Being a bad-ass social justice advocate can be tough. Especially when there’s so much information everywhere and you have no clue where to start. From the newest political news to racial issues, gender and sexuality, environmentalism, and mental health – it’s a lot, and often texts about social justice can be inaccessible and too complicated.

Personally, I am always looking for information and educational ways that can help me learn and grow, not only into a better social justice advocate but as a better human being overall.  And sometimes reading complex 800-page books can be challenging.

Which is why we here at The Tempest love these podcasts, because they make social justice more accessible. Here is a list of awesome and informative podcasts that break down everything you need to know.

1. Code Switch 

Code Switch from NPR tackles conversations about race head-on. It is hosted by journalists of color who speak on how race impacts almost all facets of life, from pop culture, politics, history, sports, movies, and fashion. It has an analytical and critical eye on society and provides those perspectives in an informative manner to the listeners. 

2. Hoodrat to Headwrap: A Decolonizing Podcast

Ericka Hart and Ebony Donnley are behind this honest, educational, and humorous podcast. They strike a balance between light-hearted and informative. The diverse content ranges from speaking against white supremacy, gender, race, pop culture, and astrology through the lens of Black queer voices and perspectives. A personal stand-out for me is the Gender 101: The Binary Won’t Save You episode which comprehensively breaks down ideas around gender and sexuality. 

 

3. Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Race, Gender, and Social Justice

Omkari Williams hosts this social justice podcast that interviews social justice activists, founders of social justice organizations, actors, musicians, and experts on the issues the podcast addresses. It takes a deep-dive into the interviews that are both informative and necessary to truly understand the issues of race, gender, disability, abortion, self-care, oppression, and so many more topics. 

4. Introduction to Feminist and Social Justice Studies

If you’re looking to get a more college style look into social justice issues, this one is for you. Dr. Alex Ketchum’s feminist and social justice podcast is aimed at providing access to educational content for all. This podcast particularly has more to do with feminist scholarship, however, there are other topics such as class, disability, health, and environmentalism. 

5. Pod Save The People

Activist DeRay Mckesson, along with Samuel Sinyangwe, Kaya Henderson, and De’Ara Balenger, have conversations around culture, social justice, and politics in the US by exploring the history and people who form part of these concepts. The podcast also interviews a multitude of people on current news and affairs that are often overlooked in mainstream media, providing a racial justice lens from which to understand and digest the news.  

6. About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge

This social justice podcast may only have 9 episodes, but it is packed with the natural wisdom and knowledge about race that Reni Eddo-Lodge effortlessly has. Episodes include a look at the politics of whiteness, the politicals of blackness, intersectional feminism, and anti-racism. Each episode includes conversations with artists, writers, and journalists who share their thoughts and experiences. One of my favorite episodes on this podcast is White Women Crying is Racist! which discusses the importance of intersectional feminism. 

7. The Stoop

The hosts Leila Day and Hana Babba discuss stories around blackness and the diaspora. The podcast has light-hearted yet insightful conversations on interesting topics such as should black Americans wear tribal wear, the social and professional implications of ‘sounding white’, and African perspectives on #BlackLivesMatter. 

8. Battle Tactics for Your Sexist Workplace

This social justice podcast is hosted by Jeannie Yandel and Eula Scott Bynoe, who break down how sexism works in the modern workplace from systematic structures to microaggressions. They invite experts on the show and help equip you with real-life tactics that you can use to fight back against the discrimination you may be receiving from your workplace. 

9. Yo, Is This Racist?

The podcast, hosted by Andrew Ti and Tawny Newsome, along with their guests, answer and discuss submitted questions and voicemails on whether or not something is racist. It has a critical look at racism, with a light-hearted, comedic spin that hits the sweet spot between the two. 

10. Excuse My African

Stella Damasus shares her challenges and experiences in this weekly podcast as a Nigerian woman living abroad. The topics covered in the podcast include politics, religion, sex, business, entertainment, history, and human rights. 

 11. How To Save A Planet

The recently-launched podcast follows journalist, Alex Blumberg, and scientist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth as they ask hard questions on climate change, and interview people who are making a difference. An interesting episode to check out is Black Lives Matter and the Climate, which takes a look at how fighting racial injustice is critical to the climate movement. 

 12. Stories from Home: Living the Just Transition

The Climate Justice Alliance brings this podcast to you, hosted by Keenan Rhodes, as he dives into local communities building sustainable climate justice solutions in their communities. 

13. Climate Cast

Meteorologist Paul Huttner brings the latest news on climate change in bite-sized episodes. This podcast is great if you’re looking for a quick update on news and current affairs affecting climate change and the environment. 

14. The Hilarious of World of Depression

Host John Moe shares conversations on depression with moving stories, openness, and laughter from comedians who have experienced depression. The podcast aims to destigmatize this very common mental illness through humor. 

15. Therapy for Black Girls

Hosted by psychologist, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, the podcast discusses mental health, and personal development with topics like exploring mental illness, relationship dynamics, sexuality, and overall factors that support the best you. The podcast provides educational and useful information that helps improve your mental health and wellness. 

16. Life, I Swear

The podcast discusses the trials, anecdotes, and stories from black women about identity, mental health, motherhood, trauma, and triumph. It is hosted by Chloe Louvouezo and brings both challenging questions and reflections as well as healing and support for the experiences of black women. 

17. The History Chicks

This one is for our history buffs. Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider introduce some interesting women in history. The podcast is not deeply academic but serves as a great guide into the lives of amazing, historical women figures. 

18. She’s All Fat: A Fat Positive Podcast

This podcast is dedicated to fat positivity and radical self-love. Hosted by Sophie Carter-Kahn, it addresses issues surrounding fat narratives and providing an often-overlooked space and voice for fat people.

19. Hysteria

Political commentary and comedy writer, Erin Ryan, is joined by a group of women to discuss political news, trends, topics, and culture that affect women’s lives. The podcast is opinionated and informative, with a dash of humor. 

20. LGBTQ&A

The podcast is hosted by Jeffery Masters and includes interviews with interesting LGBTQIA+ people, highlighting the stories of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

21. Nancy

The podcast, which ended in June, is hosted by Kathy Tu and Tobin Low and explores the LGBTQIA+ experience. Although the podcast has ended, the conversations and interviews are heart-warming, fun, and still as important.

Each podcast has so much to offer and more. Delve into the different perspectives and voices that are sure to teach you about social justice issues in a new light.

We, here at The Tempest, hope that these podcasts are an enlightening yet fun companion on your social justice advocate journey.

 

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