Black Girl Nerds

In this 2-part episode, BGN interviews actor Stephanie Levi-John from the Starz series 'The Spanish Princess' and the ladies of the FX series 'Fargo': Karen Aldridge, Anji White, and J. Nicole Brooks.  Segment 1: Stephanie Levi-John plays Lina de Cardonnes on 'The Spanish Princess'. The actor shares more about her character Lina's life outside of the Court and what it is like for her raising a family and how that causes struggles with Catherine as well. Host: Angelica Segment 2: Karen Aldridge, Anji White, and J. Nicole Brooks star in the FX series 'Fargo'.  The Chicago-based actors talk about getting their roles on the show, working with Chris Rock and so much more! Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this 2-part episode, BGN interviews talent and literary agent Tiauna Jackson and Producer Lyn Sisson-Talbert for the film soundtrack to Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. Tiauna Jackson owns The Jackson Agency. Ms. Jackson built her agency from the ground up within the entertainment industry’s most competitive market, Los Angeles. She made history by becoming the first Writer’s Guild of America franchise in Atlanta, Georgia and is believed to be the first known Black woman with 100 percent ownership of her agency to become a WGA franchise in Los Angeles. Host: Ryanne Lyn Sisson-Talbert is a producer for the soundtrack to the film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages – a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event. From the imagination of her husband writer-director-producer David E. Talbert, the film features original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan, and "This Day" performed by Usher featuring Kiana Ledé, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey reminds us of the strength of family and the power of possibility. Host: Angelica Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this 2-part episode, we invite actor Saoirse Ronan and have a hot topic discussion about the 2020 election. Segment 1: Saoirse stars in the new film 'Ammonite' opposite Kate Winslet. In 1800s England, acclaimed but unrecognized fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) works alone on the rugged Southern coastline. When a wealthy visitor entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan), she cannot afford to turn his offer down. Proud and relentlessly passionate about her work, Mary initially clashes with her unwelcome guest, but despite the distance between their social class and personalities, an intense bond begins to develop, compelling the two women to determine the true nature of their relationship. Host: Cat Segment 2: The 2020 Presidential election is finally over. The BGN Podcast staff give their hot takes about this past election year as well as the controversy surrounding the results of ballot counts, missing concession speeches, and what to expect under a Biden/Harris administration.  Host: Jamie, Angelica, and Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

BGN chats with Jarvis Houston, the U.S. spokesperson for 'I Love Black People'. I Love Black People was co-founded by Christopher Mapondera, a Zimbabwean, and Sinclair Skinner, an African-American. ILBP is a Black tech startup that uses technology to build a global network to protect Black people from racism & xenophobia, especially while traveling and in new environments. ILBP provides safe places for Black people across the world. ILBP is a leader in the creation of a cultural shift that empowers Black people with the tools to spend their dollars with and in communities and places where they will be safe. ILBP focuses on engaging and connecting the Black community as customers to Black-owned & Black friendly businesses. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

BGN Podcast hosts Ryanne and Angelica return to recap episode 2 of the hit HBO series 'Lovecraft Country'.  The two hosts breakdown the episode aptly titled "Whitey's on the Moon". Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this 3-part episode, BGN welcomes E’myri Crutchfield (Fargo), Crystal Nelson (Grand Army), and Alphonso Romero Jones II (Grand Army) to the podcast. Segment 1: E’myri Crutchfield stars in FX’s Emmy-winning anthology series Fargo. She is the breakout star, which also features Chris Rock and Jason Schwartzman.  E’myri portrays the narrator of the story, Ethelrida Smutny, a mixed-race teenager wise beyond her years, who is determined to improve her lot in life through education. Hosted by: Ryanne Segment 2: Crystal Nelson stars in the Netflix series Grand Army.  She plays seventeen-year-old ‘Tor’ who is a strong, confident, hilarious lesbian woman and an integral part of the basketball team. Though she comes from a well-off family, she continues to be grateful for what she has and stays grounded as she sees others around her struggling. Crystal is in real life a proud lesbian and member of the LGBTQ community. Born and raised in Maryland. Hosted by: Ryanne Segment 3: Alphonso Romero Jones II portrays ‘John Ellis’ in Netflix’s teen drama series, Grand Army.  Alphonso’s raw, natural talent was first displayed when he was cast in the coveted role of ‘Young Simba’ in “The Lion King” on Broadway. Aside from acting, he is a musician and creates in his home studio in New Jersey under the name TKP Nook. Hosted by: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In a special episode dedicated to the Cinemax series 'Warrior' —  BGN interviews 3 cast members from the show broken up into 3 segments. Segment 1: Oliva Cheng plays Ah Toy in the series 'Warrior'. A bisexual Madame in charge of the Hop Wei's brothel. She takes an interest with Ah Sahm due to his connections with Mai Ling. Cheng has also appeared in 'Deadly Class' and was a former correspondent for 'Entertainment Tonight Canada'. Segment 2: Dianne Doan plays Mai Ling, the wife of Long Zii, head of the Long Zii Tong. She is actually Ah Sahm's sister, Xiaojing, who ran away from China to the US to escape from her abusive husband Sun Yang, who forced her to marry him to prevent him from killing her brother. As Long Zii's wife, she is the de facto second in command of the Long Zii gang. Doan is known for portraying Lonnie in the Disney Channel Original Movies 'Descendants' and 'Descendants 2' Segment 3: Andrew Koji plays Ah Sahm, a Chinese martial arts expert of partial European ancestry from his white American grandfather, Ah Sahm travels to San Francisco to find his missing sister and ends up being involved in the city's gang wars. Koji is scheduled to appear in the upcoming prequel for the 'G.I. Joe' sequel 'Snake Eyes'. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus, Shubzilla, and Sky Blue Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

The BGN Podcast this week features a 2-part episode featuring animators and authors. In our first segment, Cabblow Studios was founded by a mother and daughter in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Tshepo P. Maaka (“Dr. T”) and her daughter, animator and creative director Kabelo “Cabblow” Maaka, work together to create short films, series, and medical animation where they simplify medical content through the charm of animation making it easier to understand, less intimidating, and easier to remember.  Host: Ryanne In our second segment, Nic Stone is the author of the New York Times bestseller and William C. Morris finalist Dear Martin and its companion novel Dear Justyce, which looks at the power of circumstance in decision-making, and seeks to stir compassion for a population of black children who have been deemed unworthy of it: the incarcerated.  Host: Jeandra Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

BGN interviews Comedy Central's Dulcé Sloan about her new podcast 'That Black Ass Show', Sloan talks to special guests to celebrate some of America’s iconic Black shows that have and continue to shape the world. From 90’s classics like the 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and 'Martin' to modern shows like 'Insecure' and 'Atlanta', Sloan does a deep dive into the show’s origin, classic moments, and fun facts that everyone can enjoy.  Interviewer: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

Better late than never!  Recap hosts Angelica and Ryanne return to recap the popular HBO sci-fi series 'Lovecraft Country'.  These breakdowns will not only include episode recaps, but also the history behind the books and the context within each of these stories.  If you're a fan of this series you don't want to miss these recaps! This recap features episode 1 "Sundown" Hosts: Angelica and Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax