14 Binge-worthy Podcasts About Race and Diversity
Sophie Chandauka, co-founder of the Black British Business Awards shares some of her favourite podcasts on race and diversity for 2021:
To start 2021 off right, we’ve assembled a list of binge-worthy podcasts on the topics of race, diversity, and inclusion. Ranging from informative to entertaining, from thought-provoking to soulful, you can be sure to find at least one show which captures your interest.
Where to start
In About Race, Reni Eddo-Lodge, bestselling author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, heads up a podcast that takes the conversation a step further. Although there are only a handful of episodes, this podcast still ranks at the top of the list. Eddo-Lodge interviews MPs, activists, artists, journalists and more to discuss anti-racist activism and how it impacts politics today. Listen here: About Race https://www.aboutracepodcast.com/
Emmanuel Acho does not believe that ignorance is bliss. If racism is a disease of the mind, it can only be fixed by recognising and speaking openly about it. He joins famous celebs for uncomfortable conversations about white privilege in America, being brave enough to go where most other people shy away. Listen (or watch) here: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man https://uncomfortableconvos.com/
Diversity and Inclusion – at work and in life
The Diversity Gap podcast focuses on the space between our good intentions and our good impact, specifically on the topics of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Host Bethaney Wilkinson has a goal: “to discover promising practices for closing diversity gaps in our everyday lives and work!” The episode library ended in 2020, but don’t stress. The podcast is continuing in 2021 under a new name. Listen here: The Diversity Gap https://www.thediversitygap.com/podcast-1
Inclusion Works explores how we can build inclusive cultures at work and in life. With new episodes every fortnight, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in tackling the topics of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. You will walk away with information which you can use to drive lasting change. Listen here: Inclusion Works https://www.hivelearning.com/site/inclusionworks/
Professor Binna Kandola OBE, expert on racism in the workplace, interviewed a panel of guests to look at the history of racism and how it comes into play in the workplace. The show doesn’t shy away from tough topics, including discussing micro-aggression and the importance of setting the right tone from the top. Listen here: Racism at Work https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/racism-at-work-podcast/id1471383724
Dr Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey, PhD from LSE, is a global authority on Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. In his weekly podcast, he uses news and trends as the foundation for topical discussions on diversity at work. You might want to start with an episode from last month: Why Diversity & Inclusion Is A Quick Fix For Pandemic Problems. Listen here: Element of Inclusion https://elementofinclusion.com/podcasts
Industry-specific podcasts
Julia Streets, a city entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the financial services industry, hosts DiverCity® Podcast. This podcast focuses on the value of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in the financial services industry. Each episode highlights an area which needs greater focus in order to drive change. Listen here: DiverCity® Podcast http://divercitypodcast.com/
SideHustlePro claims to be “The first and only podcast to spotlight bold, Black women entrepreneurs who have scaled from side hustle to profitable business.” Creator and host Nicaila Matthews Okome used her own experience of shifting from side-hustler to successful entrepreneur in building out this show. With an impressive guest list of Black business owners, this show should interest anyone – male or female – who is keen to start up their own business. Listen here: SideHustlePro https://www.sidehustlepro.co/
Celebrating Your Identity
Hosted by sustainability consultant and creative director Emma Slade Edmondson, and Nicole Ocran, writer and co-founder of The Creator Union, Mixed Up is a podcast for, about, and by mixed heritage people. The show talks about the lived realities a life spent straddling two different heritages. Listen here: Mixed Up Podcast https://mixeduppodcast.libsyn.com/
New York Times bestselling author and teacher Layla F. Saad hosts the Good Ancestor podcast, where she interviews change-makers and culture-shapers. Her aim is to live and work in ways which will leave a better world for the generations to come, specifically Black girls and Black women. Listen here: Good Ancestor podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6Atahbqw5vurttEHrjR7TR
In the 37, and still counting, episodes of Growing up with gal-dem, Liv Little and Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff take a fresh approach to interviews by having their guests look at their own personal journeys. In each episode someone is invited to respond to old diary entries, text messages, or letters from their younger selves – nurturing important conversations about growing up. Listen here: Growing up with gal-dem https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/growing-up-with-gal-dem/id1509199829
Black and British
BBC produces George the Poet’s award-winning and critically-acclaimed show Have You Heard About George’s Podcast? Updated weekly, George the Poet uses a mix of storytelling, fiction and music to provide a look at life in the inner city. Listen here: Have You Heard About George’s Podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07915kd/episodes/downloads
Black, working-class women take over the microphones on The Echo Chamber Pod. Jade and Ez talk about topics which they believe interest Black British people, whether that be working life, family life, emotions or wellbeing. Listen here: The Echo Chamber Podcast https://linktr.ee/TheEchoChamberPodcast
Dope Black Dads is a digital safe space for fathers to discuss their experiences with being Black, a parent and masculinity. In their podcast, together with their special guests, the Dope Black Dads discuss everything from mental health to relationship ups and downs. Listen here: Dope Black Dads https://www.dopeblackdads.com/podcast
The start of a new year is always a great time to focus on self-improvement and education. These podcasts will help you improve your awareness of racism and its impact on the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community. Through storytelling, interviews, humour and essays, these podcasters offer something for everyone. Pop in your earbuds and give a few of these a try.
