Beyond The Threshold: Black Voices in Media

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans is joined by Tony Kennedy, creator of the award winning kids and family podcast, "What’s Poppin’ Penny, voted Common Sense Media’s Best Kids & Family podcast of 2023 and awarded the 2025 Communicator Award of Distinction for an Educational Series. In this episode...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans interviews hip hop musician , media professional, and founder of the MPN Network , Mr. Al Pete.  In this episode we discuss: How his love of hip hop resulted in a career in media and how its fueled his career. His transition into journalism, podcasting, and his inv...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans is joined by award-winning entertainment and culture reporter, Jewel Wicker. A few of the Atlanta native's accomplishments include reporting for Billboard , Teen Vogue , and Fader as well as hosting podcasts including Black People Love Paramore and...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans is joined by  radio personality and a professional voiceover artist and NC A&T grad, Morgan Cornell. In this episode she shares: - Her journey from a shy child to developing a passion for media.  - Her NC A&T experience, and interning at 102 Jam...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans interviews a Texas native and Howard University alumnus, DJ Ben Ha Meen.  He is a renowned DJ, Music producer and screenwriter (American Gods) and Podcasters (For All Nerds, The Combat Jack Show). He is co-creator of the graphic novel, “ Jimi Hendrix: P...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Chicago native Dorissa White, a lifestyle reporter at KMBC 9 News in Kansas City.  The University of S. Illinois Carbondale graduate previously worked as an assignment editor at News 12 Brooklyn  NY1, and as a General Assignment Reporter at Bronxnet Co...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Christopher Mitchell, an award-winning executive producer, writer, and musician from London.  In this episode we discuss: -  His early inspirations, passion for hip-hop, and how those experiences shaped       his creative and professional paths. - His...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In Season 2 of Beyond the Threshold, the podcast expands to include Black men and women ifrom various media fields such as writing, filmmaking, journalism, audio professionals and beyond. The season will focus on stories about career opportunities, the importance of storytelling, creativity, cultural impact, personal growt...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of '"Beyond the Threshold,'" host Sidney Evans speaks with Ona Oghogho, a Podcast Producer, Brand Strategist and founder of Adode Media, The BLK Pod Collective and the BLK Pod Festival. In this episode we discuss:  Her journey from working in healthcare to creating a successful podcast c...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Yhane Washington Smith, a writer and independent audio creator known for her successful audio dramas 'Harlem Queen,' 'The Courtship of Mona Mae,' and '1972.'  In this episode we discuss: The challenges transitioning...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by music composer and sound designer, Evan Joseph.  His work includes music for film, TV, dance and theater as well as post-production sound for film and TV. He is also the musical director/composer-in-residence for MJM Dance, the co-director of the Quiet...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans interviews Paula Gammon Wilson, an award-winning casting director, voiceover performance director, audio producer and owner of Pepsqually VO. In This episode we discuss: - Paula's early interests in theater and backstage work to her career in voiceover and aud...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans interviews Jamie Albright, an advocate, forensic interview and true crime producer. In this episode we discuss: - Her family's personal experience with a rare genetic kidney disease - Transitioning from forensic interviewer to working on true crime podcasts. -...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, Host Sidney Evans is joined by Torran Wakefield-Thompson, a Voiceover Artist, an award winning Podcast Producer who also has nearly 20 years as an audio and video production, including roles in television, and children's media.  In this episode key topics include: - His early i...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Walter Gainer II, a digital content producer and social media manager at Urban One. Walter's journey started from his early content creation on Snapchat to founding Boss Locks—a platform dedicated to advancing Black professionals and promoting rac...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by John Asante, a Ghanaian American, award-winning independent audio producer, showrunner, and consultant based in Los Angeles.  John has produced and developed over 30 podcasts for various outlets, including HBO, Netflix, Hartbeat, Audible and Imagine En...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, Host Sidney Evans welcomes writer, Executive Podcast Producer, Media Personality, and creator of Podcast Creator Academy, Jazmine Henley-Brown. A few of her accolades include working for SiriusXM and Sony Music Entertainment, creating and executive producing award-nominated podcasts...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod!  In this episode of Beyond the Threshold , host Sidney Evans and guest Chase Bethea dive into his story of becoming a multi-award-winning video game composer. With over a decade of experience and contributions to 25 games, Chase's career is result of dedication and the intersection of the creative synergy of music and...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Melisa D. Monts, a NW Arkansas native who is a writer, producer, audiobook director, CEO of Diamond MPrint Productions and Co-Founder of Sister Sign Productions. In this episode they discuss: - Her early aspirations growing up in Arkansas that resulted...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Jahi Whitehead, currently lead Podcast Producer at Urban One Podcast Network.  As Jahi highlights his two decades of media/audio production experience, they discuss: - His early experience as singer, DJ and engineer in the music industry. - The pursuit...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Kacie Luaders,  a creator, arts advocate, sound designer and founder of Could Be Pretty Cool. - Her journey from university, to live theatre to podcasting. - Her first two podcasts, and her Spotify workshop experience for WOC. - How limitations often d...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans welcomes former colleague, Dontae "DonzPressPlay" Hodge, a multi-award-winning audio engineer. In this episode they discuss: - His early classical piano training and growing up in the British Virgin Islands  - His experience as an from an unpaid intern to...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Donate to the Pod! In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans celebrates the journey of Ashley J. Hobbs, a three-time NAACP Image Award-winning podcast producer, writer, narrator, and voiceover artist. In this episode they discuss: - Ashley’s childhood aspirations and attending women's college. - Transitioning from being...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Ever wondered how to stand out in the audio industry? Listen to the official trailer of Beyond the Threshold as successful Black men and women share their journeys and career strategies that has helped them become mainstays in the field. You'll hear highlights from guests in season 1 including Dontae Hodge, Melisa D. Monts, Ashley J. Ho...

Text Beyond the Threshold w/ your thoughts or questions! Growing up in a sports-centric family and navigating the highs and lows of a basketball career, host Sidney Evans share's his story of how failing an audio production course and a bout of depression, help him discover his love for audio production and the pursuit of a career in the field. After eventually working for companies like FRQN...