The A.R. Bernard Show

Stephen A. Smith is never one to hold back—whether he's discussing sports, culture, or even presidential politics. As an accomplished commentator and journalist (and outspoken critic of Dallas Cowboys fans), Smith isn’t afraid of tough conversations.

In this episode, A.R. Bernard and Smith dive into Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign and her communications strategy (spoiler: Smith believes Harris should engage with the press more). Smith also shares his thoughts on why Trump's personal attacks resonate with his supporters, reflects on what went right and wrong at the NABJ Convention where Trump said that Harris "happened to turn Black," and discusses how America's shifting racial demographics are impacting politics. The conversation also touches on Smith's relationship with Fox News' Sean Hannity and Snoop Dogg's memorable Olympics coverage.

Detroit-born, six-time Grammy-winning singer Bebe Winans joins A.R. Bernard for an insightful conversation. Winans, one of 10 multi-talented siblings, shares how he and his sister CeCe Winans rose to stardom in an unconventional way. From their roots in a conservative hometown church choir to their time with Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's PTL, the Winans' journey raises intriguing questions about culture and race. Winans also discusses his transition from performing on stage to working behind the scenes, where he discovered a passion for writing and producing. This led to the Broadway success of his show “Born For This.” The episode also delves into his future projects, including a new television show, “Mind Your Business,” and his latest song, a love letter to God titled “Father in Heaven.”

Christine Swanson is a prolific director, screenwriter, and producer. Born in South Korea, she moved to the U.S. without speaking English. Today, she is a master storyteller. She sat down with Pastor A.R. Bernard to discuss diversity in America, how Spike Lee inspired her career, and the role of faith in her art.

***NOTE: This episode was recorded before President Biden ended his campaign.

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Israel Houghton sit down with A.R. Bernard to explore the alluring and complex realm of social media, the confluence of entertainment and journalism, presidential politics, parenting, and their personal faith journeys.

Adrienne first captivated audiences as a teenager with Disney's The Cheetah Girls. In 2013, she made history as the first Latina to co-host an English-language daytime talk show, The Real. Beyond her media career, she is the founder of the fashion line La Voute.

Israel, a music-industry titan and a co-director of music at the Christian Cultural Center, began his illustrious career in his teens. With 17 Grammy nominations and 6 wins, his influence and artistry are undeniable.

Together, this power couple has achieved remarkable success both individually and as a team. Their bond has only deepened since the birth of their son in 2022.

Jamie Hector, who played Marlo Stanfield on HBO’s “The Wire,” sits down with A.R. Bernard to discuss acting, writing, raising children and navigating social media. Hector shares his experiences working in Hollywood and maintaining a moral compass. The Brooklyn-born graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute delves into the seriousness of his craft and how he leads with empathy to connect with the diverse characters he portrays.

As the founder of the non-profit program Moving Mountains, Hector details his philanthropic mission to change the lives of those in need. The proud first-generation Haitian also devotes his time to co-writing a collection of history textbooks called “Our Community: A Haitian Heritage Collection,” honoring his mother and their homeland, which continues to face challenges.

Linsey Davis, an Anchor with ABC News, sits down with A.R. Bernard to discuss the importance of applying her faith-based mindset to all her projects, the challenges posed by AI, her approach to balanced journalism, and her hopes for the next generation. In her sixth children's book, "Girls of the World," Davis explains how her son serves as both her muse and unofficial co-author. She describes the rewards of writing children's books and her desire to plant inspirational seeds for the next generation. Bernard and Davis also delve into the immense pressures of being a fair and balanced journalist during challenging times.

In this episode, A.R. Bernard peels back the layers of his intimate friendship with Hollywood heavy hitter and Tony and Emmy winning, actor Courtney B. Vance. The two discuss what it means to be Black in Hollywood and explore Vance’s fascinating lifelong faith journey. Vance, married to Academy Award-winning actress Angela Bassett, shares his experience being in a power couple and how they maintain balance between celebrity life and real life as they navigate parenthood with their teenage twins.

Together, they delve into some of the darkest, toughest times Vance experienced, including the aftermath of his father’s suicide and how it has inspired him to help others. Vance talks about the great responsibility he feels to foster conversations within the Black male community about the stigmas surrounding mental illness and therapy. He discusses his efforts to break these barriers through his new book, "The Invisible Ache," co-written with Dr. Robin Smith.

In this episode of the podcast, A.R. Bernard welcomes his long-time friend, Hollywood actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The two delve into the details of her marriage to actor Samuel L. Jackson, her exciting Broadway directorial debut of “The Piano Lesson,” and the importance of her faith-driven life. LaTanya shares her spiritual journey through mega churches. She candidly reveals how faith helped her save Samuel from his battle with addiction and navigate his over three decades of sobriety.

LaTanya also discusses how acting has allowed her to explore her own changeability and how faith has provided her with guardrails when choosing the right characters to play. Both A.R. Bernard and LaTanya Jackson break down parenting, having raised high-profile children in a diverse world, and how to combat certain mental health stigmas in the Black community. Additionally, LaTanya details what it was like to direct her veteran actor husband and how much she looks forward to directing the legendary Patti LaBelle in an upcoming project. The episode is filled with mutual admiration as they identify one another’s God-given gifts and explore their meaning and purpose.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik is the son of Holocaust survivors, the Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis and he was one of the first religious leaders on the scene at Ground Zero on 9/11. A thought leader and author, he is a tireless advocate for civil discourse and as he puts it finding “Unity in the midst of diversity.”

There is no denying that this has been a trying time for Jewish people all over the world. Earlier this year, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt stated "The American Jewish community is facing a threat level that's now unprecedented in modern history." As one of the leaders of the largest Jewish population of any city in the world, Rabbi Potasnik is acutely aware of the challenges.

In this episode, Rabbi Potasnik sits down with Pastor AR Bernard to talk about the deeply rooted pain Jewish Americans are experiencing in the wake of October 7th. The two friends discuss the safety crisis on college campuses nationwide as students search for peace and support from their surrounding communities. Potasnik discusses the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the desire for peace with Palestinians.

Potasnik speaks about what it was like growing up as a child of Holocaust survivors and how he has navigated “survivor’s guilt.”

David C. Banks is the 31st Chancellor of New York City Schools, overseeing the nation’s largest and most diverse school system, which educates over one million students each year. He helped establish The Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice. As a product of the New York public school system himself, Banks discusses his personal calling to lead the system and how he responds to the needs of the community.

In this episode, Chancellor Banks and A.R. Bernard examine the challenges and triumphs within the New York City public school system. They also address national issues such as safety, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and fostering deeper connections between schools and their communities. Banks highlights the national reading crisis and his NYC Reads initiative. The two delve into Banks' focus on discouraging and combating hate. Additionally, they explore the historic significance of immigration and the "browning of America."