Highly Melanated Podcast

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - Highly Melanated Edition

Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone!! in this episode we comprise our own list on who is coming to dinner and what are they bringing.   Would you come to eat at the manor? Who would be your guest? Follow US IG: https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod [https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA] IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!! FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @highlymelanatedpodcast@gmail.com

Be Prepared & Start Planning w. Shawnette

As a licensed Funeral Director and Pre-planning expert, Shawnette Mitchell comes to the Melanin Manor to talk about the ins and outs of planning for the inevitable. This is a real conversation about what no one wants to ever really talk about.  Planning for a funeral is a hard time in someone's life but it's a necessity of life.   Follow US IG: https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod [https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA] IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!! FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @highlymelanatedpodcast@gmail.com

Malcolm Jamal Warner's Impact and the Fragility of Life

There's something powerful about returning to a space that feels like home. After a brief hiatus, the Highly Melanated Podcast crew reunites with renewed energy and deeper perspectives on life, legacy, and the impact we leave behind. The episode opens with celebration as Chris (RED) shares his triumphant debut in classical theater, performing the leading role in Antigone. His cohosts beam with pride, having witnessed his command of complex language and powerful stage presence. Chris's willingness to step into character and deliver a spontaneous monologue showcases not just his artistic growth, but the evolution of someone who's found confidence in exploring new creative territories. When the conversation shifts to conspiracy theories, what begins as lighthearted banter about moon landings and aliens transforms into a thoughtful examination of information versus misinformation. This becomes particularly poignant as the hosts process the reported passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner. The heart of this episode beats strongest during reflections on mortality and purpose. Blair's perspective that "everyone is put on this earth for a reason, and when you've achieved that purpose, there's no reason to be here anymore" sits alongside PJ's observation that "how you live in life is how you're celebrated in death." These aren't just philosophical musings but invitations to consider our own legacies. What makes this episode exceptional isn't just the topics but the genuine vulnerability with which they're discussed. Through personal stories of loss and remembrance, the hosts create a space where difficult conversations feel not just possible, but necessary. Join us for this soul-stirring return episode, and perhaps take a moment afterward to ask yourself: What legacy are you creating with each day you're given? Connect with us on social media to share your thoughts – your perspective might be exactly what another listener needs to hear. Follow US IG: https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod [https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA] IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!! FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @highlymelanatedpodcast@gmail.com

Black Television's Evolution and Impact

What does Black television reveal about our culture, and how has its evolution shaped the way we see ourselves? When the hosts of Highly Melanated reunite after a brief hiatus, they dive deep into the powerful impact Black sitcoms have had across generations. Their conversation traces the journey from Family Matters to Insecure, examining how each era of Black television addressed specific cultural needs and challenged prevailing narratives. The 80s and 90s sitcoms deliberately showcased stable Black family structures to counter harmful stereotypes, creating spaces where Black families could see themselves reflected positively on screen. Shows like The Cosby Show and Family Matters didn't just entertain – they modeled constructive approaches to real-world problems that resonated with viewers gathering around their television sets. As the conversation shifts to present-day Black television, the hosts identify a striking pattern: the rise of complex Black women's stories. Series like Girlfriends, Insecure, and Harlem have centered educated, independent Black women navigating love and career while simultaneously addressing broader cultural issues like gentrification. These shows embrace messier narratives and eschew simple moral lessons, reflecting our community's growing comfort with complexity. Looking toward television's future, the hosts envision programming that addresses the mental health crisis affecting Black communities. They lament the premature cancellation of promising Black shows while celebrating the enduring role of music in Black storytelling – from iconic theme songs to the showcasing of emerging Black musical talent. This thoughtful analysis of Black television's past, present, and future reveals how these shows serve as both mirror and window, validating our experiences while offering visions of what could be. When Black creators control our narratives, the result isn't just entertaining – it's revolutionary. What shows made you feel truly seen? Join the conversation by following us on social media and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. Follow US IG: https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod [https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA] IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!! FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @highlymelanatedpodcast@gmail.com

Childless But Opinionated: When Non-Parents Have Something To Say

Ever noticed how your perfectly reasonable parenting suggestions get immediately dismissed with "You don't have kids, so you wouldn't understand"? The Highly Melanated Podcast team tackles this frustrating double standard head-on, creating what they call a "safe space where it's okay to judge each other's parenting skills, even though we're not parents." This episode dives deep into the unspoken rule that childless adults should keep their parenting opinions to themselves, regardless of how logical or helpful those insights might be. Blair, PJ, and Chris share personal stories of times they've wanted to offer advice but hesitated, knowing their childless status would automatically disqualify their viewpoints in many parents' eyes. They explore scenarios that test these boundaries – from witnessing neglectful parenting on public transportation to deciding when (if ever) it's appropriate to intervene when seeing troubling parent-child interactions in public spaces. What makes this conversation particularly compelling is how the hosts connect their theoretical parenting approaches to their own upbringings. PJ reveals how his strict father influences his hesitancy to become a parent himself, while Chris reflects on how more structure during his college years might have benefited him. Blair shares the contradictory messages she received about independence from her parents, highlighting how our childhood experiences inevitably shape our views on child-rearing whether we become parents or not. The conversation takes fascinating detours into cultural differences regarding adult children living with parents, gender disparities in parenting expectations, and even pet parenting as a microcosm of human parent-child dynamics. By the episode's end, they reach a universally agreed-upon piece of advice – "let your children have more fun" – while acknowledging the irony that even this simple suggestion would likely be scrutinized coming from non-parents. Ready to hear all the parenting opinions non-parents are usually too afraid to share? Listen now, and then join the conversation about whether parenting advice requires firsthand experience to be valuable. Subscribe, share your thoughts, and let us know if you've ever been on either side of this parenting advice divide! Follow US IG: https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/highlymelanatedpodcast] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod [https://www.twitter.com/H_MelanatedPod] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2VbyoW6KaMxQo5onYluXA] IF YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE, HIT US UP!!! FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US @highlymelanatedpodcast@gmail.com