Summer Series: Rewriting The Origin Story (ft. Relando Thompkins-Jones)

Women’s History Month: Taylor Crumpton on Hip-Hop, Politics, and the Future of Journalism

In this special episode of The Masks We Wear, journalist Taylor Crumpton speaks about her path from social work into journalism, beginning during the first Trump administration and later shifting into music and cultural criticism as a way to decompress while still treating pop culture as inherently political. Taylor discusses burnout for Black journalists, newsroom training and mentorship, and the current collapse of mainstream media through layoffs, while highlighting the rise of journalist-led independent outlets and the need to demand more from institutions. She shares key influences, career highlights, artists she hopes to interview, and goals for a hip-hop feminist legacy. Connect with Taylor on Instagram @taylorcrumpton and check out her portfolio: https://www.taylorcrumpton.com/ * (00:00) - Welcome * (00:18) - Taylor’s Journey * (02:12) - From Politics to Music Writing * (04:10) - Journalism Under Attack * (07:25) - AI and Industry Advice * (09:01) - Influences and Career Highlights * (12:35) - Dream Interviews and Artists * (15:26) - Finding Your Voice * (17:54) - Boundaries and Ethics * (25:34) - Objectivity Is a Myth * (29:00) - Hip Hop’s Gone MAGA * (32:26) - Legacy and Women in Media * (36:01) - 10 Albums * (37:59) - Final Thoughts

Unmasking Neurodiversity: Stories, Stigma, and Superpowers (Part 2)

In Part 2, journey with me as I connect with professionals, educators, parents, and creatives who walk us through some novel approaches to facing up to the reality -- both what it is and what it isn't -- of neurodiversity. Special Thanks to  * Dr. Nora Ekeanya * Dr. Jeff Gardere * Reverend Tamera Kabemba * Vaughan Harrison * David F. Walker Music Credits * Lofi Chill by DELOSound from Pixbay  * Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/ [https://freebeats.io/#google_vignette] https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=2kN6HNEYc0TK_PNe [https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=2kN6HNEYc0TK_PNe] * "Take it slow" by tomh https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=fyG9urNIYL0Fcble [https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=fyG9urNIYL0Fcble]

Unmasking Neurodiversity: Beyond the Label (Part 1)

In Part 1, we'll explore how neurodiversity is portrayed in the media, masking, the societal pressures behind those facades, and politics. Special thanks to: * Tomar Alexander * The Different Spectrums Podcast * Kenneth Mims * Dr. Michelle Meyer * Bendita C. Malakia * Andrew Robinson Music Credits * Lofi Chill by DELOSound from Pixbay  * Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/ [https://freebeats.io/#google_vignette] https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=2kN6HNEYc0TK_PNe [https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=2kN6HNEYc0TK_PNe] * Voices by Rexlambo   https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=RrHYOZGO1Mugu8Kv [https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=RrHYOZGO1Mugu8Kv]

The Mask of Fame (ft. Kelsey Russell, Pervis Taylor III, Genesis Powell, and Racquel Benjamin)

This episode explores how celebrities and public figures — often idolized or scrutinized — wear emotional masks to hide their pain, trauma, or inner turmoil. We dig into the pressures of fame, toxic perfectionism, public opinion, and the toll it takes on mental health. By looking at real-world figures and fictional parallels, we create a dialogue around visibility, vulnerability, and the cost of hiding behind an image. Guests * Kelsey Russell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelscruss/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelscruss/] * Pervis Taylor III https://www.pervistaylor.com [https://www.pervistaylor.com] Special thanks to Genesis Powell and Racquel Benjamin too! Music Credits * Voices by Rexlambo  https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=T6YXMGb0BcENFXsf [https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=T6YXMGb0BcENFXsf]  * “Take it slow” by Tomh  https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=bBNTCyi6qujZy7ak [https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=bBNTCyi6qujZy7ak]  * “Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/ [https://freebeats.io/] * https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=UgIi8lNtP_Npg9kz [https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=UgIi8lNtP_Npg9kz]

Summer Series: Rewriting The Origin Story (ft. Relando Thompkins-Jones)

Sometimes the hardest story to rewrite... is our own. Join me and Relando Thompkins-Jones as we unmask and rewrite origin stories. Whether we’re healing from trauma, shaking off labels the world put on us, or finally seeing ourselves with fresh eyes—rewriting an origin story is an act of resistance, an act of liberation. My episode on Social Justice Origin Stories: https://youtu.be/-GxD-HCS8SI?si=gh-vr22erOlVhAoQ [https://youtu.be/-GxD-HCS8SI?si=gh-vr22erOlVhAoQ] Follow Relando for more! Website: ⁠https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/⁠ [https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/] Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories] Instagram:  ⁠@SocialJusticeOriginStories ⁠ Music Credits: * "Take it slow" by Tomh. https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=aqNLogvKVlTwG0hH [https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=aqNLogvKVlTwG0hH] https://hypeddit.com/tomhwav Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Music promoted by Audio Library * "Voices" by Rexlambo https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=-n8mOdAmyLYICMv2 [https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=-n8mOdAmyLYICMv2] Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Audio Library: