Ed talks with columnist, writer and political commentator Michael Harriot. They talk about his latest New Times best seller, Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed history of America. The book looks at American History from A Black perspective and offers an unvarnished and sometimes funny and ironic look at the way American History has been told. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with actor, author, and businessman Hill Harper. They talk about Harper’s decision to throw his hat in the ring and run for the U.S. Senate. They also talk about the overall state of politics, the 2024 election and why his decision to became a candidate was motivated, in part, by his young son’s future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with Pastor, activist, and author Jamal-Harrison Bryant. Bryant is the senior pastor of the mega-church New Birth Missionary Baptist Church outside of Atlanta. They talk about the state of the Black church, celebrate preachers and why political and social activist must do to stay relevant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with Maryland Governor, Wes Moore. They talk about his historic win, the importance of state and local politics in the 2024 election and speculation of his running for higher office down the line. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with comedian Roy Wood, Jr. about his career, working on The Daily Show, the difference between Black and White audiences and what it was like hosting the White House Correspondents' dinner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with singer/songwriter Jonathan Butler. They discuss Butler’s latest album, Ubuntu, the singer’s years of growing up in South Africa under Apartheid, his award-winning international music career, and working with his idol, Stevie Wonder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with singer/songwriter, Valerie  Simpson about her hall of fame songwriting  career with late husband Nick Ashford and their  stellar career as artists.  They also talk about how Ashford and Simpson’s music became the sound track for generations of music lovers. They also discuss what it was like working with iconic singers including: Marvin Gaye, Diana  Ross and Gladys Knight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with R&B singer, Will Downing. The star has been an R&B favorite for three plus decades, singing songs that often reflect the emotions of life, including hurt and pain, which became unthinkably real for the singer this year when his daughter, who struggled with mental illness, joined the growing ranks of young African-Americans who take their own lives. He opens up about the tragedy and what he’s doing to cope, including a song he created, in the wake of his daughter’s death,...

Ed talks with Musician, Robert Glasper. They talk about his award-winning career, working with music legends, his excitement about scoring films and television. They also talk about Glasper’s involvement with the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa, California and why, as the curator, he’s bringing all types of music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with singer KEM. They talk about his latest projects; a new book, Share my Life. The memoir chronicles the journey of a shy, emotionally starved child who spiraled into addiction and homelessness, only to become one of the most beloved singers of a generation, and Anniversary-The Live Album, that celebrates two decades of the singer’s hits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with Journalist Michelle Miller. They discuss her book, Belongings. The book explores her dealings with parental abandonment, racial identity and America’s reckoning with race. They also discuss her media career and the broadcast news business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with Former NBA star and activist Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. They discuss the documentary, Stand that looks at how converting to Islam and his decision to peacefully protest the flag cost the former all-star years of his thriving career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with attorney Ben Crump. They discuss the killing Tyre Nichols, police reform, and the culture of policing in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with civil rights activist, scholar and author Ben Jealous. They discuss the freedom fighter’s life of activism, the state of civil rights in the country, ending racism in America and his new book, Never Forget Our People Were Always Free: A Parable of American Healing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with political strategist and pollster Cornell Belcher. They discuss the general state of politics, the future for the Biden administration ahead of the 2024 Presidential election, upcoming Supreme Court decisions and the importance of the Black voting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with broadcaster, author, and critic, Toure. They take an in-depth look at media today, including the place of Black media. They also discuss his latest book, The Ivy League Counterfeiter and Masters of the Game, his latest one-on-one program on The Grio-TV. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with award-winning ABC News correspondent, Deborah Roberts. Since the 1990s she has covered many of the world’s top stories for both NBC and ABC. Among other things they talk about her career, the change in journalism, her marriage to fellow broadcaster and Today Show weatherman, Al Roker, and her upcoming book, Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with Terrance Woodbury, Chief Executive Officer & Founding Partner of HIT Strategies, a public opinion and research company that specializes in researching Millennials, People of Color, LGBTQ+, and other underserved communities. They talk about the 2022 midterms. The future of the voting public and power of the emerging minority vote. They also discussed the chances of a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024,  the future of Stacey Abrams and what Black voters should do to become more...

Ed talks with journalist and commentator Jemele Hill. They talk about her new book, Uphill: A Memoir. They also discuss her entanglement with Donald Trump and his White House, her departure from ESPN, her challenging childhood in Detroit, and whether professional sports are still run by the “old boys networks”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with White House Correspondent, April Ryan. Ryan is the longest-serving African American female ever in that position. She’s covered five presidents and this year she marked a quarter century working at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. They discuss her latest book, Black Woman Will Save The World: An Anthem, the upcoming midterm election and why people must invest in voting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with actor Wendell Pierce. The veteran actor has made a name for himself on television, in movies and on the stage. From the big screen’s Waiting to Exhale, to television’s The Wire to his current project, starring as Willy Loman on Broadway in the Arthur Miller Classic, Death of Salesman the actor is a tour de force. They talk about his career, taking on a Broadway classic and the actor’s love for his hometown of New Orleans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with singer Brian Courtney Wilson. Since his debut album in 2009, the Chicago native has become one of gospel music’s rising stars. The University of Illinois graduate is seen as a leading “new” voice on the music scene. He is often compared to the likes of Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with comedian David A. Arnold. They talk about Arnold’s newfound popularity after three decades in comedy. They talk about his latest Netflix special  and explore why his brand of comedy is deeply rooted in his life’s story and why nothing is off limits including his family and his years of drug and alcohol addiction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed talks with Academy Award winning producer and author, Van Lathan, Jr. They talk about Lathan’s Oscar win and his book, Fat, Crazy, and Tired: Tales from the Trenches of Transformation. They also talk about the hardships of being a Black male in America, and Lathan’s infamous, viral run-in with rapper Kanye West. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.