The Nod - podcast cover

The Nod

The Nod tells the stories of Black life that don’t get told anywhere else, from an explanation of how purple drink became associated with Black culture to the story of how an interracial drag troupe traveled the nation in the 1940s. We celebrate the genius, the innovation, and the resilience that is so particular to being Black -- in America, and around the world.
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Episodes

The Paradise Garage

Reggie Ossé, friend of The Nod and host of The Combat Jack Show, explains how a wild night of dancing and partying helped him get into his dream law school. And Producer Emanuele Berry shares the story of the man who made that magic night happen: DJ Larry Levan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 19, 201737 min

The Hairstons Part 2: Diary of a Mad Black Cousin

Every year, descendants of both enslaved people and slave owners come together for a family reunion. The darker side of their shared past remains hidden underneath the celebrations and pleasantries. Until one year, when Ever Lee Hairston says two words that break decades of silence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 12, 201728 min

The Hairstons Part 1: Snakes on a Plantation

At a plantation in the South, descendants of enslaved people and slave owners stayed together as family, entangled by namesake and blood, long after the end of slavery. Eric tells the story of one woman who broke away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 05, 201733 min

BONUS: Brittany Reads Her LiveJournal

In this week's bonus, Brittany makes an appearance on the Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids stage. Listen to find out which celebrity young Brittany was convinced she would marry, and come back next week for an all new episode of The Nod! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 27, 20174 min

Ready, Set … Buy Black

Tupac vs. Biggie. Mac vs. PC… Brittany vs. Eric. This week, Brittany and Eric’s rivalry reaches new heights as they face off in a competition that tests their smarts, perseverance and maybe even their friendship. Who will win bragging rights for life? And who will take the L? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 21, 201742 min

The Fresh Princess of Bel-Air

Now this is a story all about how the life of actress Karyn Parsons (aka Hilary Banks) got flipped, turned upside down. And we’d like to take a few minutes—just sit right there—and we’ll tell you how she makes Black history movies with flair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 13, 201729 min

BONUS: A Royal Good For The Blacks

This week’s bonus is a lightning round of Good For The Blacks from our Toronto live show! Brittany, Eric and special guests Vicky Mochama and Sarah Hagi discuss a topic that has taken over the tabloids. Is the relationship between American actress Meghan Markle and the UK’s Prince Harry good or bad for Black culture? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 06, 201711 min

Playing the Race Cards

Who's Blacker: Oprah or Sojourner Truth? Producer Kate Parkinson-Morgan tells Brittany and Eric about a new game that asks players to argue what makes one person Blacker than another. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 30, 201737 min

Drake of the Diaspora

Drake might be proud of us, but are we proud of him? In our latest Good For The Blacks, we debate Drizzy’s sampling of the African diaspora with Vicky Mochama and Sarah Hagi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 23, 201737 min

The Cowboy Of The West Village

Brittany tells the incredible story of a person you should have heard of by now, but probably haven’t. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 17, 201730 min

Gimlet Presents: Uncivil

The Nod is off this week, but Brittany and Eric are still here to present Uncivil, Gimlet Media's newest show. Uncivil is a history podcast that goes back to the moment when the divisions in this country turned into a war. The show ransacks the official version of the Civil War—with untold stories about covert operations, corruption, resistance and mutiny. Uncivil is hosted by Jack Hitt and Chenjerai Kumanyika (who you may remember from our episode on Purple Stuff). Jack and Chenjerai take on wh...

Oct 09, 201730 min

BONUS: What Happens In New Orleans

In this week's bonus episode, Brittany and Eric share the story of their recent trip to New Orleans. Because what happens in New Orleans... doesn't stay in New Orleans, at least when it comes to these two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 02, 201711 min

Whole Hog

Brittany talks to a man who dresses and cooks like his enslaved ancestors. And Eric drags Brittany to see a famous pit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 25, 201736 min

Lawrence: Good For The Blacks?

We return to debate if the #LawrenceHive’s hero is “hella good” or “bad as f**k” with Bim Adewunmi and Aaron Edwards, recorded live at the Now Hear This Podcast Festival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 18, 201733 min

All Heroes Wear Capes

Nelly on the cover of Sweatsuit, Eve during New York Fashion Week, Cam'ron on Rap City's Tha Bassment. This week, we follow the rise, fall, and rise again, of the durag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 11, 201732 min

BONUS: Eric Hates Reading The Credits

In this week's outtakes: Eric struggles with names, and Brittany has good foundational skincare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 04, 20175 min

I Want That Purple Stuff

Jolly Ranchers. Skittles. Gatorade. No matter what, Eric always goes for the purple stuff. This week, he uncovers the deliciously deep roots of his love for grape flavor. Plus, Eric challenges Brittany to eat an unhealthy amount of peanut butter… all for the culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 28, 201741 min

A is for Afrocentric

Eric hosts a podcast about Black culture. He went to an HBCU. But when it comes to choosing a school for his daughter, he's not sure if an Afrocentric education is the right choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 21, 201730 min

Chitlins at Bergdorf’s

If you think Kanye West was the first to change the American fashion game, meet one of the flyest Black fashion squads in history. RELATED LINKS Check out Robin Givhan’s book, “The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 15, 201738 min

BONUS: Brittany Won't Give Eric Cheez-Its

We’re off this week, but we wanted to share a little of the behind the scenes magic of our show. There’s a lot that goes into making an episode of The Nod…and there’s a lot that doesn’t go in. Enjoy these outtakes and come back next week for an all new episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 07, 20174 min

Good For The Blacks

Snoop Dogg has a TV show with Martha Stewart. The Tyler Perry movie "Boo! A Madea Halloween" made almost $100 million at the box office. A Black man once held the nuclear codes for President Trump. Sometimes in life we have to decide if a thing is good or bad for the Culture. RELATED LINKS Read Vinson Cunningham’s work at The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/contributors/vinson-cunningham Follow Aminatou Sow on Twitter. She's @aminatou. If you are struggling to decide if something is good fo...

Jul 31, 201736 min

On That Lo Life $hit

Eric's always had an affinity for Polo Ralph Lauren. But he discovers a group of boosters in Brooklyn that took their love for Polo to another level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 24, 201728 min

Greetings, My Brothas

Eric tries to convince Brittany that Beyoncé is hiding something, but Brittany needs more receipts. RELATED LINKS For the full experience, watch “Beyoncé forced Solange to give birth to Blue Ivy EXPOSED” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQOPnV6pWkc Shawn Blazington’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKB0LMauvWrRJkqDYyynihw Celesse’s Beyoncé fan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throwbackxyonce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 17, 201729 min

Hunter Green Thong

A YouTube sex empress is making waves. RELATED LINKS: Save the Last Dance clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3_bLCIsLf4 Glamazon Tyomi's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GLAMerotica101 Zane's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorZane/ Because we are a new show, we would love if you could rate us on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 17, 201728 min

Coming Soon!

A new podcast about Black culture from Gimlet Media, hosted by Blackness' biggest fans, Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings. Premieres July 17th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 20, 20172 min
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