Black People Love Paramore

This week, Sequoia, Ryann and Jewel revisit Hocus Pocus in honor of Halloween. They unpack how the Disney movie has become a spooky-season staple, but question whether it's actually a cult classic or if we're all just nostalgic for the Sanderson sisters. Plus, why is this movie so gay-boy coded? Does Bette Midler get her flowers enough? Do we really need another sequel? And is Sequoia secretly a w...

This week, Sequoia, Jewel and Ryann revisit Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut album in honor of its 20th anniversary. They look back at teenage Taylor’s country music beginnings and early hits like “Our Song” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.” Plus, did Taylor have a real country accent? Why hasn’t her songwriting evolved beyond high school heartbreak? Is she actually upset that we don’t like her? And w...

This week, Sequoia and special guest and comedian Ify Nwadiwe celebrate the 20th anniversary of My Chemical Romance’s iconic rock opera concept album, The Black Parade . They unpack the album’s legacy, Gerard Way’s powerful voice, and why its messages about life and death—especially through “The Patient”—still resonate today. Plus, is “Welcome To The Black Parade” the band’s best song? Does “Teena...

This week, Sequoia, Jewel and Ryann celebrate Insecure 10 years after the hit HBO series premiered. They get into the messiness of your late twenties and adult friendships and, of course, Issa and Lawrence’s complicated relationship history. Plus, was Insecure written for Black Twitter? Who was the best match for Issa—Daniel, Nathan, or Lawrence? Was Molly secretly jealous of Issa? And what did th...

This week, Sequoia and Jewel celebrate Aaliyah, 25 years after her tragic plane crash. They get into her One in a Million reinvention with Missy Elliott and Timbaland, her iconic effortless streetwear style, and her budding acting career. Plus, they debate who the real sons of Aaliyah are, which songs they simply can’t live without, from “Are You That Somebody?” to “Try Again,” and whether Aaliyah...

This week, Sequoia and Ryann revisit Step Up (2006), the dance movie with a banging soundtrack (Ciara's "Get Up”) and that made Channing Tatum a star. They attempt to understand why dance movies were EVERYWHERE in the 2000s, and why Eminem’s popularity fueled the rise of wiggers . Plus, Ryann and Sequoia look at why Black audiences embraced dance movies like Step Up , despite one of their most unf...

This week, Sequoia and Jewel take another look at the 2001 hit The Princess Diaries , adapted from Meg Cabot’s book of the same name. In the process, they reminisce about their own high school experiences, and compare those to “movie trope” ones. Plus, how come girls with glasses are always catchin’ strays? And why is it that Mia’s frizzy hair gets straightened when she gets a makeover?  Buy Mocha...

This week, Sequoia and Ryann talk Beyoncé’s 2022 album Renaissance. And even though Sequoia will go to the mat to defend Beyoncé’s supremacy as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, living artists today, she puts her beef with the artist on front street. Listen to the episode to see how Ryann and Sequoia rank their favorite songs on the album. Spoiler alert: Their rankings differ. Buy Mocha Gr...

Sequoia interviews rising alt-pop singer Alemeda, who wrapped up a six-city tour earlier this year. The Ethiopian-born singer and Sequoia bond over Paramore songs and cats . Alemeda also weighs in on the cat backlash directed at Doechii, with whom she recorded Beat a B!tch Up. Buy Mocha Grande Merch Follow Sequoia Instagram @SequoiaBHolmes TikTok @SequoiaBHolmes   Follow Alemeda Instagram @Alemeda...

This week, Sequoia, Ryann and Jewel dissect the original Sex & the City and things get heated. Sequoia and Jewel are shocked to learn Ryann’s SATC crush. According to Jewel, he “looks like a thumb!” And they ALL have thoughts about Jennifer Hudson playing SJP’s assistant Louise from St. Louis in the first Sex and the City Movie.  Buy Mocha Grande Merch Follow Sequoia Instagram @SequoiaBHolmes TikT...

This week, Sequoia interviews rising alt-pop singer Alemeda, who wrapped up a six-city tour earlier this year. The Ethiopian-born singer and Sequoia bond over Paramore songs and cats . Alemeda also weighs in on the cat backlash directed at Doechii, with whom she recorded Beat a B!tch Up. Buy Mocha Grande Merch Follow Sequoia Instagram @SequoiaBHolmes TikTok @SequoiaBHolmes   Follow Alemeda Instagr...

This week, Sequoia and Ryann travel back in time to the year they both got pictures of themselves in front of the pink wall and choker necklaces were cool. And the music? Well, 2016 was a very good year. With artists like Drake, Rihanna, Frank Ocean and Beyoncé and so many others at the top of their game, Ryann and Sequoia each had a difficult time choosing only five songs to play at their respect...

This week, Sequoia and Ryann revisit the original Shrek movie, which has since spawned three other sequels with a fifth movie scheduled for 2027. They get into why the movie was such a success and ask the question: Are Shrek and Fiona really…Black? Plus, can they guess what fairy tale character is speaking from just the audio clip? Find out! Buy Mocha Grande Merch Follow Sequoia Instagram @Sequoia...

Join us for a conversation with host Sequoia Holmes and hemlocke springs! The indie-pop artist behind the viral hit “girlfriend,” known for standout vocals, offbeat lyrics, and a fresh alt-pop sound. We get to know Hemlocke and talk about music, touring, navigating the industry as a Black woman, and favorite Paramore music!! Check out Hemlocke’s new album the apple tree under the sea , and the upc...

If you’re seeing this before May 1, 2026, the MaxFunDrive is taking place RIGHT NOW, and it’s never been easier to support Black People Love Paramore. If you are not a MaxFun member, and enjoy this show, please take a moment to keep it going for just $5 a month at MaximumFun.org/joinparamore . In this week’s episode, Sequoia and Jewel revisit Devil Wears Prada twenty years after its release in 200...

It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters . Three different coasts are represented in this episode. Recording from Los Angeles is Sequoia Holmes ( Black People Love Paramore ) on the West Coast of the U.S. Dimitry Pompée ( Eurovangelists ) joins the conversation from the D.C. area on the Ea...

This week, Sequoia and Ryann are joined by Nadirah, a digital content creator and author of First Things First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game . The trio reflect on the cultural impact of Beyoncé’s seminal album Lemonade, and also attempt to rank her albums and songs from best to… not best.  This album is so important to Sequoia, that she ditched Wikipedia and wrote the topic description from...

This week, Sequoia and Ryann go deep on card games, and a heated back and forth about Uno nearly upends their friendship. They reveal which card games are played at their family gatherings, and wonder whether Bid Whist is more popular in the midwest than other parts of the country. Plus, what do they call Go Fish in the UK? All this and more in this week’s episode. Buy Mocha Grande Merch Follow Se...

On this week’s episode, Sequoia Holmes talks with Amanda and Amber Miller: sisters, hosts of the podcast Fangirl Central, and Hannah Montana fans from day one! They talk about seeing Miley perform as Hannah Montana in her home state of Tennessee, Miley being a kid’s gateway the world of pop and country music, and what they hope to see from the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special. All this and...

This week, Sequoia shows off her encyclopedic knowledge of Pokémon to mark the Japanese media franchise's 30th anniversary. She's joined by co-host Ryann Gilyard and writer/comedian Garrick Bernard. From watching Pokémon on the WB, collecting ALL the cards and weeping, WEEPING, at Pokémon the First Movie, they reminisce about their relationships to the iconic franchise. Plus, Ryan challenges Garri...

On this week’s episode, co-hosts Sequoia Holmes and Jewel Wicker discuss the Disney heavy hitter, Lizzie McGuire, starring Hilary Duff. They get into the nostalgia, the fashion, and pop cultural significance of the show. Check out The Daily Dirty Buy Mocha Grande Merch    Follow Sequoia https://www.instagram.com/sequoiabholmes https://www.tiktok.com/@sequoiabholmes https://twitter.com/sequoiabholm...

On this week’s episode, co-hosts Sequoia Holmes and Ryann Graham discuss casual fine dining restaurant chains that are popular in pop culture and why we love places like Red Lobster, Olive Garden, & Chili’s so much - All this & more!  Check out The Daily Dirty Buy Mocha Grande Merch   Follow Sequoia https://www.instagram.com/sequoiabholmes https://www.tiktok.com/@sequoiabholmes https://twitter.com...

On this week’s episode, co-hosts Sequoia Holmes and Ryann Graham discuss the High School Musical franchise in its 20th year anniversary.  Check out The Daily Dirty Buy Mocha Grande Merch   Follow Sequoia https://www.instagram.com/sequoiabholmes https://www.tiktok.com/@sequoiabholmes https://twitter.com/sequoiabholmes   Follow Ryann https://www.instagram.com/gudguyryry/?hl=en https://x.com/ryanngra...

On this week’s episode, co-hosts Sequoia Holmes and Jewel Wicker discuss the original influencer - Kimora Lee Simmons. They get into her legacy, the Baby Phat fashion brand, reality television, and family dynamics throughout the years. All this & more!  Check out The Daily Dirty Buy Mocha Grande Merch    Follow Sequoia https://www.instagram.com/sequoiabholmes https://www.tiktok.com/@sequoiabholmes...

On this week’s episode, co-hosts Sequoia Holmes, Ryann Graham and Jewel Wicker read and answer letters sent by YOU, the listeners.  Check out The Daily Dirty Buy Mocha Grande Merch   Follow Sequoia https://www.instagram.com/sequoiabholmes https://www.tiktok.com/@sequoiabholmes https://twitter.com/sequoiabholmes   Follow Ryann https://www.instagram.com/gudguyryry/?hl=en https://x.com/ryanngraham  ...