Stance Podcast with Chrystal Genesis

In this episode, we catch up with London singer and producer NAO to hear about her acclaimed second album, Saturn. Plus, we explore the many faces of modern yoga - including the voices driving for greater representation in the wellness space, the people that call themselves ‘yogis’, the cult-like controversy surrounding the founder of Bikram yoga, LA’s first instructor that teaches from a wheelchair, and the artist that started the movement #WhitePeopleDoingYoga. Stance is an award-winning arts, culture and current affairs podcast. Stancepodcast.com @stancepodcast 

In our Women + Islam feature - we examine the rise of US political figures like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib; have a discussion with women from the Arab Diaspora; we uncover the practice of Islam shrouded in mystery - Sufism; and we hear from one of the writers in a seminal new essay collection called It’s Not About the Burqa. This month, we are in conversation with actor and rapper, Paigey Cakey, from Hackney, East London. Lastly, Stance reports from La Colonie - a radical art space and haven for young artists and intellectuals in Paris looking to open up the debate and challenge France’s post-racial stance, created by artist Kader Attia. Stance is an international award-winning arts, culture and current affairs podcast.  Stancepodcast.com @stancepodcast

This month, we kick off the new year with an exploration of language in our feature, “Way With Words”. How do we preserve our most endangered languages? How does a dialect become a language? Do labels like “Womxn”, “LGBTQIA”, “people of color” and “Latinx” empower or hold people back? What happens when a command of written and verbal language no longer separates robots from humans? We’ll dig into these questions and more with Animesh Garg, Robotics research scientist at Stanford; Dr. Helen Beer, Yiddish teacher at  University College London; Genesee Johnson, professor at Harvard; Mel Y Chen, Associate Professor of Gender & Women's Studies at UC Berkeley, and writer, Yara Rodrigues Fowler. We also speak with Armina Mussa, visual artist and creative director of Saint Heron - a multidisciplinary creative agency founded in 2013 by Solange Knowles. Armina shares how a life-changing incident has helped her find her voice in her art. Lastly, we revisit our MIND series exploring links between design and mental health in urban spaces. How is the creative community in London responding to the pressures of city life? Stance is an Award-Winning Arts, Culture & Current Affairs Podcast, Exploring Diverse, Global Perspectives. Stancepodcast.com @Stancepodcast

On Beauty - Stance explores its value in society, the ethics surrounding beauty ideals, the objects we treasure, and the beauty rules of Drag. Stance speaks with artist Naeem Mohaiemen, Turner Prize Nominee, to find out more about his work. And in our current affairs piece, we investigate how neuroscience is being used to promote greater wellbeing in cities, with a new generation of scientists, architects and policymakers. stancepodcast.com @stancepodcast 

How can we re-imagine political power? What is the role of culture in the current political climate? These were the questions framing the YBCA 100 Summit in San Francisco - an event recognizing some of the most exciting people, organizations and movements changing society for the better. Stance caught up with this year’s honorees Janet Mock; Tarana Burke; Nnedi Okorafor; Rafael Casal, as well as YBCA's Marc Bamuthi-Joseph to hear their takes. Stancepodcast.com @stancepodcast ybca.org   Music Credits: Janelle Monae - I Like That Blood Orange - Jewelry ft Janet Mock J Dilla - Rebirth is Necessary Sun Ra - Space is the Place Public Enemy - Fight the Power

In our first ever podcast, as President Trump took office we talked about the rise of the demagogue. Nearly two years on, the bitter fight for control of Congress is playing out in front of our eyes. Stance looks at how global relationships with democratic participation has changed and is shifting in a period of rapid technological and political upheaval. We profile Sayaka Murata, a multi-award winning author in Japan who’s making waves with her acclaimed novel Convenience Store Woman. And for our arts piece, we speak to two poets from opposite sides of the Atlantic, Fatimah Asghar and John Cooper Clarke, about their new collections. Stance is an award-winning arts, culture and current affairs podcast. Stancepodcast.com @stancepodcast

In this episode of Stance Takes - we celebrate Black History Month in the UK and hear whether new ideas around representation and diversity are challenging the old stale orthodoxy. Stance co-host Chrystal Genesis takes her son to the British Library’s exhibition celebrating 70 years since the Empire Windrush. They share stories of their history against a backdrop of Marcus Garvey, Darcus Howe and Una Marson. We speak to Farzana Khan, a producer and award-winning arts educator currently coordinating the Black Cultural Activist Map with the Stuart Hall Foundation, to celebrate and restore stories of forgotten cultural activists. We also meet the people behind Knights Of, a new publishing house overturning conventional wisdom in literature. Stancepodcast.com @stancepodcast Stance Takes is a new experimental series outside of Stance Podcast’s regular format, covering entertainment, in-depth interviews and the ideas framing our conversations. Our first episode of Stance Takes was selected as “Podcast of the Week” by The Times. Stance is an award-winning arts, culture and current affairs podcast, exploring diverse, global perspectives.

This month, Stance explores what has been hailed as a new era in masculinity, a year on from the launch of the #metoo movement. Stance dissects society’s idea of masculinity and how this is being challenged and reshaped, with voices including Emmy-winning filmmaker Deeyah Khan. Stance profiles the award-winning acclaimed poet, musician and writer Kate Tempest, and speak with Emmy award-winning director and actor and winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, Desiree Akhavan, ahead of the launch of her highly anticipated new TV show, The Bisexual.  Stancepodcast.com @stancepodcast 

Introducing Stance Takes: an experimental mini episode outside of Stance's regular format, covering entertainment, in-depth interviews and the ideas framing co-founders, Chrystal Genesis and Heta Fell’s conversations. The first Stance Takes will explore the cultural significance of award-winning surrealist TV drama comedy, “Atlanta” by FX. Donald Glover has been described as a “one of Hollywood’s most exciting and in-demand creative minds” today and he recently made history as being the first black person to win an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a comedy series. Expect an immersive audio experience filled with music, expert analysis and snippets from the hit series as its second season comes to a close. Stance is an award-winning podcast exploring arts, culture and current affairs, from diverse, global perspectives. Stancepodcast.com

Stance explores the notion of Coming of Age, what it means to young people, how it's expressed and celebrated across many cultures and depicted through film and felt through music. We speak to award-winning playwright and poet Inua Ellams about his critically acclaimed play Barber Shop Chronicles which is now touring internationally. And, lastly we catch up with Eno Williams, the lead singer of African Electronic 8-piece band, Ibibio Sound Machine. Note: This episode contains occasional swearing. Find out more: Stancepodcast.com