Radiotopia Presents: Red for Revolution

Today we're sharing the first episode of Harlem Queen [https://pod.link/1453287583], a historical audio drama detailing the powerful story of “Policy Queen” and “gangster” Madame Stephanie St. Clair. Madame St. Clair had a powerful impact on building the Harlem community underground and aboveground and defining the Harlem Renaissance. Our goal is for you to be entertained, educated, empowered and uplifted after hearing this amazing story!  Harlem Queen can be found at https://www.yhanewashingtonsmith.com/ or anywhere you listen to podcasts.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices [https://dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices]

In October 2024, Apple Podcasts launched a new initiative to highlight narrative series [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/apple-podcasts-spotlights-narrative-series/], including designating a new show every month as a Series Essential, celebrating the finest storytelling and the medium’s greatest achievements. My Mother Made Me is the March 2025 selection. For this special occasion, we asked Jason to sit down with his mother to reflect on their experience of documenting and sharing their very special relationship with the world. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices [https://dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices]

Today, we're sharing the first episode of a new limited-run series from NPR's Embedded [https://pod.link/1091709555], "Alternate Realities". Zach Mack and his dad are living in separate realities, and it's tearing their family apart. Like so many Americans, Zach's dad has gotten swept up in conspiracy theories. After years of circular arguments, the father challenged his son to a bet: $10,000 on ten politically apocalyptic predictions that would all happen in 2024. In this three-part series, we follow Zach on an intimate journey to bring his father back from the rabbit hole.  "This is more than just a story about whose reality is 'correct'," said Zach Mack. "As I documented my father's beliefs throughout the past year, I was also trying to understand how the conspiracy theories he found took hold. The bet offered a way to settle our endless debates, which I know so many other families are having, and arrive at a place of truth and understanding." "Alternate Realities" intimately explores how the intermingling of misinformation and Zach's father's religious beliefs tests the bonds of his family, and offers a first-person perspective into an issue plaguing close relationships across the nation. How do you reach a loved one who is lost inside his own conspiracy mentality? And what do you do if your best efforts to bring them back end up failing? Embedded is available wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices [https://dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices]

As tensions escalate and hearts are both shattered and healed, our season one love story reaches its climax in the City of Love. Jazmine’s family surprises her with a graduation trip to Paris, but little do they know, she has a surprise of her own in store. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L.  Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee. The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter visit redforrevolution.com [http://redforrevolution.com/]. This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract.  Episode Six Cast: Jordan Hull a s Jazmine James S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (Present Day) Loretta Devine as Lorraine Giovanni (Present Day) Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s) Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s) Alimi Ballard as LeRoy Jennifer Beals as Suzanne Sands   Mal'akiy Rhoden as Miles James Ashley J. Hobbs as Airline Announcer Mathew Quitney as Stage Manager Christine Angelique as Paris Music Festival Announcer  Caro Guzmán as Adrienne Music Featured: “I Don’t Want To Know” Written by Jana Naomi Smith Original Composition by Tammy L. Hall  Performed by Jordan Hull  “I Love Paris” Written by Cole Porter Performed by Loretta Devine and the Red for Revolution Band Courtesy of WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC. “Dare To Love” Written by Jana Naomi Smith Original Composition by Tammy L. Hall  Performed by Loretta Devine and the Red For Revolution Band For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents [http://radiotopiapresents.fm/], a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices [https://dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices]

As tensions between Jazmine and her mother boil over, Grandma Ella steps in, guiding the three women to confront the painful reality of intergenerational homophobia. Meanwhile, back in the 1970s, the stakes soar for Ella and Lorraine’s relationship as young Ella is falsely accused of a crime.  Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L.  Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee. The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter visit redforrevolution.com [http://redforrevolution.com/]. This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract.  Episode 5 Cast: Jordan Hull a s Jazmine James S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (Present Day) Loretta Devine as Lorraine Giovanni (Present Day) Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s) Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s) Don Daniels as Sean  Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Delores Ali Danny Glover as Howard Ali Jennifer Beals as Suzanne Sands   Vanessa E. Williams as Barbra Graves JoNell Kennedy as News Reporter Mark Thompson as William Davis Caro Guzmán as Kathy Miles Agee as Vincent and Preacher Xavier Miles Temple as Nightclub Runner Music Featured: “His Eye is on the Sparrow” Written by Civilla Durfee Martin and Charles Hutchinson Gabriel Performed by Renée Wilson “Send In The Clowns” Written by Stephen Sondheim Performed by Renée Wilson and Jordan Hull and the Red for Revolution Band Courtesy of WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC. For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents [http://radiotopiapresents.fm/], a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices [https://dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices]