In Episode 24 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Leo Ra'Chel to explore her journey from BlogTalk Radio in 2011 to building PGC Media (Phat Girl Chronicles), a podcast network grounded in authenticity, culture, and long-term impact.

Before podcasting became mainstream, Leo was already creating audio spaces for conversation, community, and plus-size empowerment. Over time, that foundation evolved into PGC Media, a multi-show platform focused on Black storytelling, mental health dialogue, and audience-centered programming.

This conversation examines how early audio platforms shaped today's podcast landscape, why authenticity creates deeper audience trust than trend-driven content, and what it takes to grow from a single show into a sustainable podcast network. Leo reflects on protecting culture while scaling, maintaining integrity in content creation, and building community that feels intentional rather than transactional.

For podcasters, network founders, and creators focused on longevity over virality, this episode offers perspective on building infrastructure that supports both voice and ownership.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

00:00 – Introduction & Leo Ra'Chel's Podcasting Journey 05:00 – Starting on BlogTalk Radio in 2011 10:00 – Finding Her Voice Through Audio 15:00 – Turning a Podcast into PGC Media 20:00 – Authenticity vs Algorithm Culture 25:00 – Plus-Size Empowerment & Representation 30:00 – Building Community That Feels Like Home 35:00 – Mental Health & Media Responsibility 40:00 – Long-Form Content in a Short-Form Era 45:00 – Protecting Culture While Scaling 50:00 – Advice for Creators Focused on Longevity

To learn more about Leo Ra'Chel and PGC Media visit: Linktr.ee/pgcmedia

Follow on Social Media: Leo Ra'Chel: @iamleorachel (on all platforms)

PGC Media: @pgcmediaco

Phat Girl Chronicles: @thephatgirlchronicles

This episode is brought to you by The Secret Life of TK Dutes Visit: tastykeish.com/secretlifepod Follow on Instagram @tastykeish (IG) and @philosfuturemedia (IG- pronounced Fee-Low's...)

In Episode 23 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Aaron David Harris, Ambie Award–winning audio drama creator and producer of the fiction podcast Tales of Fists & Fireballs.

Aaron's series blends martial arts, anime-inspired storytelling, and character-driven narrative into what he calls "anime for your ears." In this conversation, we explore how audio drama creates immersive worlds without visuals, why fiction podcasting is evolving rapidly, and how independent creators can build award-winning work outside of major studio systems.

We discuss the craft of worldbuilding in audio, the debate between narration and dialogue-driven storytelling, and how Aaron transitioned from screenwriting and animation into fiction podcast production. He reflects on winning the Ambie Award for Best Fiction Podcast, competing alongside large networks, and why audio drama offers creative freedom for writers working within budget constraints.

This episode also examines Black oral storytelling traditions, genre fiction, and how podcasting allows creators to expand beyond traditional film and television gatekeeping.

If you are a fiction podcaster, screenwriter, filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur interested in audio drama, immersive storytelling, or building an independent media brand, this conversation offers insight into both craft and strategy.

Listen to Tales of Fists & Fireballs wherever you stream podcasts.

Subscribe to Heard! Afros & Audio for more conversations on podcasting, audio storytelling, and independent media innovation.

00:00 – Introduction to Aaron David Harris & Tales of Fists & Fireballs 05:00 – Why Audio Drama Feels Like a "Stepchild" in Podcasting 10:00 – Winning the Ambie Award for Best Fiction Podcast 15:00 – From Screenwriting to Fiction Podcasting 20:00 – Narration vs Dialogue in Audio Drama 25:00 – Cultural Storytelling & Black Oral Tradition 30:00 – Building Worlds Without a Camera 35:00 – Personal Stories Inside Genre Fiction 40:00 – Competing with Major Studios as an Indie Creator 45:00 – Budget Tools for Audio Drama Production 50:00 – Turning Screenplays into Audio Fiction 55:00 – The Future of Audio Drama & Platform Expansion

🎧 Listen to Tales of Fists & Fireballs wherever you stream podcasts.

📲 Connect with Aaron at adhx2.com and on Instagram @aarondavidharris

Subscribe for more conversations on podcasting, audio storytelling, and independent media innovation.

Audio Production Tools & Resources Mentioned

• Audacity – Free audio editing software
• Pro Sound Effects – Purchased sound effects pack
• PremiumBeat.com – Licensed music
• Freesound.org – Free sound effects (with attribution)
• YouTube Audio Library – Free music for creators

Directories & Community Resources

Black Audio Dramas Exist Directory – Growing directory of Black audio drama creators

https://msha.ke/blkaudiodramas#black-audio-drama-directory

Richard Seneque – Visionaires: Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Season 3

This episode is brought to you by The Secret Life of TK Dutes Visit: tastykeish.com/secretlifepod

Follow on Instagram @tastykeish (IG) and @philosfuturemedia (IG- pronounced Fee-Low's...)

In Episode 22 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Angel Livas, Founder and Owner of Alive Podcast Network, on the 4-Year Anniversary of the network's launch.

Alive Podcast Network was built to create ownership, monetization, and community for Black podcast creators. In this conversation, Angel reflects on four years of building an ecosystem where creators can grow their shows, maintain control of their content, and operate without sacrificing their intellectual property.

We discuss why ownership is non-negotiable in podcasting, how education gaps affect access to technology and distribution, and what creators need to understand about contracts, monetization, and long-term leverage. Angel shares how her 25+ years in media shaped her approach to network building and why she prioritizes helping podcasters structure their shows, refine their storytelling, and protect their masters.

This episode also explores what it means to create a "home" for podcast creators, how community strengthens sustainability, and why networks must move beyond visibility to infrastructure and education.

Alive Podcast Network now supports over 100 shows across audio and digital platforms, providing distribution, collaboration opportunities, and strategic guidance for podcasters at different stages of growth.

This episode is for podcasters, media entrepreneurs, network founders, and creators who want to build sustainable platforms rooted in ownership and community.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

00:00 – Introduction & Celebrating 4 Years of Alive Podcast Network 05:00 – Why Angel Built Alive: Ownership & Economic Equity 10:00 – Education Gaps & Access in Podcasting 15:00 – Audio as Craft & Emotional Connection 20:00 – Building for the Listener & Creator 25:00 – Why Ownership Is Non-Negotiable 30:00 – Contracts, Visibility & Creative Leverage 35:00 – Converting the 2025 Summit to CTV 40:00 – Why Connected TV Is the Next Podcast Frontier 45:00 – Measuring Success for Creators 50:00 – What "Home" Means in a Podcast Network

Download the Alive Podcast Network app in your app store or on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Samsung TV.

Subscribe for more conversations on podcasting, creative ecosystems, and independent media leadership.

To learn more about Alive Podcast Network visit: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alivepodcastapp

In Episode 21 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Mike Sargent to explore media credibility, cultural commentary, and building longevity across film, radio, television, and podcasting.

Mike is an award-winning cultural critic, filmmaker, journalist, and broadcaster whose career spans decades of multimedia storytelling. As a Black film critic covering all cinema, he has helped shape public discourse around movies while co-founding the Black Film Critics Circle and contributing to national and international media outlets.

This conversation centers on what it takes to sustain credibility in a shifting media landscape. We discuss the evolution of film criticism from television review shows to independent radio and podcasting, the responsibility of cultural commentators in mainstream spaces, and how editorial independence strengthens long-term authority.

Mike reflects on creating and hosting nationally broadcast film programs, co-hosting the Webby and SIGNAL Gold Award–winning Brown & Black podcast, and navigating the balance between institutional platforms and independent media ownership. We also examine radio drama, genre filmmaking, and why adaptability is essential for creators working across multiple formats.

This episode is for podcasters, critics, filmmakers, journalists, and multimedia creators who want to understand how credibility is built, protected, and sustained over time.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

00:00 – Introduction: Mike Sargent & A Career Across Media 05:00 – Becoming a Black Film Critic Covering All Cinema 10:00 – Founding Black Film Critics Circle & Industry Impact 15:00 – From Television Review Shows to Radio & Podcasting 20:00 – The Evolution of Film Criticism in the Digital Era 25:00 – Independent Broadcasting & Editorial Voice 30:00 – Brown & Black Podcast & Long-Form Cultural Commentary 35:00 – Radio Drama, Storytelling Craft & Adaptability 40:00 – Filmmaking & From The Shadows 45:00 – Longevity, Credibility & Media Ownership 50:00 – Advice for Podcasters & Multimedia Creators

To learn more about Mike Sargent visit: https://linktr.ee/Iammikesargent and https://themikesargent.com

Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/mikeonscreen

Learn more about A James Scott Adventure: https://themikesargent.com/audio-drama

In Episode 20 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Toni Blackman to explore cultural bridges, global storytelling, and creative sovereignty through music and media.

Toni shares the vision behind her upcoming podcast TOALA, short for Travels of a Lyrical Ambassador, an audio project centered on African music, Afrobeats, hip hop culture, and diaspora connection. Drawing from her experiences traveling across Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Angola, China, and beyond, she reflects on how artists build cultural bridges that transcend geography.

This conversation moves through African music's global impact, diaspora identity, creative discipline, and the responsibility that comes with storytelling across borders. Toni speaks about trusting intuition over validation, practicing as a daily discipline, and protecting creative sovereignty in an attention-driven media landscape.

We also discuss Bloom Afrique Microfund and her work supporting African entrepreneurs, the role of artists in shaping cultural narratives, and why global storytelling requires both humility and leadership.

This episode is for podcasters, artists, cultural strategists, and entrepreneurs interested in African music, diaspora storytelling, creative leadership, and building media platforms rooted in vision.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

Podcast: TOALA (Travels of a Lyrical Ambassador)

00:00 – Introduction: Toni Blackman, First U.S. Hip Hop Ambassador 05:00 – African Music, Senegal & Expanding the Diaspora Through Sound 10:00 – Touring Africa, Global Hip Hop & Cultural Diplomacy 15:00 – Diaspora Identity, Afrobeats & Reframing Black History 20:00 – Creative Discipline, Freestyle Speaking & Practice Over Performance 25:00 – Trusting Vision, Micro Content Strategy & Launching TOALA 30:00 – Artists vs Institutions: Why Creators Build Connection Differently 35:00 – Bloom Afrique Microfund & Investing in African Entrepreneurs 40:00 – Leadership, Fear, Mentorship & Generational Disruption 45:00 – Opening Your World Through Music & Diaspora Exploration 50:00 – Meditation Projects, Healing Work & Final Reflections

Spotify Artist Link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/48ho4Mg0LK4KH5D7y6tOEs?si=IUY1TEThT_6XSZja-tyI_g

Connect with Toni Blackman: Bloom Afrique Microfund and collaborations: [email protected]

Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/toniblackman/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissBlackman1/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toniblackman5

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toniblackman/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToniBlackman

Check the links below to learn more about the artists Toni mentioned in the episode:

Orchestra Baobab: https://youtu.be/m4yFmRNcX3I?si=quMufW_iHbk1jPFH

M.anifest: https://youtu.be/ibEc2aLamCk?si=cdKzlWyQJPl9YeLZ

Fritz Francois: https://youtu.be/aXjYp8GIGos?si=oek_Scj_dlIT0GE5

Breez Evahflowin': https://youtu.be/pm_Zv2ZCinY?si=EVDTOYnqmoww48fc

Rhyme Like a Girl Nairobi: https://youtu.be/SYK7_JmgKkE?si=DLfn0LPw3DmDDTu9

Franck Biyong: https://youtu.be/c6nUhLVcSSk?si=CeyoLoohOWwOygeT

Fid Q: https://youtu.be/e5Imz9qzxFw?si=JS-nF-J6W5wMYjvX

In Episode 19 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Eteng Ettah, host of Consider This for Comfort, a podcast exploring comfort TV, media literacy, and cultural commentary.

Why do certain television shows become emotional refuge? What does comfort TV reveal about nostalgia, connection, and identity? How does pop culture shape the way we understand society?

Eteng is a brand and cultural strategist who examines the intersection of television, media, and social meaning. In this conversation, she explains how comfort television can regulate emotion, create communal experiences, and offer insight into what people are carrying in uncertain times.

We discuss media literacy in the age of misinformation, doom scrolling versus intentional consumption, the power of nostalgia in streaming culture, and why creators must build from what they genuinely want to make instead of chasing trends.

Eteng also shares how she structures Consider This for Comfort using a seasonal format, experiments with collaborative award-season episodes, and expands her work into a companion newsletter, Ateng's Edit, to build a broader cultural ecosystem.

This episode is for podcasters, newsletter writers, media creators, cultural commentators, and anyone interested in comfort TV, pop culture analysis, and building independent media platforms with intention.

00:00 – Introduction to Eteng Ettah & Consider This for Comfort 05:00 – Media Responsibility, Journalism & Podcasting Access 10:00 – What Is Comfort TV and Why It Resonates 15:00 – Emotional Refuge, Nervous System Regulation & Storytelling 20:00 – Creative Control, Ownership & Building a Podcast From Scratch 25:00 – Moving Beyond Friends & Family Guests 30:00 – Experimenting With Emmy Specials & Collaborative Episodes 35:00 – Creating What You Want vs Chasing Trends 40:00 – Comfort TV, Nostalgia & The Need for Connection 45:00 – Expanding Into Newsletters & Building a Cultural Ecosystem 50:00 – Collaboration, Creative Sovereignty & What's Next

To learn more about Eteng Ettah visit: https://www.etengettah.com

Listen to Consider This for Comfort on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6FyAIKf2vjkjoC7eFRYFTp?

Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/considercomfortpod

This episode is brought to you by CON417 "Where Music Never Sleeps!"

Visit: www.edgarsdiaz.com

Follow on Instagram @edgarsdiazmusic

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

In Episode 18 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir speaks with Dr. Briana Barner, Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Maryland and creator of the Black Podcast course.

What is a Black podcast? How should Black podcasts be preserved? What does it mean to study podcasting through race, identity, and cultural production?

Dr. Barner teaches a university course focused on Black podcasts as cultural artifacts. In this conversation, she explains how podcasting functions as an extension of Black oral storytelling traditions, why representation in media still matters, and how students navigate race, code-switching, and identity in academic spaces.

We also discuss:

• Defining Black podcasts beyond the race of the host • Combat Jack and the preservation of hip hop podcast history • Why Serial is often credited as the beginning of podcasting and what that erases • Misogynoir, digital media, and the cancellation of Louder Than a Riot • The politics of editing, authenticity, and "brand safety" • Why podcast archiving is urgent in a shifting political and digital landscape

This episode is essential listening for podcast creators, media scholars, journalism students, digital archivists, and anyone interested in Black podcast history and cultural criticism.

Dr. Briana Barner's research focuses on Black podcasts, digital media, preservation, and Black feminism. She is currently writing a book on Black podcasting as cultural production.

00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Briana Barner & Black Podcast Studies 05:00 – What Makes a Podcast "Black"? Challenging Definitions 10:00 – Teaching Black Podcasting in a Majority-White Classroom 15:00 – Cultural Production, Sound, and Audience Identity 20:00 – Representation, Bad Bunny, and Cultural Moments in Media 25:00 – Students Producing Podcasts in Real Time 30:00 – Code-Switching, Identity, and Classroom Breakthroughs 35:00 – Combat Jack and Preserving Black Podcast History 40:00 – Louder Than a Riot, Misogynoir & NPR Cancellation 45:00 – Black Feminism, Digital Harm & Podcast Freedom 50:00 – Authenticity, Editing Choices & The Politics of Sound 55:00 – Why Black Podcast Archiving Matters Now 1:00:00 – Final Reflections on Media, Identity & Creator Autonomy

Listen to the Black Podclass on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-pod-class/id1733359998

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackpodclass

Listen, subscribe, and share.

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Minista Jazz, founder of Much Different World, to examine voice ownership, consent, and intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence.

Minista shares how a personal experience with image theft led her to build infrastructure designed to protect creators from unauthorized use of their voice and likeness. The conversation explores voice as intellectual property, how AI systems are trained on creator data, and why consent must be foundational in emerging technologies.

Talib and Minista discuss the concept of a Voice Data Trust, the Tennessee Elvis Act, digital double technology, and what creators must understand about platform agreements and IP protections. The episode centers the economic realities facing independent creators and the importance of protecting creative assets before harm occurs.

This conversation is essential listening for podcasters, audio professionals, digital creators, and founders navigating AI-driven platforms and seeking clarity around digital rights and ownership.

00:00 Introduction to Minista Jazz and Much Different World 05:00 How Image Theft Sparked a Tech Movement 10:00 Why Your Voice Is Intellectual Property 15:00 Building a Voice Data Trust 20:00 AI, Consent & Creator Power 25:00 Designing Technology for Marginalized Communities 30:00 Digital Double Case Study 35:00 Protecting Your Voice Before It's Cloned 40:00 The Tennessee Elvis Act and Legal Protections 45:00 The Future of Voice Technology 50:00 What Creators Must Do Now 55:00 Final Reflections and Call to Action

Protect Your Voice. Own Your IP.

Minista Jazz is offering a limited opportunity for podcasters to register and protect their voice inside the Sisterhood Voice Data Trust.

The first 10 podcasters can register their voice for free using Afros & Audio's promo code mentioned in the episode. Use code AFROSANDAUDIO when you register your voice at: https://muchdifferentworld.com

Explore the Sister Safe Registry: https://sisterhoodsitin.com

Support Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest: https://bwiclafffest.com/

Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ministajazz

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.

Paid Promo Ad: CON417 Where Music Never Sleeps!

Visit: www.edgarsdiaz.com

Follow on Instagram @edgarsdiazmusic

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Christabel Nsiah-Buadi, founder of Your Podcast Pipeline and executive editorial strategist, to discuss narrative clarity, audience development, and building sustainable podcast ecosystems.

Christabel shares insights from her background in journalism and major media institutions, offering a grounded perspective on why many creators stall after launching, how burnout often begins early, and why editorial direction must precede marketing tactics. The conversation centers on filling the narrative gap, defining audience alignment, and building authority through intentional storytelling rather than chasing visibility.

Talib and Christabel explore the long-term nature of podcasting, the importance of maintaining message integrity, and what it means to create public conversations that endure beyond trends. This episode is especially relevant for founders, nonprofit leaders, podcasters, and content creators seeking clarity and sustainability in their work.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 05:00 Narrative Clarity, Audience Trust & Filling the Narrative Gap 10:00 Podcasting as a Long Game and the Myth of Overnight Growth 15:00 Editorial Direction vs. Marketing Tactics 20:00 From Large Media Institutions to Independent Strategy 25:00 Building an Ecosystem Around Your Podcast 30:00 The Danger of Softening Your Message 35:00 Burnout, Prototyping & Sustainable Content Creation 40:00 Launching Closing the Narrative Gap Program 45:00 Owning Your Voice and Creating Public Conversations

Connect with Christabel Nsiah-Buadi Website: yourpodcastpipeline.com

Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christabelnsiahbuadi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christabelnsiahbuadi

Subscribe for more conversations with founders, creators, and audio professionals building sustainable platforms.

Watch on YouTube or listen on your preferred streaming platform.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Derrick Young, co-founder of MahoganyBooks, to discuss Black literature, media ownership, book bans, and building a lasting cultural institution.

Mahogany Books began as an online Black-owned bookstore and has grown into a physical retail space, community hub, and podcast network committed to preserving and amplifying Black voices. Derrick shares how access to Black literature shapes identity, why storytelling influences freedom, and how gathering in joy becomes an act of cultural affirmation.

The conversation explores narrative control, the decline of Black bookstores, the rise of book banning across the country, and how independent Black businesses can scale without losing mission alignment. Derrick also discusses launching a podcast network from a bookstore, building brand trust through community economics, and maintaining long-term vision in a culture driven by speed.

This episode is essential listening for creators, entrepreneurs, educators, and anyone invested in Black media, publishing, podcasting, and cultural preservation.

00:00 Introduction and Meeting Derrick Young 05:00 From Bookstore to Podcast Network 10:00 Miseducation, Narrative Control & Black History 15:00 Fiction, Heritage & Cultural Memory 20:00 Technology, AI & Disrupting the Book Industry 25:00 Black Resilience & Historical Publishing Resistance 30:00 Joyful Gathering as Cultural Affirmation 35:00 Community Economics & Brand Trust 40:00 Long-Term Vision vs Hustle Culture 45:00 Afros & Audio, Media Expansion & Scaling 50:00 Mahogany Books Locations & Final Reflections

To learn more visit: www.MahoganyBooksMedia.com

Visit MahoganyBooks Retail Store: 121 American Way Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Follow on Social Media: IG: @derrickyoung.dc, @mahoganybooks, @mahoganybookspodcastnetwork

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.