Shanice Harris

I am what you would probably call a “podcast addict”. Before podcasts took over the mainstream and we could easily access them from our phones, I was listening to comedian Maronzio Vance begrudgingly break down the comedy world on a little-known site called Podbean. He’d open the mic, yell microphone check, and riff for an hour or so on the week’s events. That was many years ago, but his show, Just Killing Time, was the first podcast I ever listened to.

I have always loved the world of radio, so it was a natural progression for me to get into podcasts. As a kid, I remember being in the car with my dad as he listened to The Tom Joyner Morning Show. I would perk up in the back seat as Joyner, J Anthony Brown, and Sybil Wilkes would cackle at the antics of the world and report on the community that I love so much. It’s Your World, the audio drama that aired everyday on the show, was my introduction to the emotions that audio-only could convey. The assembling of voices, opinions, and humor—all within a controlled space—was needed. And it continues to be. As the years progressed, I got into The Read by Kid Fury and Crissle West, The Champs Podcast by Neal Brennan and Moshe Kasher, and The Bodega Boys by Desus Nice and The Kid Mero.

Everyone has a perspective, especially in today’s society. Everyone has a voice, an opinion...something to say. You could look at it as a good or bad thing. But, the world of podcasting is vast and the diversity in voices are needed. Whether you are an established voice like Larry Wilmore or Oprah, newcomers like the guys of the Black Men Can’t Jump in Hollywood podcast, or seasoned reporters like Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris from Still Processing, the podcast format allows the space to breathe. It allows creatives to expound on their points, add context from their other mediums, and connect with their audience in a way they probably didn’t think was possible.

Podcasts are great. If you aren’t sure how to jump into the expansive medium, I’d recommend just browsing the Podcast app on your phone. I mentioned several shows in this piece that have a comedic take, but there are so many genres of podcasts. Anything from mystery and true crime, to music critiques, to sports commentary, to hard news breakdowns. It truly is up to you.

Until next time…

Shanice