Underground Magnolia Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Host Desiréia Valteau opens up for the first time about the Eaton Fire and the loss of her family's Altadena home. (Altadena is a small community in Los Angeles county). This powerful episode explores trauma, grief, and the long road toward healing after devastation. A raw, honest look at survival and what it means to begin rebuilding your life from the ashes. What You’ll Hea...

Send us Fan Mail On November 14, 1960, four six-year-old girls – Ruby Bridges, Gail Etienne, Tessie Prevost, and Leona Tate – made history by desegregating public schools in New Orleans. Collectively, they became known as the “New Orleans Four.” However, Ruby Bridges became a household name, while the other three became overlooked, unsung heroines. In a poignant interview on the Underground Magnol...

Send us Fan Mail In the latest episode of the Underground Magnolia Podcast , jazz guitarist Garry Percell takes center stage with his remake of the classic slow jam, “Going In Circles.” Collaborating with singer Tony Terry , Percell and Terry breathe new life into this timeless song.  Key Points: Collaboration with Tony Terry:   Percell invited Tony Terry, best known for his 1990 hit “With You,” t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast , we’re joined by Janine Coveney —a veteran magazine editor, journalist, creative writer, and cultural commentator. We discuss her movie podcast, Words On Flicks , her contributions to the bestselling book series, “ Women Behind The Mic ” and her illustrious career in media and entertainment. Janine’s career spans roles as an editor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast , we delve into the remarkable journey of renowned jazz saxophonist, Donald Harrison , often hailed as the “father of Omniverse music.” Born and raised in New Orleans, Harrison’s musical prowess transcends eras, genres, and boundaries. Key Highlights: Versatility Across Jazz Eras and Beyond: Harrison’s artistry extends far beyond tra...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast , we shine a spotlight on Nyla Choates -an inspiring youth activist, entrepreneur, and author. The 19-year-old founded the nonprofit My Roots Are Rich as a high school student in Milpitas, California. The organization takes a proactive stance against systemic racism by conducting a variety of self-pride and literacy workshops across...

Send us Fan Mail Saxophonist Andre Ward, who has been on the contemporary jazz scene for over 25 years, joins Underground Magnolia Podcast to talk about  his latest album, "Africa Rising" and his storied background.   The Chicago native discusses the following: "Africa Rising," as a whole, tells a story about love and relationships to a conscious beat of Black Excellence.  Rete...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast features Lenny Green, the host of the popular syndicated radio show, “The Quiet Storm with Lenny Green.” Listen in to hear Lenny discuss the following: Meaning of "Quiet Storm"  Artists he spins during show Genre being more than just celebrating romantic love  Recognizing "Quiet Storm" radio stars of the past Recordi...

Send us Fan Mail Taliah Givens, Senior Director of the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) Student Professional Development Programs,  joins Underground Magnolia to tell listeners all about the organization's:  Invitational Student Leadership Conference Entrepreneurial Division Scholarships/Internships Career Fairs 80-year history of providing college scholarships and additional resources...

Send us Fan Mail May is Mental Health Awareness Month and on this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast, Tyra Valteau Sorapuru, a Mental Wellness Coach and Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 30 years, joins in to discuss effective tools for all around healthy living.   We discuss the following:  Balancing your feelings  COVID-19 forcing African Africans and other People of Color to seek he...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host/producer, Desireia Valteau, is back with Part 4 of the long-awaited addition to the series, "Chasing DNA & Family Roots: Being Creole (Louisiana)."     Desireia interviews, Dr. Wendy Gaudin, a professor of 22 years in the disciplines of History and African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, the renowned HBCU in New...

Send us Fan Mail Jazz pianist, bandleader, and educator Hey Rim joins this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast (recorded Dec 2022) to talk about her latest album "Groovitude," that's packing a punch on the jazz charts. Listen in as we discuss: Why the album's dedicated to her father  Standard jazz songs, original music, and Korean songs featured Working with Grammy-winning...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast shines the spotlight on jazz musician T.S. Monk, also the son of jazz legend Thelonious Monk. After a decade plus recording absence, he’s back with  the live album “Two Continents, One Groove.”  The prolific jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader discusses: Why it took so long to release a new project. The meaning of the album's ti...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast, Doctor Bob Lee discusses:  His longstanding career at WBLS, one of the most influential radio stations in the nation and the Black community. Being the President, Founder & CEO of the Make the Grade Foundation (https://makethegrade4u.org/), a non-profit that provides mentoring, tutoring, and aid to students of all ages in the NY...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast features Lorraine Lionheart, a singer and songwriter heating up the global music scene.  Hailing from Botswana in Southern Africa and based in the UK, she boasts a sound that fuses traditional African music with contemporary Afropop. The sexy singer already has four independent albums and several singles under her belt that explore a ne...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast,  Cynthia Hardy discusses how to excel in business, especially for Black Women, Women, and People of Color,  Cynthia is the CEO and Founder of the Atlanta-based Pivot Global Partners. Her company is a global professional service firm offering, “change design and implementation services to mid-sized and larger organizations." Piv...

Send us Fan Mail On  this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast, Melba Moore discusses:  New song, “So In Love,” from her upcoming "Imagine" album, which is slated for release in April 2022. New music on her daughter's independent record label.  Becoming an "Auntie" to younger audiences thanks to DJ's such as D-Nice. Legendary recording and stage career: Released ov...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode,  real estate broker Caitlin Coakley breaks down the complicated real estate market that’s been hot for sellers but has put buyers in a tailspin. Based in the greater Seattle area, Caitlin is a third-generation realtor with 15 years of experience. She even obtained her real estate license in Washington state while still in high school. This go-getter has since rise...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features astrological predictions and  insights for the New Year with modern mystic Lani Moran, the founder of Astrocast, who is also a sought-after open format DJ and content creator. Astrocast Links : Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/astro.cast/ Website : https://www.astrocastofficial.com/ Contact : Underground Magnolia website: ( https://www.undergroundmagnoli...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. LaReesa Ferdinand, a board-certified OB/GYN for close to twenty years and the founder and CEO of The Estrogen Doctor company (based in the Greater Orlando, Florida area). We will tackle topics including (in this order): Differences between women over 40 and women under 40.  Helping women live not just longer but fulfilled lives...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Tommy Miles, the host of the popular OWN network show  "Ready To Love," talks about the new season in D.C. , love connections on the show, dating tips, and  how to make a marriage work. Nephew Tommy also discusses his new venture - a grits company, Just Good Gritz (https://justgoodgritz.com/). Contact : Underground Magnolia website: ( https://www.undergr...

Send us Fan Mail This episode highlights Rae Shaw , the director and screenwriter of the upcoming web series Black Kung Fu Chick .  Set in South Los Angeles, the web series is about a young African American girl (played by up-and-coming actress Taylor Polidore), who needs guidance with achieving her goal of becoming a doctor. One of her teacher's (played by Chinese actor Peter Boon Koh) gives...

Send us Fan Mail This episode highlight's Ella's Eve Cosmetics, an e-commerce makeup brand founded by sisters Melissa Polanco and Lissa Martinez. Polanco and Martinez are proud Latinas repping their Dominican heritage in an industry that is offering up more and more beauty brands by Women of Color for Women of Color. The host catches up with  Polanco to discuss how the company started, t...

Send us Fan Mail This third part episode features Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, who served as host of PBS’ History Detectives from 2003-2011.  The Professor of Sociology & Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania does a deep dive regarding the complexity of race and identity. He takes DNA tests to task and even goes so far to say that they are a "joke" and are NOT the answer to findin...

Send us Fan Mail " Chasing DNA and Family Roots Part 2," features Rene Worland, a family historian and archivist.     In more than 20 years of research this small business entrepreneur, living with her husband in the Los Angeles area, traced her family history in the United States and Canada. Rene’s ancestors go back to the Jefferson Davis plantations in MS, the Civil War, the Native Ame...