If You Want To Be More Culturally Aware, Listen To These Podcasts

By Nathalie Peña

A solid podcast does wonders for mundane day-to-day activities. Commuting to work becomes less irritating, errands somehow are completed faster, and a quick walk around the block can put an extra pep into your step. Now that I’ve been planted at home for a few months, I do less of these necessary activities so it’s been difficult to get back into the listening game. Listening to podcasts just isn’t the same when I’m sitting on the corner of my bed while staring at the wall with earbuds in.

Our world is now filled with uprisings, along with the resources to help educate ourselves on said movements. From articles to Instagram pages, there is a never-ending supply of content to go around. So my ears are perked back up for the podcasts that are speaking about important issues.

As an Afro-Latina, I already had an inherent interest to learn more about other marginalized groups. Now there are so many people who are just hopping on that train — a long time coming, but exciting! This calls for a great opportunity for NBPOC and allies to learn more than just the police brutality Black people face. But also the systemic racism they encounter during the hiring process, their access (or lack thereof) to voting polls, their communities experiencing the worst environmental conditions, and a slew of other examples. These racist situations travel throughout the lives of many other groups within the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities which you’ll see below.

Go Off, Sis

This podcast is hosted by the Black women employees of Refinery29 where they confront the difficult truths of being a Black woman. Now that the media company (along with many others) is facing a lot of criticism on their mistreatment of Black employees, it’s a good excuse to listen to the women who may have encountered it themselves. I suggest listening to the episode “Corporate While Black” to get an intro into some of the ways Black women are othered in the workplace.

All My Relations

America belonged to Indigenous communities, and yet so much of their traditions and culture remains unknown and/or erased. This podcast dives deep into what it means to be Native right now. Listening to the first episode, “Indigenous Feminism”, really changed my perspective on feminism and why it’s not as equal as it claims to be. It’s hosted by passionate Native women, Matika Wilbur and Adrienne Keene, who cover super interesting topics from food sovereignty to queer Indigenous identities.

Latina to Latina

I gravitate towards career-related topics. So when you add inspiring Latinxs to the mix, I’m there. With such a lack of Latinx women representation in offices and the media, it's refreshing to hear their stories. In this podcast they are vulnerable about their challenges in growing their careers while raising families and confronting a system that sometimes keeps them out. Take a listen to “Two Latina Activists on Latinos’ Place in Anti-Blackness”.

Sooo Many White Guys

This podcast is a funnier take on the lack of representation of BIPOC and the overabundance of white guys — specifically in comedy. The host, Phoebe Robinson, is a fan-favorite of many thanks to her other popular podcast, Two Dope Queens. Sooo Many White Guys is a great option for any of you who like listening to celebrities’ funny and serious stories. Try taking a listen to the episode with Trevor Noah where he talks about growing up during apartheid, his comedy start, and his career as a DJ.

The below list is a rapid fire one that I myself need to explore. I recently added them to my Spotify account, so I am excited dive into them. Hopefully alongside you.