We spend nearly 26 percent of our listening time tuning into podcasts. That’s more than Sirius XM and streaming music combined.
Podcasts give a platform to those without a reputable name or a show business connection. However, the best hosts rise to the top by showcasing dynamic personalities and developing smart and interesting discussion topics.
Whether you want to start a podcast with a topic in mind or just to shoot the breeze, take a look at what you can learn from the best black culture podcasts on the air.
“The Read”
Breakdown: “The Read” is about honesty that comes from two hosts who aren’t afraid to hold back who they are. Kid Fury, a YouTube king with spots like “S**t Black Gays Say”, and Crissle, a writer and Oklahoma transplant, started the show in 2013. The two friends discuss pop culture stories and answer listener’s questions. They constantly throw shade with a comedic genius, allowing them to resonate with readers on topics that range from the “Law & Order: SVU” episode that was inspired by Rihanna and Chris Brown to listener stories about Drake. The conclusion of each show is called, “The Read”, which is a no holds barred take on an issue. The show has over 18,000 Facebook likes, 30,000 Twitter followers and their Soundcloud releases often top 200,000 views.
What to Learn: People want genuine and honest takes. Kid Fury and Crissle take advantage of the unfiltered and uncensored freedom of a podcast. Their honesty on issues both trivial and significant is refreshing and unique. Also the title is an original concept that feeds perfectly into the show’s structure.
“Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of all Time Period”
Breakdown: Great podcasts blend creativity with good discussion. Comedian and former host of “Totally Biased” on FX, W. Kamau Bell, and Kevin Avery, a writer for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” indulge in “denzelishness” each week in their podcast. Each episode they go through Denzel Washington’s movies in alphabetical order with different guests. The show trails into personal stories and anecdotes, but the central theme is always Denzel.
What to Learn: Think outside the box. The ease of podcast production makes for a vast pool of generic talk, so starting a general talk show hurts your chances of being noticed. By using a theme like Denzel Washington movies, this podcast peaks listener’s interest. Ultimately, your likability determines a podcast’s success.
“Call Your Girlfriend”
Breakdown: Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman host a tell-all podcast that dives into issues like fidelity (or lack there of), celebrities, racism and a whole heap of menstruation. The angle is two long-distance friends chatting it up as if they were enjoying each other’s company at a favorite cafe. Topics include: Is free dongin’ like free boobin’?, white people emoji use and presidential campaign takes. Clearly the show is a mix of laughs and interesting thoughts.
What to Learn: Work with people you like. Sow and Friedman’s friendship is apparent over the air. The show’s tagline, “A podcast for long distance besties everywhere” is instantly relatable for listeners. Although you may need to be cautious when going into business with a close friend, when it comes to podcasts, a friendship can be a ticket for success. The duo also hits home by naming their show after a Robyn classic and using it as the intro music. Newcomers to podcasting might need to use some stock music until they get on their feet and can pay for song rights or get a custom jingle created.
“Black Girls Talking”
Breakdown: Hosts Alesia, Fatima, Aurelia and Ramou do just what the show title suggests: talk. Their smart and socially-conscious discourse is empowering and inspirational. In a featured episode, the girls bring on their social media specialist Fanta Sylla to discuss a controversial blog post she wrote. The post discusses the movie, “Girlhood,” a film about a group of black girls growing up in a poor French neighborhood. Fanta, who is from France, notes how the film was created by white people and reviewed by white Frenchmen and also talks about the fallacy of solidarity between women of color and black women. The girls devote 75 minutes to the issue, which makes for eye-opening audio.
What to Learn: Be a team. Group podcasts are rare, with the standard approach being two hosts with rotating guests. The range of voices brings an edge to the podcast because each host brings a different point of view and perspective. The hosts rarely cut each other off or talk over each other, which shows their attention to detail and focused passion.
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