Black Girl Nerds

Actor and author Taraji P. Henson discusses her career, mental health advocacy, and upcoming children's book promoting diversity. They also talk about technology's impact on relationships, the importance of representation in black culture, empowering children, unique food combinations, parenting lessons, and future roles in movies.

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome actor Kadeem Hardison. Kadeem Hardison plays Professor Gardner, a college literature professor in the current Showtime series The Chi. Hardison became known for his role as the fast-talking, flip-sunglass-wearing, girl-watching "Dwayne Wayne" on NBC's hit show A Different World alongside Lisa Bonet, Jasmine Guy and Debbie Allen. This role made him an instant ‘90s icon and a memorable television figure, and he even directed several episodes of the show. Before his breakout role, Kadeem began his acting career in 1981 on the ABC After School Special The Color of Friendship. Kadeem most recently starred in Moonhaven for AMC, was a series regular on Teenage Bounty Hunters for Netflix and recurred on the comedy series Black Monday for  Showtime. In 2018, he starred in Love Is… for OWN. He also starred in Disney Channel's K.C. Undercover opposite Zendaya for three seasons. He has guest starred and recurred on various shows such Grownish, NBC's Parenthood, The CW's Supernatural and the CBS comedy 9JKL, Between Brothers and House M.D, UPN’S Girlfriends and Everybody Hates Chris on CBS, along with many others. Kadeem made his motion picture debut in Stan Lathan’s 1984 adaptation of James Baldwin’s classic Go Tell it on the Mountain and worked again with Lathan that same year in Beat Street. From there, he took several comedic supporting roles in films such as Spike Lee’s School Daze, Keenen Ivory Wayans’ Blaxploitation tribute I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and Ron Shelton’s White Men Can’t Jump. He also co-starred alongside Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett in the comedy Vampire in Brooklyn.  Kadeem currently resides in New York and Los Angeles, and has a daughter named Sophia. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

Marvel executive Brad Winderbaum discusses potential new X-Men characters, relationships, and future storylines. The podcast also recaps the X-Men '97 season finale, highlighting emotional moments, character dynamics, and family connections within the series. Special guest Travis Hopson joins the hosts in exploring the intricate relationships, character transformations, and the success of the latest X-Men '97 episode for Emmy consideration.

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we recap episode 9 of the Disney+ series X-Men '97. We also welcome special guest actor and filmmaker Damien D. Smith. A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they're challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. Host: Ryanne & Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax New episodes air weekly on Disney+

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we have a 2-part episode!  We welcome actors Birgundi Baker and Hannaha Hall of The Chi and we breakdown episode 8 of X-Men '97. Segment 1: Birgundi Baker hails from Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from Howard University’s musical theater program and shortly after moved to Chicago to pursue her career in acting. Previously, she was seen in hit series such as Fox’s Empire, ABC’s Station 19, the CW DC series Black Lightning, and NBC’s Chicago Med and Chicago PD. Hannaha Hall is best known for her roles in the TV shows, The Chi (2018) and Chicago Med (2015). After completing college, she moved to New York City to study acting at The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Episode 8 recap aptly titled "Tolerance is Extinction" Part One is recapped in this week. A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they’re challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. Host: Ryanne & Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome the team behind Headspace XR, Sara Cohen, VP of Content Creation of Headspace and Dora Kamau, Headspace Meditation Teacher of Headspace and we have another X-Men '97 recap in store for you! Segment 1: Headspace XR is a first-of-its-kind immersive playground where users can move, play, meditate,or just explore and adventure with their friends. Developed by Headspace and Nexus Studios, the experience – which includes mood-boosting games, one-on-one guided meditations, and helps users strengthen their mind-body connection through movement and play. Sara and Dora chat with BGN about the tech and how it uses human connection to help create mindfulness techniques. Host: Jamie Segment 2: We recap episode 7 of the Disney+ series X-Men '97. Titled "Bright Eyes".  Joining us is special guest actor and filmmaker Damien D. Smith. A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they're challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. Host: Ryanne and Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome New York Times best-selling author and Emmy-winning correspondent for ABC News, Linsey Davis.  And in our second segment we provide a weekly recap of episode 6 of X-Men '97. Segment 1:  Linsey Davis, brings us her latest children’s book, Girls of the World, a book that celebrates all that girls have and can accomplish, and calls all girls to be leaders for equality, fairness, and a safe world in which to live. Linsey Davis is currently an anchor for ABC News Live Prime, which is ABC News Live’s first-ever streaming evening newscast, and weekend World News Tonight on Sundays. She is a correspondent filing reports for World News Tonight, Good Morning America, 20/20 and Nightline. Host: Ryanne Segment 2:  We recap episode 6 of the Disney+ series X-Men '97. Titled "Lifedeath Part 2" A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they're challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. Host: Ryanne and Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome X-Men 97 Supervising Producer/Director Jake Castorena and Directors Emi Yonemura & Chase Conley. Emi directed episodes 103, 105, 107 and 109.  Chase directed 102, 104 and 106. This first segment is hosted by Ryanne. In our second segment we recap episode 5of the Disney+ series X-Men '97 aptly titled "Remember It".  A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they're challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. Host: Jamie & Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we recap episode 4 of the Disney+ series X-Men '97. We also welcome special guest Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics. A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they're challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. Host: Ryanne & Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax New episodes air weekly on Disney+

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we recap episode 3 of the Disney+ series X-Men '97. A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they're challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. Host: Ryanne & Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax New episodes air weekly on Disney+