Truth B Told: Conversations About Culture and Power

Certainty ain't certain. Reasoning fluctuates. Thresholds contract. Questions emerge. Doubt abounds. Truth is, some things require re-examination, fresh eyes and shifting perspectives. If we're still thinking and speaking and believing old-school beliefs, perhaps it's time for a shift. How willing are you to see something differently?

We stay seeking practices that anchor us in focus and feel good. One of us finds peace in household plants, the other power walks through the greenways in the city. Whatever works! Truth is, sometimes we neglect the righteous rituals when life swerves, dips, and shimmies. Name the nuance- romance, vacation, jobs, care taking- then watch our elevation routines lose luster and priority. What rituals...

Facts up front: we know a few things about a lot of things but not everything about everything. We are sojourners of the truth and this conversation makes it plain. With candor, curiosity and comedy, we shared our sacred space with a few men as they helped us better understand relationships, intimacy and connection. We got an earful, friends! We hope it inspires you to initiate conversations that...

Fellas: You all ever go to the movies with your friends and eat from the same tub of popcorn? Or sit side-by-side in the theater slurping from the same drink? Or use a one-stall public restroom to get dressed together? Do you ever notice the physical intimacy between women and wonder what it would be like to have homeboys who tuck in your shirt tag or eat Skittles out of your hand? We want to know...

We hear it all the time from our white supporters. How can we help? How do I become an ally? Truth is, some help isn't helpful at all. And some allyship is powerful enough to convince us that maybe, just maybe, we all are going to be alright.

We are guiding our children to be free-thinkers, to be visionaries, to believe they are worthy, beautiful and brilliant. But who are their compliments? Have we given them so much of a good thing that isolation is an option?

Boundaries! More than a mental health buzzword. How do we deal with the culture and conflict to sacrifice self? We know no one owes the world all their time, energy and attention but when do we choose to build a boundary? And when do we choose to move its borders? Is it possible to create boundaries and yet maintain healthy relationships?

Some say half-truths are just "storytelling." Others say they're innocent exaggerations. And some say they are just lies, plain and simple- no matter how you spin it. There are endless topics that we aren't fully honest about; and it's time to spill the beans.

We see the grand gestures on social media. The weekends on the yacht. The Gucci, Fendi and Louis. The diamonds with more carats than the produce section. We see the love but we wonder: is true love also seen in the everyday unannounced acts like oiling scalps, zipping the back of a dress, afternoon phone calls just because and small neck massages?

Seduced by the soft news stories, we ignore issues that persist and demand attention. So while we’re talking about brown suits and exposed shoulders, saxophone solos and titles, we are not paying attention to: children held in detention centers; political prisoners in Guantanamo Bay; wage gap; voter suppression. What distracts us and what do we need to pay more attention to?

This COVID year has been tough. It's been a time of loss, fear, anxiety, fatigue and isolation. So many of us are weary, weeping and waiting for relief. We feel you. Tasneem and Andrea are grateful for survival and fascinated with the opportunities to save themselves from unbridled despair. Tell us: What are you doing to save your own life?

Soul Speak. Some call it "code-switching" but this is Andrea and Tasneem's phrase for the words and phrases that rise from comfort, familiarity and cultural connection. Some say the switching exemplifies assimilation, others insist it's a celebration of multilingualism. Listen to this examination of the cultural codes embedded in communication and share your truth: What languages, expressions and...

Some say women are too fickle for good friendships. We’re catty. Petty. Back-biting. Evil. Watch your back. Yet we know the sanctuary of sisterhood. We have found it in one another and we extend it. Sister is a high title. Who are your sister-friends? And what defines your bond?

This episode explores the ways of the culture vulture, the idea imposter, the heritage hijacker. Tasneem and Andrea explore cultural appropriation. Who gets to rock African mud cloth? And who doesn't? Who gets to sing the blues? And who shouldn't?

Music is the call for revolution. While some songs move our bodies, others shift our thoughts. Listen in as Andrea and Tasneem share the work of two artists whose talent and lyricism activate personal peace and social consciousness.

Sages declared 2020, "The Year of Perfect Vision." Ohhhhhh, what change we witnessed! Tasneem and Andrea tell personal truths about the lessons of 2020 and their new vision for 2021. What experiences will be released? What do they hope to attract?

We are numb, fam. Frozen in feelings that range from fatigue to frustration. So many tragedies. So much footage. Andrea and Tasneem examine the emptiness that follows yet another shooting, yet another disgrace, yet more heartache.

Tasneem and Andrea discuss the makings of the hit song that reveres female sexuality, elevates genital lubrication and celebrates feeling good. *Parental discretion

Andrea and Tasneem examine lyrics from the Megan thee Stallion and Beyonce remix to explore the makings of "good girls" and ones who are, well, "wild and undomesticated."

Andrea and Tasneem talk about their favorite podcast series and how they have their minds spinning about monsters, Black people, public schools and white power.

Andrea and Tasneem insist that Blackness is not about burden but excellence, victory and celebration. But you tell us: What do you love about black culture, black identity and black lives?

Learn more about the cultural lessons from Andrea and Tasneem's childhoods. When did they begin to notice social injustice? Who guided them toward careers that prioritize conversations about race and identity as more than than just talk? When have you noticed?

Andrea Blackman and Tasneem A. Grace are two sojourners seeking the truth. This podcast, Truth B Told, examines beliefs about race, social justice and identity using the comfort of conversation.