For Pride Month, we are throwing back to our award winning episode, PolyFree Loving multiply or polyamory. We already do it (we love our families, we love our friends, we love our pets), but it’s different when it comes to our romantic relationships. In this episode, we meet Ambi, Ex and Intro, a triad on the verge of change, as well as Kevin Patterson, author of Love’s Not Colorblind: Race and Representation in Polyamorous and Other Alternative Communities. Crystal Byrd Farmer, who is a solo po...
Jun 26, 2025•34 min
A father's day favorite. We hear from dads, people talking about their daddies, and we hear about the joys, and challenges, of Black fatherhood. We see you, Black dads. Featuring dads Chris Stewart, Rob Fields, and Sam Adewumi. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jun 12, 2025•27 min
The Queen is here! Today we’re Stoopin' it with award-winning Nigerian author and ground-breaking cultural icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie! Hana has SO many questions for her favorite author- from how African stereotypical narratives are changing, to being a Nigerian mama in 2025 America, to book bans, and returning to writing fiction after 12 years since her groundbreaking novel Americanah. We’re chillin’ with Chimamanda! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
May 29, 2025•29 min
Do you ever feel like you may be carrying patterns that aren’t yours? Do you notice the way you deal with stress, love, parenting, or hustling feels inherited? In this episode, Leila asks herself these questions as she recalls a story from her childhood, and we dig into epigenetics —the science that says the trauma of our ancestors can leave marks on our DNA that echo through generations. We discuss the toll of push-through culture (hey, John Henry!), and why some bodies feel like they’ve been w...
May 15, 2025•32 min
You know it is Black History Month all year long on this podcast! And we know that this Black History month has a lot of us feeling heavy, fixated on the news- from DEI being dismantled, to government agencies being shut down... It's alot. The changes are daily, and drastic and… exhausting. So, we wanted to step back, reflect and highlight what we know will keep us going- our stories, our voices. Today, we're sharing an episode that is one of our favorites to celebrate Black History Month: The S...
Feb 06, 2025•26 min•Season 11Ep. 111
When Hana was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2011, she went on a research quest to find a donor that could save her life. Through this process, she discovered that another Black donor who shared her ethnicity would be the best fit. But studies show there aren’t enough Black donors to fill the need for Black folks who need transplants. Why? In this episode, we explore Black organ donation through the story of Arlinda Timmons-Love, a mom who lost her 15 year old son, and navigated the complex feelings...
Jan 23, 2025•27 min•Season 11Ep. 110
CPT, African Time—yeah, we’ve all heard of it, but are we really running late, or are we just moving to our own beat, on our own terms, in our own rhythm? In this episode, we hear from some folks who dig deep into theories, and ancestral philosophies and practices, related to time. Do we need to rethink how we define time? One thing’s for sure—we know what time it is. Time to press play on this episode. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Jan 09, 2025•25 min•Season 11Ep. 110
When you meet Greg Eskridge, you’ll notice his smile, how easy it is to talk to him, and you’ll lean in when he tells you his story. After being incarcerated for 30 Christmases, he's making this one special. Today, award-winning journalist and storyteller Greg Eskridge reflects on love, family, and what this season means to him. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 19, 2024•23 min•Season 11Ep. 109
'Have a seat in my chair..' Today we're at the braiding salon with Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh, creator of the Tony Award-winning Broadway play, Jaja's African Hair Braiding. We chat with her about braiding salon culture, and the different kinds of people she portrays in the play. We explore the African American-African immigrant dynamics that can happen at braiding salons, we talk immigrant life, audiences that maybe don't get it, and the practice of Black playwrights holding "Bla...
Dec 05, 2024•24 min•Season 11Ep. 107
As Black country music is having its moment, Hana has always wondered why her Sudanese mom loved Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. You can hear country music playing in cafes in African capitals. There is a love of American country music among our African elders, many say they grew up with it. While for many, country music is associated with white culture and isn't relatable, for many African elders it holds a very special place in their hearts. Why? We explore the surprising histori...
Nov 21, 2024•34 min
Let’s take a moment. It was a tense few months leading up to the election. Today we want to pause, and share an ode to the Black women who continue to show up. Featuring an essay by writer Stacia Brown. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Nov 07, 2024•7 min•Season 11Ep. 3
We don't hear alot of personal stories about what it is to be a big man in Black spaces. Today we go there with Ronald Young Jr., award-winning podcaster and creator of the hit show “Weight for It.” We stoop it out as he takes us back in time to when he was roasted at church, and unpacks what it feels like to be on the receiving end of ridicule by those who you feel closest to. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Oct 24, 2024•28 min•Season 11Ep. 2
Ring Ring! Is anyone there? After George Floyd’s death in 2020, companies across the US were called upon to acknowledge the ways they were discriminatory and inequitable towards Black people. In response, they vowed to create space for Black voices, support Black content, and put Black people in positions of power. Black projects were greenlit and Black creators were asked to pitch their ideas. The “Black jobs” were on fire! Until it wasn’t a priority anymore. The phones stopped ringing. Today w...
Oct 10, 2024•28 min•Season 11Ep. 1
What if we told you there's an entire book dedicated to the things Black folk say? Historically Black Phrases by jarett hill and Tre'vell Anderson introduces and explains sayings like "I AIN'T ONE OF YOUR LIL' FRIENDS" to "WHO ALL GON' BE THERE?". The book is a blend of the many things you grew up hearing and their definitions and usage all in one place. We sit down with the authors to talk about what makes a phrase "Black" and ask, 'are some phrases reserved for only some Black people?'Join us!...
Jul 10, 2024•33 min•Season 10Ep. 11
We should all be free to be, free to love, and be celebrated in that process - if not by others, then definitely by ourselves. In this episode, Hana and Leila explore three stories that center queerness and spirituality, Black drag culture, and shifting relationship structures through polyamory. Through it all, the episode guests had to wrestle with disapproval from their communities - and sift through feelings of being outcasts - to eventually accept themselves. Bob the Drag Queen, Darnell Moor...
Jun 06, 2024•52 min•Season 10Ep. 10
It's our 100th episode! We're celebrating by going back to some special episode moments over 10 seasons of the show. Some made us laugh, others made us cry, some moments made us question whether we should really go there, and others made us even question ourselves. It's a look back, behind the scenes, of what makes The Stoop, The Stoop. Thank you for Stoopin' with us for 100 episodes! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
May 23, 2024•42 min•Season 10Ep. 9
Welcome to our Mother's Day special! There are many unexpected ways that people step into parenting. In this special from The Stoop, we hear stories about redefining family on your own terms. We explore the term ‘Auntie’ and how some women find it problematic, we hear about the challenges of IVF for Black women, and we meet a family that shows us how co-parenting can evolve. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
May 12, 2024•53 min•Season 10Ep. 8
Hana loves perfume, and there’s a long heritage of traditional perfume making in Sudan. But sometimes, sweet smells come with some controversy. As she explores the history of racism and colonialism in the global perfume industry with perfume enthusiast and historian Razan Idris, she discovers an intriguing story about an iconic Sudanese scent that has her bothered. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 02, 2024•42 min•Season 10Ep. 7
This is an ode to Black men's voices. Celebrating some of the voices that soothe, excite, or give us a sense of feeling grounded. Over the years, Black men’s voices have symbolized comfort, affection, and authority in pop culture. From the baritone of Barry White to the reliable tone of James Earl Jones, we're celebrating voice. We also meet voice actor and writer Kingsley Okafor of the group that became a viral sensation: Bearded Black Men Reading. Kingsley Okafor: @rukuslive Learn about your a...
Apr 18, 2024•31 min•Season 10Ep. 5
“When can we allow somebody to cry and be transparent?” WNBA player Chamique Holdsclaw asked at the height of her career as a pro basketball player. Chamique's willingness to address her mental health changed her life. In this episode, Chamique talks about the Black pride that can get in the way of healing, what she’d like for people to consider when they have loved ones struggling, and she shares her story of survival and choosing to love herself. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/a...
Apr 04, 2024•33 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Hana is trying to enjoy the Sudanese music she loves, but something isn’t feeling right. The war in Sudan continues, and has destroyed with it a lot of the country’s cultural landscape, including places where the country’s music once lived. She’s wondering - what will happen to Sudan’s musical heritage? She talks it out with Leila and with Haneen Sidahmed - someone who is preserving music on her site Sudan Tapes Archive, plus she visits a Sudanese choir that’s singing the classics in California....
Mar 21, 2024•31 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Many children dream of being wildlife experts after watching hours of nature shows, but as grown-ups, it’s rare to meet a Black nature ecologist. Today we hear some unbelievable nature stories with carnivore expert Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. She shares the most fascinating challenges in her career from facing the racialized history of conservation work to the time she had to solve the mysterious death of a Black bear. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Mar 07, 2024•41 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Get your popcorn! It’s movie night on The Stoop. Whether during filmmaking booms or busts, Black entertainers and filmmakers found a way to show Black love on screen. We explore the history of love in Black movies with film scholar Dr. Artel Great. From the first Black kiss filmed in the 1800s, to the 90's romance renaissance and beyond, we go down Black film memory lane to dissect some iconic moments of Black love on the silver screen. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Feb 22, 2024•39 min•Season 10Ep. 2
This season we're leaning into love in all its forms — starting with the city of love, Paris. Leila meets with Sutanya Dacres, an American in France, who transformed her life after heartbreak through the joy of cooking. She also lets us in on the secret ingredient that makes French life feel so romantic. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Feb 08, 2024•28 min•Season 10Ep. 1
The Stoop is back with season 10! This season, Leila and Hana are exploring love in its many forms. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Feb 02, 2024•1 min
Sometimes it’s easier to hold back than be completely honest, especially when talking about some of the themes that are brought up on The Stoop. Today Hana and Leila share some moments that made them uncomfortable but also made them realize the importance of sharing the discomfort. As we approach our 100th episode, let’s be 100% real. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Sep 28, 2023•33 min•Season 9Ep. 10
Hana spends a day in Nairobi with Kenyan Instagram comedian, Hope Hajir. Hope made it to the U.S. and was living her life when a tragic event gave her pause. While many people who reach the U.S. find ways to stay, Hope decided to return to Nairobi and talks about the experience of not wanting to live the American Dream. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Sep 08, 2023•33 min•Season 9Ep. 9
This summer, The Moth and The Stoop are getting cozy and sharing stories. Today, we invite special guest, Suzanne Rust, the host of The Moth storytelling series, to share a tale she loves. This story is by Ivan McClellan, a photographer who lives in Portland, Oregon. Ivan found something very unexpected in his hometown of Kansas City, Kansas when he learns about the black rodeo. In this double feature, we also stoop it out with Suzanne about The Stoop’s episode —episode 75 —“Black don’t crack?” ...
Aug 24, 2023•31 min•Season 9Ep. 8
What’s it like when everyone at home speaks a language you don’t understand? That’s the story of Claudia, a Ghanaian American who grew up not speaking her home language —her ‘Mother Tongue’. But everybody else did, including her own siblings. The effects were real: disconnect, frustration, shame, and at some point a full on identity crisis. We also ask other people in the diaspora if they speak their home languages, and Hana contends with her own kids’ lack of fluency, and what it means. Learn a...
Aug 10, 2023•32 min•Season 9Ep. 7
Leila travels back to Cuba —and to her 20s —in this special episode about Havana, dance, hair, proud negras , and finding your voice. This story is told in collaboration with Meditative Story, hosted by Rohan Gunatillake. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jul 27, 2023•40 min•Season 9Ep. 6
