Vulgar Geniuses

When Erika J. Simpson’s essay found its way into Roxane Gay’s newsletter, The Audacity, it set in motion the origins of what would become a beautifully layered memoir about Sallie Carol, a mother who stood so tall and shone so bright that one could be mesmerized by her ability to feel as if she were godlike. In This is Your Mother, Simpson would soon become aware of her mother’s humanness, as she sat at the edge of death during her fifth bout of cancer, and how her mother's endless reaching towards building a legacy came at the sacrifice of her daughters’ childhoods. In this episode, Simpson speaks with us about her love for her mother, processing grief through her writing, and how shows like The X-Files and Sliders provided a necessary means of escapism. We also talk about Simpson’s special kinship with her sister and a unique birthday tradition that has lasted well over two decades.

Ryan Rivas’ Lizard People is a dark satire told through the voice of the unnamed narrator, who believes that he himself is a lizard person. After an incident at his workplace, the man is sent to a resort for intensive therapy to begin wrestling with his perceived identity. Themes of race and white supremacy are interwoven in this deliciously twisted tale. Ryan Rivas joins us on the show to talk about his work on and off the page. He has solidified himself as a staple within Florida’s literary scene, from his work with projects like Page15 and There Will Be Words to creating his own publishing house. This September, Ryan marks a major milestone as Burrow Press celebrates 15 years of giving writers a home to set their words

In Sky Full of Elephants, a year has passed since “The Event,” where, without warning or known cause, every white person stopped what they were doing, walked to the nearest body of water, and drowned themselves. Charlie Brunton is a Black man rebuilding his life after spending years in prison for a crime he was wrongfully accused of. One day, he receives a phone call from a person whom he has never known existed, his biracial daughter, Sidney.Cebo Campbell’s unforgettable debut novel beckons readers to embrace its beautiful premise of defiance, and imagine a life where whiteness is no longer the background against which Black people are subjected. In this week’s episode, we are joined in conversation with Cebo Campbell to discuss the conception of his remarkable story, and the importance of taking up space while acknowledging one’s right to experience all things wild and free. Sky Full of Elephants is out in paperback on September 16.

In August 2015, James Dukes, known as IMAKEMADBEATS, introduced the world to a groundbreaking movement in Memphis’ burgeoning hip-hop scene when he founded Unapologetic, a music label that has become the blueprint for building community among all types of creatives. Going against the grain allowed IMAKEMADBEATS to forge a new path in the music industry reminiscent of the Harlem Renaissance. His work and passion pushed him to stretch his artistic bandwidth in places uncharted by a typical music label. From writing a screenplay for an award-winning short film to composing music for the Ballet Memphis company, IMAKEMADBEATS has shown that there is no limit to his vision for the city he calls home. We commemorate 10 years of Unapologetic by revisiting our conversation from 2022 with IMAKEMADBEATS.Originally Aired: February 2022

Yuri Kochiyama was a revolutionary! The legacy of her life's work as a civil rights activist has been beautifully documented in a children's picture book written by Kai Naima Williams, Harlem-born poet, artist, and Yuri's great-granddaughter. The Bridges Yuri Built: How Yuri Kochiyama Marched Across Movements walks readers through her origin story of becoming one of the country's most important advocators for Asian American rights. In our interview with Kai, she pinpoints the early beginnings of Kochiyama's life when her family was imprisoned in the Japanese-American Concentration camps during World World II. This horrific moment in America's history set in motion Kochiyama's push to live a life committed to ensuring the freedom of all minorities through social change. We also talk about Kochiyama's friendship with Malcolm X, and how that relationship encouraged her to become a freedom fighter. 

Three years have passed since Hanif Abdurraqib's essay collection Little Devil In America tackled the subject of Black performance in American culture. In his newest release, There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, Hanif asks readers to sit with the idea of the common enemy, one which he defines as a person who might interrupt the affection of anyone we love. Hanif presents us with a love story for his home state of Ohio, basketball, and frames it within the window of success and interruption. Woven within the stories of basketball greats and unknowns who fall short of obtaining victories, readers wrestle with the conversations that beg to ask, "What does one do with the grief and loss of a dream?"

Through an examination of queerness, race, and the power that they play within the lives of a Southern Black family, Jennifer Neal's Notes On Her Color is an inventive and vibrant story as mother and daughter share the ability to change the color of their skin. Gabrielle and her mother have a uniquely close relationship, but the opposite is true with her temperamental father. The patriarch's only desire is that their skin must remain white at all times while in his presence. Neal talks about reaching into satirical storylines and historical moments (that feel satirical) that became the inspirational foundation of her debut novel. She also talks about her hope that her work adds to the many stories of queer narratives in spaces that seek to erase them.

In 2023, we celebrated our third anniversary with Yvette Lisa Ndlovu's debut short story collection, Drinking From Graveyard Wells. Her book captivated us as she worked magic, death, and time travel into stories that explored themes of family, citizenship, and autonomy. Yvette's collection grapples with her country's future with stories that reflect Zimbabwe's past under the ruling thumb of the former dictator Mugabe. We talk with Ndlovu about the women in her stories being able to harness power in death, gentrification, and the sacrifices made when giving up home for citizenship in another country.

Quietly Hostile is the fifth book by Samantha Irby, and it is truly a love letter to all people who have embraced the power of not giving a fuck what anyone thinks. Her hilarious collection of essays gives us a peek into what Irby's life looks like after the world shut down and left her to take a swan dive into an ocean of QVC merchandise. Samantha opens up about her undying and unwavering love for The Dave Matthews Band, gives a point-by-point analysis of what will make for the best porn storyline, and reveals the drama that happens in the comment section of the New York Times' Spelling Bee app.

We bid adieu to 2023, but not before we take a final walk down memory lane to celebrate the many wins we had during our spectacular Jordan Year. Dennie and I talk about the stellar guests that graced our show, the interviews that were our favorite, and we give our yearly resolution wish list for 2024.