Who Knows, It's Just Life

On this episode I am joined by my dad and the kiddo!

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

In this episode I recap an eventful spring break with the kiddo. We visited my brother's farm in Georgia. I speak about the joy of seeing him feed chickens, plant potatoes and overall enjoy the spacious outdoors. I also reflect on the differences in small town Georgia and the emotional roller coaster of visiting a place like Lake Lanier. I also reflect on the trip to Richmond, VA where we took part in a few historical activites (the Trail of Enslaved Africans), visited the Elegba Folklore Society, bought New Orleans Style snoballs from my high school classmates shop, and hit up Kings Dominion on the way home. I also reflect on the life and works of Harry Belafonte.

References:

Amber Ruffin

Harry Belafonte at Townhall on Poverty

The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism - Howard Bryant

My Song - Harry Belafonte

Song I'm Rocking To:

Kalenda Rock (Mourning Song) - Harry Belafonte

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On today's episode I tackle a subject that's been on my mind for nearly a year - the inequity between men's and women's team sports. I first offer a reaction to Bill Burr's standup bit about why women athletes don't make the money male athletes make. I then share my experience as a basketball fan of the Mystics, Wizards and the Maryland men's and women's basketball teams throughout the 2022-2023 seasons. I speak about the experience at games, ticket prices and discrepancies in media coverage. Finally, I talk about the Women's NCAA tournament results including Angel Reese's captivating performance, her reclaiming the "you can't see me" gesture from Caitlin Clark and I call on sports fans to reflect on the attention they give to women athletes.

References

• ⁠Bill Burr⁠
• ⁠https://www.si.com/college/2023/03/30/mens-final-four-ticket-prices-womens-march-madnes⁠
• Ashley Fennell IG Post⁠

Songs I'm Rocking To:

P.M.E. - Danielle Glisper

Rouge jaune vert - Yaniss Odua

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I am joined by Cierra Lewis. Cierra facilitated a book club on The 1619 Project in Norfolk, VA. We talk about her thoughts and reflections on the book as well as the experience of facilitating the book club.

Book References:

Nikole Hannah-Jones - The 1619 Project

Khaled Hosseini - And the Mountains Echoed

bell hooks - All About Love

Song Cierra is Rocking To:

Dreamville, Bas, Ayra Starr - Ogogoro

IG: @cierracarisma

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

This episode is dedicated to Turner Cooper, may he rest in peace and power!

On this episode I share some highlights of the end of 2022 including some concerts (Burna Boy and Oddisee), Kwanzaa discussions and a New Years Day hike. I also offer a preview of some of what's to come on the podcast in 2023.

Happy New Year!

Song I'm Rocking To:

Ethio Jazz: Yegelle Tezeta

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode, I talk to my long time friend Toney.  At 26 years old, Toney is one of the most intelligent, insightful and reflective people I know.  He is at the point of adulthood where he is reflecting  on various things he learned coming of age in DC and how they are applying to life as an adult in the DMV.  Toney had  meaningful experiences with Life Pieces to Masterpieces which instilled Pan-African ideas around the collective (communal success, hard work and integrity).  But now, he is learning to navigate a predominately white professional environment as a Black man while working through the American capitalistic ideals of individual success.

Toney talks about the anxiety that can come from working in white, capitalist, individualist spaces.  We delve into the gentrification his family experienced and the disconnect between the historic Civil Rights Movement and contemporary issues effecting the Black community.  We talk about the evolution of his Black identity and the growth in his relationships with people of other races/ethnicities and the LGBTQ+ community.

We also discuss his current views and perspectives of activism and the impact of social media.

Book Recommendation:

Ishmael -Daniel Quinn

Song Toney is Rocking To:

Brent Faiyaz - Bad Luck

Toney is on IG @mr.toneytone

Kyle is on IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I am joined by a long time college friend MaBiniti Yillah.  She is an avid football (soccer) fan and helped me breakdown the World Cup results and major stories leading up to the final.  We talk about whether or not we should call it football in the US.  We break down Morocco's historic run for Africa and the geopolitical complexities surrounding it.  We also talk about the racial composition of "colonizer" teams and the dynamics surrounding national allegiances.  Kyle also is searching for club football teams to support.  MaBinti gave a strong push for Arsenal....are there others I should consider?

Book Recommendation:

Purification of the Heart - Hamza Yusuf

Song MaBinti is Rocking To:

Anything Stevie Wonder

You can findand support MaBinit's work by following:

https://www.youtube.com/@TheCSEChannel

@cse_media

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I reflect on my trip to Ghana.  A major theme of my experience was sorting out feelings of home.  Is the US home?  Is Ghana a homegoing of sorts?  I've read Searching for Zion by Emily Raboteau and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.  Both delve into the idea of "home" for Black Americans and where in my mind as I processed my experiences in Ghana.  I don't know much about my African ancestors.  Through African Ancestry.com I do know that my patrilineal ancestor is Portuguese while my matrilineal ancestor is Yoruba and Hausa.  These are just fragments of my ethnic and tribal makeup so my journey to Ghana was part birthright/pilgrimage and part cultural immersion.  Suffice it to say that the trip has had a huge impact on me and I will look for opportunities to return and continue my learning and processing. This episode features recordings I made while in Ghana as well as footage from my tour of the Cape Coast Castle.

Books Referenced:

1619 Project - Nikole Hannah-Jones

Born on the Water - Nikole Hannah-Jones

Songs I'm Rocking To:

Kidi - Champagne

Burna Boy - Its Plenty 

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I interview Mr. Randell Strickland.  He is a Chicago native who now resides in the DC area.  His career has gone from being in the U.S. military to being a non violent advocate and restorative justice worker in DC Public Schools.  We briefly talk about his family upbringing, his decision to join the military and the experiences that shifted his perspective towards nonviolence.

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

For this episode I am joined by my cousin Lucas.  We recorded from the beach in Narragansett, Rhode Island - the site of a long time tradition in my mom's family.  As kids, this was our best time to hang out since Lucas is from Seekonk, MA and I was raised in the DC area.  As adults, all 7 cousins are continuing the tradition!  Lucas and I reflected on the similarities and differences in our upbringing.  While mine was heavily influenced by socioeconomic, racial and cultural diversity, his was a stark opposite - mostly white, Christian and hetero-normative.  We talk through how this and his familial makeup impacted his journey to self discovery and coming out as a gay man.  We talk about autism, "turning in a piece of privilege", being openly gay in pubic, patriarchy and Lucas' current study of Peruvian shamanism.

Book Recommendation:

Jen Sincero - You Are a Badass

Song Lucas is Rocking To:

Senses Fail - Hell is in Your Head

Contact:

Lucas: Facebook: Lucasccshaman, [email protected]

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell