Jemele Hill is Unbothered

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joins Jemele to discuss the recent controversy involving the certification of the state’s electoral votes, disenfranchisement of black voters, and whether President-elect Joe Biden will be able to unify the country after four years of contentiousness under President Donald Trump. Whitmer also discusses how she handled the discovery that a group men planned to kid...

Soccer star and activist Megan Rapinoe joins Jemele to discuss her new memoir, “One Life.” Megan also discusses how she became passionate about social justice issues and how it inspired her to make the controversial decision to kneel during the national anthem in support of Colin Kaepernick in 2016. She also shares some details about her engagement to WNBA superstar Sue Bird. Learn more about your...

Actor Jurnee Smollett joins Jemele to discuss the success of her groundbreaking series, Lovecraft Country, and why it has resonated so strongly with fans. Jurnee also shares how she maintained her optimism, despite feeling like she sometimes didn’t fit into the industry. And she explains why she’d love to be in more action movies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15-year-old business prodigy Mikaila Ulmer joins Jemele to discuss how she turned a lemonade business that she started at four years old into a lucrative business in which she has sold over 1 million bottles and is featured in over 1,000 stores. Mikaila also discusses how she balances school and being a CEO, how she’s involved her family and expanded her empire. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Celebrated author Isabel Wilkerson joins Jemele to discuss her sensational new book, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” Isabel discusses why she believes America operates on a caste system, and why she chose to write about it following the success of her first book, “The Warmth of Other Suns.” Plus, Jemele shares her thoughts on the fixation with the white working class. Learn more about you...

Activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham and author and political analyst Tiffany D. Cross join Jemele for this special podcast on the 2020 presidential election. They discuss the anxiety over not knowing the final election result, what they learned about America during this election and whether or not it’s possible for the country to heal after such a polarizing election. They also share their thoug...

White House correspondents Yamiche Alcindor and April Ryan join Jemele to discuss what it’s like covering President Donald Trump, and the impact of their verbal confrontations with the president. They also discuss how their career paths led them to the White House, and the significance of having black journalists represented in the presidential press corp. Plus, April, who has now covered four pre...

Katie Porter, the dazzling representative for California’s 45th district, joins Jemele to discuss what motivated her to get into politics, how she’s become a political star due to her thorough questioning in congressional committee hearings, and why her relationship with Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren was instrumental in her political career. Plus, Katie also shares what it’s like rai...

Rapper and activist Chuck D joins Jemele to discuss Public Enemy’s new album, “What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?” which reunites PE with Def Jam. Chuck D provides insight into his unique relationship with Flava Flav, and why they decided to do a remake of their powerful national anthem song “Fight the Power,” featuring Nas, Rapsody, and YG, among others. Chuck D also discusses his relatio...

Actor John David Washington joins Jemele to discuss his latest movie “Tenet,” which was directed by renown director Christopher Nolan. JD shares what it was like working with Nolan and how his college football background helped him do the challenging stunts associated with the film. Plus, JD talks about how he handled living with his parents during part of the COVID-19 quarantine. Learn more about...

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr joins Jemele to discuss NBA players becoming key voices in the social justice movement, and how his own awareness and understanding of black struggle has increased significantly in 2020. Steve also shares what it was like being criticized by President Donald Trump, and his thoughts on the upcoming election. Steve and Jemele also discuss what the Warriors plan...

Author and activist Chelsea Clinton joins Jemele to discuss her latest book in her “She Persisted” series, which focuses on the triumphant journeys of some of the most celebrated female Olympic athletes in history. Chelsea discusses why she chose to write for young audiences, and why it’s important for them to develop an optimistic view of the world. Chelsea also shares what kind of grandparents h...

Big Sean joins Jemele to talk extensively about his new album “Detroit 2,” which is his fifth solo album and the sequel to his 2012 mixtape. Sean explains how the track ‘Deep Reverance” — which features the late Nipsey Hussle — came together. He also shares why he chose to rap about resolving his beef with Kendrick Lamar, and coping with depression and anxiety. He also discusses how he nearly quit...

Actor Kerry Washington joins Jemele to discuss what it was like participating in the Democratic National Convention, and why it’s important for her to use her platform to encourage people to vote and speak out against injustice. Kerry also shares what it meant to receive multiple nominations in this year’s Emmys for her outstanding work on the hit limited series ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ and ‘Amer...

Singer and actress Janelle Monae joins Jemele to discuss her new single “Turntables” and her upcoming movie, Antebellum. Janelle also opens up about how she maintains her peace during such a tumultuous time, and she discusses why she’s lending her voice and platform to fighting voter suppression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jemele shares her thoughts on Chadwick Boseman’s death and has strong words for those who are trying to turn 17-year-old murderer Kyle Rittenhouse into a martyr. She’s also joined by former NFL player Spencer Paysinger, whose life story was turned into the hit television series, “All American.” Spencer also discusses why he set the goal of retiring from professional football by age 30, whether or...

Legendary journalist Dan Rather joins Jemele to discuss why the media has struggled to adequately cover Donald Trump’s presidency, and why it’s insulting to compare Trump to former president Richard Nixon. Dan also shares what it was like covering the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and how he came to have more than 1 million Twitter followers. Plus, Jemele shares her thought...

Jemele addresses the Washington football team hiring the first black president in NFL history and she also has some words for Seattle Seahawks rookie cornerback Kemah Siverand, who lost his job for sneaking a woman into his hotel. Plus, Jemele is joined by Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones, who won the prestigious award for her work on the New York Times’ 1619 Project, which traces how the...

Jemele has a word for those taking shots at vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and for those criticizing “WAP,” the new song by Meg Thee Stallion and Cardi B. She also welcomes television host and political comedian W. Kamau Bell to the pod for a discussion on the new season of his Emmy award winning CNN show, “United Shades of America.” They discuss his infamous episode about the Klu Klux Kl...

Jemele applauds the pettiness of the WNBA players who endorsed the political opponent of one of their team owners. She also welcomes guest Christian Dawkins to the pod. Dawkins discusses his HBO documentary, “The Scheme,” which was based on his involvement in one of the most highly-publicized basketball scandals in college sports history. Dawkins explains why he never snitched despite facing feder...

Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo joins Jemele to discuss the gender pay equity gap in Hollywood and why she decided to publicly reveal her salary. Ellen also shares why it hasn’t been a burden for her to play the iconic character Meredith Grey for the last 15 years, and why she never left the show. She also discusses how her Boston upbringing influenced her viewpoints on race and why she has been...

Actor and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union opens up to Jemele about why she decided to go public with the toxicity she experienced while on America’s Got Talent. She also discusses how growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood in Nebraska shaped her attitudes about race, and she used that experience to teach her own children about racial issues. She also tells the story of offering her tuna cas...

Ice Cube returns to the podcast for his second visit to explain why he developed “A Contract with Black America,” a detailed document he created with other experts that provides effective strategies and solutions that will combat some of the biggest issues that stand in the way of full equality for black Americans. Cube also addresses a recent column by former Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in wh...

Jemele addresses the controversy involving Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson’s anti-Semitic Instagram post. Actor Omar Dorsey joins the pod to discuss his starring role in the hit series “Queen Sugar,” and how his mother played a pivotal role in his acting career. The Atlanta native also reminisces about attending Freaknik back in the mid-1990s and what it was like growing up as a p...

Jemele has some fiery words for the critics who tried to cancel her recently on Twitter, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. She also welcomes the multi-talented Jenifer Lewis, who currently stars on the hit television series “Black-ish.” Jenifer discusses her mental health journey, which includes coping with a bi-polar diagnosis since 1990. She also weighs in on several racial and soc...