You Ain't Imagining This!

Hypertension. Depression. Cardiovascular disease. Arthritis. African Americans have a higher risk of suffering from these chronic illnesses. African Americans also experience earlier onset of these illnesses and earlier deaths. Why? Systemic racism. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Sherman James who developed the theory called John Henryism that discusses how Black Americans suffer health consequences in our "quest for success" in a racist society and system. Professor James will also discuss the physiology of John Henryism and how it affects (or rather, damages) the cardiovascular system. We will conclude with a discussion of coping strategies that can avoid these racism-induced consequences. Join the team for this important and possibly life-saving discussion!

Espresso Talk Today is celebrating Juneteenth! We have an original short story about a young freed Black woman and a true narrative by a young freed Black woman. This is the 156 anniversary of the freeing of the enslaved population of Texas. Let's acknowledge and celebrate this historic day. And remember that there is still lots of work to do. No one is free until we all are free. No one is equal until we all are equal.  Happy Juneteenth!

Depression. Anxiety. Suicide. Mental health issues are real and pervasive in the African American community—but we don’t often recognize them. You are not alone. Just like physical health problems, mental illness needs to be identified and diagnosed as early as possible and treated. However, many people are not aware of many common mental and emotional illnesses or that they (or someone close to them) are suffering from mental illness. In this episode, the Espresso Talk Today team discusses two common mental illnesses: depression and anxiety. Through research and experience, they identify the symptoms of depression and anxiety, treatment options, and living with these mental illnesses. Apart from depression and anxiety, they will also address suicide among young people, how to identify when you or a friend is in crisis and needs support, and how to get support for anyone suffering from mental illness. 

Tony Lip in The Green Book. Aibileen Clark in The Help. Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Rudyard Kipling's poem, The White Man's Burden. The problem of the “White saviour” is persistent and growing in western culture. The term “white saviourism” refers to an idea in which a white person, or white culture, rescues Black people from their own situation. This has been witnessed in western culture from slavery and colonialism to the present "White liberal" day. It is prevalent in many different settings. From books and movies to charitable organizations and foreign policies and even our friends, the image of the White savior saving Black people is a persistent theme and feeling in western culture. In this podcast show, Ben and Marlene will discuss the issue of White saviourism. They will define and identify the “White saviour” in various settings. They will also discuss the effects of White saviourism in Black and White communities. Join the convo!

Americans love Paris. The food. The art. The language. Black Americans also love Paris--for different reasons. The freedom. The equality. The experience of living in a "colorblind" society. This led many Black Americans to settle in Paris. James Baldwin. Chester Himes. Beauford Delaney. Josephine Baker. Jazz musicians. Artists.  Military servicemen. Black Americans were looking for a "home" where they could live without the pervasive racism and violence in America. For many, Paris became this new home. The Espresso Talk Today team discusses the Black American presence and influence in Paris with Monique Wells who founded Entrée to Black Paris tours, which conducts tours of Paris focusing on the Black American and Black diasporan presence in the City of Lights. Join the team to learn the surprising and untold stories of Black Americans in Paris. Forget the Eiffel Tower. See the café where America's greatest Black writers would gather in Paris! 

Debt is a fact of life. But debt is not created equal. There is the good, the bad, and the ugly. The power comes with having the good debts and limiting the bad and the ugly debts. How can you know which is the good debt and which is bad? And why is it important to have good debts? Financial educator Jorick Gaines returns to answer these questions and show us how "bad debts limit your ability to save" while good debts enhance our financial portfolio. Join Robin and Mel in this lively discussion as we identify our debts and learn how to control them so that they don't control us! 

Robert E. Lee Memorial Statue (Richmond, VA). Edmund Pettus Bridge (Selma, AL). Confederate Soldiers & Sailors Obelisk (Birmingham, AL). Buffalo Bill Cultural Center (Kansas). Columbus Day holiday. Gone with the Wind. What do these have in common? They remember the history of White Americans.  However, many people—particularly people of color—are denouncing these public remembrances for their idealization of slavery, segregation, genocide, mass rape, and other atrocities. Other people respond that their history or heritage is under attack and that their stories are not fully acknowledged.  Who is right? Can we respond in a way that acknowledges the full--and often ugly--history? The Espresso Talk Today team approaches these difficult questions and gives their opinions about what should be done about these historical sites. Join us in this lively discussion about White supremacy hidden in plain sight. There are no right or wrong answers--just opinions here! Grab your espresso...

Hypertension. Depression. Cardiovascular disease. African Americans have a higher risk of suffering from these chronic illnesses. Earlier onset. Earlier deaths. Why? Systemic racism. Many states now have declared racism to be a public health crisis. Public health can protect health in Black and Brown communities by addressing racism-based issues like poverty, food insecurity, toxic environments, inadequate housing, and even lack of education. Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, will discuss chronic health problems in the Black community and how public health is perfectly positioned to protect and improve Black health by addressing the persistent problem of systemic racism. Listen to this podcast and learn what you can do to protect your personal health and promote health in the Black community. Public health saves lives! Don't miss this important episode. 

African Americans are a large voting bloc. But how much political power do we really have? And how effectively do we use our power? In this episode, we examine this mythical monolithic Black voting bloc.  Join us as we compare Black voting power after the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, consider how we can more effectively use our voting power, and disagree on whether we should refuse to vote as a means of protest.  Lots of issues from defunding police to environmental justice to Palestinian rights are discussed. It gets fierce. But it gets us ahead. Join us for this dynamic and uncommon conversation. 

What were the Buffalo Soldiers?  Why were they called "Buffalo Soldiers"? What was their role in fighting for America? Why haven't we heard of them? This episode will answer all of your questions about these brave Black soldiers! You will learn who the Buffalo Soldiers were and how they fought in the wars of western expansion. Yet they faced racism, racial violence, and numerous difficulties on their way to becoming feared and respected western legends. The Espresso Talk Today team interviews a docent from the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum--and a direct descendant of a Buffalo Soldier!--who will also teach us about the contributions of African American soldiers in every major American war.  Grab an espresso and be prepared to be surprised and enlightened by a true historian, soldier, and storyteller, respectfully known as Trooper Charles Williams.