That Wasn't In My Textbook

Long before it was a historic day and number used to identify cannabis use, the term 420 has been used for decades by a group of people who share no common medical or recreational agenda. This is an interesting and rare collection of stories and facts about 420. From the beginning until today's worldwide acceptance, walk takes you through time while explaining the origins of 420. Here are key thin...

Before Gwyneth Paltrow was out here selling candles that smelled like her vagina.  Thanks, Gwyneth, but I'll pass.  This week's podcast guest, Denequa Williams Clarke of Lit Brooklyn, had already changed the game with ethically sourced fragrant luxury candles. Sometimes finding your center after a long day can only be achieved with a glass of wine, or tea (I'm not judging), and a dope candle. Cand...

Did you know that in the 1960s the most popular 8th grade textbook only mentioned two Black people in the entire century of history that had transpired since the Civil War? Yep! So even though we celebrate Black History 365/24/7- Black history month was created to ensure that teachers and schools had to talk about Black History at some point in the academic year.  So while brands, businesses and c...

Whether or not you like reality TV, you have to admit its one of the most popular TV genres that's definitely here to stay. So in this episode we trace when reality TV first showed up on our TV screens ( Hint it was 73 years ago).  So while many of us think of reality TV as the Kardashian or The Real Housewives, reality television a much broader, wider, deeper, history than most of us might think....

Many of our textbooks tell this beautiful story of Thanksgiving Day being a historic fest that took place in America in 1621 where Pilgrims and colonizers broke bread together in peace and harmony. While it sounds beautiful many Historians have pointed out that the events surrounding the real Thanksgiving don't match up with the stories in our textbooks.  In this episode, we debunk 5 myths of that...

Listen to the quick 20-min episode to get a brief overview of when and where this hypnotic erotic dancing began - that has men (and  some women) throwing money women all over the world for centuries. Find out how this ancient ritual for reproduction and harvest has evolved into modern-day entertainment for men… and women. In this quick 20-minute solo episode, we are going to: Define stripping Unco...

Oftentimes ,when we hear the word minimalist, we think of boring neutral colors, and bare bone spaces, but it doesn't have to be that way. In today's History of Minimalism episode we trace the history of this art form that has became a lifestyle and we also look at how we can reimagine minimalism to fit our individual style and needs.  Joined by the Afrominimalist Christine Platt, we take a new lo...

It’s that time of year that we all hate when the sunsets at 5pm- its actually quite depressing. Every year, twice a year, most Americans switch all the clocks forward, or backward, one hour for daylight saving time (DST) beginning and ending.  BUT why do we shift time twice a year? And who came up with this? Cause I want to speak to management.  Listen to this quick  20-minute solo solo episode. w...

Your favorite history podcast has returned for Season 3. We're like the history class you never knew you wanted and that you don’t want to miss! Let face it, most history classes are boring, a lot of history topics seem ancient and therefore people think history is boring. But believe it or not history is very interesting. Season 1 and 2 has proven that already and now we're back with Season 3 to...

We're ending this 2nd season of the podcast talking about burnout. Something many of us may have experienced due to this past stressful year and a half juggling things like a  pandemic, racism, asian hate, climate change, women rights  and the list goes on.  So yes, burnout is real and is now a legitimate medical diagnosis, that doctors can label you with- which makes total sense. Tune into this 2...

While many of our textbooks link astrology to Greeks, historians believe that astrology was actually birthed in Ancient Africa.  So whether or not you believe in the power of the stars, moon and plants, this episode will help you uncover the history of astrology and the importance of timing- things that definitely wasn't in our textbooks. Joined by astrologer Kirah Tabourn, in this episode we disc...

Do you know that June 19th is known as the Day of Freedom? And it's also our podaversary?  Yep, June 19th, also called Juneteenth,  is actually the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  In this quick 25-minute episode find out why General Granger's arrival in Texas on June 19th 1865, is a very important historical day for Blacks here in America-...

Though the origins of Pride Month span back to the '50s, many people credit a specific event that happened in NYC on June 28, 1969, as the thing that set off the creation of Pride and the Gay Liberation movement: the Stonewall Riots. In this 14-minute solo episode, learn 5 facts that help us understand:  What is Pride month  How it started The symbolism of the flag- yep, the colors have meaning Th...

The conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians is long and complex and goes back 100 years. Many argue that their beef is religious but it is a land, control and power issue. In fact it's an issue we've seen play out in history time and time again.  Joined by Tamar a member of the Palestine Youth Movement NYC chapter and a NYU graduate student with a concentration in American, studies, we...

Did you know we're in Masturbation May? And that May 7th is National Masturbation Day? Now you might be wondering how we May became the golden month for all things self pleasure and we talk about all that and more in this short 14 minute episode.  In this episode, we discuss: How we got this Masturbation Day and Month What's the definition of masturbation-cause we love a good definition Go over a...

Whether or not you plan on drinking margaritas today, (no judgement) let’s uncover the the true history of Cinco De Mayo. So we’re not one of the people getting sippin and eating today with no context, thinking today is Mexican Independence Day!  In this episode, we discuss: What happened on this day in history One of the most common misconceptions about this day If and how they celebrate Cinco De...

I think it's safe to say that the year 2020 was the year of self-care. Now, while the self-care of today that we see on the gram seems to simply consist of only facials and bubble baths,  self-care has deep roots and a radical history that definitely wasn’t in our textbooks. Joined by Les Alfred founder of Balanced Black Girl  an online wellness community and podcast focused on health, wellness, a...

Did you know 1 in 7 people in North America have at least one tattoo? And 70 percent of us tatted folks have more than one tattoo? We’re getting into all these facts and the history of tattoos in this episode with the dopest tattoo artist in the game Oba Jackson.  In this episode we discuss: Where and why tattooing started in different parts of the world When Oba  first fell in love with tattooing...

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and drooled over the costumes? Well today we're celebrating the Black costume designers that are responsible for the drip, threads, swag -whatever you want to call - of our favorite characters from our favorite TV shows.  Historically, Black and Brown folks haven't always been celebrated and reflected on screen. But of the past decade Black costume designer...

Did you know that wine is the 3rd most popular drink in the world? Yep, following water and coffee wine is at the top of most people's drinking list. Understand the popularity of this grape drank, listen to this episode to uncover where wine originated (Hint: it's not France), the process of becoming a Sommelier and to get tips on how to select and pair wines with our special guest Sommelier Cha M...

Did you know that in the 1960s the most popular 8th grade textbook only mentioned two Black people in the entire century of history that had transpired since the Civil War? Yep! So even though we celebrate Black History 365/24/7- Black history month was created to ensure that teachers and schools had to talk about Black History at some point in the academic year.  So while brands, businesses and c...

Do you remember everything that happened in 2020? We can all agree that 2020 was a tough year that felt like it lasted 12 months and 487 days. We can also all agree the two biggest issues that we faced this year was COVID-19 and the continuous fight against police brutality and racial injustice.  BUT what other things happened in 2020? Better yet, with ALL that happened in 2020, what should go in...

Unique drink recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, is a beautiful part of the holiday season in most families. While America's signature holiday drink is Eggnog, other Latin American and Caribbean countries have their own holiday drinks that are apart of their tradition- like Puerto Rico's signature holiday drink Coquito.  In this episode,  we are learning about Coquito...

Did you know that there are 6 basic feelings we all experience when we're dealing with change? Yep, and it's all broken down by the change curve, a 51-year-old simple breakdown that walks us through the 6 emotions we ALL experience when things switch up on us.  Essentially, the change curve explains and looks like, the emotional coaster that people talk, sing, write about, and most importantly, ex...

Many of our textbooks tell this beautiful story of Thanksgiving Day being a historic fest that took place in America in 1621 where Pilgrims and colonizers broke bread together in peace and harmony. While it sounds beautiful many Historians have pointed out that the events surrounding the real Thanksgiving don't match up with the stories in our textbooks.  In this episode, we debunk 5 myths of that...