questions to ask each other. The catch is -- neither one knows what the other is going to ask. This could get dangerous, but that’s where we stay.
BUT FIRST! The Eagle Lands, Jonesin’ for Tyson, & Rhymes VERZUZ

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1h 18min
August 19, 2020 Tea for the Jungle Fever
"I swear 'fore God, and four mo white people!"
Season 3 comes to a close! On this final entry in the Hood Classic Retrospective, Harlem's Heroes check out Spike Lee's 'Jungle Fever'. It's the longest movie yet, and easily the most jam-packed with thematic material. Luckily, the boys aren't handling it alone! They invite Wes Goodrich, a Brooklyn-bred writer-director currently enrolled in Columbia University's graduate filmmaking program, to help tackle the 2+ hour story. And they have the Queen of Queens ¡ABRIL! back on with them too. Does Spike have anything to say about race relations, and interracial relationships, that we didn't already know? Well you won't find answers here! Press play already!

FEAT. Jude, a product of real life jungle fever, revealing the truth behind some of the prejudices depicted in the film!

'Jungle Fever' is a 1991 romantic dramedy written and directed by Spike Lee; starring Wesley Snipes, Annabella Sciorra, John Turturro, Samuel L. Jackson, Lonette McKee, Ossie Davis, Frank Vincent, and Halle Berry, with Anthony Quinn and Ruby Dee.
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1h 27min
August 04, 2020 Juiced Up
Another Hood Classic in the bag, and this one's been a long time coming.

Harlem's Heroes bring it back uptown to talk about 'Juice', the coming-of-age tragedy that Jude keenly describes as "Black Outsiders". They discuss its impact, compare and contrast it to 'New Jack City', and of course analyze the silver screen debut of Barrio-born, South Central-raised Tupac Shakur back on his home turf. Did Justin think all these years were worth the wait? Press play and find out!

FEAT. A touching tribute from Jude to his mom up top. We dedicate this episode to Marissa Steffers and Andrew Wilson. "Te vojo bene assai."

'Juice' is a 1992 crime-thriller film directed by Ernest R. Dickerson, written by Ernest R. Dickerson and Gerard Brown; starring Omar Epps, Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins, Khalil Kain, and Tupac Shakur.
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1h 14min
July 28, 2020 It's (Finally) Friday
It's Tuesday, you prolly have a job, but listen to our podcast anyway!
The trip through Hood Classic History continues! Justin gives his impressions after an overdue viewing of 'Friday', Ice Cube's screenwriting crown jewel and major motion debut. It's less narratively dense than their last subject film, but it's still full of moments and characters to talk about. How does this small stoner film hold up all these years later? Press play and find out!

FEAT. Jude's feelings about Jehovah's Witnesses, and Justin's spiciest AKAs yet!

'Friday' is a 1995 comedy directed by F. Gary Gray, written by and starring Ice Cube alongside Chris Tucker, Nia Long, "Tiny" Lister, Regina King, Anna Marie Horsford, with John Witherspoon and Bernie Mac. (May they both Rest In Peace)
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57min

FAQs about Harlem's Very Own Podcast:

How many episodes does Harlem's Very Own Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.