The Ben & Jamesa Podcast

In this episode, "5 Things This Black Woman is Doing in the Next Four Years," Jamesa shares her personal plan for thriving amid ongoing challenges, offering inspiration and practical advice for other Black women. From prioritizing radical self-care and creating boundaries to cultivating joy, amplifying Black voices, and nurturing community healing, Jamesa highlights actions that empower and sustain. This episode is a heartfelt guide for Black women to navigate the coming years with strength, intention, and resilience, rooted in love and collective support. 

In 6 Things White People Need to Stop Doing After the Election, Ben and Jamesa share candid insights on navigating the post-election landscape. The episode outlines key actions white people should avoid, like performative campaigns and forcing engagement with Black people, and emphasizes the importance of listening, recognizing privilege, and making genuine change. Join Ben and Jamesa for a heartfelt discussion on authentic allyship and resilience.

In this 7 season opener, Ben and Jamesa dive deep into the emotional and relational turbulence of election season, highlighting how to stay grounded when everything around you feels chaotic. They unpack the essential distinctions between self-care and self-indulgence, offering insights on practices that support resilience rather than escapism. For those navigating challenging dynamics with family members who hold different political beliefs, Ben and Jamesa provide strategies to manage these relationships with compassion and clear boundaries, helping listeners maintain both inner peace and authenticity during high-stress times. 

 In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with bestselling author Soraya Chemaly to dive into the complexities surrounding the concept of resilience, especially as it relates to race. We explore the idea of resilience as a cultural expectation—asking whether it truly empowers or instead serves to uphold systemic inequalities. Soraya shares insights from her book, The Resilience Myth: New Thinking on Grit, Strength, challenging the narrative that communities of color must be endlessly resilient in the face of oppression. Together, we discuss the impact of this narrative on marginalized communities, how it intersects with race and gender, and what it means for our understanding of healing and justice. As we transition to the next season of our podcast, focused on our own journey of racial awareness and healing, we consider whether it's time to redefine what true strength and support look like. 

 In this episode, 'Neurospicyness and Race,' Ben shares his experiences as an autistic white man, while Jamesa opens up about her journey with an ADHD diagnosis as a Black woman. Together, they explore how their neurodivergence intersects with their experiences of race, discussing the challenges, strengths, and unique perspectives that come from navigating the world through these lenses. 

In this episode, we sit down with graphic novelist and historian Joel Christian Gill to explore the untold stories of Black history and their lasting impact on our understanding of race today. Joel shares how his work uncovers forgotten figures and pivotal moments in American history that have been erased or overlooked, and why reclaiming these narratives is essential for collective healing. We discuss the power of storytelling as a tool for justice, the intersection of art and activism, and how re-learning history can challenge and transform our understanding of systemic racism. This is a rich, enlightening conversation about the role of art in reshaping the future and the importance of recognizing the stories that have shaped our past. Tune in for an episode that will inspire reflection and action. 

In this week’s episode of the Ben and Jamesa Podcast, we dive into how states like Florida and Texas are using voter roll purges to disenfranchise Black voters and marginalized communities. We’ll break down why this matters and explore the latest current events. Plus, Ben might just give us a sneak peek into his and Jamesa’s upcoming anniversary plans! Tune in for an insightful and timely conversation. 

Yesterday, Marcellus Williams was executed despite lingering doubts about his conviction, sparking renewed conversations about racial injustice. In this episode, we reflect on Williams' case and examine the dissonance many white people experience when faced with uncomfortable truths about systemic racism. We delve into what happens when white discomfort leads to inaction and how accountability requires moving beyond dissonance to engage in meaningful, collective change. Join us for a powerful discussion on how to confront and transform the barriers that prevent true racial justice.

 In this episode of the Ben and Jamesa Podcast, we tackle the headlines that continue to demand Black women remain calm and composed. From social media backlash to public figures, we explore how the "angry Black woman" stereotype persists and why reclaiming our right to express anger is key to challenging these narratives and dismantling oppressive norms. 

In this episode, Ben and Jamesa dive into the tragic reality of the latest school shooting, examining it through the lens of race, media coverage, and societal narratives. Titled "More White on White Violence," this discussion challenges the silence and framing around violence in predominantly white communities, while exploring why these acts are rarely analyzed as a part of larger systemic issues. Together, they break down how race influences our understanding of tragedy, asking hard questions about accountability, culture, and the role media plays in shaping public perception.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that reframes the narrative around school violence in America.