Podcast Cousins

Celebrating Kwanzaa: A Community Tradition

Summary This podcast episode explores the significance of Kwanzaa, its principles, and its celebration in the Des Moines community. The hosts and guests discuss the origins of Kwanzaa, its cultural importance, and how it fosters unity and collective action. They emphasize the need for community involvement and the role of children in carrying forward the traditions of Kwanzaa. The conversation highlights the importance of remembering cultural heritage and the ongoing relevance of Kwanzaa in today's society Takeaways * Kwanzaa is a celebration of African values and culture. * The principles of Kwanzaa can be practiced year-round. * Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but has spiritual significance. * Community involvement is crucial for the celebration of Kwanzaa. * Children play a vital role in Kwanzaa celebrations. * Kwanzaa promotes unity and collective action within the community. * The celebration in Des Moines has a rich history and cultural significance. * Kwanzaa is open to everyone, regardless of background. * The event encourages participation and learning for all ages. * Kwanzaa serves as a reminder of cultural heritage and identity.

Card Games & Collard Green Confessions: A Thanksgiving Special

Join the Podcast Cousins crew for a hilarious and heartfelt Thanksgiving conversation that feels just like being at the family gathering! From debating who makes the best mac and cheese to confessing controversial food opinions (we're looking at you, collard greens), this episode captures the authentic chaos and joy of Black family holidays. Corey Dion Lewis, Paula Bell, Daron 360 Richardson, Kenny, Emili Johnson, and Lya Williams come together for an unfiltered discussion about Thanksgiving traditions, food politics, the trauma of learning to play spades, and what it means to find community as Black professionals in Iowa. Whether you're showing up to dinner at 3 pm and not eating until 6, dodging potlucks at work, or strategically bringing store-bought pie to avoid food criticism, you'll find yourself in this conversation. It's real, it's funny, and it's exactly what you need before heading to your own family gathering. Check out everyone’s podcast and show them some love: Black and Privileged in America – Abena Sankofa: https://www.amplifieddsm.com/podcast-2 [https://www.amplifieddsm.com/podcast-2]Math Talk – Kenny Lilly: https://www.amplifieddsm.com/podcast-17 [https://www.amplifieddsm.com/podcast-17]Brother's Gon' Work It Out – Daron Richardson: https://www.amplifieddsm.com/podcast-3 [https://www.amplifieddsm.com/podcast-3]Black. Girl. Iowa. Podcast – Emili Johnson: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FbzXQSnggODmGI9D3eGea [https://open.spotify.com/show/5FbzXQSnggODmGI9D3eGea]This Is Not My Show – Dwana Bradley: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsNotMyShow [https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsNotMyShow]The Minds w/ Hakeem Podcast – Jjuan Hakeem: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKbfWFbqKlaC73Ry1CrB4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKbfWFbqKlaC73Ry1CrB4]Black Iowa News Podcast – Lya Williams: https://blackiowanews.com/podcasts/ [https://blackiowanews.com/podcasts/]The Healthy Project – Corey Dion Lewis: https://thehealthyprojectnetwork.transistor.fm/ [https://thehealthyprojectnetwork.transistor.fm/] Dojo Talk - Paula Bell https://open.spotify.com/show/5SLoW2OgbQTMbVATgpqaZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/5SLoW2OgbQTMbVATgpqaZJ] https://open.spotify.com/show/5PqauvSatLJpDTxaH4E5q0 [https://open.spotify.com/show/5PqauvSatLJpDTxaH4E5q0] Thanksgiving Timing & Family Dynamics (00:00 - 10:00) * The universal experience of being told dinner is at 4pm but not eating until 6:30 * Why the house is always 90 degrees * Paula's project management approach to cooking (done by 12:30pm!) * The cousin you see once a year who just makes everything funnier Food Politics & Cultural Differences (10:00 - 25:00) * The great mac and cheese debate * Caribbean vs. Southern cooking traditions (macaroni pie vs. mac and cheese) * Why you should NEVER try a new recipe on Thanksgiving * The importance of knowing who cooked what before putting it on your plate * Store-bought pie as a strategic choice Controversial Food Opinions (25:00 - 35:00) * Cranberry sauce discs: love them or hate them? * Emily's shocking confession: she doesn't like collard greens * When food "tastes like somebody's house" * Why we don't do potlucks at work Card Game Trauma (35:00 - 40:00) * Getting cussed out while learning to play spades at 12 years old * Why dominoes requires tough skin * Caribbean bones vs. Southern spades * The hazing ritual of Black family card games * Uno: where relationships go to die Gratitude & Community (40:00 - End) * Finding community as Black professionals in Iowa * The power of podcast cousins supporting each other * Mental health, grace, and showing up for each other * Why representation and unity matter "Don't call me until the food is ready. Don't call me until the food is ready!" - Emili "If you haven't cooked it before, Thanksgiving is not the day to try it." - Paula "You ever eat somebody's dessert, and it tastes like their house?" - Daron "We told UNO to stay out of black people's business with the rules." - Emili Podcast Cousins is a collective of independent Black media in Des Moines, Iowa, coming together to have real conversations beyond our usual topics.

Iowa Ain’t Nice: A Look Into Entrepreneurship for Black Iowans

In this week’s episode of Podcast Cousins, we’re having a real conversation about what it takes to build, sustain, and protect Black-owned businesses in Iowa — especially in spaces where diversity is minimal and community support is inconsistent. We hear the phrase “Iowa Nice” all the time — a cultural idea that Iowans are friendly, polite, and welcoming. But for many Black Iowans, Iowa Nice often looks like politeness without belonging, friendliness without support, and silence when equity is on the line. Today, we’re joined by Ashley Kofoed, owner of The Black Rose Bookstore in West Branch, Iowa — a bookstore, café, gathering space, and place of refuge rooted in love, community, and resistance. Ashley shares how she built the Black Rose, the emotional and financial realities of sustaining a Black business in a small Iowa town, and why community action matters more than community applause. We’re also joined by the cousins: * Abena Sankofa – Black & Privileged in America * J’juan Hakeem – Minds With Hakeem * Daron 360 Richardson – Brothers Gonna Work It Out * Kenny Lilly – Do The Math 24-7 * Lya Williams – Inside Black Iowa * Paula Bell – Dojo Talk & The Joe and Paula Show Together, we talk authenticity, belonging, emotional labor, building community, and the power of showing up for each other. “When I first opened the Black Rose, I wanted it to be the space I never had — as a kid, as a teacher, as a Black woman in Iowa.” This episode is conversation, community, and clarity. And it's a call — not to be Iowa Nice, but to be Iowa Real. 📍 RESOURCES & LINKS Visit & Support The Black Rose Bookstore:Website: www.theblackrosewb.comInstagram: & TikTok: @theblackrosewb Follow the Cousins: * @blackgirliowa * @theofficialabena * @tmwhakeen * @daron360 * @dothemath247 * @blackiowanews * @ninjafitness 📣 CALL TO LISTENERS If this conversation resonated, share this episode, leave a review, and — most importantly — show up for Black-owned businesses in your community. Not just in words. In presence, purchases, partnership & amplification.

The Math Ain't Mathin': Thoughts on the Dr. Roberts Case & the State of Black Safety in Iowa

In this episode of Podcast Cousins, Emili Johnson of Black. Girl. Iowa. sits down with her Podcast Cousins—Lya Williams of Black Iowa News, Daron “360” Richardson of Brothas Gon’ Work It Out, and Corey Dion Lewis of The Healthy Project Podcast—to unpack the recent arrest of Dr. Ian Roberts, former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, by ICE. Dr. Roberts is more than an educator—he is a leader, an advocate, and a symbol of excellence within the community. His arrest has shaken the Black community in Iowa and beyond, raising urgent questions about safety, justice, and systemic inequities. Together, Emili and her guests explore how Roberts’ case impacts students, families, and the broader Iowa community. The discussion emphasizes preparedness, accountability, and the resilience required to confront ongoing injustices. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: * The systemic injustices behind Dr. Roberts’ arrest and what it signals for Black Iowans. * Community members’ fears, hopes, and calls for accountability. * Why preparedness—through documentation and mutual aid—is vital. * How the case affects not only Roberts but also students, families, and trust in institutions. * Why hope, as one guest says, must be practiced as “a discipline.” 📌 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, and YouTube.