For Colored Nerds - podcast cover

For Colored Nerds

Brittany Luse, Eric Eddings, and Stitcherwww.stitcher.com
Each week, BFFs and cultural critics Brittany and Eric deconstruct the nerdier side of pop culture. Joined by a rotating cast of artists, thinkers, and innovators, For Colored Nerds peels back the layers of Black culture we rarely discuss in mixed company.

Episodes

Vibe Check’s Thoughts on That NYTimes Popeyes Love Story

If you’ve been listening to our last few episodes, you’ll know we’ve had the hosts of Vibe Check – Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, & Zach Stafford – on the show to do the ultimate friendship test with Brittany and Eric. Now that FCN has ended, Vibe Check has become our go-to podcast for the latest in news, pop culture, and politics. In this unaired clip, the Vibe Check trio give their unfiltered thoughts on that controversial NYTimes Popeyes nuptial article.

Nov 15, 20229 min

Stacey Abrams is Running Against History

This week, we're passing the mic to our very own Brittany Luse. As you all know, Brittany is the new host of NPR's It's Been a Minute. And for her debut episode, she interviewed Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams. Since it's Election Day, we thought this would be the perfect time to drop her interview with Abrams on our feed.

Nov 08, 202223 min

RANKED: Series Finales

For the final episode of For Colored Nerds, Brittany and Eric rank the best series finales of all time.

Nov 01, 202248 minEp. 117

Will Smith, The Slap, and the Death of Celebrity with Aisha Harris

In this penultimate episode of For Colored Nerds, Brittany, Eric, and host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, Aisha Harris, go deep. This week, they discuss one of the most beloved, bankable, and now, controversial Black movie stars of all-time: Will Smith. This isn’t just about The Slap or “the entanglement.” It’s about Will’s entire relationship to celebrity. How his career, desires, and personal branding implicates more about the idea of celebrity as a whole than we previously thought.

Oct 25, 202259 minEp. 116

We're in Our Black Female Antihero Era

Tony Soprano. Walter White. Don Draper. Stringer Bell. Throughout the years, viewers have followed the trials, tribulations, and bad behavior from men we love to hate. These protagonists tend to be "relate-able" white (sometimes Black!) men who are chasing power, money, success, or any combination of those things. But in the past few years, we've seen the Black female antihero emerge. This week, Brittany and Eric divulge two of their favorite Black female antiheros of the moment.

Oct 18, 202252 minEp. 115

Living in a Post-Roe America with Khiara Bridges

On June 24th, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Since then, Americans have mobilized to defend access to abortion, while also urging politicians to codify access to not just abortion - but privacy. At the center of this debate is UC Berkeley law professor Khiara Bridges, who spoke at the Senate hearing after the decision was made. Khiara joins the show to talk about what’s at stake for Black communities with this ruling and what folks can do in their own time to stay informed....

Oct 11, 202239 minEp. 114

Vibe Check with Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, & Zach Stafford

This week, Brittany and Eric are joined by the hosts of Vibe Check - Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, & Zach Stafford. Vibe Check is their group chat come to life and they spill it all! From their honest reactions to Beyonce’s Renaissance to the state of the Democratic Party - you won’t wanna miss this.

Oct 04, 202243 minEp. 113

The Problem with Fast Fashion with Aja Barber

Writer, stylist, and consultant Aja Barber joins the show to give the lowdown on fast fashion and its effects on climate change, race, and the Global South. From Shein hauls to Ghana’s Kantamanto Market, there’s a lot of needles to thread but Aja’s got us covered.

Sep 27, 202239 minEp. 112

Reality With the King with Carlos King

Reality TV juggernaut Carlos King joins the show to talk all things reality TV. From spearheading the most iconic seasons of Real Housewives of Atlanta to setting the timeline on fire every week with Love & Marriage: Huntsville & DC - he has the game on lock. Tune in to hear about Carlos' illustrious career, his new podcast Reality With the King, and how he makes the reality in reality TV.

Sep 20, 202248 minEp. 111

All Good Things...

Brittany AND Eric (!!!) are back with two big announcements for the show.

Sep 13, 202235 minEp. 110

The Memeification of Domestic Violence with Beverly Gooden

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about domestic violence/IPV. This week, author and advocate Beverly Gooden joins the show. Beverly is the creator of the hashtag #WhyIStayed, which highlighted the stories of domestic-violence survivors and her memoir, Surviving: Why We Stay & How We Leave Abusive Relationships. We brought Beverly on the show to shed light on the conversations around domestic violence happening in pop culture. From the new Mike Tyson biopic on Hulu to Megan thee...

Sep 06, 202240 minEp. 109

Welcome to Provincetown with Qya Cristal

Every year tourists flock to visit Provincetown (aka P-Town), Massachusetts, a beach town and safe haven for queer folks looking to party, relax, hookup, enjoy live entertainment, and all of the above. Provincetown is also the backdrop for "Welcome to Provincetown,” a podcast following radio documentarian Mitra Kaboli as she explores the people, pleasures, and history of P-Town. One of the highlights of the show is singer-songwriter Qya Cristal, "IT girl" and drag entertainer who's taking the to...

Aug 30, 202242 minEp. 108

Code Switch with Gene Demby & B.A. Parker

Today on the show, Brittany's talking all things race with NPR’s Code Switch host Gene Demby and the newest addition to the Code Switch fam, B.A. Parker! Parker and Gene aren’t just hosts, but they’re friends of the show, and actual friends of Brittany's in real life. Listen in for a deep dive into reporting on race, Parker’s journey from film professor to podcast host and, they even get into one of the most heated topics online right now: the cost of braids. Listen to Code Switch NOW!: https://...

Aug 23, 202240 minEp. 107

Trials and Triumphs with Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins

For Colored Nerds is back this week with actress, host, and fellow bison, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins. You may know her as Joelle Brooks from Netflix's Dear White People, but today she joins the show to talk about her podcast, Trials to Triumphs. On Trials to Triumphs, Ashley interviews her friends, mentors, and inspirations as they unpack all the behind the scenes trials that led to their public triumphs. Brittany and Ashley get into the podcast, Ashley’s career, her full circle moments an...

Aug 16, 202237 minEp. 106

Beyonce's Best Songs: RANKED with Sylvia Obell

Beyoncé is coming. To properly prepare for the arrival of her 7th studio album Renaissance, Brittany is joined by entertainment journalist, hive member, and certified Bey enthusiast, Sylvia Obell, to rank the top songs from Queen Bey. Join us for RANKED!: The Beyonce Experience Edition!

Jul 26, 202238 minEp. 105

Facing Life with Pendarvis Harshaw and Brandon Tauszik

This week, Eric interviews journalist Pendarvis Harshaw and filmmaker Brandon Tauszik about their groundbreaking online documentary, Facing Life. Facing Life follows the stories of eight formerly incarcerated people adjusting to life outside of California prisons. Make sure to stay tuned til the end for an announcement about Eric! Facing Life Facing Life in the LA Times Pendarvis Harshaw: https://www.kqed.org/author/ogpenn Instagram Twitter Brandon Tauszik: https://brandontauszik.com/ Instagram ...

Jul 19, 202231 minEp. 104

There Are No Girls On the Internet with Bridget Todd

Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls on The Internet, joins the show this week to talk to us about all things tech, social media, and digital landscapes. She’s covered everything from sex trafficking myths that go viral to Kanye West’s bizarre intimidation tactics towards a Georgia election worker in 2020. Join Brittany and Bridget as they cover the manosphere’s crypto connection, the racial politics of online harassment and the endless search for a safe space online. Check out There Are No ...

Jul 12, 202239 minEp. 103

Boys Come First with Aaron Foley

This week, journalist and author Aaron Foley joins the show to talk about his debut novel, Boys Come First. The book follows Dominick Gibson, Remy Patton, and Troy Clements; three Black gay milennial men trying to figure their lives out in an ever-changing Motor City. There's love, friendship, tenderness, success, and a LOT of steamy sex scenes... but most importantly, it's a love letter to the city of Detroit. Put this on your summer reading list TODAY!

Jul 05, 202241 minEp. 102

On Lil Nas X, Isaiah Rashad, & Rothaniel with Tirhakah Love

After our episode with Tirhakah Love on Kendrick Lamar's latest album, Brittany and Eric realized there was another conversation brewing right under the surface: pop culture's reckoning with queerness and how it challenges the "traditional" ideals of Black masculinity. Between the tumultuous relationship between Lil Nas X and BET, Jerrod Carmichael's latest HBO special "Rothaniel," and Isaiah Rashad's leaked sex tape, Brittany and Eric are in conversation (again) with Tirhakah on how far hip-hop...

Jun 28, 202247 minEp. 101

The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans with Melissa Beck

This week, Brittany and Eric return to the show that started it all: The Real World. As long time fans of the original New Orleans season, the For Colored Nerds crew was SUPER excited for the reunion, The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans. Brittany and Eric reflect on the original series, their favorite moments, what they loved about the reunion, and, most importantly, they chat with everyone's favorite cast member from the New Orleans series: Melissa Beck.

Jun 21, 20221 hr 7 minEp. 100

Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers Review with Tirhakah Love

Brittany and Eric are comin' for your top five. After weeks of buzz, questions, conspiracies, and callouts, it's safe to say Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers is Kendrick Lamar's most controversial work. With help from Vulture writer Tirhakah Love, the For Colored Nerds crew gives their raw and unfiltered reactions to the album.

Jun 14, 20221 hr 4 minEp. 99

Red Lip Theology with Candice Marie Benbow

This week, Brittany and Eric chat with theologian, writer, and author Candice Marie Benbow about her book, Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who've Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn't Enough. To say the book challenges every idea of religion that we’ve come to know as gospel is an understatement. Candice refers to God not as He but They/Them, she encourages the need for grace by telling her own story of being ‘the other women,’ and she makes the case that the...

Jun 07, 202246 minEp. 98

Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations with Nicole Taylor

This week, Brittany chatted with Nicole A. Taylor, writer, master home chef, producer, and cookbook author about her latest cookbook Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations. From rhubarb BBQ sauce to corn dogs there's something in this cookbook for everyone. And, they get into the importance of honoring Juneteenth's origins in Texas.

May 31, 202241 minEp. 97

Let’s Get Critical with Angelica Jade Bastien

Have you ever felt bad for critiquing a Black film for fear of "no more being made"? Feeling so-so about this season of ATLANTA? Are you looking for someone, somewhere who can just say what's been sitting on your chest for so long? Look no further. Angelica Jade Bastien, Vulture film & TV critic, joins the show to give her unfiltered, deeply researched, and incisive commentary that we've grown to love in her work. She's written about all your favorite films and TV shows from I May Destroy You to...

May 24, 202250 minEp. 96

Wendy Williams: A Retrospective with Ira Madison III

From The Slap Heard Around to World to Rihanna's pregnancy, we've heard all the possible takes on our juiciest celebrity gossip. But there's one voice missing from the pack.. the one, the only, Wendy Williams. This week, Brittany, Eric, and Ira Madison III (Keep It) get into what makes Wendy the shock jock we hate to love, why her absence is so missed, and how the gossip landscape has grown because of her influence.

May 17, 202245 minEp. 95

The Movement Made Us with David Dennis Jr.

What's good, For Colored Nerds fam? Brittany and Eric are back this week with David Dennis Jr. David is a writer, educator, and author of a new memoir, The Movement Made Us. The book recounts the life of David’s father, David Dennis Sr., a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. It follows David Sr.'s life from his first CORE meeting to the Freedom Rides and more. Through firsthand accounts from David Sr. and letters from his son, we see the ripple effects of his movement work and most of all, ...

May 10, 202239 minEp. 94

Post Reports: How The Student Loan Freeze Helped Black Women

Today we have a very preview from the Washington Post’s daily show, Post Reports. Every weekday, host Martine Powers walks listeners through the news of the day. In this particular episode, reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel talked with Black women about the student loan debt freeze and what they’ve been able to do while their payments remain paused.

May 03, 20226 min

Shine Bright with Danyel Smith

This week, Brittany chats with iconic journalist, magazine editor, and novelist, Danyel Smith, about the release of her new book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop. From celebrating the enduring impact of Phillis Wheatley's poetry to giving insight into Whitney Houston's relationship with Bobby Brown - there's a little something for everyone. And to top it all off, Danyel's book is not just a love letter to Black women but a memoir of how these Black women in particular...

Apr 19, 202242 minEp. 93

Giving Birth While Black with NATAL

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, the For Colored Nerds crew chats with Gabrielle Horton and Martina Abrahams Ilunga, the hosts of NATAL, a podcast about giving birth while Black. NATAL is in its second season and follows the lives of three Black families in rural America. Stay tuned for a deep dive into reproductive justice, reverse migration, and a special announcement from our very own Eric Eddings.

Apr 12, 202242 minEp. 92